Barry Larkin Collection 130: 2000 Pacific Aurora #37

Barry Larkin
Year:  2000
Brand:  Pacific Aurora
Card number:  37

The 2000 Pacific Aurora set features two different versions of this Larkin card.  The common version (shown here) has the red background.  There also exists a version with a pinstripe background that is short printed (which as of the time I wrote this post I do not own).

As I mentioned above, this particular card features a red background (with subtle designs) with two main photos.  The first, a head shot of Larkin while there is smaller action shot of Larkin in the upper right corner.  The team logo and script player name complete the front design.  Surprisingly, despite all the different things going on with the card, I think the entire concept comes together quite well.  I particularly like the heavier card stock - combined with the gold foil script name, this card "feels" nice.

The good design continues on the back - and while I would prefer more statistics I love the third photo and large team logo.  Another thing that I love about Pacific cards is that they label what the set is right in the card number circle.  I think all card companies should be required to do that - it's too confusing otherwise!  Kudos to Pacific for that one.

Trade Stack 39: A New Stack Begins (with 5 Hall of Famer Cards)!

Here is how this works:

Every so often (i.e. whenever I feel like it), I will add a card to a "Trade Stack".  Whenever the stack becomes appealing enough to someone, that person needs to comment on the post saying they'd like to claim the stack AND tell me which card they are sending off of my want list.  That's all you have to do - trade me ONE card (or more, of course) card from my want list for the entire stack of cards that I'm offering.  Each time, it will be first come, first serve...so act quickly (unless of course you are a gambler and hope to wait it out until there are 10+ cards in the stack that you want in exchange for a single 2004 UD Vintage card that I am looking for)!

The Trade Stack:

Last update:  5/27/12

As I'm sure you all know, I'm a set collector first.  However, there is one player whose cards I actively seek out whether or not he's featured in whatever set(s) I'm working on at the time - and that player is Barry Larkin.  If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you've probably seen some of my various Barry Larkin Collection posts where I highlight one card from my collection.  


One of the ways that I acquire new Barry Larkin cards is to either purchase of trade for lots of cards.  Of course, while I do end up with a bunch that I need, I also inevitably end up with a bunch of duplicates.  What better way to get rid of my duplicates than to add them to the trade stack?  I don't know if there are other Larkin collectors out there or not who frequent my blog - but if there are (or if you'd like to become a collector of the newest Hall of Fame member, here's your chance)!  For Trade Stack #39, we begin with not one card (as usual) but rather a collection of five different Barry Larkin cards.  


As you can see from the scan below, there is a nice mix of Larkin cards included in the newest stack including an oddball Larkin card.  Please note that I won't be able to mail out the cards for about a week...but I hope to be able to check my email so that I will at least know whether or not the stack is claimed.  As always, the first to leave a comment stating which card (or cards) they will send me from my want list gets the full stack!


Barry Larkin - Reds
1989 Score:  #31
1992 Fleer Ultra:  #191
1992 Post Cereal:  #23
1994 Topps:  #250
1996 Score:  #362

Want the card(s) in the stack?  Act fast - tell me which card you will send me off my want list in the comments below!  You must leave a comment on the trade stack post in order to claim the card - no more claims via email!  If no one claims this card within a reasonable amount of time (a few hours up to a few days, depending) - I'll add another card to the stack and the process will start again!

Previously Claimed Trade Stacks:

Stack 01:  2 cards by dayf
Stack 02:  8 cards by Justin
Stack 03:  17 cards by Cam
Stack 04:  4 cards by Cam
Stack 05:  9 cards by Daily Dimwit
Stack 06:  4 cards by The Lost Collector
Stack 07:  1 card by Baseball Dad
Stack 08:  1 card by M. Spiegel
Stack 09:  6 cards by bwsmith25
Stack 10:  6 cards by Baseball Dad
Stack 11:  1 card by Patrick
Stack 12:  5 cards by Matt B.
Stack 13:  4 cards by Steve G.
Stack 14:  3 cards by ShaneK
Stack 15:  7 cards by Ryan G
Stack 16:  1 card by longlivethewho
Stack 17:  4 cards by hiflew
Stack 18:  4 cards by Potch
Stack 19:  2 cards by Axemanohio
Stack 20:  5 cards by by Play at the Plate
Stack 21:  5 cards by BA Benny
Stack 22:  1 card by IkesCards
Stack 23:  8 cards by Axemanohio
Stack 24:  1 card by BA Benny
Stack 25:  2 cards by Jeff P.
Stack 26:  10 cards by Axemanohio
Stack 27:  1 card by BA Benny
Stack 28:  7 cards by ThingsAreFunnerHere
Stack 29:  3 cards by TheBrooklynMet
Stack 30:  4 cards by Adam C.
Stack 31:  10 cards by Play at the Plate
Stack 32:  8 cards by Josh D.
Stack 33:  6 cards by Baseball Dad
Stack 34:  1 card by Potch
Stack 35:  9 cards by Cool Breeze
Stack 36:  11 cards by Kev 
Stack 37:  6 cards by Tunguska
Stack 38:  12 cards by Baseball Dad
Stack 39:  ?? by ??

Delivery Time! Trollin' For Trades

About a month ago, I sent Troll (from The Collective Troll blog) a whole bunch of 2009 Topps cards.  I don't think they were part of any formal trade but I knew he needed 'em (and I didn't).  Flash forward about a month and that small box of cards was worthwhile - the magnificent Troll managed to send me the last card I needed for my 2010 Topps set - this History of the World Series card featuring the Yankees winning (booo!).

When I saw the card, I couldn't help but laugh a little bit because this particular card has been involved in at least three different trade talks since the set was released two years ago.  In fact, there is one trade that was agreed to (and I mailed my half) in which I was to have received this card (along with a few others).  Obviously, I got totally stiffed in that deal as not only did I not get the cards I was supposed to but I mailed my half off in good faith.  If it weren't for the hundreds of great trades that I've made over the same time period, I might be inclined to think all people are scummy.  Luckily, I know it's only a small (but annoying) fraction of people that are scummy.

Troll also managed to find a 2009 Allen & Ginter mini that I still needed.

I'm ever so slowly closing in on completing the 2009 mini set - in fact, I only need the following to complete the various sets:

2009 Allen & Ginter Needs:
Inventions of the Future (minis): FI5Extinct Creatures (minis): 1, 5Creatures of Legend, Myth, &Terror (minis): 5, 7, 14, 15Cabinet Boxloader: CB6, CB9, CB10Regular back mini: 28, 30, 47, 53, 73, 134, 159, 176, 205, 208, 264, 271, 277, 307

Thanks a lot for the trade Troll!  And, as always, if anyone else would like to trade - check out my want list and make an offer!  P.S.  Congrats for rockin' that Statistics final!

Nachos Grande: Gone Fishin'

After a month or so of 3+ posts per day, I have decided that if I don't slow down my posting a bit I'll end up totally burnt out (like some of these people I suppose).  As such, you'll probably see my blog popping up on your blog roll a bit less often than normal, but rest assured, I still plan to continue blogging and card collecting.

I have to admit that 2012 hasn't been nearly as much fun for me on the blogging front because I haven't been completing many trades.  Why haven't I been trading?  Well, mostly because no seems to have any of the cards that I still need...and the fact that I have yet to purchase a single pack of 2012 product.  However, with the release of Allen & Ginter around the corner - and with my plan to purchase a case, I'll finally have some fresh trade bait!

Until then, I'll still do my best to keep you entertained with various posts - perhaps I can use some of this time to whittle down my pile of Barry Larkin cards that are waiting to be scanned and written about for my Larkin Collection series.

I should also mention that I'm going to have sporadic access to the internet over the next week or so (which will also contribute to a slowing down of the blog).  Please bear with me - I will respond to each of you who writes to me when time allows.

Group Break #5: The Final Post!

It's finally here - the final Group Break #5 post!  The break was long - but hopefully as much fun for all of you as it was for me.  Seven boxes is a lot, chances are I will scale back the sheer number of boxes in the future.  Every team ended up with at least 15 cards (except the Brewers).  Even better, most teams had in excess of 25 cards! We found 13 relics in the break and 57 serially numbered cards.

Actually, all of the above numbers are accurate before I open the final three Fleer Molten Metal packs.  Will we be able to add any other goodies to the various team stacks?  Only one way to know...

Pack 1 of 3:
65.  Marquis Grisson - Brewers

67.  Carlos Beltran - Royals
81.  Rusty Greer - Rangers
94.  Pat Hentgen - Blue Jays
115.  David Justice - Indians
Xplosion:  124.  Freddy Garcia - Mariners

The Brewers must have realized they were slacking - the Grissom is card #13 (by my unofficial count).  With two packs remaining, the Brew Crew needs two more cards to avoid being the only team without at least 15 cards in the break.

Pack 2 of 3:
28.  Geoff Jenkins - Brewers
30.  Vinny Castilla - Rockies
43.  Moises Alou - Astros
103.  Orlando Hernandez - Yankees
146.  Kerry Wood - Cubs
Heavy Metal Fusion:  30F.  Mo Vaughn - Angels

The Brewers picked up another card...one pack remaining and they need one more - can they do it?  The Angels also picked up a nice card in the Heavy Metal Fusion insert (seeded 1:12 packs).

Pack 3 of 3 - FINAL GROUP BREAK PACK!
10.  Paul O'Neil - Yankees
23.  Matt Williams - Diamondbacks
73.  Jay Buhner - Mariners
87.  Johnny Damon - Royals
128.  Todd Helton - Rockies
Xplosion:  103.  Orlando Hernandez - Yankees

Nope, not 15th Brewer card - though 14 cards isn't a terrible total I suppose (especially for a "random" team).  The Yankees scored the final metal card of the break - I was really hoping for at least one Reds metal card (preferably of Larkin) but alas, no such luck.

Here's a scan of my spreadsheet just so you can see how the various teams compared.

Overall, there was a good spread of cards amongst most teams - hopefully you all enjoyed the break!  I'm sure I'll do another break before too long - but I think I'll rest a bit first.