2006 Topps - Lance Cormier

I picked up this certified autograph of Lance Cormier from the 2006 Topps set as part of my COMC Black Friday purchase.

When I think of Lance Cormier I remember him with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. I didn't realize he was drafted by and made his MLB debut for the Diamondbacks. Over parts of two seasons Lance was used mostly out of the bullpen but he did make five starts. 

1998 Donruss Signature Series - Felix Rodriguez

I picked up this certified autograph of Felix Rodriguez from the 1998 Donruss Signature Series set as part of my COMC Black Friday purchase. I've never been able to say no to a 1998 Donruss Signature card. It doesn't get any better.

Felix was acquired by the Diamondbacks in a trade with Cincinnati after the 1997 Expansion Draft. He would only spend one season in Arizona appearing in 43 games and recording 5 saves. 

2005 Donruss Team Heroes - Doug Devore

I picked up this certified autograph of Doug Devore from the 2005 Donruss Team Heroes set as part of my COMC Black Friday purchase. You've got to love these mid-00s Donruss sticker autographs.

Doug's big league career didn't last long. He played in 50 games for the Diamondbacks in 2004. During that time he .224 with 3 home runs and 13 RBIs. 

Nomo's (D-Backs) Platter

Spiegel from Nomo's Sushi Platter sent over a package full of awesome Diamondbacks cards. There were way to many to scan everything but here are a few of my favorites.

Oh yah! Three new Daniel Hudson cards. It's hard to tell in the scan but the Chrome is a refractor. It's out shined by the Lineage anniversary parallel. That's not just any Gypsy Queen parallell. It's a Straight Cut back. 

Spiegel came up with about twenty different parallels that I didn't have. Here are three of my favorites. 

 

One reason I always like getting trade packages is to see what kind of older, random D-Backs you guys have lying around. Steve Sparks! Turner Ward! Awesome! Todd Stottlemeyer's not bad either. All new to our collection.

 

Of course anything 2008 Topps is always welcome around here too.

My favorite card in the package is this Justin Upton SP from the 2012 Topps set. I love the picture of him celebrating with the fans after the D-Backs clinched the Western Division in 2011.

Thanks again, Spiegel!

2005 Leaf Autographs - Andy Green

I picked up this certified autograph of Andy Green from the 2005 Leaf Autographs set as part of my COMC Black Friday purchase.

After putting up some big numbers in AAA, Andy was called up to the Diamondbacks in 2004. He got 109 at bats in 46 games but never really got going. He found himself back in the minors for most of 2005 and won the Pacific Coast League's MVP award. Unfortunately he didn't do much at the big league level. 

Andy is currently the manager of the D-Backs Double A team, the Mobile BayBears.

2011 Topps Pro Debut - Chris Owings

I wasn't able to get an autograph from Diamondbacks prospect Chris Owings last year during Spring Training so I sent him a request in the mail. After the season ended, my 2011 Topps Pro Debut card came back signed in blue Sharpie.

After posting some decent numbers during his cup of coffee at the end of last season, Chris will enter Spring Training this year in a battle with Didi Gregorius for playing time at shortstop.

2013 Topps Chrome - Tyler Skaggs Auto

I picked up this Tyler Skaggs auto from the 2013 Topps Chrome set before he was traded to the Angels.

Even though his time with Arizona is done, I hope Tyler has a great career. He should have a good chance at cracking the Angels rotation out of Spring Training. Hopefully he'll live up to his potential out in California.

2013 Bowman Chrome - Miguel Montero Pink Refractor

My wife's favorite color is pink and her favorite D-Backs player is Miguel Montero. So I bought this shiny, pink card for her.  She wasn't that excited. Even when I showed her it was numbered to 35 on the back. 

2013 Topps Pro Debut - Keon Broxton Certified Auto

I'm a sucker for a cheap certified autograph. This card of Diamondbacks prospect, Keon Broxton, from the 2013 Topps Pro Debut set me back $2 shipped.

I'm not really sure what to think about this guy. Keon was a third round draft pick back in 2009. I don't think he's really a prospect any longer. He's not in MLB.com's top 20 D-Backs prospects and he was recently removed from our 40-man roster.

Keon is currently playing for the Sydney Blue Sox of the Australian Baseball League. He's playing pretty well for them so far. Maybe he can turn things around in 2014. 

2013 Leaf Metal Draft - Braden Shipley

Braden Shipley was the Arizona Diamondbacks first round draft pick in 2013. He was taken 15th overall.

Braden made his professional debut in July for the D-Backs Class A team, the Hillsboro Hops. After eight starts he was promoted to the South Bend Silver Hawks. He finished strong pitching in four games with an era under three. Hopefully he'll continue to improve.

I picked up this certified autographed card from the 2013 Leaf Metal Draft set. It's shiny so that's nice but otherwise it's kind of a plain design. The lack of logos make it hard to tell which team these guys are even playing for. Braden has an auto in the new Bowman Draft set now too. I guess I'll have to try to pick up one of those at some point.

D-Backs from 30-YOC

Brian from 30-Year Old Cardboard sent over some Diamondbacks cards mostly from the 2013 Topps Update set. I didn't have any of the inserts or parallels yet so those are great. Plus I'll never turn down an extra base card. Those always come in handy for getting autographs during Spring Training.

My favorite from the groups of cards Brian sent was the Paul Goldschmidt Gypsy Queen card. It's a white paper border parallel and is simply amazing. I've never bought too much GQ so I only have a few of these paper border cards. None are as great as this Goldschmidt.

Thanks, Brian! 

D-Backs from The Angels, In Order

Tom from the blog The Angels, In Order contacted me the other day trading some cards. I thought it was a great idea so I found a few Halos to send him. In return he sent me a great stack of Diamondbacks cards including the ones below.

My favorites are the MLB Showdown cards from 2003. I've never owned any cards from this set so these were totally new to me. I'm also glad to pick up some new cards of guys like Armando Reynoso, Travis Lee, and Curt Schilling. While my D-Backs collection is growing, I'm still missing a lot of the early stuff from the late 90s and early 00s.

Thanks, Tom! 

2013 Topps Update - Patrick Corbin All-Star Stitches

When 2013 Topps Update first came out a few weeks ago I knew I had to get Patrick Corbin's All-Star Stitches jersey card. I've always look forward this set and this year's design is pretty nice as usual. 

2013 Topps Heritage Minor League - David Holmberg Black Border

I picked up a 2013 Topps Heritage Minor League team set of the Diamondbacks off eBay for a couple of bucks the other day. The seller also had this black border parallel card of David Holmberg. For an extra buck and free combined shipping I had to have it. 

2005 Fleer National Pastime Signature Swings - Josh Kroeger

I wish I had some 2013 Topps Update cards to post but my Wal-Mart and Target shelves were empty last night. I'll probably try again this afternoon.

While we wait, please enjoy this Josh Kroeger certified autograph from the 2005 Fleer set.

Don't remember Josh Kroeger? That's okay. He only played in 22 games for the Diamondbacks back in 2004. Since then he bounced around to a few teams but never made it back to the big leagues. I don't see that he played anywhere in 2013 so he might have retired recently.

I picked up this card for less than $2 for our D-Backs autograph collection. 

2013 Topps Tier One - Adam Eaton

Much like Tyler Skaggs, Adam Eaton has a ton of certified autographs out there. Adam's stock has fallen a little after being injured for most of the season. Those two things combined have lead to some cheap prices on eBay.

I picked up this 2013 Topps Tier One certified autograph from the same guy who had the Tyler Skaggs I posted yesterday. This one set me back just over $2 shipped too. A great price for a great looking card. 

2013 Topps Tier One - Tyler Skaggs

Tyler Skaggs has a ton of certified autographs out there. Tyler's stock has fallen a little after not making an impact at the big league level this season. Those two things combined have lead to some cheap prices on eBay.

I picked up this 2013 Topps Tier One certified autograph for just over $2 shipped. A great price for a great looking card. 

2009 Topps Ticket to Stardom - Chris Young

Not too long ago, Dennis from Too Many Verlanders sent this great card over. It's a Chris Young from the 2009 Topps Ticket to Stardom set. The gimmick of putting part of a ticket stub didn't catch on but I really like these. I liked it even more when I turned it over and saw it was numbered to only 10 on the back. Thanks, Dennis! 

   

2013 Topps - Martin Prado

I was able to get a few autographs from current Diamondbacks players at the game I went to on Friday night too. The best was this one of Martin Prado. Martin signed his 2013 Topps card for me.

Brian from 30-Year Old Cardboard actually sent this card to us a few weeks ago. Thanks, Brian! I didn't buy much Series 2 this year so I wouldn't have had this card otherwise. It goes straight into My D-Backs Autograph Collection. 

2009 Topps Heritage - Doug Davis

After buying tickets to the D-Backs Social Media night for Friday, I won tickets to the Arizona Lottery Fan Appreciation Day Neon Party for that same night. Luckily the there wasn't any scheduling conflicts. The Social Media stuff was pregame and the party took place during.

The party was held in the Miller Light Diamond Club which is past the bleachers in right field. Daniel from It's Like Having My Own Card Shop was there too. It's always good to be able to catch up with him.

Our prize package included $20 in D-Bucks that could be spent at the Team Shop, two neon green D-Backs t-shirts, and a pair of Arizona Lottery sunglasses. Those were great but the highlight of the party was a meet and greet with D-Backs alumni, Doug Davis and Augie Ojeda.

Both players were great. Doug Davis signed his 2009 Topps Heritage card for us.