Manny Machado, 2013 Topps Update 1971 Mini #TM-50

Mail call! I don't trade with Greg (a.k.a. Night Owl) very often, but it's always a pleasure. Yesterday afternoon there was a small padded envelope in the mailbox from Upstate New York with ten assorted Orioles tucked inside. Despite trading blind, Greg managed not to send me any duplicates! There were a few Manny Machado cards, including this sharp-looking insert from last year's update series. Topps Archives, throwback mini inserts in the flagship, Heritage...nobody flogs their own history quite like Topps! (Okay, maybe the Yankees.) My Manny collection can use the boost, since I'm hoping to have plenty of reasons to talk about him on the blog in 2014. There was also a Scott McGregor sticker, a shiny foily Roberto Alomar card from the days before Upper Deck got muscled out of their MLB license, a 2001 Topps Chrome "retrofractor" team card that was shiny on the front, thick cardboard stock on back, a 2008 UD Documentary Nick Markakis (eight down, 154 to go!), a 2009 Goodwin Champions preview card of Cal Ripken, 2013 Allen and Ginter minis of Adam Jones and Eddie Murray, a 2013 Topps Update Chrome Bud Norris, and a Kevin Gausman insert from 2014 Topps Series One. I thank Greg from the bottom of my heart, and I hope he finds next week's return package to be full of joy and want list fulfillment.