Thursday, January 30, 2014

Landscape vs. Portrait

This was my latest eBay purchase.  It should be noted that this 2013 Topps card of Troy Tulowitzki is a landscape shot only to accommodate his cannon and the giant vein on his cannon.  It's there if you look closely.  There's no way a portrait shot could contain his throwing arm and that vein.  Good call Topps!

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Aubrey Huff Times Five

I bought 5 2012 Topps cards of Aubrey Huff on eBay.  Why did I do this?  I can’t say.  Maybe it’s because the purchase only set me back a grand total of 11 cents shipped.  Maybe it’s because Huff recently retired to become an announcer.  Maybe it’s both.  Actually, Huff didn’t play last year, so he really was retired after 2012.  Aubrey just didn’t realize it.  I wonder if Bernie Williams has retired yet. 

Friday, January 24, 2014

eBay Mailbag: Dustin Ackley

I picked up a 2011 Bowman card of Dustin Ackley for just a few cents.  Remember in 2013 when Ackley was terrible and Seattle sent him down to AAA?  Yeah, that was the year he was on my fantasy team as my starting second baseman.  He was hitting like .220 and I finally had to dump him when he got sent down.  It’s nice to add a Bowman card to the collection.  I don’t buy Bowman packs anymore, so I don’t get as many opportunities as I once did.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

2013 Topps Jumbo Pack Break

I recently popped open a jumbo pack of 2013 Topps.  I did fairly well.  I scanned the highlights of the pack.  I have 3 blue parallel card, including Michael Pineda.  I am now the proud owner of a Yasiel Puig rookie card.  And I picked up a snazzy camo card of Bartolo Colon.  The base cards weren’t that shabby either. 

Monday, January 20, 2014

Insert Card Goodness

I bought a 2013 Allen & Ginter insert card of Ian Kinsler on eBay recently.  It’s kind of a pointless insert set, but whatever.  A lifelong Ranger, Kinsler was traded to Detroit for Prince Fielder.  I have to think Texas got the better part of that deal in terms of talent and production.  But second basemen are hard to come by and Prince Fielder will have to be paid a zillion dollars over the next few years. 

Thursday, January 16, 2014

My Annual Silk Purchase

I picked up a 2013 Topps Silk card of Ryan Madson on eBay.  I paid a grand total of a dollar, which makes this the least expensive Silk card I have ever purchased.  I typically buy 1 or 2 Silk cards each year.  Madson is in an Angels uniform, but he never played for the Angels due to injury.  He hasn’t played in two seasons actually following Tommy John surgery.  He is a free agent and will try to latch on somewhere in 2014.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Trade with Baseball Cards Come to Life

I recently completed a trade with Bo of Baseball Cards Come to Life.  I have highlighted a few of the many spoils above.  I sent out a bunch of cards to plug holes on Bo’s want list.  I received a handful of Alex Rodriguez cards and a variety of Minnesota Twins cards.  Many of the cards came from sets that I had never collected back in the day.  It was a good haul.  Thanks for the trade!

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Andruw Jones Game Used Jersey Card

For just 75 cents, I picked up this jersey card of Andruw Jones.  This is from 2002 Upper Deck 40 Man.  It features a plain gray swatch – probably the Braves road uniform.  Back in 2002, Jones was still a stud for the Braves.  Last year, he played for $3.5 million in Japan.  I always view a player moving from MLB to the Japanese leagues as a demotion.  These players are too good for AAA but no MLB team wants them.  I would rather play in the minors than leave my home country to play.  But I guess the money talks. 

Monday, January 6, 2014

Carlos Peguero Anyone?

I picked up this 2011 Topps Update card of Carlos Peguero on eBay.  Peguero has had brief stints in the big leagues with the Mariners.  He was drafted back in 2005 and isn’t getting any younger.  And his career batting average is .195.  The Long Island Ducks may come calling if things don’t turn around. 

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Pack Break: 2013 Topps Series 2

I ripped open my first pack of 2013 Topps Series 2 recently.  I got a few of these for Christmas.  Without further ado, here is my haul:


Jesus Montero – Former Yankee and Current Goatee Owner
Juan Pierre
Brennan Boesch – Former Yankee Spare Part and Current Free Agent
Lance Lynn
Ross Detweiler
Code Card – It’s Expired (Boo!)



Prince Fielder – Cut to the Chase Insert
Jeff Locke
Jeff Niemann
Brandon Moss
Josh Vitters
Henderson Alvarez – Mr. No Hitter

Thursday, January 2, 2014

My First Post of 2014

Happy New Year.  My first post of 2014 goes to ... Alex Presley.  Who?  Presley was acquired by the Twins in the Justin Morneau deal.  This is my first card of Presley.  I picked up this 2013 Topps base card for just a few cents on eBayHe may be competing for a starting outfielder job this season.  So far, he has just been a spare part for the Pirates.  He will have competition in spring training, but maybe this is his big break.