Wax Pack Relapse

Updated HOF Ball Collection

2012-01-11T07:32:00.000-08:00

My last post displayed my budding collection of HOF signed baseballs. That was back in August, and I've added plenty more since then, so I'm updating the list as I've gone from 7 items to 46 (47 autos). I've got more on the way, but where I stand right now my collection includes...

Willie Stargell, Don Larsen, Phil Niekro, Bob Doerr, Bob Gibson, Frank Robinson, George Kell, Brooks Robinson, Orlando Cepeda, Robin Roberts, Ernie Banks, Jim Rice, Andre Dawson, Bob Feller, Fergie Jenkins, Luis Aparicio, Juan Marichal, Dennis Eckersley, Jim Bunning, Nolan Ryan, Goose Gossage, Rickey Henderson, Barry Bonds, Mike Schmidt, Stan Musial & Don Sutton, Derek Jeter, Rod Carew, Cal Ripken Jr, Al Kaline, George Brett, Tony Gwynn, Pete Rose, Wade Boggs, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Dave Winfield, Craig Biggio, Rafael Palmeiro, Eddie Murray, Carl Yastrezemski, Paul Molitor, Lou Brock, Robin Yount, Monte Irvin, Albert Pujols, and Ichiro.

Also, rather than busting cards I'm collecting signed baseballs, so I guess don't expect any cool posts of busted boxes for a while, there's tons of baseballs I've still got my eyes on, and may post the progress here from time to time.

Recent Pulls

2011-08-20T20:40:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted anything in quite a while, need to get some of my recent pulls logged, but before I get to my pulls, I have to show the beginning of my HOF signed baseballs collection. I recently decided to start collecting signed baseballs of hall of famers. I found a few very good deals to start my collection, and with the cost of no more than a box of high end baseball cards I had 7 hof signed baseball (with PSA/DNA authentication). The pic here has more than just the HOF's in it, but here you can see signed balls of Danny Duffy, Andy Sonnenstine, David DeJesus, George Brett, George Kell, Paul Molitor, Jim Bunning, Nolan Ryan, Goose Gossage, Juan Marichal, Luis Aparicio, Don Larsen, Bob Feller, Frank Robinson, Fergie Jenkins, and Jim Rice.

And on to the rest of my recent pickups... A few from 2011 Bowman Platinum, and 2011 Ginter

2011 Bowman Platinum Bryce Harper xfractor

2010 Bowman Chrome Jason Bay Red refractor #/5

2010 Topps Sterling Steve Carlton #1/3

2011 Allen & Ginter Gaby Sanchez wood mini #1/1

2010 Topps Sterling Evan Longoria #5/10

2010 Topps Sterling Joe Mauer #35/35

2010 Topps Sterling Ichiro Suzuki #25/25

2010 Bowman Chrome Bubba Starling Auto

2010 Topps Tribute Alex Rodriguez triple relic auto #25/99

2010 Bowman Chrome Stephen Strasburg base auto

2010 Bowman Chrome Robbie Erlin Auto #/25

2011 Topps Tribute Hobby Box

2011-05-14T13:45:00.001-07:00

2011 Topps Tribute Eddie Murray Dual Relic #10/99

2011 Topps Tribute Carlton Fisk Dual Relic #56/75

2011 Topps Tribute Andre Dawson Dual Relic #1/20

2011 Topps Tribute Brian Matusz Jim Palmer Tribute to the Stars Dual Auto Base

2011 Topps Tribute Freddie Freeman Autographed Rookie Relic Green Parallel

2011 Topps Tribute Ryne Sandberg Dual Relic Auto #10/99

2011 Topps Tribute Buster Posey Auto Relic #79/99

2011 Topps Tribute Hank Aaron Auto Triple Relic #60/99

Latest Pulls (Case of 2010 Bowman Chrome 2 boxes Tribute)

2011-04-16T20:07:00.000-07:00

Catching up on posting cards I've pulled... In the past week I've opened a case of 2010 Bowman Chrome, 2 boxes of 2011 Topps Tribute and a random box of 2011 Topps Heritage (no idea why I did that, it was stupid, I don't even like Heritage and the hit(s) was/were crap).

2011 Topps Tribute Frank Robinson Auto Dual Relic #5/5

2011 Topps Tribute Dale Murphy Auto Relic #/75

2011 Topps Tribute Tony Gwynn Dual Relic #/99

2011 Topps Tribute Andre Dawson Auto Relic #/99

2011 Topps Tribute Bob Gibson Quad Relic #/75

2011 Topps Tribute Yaz Dual Relic #/75

2011 Topps Heritage Ramon Hernandez Black Chrome #/62

2011 Topps Heritage Scott Rolen Relic

2010 Bowman Chrome Auto Graham Stoneburber

2010 Bowman Chrome Auto Arodys Vizcaino

2010 Bowman Chrome Auto Daniel Fields

2010 Bowman Chrome Auto John Simms

2010 Bowman Chrome Auto Stephen Strasburg

2010 Bowman Chrome Auto Shelby Miller

2010 Bowman Chrome Auto Ehire Adrianza

2010 Bowman Chrome Auto Everett Williams Blue Refractor #/150

2010 Bowman Chrome Auto Corban Joseph

2010 Bowman Chrome Auto Ryan Wheeler Refractor #/500

2010 Bowman Chrome Auto Eury Perez

2010 Bowman Chrome Auto Scooter Gennett

2010 Bowman Chrome Auto Kyle Gibson

2010 Bowman Chrome Auto Albert Almora Refractor #/199

2011 Topps Tribute Lou Gehrig Dual Relic #/75

2011 Topps Tribute Mike Stanton Auto Relic #/99

2011 Topps Tribute Ryan Howard Auto Dual Relic #/99

2011 Topps Tribute Johnny Mize Duel Relic #/99

2011 Topps Tribute Albert Belle Triple Relic #/75

2011 Topps Tribute Clay Buchholz Auto Relic #/75

2011 Topps Jumbo Box

2011-04-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

As much as I'm not into the 2011 Topps regular base set, I went ahead and bought a jumbo hobby box anyway, and of course got the complete set of series one base cards, and a bunch of inserts. The big hits were...

2011 Topps Tyler Colvin Jersey

2011 Topps Josh Johnson Manucraptured Leather Nameplate

2011 Topps Brent Morel Diamond Sparkle SP

2011 Topps Andrew McCutchen auto

2011 Topps Derrek Lee Silk #3/50

Redemptions

2011-03-31T17:16:00.000-07:00

Got several pieces of mail today, including about fifteen 2010 bowman chrome wrapper redemption packs. I now have two complete sets (110) of the base redemption cards, but the jewel out of the latest packs was this Matt Barnes black refractor auto #17/25.

Also, finally got a couple of my Nick Markakis 2010 Topps Tribute auto redemptions...

2011 Topps Diamond David Letterman 1/1

2011-02-24T11:52:00.000-08:00

Anybody else catch last nights episode of Late Show with David Letterman? Hank Aaron gave David Letterman a 1/1 David Letterman card with the diamond in it!

You can see the mlb story about it here...

Weekend Pickups

2011-02-19T10:33:00.000-08:00

Another weekend, another box of 2010 Topps Sterling and a box of 2010 Bowman Platinum. Finally finished the base set for Bowman Platinum, now just going to decide whether to go for all the autos as well... Anyway, here's the hits...

2010 Topps Sterling Justin Upton #86/250

2010 Topps Sterling Starlin Castro #177/250

2010 Topps Sterling Cal Ripken Jr #26/50

2010 Bowman Platinum Kyle Winkler patch auto #87/199

2010 Bowman Platinum Jonathan Singleton auto

2010 Bowman Platinum Nate Tenebrink auto

2010 Topps Sterling Stephen Strasburg #119/250

2010 Topps Sterling Stephen Strasburg 6pc jersey #13/25

2010 Topps Sterling Jason Heyward 6 pc bat #7/10

Recent Pulls

2011-02-16T15:54:00.000-08:00

Some of my recent pulls from the past weekend, as well as a couple of redemptions...

2010 Topps Sterling George Sisler #9/10 5pc relic

2010 Topps Sterling Andre Dawson #19/25 4pc relic

2010 Bowman Platinum Alex Dickerson patch auto #53/199

2010 Bowman Chrome Scott McGough auto #13/99 (wrapper redemption)

2010 Topps Sterling Luman Harris Cut Auto #1/1. Problem here is the card says Charlie Harris. However, Charlie Harris appears to be a player from 1899 that played in something like 30 games, whereas Luman Harris (Chalmer Luman Harris) is more likely the signature in the card. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lum_Harris) Needless to say Topps screwed up on this 1/1 cut auto.

And finally, my huge pull. I finally got my 2010 Bowman Chrome Stephen Strasburg refractor auto #311/500.

Visit to the Card Store

2011-02-05T13:37:00.000-08:00

Picked up a box of 2010 Topps Sterling and 2010 Bowman Platinum today. I think I made out pretty well with my pulls...

2010 Bowman Platinum Justin Marks Auto

2010 Bowman Platinum Keyvius Sampson Auto

2010 Topps Sterling Ichiro 4pc relic #25/25

2010 Bowman Platinum George Springer Patch Auto #3/50

2010 Topps Sterling Chipper Jones 4pc Auto #10/10

2010 Bowman Chrome Case Break

2010-12-23T19:47:00.000-08:00

Just opened a 12 box case of 2010 Bowman Chrome. Couldn't help but think that the lack of x-fractors in the hobby box is really annoying, I mean I'm getting all these refractors that I can hardly tell are refractors, but no x-fractors? It just makes for a boring break, no color, no excitement. Pretty bland... I'd venture to guess that my results of the break are sort of typical, one really good card, and lots of mediocre cards. The fact I need to buy an entire case to ensure at least one good hit is pretty much why I've started going the route of purchasing cases instead of individual boxes.

Anyway, here's a bunch of the better stuff I ended up with...

2010 Bowman Chrome Mark Buehrle Orange Refractor #13/25

2010 Bowman Chrome A.J. Vanegas Blue Refractor #147/150

2010 Bowman Chrome Ryan Doumit Blue Refractor #109/150

2010 Bowman Chrome Carlos Pena Blue Refractor #133/150

2010 Bowman Chrome Stephen Strasburg (got 3 of these)

2010 Bowman Chrome Eduardo Nunez Blue Refractor #14/150

2010 Bowman Chrome Topps 100 Jason Heyward #899/999

2010 Bowman Chrome Jose Lopez Gold Refractor #33/50

2010 Bowman Chrome Ryan Wiegand Gold Refractor #41/50

2010 Bowman Chrome Wilken Ramirez Auto

2010 Bowman Chrome Scooter Gennett Auto

2010 Bowman Chrome Corban Joseph Auto

2010 Bowman Chrome Carlos Peguero Auto

2010 Bowman Chrome Jason Heyward Refractor

2010 Bowman Chrome Ryan Wheeler Auto

2010 Bowman Chrome Juan Urbina Auto

2010 Bowman Chrome Eury Perez Auto

2010 Bowman Chrome Kyle Gibson Auto

2010 Bowman Chrome Max Kepler Auto

2010 Bowman Chrome Henry Owens Auto

2010 Bowman Chrome Kyle Seager Refractor Auto #358/500

2010 Bowman Chrome Liam Hendricks Gold Refractor Auto #3/50

2010 Bowman Chrome CHristian Montgomery/John Simms Dual Auto #171/500

2010 Bowman Chrome Stephen Strasburg Refractor Auto Redemption

2010 Bowman Chrome

2010-12-11T15:17:00.000-08:00

Seriously considering busting a case of 2010 Bowman Chrome here soon, so maybe check back here in the next couple weeks for that. But for today, I just picked up a box at the LCS and here's what I ended up with.

Dan Haren Orange Refractor #13/25

Jason Kipnis Auto

Brian Ragira Cyan Printing Plate 1/1

My UD 2009 Mystery Cuts Auto

2010-10-22T10:35:00.001-07:00

After waiting for over a year, I finally received my 2009 mystery cuts redemption via FedEx today. These came one per case, so naturally a long wait, and rare case it should come with the expectation of some significant value from the cards. If you consider, case hits from items such as Goodwin Champions where you'd get one of the horse/butterfly cards that sell very well on the secondary market, at least $60 and up, and the hobby box of that was going for less then a box of legendary cuts. Well... Clearly they over produced the legendary cuts product in 2009, because there are very high numbered cards being sent out, and the company refuses to publish the final checklist. Had I known the value of the cuts they were going to produce (and by value, you've got to consider the hack/cut job on the card I got, it's all squiggly like a teenager cut it with an razor), then I would have sold my redemption when I first pulled it...

Anyway, here it is in all its glory... A Don Knotts cut auto #7/9. Secondary market price? Oh, I'd say $20 judging by the don knotts auto auction that just finished... Then again, there's hardly a single straight line on the card, and the (probably can't see it) gluey finger print smudges on the cut auto pic.

2010 Topps Triple Thread pulls...

2010-09-25T13:22:00.001-07:00

Picked up a box to 2010 Topps Triple Threads, here's what I pulled...

2010 Topps Triple Threads Vladimir Guerrero #708/1350

2010 Topps Triple Threads Mark Teixeira #1349/1350

2010 Topps Triple Threads Hunter Pence #465/1350

2010 Topps Triple Threads Brian McCann #511/525

2010 Topps Triple Threads Warren Spahn #45/240

2010 Topps Triple Threads Prince Fielder #73/240

2010 Topps Triple Threads Daniel McCutchen Auto triple relic #75/99

2010 Topps Triple Threads Miguel Cabrera, Justin Morneau, Kendry Morales, Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder 6 piece relic book #29/36

Weekend Pulls

2010-09-04T11:37:00.000-07:00

A box of 2010 Topps Tribute and a box of 2009 Topps Sterling...

2009 Topps Sterling Eddie Murray Auto 8 piece relic book #1/10

2009 Topps Sterling Joe Mauer white #40/50

2009 Topps Sterling Duke Snider 4 piece relic #17/25

2009 Topps Tribute Justin Upton dual relic auto #15/99

2009 Topps Tribute Carl Yastrzemski relic #6/75

2009 Topps Tribute Tony LaRussa relic auto #45/50

2009 Topps Tribute Paul Molitor triple relic #52/99

2009 Topps Tribute Hanley Ramirez triple relic auto #76/99

2009 Topps Tribute Honus Wagner relic #23/50

Another 2010 Topps Tribute...

2010-08-21T10:52:00.001-07:00

Benjamin Franklin said, "The only things certain in life are death and taxes." He clearly never opened a box of baseball cards. Baseball collectors know all too well, that most boxes you open will disappoint. This box of 2010 Topps Tribute was no exception.

2010 Topps Tribute Phil Rizzuto #14/75 (TR-PR)

2010 Topps Tribute Mariano Rivera #46/99 (TDR-MR)

2010 Topps Tribute Juan Marichal #17/50 (TR-JM)

2010 Topps Tribute Adam Jones #47/99 (TADR-AJ)

2010 Topps Tribute George Kell #10/75 (TADR-GK)

2010 Topps Tribute Andre Dawson #32/50 (TAR-AD)

More 2010 Topps Tribute Pulls

2010-08-08T16:15:00.001-07:00

Some more 2010 Topps Tribute that I opened recently... Didn't get it all posted the other day.

Evan Longoria #31/50

Pujols #85/99

Yogi Berra #3/99

Roy Campanella #10/50

Mel Ott #15/99

Willie Stargell #14/75

Vladimir Guerrero #29/99

Miguel Cabrera #31/75

Jimmy Piersall #13/25

Matt Kemp Redemption

Nick Markakis Redemption

Rick Porcello Auto #5/25

Duke Snider #39/50

Gary Carter #11/75

Dustin Pedroia #18/50

Andre Dawson MLB Logo #47/50

Jim Palmer Yellow Printing Plate #1/1

2010 Topps Tribute Box Break

2010-08-07T08:05:00.000-07:00

So, here's the first large chunk of cards I've busted in a while. Several boxes of 2010 Topps Tribute, as I'm sure everyone is well aware, the product is pretty hit or miss. Either you get a big hit or not much at all (based purely on secondary market values), and for the most part I missed. Truth be told, the cards are better quality this year over last, and there are just tons of hall of famers in the product... Too bad nobody seems to care.

Here's what I got...

Some long overdue scans

2010-07-18T15:58:00.001-07:00

Figured I'd post some cards that I've had for quite a while now, just never took the time to scan. From a box of 2009 Topps Sterling my hits were...

Eddie Murray 5 piece memorabilia #5/25

Lou Brock 4 piece memorabilia #3/10

The mystery pack contained a Army General Walter Reed cut auto #4/7

Also, I have a 2009 UD Legendary Cuts mystery cut still waiting, and since they decided to send out extra cards to everyone that's been waiting for a while, I got the following...

2009 UD Signature Stars J.R. Towles auto

2009 UD Signature Stars Fernando Perez auto

Starting Over

2010-03-30T06:42:00.000-07:00

This may come as a surprise to some, but I've actually decided to start over with my card collecting. And by start over I don't mean to say I'm quitting collecting, rather I'm selling the bulk of my current collection (or at least the most significant cards in the collection - Most of which have images displayed somewhere on this blog), and starting over opening new packs of cards. I have already sold almost all of the cards of significant value that I have no interest in keeping and can say I've easily surpassed a few thousand dollars. I have other hobbies beyond collecting cards and this money will be going to make a major purchase unrelated to card collecting.

As part of this new beginning, I've also decided to send out a couple of "care packages" to a couple of bloggers I've traded with in the past. I'm actually pretty excited about sending these packages out, because based on what I put in the package I know how excited I would be if I were to get one... Hopefully the contents in these packages finds good homes for cards that would fit well into your personal collections. (Drew, enjoy the Cano... Marie, take good care of the #50/50 Pujols.)

For people looking to complete sets, I still have many commons listed in the trade sheet links, so those are still available... Rest assured, I will be posting some newly busted boxes of cards soon (most likely a box of Topps Sterling).

Weekend Hits

2010-03-20T10:19:00.001-07:00

2009 Topps Sterling Mariano Rivera #25/25

2008 UD SPx Prince Fielder Auto (box topper silver)

2009 Topps Sterling Alex Rodriguez 5-piece auto #2/10

Weekend Hits

2010-03-06T11:49:00.000-08:00

Decided to go with some older 2008 Spx this weekend, along with a 2007 Legendary Cuts, and a 2009 Goodwin Champions box.

2008 Spx Justin Verlander Auto #/10

2008 Spx Brian McCann Auto #/20

2007 Legendary Cuts Jim Palmer Auto #/199

2007 Legendary Cuts Dwight Evans Jersey

2009 Goodwin Champions Carlos Lee Auto

2009 Goodwin Champions Tiger Woods Moonlight variation

2009 Goodwin Champions Entomology redemption

Another Topps Sterling/Topps Tribute Weekend

2010-02-28T13:14:00.001-08:00

I once again blew copious amounts of cash on a couple boxes of Topps Sterling and a box of Topps Tribute. Seems I'm now starting to accumulate these white Topps Sterling wooden boxes but have no reason for them. Maybe somebody out there is interested in these. If so, let me know. Anyway, let's get to the hits from this weekend.

2009 Topps Tribute Lance Berkman relic #/50

2009 Topps Tribute Alex Rodriguez triple relic #/75

2009 Topps Tribute Keith Hernandez relic auto #/75

2009 Topps Tribute Keith Hernandez relic auto #/99

2009 Topps Tribute Duke Snider relic/auto #/75

2009 Topps Tribute Mickey Mantle relic #/99

2009 Topps Sterling General Edward Montgomery cut auto #/7 (case hit)

2009 Topps Sterling Dale Murphy quad relic auto #/10

2009 Topps Sterling Joe Mauer triple patch relic #/25

2009 Topps Sterling Jimmie Foxx #/5

2009 Topps Sterling Rogers Hornsby quad relic #/10

2009 Topps Sterling Tony Gwynn Triple Relic #/25

2009 Topps Sterling base cards...

Some blue and a black 2009 Topps Tribute parallels...

2009 UD Series 1 & 2007 Legendary Cuts Pulls

2010-02-23T17:52:00.001-08:00

2009 UD Series 1 Grady Sizemore 10th Anniversary Update

2009 UD Series 1 Adrian Gonzalez Jersey

2009 UD Series 1 Alex Rodriguez Jersey

2009 UD Series 1 Sean Marshall Auto

2007 UD Legendary Cuts Will Clark Jersey #/199

2007 UD Legendary Cuts Carlton Fisk Jersey

More Tribute and Sterling Pulls

2010-02-22T14:49:00.001-08:00

Here's some more 2009 Topps Tribute and Sterling pulls I got on Saturday. As always, they are available for trade for something interesting and of equal value, just email...

2009 Topps Sterling Roy Campanella #42/50

2009 Topps Sterling Rogers Hornsby #2/10

2009 Topps Tribute Mike Schmidt bat #40/99

2009 Topps Tribute Tony Gwynn dual jersey #96/99

2009 Topps Tribute Ryan Braun jersey #30/75

2009 Topps Tribute Jay Bruce bat/auto #21/99

Topps Tribute and Sterling pulls

2010-02-20T09:57:00.000-08:00

All I can say is wow! I had a feeling I was pretty lucky this morning, but pulling a Mantle/Musial dual jumbo relic book #/25 from Topps Tribute this morning was awesome.

A couple of other cards of interest... I pulled this Lincecum jersey card #/25...

And from a few cards I pulled, I traded to get this Longoria relic/auto #/10

My Topps Million Card

2010-02-19T19:51:00.000-08:00

I've been busy, and just got around to entering my single card code for the Topps million giveaway that I pulled from a blaster a month or so ago. Seems this was actually a pretty decent card considering the odds...

Norm Sherry 1960

2009 UD Ultimate Collection

2010-01-30T15:34:00.000-08:00

I'm not going to bore you with prose, here's the contents of the pack...

The Rasmus is going to ebay, the last one sold for $102. Not bad for a pack that cost $85.

Topps Tribute Poor Collation

2010-01-24T09:47:00.000-08:00

Is it too much to ask that when buying a box of Topps Tribute you get something better than three Dustin Pedroia autos?! Seriously, mix in some other players please!!! Damn it Topps! I'm starting to get the feeling that the 2010 UD Exquisite cards are going to be much more interesting than anything you're curently "working" on.

2009 Topps Tribute Box Break

2010-01-17T08:33:00.000-08:00

Here's the contents of my latest box break of 2009 Topps Tribute. On the heels of my revelation yesterday that these cards are actually cheap thin cards with an additional card pasted to the back to make it thicker, the boxes seem overly priced. However, a couple of Longoria's and David Wright's make me pretty happy. The Longoria auto will end up in my personal collection.

The common cards...

The parallels blue #/219, black #/99

Lance Berkman Jersey #/99

Gary Carter #/50

Nolan Ryan #/99

Darryl Strawberry dual bat relic/auto #'ed/75

David Wright dual jersey relic #/99

David Wright jersey/auto #/99

Evan Longoria bat relic #/75

Evan Longoria dual bat relic/auto #/25

2009 Topps Tribute card stock Epic Fail!

2010-01-16T13:33:00.001-08:00

So I'm opening a box of 2009 Topps Tribute today, and I'm noticing that the card stock is thick, almost like two cards are just glued together, what was more interesting was that there was color in the middle of the card, which made me wonder... Did Topps actually just glue two cards together? So, taking a double of Lance Berkman, I destroyed the card to figure this out...

The result, YES, Topps did just glue two cards together. Actually, the card on the back is more like a sticker than glued to the card in front. Regardless, that seems like an epic fail that the company didn't just create the card on thick stock to begin with...

Hits Galore

2010-01-08T18:24:00.000-08:00

I'm way behind on some hits I've been pulling... Here's a mix of Legendary Cuts, Topps Tribute, UD A Piece of History, and Topps Finest. I just busted the box of Topps Tribute today, and wasn't exactly thrilled with the value I got from the box. However, it reminds me SO much of 2007 Bowmans Best (one of my personal fav releases), but without all the cheesy prospect autos of guys that will never make it, that I actually kind of liked opening the box. You get 6 packs in a box, a hit in every pack and a guarantee of a relic or auto relic card that's numbered to 99 or less in each pack. You can bet that I will likely buy more Topps Tribute in the future (when I have more money to blow).

Some recent 2009 SP Legendary Cuts jersey cards...
Scott Kazmir, Carlos Beltran, Robinson Cano, Curt Schilling, Jason Varitek, Pedro Martinez

Tony Perez/Jason Varitek, Ozzie Smith/Khalil Greene, Robin Yount/Ryan Braun, Tino Martinez/Jorge Posada

2009 SP Legendary Cuts Cut auto of Aurelio Rodriguez #3/50

2009 UD A Piece of History Pat Burrell Jersey #/180

2009 UD A Piece of History Luke Montz Auto

2009 SP Legendary Cuts Yovanni Gallardo Auto #/125

2009 SP Legendary Cuts Pujols Jersey

2009 Topps Finest Rick Porcello redemption

2009 Topps Finest Nolan Reimold refractor redemption

2009 SP Legendary Cuts Ron Santo jersey #/75

2009 Topps Tribute Ty Cobb #/219

2009 Topps Tribute Carl Yastrzemski #/99

2009 Topps Tribute Josh Hamilton #/50

2009 Topps Tribute Reggie Jackson #/99

2009 Topps Tribute Dustin Pedroia auto/relic #/75

2009 Topps Tribute Manny Ramirez dual relic #/75

2009 Topps Tribute Josh Hamilton relic #/25

2009 Topps Tribute Doc Gooden auto/dual relic #/25

2009 Topps Tribute Jay Bruce auto/relic #/99

My take on Randy Johnson

2010-01-06T06:23:00.000-08:00

Randy Johnson, is a first ballot hall of famer. Just look at the stats... 303 wins, 3.29 ERA, 100 complete games, 37 shut outs, 4875 strikeouts, 10.6 SO/9 Innings, this guy is a freak of nature. Sorry Tim Lincecum, you're not this much of a freak yet, get back to me in 20 years and we can discuss. I've seen Randy pitch a time or two and was amazed at his stature and way the fast ball just jumped out of his lengthy arms. it's quite unfair that the ball is released almost half way to home plate. More amazing is that if you look at him today and compare his body type to what it was 20+ years ago, it's not much different, no grossly oversized head, no overly developed muscles in odd locations, I feel it's safe to say that this guy was able to put up amazing numbers without cheating. Roger Clemens may have more cy youngs, but Randy Johnson has more respect.

A card I would like to see in a future release would be a 1989 rookie buyback auto of Randy Johnson. He has the time on his hands now to sign some cards, and a buyback auto of a future hall of famer is always a good pull in my book.

Goodwin Champions

2009-12-30T10:15:00.000-08:00

I forgot to post this pull yesterday... It's an Adrian Gonzalez auto SP. The thing I find funny is that the card is short printed to only 45 copies, but it isn't serial numbered, yet other releases can have serial numbers in the thousands with no special feature to deserve the number. Without question they should have serial numbered these SP auto cards...

Goodwin Champsions/Triple Threads pulls...

2009-12-29T14:23:00.001-08:00

My stock investment was WAY up today (JBII.ob), and I was up probably $12k, so I went to the local hobby shop and bought a couple boxes of cards in celebration. Here's a few of my pulls...

A triple relic/auto of Ryan Braun, Paul Molitor, Robin Yount #/27.

Mauer/Bench/McCann Triple relic #/9

Cal Ripken Jr Goodwin Champions Night SP variation

Phil Neikro Black Magician mini #1/8

More from the vault

2009-12-29T07:55:00.001-08:00

This card was acquired long ago (back in grade school in the 80's), by trading with another kid. I'm pretty sure I probably ended up trading some Eric Davis or Darryl Strawberry rookie cards or something to get this, which actually ended up being a pretty good trade on my part. This card isn't in mint condition, but being that it's a 1953 Bowman color Early Wynn card, I still think it holds some decent value.

From the vault

2009-12-28T16:36:00.000-08:00

Since I haven't posted in a while, the recent cards will be considered "from the vault", as I've had them for about a month...

The 2009 Topps Finest Tommy Hanson rookie refrector

2009 Goodwin Champions Grady Sizemore night SP

Another Day Another Redemption

2009-12-16T16:24:00.000-08:00

On the heels of yesterdays redemption mail, today I received my Topps Finest rookie redemption of Matt LaPorta. This feels a little like the 12 days of christmas. At this rate, I think I should expect another redemption tomorrow, perhaps of a refractor sort...

Mail Day Topps Red Hot Redemption

2009-12-15T16:41:00.001-08:00

Got a mail from Topps today, containing my Red Hot Redemption #4, Tommy Hanson! Sweet!!!

2009 Mystery Cuts

2009-12-14T11:38:00.000-08:00

Kind of just listing this here for my own viewing since I'm waiting for a mystery cuts redemption. (I hope I get a Sinatra, Edison, Marilyn, Truman, or Cleveland auto)

From the Upper Deck facebook page...
We think it makes sense at this time to share who is confirmed to appear in the program. From actors to politicians, from tennis legends to golf legends, from stars of stage to stars of screen, from presidents to first ladies, from kings of the ring to kings of industry, the Mystery Cuts set has something for everyone. Many of these cards will be limited to just one copy, but as in years past, some will have multiple copies. Here is the confirmed list of authenticated cuts we have in house for this project that will fit:

Al Jolson
Alan Shepard
Alec Guiness
Alex Haley
Andrew Carnagie
Archibald Cox
Archie Moore
Arleigh Burke
Art Carney
Arthur Ashe
Arthur C. Clark
Arthur Miller
Audrey Hepburn
Barbara Stanwyck
Bela Lugosi
Ben Hogan
Benjamin Harrison
Benny Goodman
Bert Wheeler
Betty Ford
Betty Grable
Billie Dove
Billy Wilder
Bing Crosby
Bob Denver
Boris Karloff
Bradford Dillman
Brigham Young
Bud Abbott
Burgess Meredith
Burl Ives
Buster Crabbe
Butterfly McQueen
Byron Nelson
C.W. Nimitz
Cab Calloway
Carlo Gambino
Carole Landis
Carroll O'Connor
Cat Anderson
Cecil Demille
Cesar Romero
Charles Dow
Charles Duryea
Charlton Heston
Clayton Moore
Count Basie
Curly Howard
Dale Evans
David Brinkley
Dizzy Gillespie
Don Budge
Don Haskins
Dorothy Lamour
Earl Scruggs
Ed Hillary
Ed Sullivan
Eddie Arcaro
Eddie Cantor
Eddy Arnold
Edgar Beyer
Edith Roosevelt
Edward Robinson
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eliphalet Remington
Ella Fitzgerald
Emmett Kelly
Errol Flynn
Estelle Getty
Esther Rolle
Fiorello Laguardia
Floyd Patterson
Frances Cleveland
Francis Spinner
Frank Sinatra
Frank Sutton
Fred Astaire
Fred Rogers
Frederick Perry
Gene Kelly
Gene Raymond
Gene Sarazen
General Lemnitzer
General Westmooreland
General Wheeler
George Burns
George Goethals
George Romney
Grace Coolidge
Gregory Peck
Grover Cleveland
Harry Blackstone
Harry Litwack
Harry Truman
Helen Hayes
Henny Youngman
Henry Fonda
Howard Hughes
Irving Berlin
Jack Dempsey
Jack Johnson
Jack Lord
Jack Palance
James A. Farley
James Dean
James Hoffa
James J Braddock
James Stewart
Jane Adams
Jane Russell
Jane Wyatt
Janet Leigh
Jay Gould
Jeremy Sinden
Jerry Quarry
Jerry Vale
Jimmy Walker
Joan Bennett
Joe Bonnano
Joey Bishop
John Jay
John Longden
John Paul Getty
June Allyson
Ken Strong
Lady Bird Johnson
Larry Fine
Lawrence Oliver
Lawrence Welk
Leonard Bernstein
Les Harrison
Lillian Gish
Linus Pauling
Lou Costello
Louie Bellson
Louis St. Laurent
Mae Clarke
Mae West
Malcolm X
Malcom Forbes
Mamie Dowd Eisenhower
Marc Chagall
Marilyn Monroe
Marlon Brando
Mary Lord Harrison
Mary Pickford
Maureen Stapleton
Max Schmeling
Maxwell Taylor
Mel Allen
Menachem Begin
Mickey Cohen
Milton Berle
Mona Freeman
Morey Amsterdam
Morton Downey
Mrs. Lou Gehrig
Myrna Loy
Nat King Cole
Nelson Rockefeller
Norman Fell
Norman Mailer
Orville Wright
Ossie Davis
Otto Waldis
Ozzie Nelson
Pat McNamara
Paul Harvey
Paul Lynde
Pearl Bailey
Peg Leg Bates
Peter Allen
Pier Angeli
P.T. Barnum
Ray Robinson
Ray Walston
Red Auerbach
Red Barber
Red Holzman
Red Skelton
Richard Byrd
Richard Daly
Richard Evelyn Byrd
Rita Rudner
Robert Goulet
Robert Stack
Rory Calhoun
Roy Demeo
Roy Rodgers
Sammy Davis Jr.
Samuel Remington
Sarah Vaughan
Shelly Winters
Sir Edmund Hillary
Stan Watts
Steve McQueen
Taylor Spink
Thomas Dewey
Thomas Edison
Thornton Wilder
Tony Randall
Vincent Lombardi
Vincent Price
Vladimir Horowitz
W.C. Fields
Walter Huston
Walter Lantz
Weeb Ewbank
William Halsey
William Wellman
Willie Pep
Woody Strode

Topps T206

2009-12-07T19:35:00.001-08:00

Busted a box of T206. Had no expectations going in, as I hadn't done my due diligence to know what to find in a box. For the price point, I kind of expected to get an A&G/Goodwin Champions type of experience. I wasn't wrong. The cards are very reminiscent of A&G. However, from my one box experience, I didn't find the return value from the box to match the price very well. A Glen Perkins, and Ryan Braun auto were the two hits, and I got a gold foil McCutchen mini #/50, but that was about it. Since A&G is typically very popular, it makes sense that Topps would introduce a second A&G-like product, but by creating a similar product you essentially take away from the uniqueness of the original.

2009 Goodwin Champions

2009-12-04T14:26:00.000-08:00

I busted another box of Goodwin Champions. I was thrilled to find a night/moon SP, as this is the first one I've found. But I was even more thrilled to find a Tiger Woods silver foil mini (granted the timing is kinda bad, but it will pass in time).

It was just reported that Phil Mickelson contacted Tiger's wife to pick up some tips on how to beat Tiger!

Apparently the police asked Tiger's wife how many times she hit him. She said "I don't know exactly? but put me down for a 5."

Tiger Woods is so rich that he owns lots of expensive cars. Now he has a hole-in-one.

What's the difference between a car and a golf ball? Tiger can drive a ball 400 yards??...

What were Tiger Woods and his wife doing out at 2.30 in the morning? They went clubbing

Tiger Woods crashed into a fire hydrant and a tree. He couldn?t decide between a wood and an iron

What does Tiger Woods have in common with baby seals?
They both got clubbed by Scandinavians.

Looks like Tiger Woods drive gave his wife and open shot to the green.

2003 UD SPx

2009-11-22T12:20:00.000-08:00

1993 Bowman Hobby Box

2009-11-19T17:34:00.000-08:00

When it comes to card collecting I think there are certain players/cards that we all think are must haves. For me one of them was a Jose Canseco 86 Donruss RC. Recently I also came to the conclusion that a Derek Jeter RC should be part of that mix. He is undoubtedly a future hall of famer, and one of the most collectible players in any card release, so adding a RC of his to my collection just seems right. Maybe it's a personal preference, but when I want a RC I like to actually obtain the card from a wax pack. So for an easy and affordable way to get a Jeter rookie I purchased a 1993 Bowman hobby box. Opening the packs I found the cards were rather stuck together, but about 5 packs in, there it was a Jeter rookie, and in pretty much perfect condition. Of course the box doesn't have many other cards of value other than a Pettitte RC (which I also got), but for the money (about $30), this is certainly one of the best ways to get a Jeter RC.

UD 20th Anniv.

2009-11-16T20:30:00.000-08:00

Tiger won in Australia this weekend to finally win a competition on every playable continent. I buy a lot of cards so I have a lot of cards, here's the UD 20th anniversary T.Woods cards I've got. According to Beckett, these cards should be worth $32-80 total, a quick look on ebay and you can find lots of his 2001 (rookie) cards such as this one have sold for as little as $4 for 39 cards and many of his 20th anniversary UD cards go unsold at $1. Here's to hopefully opening a pack one day and finding a Tiger Woods auto...

Walmart blasters

2009-11-14T13:13:00.000-08:00

I was at walmart this morning, and saw 2008 Stadium Club blasters on sale for half off. Given my previous experience in pulling an Evan Longoria auto from a blaster I figured I'd take the chance. While I didn't get a Longoria, I did walk away with a Justin Masterson auto...

2009 Sweet Spot

2009-11-13T17:22:00.001-08:00

Just opened a box of 2009 Sweet Spot... Bonus to UD for the on card autos (mine was a Jordan Zimmerman #27/65), very nice. The base cards are of seemingly good quality, we like that. The memorabilia cards, are eh, nothing special which shows in the ebay sales. My sweet spot signature card of Fausto Carmona was like a kick in the groin, why do I keep getting Fausto Carmona cards, really... The overall value of the box (which is one thing I look at when opening a product), was not that impressive. I looked up ebay sales, and found someone sold the same exact four memorabilia cards that I got in my box for about $8. So I just spent almost $100 for less than $20 of cards...

The 1986 Donruss Canseco RC winner is...

2009-11-06T10:50:00.000-08:00

Ok, after a random entry (using random.org) the winner of the 1986 Donruss Jose Canseco RC is Keith! Just email me with your shipping address, and the card will be on its way.

I've got plenty more ideas of free card giveaways, so stay tuned for another free giveaway coming soon...

Free Giveaway!!!! 1986 Donruss Jose Canseco RC

2009-11-02T10:24:00.000-08:00

I remember saying I'd do this a while ago, well here it is, you're chance to win a free 1986 Donruss Jose Canseco RC. For me personally there are two cards that were iconic growing up, one was the Upper Deck Griffey rookie card, the other was this Donruss Canseco rookie. Having never obtained a Canseco rookie back in the day I purchased a box at The National this year and walked away with a couple of Canseco rookies. There's definitely something to be said for opening old school wax boxes, very nostalgic, in fact I still have a partial box of 1987 Topps sitting at home unopened. (Hmmm, what was the most iconic card from 1987 Topps, would it be the McGwire, Bonds, Canseco? Perhaps I could give away the trifecta...) Say what you will about Canseco's steroid confessions, this guy changed baseball, and this card will likely remain a solid (and cheap) collectible for that fact alone. Sales of this card on ebay rarely if ever go unpurchased, but are almost never more than a few bucks.

So leave a comment, any comment, and by the end of the week I will announce a random winner of this card. Once announced, the winner simply needs to email me a shipping address and the card will be on its way.

My Rant on Weekend Specials

2009-10-31T13:08:00.000-07:00

I buy lots of cards at the local card shop and also online whether it's ebay or other web based retailers. There's always a sale somewhere, but what really insults me is when a sale is posted that is not at all a sale! Case in point, this sale this weekend on Topps Chrome, boxes are $0.64 off which is only about 1.5% off. Really, 64 cents off?! You have to advertise a sale like that?! Kind of insulting when you think about it, if you can offer that price on the weekend, you could offer that price every day of the week. Please, for the love of God, don't advertise anything less than 10% off, I've never once heard someone gush over saving 64 cents on $50 dollars even from the most frugal of individuals. If you really wanted to move product you'd offer a sale that nobody could refuse, and believe me, 64 cents is VERY easy to refuse.

Ok, that's my rant...

I have lots of Evan Longoria cards available for trade, if your interested, look at my spreadsheet, then email me and make a decent offer...

What the...?!

2009-10-30T18:20:00.001-07:00

Legendary Cuts hits.

2009-10-25T12:33:00.000-07:00

Some less impressive legendary cuts hits from this weekend. It sucks knowing that most of these cards aren't really worth more than a couple bucks based on previous ebay sales.

A couple weekend pulls...

2009-10-24T19:45:00.000-07:00

I spent more money on cards than I really should have this weekend, but here are a couple of pulls I managed to get, the first from a box of 2009 Triple Threads, a triple relic (#'ed 2/3) of Manny, Kemp, and Martin. The second is a 2009 Legendary Cuts cut auto of Whitey Kurowski (#'ed 10/12).

2007 Bowmans Best

2009-10-22T05:53:00.001-07:00

2007 Bowmans Best

2009-10-21T05:50:00.001-07:00

2009-10-20T18:26:00.001-07:00

I've added a new link for Player Specific Card Available for Trade. This list currently just includes Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, David Price, Derek Jeter, Evan Longoria, Ichiro, Ken Griffey Jr, and Tim Lincecum.

2007 Bowmans Best

2009-10-20T05:52:00.000-07:00

A 2007 Bowman's Best hobby box

2009-10-19T05:54:00.000-07:00

Despite giving away 6 base sets of 33 bowmans best cards, I've still got lots of doubles of some players (as many as 11 doubles), so feel free to check out my list of available 2007 cards here if there's a card you need to get your hands on.

The Winner is...

2009-10-18T16:03:00.000-07:00

Ok, after a random entry (using random.org) the winner of the 33 card base set of 2007 Bowman's Best is White Sox Cards! I may already have your address but please send it again, just to be sure, and the cards will be on their way.

I've been updating my available cards list most of the day today, more 2009 releases have been added and I've split the spreadsheet into years. I will also be adding player specific cards I have available too (but probably not today), so Pujols/Jeter/Ichiro/Lincecum/Griffey/Longoria collectors will have a specific place to check for cards I have available of that specific player...

Free Giveaway!!!!

2009-10-16T12:42:00.001-07:00

So Steve won a free set of 33 Bowman's Best cards two weeks ago, but I've still never received any communication from him. SO.... I'm putting the base set of 33 2007 Bowman's Best cards back up for grabs. Like before I will randomly choose a winner in a couple of days, and the winner simply needs to send me an email with your shipping address and the cards will be on their way. Now enter a comment, any comment, I don't care, then check back in a couple of days to see if you win.

2009 UD Goodwin Champions

2009-10-14T19:04:00.000-07:00

2009 Bowman Chrome Hobby Box

2009-10-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

I have plenty of box breaks on video, just need to put them up. This was probably a month ago, and isn't all that fascinating...

Winner #6! Another giveaway?

2009-10-06T17:15:00.000-07:00

Ok, after a random entry (using random.org) the winner of the 33 card base set of 2007 Bowman's Best is SpastikMooss! Send me an email with your shipping address and the cards will be on their way.

Thank you all for playing and clearing out some space for new cards.

Also, give me some feedback. Do people like free cards regardless of the cards or does there need to be some significant value? Is anybody interested in getting free cards along the lines of refractors, #'ed cards that I'm not interested in? Here's some cards I think I may give away... Some 2009 Goodwin mini's, refractors from Topps Finest and Bowman Chrome. Would people be interested in pick 10 type of giveaways of more common cards from base sets? How about contests where I put up a card, and people provide a "hit" that's of absolutely no value and the winner with the worst hit has to trade that horrible hit in return for the card being offered... For example trading an Angel Berroa relic card for say a pick 10 of a given set of cards.

Depending on the feedback received, I would like to start by giving away a 1986 Donruss Canseco rookie card. It's a bit off center so it's not in mint condition, and others can be found on ebay for maybe $1-2, so I'm thinking maybe somebody would be interested in receiving it for free. So let me know what kind of giveaway's are of the most interest and I'll do another giveaway soon.

Free Giveaway #6!!!!!!

2009-10-05T17:29:00.000-07:00

Ok, after a random entry (using random.org) the winner of the 33 card base set of 2007 Bowman's Best is beardy! Send me an email with your shipping address and the cards will be on their way.

Sad you didn't win? Don't worry I've got ONE MORE set of 33 Bowman's Best cards to give away! (And if it weren't for a missing card or two, I'd have a couple more sets to giveaway... Hmm, anyone have ideas on what I should do with all these other cards? I have as many as 6 doubles of some cards in the set.) Once again, enter a comment, any comment, I don't care. The winner will be chosen at random tomorrow evening. Now send a comment if you want these cards... Sorry night owl, SIXTYfeetSIXinches, Captain Canuck, beardy, and Steve you don't qualify for a second set.

Free Giveaway #5!!!!!

2009-10-04T08:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, after a random entry (using random.org) the winner of the 33 card base set of 2007 Bowman's Best is Captain Canuck! Send me an email with your shipping address and the cards will be on their way.

Sad you didn't win? Don't worry I've got yet ANOTHER set of 33 Bowman's Best cards to give away! Once again, enter a comment, any comment, I don't care. The winner will be chosen at random tomorrow evening. Now send a comment if you want these cards... Sorry night owl, SIXTYfeetSIXinches, Captain Canuck, and Steve you don't qualify for a second set.

Free Giveaway #4!!!!

2009-10-02T21:03:00.000-07:00

Ok, after a random entry (using random.org) the winner of the 33 card base set of 2007 Bowman's Best is Steve! Send me an email with your shipping address and the cards will be on their way.

Sad you didn't win? Don't worry I've got another set of 33 Bowman's Best cards to give away. Once again, enter a comment, any comment, I don't care. The winner will be chosen at random tomorrow around this time (8PM Est). Now send a comment if you want these cards... Sorry night owl, SIXTYfeetSIXinches, and Steve you don't qualify for a second set.

Free Giveaway #3!!!

2009-10-01T19:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, after a random entry (using random.org) the winner of the 33 card base set of 2007 Bowman's Best is SIXTYfeetSIXinches! Send me an email with your shipping address and the cards will be on their way.

Sad you didn't win? Don't worry I've got another set of 33 Bowman's Best cards to give away. Once again, enter a comment, any comment, I don't care. The winner will be chosen at random tomorrow around this time (8PM Est). Now send a comment if you want these cards... Sorry night owl and SIXTYfeetSIXinches, you don't qualify for a second set.

Free Giveaway #2

2009-09-30T17:17:00.000-07:00

Ok, after a random entry (using random.org) the winner of the 33 card base set of 2007 Bowman's Best is night owl! Send me an email with your shipping address and the cards will be on their way.

Sad you didn't win? Don't worry I've got another set of 33 Bowman's Best cards to give away. Once again, enter a comment, any comment, I don't care. The winner will be chosen at random tomorrow around this time (8PM Est). Now send a comment if you want these cards... Sorry night owl, you don't qualify for a second set.

2010 Topps Baseball - Reminds me of a card I made

2009-09-30T13:20:00.000-07:00

I just looked at the 2010 Topps Baseball Pujols... I'm not going to write up my thoughts about the design, rather I'll just say, I made a card and posted it on my blog months ago, and can you see any similarities in the design? I can personally find several. Granted the similarities aren't exact, but a swoosh, name/logo/position orientation, stuff like that is similar. Maybe it just validates that my card idea was a decent one, even if it's not production quality.

Free Giveaway - 2007 Bowman's Best 33 card base set

2009-09-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

Ok, I've decided to give some stuff away, starting with a 33 card base set of 2007 Bowman's Best. Here's how it will work. Leave a comment, any comment at all, I don't care. Tomorrow at this time I will randomly choose someone to receive the 33 card base set. Check back tomorrow, and see if you won. At which time I expect you to send me an email at waxpackrelapse@yahoo.com with your mailing address and I will send out your cards. Simple enough? Good. Now leave a comment if you want these cards.

A 2009 Legendary Cuts Case Hit

2009-09-26T13:04:00.001-07:00

My freakin' luck continues. So in the past week, I've bought several boxes of cards. The first hit I got was getting 2 Goodwin champions black foil mini magician cards in one box. Then I got a horse hair cut card in another box. Today, I purchased a 2009 Legendary Cuts box, and walked away with a mystery cuts exchange card! Woo-hoo! Now, I knew I've been feeling lucky this past week, but seriously, this isn't normal. The mystery cut card alone would likely sell from $175-$350! And if I exchange it, god knows what I could end up with. Hm, the dilemma, do I sell or exchange?

Also, I have 4 hobby boxes of 2007 Bowman's Best on the way to me, so stay tuned as I will bust those boxes once they arrive! And to make things better for anyone that reads, I think I will be giving away 33 card base sets of Bowmans Best (I've already got something like four of the 33 card base sets that I don't need).

Another 2009 Goodwin Champions Pull

2009-09-22T16:45:00.000-07:00

Maybe I'm just lucky right now, I don't know, but just days after opening a box containing two black foil mini magician cards (#1/8) I got another decent box! The standard three hits of the box were actually pretty bad, and the Iwamura memorabilia card was 'wrinkled'. But I managed to pull a Thoroughbred Hair Cuts Exchange Card! Going rate on ebay seems to be $70-75, so I'd say this easily pays for the box. Not often you get your money's worth back from a box, but I'm feeling pretty lucky lately.

On a different note, I'm thinking of busting a case of cards. Haven't decided what yet, so if you're convinced of a certain product that provides the best auto's/hits for a mid level product (no Topps sterling or UD Ultimate) then let me know. Though I am kind of leaning towards a 2007 Bowmans Best case, and that's not exactly cheap...

Some 2009 Goodwin Champions pulls

2009-09-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Just bought a box of 2009 Goodwin Champions, and am wondering, is it normal to get two black foil mini's both numbered 1/8 in a box? I got both a Manny Ramirez and a Justin Morneau black mini foil #'ed 1/8. Also a Phil Hellmuth poker player auto and a couple of Red Sox memorabilia cards...

2009-09-02T20:57:00.000-07:00

Been a long time since I've done an update, but what can I say, I got busy with other stuff. Not to say I haven't been busting wax, cause I have... But I've decided to liquidate my Longoria collection (with the exception of some rookie cards), I'm ebaying lots of great autos, jerseys, and short prints, even a 1/1 printing plate. (Click here to go to ebay store)

Pics of a few items up for auction...

2008 SPx Hobby Box

2009-08-14T22:49:00.001-07:00

2007 Bowmans Best Hobby Box

2009-08-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

This one's a little better...

2007 Bowmans Best Hobby Box

2009-08-12T19:35:00.001-07:00

Not a very good box... In fact, don't bother watching...

2009 Topps Finest Hobby Box

2009-08-06T16:26:00.001-07:00

2008 SPx Hobby Box

2009-08-05T18:15:00.001-07:00

2007 Bowmans Best Hobby Box

2009-08-04T17:35:00.000-07:00

Hits! Autos/Memorabilia, from my week at The National

2009-08-03T17:01:00.000-07:00

Here's a bunch of scans of many hits that I received this week while busting wax. This is far from a full list of the cards I got, mind you, it's just a peek at some of the better hits I got during the few days.

Babe Ruth 1/1

Ken Griffey Jr. 1/1

Michel Inoa 1/1 cyan printing plate

Joe DiMaggio cut auto #15/27

Ryan Howard buyback auto #48/67

Billy Rowell buyback auto #57/100

Ken Griffey Jr. quad jersey #19/25

Chipper Jones gold #23/50

Longoria Autos I bought/got to add to the collection...

More Autos/Memorabilia, Teixeira, Papelbon, Cano, Kouzmanoff, Hamels, Braun, Chamberlain, Ramirez, etc... Lots to look at...

Some pics from The National

2009-08-02T10:29:00.000-07:00

Some random pics of the show from early morning before the general public entered...

These guys took large sums of my cash...

Tyler Hansbrough signing in the Panini booth...

Opening old school wax, while driving with your knees...

2009-07-31T15:36:00.000-07:00

Made a day trip today, and got bored on the ride... Opening packs of cards while driving is not advised, but I did it anyway.

Another pull from my second day at The National

2009-07-30T19:47:00.000-07:00

I also pulled this card from a 2007 Bowmans Best while at The National today. Sure, it's not as exciting as a DiMaggio auto, but still, it's pretty damn good. A Ryan Howard buyback auto, hand numbered to 67.

2009 Legendary Cuts Joe DiMaggio

2009-07-30T14:54:00.001-07:00

I pulled this card today at The National. Bought a box of cuts (despite my previous thoughts on the product) and took it over to the Upper Deck area to get my redemption cards. The guy helping with redemptions said I needed to pull an auto because nobody had pulled one with him yet. What a great auto to pull! I didn't get an Upper Deck redeption auto from their packs, but I did get three copies of each of the cards, so if someone needs a Jeter, etc. I've got extras...

2009 sp legendary cuts pull

2009-07-30T12:21:00.000-07:00

I just pulled an awesome 2009 legendary cuts card. Rather than post this and not provide pics till later, I just won't say who it was until I can post the pic. I'm excited though, best pull I've ever had thus far, I think.

I picked up a few longoria autos today... Are you aware that 1 guy essentially buys 70% of the minor league cards produced and busts nearly all of it?! He has tons of any auto you want and that's how he gets complete sets of printing plates. He essentially runs the market and pricing, I find that a bit disconcerting. No competition means higher prices.

My first day of The National

2009-07-29T20:25:00.000-07:00

Ok, now this is what a card show should be. Lots of cards, lots of everything, if you can't find something you like, you're not looking. I didn't pull into Cleveland in time to attend the VIP party, so I have no idea what that was like. I ended up purchasing around 6 hobby boxes of stuff. 2007 bowmans best, 2008 spx, 2009 Topps Finest, a 2009 National sig cuts, and a few others.

I will say, the 2009 National edition signature cuts card I pulled from Razor was one of the lamest I think I've ever pulled. I got a Walter Winchell cut auto. Don't know who he is? Neither did I. But now I do, and if you really want to know, I'm going to make you look it up yourself, so you get that own personal groaning feeling once you find out. Apparently the second sentence in his wikipedia page is his claim to fame. Since I opened the box in front of a Razor employee to get their redemption, they ended up giving me a Iona printing plate, which could be a good thing, but doesn't make up for the cost of the crappy card. Strangely it seems that you get to choose whether you want an auto card or printing plate. Shouldn't printing plates be placed in the product they were made for??? Of course not, that would make too much sense.

My box of 2008 SPX was pretty amazing I thought. A Josh Willingham auto box topper, autos of Mike Fontenot, Hanley Ramirez, John Danks, and Ross Detwiler. Memorabilia cards of Jorge Posada (triple jersey 6/10), Andy Pettitte 47/99, Matt Holliday 94/170, Grady Sizemore 43/99, Jim Edmonds limited dual patch (38/50), and Melky Cabrera YSL memorabilia card.

The 2007 Bowmans Best hobby box I opened resulted in autos of Lincecum, Justin Verlander, Erik Bedard, Clayton Kershaw, Adam Laroche, and a Chase Utley (blue I believe #/99).

Tomorrow I hope to pick up some old school boxes, I some some available, and think they would be interesting to break, should bring back old memories... I never opened a box of 2006 Donruss, and really want to. I saw virtually no Evan Longoria cards anywhere, which was a travesty, there's nothing here for me to buy to build that collection.

I'm going...

2009-07-26T19:31:00.000-07:00

Here I am just a few days away from going to The National, and I still end up at Walmart buying a cheap-o blaster of a product that will remain unnamed. I clearly need to get some help, I should know better than to do something silly like that.

I've been saving up cash, and hope to either bust lots of wax, or at least come away with some damn nice cards. Hopefully both. I'm going to be in Cleveland for at least Wed, Thurs, Fri, and maybe a little Sat. To VIP party or not to VIP party, that's one question I need to answer.

I will try to post some stuff during the week as I'm there, my iPhone 3GS has direct posting of videos to youtube, maybe I should actually use it. If there's anything that you would like to see video of, pictures of, etc. Just let me know, and I'll try to get footage of it.

From the Vault

2009-07-20T20:23:00.000-07:00

Here's a few cards I've had for a long time, a few 1980 Topps basketball cards of Jabbar, Erving, and Bird. I originally got these from my brother back in the day (which was a Wednesday), so the reason they are separated and not part of 3 piece cards is all his fault. It's really quite tragic that they are separated, as these are a few of the all time greats... Makes me shake my head in shame to know that at one point the card, at least the Bird card, was connected to the Magic Johnson/Julius Erving trio. The lesson here is to never rip apart perforated cards. (And never try to cut apart a sheet of cards by hand. I'm pretty sure I bought a sheet of 85 Topps baseball from Toys R' Us back then, and cut the cards up by hand with those crazy safety scissors that kind of gnawed the cardboard instead of cut it. So stupid...)

On a side note: I'm pretty sure I'll be going to The National next week, hopefully busting wax, taking some videos, etc.

2009 Topps WBC Redemption Mail Day

2009-07-18T14:26:00.000-07:00

Got my two Topps WBC Redemption cards in the mail today. The Yu Darvish looks pretty good, the De Jong is poorly cut however. Did they seriously just send me a miscut redemption? You know someone had to had place that card into a top loader, at any point did they think that maybe this card was very off center? So much for quality control. Here's hoping other people get cards that are cut better. Oh, and yes, the cards have a chrome finish to them, and have a "nice" look, not nearly as nice as the red hot rookies, but the chrome is not bad.

A 2009 A&G card I didn't want

2009-07-18T13:13:00.000-07:00

So I got this card today in a box of A&G, it's an Iris Kyle relic card. The problem here comes down to a simple issue. This relic is essentially a piece of swimsuit which was likely touching her body in one of 3 places butt, breast, or "vanessa". I'm all for sexy celebrities relics, or whatever, but Topps essentially just cut up some chicks bra/panties and put it on a card, and that is weird. The only bra/panty relics I want are ones I pick up off my bedroom floor. Yeah, I just said that...

Hell, I wouldn't want a piece of Schwarzenegger's banana hammock either, you know what was touching that?! That's gross too. If you insist on giving me a Ms. Olympia card, give me an auto, that's something I can accept without feeling like a perv...

UD Icons

2009-07-17T15:28:00.000-07:00

I bought a blaster of 2009 Icons today, and I'm kinda left scratching my head. Maybe I don't entirely like the design, maybe it's the price point ($70 for a hobby box of 60 cards) maybe it's the unimpressive design, maybe it's the continued failure of printing (some cards I got had a silver residue in wrong locations of the card), it just all adds up little by little as to why I'm not a huge fan of this release. To say something positive, I DO like the foil short print/jersey cards, if for no better reason than because I like the shine of the foil cards...

You'll notice the odd silver traces on the top left quadrant of the card, beneath the baseball...

I just look at the card of Evan Longoria, compare to the card I made the other day in only about 10 mins, and think which card would I rather get in a pack. In many ways, I'd probably prefer my own (and not just because I made it.)

A WPR Original Card - Evan Longoria (1st Revision)

2009-07-15T21:56:00.000-07:00

Made some revisions, and like this design a little better...

A WPR Original Card - Evan Longoria

2009-07-15T18:01:00.001-07:00

This is my first attempt at creating an original card design. I have no intentions of actually printing it out or whatever. I like futuristic designs to a certain extent, I'm not a big fan of borders since they are rarely centered well, and of course there has to be room for an on card auto.

Mail Day

2009-07-13T16:33:00.000-07:00

So excited, it was a good mail day today. I finally have my first Longoria printing plate, a true one of one.

2009 Topps Finest Hobby Box

2009-07-11T10:46:00.000-07:00

I just opened another hobby box of 2009 Topps Finest. Pretty good box, a Joba Finest Moments auto was nice. Yes, I "could" have walked away from the card store with a box of 2009 A&G, but I'm just not that much into A&G.

A 2009 Allen and Ginter Bad Card Idea...

2009-07-09T19:30:00.000-07:00

You know... because nobody knows whether he really should be the President of Iran. Not making any political commentary by creating this card, but it's certainly a bad idea, because nobody wants nuclear war with a country whose "elected" leader thinks the holocaust never happened. Just saying...

2008 UD Timeline

2009-06-29T16:09:00.000-07:00

2007 Bowman's Best Tim Lincecum

2009-06-27T16:40:00.001-07:00

Pulled this card from a mini box today, and it looks fantastic, but as I was looking at the back something jumped out to me as being grossly inaccurate. I'm sure people have noticed this long ago (well two years ago at least), but the Tim Lincecum height, weight, and throwing data on the back is WAY off. He's listed as 6'10, 420 lbs, and throws as a lefty.

He's 5-11, throws right (just look at the card), and surely doesn't weigh 420 lbs. Way to go Bowman, give me a great card, and lower my expectations with bad editing. I was about to say how much I think 2007 Bowman's Best is one of the best hobby boxes for your money (and I guess I can still say that), but if it's really "Bowman's Best", shouldn't it also be error free?

2007 Bowman's Best mini box

2009-06-27T14:44:00.000-07:00