2010 Topps National Chicle

When I saw the previews for National Chicle, I thought Uggh, those look AWFUL. I'm glad I was wrong (for the most part).

I opened something like 7 packs of the cards, and I helped Pete open maybe 10 more. I saw some AWESOME relics in Pete's box (I'll let him tell about what he pulled). There are some awesome cards as well... This Johnny Bench is the best looking card I have seen. Wow. The person who painted this one did an awesome job. This is one of the best looking cards I have seen in a while.

Another good portrait, and it is a relic of an Oriole!! Eddie Murray, woo hoo. Looks like some dirt may be on the jersey, which is cool.

Max and Pete both pulled Roberts, so I got 2 of him already. Never a bad day when I get new Roberts cards. Hopefully he will come off the DL soon.

I pulled this and was like oh cool, on card auto... but it is of the artist who designed the card. It is numbered 4/10 which is good, I guess, but I was really underwhelmed with the auto.

I was very satisfied with the cards I saw. I saw some not so good ones though. I wish I had a scan of the Tim Wakefield I saw though. It was a weird looking card. Looked like he was eating the ball.

Bobby Doerr Through The Mail Success

Oh man. Let me tell you, I had an awesome weekend. We got my whole family together in one place (which is a rarity), Max was able to come along (which meant a lot to me), the Orioles swept the Red Sox, and when I got home, I had some mail waiting for me.

Bobby Doerr autographed baseball TTM success. Doerr was a 9-time all star second baseman for the Red Sox from 1937-1951. He was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veteran's Committee in 1986.

Upon receipt of this ball, I now have autographed baseballs from the three oldest living hall of famers in Stan Musial, Bobby Doerr and Bob Feller.

I sent the ball off on April 23 and it came in the mail yesterday, meaning it had a turn around time of 8 days. Not bad at all!!

People Needed for Case Break

Hi guys.
Chris and I still need people to sign up for our case break. Click here to get to my post about the break. 2006 UD Epic. Lots of HOF autos and relics. If your favorite team has already been called for, think of someother HOFers who you'd want. Its not a bad price ($40-$45). Help a brother out.

April 28, 2010 Kinston Indians vs Lynchburg Hillcats Game

My wife thought that we should surprise our son yesterday by taking him to Grainger Stadium for a game. He has been pretty good lately and did an awesome job during his first T-ball practice last week, so I thought it would be a good idea as well. It was also $2.00 Tuesdays so we definitely didn't mind making a night of it.


Yesterday was by far Chris' most productive trip to a baseball game, yet. We entered the park with three baseballs to get signed and left the stadium with 7 baseballs and a bat. Not a bad haul.

When we got to our seats, a ball was laying on the ground near the seats that must have been left over from batting practice. I, naturally, picked it up and put it in my glove. We took position by the visiting dugout and waited for the Hillcats to come out of the clubhouse.

When the players finally emerged, about half an hour before the game, several of them walked straight up to Chris and signed his baseball. He touched fists with the Hillcats right fielder Justin Reed after Reed signed his ball.

About halfway through the game, Reed caught the final out of the inning and tossed the ball to Chris (I went to catch it for him, it deflected off of my glove and hit me in the head... I never said I had any talent).

After one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, I took Chris to the visiting dugout again to watch the final two outs so he could see the players as they came off the field. The final two outs were made (the last one coming off of an amazing running catch by the Hillcats center fielder) and the players trotted off of the field. Chris asked an injured player who was charting pitches for a bat, but he told Chris that he didn't have a bat, then handed him a ball. The center fielder who caught the final out then tossed Chris that ball. Finally, the Hillcats right fielder, Josh Fellhauer, handed Chris his cracked bat. The bat has a hairline crack along the barrel. Fellhauer is ranked by Baseball America as the Reds' 26th best prospect this year, and has him projected to be a solid major league contributor in the future. I'll pick up a bat tube this weekend when I head to the card shop.

The upper left baseball is the ball from the game ending catch. The three balls behind the bat were either found at the stadium or thrown to us by players. The three underneath the game ball were the ones we brought in and had signed.

I was really happy that Chris was able to interact with the players and go home with some cool stuff. I'm ready to go back today.

Come and Join Our Group Case Break

Hi guys. Chris over at on card autos asked me to pair with him to do a group box break. I've never done one before, but I'm excited to try it. Basically, you claim one or more teams for $40-$45 per team (the price is based on the total price of the case we purchase and the cost for shipping out the final cards to each claimant).

Since Chris and I want this to be special, we chose a set that was close to both our hearts (and something that has some sick hits) and that would be 2006 UD Epic. If you don't know about Epic, check Chris' blog for a synopsis.

Don't forget, there are a LOT of hall of famers in this set. So, you know, just because the Pirates are not so good right now, wouldn't a Clemente relic be sweet?

Teams:

Angels:

Astros:

A's:

Blue Jays:

Braves: Babe-O-Licious

Brewers:

Cardinals: Isaac and Tony (Ikescards)

Cubs: Chris (on card autos)

Diamondbacks:

Dodgers: Max (Knuckle Ball Blues)

Expos/Nationals:

Giants:

Indians: Babe-O-Licious

Marlins:

Mariners: Andy

Mets: Mike (BABenny's Baseball Card Buffet)

Orioles: Me (duuh)

Padres:

Phillies: Jim (Phillies Room)

Pirates:

Rangers:

Rays:

Reds: Scott (Mr. Scott's Baseball Cards)

Red Sox: Chris (On card autos)

Rockies:

Royals:

Tigers: William (foul bunt)

Twins:

White Sox:

Yankees: Pete (Dropped 3rd Strike)

I will relinquish my pick of the Tigers if someone wants to talk me out of them, lol.

The final price may depend on if we have filled all teams. Yes, you can claim more than one team. If you have any questions, email me at: wregenthal@hotmail.com or email Chris at cubsareawesome5@aol.com

Also, comment here, or Chris' blog to sign up. We will try our best to keep this updated quickly so people don't miss out.

If your favorite team has been claimed, don't be discouraged, like I said, think of the hall of famers who are included and try to go after their teams (Killebrew, Brett, Yount, Clemente, etc.). Definitely check out the checklist!

Thanks guys!

Trying to Find Positives in a Sea of Negativity

The 2010 season is already a wash to me, only 18 games into it. The Orioles are inventing ways to lose. The past 2+ weeks have been beyond frustrating, especially because the Orioles were supposed to be closer to 0.500. Someone please tell them that they are going in reverse. It has been very hard for me to stay interested in blogging on a consistent basis with the epic downer that my team has created. I'm trying guys. Please bear with me.

There are a few positives to this season if you dig deep enough. As much as I like him, Dave Trembley will be gone soon. I now feel like he definitely is not the answer to the future of the club. Unfortunately, I have no idea who could take over during the season and cause a dramatic turnaround (Jim Tracy for the Rockies last year was an exception, not the rule).

There are some positives, however: The Oriole starters (which was a huge weakness last year) have been good enough to keep the games close.

Ty Wigginton has proven very useful given consisten playing time. He most likely will be moved by the trade deadline for more prospects. I'm ok with that.

The biggest positive from this season so far has been Brian Matusz. He will win more games than he will lose. He racks up Ks with great frequency. I still believe he will be a strong Rookie of the Year candidate, but he's going to have to get some run support.

So, that being said, I picked up something cool because of how good I think Matusz is going to be:

2008 Razor Lettermen Brian Matusz Auto, letter Z. #ed 5/20. Freaking sweet. I got this for a steal on Ebay and seriously think that its value will only increase.

Happy prospecting. Yeah. With Matusz, it's going to be very happy, I think. He has been a ray of light in a dismal season so far. Yes, it will turn around before the season is over, but damn it has been hard to watch. I'm waiting for the O's to shoot off a 12-game winning streak or something like that to get them back on the right track.

Please make some bullpen changes so leads aren't coughed up in the 9th inning, though. I blame the bullpen for at least 6 of the losses. If the O's had a competent bunch of relievers, the season would be markedly different.

Thanks for putting up with my bitching guys. Hopefully I haven't pissed too many of you off :) I'll be ok sooner or later.

Mail Day - On The Rocks

Title fits the O's season pretty well, I think.

I bought a jersey from Ebbetts Field Flannels recently. If you haven't checked them out, please do. They are amazing. I got the 1938 Baltiomore Orioles Home Jersey. It was made to order and is 100% wool flannel. I was very impressed with the jersey. I can't wait to wear it to a game. Because it is 100% wool, its very scratchy, but I don't care. I'm still in awe of it, really. I hope you all like it. I have lost count of all the O's jerseys I have. I have a Cal Ripken from when I was 15, 3 Brian Roberts (a home white, a black and a 2005 All Star jersey).