tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78973521019496640532024-03-14T01:16:12.213-07:00First Day Issue: Baseball Cards and the Never Ending Pursuit of Everything Ken Griffey Jr.The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.comBlogger190125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-72131058947604053782011-05-27T22:42:00.001-07:002011-05-27T22:48:52.036-07:00Box Break: 2010 Bowman ChromeI was in Seattle for the Mariners opening series of the year (things have certainly turned around since then) and stopped by the Card Exchange to try my luck with a box of cards. The prices there were great (right around Blowout's prices) and I eventually decided on a box of 2010 Bowman Chrome. I went in knowing it was a terrible product, but was awfully happy when this came out of the very first pack:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3YxyjEBzslS2KtyuRYqDH6BFdY5IPKvuybbu8t1JnJ3dHMMP7qCAd5nDjvsH8PSqNozE8KLVCJGfzJzc-uMtSSf3YrD4XIXba8cUpHLLNa5yrRq80yocs6elRhATUyjmaea39MuPHu8/s1600/scan0004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3YxyjEBzslS2KtyuRYqDH6BFdY5IPKvuybbu8t1JnJ3dHMMP7qCAd5nDjvsH8PSqNozE8KLVCJGfzJzc-uMtSSf3YrD4XIXba8cUpHLLNa5yrRq80yocs6elRhATUyjmaea39MuPHu8/s400/scan0004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611638454733603042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Alex Liddi Blue Refractor #36/150:</span> WOW! How can you top pulling a blue refractor auto of a prospect from your favorite team? Needless to say, even though the Mariners laid an egg against the Indians, I still had a mighty fine weekend. This card goes great with the base chrome Liddi auto that Brian from Play at the Play sent my way. Rainbow anyone?<br /><br />Thanks for looking!<br /></div>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-35779552705256842072011-05-02T22:27:00.000-07:002011-05-02T22:41:22.875-07:00Card of the Week: 2001 Upper Deck Pinstripe Exclusives Joe Dimaggio/Ken Griffey Jr. Dual Jersey #20/50<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9TgTlOPU41dsSnf_RAqy6h6ddWFImT9-hJo1ODUZBg0nVEWAWUmZxUw43cM7i14Xscni7BMDnVFbOK9QX5Qc56azufCu3WQnJi73ZjNzMAiQPEnSG8oT6ZXNRDS_mmzUPOTarExJvC8/s1600/%2524%2528KGrHqJ%252C%2521lgE2EHzYmwkBNr4SS0kJ%2521%257E%257E_12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 351px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9TgTlOPU41dsSnf_RAqy6h6ddWFImT9-hJo1ODUZBg0nVEWAWUmZxUw43cM7i14Xscni7BMDnVFbOK9QX5Qc56azufCu3WQnJi73ZjNzMAiQPEnSG8oT6ZXNRDS_mmzUPOTarExJvC8/s400/%2524%2528KGrHqJ%252C%2521lgE2EHzYmwkBNr4SS0kJ%2521%257E%257E_12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602357669293112706" border="0" /></a>I don't really know what I can say about this card other than that it will never be leaving my possession. I don't just mean I won't ever sell it; I mean that I will take it with me everywhere I go. I was thrilled to pick up this amazing card for a song ($60) and it instantly became one of the best cards in my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Griffey</span> collection. The dual pinstripes looks great and the DiMaggio jersey clearly shows its age (the seam at the bottom of the swatch really caps it off nicely). WOW! WOW! SHAMWOW! WOW! What else <span style="font-style: italic;">can</span> I say?<br /><br />Thanks for looking! Sorry for the non-existent posting. I recently got a new job (a great one at that) which is much more time demanding than my previous gig. I'll do my best to post from time to time and will be reading <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">all of your</span> blogs, even if I don't comment on them. Have a great week!</div>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-3531759196036027942011-03-21T23:19:00.001-07:002011-03-27T15:49:44.046-07:00Card of the Week: 2010 Bowman Draft Stephen Strasburg RC Auto Variation #62/99<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EIFaCjfMG0GQk7Uh72zVM9otdnDR4RGOFPAh9uZUU70jHXL4yi7_sIBkPVLaWZsabBwt4G-GDUF-HZC96WkDvG_NxbgvLtZ2dPFniPWBPb2JiafSr0WqCzvr8p9SbCbj0bwnK_qsy-8/s1600/scan0037.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587461021377520274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EIFaCjfMG0GQk7Uh72zVM9otdnDR4RGOFPAh9uZUU70jHXL4yi7_sIBkPVLaWZsabBwt4G-GDUF-HZC96WkDvG_NxbgvLtZ2dPFniPWBPb2JiafSr0WqCzvr8p9SbCbj0bwnK_qsy-8/s400/scan0037.jpg" /></a> This card is my first and likely last foray into the world of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Strasmania</span>. I bought this card as redemption a few months ago in the hopes that the live card would be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">shortprinted</span>. Sure enough, only 99 of the variation autos were produced, and demand spiked markedly after the announcement. I was thrilled when I heard the announcement, as I would be in possession of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Strasburg's</span> most rare rookies, but much less so when the card showed up in hand. Some people complained about the design of the card (including <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Strasburg's</span> haircut) but that's really not what bothered me about this card. What bothered me is that card that came directly from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Topps</span> could show up in such crummy condition. Not only is the centering atrocious (70/30 on the front and 80/20 on the back) but the surface shows numerous dimples, scratches and other imperfections. I understand how a card can be damaged in the packing out process (not that I'm absolving <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Topps</span> for their crappy QC) but a card that is sent directly to me...that's just inexcusable. I was hoping to save this card until <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Strasburg</span> returned in September or next season but I was so disheartened by the condition of the card that I just sold it on eBay and used the profits to buy a nice Ken <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Griffey</span> Jr. card (stay tuned for that) from Upper Deck. Thanks again <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Topps</span>. This monopoly is working out well for everyone.The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-3358853226354638502011-03-15T08:52:00.001-07:002011-03-21T23:18:55.886-07:00Box Break: 2009 UD Signature Stars<div align="center"><span><span>Retail stores (in this case <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Shopko</span>) carrying hobby boxes could prove to be the death of my bank account. I got another box of 2009 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">UD</span> Signature Stars as a birthday present to myself and although it looked bleak heading into the last few packs, it turned out to be a pretty good break. Here's what I pulled: </span></span></div><div align="center"><span><span></span></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:+0;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:0;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:0;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:0;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584335877363487986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4Vms80tSrhS1h3_i7KXyvvKwDZIILSwYrKBRFglfB3gu-f2RswPvy5p6FgIRe4sFpYb20kV8sJQnrrSr3LRv8nVbbnJTBu2WmW9iJbvRSC8aQobLPCvb44WQeS3bgg1SbJEvEvPb0mE/s320/scan0018.jpg" /> <p align="center"><strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Garin</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cecchini</span> USA Jersey</strong>: <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Garin</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cecchini</span> was a fourth round pick of the Boston Red <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sox</span> (who else?) out of high school in 2010 after being rated as one of the top hitting prep prospects available. There's probably more info about him available online but it's late and I don't care enough to look for it...a thousand apologies.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclujKXpf6qVGog2JA2FzIJQK3fiYt0VJpAcfEwMtva8atzDohyphenhyphen-8TqiDbabCISKog-swDLeqeKxmTiY_HN1O7F7jKDWDMlycj5xHOT8j6EoweHmy0m1lqbUKOspLc1S6WqwTNRbNoWA8/s1600/scan0020.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584335784856071026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclujKXpf6qVGog2JA2FzIJQK3fiYt0VJpAcfEwMtva8atzDohyphenhyphen-8TqiDbabCISKog-swDLeqeKxmTiY_HN1O7F7jKDWDMlycj5xHOT8j6EoweHmy0m1lqbUKOspLc1S6WqwTNRbNoWA8/s320/scan0020.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a><strong>Chris Tillman RC Auto</strong>: I've always rooted for Tillman because he's a former Mariners' prospect even though he was part of the ill-fated Erik <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bedard</span> trade (which doesn't quite seem as bad today as it used to). He's had a decent spring training and hopefully will put it all together in 2011. I could see the Orioles surprising quite a few people this season and their young starting pitcher will be a major reason why.<br /><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrP7HtMXARhoaags-Kk1oYAYj1UZi356IdyFwyiIjIY2QcO5zw_RyEGD4vKT5sgIYuNEJ9hadRSyJ3CHCRV-gZ7kHF2WPY9PIfufZ3HYvO1wkNHd3aBM7mu6HSop8-lPh8gAKZF96hXw/s1600/scan0019.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584335712749204994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrP7HtMXARhoaags-Kk1oYAYj1UZi356IdyFwyiIjIY2QcO5zw_RyEGD4vKT5sgIYuNEJ9hadRSyJ3CHCRV-gZ7kHF2WPY9PIfufZ3HYvO1wkNHd3aBM7mu6HSop8-lPh8gAKZF96hXw/s320/scan0019.jpg" /></a><strong> Drew <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pomeranz</span> Winning Materials #/499</strong>: <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pomeranz</span> was the ace of the Arkansas Razorback staff and was drafted 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> overall by the Cleveland Indians in last year's draft. The Indians hope <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pomeranz</span> is the next Cliff Lee but only time will tell. He signed to late to pitch in 2010 so no stats to speak of...sorry.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4i_lRqPPANm9LlM33NIa4e8tip9T-pFvlFoFITatjM6FQX55-R1icN9Z92ljDJli2Np-UlBpRIJrOqwilSpDpYyzMaZETxBPXj85ced7CqjR9KcAJHmvnpqyyS6lktSX2MWVvobK9Fc/s1600/scan0017.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584335649864138290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4i_lRqPPANm9LlM33NIa4e8tip9T-pFvlFoFITatjM6FQX55-R1icN9Z92ljDJli2Np-UlBpRIJrOqwilSpDpYyzMaZETxBPXj85ced7CqjR9KcAJHmvnpqyyS6lktSX2MWVvobK9Fc/s320/scan0017.jpg" /></a><strong> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">TJ</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Walz</span> USA Jersey/Auto #6/799</strong>: T.J. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Walz</span> is a senior pitcher at Kansas who currently has a record of 2-3 with a 4.88 ERA and 31 K's in 31 innings. I don't have particularly high hopes for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Walz</span> as a professional (although I hope he proves me wrong) but I do love the design of the USA Future Watch cards. The sticker blends right into the card and the large photo is a big plus. I might have to find a player from this set to collect. Sonny Gray? <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gerrit</span> Cole? Bryce Harper?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbD49xCoSUAcv2VoxGyDPqMkhwWp3JzL9JYSMAa6Xgs1_8ccqc7jGiLQ54COGz-COCBERDSGEgMWViEEqm48IgUBBBfOEx6Fet61vfaWuqj7S6mzXEFuLyEDAX5xQGZCdrcZpX3fTQ1M/s1600/scan0016.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584335569978818898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbD49xCoSUAcv2VoxGyDPqMkhwWp3JzL9JYSMAa6Xgs1_8ccqc7jGiLQ54COGz-COCBERDSGEgMWViEEqm48IgUBBBfOEx6Fet61vfaWuqj7S6mzXEFuLyEDAX5xQGZCdrcZpX3fTQ1M/s320/scan0016.jpg" /></a><strong> Joe <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mauer</span> Sky Blue Parallel #32/170</strong>: Though underwhelming, the blue parallels are a tough pull at about one in every other box, and one day will be sold by Burbank <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sportscards</span> for ridiculous amounts. I was awfully happy to pull one of a great player and someone that I collect. WINNING!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-cXEzQSbFsAI23CQVdyWe7_UycuYiW9YPnvxCQa85I_UJHG_ypfl5aQucvXBzlTpQdMsBWoEPnpRNC2eS3ptZ6ODhQ6gFgEUCmQL1I4TFCgNnD0tJ4n_MNaLbUZeBwf_CHLsBGXaPqs/s1600/scan0015.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584335460916344194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-cXEzQSbFsAI23CQVdyWe7_UycuYiW9YPnvxCQa85I_UJHG_ypfl5aQucvXBzlTpQdMsBWoEPnpRNC2eS3ptZ6ODhQ6gFgEUCmQL1I4TFCgNnD0tJ4n_MNaLbUZeBwf_CHLsBGXaPqs/s320/scan0015.jpg" /></a> <strong>Pablo Sandoval Gold Signature #7/15</strong>: The box had been pretty mediocre until one of the last few packs when this beauty popped out. Technically this set is from 2009 (even though it wasn't released until 2010) making this one of Pablo Sandoval's most difficult rookies to track down. This card nearly paid for the box by itself and I certainly won't complain about that.<br /><br /><div align="left"><strong>Overall Thoughts</strong>: I had quite a bit of fun busting this box once again, and even though I didn't pull a phenomenal looking <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/2009-UD-BLACK-TRAVIS-SNIDER-PRIDE-NATION-FLAG-AUTO-99-/120699657178?pt=US_Baseball&hash=item1c1a429bda">Pride of Nation auto</a> or a Bryce Harper, I was awfully happy with the results of my break. At the right price I certainly wouldn't hesitate to bust another box of this. Thanks for looking!</div><br /></div>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-19812269380106206912011-03-12T12:18:00.000-08:002011-03-17T22:20:08.289-07:00Happy Ken Griffey Jr's Jersey Number Day!In honor of of the incredible accomplishment that is my 24th birthday (I think I'm being sarcastic, but I'm not sure) I proudly present some of my favorite cards of the greatest #24 ever (yes I know he isn't wearing #24 in all of thse cards, deal with it) Mr. Ken Griffey Jr. Feast yo eyes on the following:<br /><br /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 231px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585284816286676642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicy41tHoyx3R6dgdM331r2pAxcA5ByjCZoKrLS3WFJQXl84ffHu3vmKabd_W-mhiG_nLR4HYx8Td-VZLWhBreWmnbvDIsCbC6v9MCYo8C5pPwE1HZx_J1vWvCD28nk2AHYnIUZcVMnSeQ/s320/scan0030.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585284681736753682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaC_-PmoXJvNlwImvim_iay1V8UxJfOtdWSP_4LGS0B1FDMjtF5vplqn1x-oAlVfzylLv2cya_lOR5NnYR03FdPoZ5PWV1KukO88UsLx2PhcKAm5iGIkVaS07EdOxRMt7i5hB5zk8r1Sw/s320/scan0005.jpg" /><br /><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585284538084651026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqNOAapor424hxxpgjIDVpKsOHF4azvDlYv8ntcOCFTQKzonEvg-Xmd064SkC3KTL8EH2biGGobAUumcAI2LkNTF-4VTwQlBgF4A19WLOWTOc_Oa7qKR6bdf5GkGXUzg-3xawd-LRsh0/s320/scan0017+%25282%2529.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585284435177128002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHx1SlZjuVtHWSJKKODv-WfyEWBp3-1DMpcKfpagd4FiCpZ_gV-5qF3Z8qoDurfnu7z_ocfOpoN4mbCouVCfT3DLRt9honpX2vGMY2oKpn8SNDGlwt8oYHmcCxjwPIyx728O8gL681WK8/s320/scan0001.jpg" /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584725762082599634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaol5N7HL7Equo00yFzF0nd2Wc0MtPAbTksGPyTRR_m2mw7_9aRK0QDCLY03a1bpP2GRklSvwTdAFEsuARMpEg7x_z3xqpxnqhuYyfGKiUB1bZAzLHwy1NbZevpbn6qk0c0RTDXZNWrB8/s320/scan0011.jpg" /><br /><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584725231129937698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-rzd6K-qbCQcTJH7L_7Ww9Rayk7hxaoGlZKcCQSY4hhO5Dri1LKyCV7nEsUK27VldtqYPGRRynAcWH4A1QUekSk8NPnsNbpeXDtgAT15i7vgg_BeKcEJnhLT_ZBqsNBituX5cblcPtE/s320/scan0024.jpg" /></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p>There's more, but I'm too lazy to scan them right now. It is my birthday after all. Thanks for looking! Stay tuned for some birthday box breaks coming soon!</p>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-38945230877337231752011-03-10T23:00:00.000-08:002011-03-11T10:05:08.023-08:00Card of the Week: 2002 Bowman Toby Hall Future's Game MVP Game-Used Base Autograph<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZDSdsg06kptW0mk6_oO2hyRYzGmZ3Al5l2jJ99I9uvaT-hatcxFteEbKb59yvcaeyiNO27zlGksh0zzdFJH6TYzzqgXrlGfybWYDgr15UaTSjqfYg4WBX_dxeQCV6U6zNH8fh-_rZK0/s1600/scan0021.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582714046340327794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZDSdsg06kptW0mk6_oO2hyRYzGmZ3Al5l2jJ99I9uvaT-hatcxFteEbKb59yvcaeyiNO27zlGksh0zzdFJH6TYzzqgXrlGfybWYDgr15UaTSjqfYg4WBX_dxeQCV6U6zNH8fh-_rZK0/s400/scan0021.jpg" /></a> I didn't envision a day when I would feature Toby Hall as the card of the week, but I also didn't imagine I would find a Toby Hall card quite as cool as this one, for as cheap as I got it ($3 including shipping). The card features an on-card autograph of Hall (who I always had a soft spot for because he's from Washington) and a multi-colored swatch for a base used in the 2001 Future's Game (of which Hall was the MVP). I couldn't find a picture of the base used in the game, so I don't know exactly where the swatch comes from, but there is something cool about avoiding the dreaded white swatch. Cards like this make me miss the days when manufacturers put more game-used items in cards than just jerseys. Hopefully, they will once again return to those <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">halcyon</span> days. Thanks for looking!<br /><div></div>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-78991335342128671632011-03-03T21:03:00.000-08:002011-03-07T23:09:12.310-08:00Box Break: 2009 Bowman Chrome (x4)<div align="left">Tax season is a great time for those of us who don't make much money (<em>cough Bud cough</em>). The government sent me a decent chunk of change for my year of not making much money and I decided the most American thing to do with my new found wealth would be to buy some baseball cards. After much deliberation I settled on a favorite, 2009 Bowman Chrome. A low price, lots of shine and a few decent autos in the checklist...who could ask for more? Here's what I pulled:</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoR1Zlpn3Kb1gEEuep05QeG3IWzepLMAzzbJAgtc-FENjoiMRmGh5dwJpAKQ2WRBI1cUdLuxBw8iThUEais9dED0tesFOZkdio0qlX2scWPzjeiDKR5jxiQ4g8BUEOZKa2YOfAFOR120/s1600/scan0012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580088145548948770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoR1Zlpn3Kb1gEEuep05QeG3IWzepLMAzzbJAgtc-FENjoiMRmGh5dwJpAKQ2WRBI1cUdLuxBw8iThUEais9dED0tesFOZkdio0qlX2scWPzjeiDKR5jxiQ4g8BUEOZKa2YOfAFOR120/s320/scan0012.jpg" /></a><strong> Holliday/J. Johnson/A. Jones/Eichorn/Mauer/Doolittle/D. Bard/Parra/A. McCutchen</strong>: The regular refractors fall about six per box (there are plenty not pictured--no offense Scott Olson. Actually offense, I really don't like you) and I was happy to pull two PC players (Josh Johnson and Joe Mauer) as well as a handful of decent "RC" logo cards. The prospect cards are numbered to 500 and fall about one per box. Kevin Eichorn looks like a decent prospect (lots of strikeouts) although Todd Doolittle was born in 1982 so I'm not holding my breath on that particular card.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhyo4nn5P8EG28sq6PMj2D-Hn_J7bbBpdl1N4Frs8g3t0A0U8XXju53pdTIK53oILcB8ZLm5TTDUgY9KWHm7gV3vBbYh3Ti76LQqL8tMqpr1vysi9EaYMNFp_sbVfoTnoDBnhvmNnu9M/s1600/scan0007.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580087941099809426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhyo4nn5P8EG28sq6PMj2D-Hn_J7bbBpdl1N4Frs8g3t0A0U8XXju53pdTIK53oILcB8ZLm5TTDUgY9KWHm7gV3vBbYh3Ti76LQqL8tMqpr1vysi9EaYMNFp_sbVfoTnoDBnhvmNnu9M/s320/scan0007.jpg" /></a><strong> Dan Hudson RC Refractor #230/500</strong>: Besides Starlin Castro (who seems to be a case hit in this product) Dan Hudson is the top prospect in 2009 Bowman Chrome (he utterly dominated the NL after being traded to Arizona) and I was thrilled to pull a refractor of his true rookie card. If he continues pitching like he did at the end of last season this will probably be worth more than all of the autographs from this break.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-iZ2539GIfcOhU1NYPsfMNYpBPGBVOytWAFb_nr_cto1bIGtXcjWru1ERTb7VYFxdvPlnQU-oiGuvIaW12xGUuoZd_Bd-AGBCy4urbWus8rz37fcXR2lJgeig6nkNLElcwsg7rF0YN4/s1600/scan0008.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580087389265455330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-iZ2539GIfcOhU1NYPsfMNYpBPGBVOytWAFb_nr_cto1bIGtXcjWru1ERTb7VYFxdvPlnQU-oiGuvIaW12xGUuoZd_Bd-AGBCy4urbWus8rz37fcXR2lJgeig6nkNLElcwsg7rF0YN4/s320/scan0008.jpg" /></a> <strong>Hermida/Parnell/Wright/Kulik/Sizemore/Youkilis/Takahashi/Beckett X-Fractors #/250</strong>: X-Fractors fall about two per box and I pulled a decent crop of players (the Sizemore is just one serial number away from his jersey number) although I would have liked more prospects in the mix. I love these cards and was awfully disappointed that Topps did away with them in 2010--they add quite a bit of value and fun to each box. Hopefully they'll bring them back soon, although for the initial reports, it doesn't look like they'll show up in 2011.</div><div align="center"><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCIDTBbBHM2BpFlEAVYAgZ2Vsl0bqyJNC-qwb_eKUCekSz4yPky6j1sL9-ORycSRe6vPclM2EY0bX_WAxAymmNTkVKgdD6gvwqgtWpziaxSADHKveQytHBANLFUzjOUJDSnWDFFDHbME/s1600/scan0010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 290px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580087058780442162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCIDTBbBHM2BpFlEAVYAgZ2Vsl0bqyJNC-qwb_eKUCekSz4yPky6j1sL9-ORycSRe6vPclM2EY0bX_WAxAymmNTkVKgdD6gvwqgtWpziaxSADHKveQytHBANLFUzjOUJDSnWDFFDHbME/s320/scan0010.jpg" /></a><strong> Jermaine Dye/Hanley Ramirez/Kazuo Matsui/Hunter Pence/Jorge Posada Blue Refractors #/150:</strong> Blue refractors fall roughly one per box (although Matsui and Ramirez both came in the same pack) and look just terrific in person. I've said it before and I'll say it again: if I had the time and the money, I would definitely attempt to complete this set. In fact, maybe I'll start now...<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuHVmcyq7P-Ek2alVpsREX9zEoblv-96zWEEZ82vZcHp-f3v2qZHgbtQQ0mJ91NIYBadwZqPuqMCnKLbvQ9Fv4PkXgkVVP5o-YHQQiGLxIi1ZBBoGOu5kIX5DkaGUGWK0SrcD5Ln2j2k/s1600/scan0005.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580086859027856882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuHVmcyq7P-Ek2alVpsREX9zEoblv-96zWEEZ82vZcHp-f3v2qZHgbtQQ0mJ91NIYBadwZqPuqMCnKLbvQ9Fv4PkXgkVVP5o-YHQQiGLxIi1ZBBoGOu5kIX5DkaGUGWK0SrcD5Ln2j2k/s320/scan0005.jpg" /></a><strong> Hector Correa Orange Refractor #9/25</strong>: I was pretty happy to pull an orange refractor until I realized that Hector Correa (who projects as a solid middle reliever) also had a "1st Bowman Chrome Card" in 2008 Bowman Chrome. That makes very little sense to me. I understand the whole "RC" logo thing, but not back-to-back first year cards. Thanks Topps.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-VKoKeFeSF7qcOBVLy1ow44aC1t0IcA-GQGSqhNYFRo0N_0rwFX9dnUbuhyphenhyphenXY0yRK0JfxHiECJVup9PONxBQs2Zlhtky_3Ir7JL_Sqv0i76CLZRigmHYNk9nPw17OkDQEM55a6K0vuc/s1600/scan0006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580086515228825058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-VKoKeFeSF7qcOBVLy1ow44aC1t0IcA-GQGSqhNYFRo0N_0rwFX9dnUbuhyphenhyphenXY0yRK0JfxHiECJVup9PONxBQs2Zlhtky_3Ir7JL_Sqv0i76CLZRigmHYNk9nPw17OkDQEM55a6K0vuc/s320/scan0006.jpg" /></a><strong>Tim Federowicz/Connor Graham/Brett Anderson/Robbie Grossman Autos</strong>: I went into the break hoping for an auto of Freddie Freeman, Carlos Santana, Dayan Viciedo or Tommy Hanson. Unfortunately, I was shut out and left with three scrubs and one solid auto (Brett Anderson). Thankfully, there is much more to these boxes than just the autos (something you can't say about Bowman Draft) including the following card:<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbsKkwvd1QIhT_R4q9x4_gr3bSqAAK_qWSui1LQBFOrawT48LoGcolySx-2eUy8bcX1oaMG4FxovoPrZiL9bAet8YF5XAGMuuoDQStYw9o9oS29FuBMyA4rqa60X_OmzYdSjpqPD8IkU/s1600/scan0001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580086302078157586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbsKkwvd1QIhT_R4q9x4_gr3bSqAAK_qWSui1LQBFOrawT48LoGcolySx-2eUy8bcX1oaMG4FxovoPrZiL9bAet8YF5XAGMuuoDQStYw9o9oS29FuBMyA4rqa60X_OmzYdSjpqPD8IkU/s320/scan0001.jpg" /></a><span><strong>Tim Lincecum Gold Refractor #20/50:</strong> Wow! I was excited when I opened a pack and saw that I had struck gold and downright ecstatic when I realized I had hit a great card of the terrific Tim Lincecum. This card is a real peach in person and even though Tim isn't a Mariner (although he could have been...ehhhh) I think I will keep this one in the PC for a while.<br /><strong><br />I love this product and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a cheap, shiny break. Thanks for looking!</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-48621091905111928002011-03-02T09:16:00.000-08:002011-03-06T21:53:52.338-08:00Card of the Week: 2004 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Super Patch Name Plate SP/15<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKul7F3OS0SAD-ZCdM5OUIhnDfpTft-U5QlO2V0iMBiX-EJd-TuaeFBGzVi3Unrr7uqcoULZaKEQ5iDWxNPH_adF1rha83_18ZRYYS0E4OO1QrdON9cQfuIH6Ul6-6EcKB40hzETQR0wk/s1600/scan0011.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581202674097038354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKul7F3OS0SAD-ZCdM5OUIhnDfpTft-U5QlO2V0iMBiX-EJd-TuaeFBGzVi3Unrr7uqcoULZaKEQ5iDWxNPH_adF1rha83_18ZRYYS0E4OO1QrdON9cQfuIH6Ul6-6EcKB40hzETQR0wk/s400/scan0011.jpg" /></a> I won this beauty in a hotly contested auction on eBay last week and couldn't wait to show it off. There's quite a few nice Griffey patches on eBay, but the majority of them are set at ridiculously high Buy It Nows, so I wasn't about to let this one get away when it came up for auction. The super patches from 2004 Upper Deck fell at 1:7,500 packs and this particular card is short printed to just 15 copies. Needless to say, it will be a centerpiece of my Griffey collection for a long time, and is a card that I hope to one day pass on to Bud Jr. Thanks for looking!<br /><br /><em>Stay tuned for another great Griffey pick-up coming soon!<br /></em><div></div>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-24900189661198922562011-02-20T13:57:00.000-08:002011-02-20T14:04:05.650-08:00First Day Issue's eBay Adventures & Exploits: #1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-RZzLNYUPVPIdoCfNZ200iYCjIVVQkaBclYAVdViUYpRWRzi93lCvaa6pGyE4LGPv2u43MCwqUH6fzqa1QDGb7nO9v7E5zKmlROvyPFY6GFFgNMtUbdyhaASQHZBxBIGoTAQ2IFXq7g/s1600/scan0030.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 371px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575894640718789938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-RZzLNYUPVPIdoCfNZ200iYCjIVVQkaBclYAVdViUYpRWRzi93lCvaa6pGyE4LGPv2u43MCwqUH6fzqa1QDGb7nO9v7E5zKmlROvyPFY6GFFgNMtUbdyhaASQHZBxBIGoTAQ2IFXq7g/s400/scan0030.jpg" /></a> I won everything in this lot for $11 DLVD (the auction was merely titled <em>6 game-used baseball jerseys</em>) which is a steal considering that it contains two PC players (Ichiro and J.J.) plus a Ginter auto (which always look great) and an SP two-colored relic of Serena Williams. The Damon bat and Clemens/Hughes jerseys are just icing on-top of a filling, but affordable, eBay cake. Stay tuned for more of First Day Issue's eBay Adventures and Exploits (not all of which work out in my favor) in the coming weeks and months. Thanks for looking!The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-5046353043784785322011-02-16T21:39:00.000-08:002011-02-24T10:05:05.636-08:00Card of the Week: 2005 Donruss Leather & Lumber Jamie Moyer Auto #10/100<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkMPyQmFpYur3QKo8r1HRQU0gC0DkQyU3NFuSnVNtAssw8b96_nmX3rFTmc4PAdexx4fPFh0IWCRSQ9gfjsV2vZporikEqBSrDrGbUicD93Fr5t7GdeR9RBTgcu2szYtsar5Fh2KIf5I/s1600/scan0055.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 283px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574529245495979586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkMPyQmFpYur3QKo8r1HRQU0gC0DkQyU3NFuSnVNtAssw8b96_nmX3rFTmc4PAdexx4fPFh0IWCRSQ9gfjsV2vZporikEqBSrDrGbUicD93Fr5t7GdeR9RBTgcu2szYtsar5Fh2KIf5I/s400/scan0055.jpg" /></a>Although the sticker on this card can be seen from space, the card still holds a special place in my heart. Not only is an auto of one of the M's best pitchers and baseball's classiest guys (can't wait for his comeback in 2012) but to top it all off I pulled it from one pack of 2005 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Donruss</span> Leather and Lumber that I won from a friend in a bet. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Coincidence</span>? I think not...The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-2149762808307543402011-02-14T14:57:00.001-08:002011-02-14T16:46:18.038-08:00Triple Rainbow: 2009 BDPP Michael Saunders<div align="center">Alright there's only one rainbow to show off today but this is my third in the past few months so deal with it. I've been working on this particular rainbow for about six months and had managed to track down everything except for the x-fractor, which with 199 copies, should not have been that difficult to find. I was worried that it might not even exist (a conspiracy no doubt!) Thankfully, someone on Blowout Cards pulled one from a box recently and was kind enough to sell it to me. The rainbow looks great in person and I am expecting big things from Michael Saunders in 2011. Thanks for looking!<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45IyknBlHvDF-UaRj7QYc_yeTrEBFq853KoAuzFodEMj6UZyGBp1CzK96ByGHp_C2IMa1rzrUA1Q4Xmod1LuZuNA6JzgfcPlvQ34gklhYEL7f0in25aJBnU_eIgb_mvwEZHUfvgKWkPw/s1600/scan0010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 287px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573683549265266882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45IyknBlHvDF-UaRj7QYc_yeTrEBFq853KoAuzFodEMj6UZyGBp1CzK96ByGHp_C2IMa1rzrUA1Q4Xmod1LuZuNA6JzgfcPlvQ34gklhYEL7f0in25aJBnU_eIgb_mvwEZHUfvgKWkPw/s400/scan0010.jpg" /></a> <div align="center">They're always after me lucky charms!</div>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-57532563962321609962011-02-13T21:13:00.000-08:002011-02-17T19:52:58.534-08:00Box Break: 2009 UD Signature Stars (Hobby)<div align="left">I found this box at a local Shopko for $59.99 (not terrible considering Blowout Cards has the boxes for $45-50) and bought it on a whim after getting some good news. I wasn't expecting much from the box with it being one of Upper Deck's last baseball products but I was pleasantly surprised with my pulls and the quality of the product. Here's the goods:</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIZVT_qJWfFTKzetDDULROuRK50_10X59RMO9u0icJWCDRs7TOBtqufnP8uGN0YEXLfwxdn5tf76RI5oMnwsX3lqvQjywBuKdPp7AFtAnPl3a3vgKhuvTWtayLgz5MeIcj7N0E34QcfQ/s1600/scan0022.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573665464925853026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIZVT_qJWfFTKzetDDULROuRK50_10X59RMO9u0icJWCDRs7TOBtqufnP8uGN0YEXLfwxdn5tf76RI5oMnwsX3lqvQjywBuKdPp7AFtAnPl3a3vgKhuvTWtayLgz5MeIcj7N0E34QcfQ/s320/scan0022.jpg" /></a><strong> Rick Hague Team USA Jersey</strong>: The basic jersey cards are well designed and it's always nice to get a something other than the standard white swatch. I'd never heard of Rick Hague before but he had a pretty good season in the minors after being drafted by the Nationals in the third round of the 2010 draft, hitting .327 at Single-A Hagerstown.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmYcWpWxcMLoLMgEgbugnGX_y1WGGnv3bSAdV6rBJAiKONxvdi6xbDiVW6q7tDA4otB3z_AZVx02e3Wa8QWOz1inMQ1tfWtaMG8VjxaqkfSAqB17n0sNd8ZvQum4GKAwKomXZqPYMCVo/s1600/scan0021.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573665389174003362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmYcWpWxcMLoLMgEgbugnGX_y1WGGnv3bSAdV6rBJAiKONxvdi6xbDiVW6q7tDA4otB3z_AZVx02e3Wa8QWOz1inMQ1tfWtaMG8VjxaqkfSAqB17n0sNd8ZvQum4GKAwKomXZqPYMCVo/s320/scan0021.jpg" /></a><strong> Andy Wilkins Team USA Winning Materials #156/499</strong>: It's almost impossible to tell in the scan, but the left swatch of jersey shows some dirt from game-use, which is always a plus. Wilkins was a 5th round pick of the White Sox in last year's draft and hit .307 with more walks (33) than strikeouts (31) at Rookie League Great Falls.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJ4jULH_39TRLK634Mwt1sYyoinadOo4ALOq0isIyVLTjsWx_L6m8zzNeJaRxgQ9ZVxYTMflrOpHXGSc00F8N3s_MJpdrMkhsfGMPMlHyB71MeNEFL3nb_2LqtCAGW-I4ZTczHV4JSSk/s1600/scan0023.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 245px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573665325254816930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJ4jULH_39TRLK634Mwt1sYyoinadOo4ALOq0isIyVLTjsWx_L6m8zzNeJaRxgQ9ZVxYTMflrOpHXGSc00F8N3s_MJpdrMkhsfGMPMlHyB71MeNEFL3nb_2LqtCAGW-I4ZTczHV4JSSk/s320/scan0023.jpg" /></a><strong> Kavin Keyes USA Future Watch Jersey/Auto #620/899</strong>: The auto/jersey cards fall approximately one per box and I was (un)fortunate (we won't know for a few more years) enough to pull Kavin Keyes of the 18U squad. The card looks crisp and although the autograph is on a sticker it blends nicely into the background. Keyes is attending college at Oregon State and hopefully this card will one day pay for a meal...at a sit down restaurant!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4ov6Z68pZwBeMGo5BLnm6Pm4NtQHlCHu3MyNx57QqtbBqJRUpub5lg42fdotsEsJJg_LpELwF5n3_heW3zRtwU7aSrx7TK3STDFzjTN4RCAtNWfbMcUq1gbOEAN49_bgMzbm36duxC0/s1600/scan0019.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573665256939168498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4ov6Z68pZwBeMGo5BLnm6Pm4NtQHlCHu3MyNx57QqtbBqJRUpub5lg42fdotsEsJJg_LpELwF5n3_heW3zRtwU7aSrx7TK3STDFzjTN4RCAtNWfbMcUq1gbOEAN49_bgMzbm36duxC0/s320/scan0019.jpg" /></a><strong> Kevin Gausman Team USA Jersey Patch #20/25</strong>: I opened one pack and was greeted by a card thicker than most Red Robin hamburgers--it turned out to be a patch variation of Kevin Gausman. Yes it's the dreaded one color patch, but at least it wasn't white, and the red completed the American Flag (red, white and blue) in jersey cards. Gausman was drafted in the 6th round by the Dodgers but didn't sign and will instead pitch for LSU. He seems to be fairly highly regarded so this might not be a bad pull at all.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJ9BMT6jWHP1uNO_u4F_w35gbpVhe4hYPS0JAvk4G266w4CKfGnrcHx1rZHUxKpU4yZj11ZxrPvGoC5e29k8KPvMgjoIeQ4wc8M6-9okK9AB5x3IB37Bi_3TSnRjBBKixlXLCcar4Lbg/s1600/scan0020.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573665190531945218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJ9BMT6jWHP1uNO_u4F_w35gbpVhe4hYPS0JAvk4G266w4CKfGnrcHx1rZHUxKpU4yZj11ZxrPvGoC5e29k8KPvMgjoIeQ4wc8M6-9okK9AB5x3IB37Bi_3TSnRjBBKixlXLCcar4Lbg/s320/scan0020.jpg" /></a><strong> David Price Top Prospects Auto RC</strong>: I had already received my four promised hits with a few packs remaining, so I was very surprised when I pulled this card. He's no Bryce Harper, but David Price was one of the top autos from the rookie subset, and I'll never complain about an extra hit. The upper right hand corner is a bit dinged but it's a great card nonetheless.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Overall Thoughts</strong>: I got pretty lucky on this box with an extra auto and a likely case hit (the patch) but for $40-45 dollars this is a fun product with an insert in nearly every pack and a decent shot at a big hit (Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Matt Weiters). If you get the urge to open something other than 2011 Topps Blasters this is a great, albeit more expensive, way to go.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Thanks for looking!</div><br /></div>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-38994727891788326252011-02-06T21:11:00.000-08:002011-02-16T21:37:05.701-08:00Pack Attack: 2011 Topps Retail (x12)<div align="left"><span>Everyone has seen 2011 Topps ad nauseum so I'll just show the highlights from the first batch of packs I grabbed:<br /></span></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573667351544182674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Fijqvf6qZcjvXixlRMWiUw-2Gn4FppVjEhOlCIOROGO9AJqQYzpPROAWc0mabMIeK32kAxv4-2IVjkLEvrZawyGY2CtmbSFSvJS_gNNoZvUnjut0xGLrhUqHCqmprAJqUnVfFVGJVLg/s320/scan0014.jpg" /><strong> Rick Ankiel Gold Parallel #392/2011</strong>: Can't complain about pulling a parallel of a PC player even if I'm not a huge fan of the photo. I'm hoping that Ankiel has a good bounce back year with the Nationals this season, but regardless of what happens, he's had a pretty remarkable career. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573667288181922690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHVNhofVWOqmgtddTdMRWbH5kWXn8j8KiKH5B-WPgiicwPJAFip0cP7bXgfSk0LiZaYtMYsrRc3GZw2qLUkL3Hz59CVaBiFjAz2NJb9wO4rO0OAACWxJDHSkx5Fa02bvrOHGmgERxqlQ/s320/scan0016.jpg" /> <strong>Ricky Romero/Aubrey Huff/David DeJesus Diamond Parallel</strong>: I love the addition of the diamond parallels to this year's Topps set. It's great to pull something shiny and they are reminiscent of some of the gaudy inserts of the 90's. I'm definitely going after the Mariners team set of these parallels. Outstanding! </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573667109462723138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExwuAJDxqsk5_d3aJ5sY-F-3LuzmgdQxb298NdCy53Bl3IAldVi4JUALhAFAFakKywtA1yW3A8246JihXP4cLWamwhuyOaGymFIbE0a6vP5huWEjn9QsMgcLsRewerG4R1SROD7eXHj0/s320/scan0017.jpg" /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Roy Halladay Diamond Giveaway Code Card</strong>: I was a little disappointed to only pull one giveaway card from 12 packs and even more disappointed when it turned into a 1994 Mike Schooler. Things only got worse though as I pulled another giveaway code from a different set of packs and that turned into: a 1992 Topps Mike Schooler!! Way too much school!! Still, I like the promotion, even if it doesn't seem to have as many good cards as last year.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574526385072688498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7osUutr1xjIyVUBTkoup_5YTU0FA8sDctAEqIxii3px3HS_t2BbFA15mMSBjeRp83m3TdHB74POM65JeaRtAMVM_5hvATQ-U_BcdAQXPlhRREa7lIB9j8KqIEFhwdAIP9YXz_app3bXY/s320/scan0015.jpg" /><span><strong>Victor Martinez Topps 60 Game-Used Something</strong>: I guess I should be excited to pull a hit but Topps' language is so nebulous that the piece of "memorabilia" on this card could have been worn by me. Not only is it not from "any specific game, event or season" but it doesn't even metion that it was worn by Victor Martinez. I like the design but don't want to feel like I'm getting bamboozled by the shady practices of our only card manufacturer. Step it up Topps.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Overall Thoughts</strong>: It's Topps. It's good. I'll buy more. Thanks for looking! </span><br /></div>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-61644240693308681542011-01-31T15:07:00.001-08:002011-02-14T14:57:05.580-08:00Back in the Game: A Trade with Night Owl<div align="left"><span>It had been a very long-time since I had received a trade package in the mail so I was thrilled to find one last week from the dean of baseball card blogs, Nightowl. As always, he came through with a great mix of Mariners both old and new. Here are some of my favorites:</span></div><div align="left"><span></span> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7_PrPpWZsj76Hjbb80JK9_pTFUUbhDF9rW8lwzC3RbgkEiDm640VY6UCNXWj9ihyphenhyphenTySExatEtN8qJJUk-b26UnPyCd2_veu9x0qMiMxWFO9A6OOpGFfeURyODOUzJ5bVOCnvbxoHQes/s1600/scan0009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 228px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573668094432367122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7_PrPpWZsj76Hjbb80JK9_pTFUUbhDF9rW8lwzC3RbgkEiDm640VY6UCNXWj9ihyphenhyphenTySExatEtN8qJJUk-b26UnPyCd2_veu9x0qMiMxWFO9A6OOpGFfeURyODOUzJ5bVOCnvbxoHQes/s320/scan0009.jpg" /></a><strong>2001 Bowman Chrome Edgar Martinez</strong>: Edgar didn't make any headway on his journey towards Cooperstown this year but I remain optimistic that one day he will receive the credit he deserves for a tremendous career. 2001 Bowman Chrome is one of my favorite Bowman designs and my little brother will be thrilled to add another great Edgar to his binder of one of the M's most beloved players of all-time.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ySopo6A15D8-vr_mvMsxVHPh9lFCS-IaaGB9kIqAyvIVa5QmZcYFqHqsfMv0rpBzgq_UHMxL1vH1H2i7N1RXhiuQ3kwrgBIx5miat3QCWLltoQ_lH2Vw1HZjsu4Cpaph7nKzMVkFE-Q/s1600/scan0013.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 223px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573668049462175714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ySopo6A15D8-vr_mvMsxVHPh9lFCS-IaaGB9kIqAyvIVa5QmZcYFqHqsfMv0rpBzgq_UHMxL1vH1H2i7N1RXhiuQ3kwrgBIx5miat3QCWLltoQ_lH2Vw1HZjsu4Cpaph7nKzMVkFE-Q/s320/scan0013.jpg" /></a> <strong>2001 Topps Chrome Rafael Soriano</strong>: This card is another stinging reminder of how incompetent the Mariners' front office used to be (I think they're better now, but I would like to see some results on the field). Rafael Soriano was a stellar reliever for Seattle before Bill Bavasi decided to send him to Atlanta for Horacio Ramirez (slaps forehead). Long story short, Soriano has been even better since and Ramirez posted an ERA north of sevent (7!) while in Seattle. Yeah, we came out ahead on that one.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GFou9NU7Jg1ZYrOE-87XcJqjWvKQW2OCIbwigtMUnrZytPhIkghfvXfDvt68aUYQE2Hitad9u3P_WEolNZXv4HD1qnC0qV3VdEw1g4eszQAQo7ubYAUUQLsTb6kCFBv2ZQ0L9GgqMRo/s1600/scan0012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 233px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573667993822552002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GFou9NU7Jg1ZYrOE-87XcJqjWvKQW2OCIbwigtMUnrZytPhIkghfvXfDvt68aUYQE2Hitad9u3P_WEolNZXv4HD1qnC0qV3VdEw1g4eszQAQo7ubYAUUQLsTb6kCFBv2ZQ0L9GgqMRo/s320/scan0012.jpg" /></a><strong> 2010 Topps Attax Ken Griffey Jr.</strong>: Ken Griffey Jr. didn't attack much of anything besides the team buffet last season, but I'm always happy to add another new card of the Kid to my collection. I saw Griffey in a Nike commercial the other day and forgot for a second that he's retired. It still hurts.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YaBNONsBHJx8ST8SuPGymBepolI5DS8JyKrOcXgdXFU0SPniFL6hU3cYBRUMnr3ZL9CTNDTgiLAajpiEXvjvHJ8VJJpawp4M1VNUwrCf4xEpTTPSCreZp781tXnNAX-qroO8aiJghU8/s1600/scan0011.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 223px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573667943950502610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YaBNONsBHJx8ST8SuPGymBepolI5DS8JyKrOcXgdXFU0SPniFL6hU3cYBRUMnr3ZL9CTNDTgiLAajpiEXvjvHJ8VJJpawp4M1VNUwrCf4xEpTTPSCreZp781tXnNAX-qroO8aiJghU8/s320/scan0011.jpg" /></a><strong>2010 Topps Chrome Franklin Gutierrez X-Fractor: </strong>Franklin "Death to Flying Objects" Gutierrez was one of the lone bright spots for Seattle in 2010 and I'm hoping he takes a step forward at the plate in 2011. Speaking of bright spots, there all over this card! AHHHHHHHHHH!<br /><br /><strong>Thanks for the great cards Night Owl!</strong><br /></div>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-67662668343107927322011-01-26T23:48:00.000-08:002011-02-08T10:22:41.364-08:00Box Break: 2010 Bowman Draft (Hobby)<div align="left">Got this box wicked cheap on eBay (about 1/2 price) so I didn't have very high hopes of pulling a big hit. That's good, because this year's BDPP is built to disappoint, and there were only two cards worth showing:</div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbHixmLWnEPXBYOdct11h0FTXbyj2-TX1Hj240ParBQy_W1MMSiLQB0sgXczFYaSJmWeWPQ9IBBRguxBRDTQ1e1s6t9cCEd4XiqWOqdm4lACG15zqYZ9aCC6ekFKwqYf3TLAbOnof2jM/s1600/scan0027.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566769785491056642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbHixmLWnEPXBYOdct11h0FTXbyj2-TX1Hj240ParBQy_W1MMSiLQB0sgXczFYaSJmWeWPQ9IBBRguxBRDTQ1e1s6t9cCEd4XiqWOqdm4lACG15zqYZ9aCC6ekFKwqYf3TLAbOnof2jM/s320/scan0027.jpg" /></a><strong> Leon Landry Blue <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Refractor</span> #136/199</strong>: This might not be a big money hit but it is one terrific looking card (I love me some blue refractors). Leon Landry was a third round pick of the Dodgers and had a great first year in pro ball, hitting .349 with 4 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">HR's</span>, 38 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">RBI's</span> and 13 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">SB's</span> for rookie league Ogden. It's worth holding onto, but if I decide to move it, it's headed your way Night Owl.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihn_eLsJAyRSnW3MYK74rcRuYkw9mM1b-RtG_tbgyb6zu3hC8epe5XDx_Ohf0ezCGHZUbohD2YP_koRsqFYF7cJHjqGt3SDxFxOQgtACAWYfqr_a9yjTJpv2zahOWVyMXtpxfcgNGUYZE/s1600/scan0026.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566769661756531858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihn_eLsJAyRSnW3MYK74rcRuYkw9mM1b-RtG_tbgyb6zu3hC8epe5XDx_Ohf0ezCGHZUbohD2YP_koRsqFYF7cJHjqGt3SDxFxOQgtACAWYfqr_a9yjTJpv2zahOWVyMXtpxfcgNGUYZE/s320/scan0026.jpg" /></a><span><strong>Ryan Bolden Refractor Auto #237/500:</strong> Well that sucks. Not only does Ryan Bolden have one ugly autograph, but he also happens to be one of the worst (if not the worst) players in the set. Yet another 1st round pick of the Angels Bolden hit a paltry .187 at rookie league Arizona with no HR's and a 14/68 walk-to-strikeout ratio. Not counting on this to make me any money.<br /><strong><br /><br />Overall Thoughts: </strong>I can't complain about what I pulled because the box was so cheap, but that being said, this one was a real stinker. '10 BDPP is a huge gamble by the box and while it may pay off on occassion more often than not it will leave you feeling hollow inside. I should take my own advice and stick to singles...</span></div>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-62069804553810047482011-01-21T22:47:00.001-08:002011-01-30T18:41:09.098-08:00COTW: 2010 National Chicle Whitey Ford JerseyNational Chicle was a dumpster fire for the most part (everyone remembers the Tim Wakefield "painting") but there were a few bright spots, not the least of which was this great looking relic of Yankee's all-time great Whitey Ford. I love that the jersey shows it's age and the pinstripe is a nice cherry on top. Pulling this card is nice motivation to go out and get a Babe Ruth or Mickey Mantle game-used jersey...easier said than done of course. I hate the Yankees but I do love history. Thanks for looking!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZswn60Dljsp-MPZUMYPSLVeP3cCT4h8qusoDzk2qRKI40_RQt8AEKm-rUganWH8MfFuJBXzICxg8cadFqCYHnfScFc6xNcFqIts1PF4sL7x8FQBbod7usrYol8aWHCDE4RPz8JwaNZc/s1600/scan0002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564898886001657682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZswn60Dljsp-MPZUMYPSLVeP3cCT4h8qusoDzk2qRKI40_RQt8AEKm-rUganWH8MfFuJBXzICxg8cadFqCYHnfScFc6xNcFqIts1PF4sL7x8FQBbod7usrYol8aWHCDE4RPz8JwaNZc/s320/scan0002.jpg" /></a>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-72337050615717433072011-01-09T23:16:00.000-08:002011-01-12T22:18:09.072-08:00Another Reason My Girlfriend is the Bee's Knees<div align="left"><span>I was walking through Target with my girlfriend the other day and she decided to accompany me to the card aisle (she's a good sport). I asked her to pick out a blaster of Bowman Platinum for me and she chose a winner. Here's what I pulled:</span> <div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:0;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:0;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaG9HlxuvSt1maLkj5cjL9aB9lNE9XiqrdDfQMn-bsCleUvVAgs23T-XjAvpr4_4UYiFRctoAgctHrxmDyDHrcacOUT56DQ_aANJzXP0OEJirNslVUtHeQmMSGKueDF0QPg-uN7bD2tY0/s1600/scan0011.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 285px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560452820747430226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaG9HlxuvSt1maLkj5cjL9aB9lNE9XiqrdDfQMn-bsCleUvVAgs23T-XjAvpr4_4UYiFRctoAgctHrxmDyDHrcacOUT56DQ_aANJzXP0OEJirNslVUtHeQmMSGKueDF0QPg-uN7bD2tY0/s400/scan0011.jpg" /> </div><p align="center"></a><strong>Andrew Maggi Green Refractor Patch Auto #95/199!</strong></p>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-61626653363499967832011-01-06T09:41:00.000-08:002011-01-19T11:01:21.400-08:00Box Break: 2010 Bowman Draft Hobby (x3)<p></p><div align="left">I purchased three boxes of 2010 Bowman Draft from Blowout Cards with Christmas cash that I got from some relatives. I've had good luck in the past with this product and I was hoping it would continue with the 2010 edition. It did not. Here's the hits:</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm42TPMHXGrBuTLUN4DiLI5sfE9MGp7YgCLp_eHwFua3E64p8cOf9l_yEGebNgzabogKWpTWt27KAsjb8gejF8VsrOzhZCZVjwIwVCa3iS22VUNJD2zOpG3_Bvh_dKqR2X-X7Oc9dPjj8/s1600/scan0018.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561549926572135698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm42TPMHXGrBuTLUN4DiLI5sfE9MGp7YgCLp_eHwFua3E64p8cOf9l_yEGebNgzabogKWpTWt27KAsjb8gejF8VsrOzhZCZVjwIwVCa3iS22VUNJD2zOpG3_Bvh_dKqR2X-X7Oc9dPjj8/s320/scan0018.jpg" /></a><strong> Michael Choice Blue <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Refractor</span> RC #36/199</strong>: The first time through these boxes I missed this card. I have no idea how because it has a bright blue border and I carefully sort through each pack. Still, it was a nice surprise after I thought I had found all the hits from my break. It's a great looking card and Choice is a top prospect, so I'm happy with this pull.</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_aFOTGP7pepR0oWjewUDMpkAFpkyg-Utc9E9luo20d-ip6UrPd4RpVPHFDozm_AbEDqop2_LmgUrTnmm29jC3CsQ1dlmo50Fasorhzfv_pMcZFoGENTdzs0DoTywZD99TNgDuD_l8oo/s1600/scan0020.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561549818491695762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_aFOTGP7pepR0oWjewUDMpkAFpkyg-Utc9E9luo20d-ip6UrPd4RpVPHFDozm_AbEDqop2_LmgUrTnmm29jC3CsQ1dlmo50Fasorhzfv_pMcZFoGENTdzs0DoTywZD99TNgDuD_l8oo/s320/scan0020.jpg" /></a> <strong>Taylor Lindsey RC Autograph</strong>: Taylor Lindsey was one of four 1st round picks for the L.A. Angels in the 2010 draft and had a decent first year in pro ball, hitting .284 in 194 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">AB's</span> for the Angels' rookie league team. His cards don't sell very well right now, but the nice thing about this product is that you often don't know whether your cards are boom or bust for another 2-3 years. It allows me to delay the disappointment for a bit...</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFecAVJKXCRLYTjH_ND3hojYpxqnMXLjqi2u2kjPTOKnvmAanD4MvT4iNWHyF8W9X4UT8jLImIWmRRu2RxPBrt9kr-90EZVgZYaylBfLidf75u3rZd-zmMfAYmnRpJBXRUN12OLsUuus/s1600/scan0021.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561549738826350082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFecAVJKXCRLYTjH_ND3hojYpxqnMXLjqi2u2kjPTOKnvmAanD4MvT4iNWHyF8W9X4UT8jLImIWmRRu2RxPBrt9kr-90EZVgZYaylBfLidf75u3rZd-zmMfAYmnRpJBXRUN12OLsUuus/s320/scan0021.jpg" /></a><strong> Alex <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bregman</span> USA 16-U RC Auto</strong>: A new addition to Bowman Draft this year is the inclusion of autographs from the 16 and under squad of USA baseball players. They fall about 2-3 per case, and while I find it a bit weird to pull a card of someone who is not out of high school yet, I'll never complain about an extra hit. Bregman was one of the top players on the squad and hopefully in a few years this card will be worth it's weight in gold...which would be like $2.00.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqF7iR9U2U4x-ViN6rPvDrxfm23R-bP8qaroVHzr6wCkL96zp7vmPWe_sRj1v83TnDouXX3H3ErjUIflh7L6N-HsMvh2mANXoF0i18i8fTNbYfsiNhgRK3wnGE90TeeF1DLEtxPlSLPE/s1600/scan0022.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 241px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561549648869112482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqF7iR9U2U4x-ViN6rPvDrxfm23R-bP8qaroVHzr6wCkL96zp7vmPWe_sRj1v83TnDouXX3H3ErjUIflh7L6N-HsMvh2mANXoF0i18i8fTNbYfsiNhgRK3wnGE90TeeF1DLEtxPlSLPE/s320/scan0022.jpg" /></a><strong> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kellin</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Deglan</span> RC Autograph</strong>: Kellin Deglan is a catcher out of Canada who was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the first round of the 2010 draft. He struggled in his first year of pro ball hitting just .191 between the rookie league and Spokane (go Indians!) but at age 18, there is plenty of time for him to develop into a star.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct6W0uYQ4hBzouj3pH4CLbOZV8hGQY3d4uHRngOp2TZLaMpyBSKoLAgZ_jnJfXyRJxw8_xJZ1eChDsnNyehph19J6sErXDupE6cSqC_jDStL0D7UqoUjw8aIIv7n57hiwDR75TbgGlXk/s1600/scan0019.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561549528840756290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct6W0uYQ4hBzouj3pH4CLbOZV8hGQY3d4uHRngOp2TZLaMpyBSKoLAgZ_jnJfXyRJxw8_xJZ1eChDsnNyehph19J6sErXDupE6cSqC_jDStL0D7UqoUjw8aIIv7n57hiwDR75TbgGlXk/s320/scan0019.jpg" /></a><strong> Zack Cox RC <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Refractor</span> Auto #/500</strong>: The best hit of my three boxes, Zack Cox was drafted by the Cardinals after starring for two years as a third baseman for the Arkansas Razorbacks. The auto refractors in this set look great as the signature really pops off the card. While Cox may turn into the next Ryan Braun or Ryan Zimmerman, there are some concerns about his ability to translate to the pro game, so I already sold this off while his stock is high.</p><p><strong>Overall Thoughts</strong>: Althought I like this product, 2010 Bowman Draft is printed in much higher quantities than the 2009 and 2008 versions, and thus it is much more difficult to pull colored refractors. The expanded autograph checklist is nice, but it also makes it harder to pull autos of the top prospects like Manny Machado and Jameson Taillon. The design isn't bad, but it isn't nearly as nice as 2009 Draft (still my favorite of the last three). I might get a few more boxes if the price is yet, but unless you can afford to buy a case (can't we all?), singles is the way to go. </p><p>Thanks for looking!<br /></p>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-67036342189050579202011-01-02T22:34:00.001-08:002011-01-19T11:10:53.441-08:00First Day Issue's Collecting Goals for 20111) Less retail, more hobby. I don't even want to think how much I spent on blasters and value-packs in 2010. While I have some nice hits to show for it, hobby would have provided quite a bit more bang for the buck. I think I need to start avoiding Target all together.<br /><br />2) Complete the 2009 Bowman Draft Michael Saunders Rainbow (need x-fractor and superfractor). The x-fractor is #/199 yet I haven't seen one on eBay in months (no luck on COMC either). I would be happy to pay a nice bounty in cards if someone can track this down for me.<br /><br />3) Buy a jersey card with pinstripe of Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth or Lou Gehrig.<br /><br />4) Track down the elusive 2000 UD Ovation Ken Griffey Jr. Game-Used Shoe Card.<br /><br />5) Trade more with fellow bloggers. I know I've let you all down.<br /><br />6) Send in cards I don't need/want to COMC to trade for cards I do want.<br /><br />7) Pull a printing plate from a pack. This one might be difficult.The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-87088037147221644852010-12-28T09:43:00.001-08:002011-01-09T17:53:02.330-08:00First Day Issues Top 5 Pulls of 2010<div align="left">Two thousand and ten was a banner year for me in terms of card collecting with a bevy of big money hits and rare pulls. Of course I also spent a boatload of money, but in the end, I'd say I did pretty well. Judge for yourself:</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nNcKIDdj6ML-iiRVXw5IyKAghSvUpIa4tBPi6f9TFapOFa0mFOsJRwAN9Ky8uaOkK-uIMk82sxR2lYdF0w7V6ae1xPRD1CF2DCW0IdO3c3EwBA-lmMZT2ofxkQ7Jbfxv2JjGv4M4mP4/s1600/scan0001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557843827703558514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nNcKIDdj6ML-iiRVXw5IyKAghSvUpIa4tBPi6f9TFapOFa0mFOsJRwAN9Ky8uaOkK-uIMk82sxR2lYdF0w7V6ae1xPRD1CF2DCW0IdO3c3EwBA-lmMZT2ofxkQ7Jbfxv2JjGv4M4mP4/s320/scan0001.jpg" /></a><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong>#5) 2008 Bowman Draft Gordon Beckham RC Auto Refractor #/500</strong>: This might not be the biggest pull in terms of monetary value after Beckham's stinker of a season, but considering I pulled it from two packs at a gas station, I feel it deserves to make the list. The card is in great condition and I might send it in to BGS or PSA if I ever work up the energy. It'll be tough to pull a better card from a gas station, but I'll never rule it out...<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXQZMPuFIyDjrWv-Fj75jFom8nXxIHN8grH738I3kbwDgSIYAsml8RspTI-mUP37IWOS_Yyni8tE2Hau3IezxyPkf8RoeKqkl4pDemj20c8dVESh5jFxPyln5jJ8GnEHmRWSvoA2szLI/s1600/scan0006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555790863184482594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXQZMPuFIyDjrWv-Fj75jFom8nXxIHN8grH738I3kbwDgSIYAsml8RspTI-mUP37IWOS_Yyni8tE2Hau3IezxyPkf8RoeKqkl4pDemj20c8dVESh5jFxPyln5jJ8GnEHmRWSvoA2szLI/s320/scan0006.jpg" /></a><strong> #4) 2010 Topps Chrome Awkwasi Owusu-Ansah Superfractor RC #1/1</strong>: I thought I might go my whole collecting career without pulling a superfractor but in my second ever hobby box of football cards I pulled this beauty. Now, Akwasi Owusa-Ansah (henceforth referred to as AOA) isn't exactly a household name, but anybody in a Cowboys uniform is a potential hobby star and I can't complain about an amazing looking card that was 1:2,500+ packs.</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36Cg_FsFTHurqMvgxMHxEXPE0zhjtcq5HcW8b_6BsmB1fs6PJNU88GBhlutSvj6HSdM3DP4BuTrRP0PQbsQ8I4c6KA4CIKUIy60FJLIOEvYapdjabEA5g9-HqIPhnC7Bql0h8OubLN_c/s1600/scan0001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 241px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555790693275472722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36Cg_FsFTHurqMvgxMHxEXPE0zhjtcq5HcW8b_6BsmB1fs6PJNU88GBhlutSvj6HSdM3DP4BuTrRP0PQbsQ8I4c6KA4CIKUIy60FJLIOEvYapdjabEA5g9-HqIPhnC7Bql0h8OubLN_c/s320/scan0001.jpg" /></a> <strong>#3) 2009 Bowman Draft Jared Mitchell Gold Refractor #37/50</strong>: With some of the proceeds of the sale from card number one on this list (you won't want to miss that) I purchased a box of 2009 Bowman Draft from Atlanta Sports Cards and pulled a Mike Minor RC Auto and this Jared Mitchell Gold Refractor RC Auto which sold for $150. It was tough to part with because I love the design of 2009 Bowman, but I don't have the courage for high stakes prospecting, so I dropped it like it was hot.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcA2M71YFKJ9TsUP558SA51hi8_nH6yy2MoXwrS0nRIoPyJFXzZNo5ecQ0NxfJhWcdCbnehDT_Q41Px9GNU21OaWB6qAaDX1p60tL1d24mF76Y8zUHSqnviSCN82DSDOb3jHf5T1L7oCI/s1600/scan0001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555790582007459266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcA2M71YFKJ9TsUP558SA51hi8_nH6yy2MoXwrS0nRIoPyJFXzZNo5ecQ0NxfJhWcdCbnehDT_Q41Px9GNU21OaWB6qAaDX1p60tL1d24mF76Y8zUHSqnviSCN82DSDOb3jHf5T1L7oCI/s320/scan0001.jpg" /></a><strong> #2) 2010 Topps Platinum Sam Bradford/Colt McCoy Dual Auto #13/25</strong>: This card came from my very first hobby box of football cards after the frustration of not pulling a patch/auto out of countless retail blasters reached it's boiling point. I ordered this box from Blowout Cards and although it didn't contain a patch auto (Topps rectified the situation later) I was awfully happy to pull a dual auto of the top rookie quarterbacks. With Bradford's strong season and McCoy's late season emergence, I was able to sell this on eBay for a cool $150. If only every box was so fruitful...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8z_B59AKgnvVq9yHZi7rzvKcOtee_d4nIqeAawOsafALREgJQmvseTJPNlUIW94d0ilVBXlsJADTT1vdlOIzA8dbTh9H_ofFISERImTSuXPReWS5c8IbvfUd4PZlWohMoAqSOL7wToo/s1600/scan0019.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555790410030619858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8z_B59AKgnvVq9yHZi7rzvKcOtee_d4nIqeAawOsafALREgJQmvseTJPNlUIW94d0ilVBXlsJADTT1vdlOIzA8dbTh9H_ofFISERImTSuXPReWS5c8IbvfUd4PZlWohMoAqSOL7wToo/s320/scan0019.jpg" /></a><strong> #1) 2008 Bowman Draft Jason Heyward Aflac Auto SP: </strong>Early on in 2010 I was hooked on Bowman Draft after pulling a few autos from a box of the 2009 variety. I decided to go after a box of 2008 Draft but finding one at the right price (less than $100) proved elusive. I finally gambled on a box from eBay even though I didn't really have the money for it at the time...call it hunch. About 2/3 thirds of the way through the box I hadn't pulled a single card of note until this jawdropper emerged. With Heyward's hobby star rising and the extreme rarity of this card, I was able to sell it for an unbelievable $500 dollars. The pull of a lifetime? Maybe...</div></div>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-59296524802154381952010-12-22T21:50:00.001-08:002011-01-02T22:48:19.403-08:00Bunch O' Bowman Platinum (Shiny Goodness)<div align="left">I won't say exactly how much money I've spent on the retail variety of 2010 Bowman Platinum but I've been well rewarded with plenty of shine and some on-card autos of up-and-coming stars. This is an extremely feast or famine product with some blasters containing absolutely nothing but base while other blasters produce an autograph and an auto/jersey. It's a fun break but the time to buy is now as Topps generally front loads blasters to build up buzz only to send out duds later on. I bought my brother a blaster for Christmas and he pulled a Jonathan Singleton autograph (the best in the set, selling for over $40 on eBay) and I didn't do too bad with my breaks either. Here's the goods: </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwJPKZw59UKnW3zfbXEyoDtXAYT4QNbTU3ghvyBI8VitAl4nSk4TxEl5MFXY8-FRL9CGEJLdmaYagUwpU93iMrHlMMiVg57cG7jH_vv1WSm9iMJIEEuJRKZVkI9S0EPsBhc0paqIIeRI/s1600/scan0023.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557845061193554754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwJPKZw59UKnW3zfbXEyoDtXAYT4QNbTU3ghvyBI8VitAl4nSk4TxEl5MFXY8-FRL9CGEJLdmaYagUwpU93iMrHlMMiVg57cG7jH_vv1WSm9iMJIEEuJRKZVkI9S0EPsBhc0paqIIeRI/s320/scan0023.jpg" /></a><strong>J.P <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Arencibia</span> RC <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Refractor</span> #/999 </strong></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuspetd2H2QlyZ0TeiE3t3KOUU49oWgwD1mbeYXy7YO7om42gc74aNJ2npS9K3nHzRyNqffuR6N65IdYhZ_0Q98k1b6fbcPDzHyhRaH6z5d6UF4jdGw1bWZBi_8Z09wDIgDtD2lhqgK4/s1600/scan0027.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557844961708662834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuspetd2H2QlyZ0TeiE3t3KOUU49oWgwD1mbeYXy7YO7om42gc74aNJ2npS9K3nHzRyNqffuR6N65IdYhZ_0Q98k1b6fbcPDzHyhRaH6z5d6UF4jdGw1bWZBi_8Z09wDIgDtD2lhqgK4/s320/scan0027.jpg" /></a> <strong>Steven Hensley #25/99<br /></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3M5Y-yoEN6yyA86nDOrjzHm6YpGzEevVi8CEdisXrk40iNlUclu82zKrRjX6oXSBZ_R8mRJhIBs1QYMbSlXudkPFc0X2mN31NGP69755AZIHAef1D3NVCHLJDIK1C0FqYttBUKqDIlPw/s1600/scan0024.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557844888815606546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3M5Y-yoEN6yyA86nDOrjzHm6YpGzEevVi8CEdisXrk40iNlUclu82zKrRjX6oXSBZ_R8mRJhIBs1QYMbSlXudkPFc0X2mN31NGP69755AZIHAef1D3NVCHLJDIK1C0FqYttBUKqDIlPw/s320/scan0024.jpg" /></a> <strong>Mike Trout Purple <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Refractor</span><br /><br /></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tDOgPvjA4pBrY8gxvCX5-I-yuoBbsoHiTJFs_7fl_nGIUYEZyIsof1o8lJq9u0Xf2P0yo7OEBTRjb6KoxCflrxByumjYKnXNQmYSOORLTOJYPZK84JiKwxkf9E49TbJadpRmb-LKtiI/s1600/scan0026.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557844816508678946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tDOgPvjA4pBrY8gxvCX5-I-yuoBbsoHiTJFs_7fl_nGIUYEZyIsof1o8lJq9u0Xf2P0yo7OEBTRjb6KoxCflrxByumjYKnXNQmYSOORLTOJYPZK84JiKwxkf9E49TbJadpRmb-LKtiI/s320/scan0026.jpg" /></a><strong>Jake McGee <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Refractor</span> Auto<br /><br /></strong><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRxvcWLfVeliHrplJ5S2qoem_V433eIzqY4ehY8U3s3toGPDH6QPGZYJOdBGONa8aOQE-FbrdvyRhr0xR9pNGQVk42ef27iwljAZC3oLfe4rw93TnL_RCHrbhGN2kns-1HBwjAnnmvag/s1600/scan0028.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557844751545894194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRxvcWLfVeliHrplJ5S2qoem_V433eIzqY4ehY8U3s3toGPDH6QPGZYJOdBGONa8aOQE-FbrdvyRhr0xR9pNGQVk42ef27iwljAZC3oLfe4rw93TnL_RCHrbhGN2kns-1HBwjAnnmvag/s320/scan0028.jpg" /></a> <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jiovanni</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mier</span> Blue <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Refractor</span> #77/99</strong></div><br /></div>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-10942175746359927862010-12-21T09:23:00.000-08:002010-12-24T10:09:29.759-08:00Box Break: 2009 Bowman Chrome (Rare Hit!)<div align="left">This is the last of three boxes I purchased from Atlanta Sports Cards on their Black Friday sale--yes I know I'm very slow at posting. Without a doubt 2009 Bowman Chrome is my favorite product of the last few years (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ginter</span> is of course excluded from this ranking--it's untouchable). I love the look of the base and prospect cards and with 10 or so refractors per box, it's a very fun break. The autograph checklist is average (which can always change from year to year) but are well designed so that the signatures really "pop" from the white box behind them. I ended up with a pretty good box, depending on how well the prospect I pulled pans out. Here's the goods:<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-RXQ3GyqUpyjUwX0wAPoBTzfFwAD9ok7eazqHxSR_0dYMn_-Ez1zp0GIrkxaMDW5bv9zfvY7ACgyicx8_HJsWyR7EZegRBdWTmvsAAT0juq4mqpB-dOpaRLsK9fdt0-8JtdFevRLy4I/s1600/scan0021.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553187984219291266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-RXQ3GyqUpyjUwX0wAPoBTzfFwAD9ok7eazqHxSR_0dYMn_-Ez1zp0GIrkxaMDW5bv9zfvY7ACgyicx8_HJsWyR7EZegRBdWTmvsAAT0juq4mqpB-dOpaRLsK9fdt0-8JtdFevRLy4I/s320/scan0021.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a><strong>Chase <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Utley</span>/Some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">WBC</span> Guy/Zack <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Grienke</span> Refractors</strong>: As always, Bowman Chrome refractors look great and make a good looking set even better. The only downside to 2009 Bowman Chrome is the inclusion of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">WBC</span> players. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Watanabe</span> is numbered to 500 and I would have much preferred a prospect. No such thing as perfect I suppose.</p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiwNIM4_qNOYNSyrXL_C_qIvZ5cye2i3Z886A5XMWow5nlYXu0XxSBB-diOZ8yvnPcVWx5eo85nyRJ3Ka8v-9-GalDelCW4hfHRVYAK7FYY5o_TFdwOtH0A4mYwZ36OCxBiMOwzqBeaY/s1600/scan0020.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 223px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553187900810381682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiwNIM4_qNOYNSyrXL_C_qIvZ5cye2i3Z886A5XMWow5nlYXu0XxSBB-diOZ8yvnPcVWx5eo85nyRJ3Ka8v-9-GalDelCW4hfHRVYAK7FYY5o_TFdwOtH0A4mYwZ36OCxBiMOwzqBeaY/s320/scan0020.jpg" /></a> <strong>Dan <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Haren</span>/Ryan Zimmerman X-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fractors</span> #/250</strong>: Everyone loves x-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">fractors</span> so why did <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Topps</span> decide to do away with them for 2010 Bowman? The world will never know, but I didn't have to worry about that because 2009 Bowman Chrome delivers two per box. I was happy with the players I pulled, although now that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Haren</span> is in the AL West I wish bad things would happen to his pitching arm. I'm a terrible person.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5v5U_j9m3HTjEP8M8Sl6pYu_V2hUkivg3ux_ORyL3OvnrOBcrvOJXFsQmksU3ULPbNgJR19kqJKOTMTvWbZEyG6sn7ThUA6YeLqSKgk49p1TRu63Op9kYG-TAf7y6_VII5NWxPPBWpn0/s1600/scan0018.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 228px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553187827873496082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5v5U_j9m3HTjEP8M8Sl6pYu_V2hUkivg3ux_ORyL3OvnrOBcrvOJXFsQmksU3ULPbNgJR19kqJKOTMTvWbZEyG6sn7ThUA6YeLqSKgk49p1TRu63Op9kYG-TAf7y6_VII5NWxPPBWpn0/s320/scan0018.jpg" /></a> <strong>Ryan <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ludwick</span> Blue <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Refractor</span> #/150</strong>: These blue refractors are absolutely breathtaking (and I don't throw around that term like that doctor in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hamptons</span> on Seinfeld) and if I had the money and the diligence I would seriously consider putting together the full set. Since I don't, I'll probably just send this to Kerry at Cards on Cards (of amazing Albert <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pujols</span> 1/1 fame).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZJtq_LJJAlwK-TgRrdZ4n8IyNCVvDN0kVrknt_IEzS8zwPH8eg2zVbKr9rzEFUH5L3hNVW3ygSlmHvjXr7MSE4wevqbgkYr9M8WB-YJJI7ZUCZgJ-JG8OHkCUKUI_jcHJ9dQrU7Ibyc/s1600/scan0016.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 228px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553187724404949074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZJtq_LJJAlwK-TgRrdZ4n8IyNCVvDN0kVrknt_IEzS8zwPH8eg2zVbKr9rzEFUH5L3hNVW3ygSlmHvjXr7MSE4wevqbgkYr9M8WB-YJJI7ZUCZgJ-JG8OHkCUKUI_jcHJ9dQrU7Ibyc/s320/scan0016.jpg" /></a> <strong>Kyle <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Weiland</span> Orange <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Refractor</span> Auto #8/25</strong>: I'd never pulled an orange <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">refractor</span> (a real orange <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">refractor</span>, not the value-pack variety) so I was very excited when I saw the orange sheen of this card as I opened the pack. I was thrilled when I found out it was an orange autograph (1:1,500 packs) of Red <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sox</span> farmhand Kyle <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Weiland</span>. The 6'4" right <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">hander</span> was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2008 draft and posted a 5-9 record with a 4.42 ERA and 120 K's in 128 innings. Hopefully, he has a break out season in 2011 and I can cash this in for a nice <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Griffey</span>.<br /><br /><div align="left"><strong>Overall Thoughts</strong>: Love the product, loved this box. What more I can I ask for?</div></div>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-63189643784204461482010-12-20T09:04:00.000-08:002010-12-28T09:40:31.549-08:00Card of the Week: 2010 Topps Sterling Stan Musial Mystery Pack Gold #2/5<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjts553UQkl6LRZJt53CrsCnH5-oh2-HvNiD5fMRHjY6pdpFH-sNmj6VPpMoX1QVdSWC6wU4OoVGNR1jWIAbFvZXbO9x08YsYAS0n9JvYZoI-KhTvS3vlT9dYKkogmKADGB3oH0AtbLabc/s1600/scan0025.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 284px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555786484034306482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjts553UQkl6LRZJt53CrsCnH5-oh2-HvNiD5fMRHjY6pdpFH-sNmj6VPpMoX1QVdSWC6wU4OoVGNR1jWIAbFvZXbO9x08YsYAS0n9JvYZoI-KhTvS3vlT9dYKkogmKADGB3oH0AtbLabc/s400/scan0025.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Since I would never buy a box of the colossal money bonfire that is Topps Sterling (if you like 10% ROI this is your set) I had to turn to eBay to pick up this slick looking card of one of my favorite players. The gold parallel looks great in person and is about as thick as most standard jersey cards. I scored a bit of a deal because the card was listed in the football rather than the baseball card section, and while I'm sure Stan the Man was talented enough to play any sport, he definitely played for the Cardinals and not the Rams. Very happy to add this card to my collection and I will certainly look to add some more Sterling to my collection. Thanks for looking!</div>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-69031229437854919522010-12-11T11:19:00.000-08:002010-12-15T11:00:34.320-08:00Box Break: 2006 UD Artifacts (Not Bad)This is the second of three boxes I got from Atlanta Sports Cards on Black Friday. 2006 UD Artifacts has 3-4 hits per box in just 10 packs so there isn't a lot of wasted base cards (which is good, because they are kind of boring). The autograph checklist is pretty strong, so I was hoping to pull a big name, and this box was definitely better than Fleer Platinum. Here's the goods:<br /><br /><div align="left"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550981063954700546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjELTxqawH2TYfrec1dAVK2HJzklqbxldgjRXTbNGf1AFzGHIzFbd30A6_SrVhRMTPOljuFb3ewYjZStFdkXxkIQa7jPtbbwBsNf25GODKpBviSCd7UUiJlibvll22VDevmxcA8eBNr4/s320/scan0011.jpg" /> <p align="center"><strong>Derek Jeter Base Card</strong>: Pretty standard, but better than later years of Artifacts. That does not look like a Gold Glove shortstop to me. Just saying. </p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKacqneE4o-OKkv7Kb7Pc5f-O4Rm2mWy49ZedaYJ_zO8IgeGbk6MzrB4EY0xzuXwJm-yv2TEwXZqOc9XKUvL9LpRUvQgAae_DBxSuLp8JaVBQSf8yOZMhZ5HOzuZfB2rFtgtDWuTI04c/s1600/scan0010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549506967676616290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKacqneE4o-OKkv7Kb7Pc5f-O4Rm2mWy49ZedaYJ_zO8IgeGbk6MzrB4EY0xzuXwJm-yv2TEwXZqOc9XKUvL9LpRUvQgAae_DBxSuLp8JaVBQSf8yOZMhZ5HOzuZfB2rFtgtDWuTI04c/s320/scan0010.jpg" /></a> <strong>Mark Loretta AL Artifacts Jersey #317/325</strong>: I don't know if there is a more boring player to pull from a pack than Mark Loretta. Jose Lopez? Don't get me wrong, he's not a bad player, just not one I ever want to pull a jersey card of again.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwu6Xt0rXhVVB9xuwLkBpNGcnq9WSlNgQqnPD1h3nZXhLZK5nRUY5ZtoK5ze6QI_P1N1t3OogeBSxMMl-V-yzOXJAjOkPkdS79tKOzZSAlgySqkRJEjH6HdEI4geJ02tSBB539N_3czzE/s1600/scan0012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 231px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549506872242588066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwu6Xt0rXhVVB9xuwLkBpNGcnq9WSlNgQqnPD1h3nZXhLZK5nRUY5ZtoK5ze6QI_P1N1t3OogeBSxMMl-V-yzOXJAjOkPkdS79tKOzZSAlgySqkRJEjH6HdEI4geJ02tSBB539N_3czzE/s320/scan0012.jpg" /></a><strong> Huston Street MLB Game-Used Apparel Jersey #193/250</strong>: Another yawn.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGgBxtRUhpmzALhr37oT2rUnz-xJW9bZpOsH_Dg55rtw1NO2PAl4uK7xCPSdA-O-CaiF9xHGjUh9s5Tyoy-qn2KE-Cw4c2NrJxVmdj7gTIkHpSHBuzAp-b-DVzCGZ-lh85MbzzVG9-Ao/s1600/scan0013.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549506803962992066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGgBxtRUhpmzALhr37oT2rUnz-xJW9bZpOsH_Dg55rtw1NO2PAl4uK7xCPSdA-O-CaiF9xHGjUh9s5Tyoy-qn2KE-Cw4c2NrJxVmdj7gTIkHpSHBuzAp-b-DVzCGZ-lh85MbzzVG9-Ao/s320/scan0013.jpg" /></a> <strong>Graig Nettles Auto-Facts Autograph #75/300</strong>: While I didn't pull an autograph of a Hall-of-Famer, Graig Nettles and his 390 career HR's is a pretty nice consolation price. Please take notes Topps and Panini, this is how you should design a sticker autograph card. A very slick looking card that hides the sticker well. <br /><br /><div align="left"><strong>Overall Thoughts</strong>: For 30 bucks this is a pretty fun box to open, although I wouldn't pay much more than that. The jerseys are kind of boring but the autographs look good and there are plenty of star players to pull. I would be willing to trade the jerseys if anyone wants them but I think I will hang on to the auto for a while. Thanks for looking! Stay tuned for box number three! </div></div>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897352101949664053.post-74486511247101836042010-12-10T23:05:00.001-08:002010-12-11T00:20:33.010-08:00Double Rainbow!!Alright it's just one rainbow but it's my second in the past month so that's got to count for something (so many <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">apostrophes</span> in that sentence). I realize that most people have never heard of Akwasi-Owusu Ansah, but since I pulled the superfractor I was legally obligated to complete the rest of the set after starting with the most difficult card. I was actually able to track down all the cards in about two weeks thanks to some friendly eBay sellers (goodness does still exist in the heart of man--at times) and a little good luck. I think it looks pretty wicked cool altogether--now I just need AOA to turn into a superstar kick returner ala Dante Hall, or a rapper. I would listen to a rapper named AOA and I don't even like rap. Here be rainbows:<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CJl3BrMUqsVlqZayCPvcjC4Wn6tRR9hvjBavohhAja0HwvWDa6HUaBEgN7-4rAYk0HDUfMzG8WNFj-mQZo7UTHed3L4K4c5yCeyMria7XOBJz0MF5mXg5YhCSJ9DrxHNPFJ479QYveA/s1600/scan0006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549317631513676450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CJl3BrMUqsVlqZayCPvcjC4Wn6tRR9hvjBavohhAja0HwvWDa6HUaBEgN7-4rAYk0HDUfMzG8WNFj-mQZo7UTHed3L4K4c5yCeyMria7XOBJz0MF5mXg5YhCSJ9DrxHNPFJ479QYveA/s400/scan0006.jpg" /></a>Thanks for looking! </div>The Notorious B.U.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02443999895003234762noreply@blogger.com3