Friday, August 31, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 149 - Opening Day Omar

Yeah, I really need to get back to postig these in the morning. The whole late-night thing just isn't working for me. :-)

Ah well, thanks for playing along with me as we've worked our way through 148 days of pack-busting goodness!  Now, on Day 149, we've got a pack of 2004 Topps Opening Day:

Omar Vizquel - Indians - WAHOO!!
Todd Helton - Rockies
Corey Patterson - Cubs
Alex Gonzalez - Cubs
Jimmy Rollins - Phillies
Hideo Nomo - Dodgers
Work Hard, Get Cards Promo

Awesome Indians pull, and I think we've seen it before. Hmm, I did a quick search and came up empty. I thik that is just a search issue. I really thing I've seen this one before on here. Ah well, we pulled some other nice cards, including a pair of Cubbies.


Thursday, August 30, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 148 - Cubs, Cubs, Cubs

Here it is, a late Thursday night as the leftovers of Isaac soak the world outside my front door.  We haven't had much in the way of thunder or lightning here, just a soft soaking rain.  It's been nice.

If we were playing baseball, the gam probably would have been called by now - rain delay.

Here, however, the packs are high and dry and ready to be busted open.  We've got a pack of 1994 Fleer Ultra Series II:

Phil Geisler - Phillies
Derrick May - Cubs
Rick White - Pirates
Otis Nixon - Red Sox
James Baldwin - White Sox
Shawon Dunston - Cubs
Marvin Freeman - Rockies
Mariana Duncan - Phillies
John Burkett - Giants
Wes Weger - Brewers
Terry Mulholland - Yankees
Jose Canseco - Rangers
Steve Soderstrom - Giants
Ryne Sandberg - Cubs - 1994 All-Star Team

Well, we didn't pull anyone named after the storm that tore up the coast, but we came up some very cool cards.  Of course, this late pack-busting means photos will be posted later on Friday.


Wednesday, August 29, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 147 - Triplicates in One Pack!?

No long intros on this one, folks. We're jumping in and busting open a pack of 1997 Pinnacle Hobby:

Tim Belcher - Royals
Dmitri Young - Cardinals
Neifi Perez - Rockies
Jamey Wright - Rockies
Darin Erstad - Angels
Jim Thome - Indians - WAHOO!! Thome!!
Brian Jordan - Cardinals
Brian Jordan - Cardinals
Greg Myers - Twins
Brian Jordan - Cardinals

Okay, seriously!? THREE Brian Jordans??  The pack was sealed so far as I could tell. That's just not right, man.  Well, at least we pulled a Thome in an Indians uniform!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 146 - Attax! Attax!

Prayers and positive thoughts go out to the folks along the coast tonight as Isaac makes landfall. It's times like these that some of us step back and realize that, in the scheme of things, our posts are very minor compared to nature's wrath.

Having said that, I have no regrets in continuing my journey through a pack a day for every day during the regular baseball season.  I've mentioned it before, but I already have some ideas for next year's "182 Packs" (Er, or however many days there between Opening Day and the last out of the regular season next year).  I am thinking of doing something akin to a "fantasy baseball" program.  That is, each week, folks will pick one player to add to their "team."  Folks will be allowed to add unclaimed previously revealed players, and each participant will get ALL the cards of their players - dupes and all.  I think it will be fun.

As for this season, I've had a lot of fun breaking open packs from all different years and brands.  i think many of us have discovered cards we have never seen before. To me, THAT is what this hobby habit is all about.

Furthering our habit, I've got a pack of 2011 Topps Attax!

Placido Polanco - Phillies
Brian McCann - Braves - Foil Insert
Carlos Marmol - Cubs
Robinson Cano - Yankees
Rafael Furcal - Dodgers
Vladimir Guerrero - Orioles

We started with the alliteration of Phillies' Player Placido Polanco, found a shiny McCann, and rounded things off with a little bit of Vlad. How can it better than that? Oh, I don't know... How about ANOTHER PACK of 2009 Attax!? You got it:

Nelson Cruz - Rangers
Miguel Cabrera - Tigers
Josh Johnson - Marlins
Elvis Andrus - Rangers
Buster Posey - Giants
Hideki Matsui - A's

No inserts, but two Rangers in one pack of Attax. How about that? 

*I'll post pics on Wednesday. After a rough evening of repairing the oven wiring, cooking supper for the family, and much-needed family time, I am wiped out. Sure, I don't have to tell you this, but I do it anyway. Like buying a lottery ticket expecting to win...or something.

Monday, August 27, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 145 - The Power of 5

Isaac is all the news these days.  Where will it hit? How bad will it be? How much rain will we get? Well, I don't have the answers to those questions. The one question I can answer: What are we busting open?

Tonight, I've got a pack of 2009 Upper Deck X:

Hmm, the top of the pack was not sealed. Well, it was partially sealed. Let's see if this repack pack is a bust...

Dan Uggla - Marlins
Russell Martin - Dodgers
Tim Lincecum - Giants - Die Cut
Ichiro - Mariners - X5-ponential
Brandon Phillips - Reds
Nate McLouth - Pirates

Wow! That Ichiro is one rockin' card! Add a Tim die-cut in there and I'd say the person that opted NOT to finish opening the pack lost out.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 144 - Twice the Kemp

The 1952 Topps set features Ed Blake on card #144.  In 1962, Topps created a card to commemorate Babe Ruth's farewell speech.  It was card #144.  In the 2012 collection, the number 144 shows off the guy everyone is talking about these days: Mike Trout. Over the years, Indians have been pictured on Topps card #144 as well: 1957 Ray Narleski, 1989 Jay Bell, 1990 Bud Black, 2007 Cliff Lee, 2007 A&G Manny Acta, 2011 Diamond Cut Grady Sizemore, to name a few...

What will Day 144 hold in store for us?  Let's find out:

Well, it ain't Topps: 2009 UD Series 1

Time Wakefield - Red Sox
John Smoltz - Braves
Jim Thome - White Sox
Jay Bruce - Reds
Gil Meche - Royals
Magglio Ordonez - Tigers
Jack Cust, Dana Eveland, Kurt Suzuki - A's - Team Leaders
CC Sabathia - Brewers - Team Checklist
Matt Kemp - Dodgers - 1975 Topps, er O-Pee-Chee, Retro
Chad Billingsley, Matt Kemp, James Loney - Dodgers - Team Leaders
UpperDeckU.com promo card
Chris Lambert - Tigers
Tim Redding, Christian Guzman, Lastings Milledge - Nationals - Team Leaders
Pat Neshek - Twins
Brian Schneider - Mets
Ben Sheets - Brewers
Tim Lincecum - Giants
Wladimir Balentien - Mariners
Michael Young - Rangers

Saturday, August 25, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 143 - Yankee among Red Sox

Hey there, folks! Come on in, grab a beverage and take a seat.  Gather 'round for tonight's pack-bustin' fiesta!  We've got snacks and plenty of seating available.  Right now, the only we don't have are packs of cards.  So, let's take care of that right now!

Reaching into the big ol' box of packs, it looks like we are busting some 2008 SP Baseball:

 David Ortiz - Red Sox
Lou Pinella - Yankees - Stadium Legacy
Daisuke Matsuzaka - Red Sox
Justin Verlander - Tigers
Brian Roberts - Orioles

Two Red Sox cards in a pack of five. Did every pack of SP have Stadium Legacy? I have no idea. The sad part is that this pack only has five cards in it. Card collectors should unite and boycott all packs with less than 10 cards. Hahahaha! Yeah, right. Even *I* wouldn't boycott.  The truth is, we collect these bits of cardboard at all kinds ofprice levels in all kinds of pack arrangements. It's the nature of our addiction. Don't forget to tip the waiter.

Cards from across the pond

JackPlumstead, as many of you know him best, sent an email a while ago, asking if I would like to have some cards.  Naturally, I took him up on the offer!  I am putting a package to send to him of some Red Sox cards.  When I got home the other day, the package had arrived!

The bubbleope was full of cards!  I am scanning a sampling of them, but I took a picture of all them just so you can see the variation and quantity! WOW!






Some of the cards are already in my collection, but there are several in here (like the Metal Fusion Lofton and the Niekro, for example) that I don't think I've seen before.  Of course, with 10,000+ Indians cards, it's easy to not recognize some, right?

THANK YOU, John!! These were great to go through and I can't wait to see which ones are added to the Tribecards Collection!

Takin names and haulin' wax

I recently took part in Thorzul's "Mondo Break" - choosing the Indians, of course.  Prices were set based on the team you selected, or more specifically the number of cards you would get. Buyers did not know the number of cards ahead of time.  I think I made out pretty well, overall.

First up, a Rocky Covalito game-used bat and two Vizquel bat cards.  I've gone through tons of the Vizquel cards. In fact, I probably have duplicates in my Indians giveaway box now. Well, I do now for sure - Haha! 


Next up, two Thome swatches: one #'d to 800, the other #'d to 400.  I am sending the #/400 to Baseball Dad under an arranged agreement.  Namely, he asked for it and I said he could have it. Haha!


Now, these two next cards were not part of the Mondo break, but rather were extras that Thorzul was giving away. I am a Penguins fan and thought the Crosby would be cool to have for a while (until it makes its way into some future contest/giveaway) and the cereal checklist was just a fun thing to have.  Of course, what makes it special is the "1st Annual Collectors' Edition" on the back. Why? There is no such thing as "1st Annual."  It is either the 1st *OR* you've done it more than once, thus "Annual."  Sure, it's a matter of semantics, but one that has always tweaked a particular nerve.


Thanks, Thorzul! That was fun.

Friday, August 24, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 142 - Yount Mann, Dawg

It's Friday night as this post finds its way to the Interwebs.  There is a good chance that most folks are watching football, catching a baseball game on the tube, or are generally doing something else - other than reading the random rantings of a pack-a-day blogger.

But, if you've come along for the ride, thanks!  Let's dig in and see what a pack of 1991 Studio brings us:

Hank Aaron - Braves - Puzzle 4, 5, 6
Robin Yount - Brewers
Bobby Witt - Rangers
Steve Finley - Astros
Mike LaValliere - Pirates
Kelly Mann - Braves
Andres Galarraga - Expos
Fred McGriff - Padres
Hal Morris - Reds
Mickey Morandini - Phillies
Turner Ward - Blue Jays

Nice mix of teams here, and we pulled a Crime Dog to boot. Nice.  Anytime we can pull Yount out of a pack, it's a good day.  Scans will be posted on Saturday, most likely.  Hope I was able to get something for you if you are signed up!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 141 - Gettin Campy

Julio Franco and Casey Blake were born on this day. Both are former Tribers. There is a chance that either of them could be pulled from any given pack of cards in our break. So far as I have been able to determine (that is, I did a quick search), we have not encountered either fellow during our season-long pack break.

Anyone want to hedge bets? I'm betting we won't find any here either. And, for the record, I have not even reached into the box yet... Drum roll please... Wait, why are we rolling drums, anyway?

2010 Topps Update Series

Albert Pujols - Cardinals - All-Star
JA Happ - Astros
Shaun Marcum - Blue Jays
Mike Leake - Reds
Corey Patterson - Orioles
Torii Hunter - Angels - All-Star
Albert Pujols - Cardinals/Ryan Braun - Brewers - All-stars
Chris Young - Diamondbacks - HR Derby
Justin Verlander - Tigers - All-star
Roy Campanella - Dodgers - Turkey Red
Thuman Munson - Yankees - Vintage Legends
Austin Jacksono - Tigers - Topps Attax

Well, no Blake and certainly no Franco, but man what a group of cards and players here! Love the Turkey Red insert and the retro Munson card is nice, too.  The selection of players worked out pretty well, I'd say.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 140 - A Trip to the Museum

We're only 42 days away from the end of the regular baseball season. Boy, the season has flown by quickly!  And, lucky for us, we've had a TON of packs opened during that time.

Today, we're looking at 1997 Pinnacle Hobby New. We've seen plenty of these before. Now, let's see if we're pulling singles, doubles, or something more:

John Smoltz - Braves
Cal Ripken Jr - Orioles - Museum Collection
John Jaha - Brewers
Scott Spiezio - A's
Alex Fernandez - Marlins
Sammy Sosa - Cubs
Tino Martinez - Yankees
Chuck Finley - Angels
Mark Grudzielanek - Expos
Kenny Lofton - Braves

Okay, the Ripken is AWESOME!  We started with Braves and ended with Braves. That's kinda cool. But, seriously, that Ripken is killer!



Tuesday, August 21, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 139 - Road Trip

I am spending the night in Conway, AR, for back-to-back work-related meetings.  While I chill out in the hotel room, I thought it would be fun to snag a pack of cards to bust open while on the road.  Let's see if the pack-busting fares any better (or worse) on the road than when at home.

I picked a pack of 2012 Topps Series 2 Golden Giveaway from Target:

Carlos Gonzalez - Rockies
Carlos Zambrano - Marlins
Alex Rodriguez - Yankees
Garrett Richards - Angels
Joe Savery - Phillies
Sandy Koufax - Dodgers - A Cut Above
Josh Tomlin - Indians - WAHOO!! - Red Border
Juan Abreu - Astros
Brandon Dickson - Cardinals
Derek Lowe - Indians - WAHOO! That's TWO!
Gavin Floyd - White Sox
Zach Britton - Orioles

Well, I was getting worried when the first two cards featured "Carlos" - maybe the whole pack was a special "Carlos" edition. Instead, I pull a VERY cool Koufax die cut, a red border Triber and another Indians card for good measure.  I'm tempted to go back and buy another pack or two or ten...  Tempted, but not giving in. I don't have money falling out my pockets for that kind of thing. Maybe one day.  The road trip was certainly a success in my book!

Monday, August 20, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 138 - School is in session

I don't know what day of the year school starts in your neck of the woods, but around here, it started today. I drove my daughter to her first day of Middle School.  My son drove himself to his first day of his senior year.  It is hard to believe that my eldest just finished his last first day of high school.  I am looking forward to him playing on the baseball team again this year, and he should letter this year (I hope!), which is very exciting!  I was not a "sports person" in school.  It's been fun to watch him grow into a well-rounded young man - computers, sports, girls, gaming, academics, etc.

In honor of it being the first day of school, I am opening a pack of 2006 Topps Opening Day.  Sure, I just did one of these the other day, but I have plenty to go around:

Roger Clemens - Astros
Carlos Lee - Brewers
Robinson Cano - Yankees
Jason Giambi - Yankees
Cliff Floyd - Mets
Bobby Abreu - Phillies
Andruw Jones - Braves - SI Kids
Work Hard, Get Cards promo

Unfortunately, the "Home Team Advantage - Topps of the Class" program died out.  I'd love to see Topps give away cards for good grades again.  Of course, with so many hobby shops shutting their doors, it would be hard for some kids to ever cash in.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 137 - Back-back-back

I figured I would squeeze tonight's post in before the Steelers come on TV for tonight's pre-season football action.  As it turns out, we are cranking up the "Way Back" machine and are busting open a pack now considered "vintage" (assuming the 20-year age is enough to deem the pack vintage).  This one is actually 22* years old - 1990 Score.  Wow. Let's take a trip down memory lane:

Todd Burns - A's
Brook Jacoby - Indians - WAHOO!!
Dick Scholfield - Angels
Rex Hudler - Expos
 John Franco - Reds
Guillermo Hernandez - Tigers
Carl Hubbell - Giants - Magic Motion - 1936 NL MVPs
Brent Mayne - Royals
Joey Meyer - Brewers
Greg Matthews - Cardinals
Kelly Downs - Giants
Barry Larkin - Reds
Mark Grace - Cubs
John Costello - Cardinals
Blaine Beatty - Mets
Mike Roesler - Reds
Dave Eiland - Yankees

Well, we certainly, er scored, with some of these guys! An Indian is always a great pull in my book.  We have several Reds and a couple Cardinals in there, too - including one Barry Larkin. Nice! 

*Er, thanks, Cap'n! I had done the math correctly. I just can't type correctly.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 136 - No Chromium Here

Tonight's pack of cards comes to us from 2006.  it is a 2006 Topps Opening Day.  Now, before we get too far, I just want to say that I think Panini gave up way too easily. Come on - Chromium vs Chrome!? Sorry, Topps, you shouldn't be allowed to bully your way into this win.  Panini needs to grow a backbone and defend its right to use product names that are not currently trademarked, regardless of how "closely" they sound to another product.  No one is going to confuse Panini Chromium with Topps Chrome.  It is times like this that I wish UD had done the whole "hostile takeover" over Topps when Topps was falling on its butt.  Then again, that's just my two cents.

And, as it happens, tonight *IS* a Topps product.

Ichiro - Mariners
Jason Botts - Rangers
Torii Hunter - Twins
Francisco Liriano - Twins
Carlos Delgado - Mets
Paul McAnulty - Padres
Chance to Win code card
Julio Lugo - Blue Jays - SI for Kids insert
Work Hard, Get Cards promo

Yeesh, two promo cards in one pack. Maybe it is just my old eyes, but the blue foil on black background sure makes it hard to read player names. That is ugly.

Friday, August 17, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 135 - A Serial!

Ah... Here we are again: a Friday edition of "182 Packs."  Here's the fun news: I bought my wife some brushes to help her, the Principal, and some other teachers do some cool painting at the elementary school where she works.  I picked up some re-packs of baseball cards.  That means more variety (and/or more duplicate potential)!

Tonight, I've got a pack of 2006 Upper Deck Update.  I don't know if I have seen these before or not. Guess I'll find out:

Joe Maddon - Rays
Kevin Thompson - Yankees
John Hattig - Blue Jays
Fabio Castro - Phillies
Dustin Moseley - Angels
Ronny Cedeno - Cubs
Ben Zobrist - Rays - Serial 18/99
Alfonso Soriano - Nationals Checklist

Ah, yes, now I remember the '06 UD set... It appears the Zobrist is a gold card, maybe? Hard to tell in the light I have (kinda dim, in the living room).  Speaking of light, I will post pictures on Saturday because the lighting is just not good enough. And, it's late. Well, mostly the lighting. Where was I? Ah, yes. I do like these because they are borderless. I am a fan of using the whole card.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 134 - What a CARD

What are the chances that your favorite team is going to the playoffs this season?  For me, both Cleveland and Pittsburgh are falling further and further behind. It is not looking good. Though, it looks like the Bucs have a better chance than my beloved Tribe. It could happen, though... Right?

Well, regardless, we've got wax to open up and gawk at (yeah, I ended with a preposition. I'm a rebel).  Tonight, how'd you like to peek at some 2008 UD X?

Aramis Ramirez - Cubs
Russell Martin - Dodgers
Erik Bedard - Mariners

Dan Haren - Diamondbacks
Albert Pujols - Cardinals - X-Ponential
Vernon Wells - Blue Jays - Die Cut

Okay, that Pujols is simply amazing! Wow, what a card!  The Wells card is also a very nice Die Cut specimen.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 133 - Ethier Way, We Win

Ah, we have reached yet the end of another day.  On this day, some got to witness yet another Perfect Game. Is it me, or are those actually gaining in number recently?  Why is that, do you suppose?

Well, while you ponder that, take a look at today's pack: 2011 Topps Attax

Andre Ethier - Dodgers
Brian McCann - Braves
Phil Hughes - Yankees
Ichiro Suzuki - Mariners
Colby Rasmus - Cardinals
Ian Stewart - Rockies

Well, this pack spans the country. That's always a fun little thing to see develop.  I'm not sure if we've seen doubles here, but some of you will walk away happy with this one.

And, remember: You can get your name/blog/twitter handle/business on a group of girls' cheer shirts:
http://www.tribecards.net/2012/08/get-your-nameblog-on-my-daughters-cheer.html

Yes, I'm promoting that - it is *MY* daughter, after all. :-)

Get your name/blog on my daughter's cheer shirt!


My daughter is in Cheer Team this year, and she is having a fundraiser.  I thought it would be fun to post on here and see if I could help her raise money while you benefit as well!

Here's the deal: She is raising money that goes into her account to be used for fees, shows, etc.  There are about 30 girls that are participating.  For a $25 donation, you get your name/blog/whatever (keep it clean, of course) on *ALL 30* of their warmup shirts plus on any parent shirts! DEADLINE is September 11, 2012.

If you are interested, send a PERSONAL GIFT through PayPal of $25 to davidinark (at) yahoo *dot* com.  In the message, be sure to tell me how you want your name/blog/whatever to appear.  Remember, even though you would be sponsoring my daughter, your name/blog/whatever will go on EACH girl's shirt!

I will keep a running tally and post it ... somewhere.. on Tribecards.net - probably in the right column.

Note: the ENTIRE $25 goes to her. I am not taking anything. I'd just like to get our names/blogs out there and see if we can fill the shirts with names! Remember, the deadline is September 11, 2012!

Thanks to everyone that can participate and to those who can't give but like to read along. :-)

*The official handout/announcement from her Cheer Program follows:

Dear Friend of SAGA,
  The Southwest Arkansas Gymnastics Academy (SAGA) All Star Cheerleaders have begun their 2012-2013 competition season. These dedicated cheerleaders spend long hours in the gym during the week preparing for competition season. The SAGA All Star Booster Club is seeking sponsors to assist the girls in raising funds for uniforms, competition fees and travel expenses.
  We are asking for a minimum of a $25.00 sponsorship. This will enable your company or individual names to be printed on our t-shirts.  Team t-shirts are worn by the athletes and parents to all events, both local and across the state and serve as great advertisement. 
(Individual team member names withheld here for privacy, but the handout lists the girl's names)
  Can we count on you as a sponsor for our team? If you have already met your contribution limit this year, please keep us in mind for next year. Thank you! 
Sincerely,
Karen Blackwell, Owner.
James Hubbard, Level 1 Head Coach
Lorenn McJunkins, Level 1 Head Coach
Corbin Hubbard, Level 1 Assistant Coach


Tribecards wRappers - the Lost Season

I haven't posted about the Tribecards wRappers, my fantasy baseball team on Yahoo, in a long while. In fact, I am not even sure I posted about them at all this season. In reality, I forgot all about them. It shows. My team is in 5th place. Oh sure, that might sound good until you learn we have 6 teams in the league this season.

I have no excuse, as their manager, for neglecting my team. I just forgot I was even in fantasy baseball this year.  Of course, leaving them alone for most of the season has resulted in pretty much the same standings as when I actively participate, so that says a lot right there!

I probably won't be invited back next season, but if I am, I pledge to be a better manager. "Pledge" is a strong word. Let's go with "will consider trying" instead. I don't want to raise their hopes up too high.

Oh, the local news station asked what I would buy first if I won $320M in the PowerBall.  Though I would pay bills first, my first actual purchase: Indians Baseball Fantasy Camp next year. No contest.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 132 - Head for the Rockies

Well, for those keeping score, I managed to skirt into the AutoZone just before closing and got a new battery for my car.  The crazy people at Dodge put the battery in the trunk of the Charger, and on top of that, they require you to use a big honkin' battery regardless of which version you have. I have an SXT without all the DVD, NAV, etc. But, I still had to buy the big ol' nasty battery. Oh well, I am just thankful I was able to get the problem solved.

What I didn't say yesterday was that I had an opened blaster of 2012 A&G in my car! I sure wouldn't want anyone to steal the "material" card I got... Bobby Knight. Yeesh. (Insert eyeroll here)

Well, tonight, I am ripping into a pack of 2007 Upper Deck Series Two:

Kevin Youkilis - Red Sox
Dave Roberts - Giants
Fernando Rodney - Mets
Damaso Marte - Pirates
Alex Gordon - Royals - Checklist
Kelvin Jimenez - Cardinals
Ramon Ramirez - Rockies
Jeremy Affeldt - Rockies

Kevin Youkilis does not look like Kevin Youkilis to me.  The first two cards out of the pack both feature the players signing autographs. Very nice touch.

Monday, August 13, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 131 - Buckle This

My Monday ended with my car not starting in the parking lot of where I work. I am pretty sure it is a dead battery. Should be fun later this evening (Monday evening) when the family takes a little trip back there to try and jump it off (the first time I tried, it wouldn't jump and I think it is because I tried at the stupid little posts under the hood instead of the actual battery - the joys of owning a Charger).

None of this has anything to do with baseball cards. I'm rambling for no good reason, other than to hear myself type (is that the new way to say "hear myself talk?" I wonder).

Tonight I've got a pack of 2007 Tristar Prospects Plus.  Your guess is as good as mine.

Devin Mesoraco - Reds
Yung Chi Chen - (Seattle?)
Matt Dominguez - Marlins
Jeff Larish - Tigers
Chris Withrow - Dodgers
Sam Runion - Royals

Well, they are shiny... Er, congrats? Side note: Every time my scanner says, "Preparing to Scan," I can't help think of SpaceBalls... "Ehhh, buckle this!"

Sunday, August 12, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 130 - Ramblin' Man

Is this the end of the week or the beginning of the week? I have come to believe that Sunday, for me, serves as the last day of the week.  I say that because Monday starts my work week and I end my week with Saturday and Sunday.  i suppose in the scheme of things, it doesn't really matter - after all, everything just kinda runs together when looking at life day-to-day, week-to-week.

Where things do NOT run together, however, are sports. Football has started (pre-season anyway) and the Olympics are ending (er, have ended, actually. In America, NBC has us on dely so we still FEEL as though the Olys are still happening).  The baseball season is quickly running out of time for certain teams to DO SOMETHING and move up in the standings. I think those teams know who they are.

Though we are still a ways from the end, that looming final day creeps closer and closer.  It is a bittersweet event: I will be done opening packs, but participants will be eager to make trades and reap their rewards.  And, THAT is what brings us to today's break: A pack of 2004 Topps Opening Day.

Before I get started, though, I just realized something. These were 99 cents when released. I bought them from a 20-pack re-pack for $19.99. That is essentially a break-even pack. I haven't decided if that is a good thing or a "rip off" of sorts. Other packs in the re-pack were originally $1.49, $1.99 or more.  Who cares, right? You just want to see the goods. I know.

Pedro Martinez - Red Sox
Aaron Boone - Yankees
Scott Podsednik - Brewers
 Kerry Wood - Cubs
Sammy Sosa - Cubs
Shawn Green - Dodgers
"Work Hard, Get Cards" promo card

Two Cubbies in a 6-pack of cards. Yeesh. Of course, if I were a Cubs fan, this would have been a nice pack to bust, pulling Wood and Sosa!  I like the grey border these have - it sets them apart with more just the addition of an "Opening Day" logo.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

182 Packs of Baseball - Day 129 - Not-So-PeeChee

Dunno if it was spending the bulk of the afternoon outside at my daughter's Cheering exhibition or just not keep hydrated or what, but this pack-breaker is having a rough go of it. 

Here is tonight's pack - no frills, and no pics. 2009 O-Pee-Chee:

Albert Pujols - Cardinals
Brandon Backe - Astros
Adrian Beltre - Mariners - Award Show Gold Glove
Dioner Navaro - Rays - Black
Grady Sizemore - Indians - Moments - July 31, 2008
Edgar Renteria - Giants



i will post pics when i can. these are cool cards.