A Great First Trade With Thoughts and Sox

I was lucky enough to pull an Adrian Beltre SP Black Border mini (1:130 packs) from my box of Allen and Ginter, which opened up a whole new can of worms when I finally found someone to send all my Red Sox to (and there's a lot of 'em_. Adam from Thoughts and Sox got ahold of me and we worked out a Sox for M's trade. Here they be:

1934 Goudey Jimmy Foxx Reprint: Though this card looks legit (in what would have been the most lopsided trade since the Indians sent Bartolo Colon to the Expos for Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips and Grady Sizemore) it turns out Adam isn't actually a billionare, and it's just a really good looking reprint. Still, it's a cool card and it fills a page in my player collection binder which is always a good thing.

2007 SPX Felix Hernandez: Though this is a just a base card, it looks like a case hit with the die-cut borders and world class shine. I miss Upper Deck and so can you.

1995 Skybox Premium Steve McNair Pay Dirt: Growing up Steve McNair was my favorite player and the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans were my favorite team. Don't ask me why, I've never been to Tennessee and have no personal connection to the state. Adam was kind enough to send along about 30-35 nice McNairs which basically quadrupled my collection.

1995 Pinnacle Team Pinnacle Steve McNair/Kerry Collins: Maybe it was McNair's toughness that drew me to follow his career--dude played football with a broken sternum. This card is a bit ironic because both quarterbacks on this card would eventually play for the Titans, even though neither did at the time this card was made (yes I know the Oilers became the Titans, but still). Classics 90's, this card has dufex on one side and shine on the other. Boss.

Thanks for the great cards Adam!

Recent eBay Acquistions: Mariners and Prospects.

I won this handful of cards on eBay over the last month or so. After a couple of shaky starts Brad Hand has begun to pitch at a high level again and I have big expectations for the 20-year-old left hander. Michael Saunders is finally getting a shot at playing everyday for the Mariners and is showing an exciting blend of power and speed. The Ken Griffey Jr. is just plain beautiful. Here's the stuff you've been waiting so patiently for:

2008 BDPP Brad Hand X-Fractor Auto #222/225

2008 Donruss Elite Brad Hand Aspirations Auto #32/50

2009 BDPP Michael Saunders Blue Refractor #47/99

2007 Bowman's Best Michael Saunders Blue Parallel #22/99

2009 Bowman Sterling Michael Saunders Gold Refractor #33/50

2009 Bowman Chrome Ken Griffey Jr. Blue Refractor #30/150

Card of the Week: 2002 Donruss Rookie Year Materials Jersey Stan Musial #12/50

Stan Musial has always been my favorite "old-time" player (there's a great read on him in the newest Sports Illustrated) and I jumped at the chance to pick up this incredible card of one of the game's all-time (and criminally underrated) greats.

Not only is it the first Stan Musial jersey card in my collection, but the swatch is from Musial's rookie year of 1942. That's right, that little woolen square of fabric is over 68 years old! If it's possible, this card gets even cooler because Donruss showed a picture of the actual jersey from which the swatch was taken on the back. Why can't Topps do that?

Cardinals' fans can drool all they want, but this card is staying in my personal collection for a very long time. Did I mention that I got it for less than the price of a blaster? Hazaa!

Box Break: 2003 Flair Hobby (Reds Hot)

I bought this box about a month ago with my Gint-a-Cuffs entry and after seeing the results from that break, it's not hard to believe that this one was slightly better. Despite the fact that 2003 Flair is nearly devoid of anything other than "hits" it's a fun and affordable break that I would highly recommend. Here's the loot:

Mike Piazza Diamond Cuts Jersey: This is the second Mike Piazza jersey card I've pulled from a box of Flair, and yes, it still looks like he's smelling a fart in the picture. I used to like Piazza in the late-90's before he returned a TTM request with a bent card. Never again Mike, never again.

Pat Burrell Diamond Cuts Jersey: Is there any player who is more just there than Pat Burrell. He's not bad, he's not good and no one seems to care much about him either way. Would a Phillies fan even want this card? Let me know...


Adam Dunn/Austin Kearns Dual Power Tools Bat #175/200: I wish a Reds' fan had purchased this box, especially for this hit and the next one in line. I've always like Adam Dunn, and he's incredibly consistent, but Austin Kearns doesn't do much for me (especially since he's with the Yankees now). Not a bad card though; bat slices are always nice.

Austin Kearns Wave of the Future Patch #8/100: Alright, I just mentioned that I don't much care for Austin Kearns, but I do really like this card. This beauty is only the second patch card I've ever pulled from a pack and it looks great in person. I would prefer to keep it, but if a Reds' fan would rather have it, shoot me an email.

Vladimir Guerrero Jumbo Sweet Swatch Jersey #44/46: The curse is broken! Alright, it wasn't really a curse, but both the previous boxes of Flair I opened contained Pedro Martinez jumbo jersey swatches numbered to 10,000. Although I was hoping for a jumbo patch, a low numbered card of one of the game's best sluggers (and the Mariners' most hated rivals) isn't a bad consolation prize.

Overall Thoughts: Cheap. Fun. Action packed. End o' story.

My Brother Is a Great Artist: Exhibit A

I pulled some "You Sketch" cards from a couple of packs of Topps Series II and gave them to my much more talented brother to play around with. He sketched a Mantle and Strasburg which sold fairly well on eBay, and then he truly blew me away with this Edgar Martinez portait he painted with acrylics. Check it out!

Gint-a-Cuffs II: Packs 22-24 (A Fine Finish)

The last three packs of the box turned out to be the most action packed (okay, well it was really only one pack, but bear with me) and it was a nice way to end what was otherwise a rather bland break. Here's the last of my entry:

Pack 22 (+20):
Wandy Rodriguez
Brandon Webb
Andy Pettite (-1)
Garrett Jones
Clayton Kershaw Black Border Mini (+5--headed to Night Owl)
Chris Coghlan Framed Auto (+15--great looking card)
Jay Bruce TDIH (+1)

Pack 23 (+7):
Robert Scott (+2--Negro Leagues)
Francisco Rodriguez
Jimmy Rollins
Ryan Zimmerman
Josh Beckett
Troy Glaus SP (+2)
Adam LaRoche Mini A & G Back (+2)
Aaron Hill TDIH (+1)




Pack 24 (+6):
Tyler Bradt (Kayaker)
Cameron Maybin
Brian Roberts
Justin Verlander
Carlos Zambrano (-1)
Jose Lopez (+1)
Monsters of the Mesozoic Dilophosaurus (+3--they should all be destroyed!)
Ryan Braun TDIH (+3--favorite player list)

Packs 22-24: (33) If only every pack averaged 11 points I might have a shot at the title, but alas this was not the case. I was happy to pull an auto from my box and Coghlan is a decent player with a nice signature, so no complaints there. I grew up wanting to be an archaeologist so I loved the dinosaur inserts, but the other minis this year leave a little something to be desired. Overall it was a decent break and I don't think I'll finish in last place (unlike my beloved Mariners) which is good enough for me. I plan on coming back next year with a vengeance, or at least without Aramis Ramirez relics...

Grand Total: 188 points (relic card scoring changes)

Gint-a-Cuffs II: Packs 19-21 (Free Falling)

The next three packs are very boring. Please don't read on...

Pack 19 (+6):
Ron Teasley (+2--Negro Leagues)
Josh Willingham
Randy Wolf
Justin Upton
Milton Bradley (+1-1=0)
Asdrubal Cabrera SP (+2)
National Animals Mini Tiger (+2--I was hoping for a LOLcat)
Curtis Granderson TDIH (+1-1=0)

Pack 20 (+5):
Kosuke Fukudome
Machiavelli
Nolan Reimold SP (+2)
Gordon Beckham
Kevin Youkilis (+2--favorite player list)
B.J. Upton
Brian McCann Regular Mini
Adam Dunn TDIH (+1)


Pack 21 (+7):
Isaac Newton
Jason Heyward RC (+2--favorite player list)
Paul Konerko
Felix Hernandez (+1)
Matt Cain
Carlos Pena SP (+2)
Adam Jones Regular Mini
Felix Hernandez TDIH (+2)


Packs 19-21: (18) Those were three very boring packs and it showed up in the score. No offense O's fans, but when Nolan Reimold is the best card in a pack you know something just isn't right. Hopefully my last hit will salvage this box...

Total: 151 points

Gint-a-Cuffs II: Packs 16-18

Just like the Mariners, these packs don't deserve an introductory paragraph:

Pack 16 (+10):
Captain Nemo (I'm a fan of Jules Verne's works)
David Wright (+2--favorite player)
Joe Mauer (+2--favorite player)
Jair Jurrjens
Tommy Hanson
Chone Figgins SP (+3--favorite team, not player though)
National Animal Mini Gallic Rooster (+2)

Lance Berkman TDIH (+1)

Pack 17 (+5):
Geovany Soto
Alan Francis (horseshoe dude)
Rick Ankiel
Scott Baker
Jose Reyes
Scott Sizemore RC SP (+2--DOUBLE SCOTT HOT PACK!)
National Animals Mini English Bulldog (+2)

Chipper Jones TDIH (+1)

Pack 18 (+5):
Ben Zobrist (no points for third favorite player?)
Jules Verne
Mark Doucheface (-1--Yankee)
Ian Kinsler
Josh Hamilton
Alex Rios SP (+2)
Randy Winn SP Mini (+3-1=2)
Magglio Ordonez TDIH (+1)

Packs 16-18: (20) This box has been way more dud than stud, and with only six packs to go, things are looking pretty grim. There's one more hit to be unearthed but unless it's a Griffey printing plate, it's just not meant to be for me in my first round of Gint-a-Cuffs. Stayed tuned for the (exciting?) conclusion...

Total: 133 points

Gint-a-Cuffs II: Packs 13-15 (Second Hit)

Halfway through and a lot of work left to do. Will the next 12 packs trump the first 12 and put me in position to not finish in last? Read on and find out:

Pack 13 (+11):
Koji Uehara
Jay Bruce
Elvis Andrus
Edwin Jackson (strangest no-hitter ever?)
Colby Rasmus Framed Bat Relic (+8--I like Rasmus, so not bad)
Howie Kendrick Base Mini
Roy Hallady TDIH (+3--favorite player list)


Pack 14 (+6):
Hoard and Rory (Frisbee Dog)
Miguel Cabrera
Carl Crawford (+2)
Rick Porcello
Kendry Morales (+2)
Jered Weaver SP (+2)
Josh Beckett Regular Mini
Mark Teixeria TDIH (1-1=0)



Pack 15 (+4):
Matt Carson RC
Regis Philbin (I'm tellin you--this guy's bonkos!)
Michael Cuddyer
Mariano Rivera (-1--Yankee)
AJ Pierzynski (-1--douche)
Daric Barton SP (+2)
Tommy Hanson Black Border Mini (+3)
Brian McCann TDIH (+1)



Packs 13-15: (20) Not a bad showing for three packs although those darn Yankees are sure holding me down. I'm happy to crack 100 points and with one framed card left I might yet make some nice. The Rasmus is a nice card and bat slices are always welcome, although there seems to be quite a few more than in years past. Hopefully the last framed card and minis will be enough to help me finish out of the cellar.

Total: 113

Gint-a-Cuffs II: Packs 10-12 (Hitting the Doldrums)

Pack 10 (+9):
Nick Jacoby (Code Breaker +1)
Rich Harden
Daniel Murphy
Ken Griffey Jr. (+4--favorite player!)
Victor Martinez
Dan Runzler RC
Lords of Olympus Eros (+3--God of Love and Fertility)
Pablo Sandoval TDIH (+1)

Pack 11 (+6):
Franklin Gutierrez (+1--favorite team)
Sig Hansen (Deadliest Catch)
Billy Butler
Daniel McCutchen RC
Mark Buehrle
Ryan Howard (+2--favorite player list)
Lords of Olympus Helios (+3--God of Sun)
Alex Rodriguez TDIH (+1-1=0)

Pack 12 (+4):
Travis Snider
Gary Stewart (looks like the lead singer of Men at Work)
Ubaldo Jimenez (not as good as Josh Johnson--just saying)
Miguel Montero
Andre Ethier
Kyle Blanks
Monsters of the Mesozoic Diplodicus (+3--100 year lifespan!)
Zack Grienke TDIH (+1)

Packs 10-12: (19) Unfortunately for those of us not named Beardy, scoring a box of Allen & Ginter can become a bit of chore when the hits and desirable minis are few and far between. Such is life for me, when the best card out of a series of three packs is a Ken Griffey Jr. base card. Halfway through my box I sit at a measly 91 points, though there are still two hits waiting to be unearthed. Stay tuned--or not.

Total: 93 points

Gint-a-Cuffs II: Packs 7-9 (Short Print Madness)

No hits to be found in these three packs, but they sure were loaded with shortprints. Will it be enough to launch me back into contention. No. But read on anyway:

Pack 7 (+5):
Tom Knapp (shotgun champ)
Ervin Santana
Manny Ramirez
Robinson Cano (-1)
Chipper Jones (who doesn't love Chippa?!)
Carlos Gomez SP (+2)
Jonathan Broxton SP Mini (+3)
Justin Upton TDIH (+1)

Pack 8 (+12):
Area 51 (+1)
Kevin Millwood (take that Beardy!)
Jason Bay
Yadier Molina
Everth Cabrera (why's he in the set?)
Brad Penny SP (+2)
Adrian Beltre Black Border Mini SP (+8)
Carlos Gonzalez TDIH (+1)

Pack 9 (+4):

Luis Durango RC
Alex Gordon

Clay Buchholz

Barry Zito

Cliff Lee (+1--too painful to look at)

Brett Myer-- SP (+2)

John Lackey Mini (what a waste)

Torii Hunter TDIH (+1)

Packs 7-9: (21) Again not a bad showing for a trio of packs without a hit, but I'll need some magic in the last 2/3rds of the box to finish with a respectable total.

Total: 74 points

A Wild and Wacky Trade with Cards on Cards

I'm finally starting to get caught back up in the trade winds and one of my best trade partners of all-time, Cards on Cards, came through with another solid assortment of Griffey's and other goodies. Here's a gander at what Kerry sent my way:

1995 Leaf Limited Ken Griffey Jr: Did anyone else see that Ken Griffey Jr. Nike ad during the HR Derby? Nearly brought me to tears--and I only wish I was joking. Solid looking mid-90's card of the Kid in his prime. Goodbye baseball. Hello Cooperstown.

2007 UD First Edition Kevin Durant RC: With all the prima donnas in today's NBA (here's looking at you LeBron) it's refreshing to see a player like Kevin Durant who works hard and find's the spotlight for the right reasons. I was lucky to enough to see the Durantula play in the NCAA Tournament in Spokane and knew he would be a star--but never expected him to be so good so soon. Feel free to send any cards you pull of him my way.

2009 UD First Edition Ken Griffey Jr. Starquest: Yes it seems sacrilegious to see Griffey in a White Sox uniform, but I needed this card to fill out a page of the Kid playing for the North Siders. I still need one more, so a take a look on my Zistle page when I update it.

2007 Topps Finest Saer Sene RC Refractor Auto: I'm not quite sure what to make of this card. I was always a Sonics fan, and still feel drawn towards the Zombie Sonics, but Saer Sene isn't exactly a household name; in fact, he isn't even in the NBA anymore (shocker--a center drafted by Seattle that didn't pan out). Hopefully Kerry wasn't take a dig at me because his Trail Blazers are doing so good. Whatever the case, it's quite the unique collectible.