Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Cards from Marie

I recently struck up a trade with Marie at A Cardboard Problem, centered around a Cano patch I have had for quite a while.  For some reason, I hadn't contacted her until just recently, even though I intended to for a long time.  In return, Marie sent me some set needs, and a load of David Wrights that I needed.











































A bunch of 2008 Sweet Spot (ironically that's the set that the Cano patch was from) and one 2008 UD X die cut.































































































































The best card is definitely the 2004 Donruss Studio Studio Proof #/100.  These cards put me really close to the 200 David Wright card mark.  I really need to get an auto.

Thanks, Marie!  I hope you enjoy your Cano (and all the other cards of course). 

Monday, May 30, 2011

Just showing off...

I've finally gotten back on the horse as far as regular posting, but I want to show off one of the things that had kept me from posting recently.  I certainly don't have many cards that others can be jealous of, but I do have one thing that I can be proud of.  It's my baby.  My man cave.  The one room of the house that is all mine. 

My garage:

























Oh yeah, no garage is complete without a VT-covered grill and a sweet ping-pong table.  The other thing to note in this picture is the beatiful epoxy floor.  If you haven't epoxied your floor, you are missing out.  It can be done in a weekend, is pretty cheap, is very durable and is easy.  I went with gray base and black/white/blue paint flecks.  It looks awesome with the black/gray/white/blue ping-pong table.

The do-it-yourselfers out there are saying, "hey, is that a mini-workshop?", and the alcoholics are saying, "is that a bar?.  I am saying, "yes my children, those are God's greatest Man-ventions:  liquor and power tools."

Don't worry, I've provided more detailed photos:

























Yes, workshop essentials:  router table and cabinet with locking casters, work bench with mounted miter saw, custom work bench with replaceable MDF top and baby drill press (yes that's a foam Hokie head), portable table saw, anti-fatigue work mat, Craftsman stool, and all of the fixings within arm's reach.

























I got that swank-ass bar for $25 at the thrift store when I was in college.  Greatest. purchase. ever.  The thing has been through hell (haha, aka college), yet the leather is still in pristine shape.  I also have a matching minifridge behind it (with a padlock, because college kids are sheisty). Here's the lowdown: Sitting on the bar are MY bottle of Jim Beam, MY glass, and MY glass coaster.  For friends, there is a handle of Beam on the fridge along with cork coasters and plastic cups. What can I say, like the sign on the wall says, it's MY bar.  Beer drinkers will find a solid selection in the fridge, a complement of koozies, and a set of Guinness pint glasses if you prefer a full pour.  The other essentials can be found behind the bar: towels, flasks, shot glasses, shaker, blender, regular bottle opener, VT bottle opener that plays the fight song, and a half-empty bottle of Fighting Cock left over from college (I say half empty because there is no optimism when you get to the Fighting Cock).  During football season, you can usually find a bottle of Wild Turkey for saluting the Hokies.  I should also note the decor to the left, which is made up of my antique tool collection (I promise to have another tools of the trade post soon).

Any sissies reading this are probably wondering, "but where do you park your car?"  Your Prius may be too afraid of the dark to sleep outside, but my truck lives with the wolves.

Of course, admission is free, donations are accepted, and ping-pong is mandatory.  I do caution you, though, there isn't much I take more seriously than ping-pong. 

Sunday, May 29, 2011

2009 Sage Hit 4 packs (2 Low, 2 High)

This is another couple of packs that came in my discounted K-Mart holiday box (yep, still working on that bad boy). I'm making sure I get my money's worth out of this box (even if I only paid like $4), so you will see most of the packs on here at some point.

2009 Sage Hit (2 packs of Low Series, 2 of packs High Series)








Low #1:
Malcolm Jenkins, Nate Davis, James Laurinaitis, Curtis Painter, Kaluka Maiava, Clay Matthews Glossy

>>>  Pretty good start since all are still playing besides Nate Davis.  The Matthews glossy is definitely nice.

Low #2:
Michael Crabtree, Brian Orakpo, Hunter Cantwell, Eric Wood, Jeremy Childs, Darrius Heyward-Bey Glossy

>>> Another pretty good pack, though the Heyward-Bey isn't the greatest glossy ever.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High #1:
Michael Crabtree, Jared Cook, Jason Smith Glossy, Ryan Palmer, David Veikune, Kevin Ogletree

>>> A different Crabtree?  Anyway, a terrible pack, mainly because of Ogletree from UVA.

High #2:
LeSean McCoy, Brian Robiskie, Matthew Stafford, Jason Smith, RB Standouts Chris "Beanie" Wells and Knowshon Moreno, QB Standouts Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco Glossy

>>> Ahhh, now that's much better.  A good set of players, a dual RB card, and a great dual QB glossy card.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Woohoo, I won a card!

Chemgod over at Bad Wax recently had a mini-contest to create a caption for a picture.  Well, my entry was one of the winners, so he sent me a prize.  First, here's a look at the picture and my caption.

“Everyone loves minis. We are going one step further.
Introducing: The Maxi”



That caption was good enough to earn me a random Autographed card, which turned out to be an SPx auto of James Shields:


Thanks Chemgod!


Friday, May 27, 2011

2009 Upper Deck Signature Stars Blaster

K-Mart had a couple 2009 Upper Deck Signature Stars blasters for marked down 50%, so I couldn't resist.  I hesitate to say "blaster" since they were not traditionally shaped boxes and the regular price was $30.  It has 6 packs of 5 cards, so $30 is really a stretch.  I figured $15 would be borderline, and maybe I'd continue my hot streak and pick up a nice auto.

Pack 1:

2 Aaron Rowand
74 Khalil Greene
106 Top Prospects Brett Cecil
43 Felix Hernandez
11 Andruw Jones

>>> An underwhelming start for a semi-upper-tier product

















Pack 2:

42 Evan Longoria
12 Aramis Ramirez
IMP-MA Impressions Doug Mathis Auto
83 Pablo Sandoval
51 Jason Bay

>>> So my guaranteed hit is Doug Mathis. Can I get my $15 back?



 









Pack 3:

28 Chris Duncan
36 Delmon Young
SS-4 Signature Skills Johan Santana Changeup
48 Ivan Rodriguez
64 Jonathan Papelbon

>>> Nifty Johan insert.  Still not impressed.

















Pack 4:

44 Garret Anderson
4 Adam Lind
72 Kevin Slowey
8 Albert Pujols
80 Miguel Tejada

>>> Still not impressed.

Pack 5:

82 Nick Swisher
76 Mark Teixeira
116 Top Prospects Nolan Reimold
32 Curtis Granderson
40 Dustin Pedroia

>>> Still not impressed.

















Pack 6:

52 Jason Kubel
20 Brian Roberts
77 Matt Holliday
16 Brandon Phillips
88 Roy Oswalt

>>> Ok, how in the hell is the original price $30? Should be more like $10...maybe. Oh well, that's what I get for trying to force my luck streak to continue.

Everything is available; let me know.

Milk, bread, and...oh yeah, retail Bowman is my bitch.

I made a late run to Wal-Mart for milk and bread, which of course weren't the only things I bought.  My purchase during my late night run to Wal-Mart: milk, bread, Kit-Kat, Mountain Dew, and reluctantly, one retail pack of Bowman. 


I opened the milk, and inside I found milk.

...

I opened the bread, and inside I found bread.

...

I opened the Kit-Kat, and inside I found chocolatey heaven.

...

I opened the Mountain Dew, and inside I found bubbly goodness.

...

I opened the 2011 Bowman retail pack, and inside I found


I'd say it's a close third behind the Kit-Kat and Mountain Dew...but those aren't for trade.

I couldn't be more on a roll if I was leftover ham a day after Christmas.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

200th Post!!! A trade that stood the test of time...

I really never thought I would get to 200 posts.  I really never thought anyone would read anything I wrote.  I'm still not sure about the second thing, but this is my 200th post.  To start this post, we need to go wayyyy back to my 33rd post, two packs of 1999 Topps Finest Series 2.  That post, dated September 16, 2010, saw a comment by Lonestarr of the blog, Behind These Hazel Eyes.  He asked about a couple Nomahs, and to make a looong story short, we finally completed our trade last week.  That's definitely the longest trade I've ever been involved in, cloacking in at around 8 months.  He sent a load of great stuff, which I am honored to share in my 200th post. 

He sent a team bag worth of baseball PC cards, including these beauties:





















I should definitely note that those two BJ Uptons are my 100th and 101st BJ cards.  This post is just loaded with milestones.  He also hit my Hokie collection, among the cards being these:











I love the KJ rookie.

At this point, if your name is Dawgbones, you should stop reading.  You will not like what you see below. 

He also sent me some dog-killers:

































I especially love the ESPY Award Winner card, because that's the Vick I prefer to think about.  The highlight of the trade, though, were my first Vick relics (see another milestone):














Dawgbones, if you read to this point, I apologize, but I did warn you.  Thanks again to Lonestarr for the great cards and great trade experience!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

2006 Press Pass Basketball Pack

This is another pack that came in my discounted K-Mart holiday box (yep, still working on that bad boy). I'm making sure I get my money's worth out of this box (even if I only paid like $4), so you will see most of the packs on here at some point.

2006 Press Pass Basketball

Ronnie Brewer
>>> Currently playing for the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals

Adam Morrison Power Pick
>>> Currently a free agent...yeah, I know you're surprised.  It's a crime that this guy has two NBA Championship rings.

Paul Davis Blue
>>> Former Michigan State Spartan who is playing somewhere in Europe.  He's best known for being on the Millionaire Matchmaker.  Did anyone else see that episode?  What a boring dude.

Paul Davis Old School
>>> Ah, super.  Paul Davis hot pack.  It's my lucky day. 













Ironic that the one card I didn't scan is for a player who is actually still in the NBA.  I will say that the Old School cards are really nice.  As a college fan, I love when college cards embrace the school colors.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

one good post deserves another...

Many of you saw Night Owl's review of our trade, where Greg recapped all of the not Bryce Harpers I sent him.  He even went so far as to call the cards worthless.  I was severely offended, but only because it made it sound like he sent me a package with...cough,cough...value. heh heh, book value maybe...and we all know that book value doesn't sell on eBay.  All I ended up with was a bubble mailer and team bag to reuse and a stack of not Bryce Harpers.

None of these are Bryce Harper. 
No, these guys have all played in some MLB games this year.













Yeeeeahhhh, no.  We're further away now than when we started.

















White American (which, coincidentally, is the
cheese I prefer at subway), but not Bryce Harper.





















A high draft pick with tremendous upside...we're getting warmer...
...but not Bryce Harper
















A #1 Overall Draft Pick...oooh, so close...but not Bryce Harper.



















Wow, that'sjust dangerously close...
Mark Reynolds Career: 815 SO, 126 HR
...but not Bryce Harper


























(Thanks, Greg!)

Monday, May 23, 2011

...and my luck continues...

My good luck continued this week when I picked up a discounted 2010 Upper Deck Baseball blaster at Target.  See below:

Pack 1
5 Brian Matusz RC
476 Fernando Perez
254 Kyle Farnsworth
SB-27 Season Biography Jorge Cantu
537 Ross Detwiler
84 Matt Wieters
405 Ryan Doumit
576 Chicago Checklist Mark Buehrle and Carlos Quentin
>>> Nothing exciting so far...

Pack 2
492 Matt Garza
32 Kyle Phillips RC
208 Fu-Te Ni
158 Homer Bailey
SE-43 Portraits Russell Martin
139 Gavin Floyd
229 Lance Berkman
240 Jose Guillen
>>> Any surprise that I get a Russell Martin insert? Nope

















Pack 3
55 Stephen Drew
520 Brian Tallet
465 Julio Lugo
205 Nate Robertson
SB-168 Season Biography Tim Hudson
451 Ichiro
530 Willie Harris
551 Ballparks Miami, Florida
>>> I really like the Ballparks cards.  They're probably some of the only cards that benefit from the lack of a license.  Using the city/state is much nicer than having to show the actual ballpark name with sponsorships.

Pack 4
14 Esmil Rogers RC
71 Kris Medlen
250 Juan Cruz
SB-69 Season Biography Jeff Niemann
AW-1 All World Albert Pujols
498 Elvis Andrus
448 Michael Saunders
72 Ryan Church
>>> A very nice die cut insert of Pujols...but that's not what makes this blaster sweet...
 
















Pack 5
108 Kevin Gregg
394 Andy LaRoche
65 Chipper Jones
384 JA Happ
CP-5/CP-6 Celebrity Predictors Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox
279 Rafael Furcal
183 Clint Barmes
556 Ballparks Milwaukee, Wisconsin
>>> What a garbage insert set.  Seriously.  These cards don't even have the Celebs' names on them.  Stupid.













Pack 6
23 Chris Johnson RC
300 Jeff Suppan
297 Yovani Gallardo
SE-62 Portraits Jack Cust
SB-149 Season Biography Felix Pie
251 Luke Hochevar
491 David Price
375 Raul Ibanez
>>> BLAH...there's got to be something good coming soon, I mean, the box guarantees at least a jersey card.

















Pack 7
256 Torii Hunter
253 Robinson Tejeda
513 Travis Snider
UDGJ-FR UD Game Jersey Fernando Rodney
186 Huston Street
136 Freddy Garcia
585 Los Angeles Checklist Clayton Kershaw and Matt Kemp
>>> And the guaranteed jersey is...Fernando Rodney of the Tigers.  Name sounds familiar, but I don't know anything about him.













Pack 8
1 2010 Star Rookie Checklist
122 Ryan Dempster
115 Mike Fontenot
421 Cha Seung Baek
SB-67 Season Biography Jim Thome
346 Andy Pettitte
351 Phil Hughes
258 Kevin Jepsen
>>Meh.

Pack 9
75 Luke Scott
433 Jonathan Sanchez
266 Jeff Mathis
BH-8 Baseball Heroes Joe DiMaggio HOF Induction
162 Jeremy Sowers
67 David Ross
397 Paul Maholm
568 Ballparks Arlington, Texas
>>> Very nice Joe DiMaggio insert, and a ballpark, too.


 














Pack 10
176 Ryan Spilborghs
324 Jeremy Reed
348 Francisco Cervelli
337 Bobby Parnell
SS-KY Signature Sensations Kevin Youkilis Auto
298 Mike Rivera
276 Doug Mientkiewicz
596 Seattle Checklist Ichiro and Felix Hernandez
>>> I told you so! Saweet Youk Auto.  Completely did not expect that.  I love double-hit blasters. 





















I was very hesitant to buy this blaster, even at $12.  I'd say it was worth it.


Tuesday, May 17, 2011

HOLY CRAP I LOVE DAYTON!!! RETAIL HIT!!!

If you read my post last night, you saw that I planned on venturing out and finding some retail cards.  Well, after dinner, my colleagues and I ran into Wal-Mart for some odds and ends, and of course, for me to find some cards.  I was pleasantly surprised to see they had a gravity feed of 2011 Bowman.  I picked up two packs, and my mentor picked up one (blaming me for peer pressure).  He's the guy that I give all my WVU cards to, including the Pat White auto I pulled a couple weeks ago.  He collected cards in the '80s, and he's always been somewhat interested in what cards are like now, so what better product to ruin a look at modern cards than Bowman.  I had to explain to all of my co-workers the concept of autos and game-used cards and what cards are all about...you know what I mean, we all have to explain it at some point.  Anyway, my mentor opened his pack first:
















BP16 Kody Hinze
BP79 Rafael Ynoa
158 Jered Weaver
134 Jason Castro
48 Justin Verlander
67 Kosuke Fukudome
FF7 Finest Futures Carlos Santana (1:4 insert)
BCP56 Kevin Mailloux Chrome
BCP51 James Fuller Chrome
151 Mark Buehrle Gold

I explained that it was a decent pack....some good pitchers and a nice insert.  He only recognized Verlander, and mainly because I talk about Mr. NoNo at work a lot.  He also donated the cards to me, in return for the countless WVU cards I've passed his way, so that was a pleasant surprise.  I pulled out my first pack, which was a little bit better:
















BP8 Stephen Vogt
BP15 Michael Brenly
131 Gavin Floyd
203 Desmond Jennings RC
39 Carlos Lee
TP98 Topps 100 Zach Britton (1:3 insert)
BBR8 Bowman's Brightest Tyson Auer (1:8 insert)
BCP93 Brandon Belt Chrome
BCP21 Jose Pirela Chrome
44 Carlos Gonzalez Gold

A pair of inserts and a slightly better gold make this pack a little better.  So after explaining how rare good autos are in retail packs, I opened my second pack:
















BP10 Erik Davis
BP73 Kevin Rivers
133 Jose Tabata
205 Freddie Freeman RC
189 Victor Martinez
TP6 Topps 100 Brandon Belt
BCP38 Eduardo Escobar
BCP101 Rymer Liriano
183 Bobby Abreu Gold

and this guy...

BPA-MP Michael Pineda AU


































Damn right.  I had to explain my excitement to my co-workers, noting that this card is quite popular right now.  Pull of the year so far for me, edging out my 2009 Jared Mitchell Chrome AU, mainly because Pineda is nasssty right now, including against me in my fantasy baseball league. While I much prefer the Mitchell as it's a numbered Chrome Refractor On-Card Auto, the base sticker auto Pineda is just too good as far as timing.  I take back anything bad I said about Dayton.  I listed this card on eBay immediately because I gotta get it out there while it's hot.  Everything else is for trade (except Verlander), so let me know if you want anything. 

Monday, May 16, 2011

2007-08 UD Victory Hockey pack

I posting a hockey pack because I'm cold.  Work has taken me to Dayton, OH.  Ah, yes, beatiful Dayton.  When I got on de plane, it was 80 deg out.  When I got off, 45 deg.  I'm cold.  On the up side, there is a Meijer down the street from the hotel, and I've never seen one in my life.  I always see mAsSiVe MoJoZZ HiTzz that people pull from Meijer, so I may have to walk down there.  But first, could someone please tell me how to pronounce "Meijer". Myer, mayer, mayhair, meehair, major, myjer...I just don't know. 

On another note, I have received trade packages from Night Owl and LoneStarr, and a prize package from Bad Wax, but haven't had a chance to do anything with them.

Anyway, here are some cards. 

This is another pack that came in my discounted K-Mart holiday box. I'm making sure I get my money's worth out of this box (even if I only paid like $4), so you will see most of the packs on here at some point.

2007-2008 Upper Deck Victory
>>> I'm guessing of the 6 cards in the pack, I know 1 of the names.  After all, I'm not a hockey guy at all.



















Martin Brodeur
>>> Well, 1/1, that wasn't the start I expected.
Tomas Vokoun
>>> Hmm, sounds kinda familiar? we'll give it a half point

Daymond Langkow
>>> Wow, also sounds familiar.  another half point. 

Eric Fehr
>>>Nope.

Andy McDonald
>>> Pro skateboarder: yes.  Hockey player: no.

David Moss RC
>>> nuh uh.

Ok, so I knew, say, 2 names in the pack.  As they say, 2/3 aint bad.  2/6 sucks though.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Trade with BA Benny



I recently posted my group break goodness from BA Benny's super-crazy group break.  I made a joke at the bottom about listening to his New York accent, and it seems karma has found it's way to my doorstep...er...well...my neighbor's doorstep.  A retired New York police officer just moved in next door to me. I poke fun, but I really enjoyed the group break and looked forward to the trade cards he was sending as well. After all, BA Benny is the man, but I don't need to tell y'all that (BA Benny, "y'all" = "youse guys" in the south). The highlight of the trade is the sweet bumper sticker at the top of this post.  It's not going on my truck, though, because nothing goes on my baby. Instead, it will find a nice home on one of my collecting boxes alongside a couple Burdick stickers. 

BA Benny sent along some set needs for 2008 UD A Piece of History as well as 2007 UD Future Stars.  As for my player collections, he added some Verlanders, Wrights, and Justin Uptons, such as:

















He threw in some great Mark Reynolds cards:










and some Zimmermans:










and the best was a nice BJ Upton Jersey:
















It always amazes me how great the cards are that he sends.  Being a player collector, my tastes are far more specific than his being a team collector. But, he always find great stuff to send.  Thanks, again, BA Benny!