Gint-A-Cuffs II, Pack 01

First of all, I do not plan on posting each pack separately.  Unless that's how we're supposed to do it. I really have no idea.  I also have a feeling I am going to royally mess up my points.  I'm sure someone will be there to correct me when (no bother saying "if" here) I do mess up.  I appreciate any clarification afforded me in this endeavor.

The first "pack" is actually an N43 card.  Is it a boxloader? I have no idea. It's in the box and it's loaded on top. I'm going with "yes" on that one.  According to the rules, I get... +5 for it.  It's a BJ Upton, who is not on any favorites list, so I get 5 points.  Right?  I hope so. 

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I'll post scans of the cards at some point, but frankly, holding them in front of the built-in camera is way more convenient.  So, here we go with the first pack out of the box:

Carlos Quentin (White Sox) 0 points (5 total)
Hoard & Rory (Frisbee Dog) 0 points (5 total)
Zach Duke (Pirates) 0 points (5 total)
Jake Peavy (White Sox) 0 points (5 total)
--I think I got Steve's box...
Josh Beckett (Red Sox) 0 points (5 total)
Carlos Zambrano (Cubs) -1 point (4 total)
--D'OH! How'd *THAT* get in there!?

Derek Jeter mini Celestial Stars (Yankees) +5 Mini Favorite Player ??Celestial Star Mini (~9 total)
--WOW! My favorite player in the first pack! Sweet! I knew A&G loved Jeter...
--Now, what do we do about Celestial Star Minis as a "hit?" And do I x3??

Justin Morneau Day in History (Twins) ??TDiH (~9 total)

Okay, well, once some of the scoring kinks are worked out, we'll know more.  All-in-all, though, I am VERY glad I got the Jeter Mini Celestial Stars card! Sweet!

*Yes, I know the pictures are dorky - that's part of the fun!!

Says it all...

Favorite Rookie Card

Oh, I know, many of you may be sitting there thinking, "But I thought I would see Lofton or Thome or Charboneau here."  Choosing which card is my *favorite* rookie is like choosing which slice of assorted cheesecake to eat.  Each slice is great in its own right, but there is the one that just stands out.  When it comes to debut card appearances, my main struggle fell between this one and Jim Thome.  Ultimately, though, Roger Maris' card captures everything I want to see in a rookie Triber.  As it turned out, of course, Maris went on to have himself one of the most storied careers in baseball.

Many new collectors might think Topps started the whole "solid background" on cards in the last few years.  Ah, no, Topps has been doing that for a long, long time.  It is one of the features that helped set this rookie card apart from the others in my mind.  This was "Photoshop" before there was such a program, or even LONG before the Personal Computer would appear in television commercials.  And though the solid background is cool, it only serves as a means to focus the collector's eye on the man who sits just off center.

I'm not sure what he's watching, but his whole body posture says, "I'm only sitting here waiting because it's not my turn.  But, I'm ready. Put me in coach.  But don't wait too long.  I'm not a benchwarmer."  His eyes watch intently to whatever is happening in the distance.  He's not smiling.  His body leans slightly forward.  His hat sits squarely on his head.  His knee rests in the ready position.  He appears to be in the dugout, perhaps.  His right leg is propped on the step, ready to push off when he is called into action.  The moment is not far off, so he watches intently.  Or perhaps he is watching some of the team vets warming up or swapping stories of the off-season.

At the same time, though, he looks a little sick or nervous.  Look at the slant of his eyes, the downward curve of his mouth, his jawline.  He almost looks as though he could toss his cookies at any moment.  It is the look of a kid who suddenly realizes he is on the brink of living his dream.

Maris' rookie card shows us a kid who is excited, focused, and possibly on the brink of throwing up.  Perfect. 

I also like it because Barry Pepper, one of my favorite actors, looks so much like him:

Diamondbacks Fan Pack

Wow, that was quick!  In the mail today, I received my Arizona Diamondbacks Fan Pack:

The Fan Pack is heavy stock and VERY well-sealed.  In fact, I ripped the back of the Fan Pack a little when I opened it.  It is very colorful, though!

There are various write-ups throughout, plus a cool fold-out/punch-out pennant!

The back of the pennant features the Diamondbacks' mascot.

 The back of the Fan Pack is filled with puzzles and a "spot the difference" game.  A lot of fun for fans of all ages!

Thanks to the Arizona organization for a VERY speedy delivery and a truly FUN Fan Pack!

Email Requested Fan Packs Received: Giants (PDF), Padres (PDF), DBacks (in-hand)

Email Requested Fan Packs "Rejected:" Yankees, Mets, Phillies

For full write-ups, click the "MLB Fan Packs" tag.

2010 Franchise History Black Background Gold 1/1

For part of my lunch break at work today, I got a wild hair to create a 2010 Franchise History Black Background Gold 1/1 card.  I found the original card image online, and wish I had spent a little more time getting one that was a bit more squared up.  As you can see, the bottom edges "curve" inward.  This is because the person that posted the image took a picture with their camera and wasn't standing directly over the card.  I know this from experience.

When the card was completed, though, none of that mattered!  Sure, it's got some flaws, but that's what gives it character.  Besides, even Topps couldn't get a Strasburg 1/1 super-duper-megastar-refractor thing right.  I'm in good company - on the card and in making it.