Friday, August 7, 2009
Mail Day! Sharpe Since 92
Thursday Morning Admin...
This my all seem like card cruelty, but really, in the last several days I have had the ability to wittle away at the cards that I need to keep and file away, and the cards that are going to go in binders. With the excess material all over the place, it made it very difficult to find anything that I was looking for.
I want to get your opinion on the next cards that I will collate...2004 upper deck series 1 (or is it 2). I had a full hobby box that I bought at a discount. I filed away a ton of these cards into respective teams, so I will need to go back through them and pull them out for collating...is this worth my time, or should I just huck em? Let me know if you need any 2004 UD!
2009 Icons are looking like they are going to go on deathwatch. I have had no particular interest shown in the numbers I posted yesterday. Jump in to that post and let me know if you would like any of them.
Goudey found a home! Saved in the 11th hour by the mysterious WickedOrtega, whom I often get posts of interests from, but never any follow up! Need an address when you have a chance!
Lets see, what else? I have three boxes of Chrome arriving next week that I am excited to crack open. We'll see where I stand after the boxes, but I may decide to chase this set. Is anybody else doing the chrome this year?
Also, I have a very wittled down A&G need list. Almost done, if any of you might be able to help me finish that set up.
The Heritage project is in full swing! I bought three more packs last night and also pulled some out of my team box that helped me out with 4 SP's! If you have any Heritage looking for a new home, please let me know!
And to finish...just a little editorial on the Yankees-Red Sox Series. People (well, media) stop FREAKIN OUT about every little game. This morning on ESPN it was all doom and gloom and how the red sox have no pitching and will struggle to even make the playoffs. First of all, they are playing in the trampoline that is the new Yankee Stadium. Secondly, Smoltz was a risk, but the Sox are far from struggling for pitchers. Buchholtz has one bad game, and Penny has one bad game and suddenly the wheels have fallen off? Breathe! I absolutely guarantee you that if the Sox win tonight, then tomorrow the headlines will all be about how the Yankees will struggle in the playoffs because they cannot seem to find a way to beat the Red Sox. Thats the media for you!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Isn't it Iconic (Don't You Think)?
Available: 1,6,7,9,10,12,15,18,20,27,33,36,37,43,45,51,53,54,56,60,63,65,69,73,74,78,81,83,87,89,90,
92,96,98,99
Really I have to say that with such a small base (160) cards, these would make a good start if you would like the whole lot. Maybe arrange for a Heritage exchange? Let me know!
On Deathwatch: 2006 Topps Updates and Highlights...NO requests from this large group, recycling is imminent
On Vapor: 2006 Topps Series 1, had one request and shipped out many of these, I will give another day or so.
Dead Cards Walking: My 40 or so 2009 Goudey have had no other interested parties. Last chance!
Since these posts have skirted off the main page, email me instead of leaving a comment if you are interested in any of these orphaned cards!
Blog-a-versy! Topps Exclusive Licence
For many years out here in Oregon, Comcast ruled the roost. They were the only gig in town, and if you wanted to see cable or HD television, then you were pretty much subjected to a standard 6-month rate increase, and there was nothing you could do about it.
Then along came Verizon, and that saved the day. Now not only do I have a little wiggle room with Comcast, they are actually scared to lose customers so much, that they will pretty much offer you the keys to the city if you casually mention wanting to check out Verizon. You always get the "hold please" and then they come back with some great six-month offer. In six months, I call back again, say "my bill is too high" and wash and repeat.
Since this is my first year collecting, I have tried out a very wide variety of product trying to find my niche as to what products I would like to collect in the future. I have spent way too much on conducting this "research", but now that I am learning the ropes, I have a better strategy for next years offerings.
Now, while I definitely don't consider myself a Topps "Homer", I did find myself for the most part disappointed with Upper Decks "mail it in" product line. I made no secret my disappointments, starting with the commemorative Red Sox set and continuing through this years UD flagship offering. 1000+ cards? Insane. I also don't dig the cut out figures placed on various computer generated backgrounds...especially when you are expected to pay 5-10 bucks a pack for said product.
That being said, I did like SOME of UD's offerings. I fell in love with the SP legendary cuts. The cards are unique, and the hits were pretty classy too, but I have made a critical error in attempting to collect SP's 101-200. I have about half, but probably will never see the other half. The price of the product is just ridiculous too. I have seen them at nearly 120 a box! Cool cards, but I learned a lesson here.
Masterpieces was brilliant, WAY better than the sketches offered in this years A&G. Goudey is a fun set because of the artistic quality to it. But for the most part I would say any live-photo product was lacking any originality and thus my anti-sentiment towards UD.
BUT, any business needs competition, and it concerns me a bit when Michael Eisner says that he wants to return the hobby back to the kids. What exactly does that mean? Does it mean that we are going to return back to an 80's and 90's massive overproduction of cheap cards? I am like everybody else, I am looking for sets, but also enjoy finding little valuable surprises in the packs.
Will Topps rest on their laurels like the Madden football and 2K sports franchises have an put out sub-par product? I am far too new at this hobby to raise much concern just yet, but I am definitely curious as to the fallout of this deal.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
2009 Heritage Need List
Need: 28,
,444,452,454,456,457,463,464,469,475,477,482,484,488,489,498
Almost home! Thank you everybody for helping me achieve this great set!
Heritage Project, Blaster Kickoff!
Pack #1John Danks
Ben Sheets
Ryan Braun SP (nice start)
Phillies Celebration card
Cameron Maybin
Adam Lind
Lou "who?" Marson RC
Joakim "would lead the free world in saves if I was not a Royal" Soria
1 stick gum, ugggggg.

Pack #2
Brad Lidge
Juan Miranda RC (bad as the gum)
Cameron Maybin (sweet, a dup already)
Daisuke Matsuzaka SP
Johan Santana
Brandon Jones
Greg Golson RC
Shields and Rodriguez
Pack #3 ( I have already given up on the gum...just couldn't hack it)
Ted Lilly
Mike Cameron
Scott Baker
Ryan Freel
Aaron Cook
Hanley Ramirez MAYO. Have no idea what this means yet, but looks different and still smells like gum.
Chone Figgins
Ronnie Paulino
Dustin Pedroia (sweet)
Russell Martin
Andrew Carpenter RC
Darin Erstad
Clayton Kershaw (Matt Damon)
Justin Upton
Joe Nathan
Pack #5
Greg Smith
Brian Giles
Edgar Renteria
Tom Glavine
Chris Young
Billy Butler
Derek Jeter (blech)
Marco Scutaro
Pack #6
John Lackey
Ted Lilly Dup
George Cantu
Ryan Freel Dup
Asdrubal Cabrera
Alex Rios
Anibal Sanchez
Many Acta Dup!
Pack #7
Brandon Lyon
Chad Tracy
Chris Perez
Rios MAYO! Makes me hungry
Bruce Bochy
Felipe Lopez
San Francisco Giants Team
Orlando Hudson
Pack #8
Chris Lambert RC
Lyle Overbay
Matt Kemp
Conor Jackson
Phil Hughes CHROME!
Jack Cust
Brian Busher
Willy Taveras
So there you have it. Eight packs (only one piece of gum consumed...I will leave the rest on my wife's nightstand from the anti-tooth fairy), 2 mayos and 1 chrome Yankee. Not really too shabby for eight retail packs. I have a good start on my base and will post a massive needs list on the right bar column. Thank you for all of your help on making this set come together. Please visit my daily specials to see if you can use any of my extras!On a side note, I am sorry to be a late adopter of this product. Upon second glance, it is really pretty cool stuff, and the attention to detail is why I am becoming more and more a Topps guy. I will definitely put this one on my list for next season.
My First TTM!
But alas neither of the mystery TTM's arrived today? So who did I get?
Well, you might remember this little something about the "Odd Man Out", AKA Mr Pat Neshek. Pat is a blogger himself here. His site is a deep bright red and he has a massive security force blocking you from leaving comments on his forum (I have been under review for acceptance for almost three weeks now), but he does leave an address for autographs, and it came back to me in just over a week, so very impressed! Here it is!

Mrs Tooth got the ball rolling on the auto by sending it to me along with a "Border Guard" of security A&G cards such as Jay Bruce and John Smoltz. The auto itself is fantastic, he does a great signature, and he made the effort to personalize the card for a great keepsake. I gotta say though, the "thanks for cracking the code" comment is a little funny. Probably a more appropriate comment would be "you sunnuva #$@$@!!" but cool nonetheless. So my first TTM also becomes my greatest card collecting memory (so far). :) Thank you for taking the time to sign the odd man out card Pat! Get back out on that field soon!
The Daily Special! 2009 Topps Series 1 throwback!
Isn't this fun? Lotta cards flying of the the JD factory for your set building pleasure.
This next one is a pretty ridiculous story. I had gone to Target to grab a blaster of Series 1 cards to complete my Flagship set. Little did I know that Mr UPC Code had a little surprise in store for me and I proceeded to open 10 packs of old-school cardboard. These are still a pretty sweet product, since I love the look of this set, but I have no need for the 60 or so beauties. Big swooping "T", thick smelly cardboard...Can you give them a good home?
Available: 2,5,10,11,18,28,29,33,39,52,55,57,60,68,72,75,83,98,106,124,140,142,151,156,166167,173,189,190,191,194,198,199,205,209,218,224,233,236,241,243,249,255,2,277,285,294,295
301,306,313,316,324
Once again, as these are claimed I will highlight them in red....Cardinals red.
Heritage Project!


Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The Daily Special: Topps 2006 Series 2/Updates and Highlights!
Below is a list for Topps 2006 Series 2 available just for you!
333,338,343,348,361,364,365,369,372,383,386,391,394,400,402,403,404,417,419,420,
423,424,427,428,434,446,447,448,450,453,455,457,460,466,468,477,481,482,483,486,487
488,494,495,497,499,501,505,506,510,511,518,521.527,529,542,545,546,547,549,550,551,560,
574,575,582,583,584,590,592,593,596,601,608,610,611,612,649,651,658,659,660
AND Topps Updates and Highlights 2006:
2,3,4,5,6,11,14,16,19,20,23,26,28,31,32,39,49,50,61,62,69,70,77,78,82,83,84,85,86,87,91,93,94
95,96,98,99,100,105,106,107,108,111,112,113,114,115,119,121,122,123,129,130,131,171,172,173,
177,179,181,182,185,190,191,192,193,200,203,204,205,205,207,209,209,210,212,214,214,215
215,216,281,219,220,222,223,227,232,233,235,238,239,240,242,243,244,249,250,253,254,257
260,261,262,265,267,269,269,275,276,276,278,282,285,288,289,293,293,294,295,296,297,300,301,
302,303,304,305,305,309,309,310,311,314,319,324,325,329.
Gold Parallels: UH86, 110, 185,244,280
Mickey Mantle HR cards: 11,19,57,98,105,117,132,173
Barry Bonds HR History #733
There there are folks, a lot to choose from for sure. Almost enough to keep and go for the set, but these cards just don't speak to me much, so away they go. Give them a good home. Give my Wife some management work!
The Original "Ueck"!!!!
Firstly, I have no idea what a Bob Uecker card runs. I know he played back in the 60's, so it is no doubt an older card to find. My introduction to Bob was watching him on "Mr. Belvedere" as a kid!! Please let me know if you can help me find this card!
Thanks!
The Daily Special: 2009 Goudey
For trades, here is what I am hoping for:
1. I would like to finish off my 2009 A&G set and have a few needs left if you could please check out my list. I also still have plenty of duplicates for those needing some Ginter love.
2. I would LOVE to complete my SP Legendary Cuts short prints and am over the halfway point. I would trade 100 cards for 1 if need be, because every little bit counts. I just really want to finish this set up and set away for Jacoby.
3. I thought of kinda a fun challenge to try. I would like to try to collect a set entirely through trades, no purchases...minus maybe a blaster or two... I need your help in deciding which set is most likely to help make this a success (something not too big, something that tons of people have, like Ginter). I am sorta leaning towards Heritage, but I know that it is 500 cards or so. But who knows, maybe one of you has a ton of doubles looking for a new home. Either way I am looking for your feedback on which direction to go, so please leave your comments below!
Okay, now on to the show! I bring you Goudey 2009 availables!
Availables: 6, 18 ,36 ,59, 62, 72, 74, 75, 79, 87, 93, 106, 113, 116, 137, 143, 154, 160, 166, 167, 172, 197.
4-in-1's :McCann,Hudson, Johnson, Jones, Dice-K- Wang Chung, Ichiro, Fukodome
As these become spoken for, I will highlight them in red, indicating no longer available.
Happy shopping! Up next I plan to post availables for 2006 Topps Highlights and Updates, and Topps 2009 Target Throwbacks.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Beardy's Bounty!
1. His name is Beardy
2. He officially has the most beard man Ginter prints, which is cool
3. He rides his bicycle for something called "exercise"
4. He is a Orioles fan, which makes us Red Sox fans real happy!
5. He kicks down great stacks of cards!
This was primarily a massive ginter exchange from East Coast to West Coast. I sent over a good number of base prints and a dragon, and Greg sent a massive number of base prints that took a good chunk out of my Ginter base needs. I still can believe I am over 15 cards away from completing the base, seems I should be much closer at this point. If everybody can please dip their heads in and take a look at what I have left in the needs...thanks!
Greg also kicked down a nice portion of the ever-sequential clumps of National Pride. I had the front and tail edge and he sent me a good portion of the middle. I only need about nine more of these babies to complete the set.
Here is the best part of this package though, as I have looked high and low for this card:

Scanners never do refractors any justice whatsoever, but this card is a beauty. Yovani is without a doubt my favorite phenom, so it is especially nice to get a rookie turkey red refractor. The hunt still continues for the "True" rookie card, so if anybody happens to know what that card is, please let me know.
Thanks Greg, the ol Ginter binder is almost filled up and ready to be closed out thanks to your kind donation.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Back in Business!
First things first. Its always nice to come home and see some mail in the ol mailbox. Good mail though, like the brown envelope kind! While I am not going to scan every card received, I would love to hit on some of the highlights and spread some thanks around!
The first two envelopes are easy. My two Johnny Cueto cards arrived! I now have three Johnny autos and the sit side-by-side-by-side so you can compare the different signature styles. His rookie chrome model is obviously his first attempt at signing cards, and his next two cards clearly follow a much nicer (consistent) signature, and his most recent includes his jersey number. Maybe next year he will add a little happy face to his signature. Stay tuned.
The third package comes from no other than my partner in Ginter crime, Nick Jacoby. Nick is kickin' it at his blog over at Cardboard Overload, but I have noticed no posts in the last several days, so I hope he has not been taken ransom for his half of Ginter booty. Nick has dived deep into the Ginter cards, and has been busily assembling his set. Nick sent me a few cards towards my base, but the main draw of this package was several Ginter highlights sketch cards. This is the one subset of this series that I am really drawn to, and thanks to Nick, I am now several cards closer. Here is the one that really made me pause...
Any Red Sox fan will sadly recognize the scene depicted in this card as the moment where Aaron Boone put the finishing touches on the Yankee comeback against the Red Sox in game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. I can still see that Wakefield beachball flying off of Boone's bat into deep left. I have no idea if Aaron Boone even has a job today, but at the very least the damage was repaired the next season.
Nick also sent me a nice little surprise card:
This is a nice little addition for my Blazer fandom. I have never seen a card quite like this and it has the big man...well, doing the last thing I expect to see him do...dribble. All reports are that Greg is working hard this summer and going to come back mean in the fall. Here is hoping to a fantastic Miller to Oden connection!
My next package came from Tunguska, somewhere in Canada (sorry man, been awhile since we made the initial trade so I cannot remember your blog). The coolest highlight from Tunguska was this:
This Lou Gehrig beauty represents the last of the 15 cards needed to complete my Career Best Legends set. he now sits proudly next to the 14 other legends and I can close a book on that collection. Thank you Topps for not extending this set into the Highlights and Updates edition coming out in a few months.
Tunguska also kicked down several gold parallel Sox cards, my favorite of which is the Jon Lester Landscape shot. There were also a few A&G base cards and an unopened N43 boxloader of Dice-K. Thanks man, and I am also happy to help you out with your extra request, but we will get to that...
Another reader by the name of Frederick was kind enough to tackle several of my Allen and Ginter base cards, and at this point my base needs are really starting to slim out. Thanks Frederick!
Now on to the weekly administrative duties...
- Before I left on vacation, I set up a poll regarding what I should do with the 99% of the cards of which have no value to me or anybody else in the world. Not surpisingly, by landslide the people have spoken and have decided that I need to collate all of my randoms and report back to you all what I have (sigh). This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it will help keep me busy while I wait for the Topps Chrome to ship out next week. I will choose a product and search through my piles and report back to you. I just hope that there are those of you that are able to suck these up for me, or else they will become collated garbage!
- My search continues for SP Legendary Cuts short prints. If you look over on the right bar, you will see the cards which I am still looking for. These are a bit tricky to find, so if you have any of these or know of anybody that has any, can you please help me achieve this set? This is a top-priority for me at the moment. Thanks!!
- A couple of people have sent me their Ginter Code cards and have asked for my signature. While I feel pretty awkward about this, I think it is cool if you are excited to get a signed card and I am more than happy to do so for you if you would like. I just have to go buy a blue sharpie and practice first because these cards are slippery! If you might be willing to include a self-addressed stamped or a trade idea as well, that would be cool! Also, don't forget to hit up Nick as well for these requests...after all it was a team effort!
I think that is about it for now. I look forward to getting back into the swing of things!

