Trade Post - A Cracked Bat

I am woefully behind on posting my trade posts but with a couple of visits to my card room today I have all the cards I have received from fellow bloggers and readers of the blog scanned and ready to post.  I was also very behind on sending return packages and I still owe Julie from A Cracked Bat a package in return for these great cards she sent my way.  I was happy to send out 6 packages a few days back but have just about that many more to still send.  Thanks to Julie and all the other bloggers out there for their (assumed) patience.

Enough of my groveling, lets see some cards.

First up are a trio of Giants from 2014 Classics:

Even without the license, I think Panini did a really good job on this set.  One subtle thing about the design I like is the muted backgrounds behind the players.  On Willie McCovey's card you can see a couple of tiny players in the background and something that on first glance looks like a swing set but is probably some sort of a screen or net.  The background on George Kelly's card shows an oldtime scoreboard and a very blurry crowd.  I can't pinpoint why but I really like that design element.

Next up is a great looking Amethyst parallel of World Series hero and SI Sportsman of the Year Madison Bumgarner.  I love getting parallels of this set, it is a great design and the purple bottom border really works with the card. 

I was expecting a "hit" in this package from Julie but this wasn't the one I thought would be coming.  This is my first autograph of Giants reliever Sergio Romo.  I have mad respect for Romo.  The way he handled his demotion from closer to set up man last year was amazing and helped keep the team together.  I was shocked when he resigned this year, I thought the demotion would have led him straight out of town.  Even though he scares me out on the mound a bit, I am glad he will be a Giant for at least a couple more years and I very happy to have his auto in my collection.

Finally the "hit" I was expected. A Panini Classics bat card of former Giant third baseman Pablo "Kung Fu Panda" Sandoval.  This subset is aptly titled October Heroes as Pablo was a hero for the Giants in their last 2 championship runs.  I really was hoping he would be back but the money got a little crazy and he decided he wanted a change of scenery.  I wish the Giants would have been able to bring in a Jon Lester or another big name free agent in his place but it is hard to argue with the Giants success over the past half-decade.

Julie, thanks for the great batch of cards.  Your return trade stack is sitting about half as big as it needs to be on my desk and I will finish it up soon and get it out to you.