Wednesday, October 24, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - nearly sorted

I thought I would post a photo update for the 182 Packs extravaganza. I am nearly done sorting the cards. As I get closer to the end of the list, the ability to fill those requests is getting tougher. Never fear, everyone that participated will get cards for sure!

There were a couple very cunning players! TSHenson grabbed Ripken Jr and Pujols before their respective teams were chosen. Same for gcrl, who snagged a nice group of Vladimir Guerrero cards. Most of the team requests, especially early birders, will be VERY happy with their hauls. But, even folks like MartinS who is near the end of the list played a smart grab of Blue Jays and Tampa Rays. But, as I said, everyone gets cards and I think most folks will be happy with their share.

Speaking of, I need addresses from folks so I know where to send the packages. Those will be mailed out between now and Christmas.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Best laid plans...

Hey, folks! Still playing catch-up on the 182 packs. I am not sure how we'll handle the "trades" aspect, and that may be scrapped for this season - in that, you would just have to contact the respective card recipients for any trades after they are mailed out.

Who knows - I may come up with something before it's all said and done. I'm kinda random that way.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Post-season Update

Hey, everyone! I bet you thought I fell off the Earth. Well, not quite. I have been working off and on getting the cards sorted: duplicates separated, players/teams to their respective participant piles, and looking for ponies for poor dayf.

The best part of the sorting experience, by far, comes by way of my daughter. She decided to help her Daddy out in this venture and she has made things very entertaining.  She is learning to recognize team logos, which helps a bunch. There is still a long way to go (this is much more complex than I thought it would be), but having her there sorting through things with me makes it all worth while. 

The All-Star Pop-ups proved especially fun when she asked if the "Twins" logo on the back was the team. Without thinking, I said, "Yeap." Well, turns out they ALL have the Twins logo because that is where the All-Star game was held! My bad!  Listening to her pronounce names (and parodies of names) has also been very entertaining.  By far, her favorite card is Dave Henderson.  She thinks it's hilarious that there was a ball player with my name. Works for me.

I hope to have things all sorted by the end of next weekend. Then, people can start the trading wars.  One thing to remember: the participant list shows what folks requested in the order they were requested (across, then down).  So, some "team" cards are going to player requests if those player requests were made before the team request and vice versa.  I've tried to fill the void with duplicates when possible.

The only exception I've made so far are the "brand/set" requests (ex: post-92 Stadium Club), as described in the amended rules.

We're sorting as best we can, but there will be some controversial decisions, I'm sure. We'll cross those bridges when we get there. Just as in old-school baseball, once the call is made, it's made. I don't have video replay here. We're here to have fun and play along.  I can tell you that next season's "Fantasy baseball" rules for the pack-a-day will keep things nice and clear... Well, except for the fact that we'll have non-player cards, multi-player cards, and who knows what else. Either way, it'll be fun!

Thanks for playing along, and thanks for reading! I'll keep ya posted!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 182 - Say It Ain't So

I can't believe this is the last of the "182 packs" posts for 2012.  Well, not really. This is the last of the pack-busting posts, but there will more posts related to the overall event.  After all, we'll have trades, updates on who gets what, and whatever other random things pertaining to "182 Packs" that come up.

There will, naturally, be a reflective piece posted at some point. It will probably get sentimental, maybe a touch rueful, and hopefully a bit comical.

Before I bust open our last packs - yes, there are packs-plural - I just want to thank everyone that has played along during the entire baseball season.  I know some folks basically got shut out of the giveaway spots, but that tends to be the nature of contests like this.  I can promise that next season will be done differently - with plenty of opportunities to choose players. I also plan to hold different contests throughout the season next year to keep things fun.

I almost managed to post every day. I missed one near the end. All I can say is that a evening with my beautiful wife was worth it. Hands down.

And so, we've come to the end of the 2012 regular MLB season.  I am busting open all the remaining packs still hanging out in the Big Ol' Box.  Some of these have been there since the beginning, good little packs that they are.

First up: 2004 Opening Day
Miguel Tejada - A's
Eric Hinske - Blue Jays
Austin Kearns - Reds
Craig Biggio - Astros
Jeff Bagwell - Astros
Larry Walker - Rockies
Work Hard, Get Cards Promo

Not a bad way to kick off the final day of the season: a pack of Opening Day cards. Not bad in the way of players, either. 

Next, Leaf '96 Hobby:
Dante Bichette - Rockies
Javy Lopez - Braves
Rick Aguilera - Twins
David Bell - Cardinals
Chad Curtis - Tigers
Bob Hamelin - Royals
Marquis Grissom - Braves
Eric Karros - Dodgers
Alan Benes - Cardinals - Gold Leaf Rookie
Dean Palmer - Rangers
Greg Vaughn - Brewers
Cliff Floyd - Expos

No real superstar standouts, but certainly some team fan favorites.

How about a pack of 1997 Pinnacle Hobby:
Mark Loretta - Brewers
Darrin Fletcher - Expos
Matt Williams - Giants - Clout
Luis Castillo - Marlins
Sammy Sosa - Cubs - Clout
Kevin Elster - Rangers
Craig Paquette - Royals
Charles Nagy - Indians - WAHOO!! Go Tribe!!
Lance Johnson - Mets
Alex Rodriguez - Mariners

Wow! Two Clout cards! Very cool. Stick a Triber in there for good measure, plus an A-Rod as well.

Guess we'll keep going with Pinnacle: 1997 Hobby New
Ken Griffey Jr - Mariners
Ellis Burks - Rockies - AURA
Damon Mashore - A's
Eric Davis - Orioles
Jose Canseco - A's
Chris Snopek - White Sox
Tim Salmon - Angels
Wilson Alvarez - White Sox
Andruw Jones - Braves - Spellbound "R"
Rusty Greer - Rangers

Hands down, that Spellbound is one of the nicest-looking cards I've seen this whole season. It's shiny with relief work, neat lettered border effect, and unlike other inserts we've seen. Slick.

Reaching in, I grab a pack of 1994 Fleer Ultra Series II:
Terry Pendleton - Braves
Mickey Tettleton - Tigers
Larry Walker - Expos
Dennis Eckersley - A's
Wally Joyner - Royals
Barry Larkin - Reds
Thomas Howard - Reds
Jose Mercedes - Brewers
Dave Henderson - Royals
Chris Bosio - Mariners
Mark Acre - A's
Arthur Rhodes - Orioles
Ellis Burks - Rockies
Jack McDowell - White Sox - Ultra All-Star

Any pack that offers up The Eck is a good pack.  It doesn't hurt to pull a card with my own name on it, either (er, Dave Henderson. Not Eck. Now, THAT would be cool...).  The McDowell is awash in redness found in many of the Ultra All-Star inserts.

Wow. Let's go back-back-back to 1990: 1990 Score
Matt Nokes - Tigers
Orel Hershiser - Dodgers
Lance Parrish - Angels
Scott Terry - Cardinals
Dwight Smith - Cubs
Roberto Clemente - Pirates - NL 1966 Magic Motion
Rickey Henderson - 1989 Highlight
Mike Smithson - Red Sox
Carmelo Martinez - Padres
Kirk McCaskill - Angels
Jack Morris - Tigers
Lloyd Moseby - Blue Jays
Bill Buckner - Royals
Mike Marshall - Dodgers
Ken Dayley - Cardinals
Jack Daugherty - Rangers
Joe Oliver - Reds

Had you going on the Clemente, didn't I? Several stars in there. Definitely some favorites... and one not-so-favorite for Sox fans... Curses!

Three more packs to go... Doesn't seem fair, does it?

1997 Pinnacle Hobby New:
Joe Carter - Blue Jays
Andruw Jones - Braves - Museum Collection
Terrell Wade- Braves
Ryne Sandberg - Cubs
Carlos Garcia - Blue Jays
Jason Dickson - Angels
Marc Newfield - Brewers
Mark Wohlers - Braves
Greg Maddux - Braves
Ray Lankford - Cardinals

Good heavens, man, this pack was tailor-made for Braves fans. Yeesh!  Jones gets another VERY cool card! I forgot about these Museum Collection iserts. This one beats the Spellbound, I think. Maybe not.  There is somethign about shiny reflective gold, though...

1996 Leaf Hobby:
Sandy Alomar Jr - Indians - WAHOO!!
Edgardo Alfonzo - Mets
Jeff Conine - Marlins
John Wetteland - Yankees
Jay Bell - Pirates
Ken Griffey Jr - Mariners - MVP Contender
Ruben Sierra - Yankees
Fred McGriff - Braves - Total Bases #4778/5000
Orlando Merced - Pirates
Trevor Hoffman - Padres
Derek Bell - Astros
Delino DeShields - Dodgers

Holy smokes! The Braves are running away with the coolest cards in the last break of the season. There is no doubt that every time I think I've seen the "best" insert, another comes in behind it to steal the limelight. This pack sports two sweet inserts.

And, now, ladies and gentlemen, please bow your heads for a moment of silence as we bring out the last pack of the 2012 "182 Packs of Baseball" pack-breaking giveaway:

2006 Opening Day:
Gary Sheffield - Yankees
Magglio Ordonez - Tigers
Jose Contreras - White Sox
Adrian Beltre - Mariners
Rick Short - Nationals
Rich Hill - Cubs
Manny Ramirez - Red Sox - SI for Kids
Work Hard, Get Cards promo

Well, at least there weren;t any Braves, right?  Huh. I just realized the back of the SI for Kids cards has a different player on it.  The Manny card has Ronnie Belliard - an INDIANS player! Very cool.  Of course, the card will go to the Red Sox/Manny fan that first claimed it on the list.  I just didn't realize it was a two-faced card until just now.  See, even on the last day, I am learning something new.

Thanks for playing along!  I'll get these sorted and post the results as soon as I can.  Remember: I am the final arbiter: If there is a question about who should get a particular card, I decide. Nanny boo-boo and what-not.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 181 - Silver in the hills

Day 181 of the 2012 regular MLB season. For many, their favorite team is just one day away from the finish of things for this year - at least on the field.  For others, the excitement of playoffs, wildcards, championships and the World Series present the next chapter of 2012 baseball.

For those us following along here, it means we are just one day's worth of pack busting away from the end of a season full of team heroes, hall of famers, and forgotten teammates.

And, since we are still one day away, we have a pack to bust! How about 2009 UD Series 2?  There are 18 cards and a chance to snag a Jeter autograph. It could happen...

Ryan Rowland-Smith - Mariners
Cole Hamels - Phillies
Jo-Jo Reyes - Braves
Nick Hundley - Padres
Matt Kemp - Dodgers
Mariano Rivera - Yankees
Felipe Lopez - Diamondbacks - Team Checklist
Nick Swisher - Yankees
Carl Crawford - Rays - StarQuest Silver Common
Josh Hamilton - Rangers - O-Pee-Chee Preview
Mike Hampton - Astros - Team Checklist
Daniel Cabrera - Nationals
Gio Gonzalez - A's
Jed Lowrie - Red Sox
Adrian Gonzalez - Padres
Carlos Villanueva - Brewers
Akinori Iwamura - Rays
Kevin Frandsen - Giants
UpperDeckU.com promo card

Well, no autographs, but man what a cool Crawford card! And, the Hamilton OPC Preview is a sweet deal, too.

Monday, October 1, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 180 - Pushin the Crime Dog

Here we are, folks! We're just a couple days away from the end of the 2012 regular baseball season. That means there are just a couple of packs to open before we divide and conquer. Sorting will take a good little while, but as soon as I have the cards sorted, I'll post the results. Then, the post-season trading can begin.  Before that though, how about a pack of 1994 Fleer Ultra Series II:

Orel Hershiser - Dodgers
Damon Easley - Angels
Ryan Klesko - Braves
Bill Pulsipher - Mets
Rich Becker - Twins
Checklist #600
Turner Ward - Brewers
Pete Smith - Mets
Wayne Gomes - Phillies
Keith Lockhart - Padres
Michael Turner - Royals
Ricky Bones - Brewers
Bobby Munoz - Phillies
Fred McGriff - Braves - Ultra All-Star

I am pretty sure I have spelled Pulsipher's name about 10 different ways during the season. My apologies if that's the case.  The Crime Dog card is pretty slick.