Cards from across the Pond

I know I've been rather remiss in posting up some of the wonderful packages I've received from fellow bloggers, so this specific post will address that situation plus provide a belated congratulations to one of my favorite bloggers.

 

For starters, there was this really great package from new father Marcus over at All the Way to the Backstop. In case you've been away from the card blogging world the past few weeks, Marcus Pond, a Texas schoolteacher and his wife, recently celebrated the birth of their newborn son, Maxwell Coleman Pond. And yes, the middle name is in honor of the late San Diego Padres sportscaster Jerry Coleman.

 

I wonder if maybe Marcus was passing out sports cards instead of cigars celebrating his son's birth, as this package came completely out of the blue and, yes, it contained a healthy gathering of brown and gold (and blue) Padres goodies.

  

For starters, he included a few newer San Diego Padres cards, to include some Jedd Gyorko cards - a 2013 Topps Wal Mart Blue Border, 2013 Topps Chrome RC, and a 2013 Bowman Platinum Sapphire. Also, a 1993 Donruss Dave Staton, 2005 Donruss Greats John Kruk, 2013 Bowman Top 100 Prospects Max Fried, 2009 Topps 50th Anniversary All Rookie Team Khalil Greene, and a 2014 Topps Update Seth Smith.

One of my favorite Padres, Trevor Hoffman, was well represented in this package, as evidenced by his 1997 Pacific, 2000 SPx, 1997 Score Premium Stock, 2006 Flair Showcase, 2002 Upper Deck Vintage, 2001 SP Authentic, 2009 Topps Heritage, and a 1994 Stadium Club.

I think Marcus knows I always like finding Padres players minor league cards and these cards truly fit the bill. Here's some 2012 Pacific Coast League Top Prospects Multi-Ad Blake Tekotte and James Darnell, 2011 Lake Elsinore Storm Coke Phil Plantier, 2012 Topps Pro Debut Jonathan Galvez, 2008 TRISTAR PROjections Kyle Burke, Danny Payne and Jonathan Galvez, and a 2013 Topps Pro Debut Max Fried.

And of course, there's some old-school San Diego Padres cards, at least as old school as a franchise originating in 1969 can boast of. Here's a 1970 Topps Al Ferrara and Chris Cannizzaro, 1975 Topps Chris Cannizzaro, 1975 Topps Jerry Turner RC (also with Benny Ayala, Nyls Nyman, and Tommy Smith), and 1969 Topps Alan Foster RC and Willie Davis.

I have a natural affinity to the late '70's Padres cards, especially since that's when I was living in "America's Finest City." So these are great cards of the 1978 Topps Jerry Turner, Gene Tenace and Gene Richards, 1976 Topps Bob Davis RC, 1981 Topps Dave Cash and Mike Ivie RC (with Darcy Fast and Derrel Thomas).

And finally, here's a hand-signed 2010 Topps National Chicle Will Venable, 2013 Bowman Chrome Prospects Refractor Zach Eflin, 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Top Prospects Refractor Max Fried, 1979 Kellogg's Gaylord Perry (1973-315 hits), 1989 Panini Stickers Marvell Wynn, 2012 Topps Stickers and 2014 Topps Sticker Swinging Friar. You have to admit the Swinging Friar is a great mascot, especially when compared to other teams' fishes, birds and other assorted animals.

Once again, thank you Marcus and belated congratulations on the birth of your newest son.