Box Break: 2008 UD Masterpieces (Nice Hits)

Another box break Bud?!? I know I've been on a wax busting spree lately (which won't likely end with the imminent release of A & G) but I've also had a good run of luck, and every knows you've got to play the hot hand. Besides, I didn't even buy this box, it was given to me by my thoughtful and beautiful girlfriend for our anniversary. She's very supportive of my habit and will even open packs with me on occasion. She picked out a winner with this box too--here's the goods:

Rod Carew Red Framed Parallel: I was really hoping to pull a red framed parallel of Ken Griffey Jr, but with 120 cards in the set, the odds were against me. So, even though I didn't get the Kid, I was more than happy to pull a card of a Hall of Famer and not say, Luke Hochevar (no offense Royals' fans).

Victor Martinez Navy Framed Parallel #30/125: This is the second time I've pulled a numbered Victor Martinez card from a box of Masterpieces. I guess there are worse players to pull, but he's not exactly on my most wanted list. Anyone collect Victor?

Joe Mauer Captured on Canvas Jersey: That's more like it! I'm always happy to pull a jersey card of one of my favorite players and it's even better when it's from one of my favorite sets. Although you can't see it in the scan this card features a small seam on the right of the swatch (eBay one of one?). This card is staying put in the personal collection for a long time.

Hanley Ramirez Strokes of Genius Autograph: With so many duds in the autograph checklist I didn't go into the box with high expectations, so I was certainly surprised to walk away with an on-card autograph of one of the game's best young players (even if he doesn't hustle). That makes it three-for-three for me with good autos out of Masterpieces (Ryan Zimmerman, Matt Kemp and now Hanley Ramirez) so this probably won't be my last box.

Overall Thoughts: This box finished the regular 1-90 base set and added a few of the SP's to the overall set (I'll post my needs soon). I was happy with my hits and definitely beat the odds with the Hanley auto. A great box and a great girlfriend. Who could ask for more?

A Much Needed Trade with Reader Dan

I hadn't made a trade in a long time...a really long time (part of that has to do with the fact that I lost every one's addresses when my computer crashed...shoot me an email with your mailing address when you get the time). So it was nice to come home the other day and find that familiar manila envelope of goodness. Dan (of an unknown blog?) contacted me about some of my needs for 2008 UD Masterpieces and sent them my way along with some Griffey and Mariners goodies. Here's the stuff:

2008 UD Masterpieces Cal Ripken Jr. SP: These are gorgeous cards and I am excited to be nearing completion on the set. I still need the following cards ( ) so contact me if you have them and I would love to work out a deal.

2007 Sweetspot Felix Hernandez #570/850: I'm always happy to add a card of one of the best young pitchers in baseball, even if Felix has been a bit inconsistent in the early going of 2010. Thankfully the rest of the team has been picking up the slack with their stellar play.

2008 UD Masterpieces Kenji Johjima Jersey: How bad are the Mariners' catchers this year? Bad enough that I wish we had Kenji Johjima back. On a positive note, I love the design of these cards. Can someone please bring Masterpieces back?

Thanks again for the cards Dan! I'll make sure to send some your way as soon as the Mariners can reel off a two-game winning streak.

I'm a Man and I've Got Needs!

I can't believe I haven't gotten around to posting a needs list before today (it's certainly not because I'm lazy--no way), but here is what I'm looking for:

2009 Allen and Ginter: 305 and 343 (so close...this would be the first set I ever put together by hand. I have about 100,000 doubles to trade if anyone needs help with the set)

2007 UD Masterpieces: 4, 11, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 34, 35, 37, 39, 42, 46, 52, 59, 60, 65, 68, 78, 82 (I got two hobby boxes of this and still need 20 cards...ouch)

2008 UD Masterpieces: 1, 15, 24, 29, 38, 65 + SP's 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 99, 101-106, 108, 112, 113, 117-120 (I'm more concerned about the base set, but the SP's would be nice)

Let me know if you have any of these cards and I would be happy to work out a trade with you. Thanks for stopping by!

Come on Opening Day!

Box Break: 2008 Upper Deck Masterpieces (Hobby)

This is the second of three boxes that I treated myself to for a recent birthday last week (I'll try and post the results from the third box later this week). Just a warning: since I turned 23, a number made famous by Michael Jordan, I have no choice but to be an arrogant, insufferable prick for the next 12 months. I apologize in advance. As I've mentioned numerous times before, I love UD Masterpieces. Even though there are only 12 packs in each box, it's still a very enjoyable break, with plenty of framed parallels and two "hits" per box and a shot at some beautiful patch autos. Enough with the jibba-jabba, let's see what I pulled:

Brandon Webb Brown Framed Parallel #54/100: Well, I guess it could have been Luke Hochevar. Hopefully Webb bounces back from injury because he is certainly a talented hurler when healthy.

Jack Morris Red Framed Parallel: This card commemorates Morris' gritty performance in one of the best playoff games ever: Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. Morris pitched 10 innings (!) to slay the Atlanta Braves and bring another championship to the Twins in his only season in Minnesota.

Ken Griffey Jr. Black Framed Parallel: I don't know if there is a better feeling than pulling a great looking card of your favorite player. I would love to track down a red-bordered version of this card; Night Owl already sent me the brown-bordered variety. The other black borders in the box were Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz and Mark Teixeria (need any Beardy?)

Garrett Atkins Captured on Canvas Jersey: Well the good news is that it's not another white jersey swatch. The bad news is that it's Garrett Atkins. At least it's a well designed card.

Matt Kemp Stroke of Genius Autograph: Cool! These on-card autos are simply stunning and I was thrilled to pull one of an up-and-coming star like Matt "I am actually dating Rihanna" Kemp. I don't think I want to trade this, but if I do, you've got first dibs Night Owl. My 2007 Masterpieces box yielded a Ryan Zimmerman auto, so I've definitely done well with autographs from these sets. This card really saved the box from being an utter disaster.

I also got a few more SP's towards the base set, though I will probably need help completing it (look for a needs list sometime in the future). If you haven't busted a box of 2008 Masterpieces...what are you waiting for?! Check the weekend special on Blowout Cards, you can usually get this box for just over $30.

Box Break: 2008 UD Masterpieces (Retail)

With my birthday coming up on Friday (there's no need to send presents, but if you feel so inclined, I wouldn't say no to them) I treated my self to a trio of boxes from a Blowout Cards weekend special. The first box was 2008 UD Masterpieces Retail, which contained 24 packs and 4 cards per pack. I had wanted to put the set together for a while and with 96 cards in the box I had a decent shot at completing the base set (I ended up 6 cards short; I'll post my needs at a later date) plus pulling a few framed parallels and a jersey or autograph. Here's what I got:

Steve Carlton Black Border

Eric Chavez Black Border

Pedro Martinez Blue Border #20/125

Vladimir Guerrero Captured on Canvas Jersey

Overall Thoughts: While it wasn't a great box in terms of hits, I was able to complete most of the base set and I pulled a few SP's if I decide to pursue the full set. The cards themselves are absolutely beautiful and the framed parallels are some the best looking cards of the decade (yeah, I went there). It was a fun box to open and I really wish UD had put out a set of Masterpieces last year. If you are interested in any of the cards pictured, drop me a line and we'll work out a deal. Stay tuned for two more box breaks in the coming days!

Trade with Sooz from "A Cardboard Problem"

Though I don't actually know Thorzul personally, it seems the blogging community has decided to annoy him by posting every trade post possible, so I will continue that trend by showing the card I recently got in a deal with Sooz. She had busted a box of 2008 UD Masterpieces and was lucky enough to pull a Ken Griffey Jr. Green Framed Parallel #18/75. Wanting to obtain every Junior ever made (completely unrealistic goal) I sent some Yankees her way and she was kind enough to send Griffey out to the left coast. Thanks again Sooz! It is a great looking card and will be well taken care of. More trade posts to come soon!