I have realized that working 2 jobs, volunteering, doing roller derby and having a family doesn’t leave a ton of time to maintain 3 blogs, but I am determined to make this work. More now than ever that I realize that people are reading. This post is going to be 3 posts rolled into one and it will probably stay up for at least 3 days. Rather than post three different 3 from 3s, here are 9 new cards, all of Orioles, some of them named Brian Roberts. My B-Rob collection has reached 80 cards (I need to update my list); my Nick Markakis collection is now filling 2 pages with another 6 pages full of random Orioles. We will start with proof that people read this thing. Two weeks ago I
posted a Roberts card from 2002 and complained that I didn’t have any Roberts’s rookie cards, cards from 2001. Within a week that problem was solved. Texas Brian from the ever amazing
Play at the Plate blog had a package of 2010 Topps coming for me (I will update that list soon, too) and as is typical for him, he included some SWEET extras. One of them is this 2001 Donruss Signature Series foil card.
It says “Rookie” on the side of the card, but card companies throw that tag around so often when it isn’t the case. This however is the REAL DEAL. It is numbered 0473/800 on the back. The other bonuses were Rays cards which will find their way up on the
Collective Troll in due time. The next 3 cards all came from the same person, the ever generous and super awesome Ed from
Roll out the Barrel. Ed and I swap packages about every three weeks and his never disappoint. He also sent me a slew of 2010 Topps and inserts for my set chase, PLUS some Brian The first one is for my set, the “When They Were Young” series anyway.
I think I have one of these for the PC on its way. The card shows Roberts batting right-handed as a youngster in North Carolina.
He was wearing #1 then, he still wears it now. The next card from RotB is #64 from the 2009 Upper Deck SP Authentic set.
The back of the card mentions Roberts going 3-4 on opening day as the Orioles beat the Yankees 10-5.
The final B-Rob card from Ed is an insert from 2007 SP Authentic. The Authentic Speed subset.
This chronicles base stealers and Roberts had swiped 36 bags the year prior. Switching gears from current to a little while ago…
This next card came from Sean at Condition Poor, it is a 2010
SlangKo Sportscard Co. of former Orioles centerfielder
Paul Blair. Blair spent 13 seasons in Baltimore, won 2 Worlds Championships with them, went to 2 All Star games, paced the AL in triples and won 8 Gold Gloves. This card showcases the last feat.
Only 7 other outfielders have won more Gold Gloves than Blair.
The next card is a
SlangKo, too. From a less colorful series, but awesome nonetheless.
I have decided it would look much better with an autograph across the front and that is what I have planned for it. It is of Orioles star right fielder Nick Markakis. I don’t collect Nick, but he and Adam Jones are both exceptionally complete outfielders and might get my All Star vote again this year. The next 3 cards come from a first time trader, a reader from Colorado named Lou. Colorado Lou if you please. Lou isn’t a Rockies fan, a Cards fan rather. I explained to him that all of my Cards go to Cards on Cards, but he sent me some cards anyway. Two more Markakii. These could be available for trading if you have similar Roberts or Rays cards.
The first is from 2008 Allen and Ginter. The Dick Perez sketch card that says 1/1 on the front, but isn’t really a 1/1. It still looks rad. It would however look much more rad with a nice sharpie signature across the front. I will have to get cracking on that. The second card from Lou and 3rd new Markakis comes from 2009 Finest, card #21, a blue refractor.
The card is serial numbered 152/399. The Finest Trivia question is: Who is the only AL player with SBs in one World Series championship game?
The answer of course is BJ Upton. The final card from Colorado Lou shifts us back to the man for him this blog is dedicated to, Mr. Brian Roberts. It is from 2007 SPX and is die-cut into a little bit of an X. It is card #2 in the set.
Okay, that is it, 3 posts in one. 9 new Orioles cards from 4 different awesome sources. Thanks to Sean, Brian, Ed and Lou!!! On a set building note, I have packages from these 4 fine folks, plus Dog Faced Gremlin, Baseball Dad, Cardboard Junkie, Cards on Cards and Largo Frank-all of which contain 2010 Topps base and inserts. I plan on posting the hits on the Troll and updated my needs and trade lists very soon. Go Roberts! Leading off and heading out…
The Orioles have won 2 games this season. 2 games and today is April 23. Not much for the Orange Faithful to be excited about. I for one thought that adding Garrett Atkins, Kevin Millwood and bringing back Tejada were the moves that would push this team up into the upper echelon of the AL East. Boy was I wrong. 
That said I don’t think this is the year that B-Rob will get his shot at a ring. Anyway, today’s Card of the Day comes from 2005 Donruss. Not that the Orioles were contenders in ’05, but B-Rob is rocking the orange uni with the high stirrups so it has the look of a successful O’s team at least.
Since they all seem to suck these days, I figured I would go with the Oriole Bird. This is card #M3 in the 2010 Topps Opening Day Mascot insert set. I have professed my love for cards of mascots before and I think the O Bird deserves some credit. 
It ain't easy cheering for a team that is 2-11 and has yet to win a game at home...
Prior to going on the DL he was batting .143. In the few games I watched him bat-he didn't look like himself at the plate. He didn't have his normal patience, control, bat speed, power or timing. He did look just fine in the field and on the basepaths. More news will come on Monday. Till then here is today's Card of the Day. On my other blog, the 
Thanks to Ryan for the card and here's to a positive visit to the doc for Mr. Roberts. For those interested in helping with my Rays Topps team set needs, the list is 
The card is from 2010 Topps Opening Day, card #182 of the Orioles All Star second baseman. Senor Ortega set me up with a bunch of Opening Day cards, all of the Rays I could ask for plus this card of B-Rob. I really don’t care for the pose that Topps picked for this one, but I will say that I love the Opening Day product. 
One of the things that I hate about the hobby right now is that kids can’t afford to buy packs of cards. At 2 bucks a pack for 12 cards, Topps isn’t too bad, at just 99 cents per pack Opening Day is perfect! Its basically the same base set as regular Topps, but without most of the inserts. 
That is why I don’t chase this set, but it is perfect for younger folks or people on a budget who aren’t concerned with inserts. It does inserts that are unique to TOD like the mascots series. If anyone has any cards from any year of Raymond the Rays mascot, I want them!
Anyway, yesterday I made a comment that I wished that Brian Roberts started the year on the disabled list so he could get his swing back before he returned to the Orioles lineup. I want to officially rescind that remark. Roberts had 2 hits last night including his first double of the year and a stolen base. I think he has found his timing. Roberts and the Orioles will open their season at home tonight. Roberts batting average stands at .143 as the O’s return to Maryland.
To go with the Opening Day theme I included a shot of Roberts’ first at-bat of the season and first time on-base when he reached on a fielder’s choice in the 9th. Thanks as always for the great card 
I really need to think of a way to sign-off and conclude my posts here. Roberts fan out just doesn’t sound right…
I have the base Topps and Topps chrome as well. If I had scanned them this could be a Septafecta which sounds really cool. I am wondering what other parallels there are from 2009 Topps that I need to gather to have total Roberts domination. 
I know there is a 1/1 platinum version, but is there a black parallel of Topps and are there other colors of Chrome refractors out there? Everything I thought I knew about Topps Chrome I learned from this 
Go Roberts! Tonight would be a great night to get your first hit of the year to give your team a tiny bright spot on a wasted road trip. By the way, I am implying that the Orioles are gonna get swept… Oh, and I think I have a dupe of the '09 X Fractor if anyone wants to deal for it...
To celebrate, here is a great new B-Rob card that came to me from Beardy of 
The only bad thing about this card is that there is no cartoon, otherwise it could be perfect... Thanks to Beardy for this great card! There is only about 10 hours left to vote for the best second baseman ever, so do it now! Hopefully tonight Roberts will have the only 5 hits for the Orioles in a 5-hit shutout loss to the Rays, we will see...
I LOVE REFRACTORS and we all know that they scan pink like peeps, so it seemed like a no-brainer for the card of the day. Happy Easter Orioles fans! Its less than 48 hours until the first pitch of Opening Day at Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay Rays versus the Baltimore Orioles. His back willing, Roberts will be the one standing at the plate when the Rays season officially opens. I will be the one who is 9 rows behind the dugout on the first base line. I CAN'T WAIT! Thanks for the great card 
I will do my best to get a fresh and new Roberts card up here at least 3 times a week. Oh, PLEASE vote for the best second baseman of all time while you are here. 60 people voted for the top shortstop on my other blog, we need some more votes for second base!
It helps. On the back of the card is a photo of Richie Sexson sitting down by the batting cage and it has AN EMPTY CAPTION!!! This means that you can make your caption and make Richie Sexson say whatever the heck you want him to! Have at it... 
This card entered my collection courtesy of some blogger kindness from Kevin of the 
The dude had an amazing career and he did it all in orange and that type of loyalty still means something to me... Anyway, I don't think I have ever posted this little gem before and this seemed like the place to do it. It isn't up here as trade bait, although I would consider the right offer, but the right offer for me would involve a certified auto of Steve Carlton, Larry Doby, Buck O'Neill, Ray Dandridge or Willie Stargell... The card comes from the 2003 Donruss Signature Series, the Century Legends of Summer subset. The card is number LS-20 in that set. Anyway, the card uses the space well with a shot of Cakes in delivery with a nicely framed sticker autograph to his side. 
The card is numbered 082/100 on the back. Brian Roberts cards will return soon, hope no one objects to a little Jim Palmer every now and then... While you are here, PLEASE cast a vote for the top second baseman, okay?
It is awesome and amazing and must be checked out. Anyway, I will post the total package shortly, but I wanted to tease it by making one of the cards the 
Beardy is pretty much the ultimate Orioles collector and my little collection will never come close to rivaling his, but I certainly don’t mind scooping up his leftovers. The back of the card shows a further connection between the Bearded One and the O’s second baseman… 
Thanks for reading and a huge thanks to 
They scan so nice and look so cool. I hate trapping refractors in my player binders-I prefer to let them be free in top-loaders so they can move around and do what they do best-refract! I thought the back of the card in 2008 was a big bust. I love me some trivia, but I prefer the Finest Moment or at least something relevant to the player. This trivia question asks "Which team holds the record for consecutive losses?" I answered to myself and I was wrong. I will give you the answer at the end of this post. I am slowly sorting and scanning my Brian Roberts cards. I am also adding to the collection pretty quickly. Dude has ALOT of cards. 
As I add to my collection, I am gaining dupes. I am looking for other Roberts collectors that I can trade with. I don't have anything real fancy or high-end, but I have a couple of duplicate refractors and a couple of extra relic cards that I would like to trade for B-Rob cards that I still need. If you are a Roberts collector, please get in touch with me! My email addy is bacontowne at yahoo dot com. Oh, and the answer to the trivia question is the 1961 Phillies who dropped 23 games in a row. Thanx for reading...
These all came from the greatest trader in the world, Wicked Ortega from the 
This next one is from 2009 SP Legendary Cuts, card #1 of #1. Awesome. 
The third and final Roberts card comes from 2006 SP Authentic and the Baseball Heroes subset. It is number SPAH-69 in the set. The company he is sharing looks a bit odd, but I guess second baseman don't have the longest shelf life. I do think that the Baseball Heroes Card would look better like this. 
This brings me up to 70 cards in my Roberts collection! Woo hoo! Thanks for everything 
The back of the card recycles the same image from the front and shows Roberts numbers from his 2001 call-up when he jumped from AA to AAA and eventually the majors. He managed 273 at-bats for the Orioles in 2001 and batted .253 with 17 RBI. He stole 12 bases for the Orioles and totaled 45 for the year between the 3 teams. The back of the card says “Roberts joined Baltimore in mid-May and showed superb ability on offense. In July he batted .294 with 9 RBI, 11 runs and four steals. He clubbed his first Major League homer on 7/25/01. Awesome! This card stands as my oldest Roberts card and therefore is among my favorites. I WOULD like to add at least one rookie card to the mix though, so get in touch if you have one to spare… Thanks for the great card 
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