Panini Prescott Recall "Missing" Cards... DUH!

So, Panini issues a statement about the fake/autopenned Dak Prescott autographs. But, the statement simply talks about the recalls and that they will continue the contract with Prescott. Wow, how nice it is to have a monopoly on a franchise such that you can take part in fraud and simply brush it away as if it were nothing. Kudos, Panini.

In the meantime, the statement also says that Panini is having trouble locating some of the recalled cards. Of course they are. Twitter is abuzz with talk of people keeping the autopenned versions because they will sell them off later for huge profit. Yeah, I called that one back when this whole thing started.

Remember, in the end: We, the hobby collective, don't REALLY care...

https://blog.paniniamerica.net/2017/07/07/panini-america-and-dak-prescott-issue-statement/

Dak Prescott Autopen: We don't REALLY care...

In case you've missed it, there is a huge controversy regarding the alleged use of autopens on Panini's Dak Prescott cards. Autopenning is the use of machines to reproduce a signature. Sometimes, the signer holds one pen while a slew of machines hold additional pens, such that the autograph is instantly replicated as the original is being signed. Other times, a pen follows an existing signature while replicating the signature onto a slew of other cards. Either way, the player does not actually "sign" the additional cards. It's a practice seen off and on in the cardboard world over the decades.

Why it won't matter: We, the hobby collective, don't really care. Oh, we care. At first. Right now, it's a hot topic and many folks in the hobby are steaming mad about it. Panini has even issued recalls on the cards so as to try and get the back, presumably to be destroyed. But, really, when all the dust settles, it means those autopenned cards that collectors held on to will be worth even more now. Why? Because there will be fewer available. And, we, the hobby collective, don't really care.

Why it won't matter: We, the hobby collective, want autographs (not me, frankly. I mean, autos are cool, I guess, but I've never been goo-goo gah-gah over them). We want autos and we will continue to collect autos, regardless of how those were produced, obtained, and/or distributed. Ever since the beginning of collecting, autographs of the players and people we cheer have been highly sought. In the old days, it was more difficult to get autos of your favorites because you either had to get to the game itself or know someone that knew someone who knew someone that was going and would not only try to get the auto for you but then actually give it to you once they got it. Or, you had to hope a card show was coming close to your town and that your faves would be there. Autos by mail took off in the 70's and 80's. In the 90's, card companies started having players sign stuff you could actually get in packs. And we, the hobby collective, loved them for it. Allegations of autopens, having others sign the cards (*cough* Shaq *cough*) instead of the actual players, and other controversies flared up. But, in the end, it didn't matter. Why? We, the hobby collective, don't really care.

Point all the fingers you want - at Prescott, at Panini, at MLBPA, at whomever - but, in the end, the real blame lies on us, the hobby collective. We will still seek autos. We will pay premiums for faked autos BECAUSE they are fakes. We will pay premiums because in the end, we don't really care.

Various sources:
http://www.sportscardradio.com/dak-prescott-panini-prizm-autopen-scandal/
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1129371
http://www.beckett.com/news/dak-prescott-autographs-recalled-by-panini/

For the Love of Cardboard #thehobby #collecting

It happened. I never thought it would, and it didn't take long. I heard the call.

The truth is ever since I hung up the keyboard around here, I've felt the pangs of separation. The Hobby kept calling like the siren that it is. I kept ignoring it. Then, a funny thing happened. Well, a couple funny things, really.

First, I ended up in a Crackin Wax charity break (er, I think that's what it was, I'm afraid my memory fails me as I type this) in which I scored some rather nice Bowman Chrome and some Topps 2016 cards. I knew then I would have to make a post about them. I fought it as long as I could, but as you see, obviously, I gave in.

Second, this crazy blog has gained a readership I never would have expected. I am blown away by the number of folks that have come by since my retirement from writing here. Several of you have taken the time to reach out to me and I cannot tell you how much I have appreciated that over the past few months.

The past few months... Frankly, it feels like I quit several years ago. The time away from sharing cards and stories about cards has felt like several seasons have passed and yet, really, I didn't even make it to the start of the new season. The call, the pull, the siren song is just too great.

I don't know what my posting schedule will be or what the content will be. Okay, that's not true. We all know that the content will focus on Indians baseball cards. As for the other stuff (Pack-A-Daily, etc), I cannot say. Like coming back into any relationship, we're taking things slowly, cautiously.

The Hobby is a sweet, seductive songstress, whose clutches often leave the victim with much less money than when s/he started and, all too often, with that money vested in bits of cardboard worth much less than the amount spent. That's not really what it's about though. There are mutual friends, surprises, cherished memories, and the promise of memories yet to come. And, that, my friends, is why I have dusted off the keyboard and pulled the rubber band off the bits of cardboard.

Today, we start Tribecards 2.0. Welcome Home.

FTC - My Collection Has Some Balls

Some of you know that I generally do not collect things other than baseball cards. By "generally," I mean I used to ONLY collect baseball cards and now that has been growing into a "general" collection of baseball (or Steelers) items. One such example is featured here: my balls.  Oh, I know what you're thinking... Yes, my balls are not to be played with. I keep them safely nestled in their protective coverings.

Okay, okay, enough entendre. Let's get serious about the balls I have in my collection. Yeah, sorry, no matter how hard one tries, it all goes back to sounding like a 12-year old.

The upper-left auto is clearly spelled out: Cory Snyder. Snyder is certainly one of Cleveland's "Fan Favorites." He played for the Indians longer than any other team during his career (5 seasons). If I ever finish my "Top Indians by Uniform Number" project started many moons ago, Snyder would certainly be in the top running for uni # 28. I have no idea how Snyder's signed ball made its way to my collection. I will assume it was a gift.

Next, we have Mickey Mouse, obtained by taking the family to Disney World back in 2009. My plan was to have The Jake surrounding him so that it looked like he was at the stadium. But, when I wrapped the printout facing inward (so you could see it behind him), you couldn't see it behind him. So, I wrapped it facing outward. Still not a fan of the look, so I will eventually come up with something.

On the lower-left, we have Ken Howell. He played for the Dodgers then Phillies from 1984 through 1990. He was still on the Phillies roster through 1992 but did not play due to injury. In 1985, he pitched 2 innings with 2 strikeouts in the NLCS. The ball was given to me by a co-worker (as was the far-right, which we will discuss in a moment) who had it at her house and no longer wanted it. I gladly accepted it to add to my collection.

The middle-bottom is signed by Michael Aubrey. Aubrey played with the Indians as a first baseman in 2008. The ball was busted out of a Tristar Hidden Treasures autograph baseball pack circa 2006 or so. If memory serves, it was the first (and so far only) "baseball in a pack" item I ever opened. I would guess that the COA is somewhere, but it is not with the ball itself. Knowing my penchant for tossing anything that "certifies" an object as being real, I probably threw it away. Back in 2008, I wrote a post about setting a couple graded cards "free" from their captivity (linked below).

The last signed baseball I own also comes from my co-worker. It is autographed by Pat Combs. Combs played his entire ML career with the Phillies. In fact, the whole idea for this post came when I read a post on Capewood's Collections in which Night Owl sent a Pat Combs card in the trade. According to my co-worker, both of the autographed balls she gave me were signed in person and had belonged to her son at one point, but he no longer collects.

As you can see, I've got some balls. But, not too much. Thanks for stopping by!

Setting them free: 

http://www.tribecards.net/2008/05/setting-cards-free.html

As we wait for the draft: PAWS!

By popular demand, here is the PAWS Autographed card!

I am compiling and running this week's draft, and that will be posted in the near future!

Bowman Chrome Redemption WIN

Not long ago, I received my take from the "Cardboard Problem" Bowman Chrome break.  One of the items I won was an autographed Kipnis.  I logged in to Topps and entered the code, then was told it would be 6-8 weeks, or maybe 14 weeks. I don't remember now.

In any case, the card arrived already in the mail today! Wahoo!  I like these sig-on-card autos, though this specific auto has much left to be desired.  I have no idea if the name on the card is really Kipnis' or not.  You just can't make out his chicken scratch.  Granted, after 500 of these, I'd be a bit a worn out, too.  But, mine is numbered 097/500, so he wasn't even 20% of the way through the stack when he did this one.  That means he signs his name this way.  Really?  Ah well, at least it is a cool card and an auto of a Triber. And, I got it pretty dang fast:-)

I'm Redeemed in the Choo Crew

Some time ago, I received my "loot" from the Cardboard Problem T206 break.  One of my items was a redemption for an autographed Shin-Soo Choo card.  According to the site, I would receive the card no later than December 21, 2010.  They were right!  It came in the mail *today!* Wahoo!

Mojo Mondays

Is it "mojo" when you acquire autographed cards that you are not 100% sure whether or not the autograph is legit?  Sure, why not!  Besides, I know at least *one* is certified real.  These cards were most likely a part of an Indians lot (or lots) that I bought at one time or another.  I do not collect autographs, generally*, and the unverified autos actually appear twice in my database: once as an 'auto' and once as their un-auto'ed counterpart.  If memory serves, these are the *only* cards to appear as "doubles" in my collection.

The Old Judge Giles is a great card from before Brian became "Brian Giles" the player on the hot list of his heydays (late 90's early 2k's).  I think it was probably one of my first authenticated autographs.  I kept it because I got it when he was an Indians player, even though he was not in a Tribe uni.  I guess sometimes, I appear to know what I'm doing.

*On autographs - I am about to launch something of an experiment in TTM.  Just keep reading.  I'll probably start this coming weekend and see how it goes.

A Little Mojo - Mojo Mondays?

Perhaps I should start a new, regular feature called "Mojo Mondays" around here. Or, maybe not. Who knows.  All I know is that I thought I'd throw in something a bit more current than I have been, and why not start with some autos and game-used?

I thought "Pack Wars" was a great idea.  Then again, I also liked "Cop Rock," so what does that say about me?  In any case, having a CC sig and a Boone sig is worth a few notes to sing about.  Add to that a Pronk patch, a CC clipping, and an On-My-Goodness Omar PRIME patch card and we are heading for full-on choral outbreak.  Okay, okay, enough singing references.  The Omar patch is pretty sweet though, if I do say so myself.

And then, how about some lumber signed by Blyleven!  Yeah, I know, I find it weird that they had him sign a piece of wood.  I mean, a ball, sure. But, wood? As in a bat? What you may not know is that over the course of his 22 years in the Bigs, he had a .131 overall batting average.  Wait... Okay, okay, he had a .144 on-base percentage.  Er, uh, umm... Okay, well, he had a .146 slugging percentage.  Okay, why did he sign a bat? I have no idea.  Now, Mr. Carter, on the other hand deserves to have his bats in cards! Sweet.  I also like the Team Trios card featuring a bat and two swatches.  The layout is simple, but effective.

Now, you may be asking yourself, "What about that Doby card? How does that fit into this page?"  I was asking myself the same thing.  All I can say is that if you're looking for "mojo," Doby's not a bad place to look.