Trade with Fellow Blogger : Alex Of Chavez Ravining

A chapter in my collecting world is sadly coming to an end with this post. Hopefully in a few years that will change but this will be the last post for the foreseeable future when it comes to trading with Alex of Chavez Ravining. For those that do not know Alex has taken a temporary and possibly permanent leave from the collecting world as he will be concentrating on school and life in general. I also had similar sabbatical (for different reasons) back in 2001 and only came back to the hobby in 2013. Hopefully he will not be gone for over a decade like I was as we had a great trading relationship. 

With that said, Alex had cards he needed to unload and what better chance to do our final trade. He has plans to come down here next month for a Dodger game and he was planning to buy my season tickets for a game but we just switched it to a trade. Some cards for some tickets. The only card I "had" to have back is an Adrian Beltre autograph card that I traded to him back in August of 2013. Even though I since then have reacquired the same card I wanted to have an extra copy. Both are ear marked for BGS grading of course. To even out the trade I told Alex to just throw in whatever he felt like and we would call it even. He sent a couple handfuls of base cards which I won't go over (too many) but he did include more autographs and that is my collection priority so here they are.

Donruss Federowicz

First up is this on card/jersey autograph of former Dodger Tim Federowicz. As Alex knows I am not the biggest fan of non licensed cards but it still is an autograph which is always a good thing. I have a Tim autograph with him in USA colors so this is available for trade if anyone is interested in it.

Bowman Sterling Windle

Next up is an on card autograph of yet another former Dodger, Tom Windle, who is now part of the Phillie organization. I already have a copy of this card but it never hurts to have another for trade purposes so if anyone is interested this one is also available for trade.

Bowman Chrome Billingsley

One of my favorite former Dodgers makes an appearance. Chad is yet another player who is now with the Phillie organization but when he was a Dodger he was always a class act I am sure he still is on the east coast. This is a PSA 9 graded rookie card of his which I did not have as of yet. I am not a fan of PSA nor does the grade matter to me so I cracked it open and put it in my collection as a raw card. Great luck to the Defiant, PA resident unless he is pitching against the Dodgers.

Topps Fan Favorite Sax

166 / 215

Another great card of a former Dodger and this time its Steve Sax. While I have autograph photos of the Saxman I did not own an on card autograph till now. This card was never on any of my eBay searches and thankfully it wasn't as now I received it for "free". 

Topps Retired Lopes

Second to last card and the one I think has the best visual appeal. Love these retired autographs and even though I own an on card autograph of Lopes this one trumps it which makes the other one expendable. These came sealed but like the Billingley card I have opened it up and put it in my own case. 

Upper Deck Beltre

And lastly the card that started the trade off and the one I get to welcome back home after months away, Adrian Beltre in Dodger blue with an on card autograph. 

Thank you again to Alex for all the cards and it is appreciated as always. If this is our last trade then it was a great final one but hopefully in future years we can do another when or if you decide to rejoin the hobby. 

Thank you for reading and have a blessed day.

-Penguin

Player Appearance / Signing Recap : Steve Sax @ Dr. Liu's Optometry On December 6th, 2014

Sax and I back in February of this year.

Began the year by meeting Steve Sax for the first time and now I am ending the year with meeting him one more time.

Back in February Dr. Liu hosted a Sax in store signing and I ventured over to the office for the very first time. You can read the recap HERE . How things can change in a little under a year. 10 months separate February and December and in that time I went from collecting primarily signed baseballs to almost stopping that completely (aside from the occasional black ball) and moving onto cards and getting 8x10's signed. With that said I sold off the Sax ball and was now looking to replace it with a signed photo by him. I originally thought I would do the "traditional" baseball photo and then I remembered a project I thought I may or may not do. Enter The Simpsons.

Back in 1992 The Simpsons did the baseball episode entitled "Homer at the Bat" which is classic to this day among fans. Below is the Mr. Burns baseball team that he put on the field during that episode.

As you can see there are 9 former baseball players. Being in Los Angeles I believe I have a good chance at getting Mattingly and Scioscia at some point this year. Canseco should be obtainable once his finger is better from being shot off by Jose himself. Ha Ha. The others are going to be hard but that leaves us with Steve for now. What better way to start the project than with the former Dodger? Off I went to Dr. Liu's with photo in hand to get the first autograph of a project that let's be real probably won't ever be completed. Won't stop me from trying though.

Headed off to the office and I barely made it as it was close to 3;45 but it looked like everyone that wanted Steve's autograph had already been there and gone as there was no line. I paid my fee and promptly placed my photo in front of Steve and now I have the first signature for the photo. Said thank you to Steve for once again showing up and signing for fans and I was on my way.

Thank you again for Alex Lui and his staff for hosting and promoting yet another smooth signing. I look forward to the next one.

Wide view

Closer view

Also for more information on Steve Sax's foundation and his cause please visit his website at this address : Foundation

Upcoming Player Appearance / Signing - Steve Sax @ Dr. Liu's Optometry On December 6th, 2014

Steve Sax is making a return visit to Dr. Liu's Optometry next month for an in store autograph appearance.

Stever has been there before and it went smoothly and you can guarantee this one will be just the same. As always the price for the autograph is reasonable as Dr. Liu does his best to keep costs low. $20 for any piece will get you the 2x World Series Champion's John Hancock. I myself will be there starting a new project in which Steve be the first to sign.

If you have any questions or would like to pre purchase your tickets please contact Dr. Liu via email at xcorbinod@gmail.com

Trade with Dr. Liu Part 8 also Photo of the Day - Steve Sax Signed 8 x 10

Sax and his silver signature.

The day after I met up with Steve was the day I decided to stop collecting signed balls. If I made the decision the day before I could have just saved a few bucks and just had Steve sign this for me. It's all about timing. Well Dr. Liu was kind enough to add this to the trade package and now I have this photo in place of the signed ball that I received from Steve. Speaking of that ball it is still available for trade or purchase.

Signed Ball of the Day and Player Appearance Recap : Steve Sax ( ROMLB Sweet Spot w/ROY Inscription ) @ Dr. Alex Corbin Optometry on 2.15.2014

After the poor experience at Frank and Sons for the Bo Jackson signing as seen HERE I was ready to head home but I looked at the clock and noticed it was close to 2:00 and the optometrist office was a mile or so away. Even though I have always wanted a full signature of Steve I wasn't planning to attend this event but I am glad I did.

Drove into the parking lot and hopped in line and there was about 20-25 in line and I was happy that it wasn't too long. At first I didn't notice my buddy Jimmy and his wife Michelle just a few people in front of me but once I did I soon joined them. We ended up talking for awhile as we waited for Steve as he was running late. My other buddy Franz was also coming from Frank and Sons as unlike me he was acquiring more than just one signature and by the time he arrived he was at the back of line which grew to at least 60. Happy to be up front.

Steve arrived around 2:15 and started signing for the fans and since this was a meet and greet and pictures were welcomed the line was slower but that was OK as we all knew we would get the chance for a photo op. Right prior to me getting to the table, Dr. Corbin recognized me from the blog and introduced himself to me. It is always nice to meet new people as I have met many through here. It was a pleasure. Learn more about his office and practice HERE . This is the first time they have held a Dodger signing and I hope it is not the last. After that I finally got to meet Steve as I haven't had the chance as I have always been busy or out of town. Gave Steve a ball and after he signed it he asked if I wanted him to add any inscription but I informed him that I didn't pay for any and he said no worries and put his 82 ROY inscription. Thanks Steve for the addition. Of course after the autograph I asked for a photo and Steve was more than happy to oblige.

Steve and I

I was heading out and while talking to friends the Dr. stopped me and asked if I wouldn't mind if I posted Steve's business card up here. By all means, why not. I am always happy to help out when and where I can. Steve is now ( not saying he wasn't when he played baseball ) a motivational speaker. I will be looking into his website soon myself.

To say this signing was better than the Bo Jackson one would be an understatement. Old friends, new friends and a great new autograph for the collection. It just can't be beat. Thank you again to Dr. Corbin for hosting the event and thank you to Steve for appearing. 

Finished product

ROY Inscription