Wednesday, July 4, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - 091 - Happy Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July!  Today not only marks our nation's celebration of its freedom from England, but this also marks the theoretical halfway point of the 182 Packs break!  Now, that is some kind of special right there.  And, since this is a special day on many levels, I am celebrating by busting open several packs of cards.

I am starting with 2008 Topps Jumbo Pack Updates and Highlights (Autos, Presidential stamps, First Lady Cut Signatures). Let's see if we can start this day off with a bang!

Jeremy Affeldt - Reds
Greg Norton - Braves
Raul Chavez - Pirates
Bartolo Colon - Red Sox
Emmanuel Burris - Giants
Nick Adenhart - Angels
Clayton Kershaw - Dodgers
Paul Bell - South Africa ('09 World Baseball Classic)
Johan Santana - Twins - Year in Review
Ryan Dempster - Cubs - All-Stars
Asdrubal Cabrera - Indians - WAHOO!! - Highlights
Lance Berkman - Astros - Home Run Derby
Milton Bradley - Rangers - All-Stars
Ervin Santana - Angels - All-Stars
Jorge Velandia - Indians - WAHOO another Triber!
Alex Rodriguez (Yankees)/Evan Longoria (Rays) - Classic Combos
Hanley Ramirez (Marlins)/David Ortiz (Red Sox) - Classic Combos
Joe Blanton - Phillies
Eddie Guardado - Rangers
Brett Tomko - Royals
Emil Brown - A's
Brad Wilkerson - Blue Jays
Carlos Villanueva - Brewers
Freddie Bynum - Orioles
Burke Badenhop - Marlins
Jose Arredondo - Angels
Burke Badenhop - Marlins - Gold (1982/2008)
Hanley Ramirez (Marlins)/Albert Pujols (Cardinals) - Classic Combos
Connor Robertson - Diamondbacks
Josh Hamilton (Rangers)/JD Drew (Red Sox) - Classic Combos
Billy Wagner - Mets - All-Stars
Chipper Jones - Braves - All-Stars
Lance Berkman - Astros - All-Stars
Carlos Quentin - White Sox - All-Stars
Rich Harden - Cubs
Matt Holliday - Rockies - All-Stars
ToppsTown Card (with unused code)
David Wright - Mets - Work Hard, Get Cards insert

Wow! First, two Indians players in the pack and one highlights an unassisted triple play from Cabrera. Awesome! The Badenhop gold card sure is nice to behold for sure. There several ML stars and team stars throughout the pack as well. Not a bad way to kick off this 4th of July.

Next, I am opening a pack of 1997 Pinnacle Hobby New:

Cal Ripken Jr - Orioles - East Meets West
Denny Neagle - Braves - East Meets West
Chuck Knoblauch - Twins

John Valentin - Red Sox
Barry Bonds - Giants
Chipper Jones - Braves - AURA
Tony Gwynn - Padres
Marty Cordova - Twins
Bobby Bonilla - Marlins
Alex Gonzalez - Blue Jays

Ripken, Jones, Bonds* and Gwynn all in the same pack!? Excellent! And, what a great way to celebrate today by having a couple "East Meets West" cards in there. Why the * next to Bonds? Well, I know some baseball fans/collectors are non too keen on him, so they might not group Bonds with the rest of the names there. I would. And did.

Are you still with me?  Are you reading along here?  Well, if so, then your reward is another pack of cards to bust open: 2008 Topps Opening Day.  Wow, this is a nice "patriotic" pull!

Alex Rodriguez - Yankees
Lyle Overbay - Blue Jays
Jason Bay - Pirates

Gum in a wrapper
David Wright - Mets - Work Hard, Get Cards insert
Freddy Sanchez - Pirates
Nick Swisher - A's
Clay Buchholz - Red Sox

Wow, are these cards RED! You won't miss these in a pile of cards. Should I randomize the gum? I'll let you decide.

But, wait! There's more! Oh, heck, yeah! Why stop at three packs when it is the FOURTH of July!?  That's right, let's open up another for good measure. How about 2009 Upper Deck Artifacts - A Piece of History.


Lastings Milledge - Nationals
Corey Hart - Brewers
18th Amendment - Historical Moments (pink?)
Michael Bowden - Red Sox
Baseball Hall of Fame Opens - Historical Moments

Well, if you are going to pull a historical moment, the opening of the BBHOF would be a great one to pull. Excellent!  The BBHOF offers a slew of programs that schools can participate in through videoconferencing. I've attended several held for area students here: Lou Gehrig, Geogrpahy of Baseball, Special Needs, and more. Great stuff!  As for the pack, I don't know if htere is significance in the 18th Amendment card being pink, so please fill me in.

That wraps up today's breaks!  Thanks for playing along and I hope you have a safe, wonderful 4th of July celebration!!



Each day of the regular baseball season, I am busting open a pack of baseball cards.  These are packs that I have laying around and/or that I have purchased recently on a whim.  I list the cards in the pack and scan in some of them.  I shoot for 9 cards, but sometimes I may scan more, other times fewer.  It all depends on how things hit me in that particular pack.  Oh yes, there will be duplication.  I have a TON of packs from certain brands/years.  I will, however, try to mix things up throughout the season.

For those keeping score, I know there are not actually 182 GAMEDAYS in the 2012 season.  I am counting ALL the days between Opening Day and the last day of the regular season.  Frankly, it's easier that way.  Thanks for playing along.

Also, you are welcome to claim teams/players (Max 3 total). Rules are at the following:
http://www.tribecards.net/2012/04/slight-rain-delay-in-182-packs-of.html
http://www.tribecards.net/2012/04/182-packs-of-baseball-rules-update.html

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