2018 trade package #12: Sport Card Collectors

Today's post marks the third time already this year that I've received a surprise PWE filled with Tigers from Matt of Sport Card Collectors.  The Rodney Hampton enthusiast is super easy to trade with because we have a number of collections in common (Griffey, 90s stuff) and because he did a great job of going into detail about what he collects.  And the fact that I'm posting cards for him for the third time in five months means he's no slouch about keeping up his end of deals.

Here's what he sent my way this time:

Miggy has been the constant in all three PWEs this year (January, March), and he appears this time courtesy of three recent Panini and Topps cards.  Up top is a cool horizontal insert from the former's 2015 Prizm product called Passion, and its design reminds me a lot of Topps Chrome even more than others from that offering.

#2 is a 2018 Topps flagship insert called Legends in the Making that notes that Cabrera is one of just seven players to amass 500 RBI for one team and 1000 for a second club.  Barry Bonds, Jimmie Fox, Ken Griffey Jr., Rafael Palmeiro, Frank Robinson, and A-Rod are the others.  That list makes lots of sense when you think about it!

Last up, Miggy represents the Tigers in a retail-only insert also found in this year's flagship product, one called Opening Day Insert (to differentiate from their Opening Day brand).  This one notes Cabrera's proximity to 500 HR as he opened the season with 462; he's since added three but will need to get back to health and the pace he reached on 2016 to get it done this year.

Rising star on the mound Michael Fulmer makes his second PWE appearance in a row thanks to this Topps pair.  On the left is an Orange parallel from 2017 Fire (#187/299) which is shinier than it scans, and to the right is a flagship insert from the same year called MLB Awards that highlights Fulmer winning the AL ROY award in 2016.  That kind of success has eluded him this year partially due to poor run support but I still see him leading the rotation in WAR at the end of the year.

Last up is another pitcher, Daniel Norris, who returns after a one-PWE hiatus.  This 2017 Topps Gallery Canvas parallel is a nice example of what the brand can offer, featuring great artwork that includes the "Mr. 'I'" patch honoring late owner Mike Ilitch.  Unfortunately Norris is back on the shelf dealing with injury once again, but maybe in the future the stars will align and he'll get to display his talents over a full season.

Matt, thanks again for a fun PWE surprise!  I may have a return package heading your way sooner rather than later, and I'll be working on helping you tackle some of those sets from your (and my) childhood!