Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Random Roberts Card - Because I'm Bored

2006 Topps Triple Threads Brian Roberts Cyan Printing Plate.

This was the first printing plate. I got it off of Ebay for $50. Not too bad. Now I have quite a few (lost count really). I think I have 3 or 4 Roberts plates. I like printing plates, I think they are pretty cool, and are difficult to pull. I have pulled 2 that I know of, one in 2006 Flair Showcase, and 2007 Topps Flagship.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

What I got for Christmas

FINALLY!!!! After collecting Ripken for 20+ years, I finally have all of his rookie cards...

1982 Topps Traded Cal Ripken. I have been wanting this card for forever. I finally have it. Of course, if you follow my blog, it shouldn't take you long to figure out who got it... my MOM!!! She knows exactly what to get me.

I had a really great Christmas, and ended up with a lot of cool stuff. I'm really happy about it. I hope you all had good ones as well!!!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

...so this is Christmas

...and what have we done? Another year over, a new one just begun.

Oh man, that's my favorite Christmas song. Classic... Except that Yoko Ono can be heard. Uggh. Anyway, in this season of giving, I thought it'd be cool to recall some of the best Christmases that I have been a part of. Too bad I can't discern the years... That's asking a bit much.

Ask me, or any of my brothers, the best Christmas we call can remember is the year when we woke up, walked into the living room and each of us has a brand new bike. We rode bikes up and down the road all day that day. Mom still has pictures of us as we came into the room and caught the initial looks on our faces.

The Christmas gift I got the most use out of (and still do to this day) was the year my grandfather got all of us foot lockers. My mom took the foot lockers and personalized them for each of us. I now use mine to hold my sports magazines, pictures, etc. It usually stays locked, unless some unsuspecting friend comes over and shows a shred of interest in my sports memorabilia collection.

One of my favorite gifts that wasn't really a gift was the year (maybe 4 or 5 years ago) when my mom gave me a box of stuff I had done in elementary school that she had found while she was cleaning the attic. I went through the box and found a letter my great-grandmother had written me when I was in second grade. She has been gone for 18 years now. My mother-in-law took the letter and framed it for me, so it is something really cool that was on the wall in the house. When we get in another house, I definitely look forward to hanging it back up again.

Last year, my mom gave me her entire Cal Ripken baseball card collection which she had housed in my great-grandfather's tin cigar boxes from the 1920's. My dad wasn't too happy that my mom had 'stolen' the cigar boxes from him, but he knew I'd take care of them, haha.

My FAVORITE part of Christmas is the giving part. I'd much rather give a great present to someone and get a genuine response instead of receiving something.

I want to wish you all a very merry Christmas. Specifically, Max, P. A., Pete, Jim; I will see you guys very soon. Having you guys come and see me means a lot to me. I won't be at the shop the day after Christmas, but I intend on resuming my time there uninterrupted on January 2.

Max, I miss you man, its time we busted some boxes... Like SOON. P. A. and Pete, I'm ready to start some friendly baseball debates!

Jim, I got my 84's ready for you man.

Everyone who reads my blog, I really appreciate it. Continue to come back anytime. I'm glad you enjoy.

Thanks guys!!!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Box Break Results: 2009 Topps Heritage High Numbers

I got this box with Pete at the card show on Sunday. I figured at $49, they were pretty reasonably priced, and I thought I had a good chance of getting some O's rookies.

I ended up being pretty disappointed in the results.I got a Brooks card. Woo Hoo! Too bad he shares the card with David Wright. Mr. Un-Clutch himself. Yuck.

Wow. Just wow. A Milton Bradley Auto. Well, at least it wasn't a Mark Prior or a Sammy Sosa.

Awesome, A Koji Jersey. Now, that's pretty nice! I was pretty surprised when I pulled this. Not bad, not bad.


My LONE Orioles RC. (I don't count the Koji). I was hoping for Reimold or Bergesen. Oh well, Hernandez will do.
I appreciate Pete going in with me on this box, but I wasn't all that impressed. I think I'll be happier once I get the Rookies I mentioned above. I really wish some of the autos I have seen would be of better subjects. Oh well... Maybe that's why the box was $49.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Mail Day: Feivel Goes West

I got 2 more Red hot rookies in the mail the other day. These 2 are supposedly big-time prospects. I would have much rather gotten the Nolan Reimold. Oh well. They are still cool cards.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Day 2 of the Card Show

I made the drive to Raleigh for the second time this weekend for the card show. I met up with Pete from Dropped 3rd Strike and hung out for a while. Here are some of the things I picked up today.A nice Brandon Snyder Bowman Sterling Auto. I really like Snyder and have been following him since we met him at a Winston-Salem Warthogs vs. Frederick Keys game. He was nice enough to give Christopher a ball out of his equipment bag and sign it for him. I really hope he makes it to the majors and has a successful career.


I got 3 more 1970 Topps cards for my set. After my success yesterday, I think Im going to take it easy for about 5 minutes on set building. Maybe do a 'breather set' like 1998 topps. Something easy.
Finally, I got my first tobacco card! A 1909-1911 T-206 James B. Jackson. I saw Baltimore and had to grab it! Pretty dang sweet. It is an Old Mill, which was cool since I just busted the 2009 206 box.

I think this is a pretty cool card. Its fitting that a Baltimore Oriole was my first tobacco card. Awesome huh?

Saturday, December 19, 2009

SET COMPLETE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1955 Topps!!!


It is over. My quest to complete the 1955 Topps set is done. Completed. Game over man, game over.
I received the bulk of the set as a Christmas gift from my mom in 2007. I took a look at the checklist and figured I could get a majority of it done and would have had to wait for the heavy hitters like the Koufax and Clemente RCs, the Aaron, Ted Williams, etc.
I got very lucky on some ebay auctions and when I ended up with the Clemente last year, I saw that I could realistically complete the set. It took me some time to go from 24 cards remaining to 0, especially with the house selling issues, but the time has finally come...
THE SET IS COMPLETE!!!! I am so happy! I intend on scanning each card and blogging them much like the guy who did the 1988 set did. I am so happy that I got this one done!!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Mail Day: Jason Lives

Hooray for another awesomely bad sequel title to my mail Day posts...

I got a sweet package in the mail yesterday from Chris over at On Card Autos
He is still pretty stoked about the Nomars I sent him. They were pretty sweet, I do admit, b ut I was definitely pleasantly surprised at the amount of cards I got in return. I have scanned a few of them and they are featured below:

First, this Starquest NICK THE STICK!!! A very pretty card. I enjoy it highly.
Hey look, an Orioles minor leaguer that we will be hearing about once Brandon Snyder and Josh Bell get called up, Xavie Avery. I believe he was taken the same year as Wieters, but I could be mistaken. It has been a while, but from what I understand, he is going to be quite good.

Ahhh another O's prospect. L.J. Hoes. I think he was picked in 2008, the same year as Brian Matusz. I remember a time when the Os minor league system was as bare as the top of Stone Cold Steve Austin's head. Now, they have some legitimate prospects. It sure makes watching them exciting!!


I love the old school factor of this Chris Hoiles card. Gotta love the Sportflics cards... actually, no you don't. If these cards got any heat to them, they would curl up. Lame. THis is a great looking card though, and it is in a top loader to keep it from curling up on me.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Mail Day: Citizens on Patrol

With all the mail I'm expecting, I intend on enjoying attaching awesomely bad sequel titles to my mailday posts. Can't wait baby.

As some (one) of you might have noticed, it has been a little bit since my last 'real' post. I took a much needed break, after scanning and listing so many cards on my Zistle accont. Also, recuperating from finalizing the sale of my house has taken a minute as well.

I also had the unfortunate pleasre of not being able to work the shop for the past 2 Saturdays due to work with my 'career job.' I plan on being back this coming Saturday and I also plan on heading to the Raleigh Card show on Sunday. I should have plenty to blog about up until and after Christmas!

Anywhooo, here is what came in the mail YESTERDAY. My first 2009 Topps Red Hot Rookie. Chris Coghlan. The NL Rookie of the Year. Pretty sweet. Sucks I didn't pull any O's, but thats ok, I intend on owning the Nolan Reimold. I like these cards, what do you guys think??

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

A few things

So, guys, the deed was filed today and my house is officially sold!!!! Woo Hoo!!! Also, the Orioles got Kevin Millwood today for Chris Ray... a pitcher I was hoping would be released this year cause he stunk the place up. I'm pretty happy about that.

I'll have some card posts later on in the week.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Today's mail


I got the last package I was waiting on from sportlots. Turns out, the guy I ordered from actually came in the shop before and we had exchanged emails on numerous occaisions. I thought it was pretty funny. I ended up with a Brady I didn't have, this 2004 Maryland Lottery Brady Anderson. Pretyy cool. After listing all those Roberts cards on Zistle yesterday, Im a little 'carded out.' Don't worry, I'll have some fresh ideas coming. Leave me some comments guys!!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Updating Zistle

So, I spent today adding more cards to my Zistle account. I knocked off most of my Cals the other day, so i figured I'd move on to Brian Roberts. I found that it was more difficult than I first imagined. A good many of his cards weren't even listed yet, and there were some already on there that didn't have any pictures. So, I scanned 93 different Brian Roberts cards and updated Zistle's library as best I could. here are some highlights of what I scanned and listed. I think this 2005 Playoff Absolute Memorabilia Absolutely Ink is a damn good looking card. Don't you agree? I know I bought it off ebay cheap a while back... It hase been maybe 3 years or so, so I don't remember much.
Now, this above card could definitely pass as the O's Mitchell Report card. With Roberts, Larry Bigbie and Jay Gibbons. My opinion of Roberts didn't change at all when he admitted to using steroids once in 2003. I never cared for Gibbons because he was always hurt. Now, Bigbie, well, I hate that he was blackballed and forced to play in Japan to keep his career going. He had a lot of talent. I went to 2 games in 2005 and he hit homers in each game, but he, too, was injured a bunch, and when he was traded, I was a little sad.

This Upper Deck Ultimate Signatures Roberts is just one GOOD LOOKING card. I really like this and forgot I had it. Isn't that sad?


Ahhh, a 2000 Frederick keys Brian Roberts minor league card. Got this really cheap off ebay too. I like it since I get to watch the Keys a lot when they come and play Kinston, or if Im back in Winston and see them there.

A very nice 2005 Bowman Heritage Mahogany. I like the feel of these cards. I'm not one who enjoys the super glossy cards (another blog for another day). I really like the rough cardboard of yesteryear and this card really captures it.
All in all, I spent almost my entire day listing cards on Zistle. Check my collection out, especially you O's fans. Let me know what you think!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Today's Mail

I got a sweet 1970 Topps Juan Marichal All Star in the mail today from my good friend Jim. He always hooks me up with great 1970 Topps! I'll have this set finished before too long with his help. THANKS JIM!!!!

Marichal was a heck of a pitcher. This card puts me just one step closer to completing my set. Woo hoo!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Today's Random Ripken Part 2 - The Sequel

I challenge anyone to tell me that this is not a beautiful card. In today's world, you have something like eleventeen different inserts and then you have the parallels of the inserts, the printing plates, the original conceptual drawing of the insert, the inside out version of the insert, the sine/cosine/tangent of the insert... you get my point.

Way back when, you could get a pack of cards for say, 99 cents. In this pack you got either a 50-year old piece of gum, a puzzle piece or a team sticker, depending on your brand of choice. You were lucky to get any kind of insert. Maybe a 'gold parallel' or Diamond King.

I remember pulling the above 1992 Cal Ripken Donruss Diamond King. I wish I had an amazing story to go with it. I do not. However, after 17 years, this card is still beautiful and I kind of wish sometimes we could go back to a more simplistic approach to inserts.

The 1992 Diamond King subset was definitely groundbreaking. It may very well have started the 'insert craze' of the early to mid 90s... The Dick Perez paintings were vastly different from the previous year's offerings.

With all the retro-themed sets going around now, I wouldn't mind a higher end product sporting nothing but these painting like cards... moreso than the Goodwins and Allen & Ginters. You guys see where I'm coming from, right? These cards were and are amazing. I love this one. What do you think??

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Trade from Chris at oncardautos

Let me just say WOW. I sent Chris from http://oncardautos.wordpress.com/ the Ron Santo Jersey card I blogged about recently, as well as some Nomars and a Jeff Samardizja X Fractor. I was definitely not expecting the haul I would get in return. He sent me 119 Orioles, Longoria and Lincecum cards. Here are the highlights.
I got 2 Brian Roberts Jersey cards, the 2007 Fleer Ultra Jersey and the Turkey Red jersey under it. Pretty dang nice if you ask me, these would have definitely been worth the Santo, Nomars and Samardzija.




Ooooh an Adam Jones 08 Heritage. Very nice! I am pleased with this one.



Hooray for a Ripken I didn't have!!! A 1986 Topps Team leaders mini!




STICK!!!!! I got a 2007 Topps Opening day of Nick the Stick! I really liked these. I had gone through my Roberts cards a few months ago and realized that my 2004 Roberts was MIA. Uncool. I have now replaced it! Yaaaay.Can't go wrong with Brady! Brady Anderson was great. I know there is much speculation about how he put up the 50 home runs in 1996. He swears that if he were on 'roids he would have put up more than 50 home runs for more than one year. Let's not think about that right now.

So, thanks a lot Chris. I hope we can do more of these in the future.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Bustin' Oldies

I was presented with a good hypothetical question. A 'what if' if you will. I will also pose the question to all of you as well and see what kind of response I get, if any. If I were presented with a box of 'vintage' cards would I keep it sealed or would I open it? Hmmmmmm.....

Max and I have this dream, well we have a few of them when it comes to cards, but one of the biggest is that at some point in our lives we hope that one or both of us has enough money to be able to get a box of '52 Topps and bust it, haha.

I was always told 'itll be worth more if you open it.' This thing has always bothered me. I am a firm believer that the packs were meant to be opened, so, if I were given a box of 'vintage' cards, HELL YES I would open them, haha.

Knowing my luck (and ask Pete), I would open the box and get every conceiveable Yankee card there is (except for the Mantle, lol). Knowing Max's luck, he would bust a box of 1952 Topps and STILL pull a David Wright card.

So, now I present the question to you... if someone presented you with a box of vintage packs, would YOU open them? Also, which set would you prefer? yes my choice would be a box of '52s, but I would love to bust a box of 54's and see 'fresh from the pack' 54's with the vivid colors and such.