Cyber Monday: Etopps 5/9 Offering

Looks like I’m saving some dough this week:

Lance Berkman

Aroldis Chapman

Alex White

Looks like I'll be passing again...

Trade Post- Mother's Day Edition

I wrote this post Saturday night and scheduled it for today just so I dedicate all my attention Sunday to  pampering my lovely wife. (If I suck up a little now, I might get a chance to play with my cards Sunday Night).  So Happy Mother's Day to any and all mothers who read this blog.

Speaking of mothers, The Dimwit is a bad mother for trading me these GQ cards:

Base cards of three of my favorites, and an incredibly cool Josh Hamilton relic.  I was glad to get back a Michael Young since I gave away the one I opened during the Big Fun Game: Gypsy Queen Edition.
I sent him some Astros relics and base cards too for my end of the trade. 

The Dimwit, along with The Lost Collector, have taken up the invitation to play Words with Doon  posted on my sidebar.  I've enjoyed getting to know both of these gentlemen and their blogs but have not enjoyed the unmerciful beatings I've been receiving from them on Words.  I think they cheat.

Mail Arrivals- "I Should Not Have Done This" Edition

If you have nothing better to do and have been following my blog for a while, you might have surmised that two of my collecting... "motifs" for want of a better word are: 1) I like to build sets and some master sets with the inserts sets included and 2) I don't typically spend a lot of money on one card.

There are times when these two themes conflict.  Case in point: Donruss Diamond Kings 2003.  I have managed to sneak in several of the Hi Book inserts to my master set and have pretty much accumulated all of the affordable pieces to this puzzle.  There are a few jersey, bat and autos that I am lacking (please see "Current Checklist Progress" Tab for overall quantities missing per set).  They typically have a high BIN price on eBay, but the other day, this was up for bid with a low starting price:

Clearly I bought it, or what a worthless post this would be.  I put in a bid I didn't think had a chance, but was still higher than I typically go.  I've mentioned the feeling before of watching an auction I'm winning come to a close and teetering between hoping I win and hoping I get outbid and am off the hook.  Would that be called "bidder's remorse?"  So I wound up winning.  Man was it worth it!  The gray flannel swatch on this card just looks and feels like a piece of history.  Plus the card is numbered to 50.    If I can do the same with the Ruth and Gehrig I am still needing, I will poop myself.

Here Comes The First of Many

Eric Hosmer was called up to the Royals yesterday and makes his debut tonight.  I was fortunate to see him play a game here for the AA affiliate for the Royals, the NW Arkansas Naturals.  He breezed through pretty quickly so I didn't get too see much more than a few at bats.  It was pretty easy to tell he is the real deal though.  It will be fun over the next few years watching the parade of prospects marching toward KC that I was able to watch develop here in Arkansas.  

More Diamond Giveaway Magic!

I'm still bouncing off the wall about getting a Michael Young Diamond Cut Card on the Diamond Giveaway promotion.  I liked it so much, I thought I would try to scrounge up all the other cards I had online and see if I could somehow trade them for either an Ian Kinsler or Nelson Cruz di cut card.

Long story short, look what showed up in my portfolio today:

Call me butter, because I am on a roll!

Basically this cost me a bunch of commons and a 1958 Bob Hazle.  I can pretty much get any of those cards on sportslots for nothing should I ever decide I really need them.  I would have not gone to the trouble to have those shipped from Topps (shipping would have cost more than they were worth anyway).  But I will have no problem paying a few bucks for these Kinsler and Young beauties.

Now I just need more codes so I can try to get a Cruz and Josh Hamilton.  Ah, Topps has me in their clutches as always....

Finally...

I finally unlocked a cool Diamond Giveaway card:

I have pretty much zero interest in Brett Wallace, and I posted a trade for a similar card of Michael Young.

And guess what?  No sooner had I started this post, and looked on the website to pull images of the other crap I had uncovered when  looky what was in my collection!  Not 20 minutes after I posted the trade offer too:

So my first thought was "YES"!  My second was:  Did I just screw up?  Is there something about Brett Wallace I don't know?    I mean, that trade got accepted quick! I'm wondering if I am missing something?  I didn't trade away the Black Diamond version of the card, so I know that's not it.  Whatever, I'm freaking jacked about this Michael Young card!

I also got a couple of vintage a while back that I may try to trade into something for my collection, or just have delivered with the Young:

I should be able to turn these into something I would think....

Big Fun Game Final Pick!

Greg stops the stealing and selects the final prize #10:

These are the NL cards from the blaster, including Jason Heyward and will include the Aaron Rowand card from prize 2.  11 cards total.

Here is the randomized prize list so you can see I didn't play favorites.  I hate that there weren't any big hits in the box, but I hope everyone likes the free cards!  I will post the video of the box break in the next day or two if anyone wants.  I assure you I didn't keep anything.  I'm probably the most ticked there weren't any hits because it would have livened up the game and got more buzz for my blog.

Again, if you have not done so,  please send me your address so I can send your cards. 

Thanks for playing this second round.  I hope to do another game at some point, so if there are any suggestions for how the game is played, please let me know. 

For those that played or watched the first game, did you like the random prizes like before, or do you prefer a theme like Gypsy Queen?   I like the idea of doing a box break this way, but I couldn't really review the cards as they were revealed.  I didn't want to say anything that might be seen as influencing the picks.

I am interested in your feedback!

Big Fun Game Pick #12

Fan of Reds does not take being stolen from lying down and steals his own set of minis:

Greg Zakwin is back on the clock and can steal anything (but these minis) or can choose prize #10.

Big Fun Game Pick #12

Play at the plate has some Nachos for breakfast and steals the mini cards of active players from Fan of Reds.

Fan of Reds can steal any other prize or choose prize #10

Big Fun Game Pick #11

Steve D won't let the party end and steals the Sticky Finger lot from Play at the Plate.

Play at the Plate can steal any lot (except the one that was just stolen from him) or can choose the final prize #10.

Big Fun Game Pick #10

Fan of Reds puts down the Nachos and selects prize #2:

Lot of 5 active player mini cards.

Steve D can now take any of the first 9 prizes or select the final prize # 10.

Big Fun Game Pick #9

Don Wicked Ortega also declines the steal and chooses prize #4:

These were the 2 Home Run Heroes insert cards in the box.  Carlos Pena and Jose Bautista

Fan of Reds is next and can steal any of the lots or choose from prizes 2 or 10

Big Fun Game Request

All-

We are moving pretty quickly through this, and once it's done I would like to get the prizes out ASAP.  Please email me your addresses so I can have them ready for when the contest ends. 

Thanks
Nap

BIg Fun Game Pick #8

Matt H also declines to steal and chooses prize # 7:

These were the 2 "Wall Climbers" Cards in the blaster:  Denard Span and Rajai Davis

Don Wicked Ortega is next and can steal anything that has been picked or choose from prize #s: 2 4 or 10

Big Fun Game Pick #7

Play at the Plate passes on the steal and chooses prize #1:

These were the 2 "Sticky Fingers" insert cards in the blaster:  Jeter and H. Ramirez

Matt H is next and can steal from any previous picks or select from prizes 2 4 7 or 10.

Big Fun Game Pick #6

Greg Zakwin picks again after his lost was stolen by Ryan G who loves Gypsies. Greg chooses prize #9:

These are the two mini cards of retired players, plus the one mini with a red Gypsy Queen back that came in the blaster.

Play at the Plate is next and can steal anything or choose from the remaining unknown prizes:  1 2 4 7 or 10

Etopps 5/2 Offering

Etopps offering this week looks to be:

Nelson Cruz!!!!

Jerry Sands

Even though I am stoked about the Cruz, I'll probably pick it up post IPO.

And part of me thinks we may be in for a change by the time the IPO offering becomes official.  It's unusual to offer only 2 cards this early in the season.  Stay tuned.

Big Fun Game Pick #5- First Steal!

Ryan G gives us the first steal of the game, taking Greg Zakwins pick.

Greg will need to pick again, and can steal anything that's been revealed, except the prize that was just stolen from him.

Or Greg can choose again from the available prizes: 1 2 4 7 9 or 10.

Also, that will be it for the night for me.  I'll update the game tomorrow once Greg chooses again.

Big Fun Game Pick #4

Matt chooses not to steal and selects prize #6:

Insert lot of (2) "Great Ones" Jim Palmer and Mel Ott.  These were the 2 from this insert set that were in the box. 

Ryan G is up next and can steal from the previous prizes or select a new prize:  1,2,4,7,9, or 10.

Big Fun Game Pick 3

Greg Zakwin chooses prize #8:

Future stars (2) David Price, Gypsy Queen Kali and 2 Checklists.

Ok, let me explain this one.  For some reason, this blaster had two David Prices.  Well,  I guess I can't really explain the grouping of this prize too much without revealing the other prizes.  Just go with it....

Matt, not Matt H, just plain old Matt has the next pick.  He can steal one of the revealed prizes or choose from the 7 remaining unknown prizes:  1,2,4,6,7,9, or 10

Big Fun Game Pick #2

The Lost Collector suppresses his insatiable urge to steal and chooses prize #5:

The AL Base Cards.  In this blaster there were 13 base cards of AL players.  I accidentaly added the Rowand card, but it will be in another lot.  I assume you are ok with this Lost Collector?  Sorry for the mis scan.

Also, the cards are not miscut, it's just a poor scan job on the first group.

Greg Zakwin is next and he can steal either of the revealed prizes or pick from the remaining prizes (1,2,4,6-10)

Big Fun Game Pick 1

With the first pick of the Napkin Doon Big Fun Game- Gypsy Queen Edition, Spiegel83 selects prize #3:

Retired base card lot.  These were all of the base cards of retired players in the blaster box.  Ty Cobb, Al Kaline, Tris Speaker, Tony Gwynn, Rogers Hornsby.

The Lost Collector is next and can steal this card, or choose from another remaining prize (1,2,4-10)

Big Fun Game Participant List!

It's time to start Napkin Doon's Big Fun Game- Gypsy Queen Blaster edition!  I've entered everyone in the randomizer, making sure if you promoted the blog you received 2 entries.  I didn't get up to 50 followers, but I imagine those of you that are entered are ok with the fewer entrants and better odds.  Here are the 10 participants:

1. spiegel83
2. lost collector
3. greg zakwin
4. matt (new blog)
5. ryan g
6. Play at the plate
7. matt h
8. don wicked ortega
9. ran of reds
10. steve d

Sorry, fan of reds, for the typo.  And sorry to everyone else who didn't get in.  Better luck next time!

Spiegel83 is up first and can choose any number between 1 and 10.  Once he picks, lost collector will be next and can either steal Spiegel183s pick, or can choose something from the remaining prizes. 
I have busted the box and randomized the prizes already.  I will post the video of the break and the prize list once the game is over.

Good luck!

If for some reason, a participant does not make a selection in a reasonable amount of time (say 24 hours) and does not respond to email reminders, I will have to drop that participant and move to the next person on the list.  So Matt Pederson, keep watching in case someone doesn't show up, because you're next in line!



Big Fun Game- Last Call!

I will be closing out the sign ups in a few hours for the Big Fun Game.

If you want to be in the drawing for a playing slot, get your comment in soon.   Remember, YOU MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF THE BLOG.  I can't enter a non-follower and tick off the followers.

Also, if you promote the contest on your blog, you will have two entries to the contest.

All the details are on the original post.

Trade Bait

I was a little star struck to see Wicked Ortega signed up as a follower of my little blog and entered my contest.  I always enjoy his blog, and am blown away by his trade bait posts.  I mention this because I went to a small card show in Fayetteville today and found my own little batch of trade bait, and wanted to post pictures, Wicked Ortega Style.  (except I scanned them instead of photographing them).
Clearly these are the poor man's Wicked Ortega trade bait, but hopefully they can spur some offers.

 Gaudin #d to 100

 Oswalt #d to 200
Cain #d to 150
Leftwich #d to 40
BELTRAN CLAIMED- BA BENNY
POSADA CLAIMED- STEVEN D
OSWALT CLAIMED- DIMWIT
PETTITTE CLAIMED- DIMWIT

 Helton #d to 1000

Lee #d to 325

Gypsy Queen Rack Pack- NOT GAME PRIZES!!

I mentioned in my Gypsy Queen Big Fun Game announcement that I bought a rack pack to get a taste of the set.  I had pretty good luck I thought:

I was pretty stoked about the Brett Cecil auto.  There is something about the Sticky Fingers set that intrigues me.  Also, the green bordered cards came in separate mini pack, and I don't know the story on them, but they are nice looking. If I decide to take on a Gypsy Queen long term project, building a set of these may be it. I also like the insert sets and the Mantle card is very cool. 

And here is the base, save a couple of cards.  Love the Cobb card. 

All of this is open for trade by the way.

Gypsy Queen is growing on me, and I can't wait to see what's in the blaster for the game!  There is still plenty of time to sign up.  Thanks to all who signed up, thanks for all of the new followers, and thanks to those who promoted the contest on their blog!

I'm off to a card show this morning, so hopefully I can come back with some cool trade bait!

Gypsy Queen Blaster Break… Or Something Better?

Blasters of Gypsy Queen started showing up at a nearby Target this week, and I have been on the fence as to picking one up or not.  I could spend that money on Heritage,  Base, one of those nifty $15 value packs, or get 2 discounted blasters for about the same money.  And man, I could do some serious damage on sportlots.com with $20.  Wait!!! I mean, I could spend that money on my lovely wife and kids instead.  But I kind of wanted to open a box of Gypsy Queen and review it on the blog.  I bought a rack pack as an appetizer and did pretty well.  I’ll post the contents later this evening.  So, I like it, but I’m not sure I want to dive into the set. 

Then a flash of inspiration hit me, and I realized a way I could get much more mileage out of a box break, and do something a little different with the review…. 

You guessed it- It’s time for a new edition of Napkin Doon’s

BIG FUN GAME!!!!!

Basically, I’ll do this the same way I did the last Big Fun Game (I really need a better name for it). 

This time, I will add a rule that you must be a follower of the blog to be a participant.  Also, the last time I announced this game I opened it to the first 10 followers.  This limited the participants (who were all great by the way) to whoever happened to be online at the time.  I will still leave the participant list at 10, but leave sign ups open until Sunday afternoon.  Then I will take all entries, put them in the randomizer and let the first 10 listed participants play.

A couple of other tweaks:

I will not keep any of the cards from the box break, unless there is a Rangers Hit (I just won’t be able to bring myself to give it away).  So if I get really lucky with a hit from another team, too bad for me.  I’m hoping the investment in the blog will be worth it.  Of course I could video the box break and post it at the end of the contest so that you know I was honest about not keeping any cards.  I might do that.  Otherwise, you will just have to trust old Napkin.  If there is a Ranger Hit and I keep it, I’ll put in a nice replacement.

Once I bust the box, I will determine a way of splitting the cards into 10 somewhat equal prizes.  I don’t want to waste postage sending someone a couple of commons.

IF my follower list grows to over 50 by the time contest starts, I will add 5 additional participants via the randomizer and add 5 more random prizes, in the same spirit as my prizes last time.

IF somehow my follower list grows to over 100, I will keep the participant list to 15, but add a second blaster of Gypsy Queen if I can find one, essentially doubling the Gypsy Queen prizes.  If I can’t find a Gypsy Queen, I’ll add a blaster of Heritage.  Don’t worry; I’ll bulk up the Non Gypsy Queen prizes too.

Here is the final tweak:  If you promote this contest on your blog or website and leave a link in the comment section, I will give you two entries to the contest.  In case the randomizer lists you twice in the top 10 or 15, you will still only get one slot in the contest however.

I will close out the entries for the contest sometime Sunday Afternoon, whenever I get a chance, and announce the participant list and who the first player is.  Then it’s on..

This will be a great way to liven up a product review.  Topps, I hope you are aware of this free positive marketing you are getting from me! 

If I do not show up Sunday, you will know that my lovely wife saw that I am basically throwing $20 into cyberspace and locked me in a closet.

Oh and one other thing:  I HAVE NOT OPENED THIS BOX YET.   IF THE CONTENTS STINK DO NOT BE UPSET WITH ME. 

Let’s have some fun!

************************UPDATE-  GAME REGISTRATION IS CLOSED!!!!& *************

 

Gwynn Wynn

Man, eBay and PayPal just make it really difficult for a card addict like me to stay in control.   It's too easy to say "yes" to an auction.   My lovely wife may disagree, but I think most of the time I am relatively disciplined on buying cards.  I don’t typically buy expensive items or boxes, and I usually don’t pull the trigger on something that I know is a steal unless it falls under my collecting solar system.  I also don’t buy general “lots” of cards that don’t list specifically what those cards are.

Last week I made a couple of exceptions to my rules.  I bought one rather expensive jersey card and will post about when it arrives.  I also bought this:

A lot of 200 Tony Gwynn cards.  I stared and stared at this auction as the time to bid ticked away.  I don’t need 200 Tony Gwynn cards.    I want 200 Tony Gwynn cards, but I don’t need them.  The item description didn’t list the cards either, other than listing some of the brands in the lot,  so I knew it was likely a bunch of junk wax.  But no one had bid, and if I could win with the lowest bid, the cost would wind up being pennies per card.  Not a bad way to build the binder of one of my favorite all time players.  I put in my bid and watched the auction come to a close, alternating from hoping I would win to hoping someone would outbid me.  I wound up winning.

The box arrived yesterday and with a slight sense of dread, I dug in to see what I got, mostly expecting a bunch of this:

Some junk wax, but cards of Tony Gwynn are cards of Tony Gwynn, so no problem.  So that was part of the box, but I was pleasantly surprised by the overall contents.  There were a lot of shiny cards:

A few Topps Finest, as well as the Super Cool Plastic EX cards, one which I already had (1999), and one which I didn't (1998).  Maybe I should try to build the 98 set once 99 is done. 



And there were several of hologram/sportflics type cards that I dig:

I love those SPX hologram cards.  And these are my first UC3 cards.  The little pinwheels in the background of the Cyclone Squad card spin around when you move the card.  I'm sure I looked like an imbecile watching them spin 'round and 'round as I drooled over this card last night. 

I’m glad to say that I didn’t already have at least 50% of what was in the box.  My Tony Gwynn collection is now my largest single player collection, surpassing Darryl Strawberry.    

Joshy We Need You!

Yikes, the Blue Jays are making mince-meat out of my Rangers.  After 2 initial beatings from the Jays,  I thought the game last night was about to slip away too after the Rangers had an early comfortable lead.  The Jays were trouble last year too as I recall.  Ranger pitchers are struggling, and until yesterday, so were the hitters, except Michael Young.  I think we all know the moment this little slide started too.

No, not this…

But this:

That’s right.   I received this card in the mail the day Hamilton got hurt.   I have tried changing placement of this card several times over the past two weeks (from the Rangers Binder to to my bedside table to the kid's bedroom room to the play room)  while the Rangers slumped, and thought I finally had it in the right place (in a snap case with other high end cards in a box on our bookshelves) as the Rangers swept the Royals.  Apparently, I need to move it again.   I can sense the Rangers struggles radiating from the card.   It is not pleased about something, and I don't know what to do.   Please don’t suggest I destroy it, either.  I mean come on... that would be absurd. 

Pet Peeves

I find it hard to dislike much about this hybrid hobby of collecting baseball cards and blogging about collecting baseball cards.  Obviously, if there were too many things that I found irritating, I would mess around with something else.    But now that I have been back in the hobby for about a year, and now that I have been blogging for a few months, there are two things that really agitate me:

1) Disappearing Comments on Blogger- Maybe there is something glaringly obvious that I am doing wrong, but for some reason, I am having a hell of a time leaving comments on other blogs.  It would be fun to be more active in the blogosphere.  I enjoy it when people leave me comments and I try to do the same as much as possible.  But most of the time, after I post a comment, go through the little word verification step, and see the confirmation that my comment has been posted, the next day the comment is not there.  The blogger I am posting to will receive the comment via their email, but it won’t show up in the comments section of the blog.  Very frustrating.  If you have any suggestions for me or suffer from the same affliction, let me know.

2) I am sure my fellow collectors will agree:  there is something exciting about opening the mailbox and seeing one or multiple envelopes and/or bubble mailers with your name on it.  It’s like a little Christmas every day.    Likely, you also are familiar with that interruption of your happy moment when you see this taped to the package:          

Sure, the amounts are always little, but it’s the principle of the thing.  If it costs $2.63 to ship me a Michael Young refractor, charge me $2.63 up front, not $2.00 and a surprise bill later.  I almost always ship from the post office to be sure I cover postage properly, but when I do apply stamps, I always make sure I cover postage, and at times probably over stamp.

Now, I will be really embarrassed if someone tells me they received a package from me that was short on postage.  That just can’t be the case, unless….   Could it be?  Perhaps I am slowly uncovering a post office conspiracy…  Perhaps this is all part of a bigger conspiracy….  Perhaps this reaches the highest levels.   If I suddenly stop posting, be assured that I was on to something, and someone wanted Napkin Doon quiet.  Stay tuned… 
                                                                                                                  

Hey Napkin You're So Fine..

You're so fine you blow my mind.. Hey Napkin! Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Hey Napkin! Clap, Clap, Clap Clap...

Hey Napkin you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind.. Hey Napkin! Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Hey Napkin! Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap

Hey Napkin you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind.. Hey Napkin! Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Hey Napkin! Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap...

Hey Napkin you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind.. Hey Napkin! Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Hey Napkin! Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap
                                                

Hey Napkin you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind.. Hey Napkin! Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Hey Napkin!

.
In other words, I bought a bunch of cheap Topps Finest from Sportlots.com recently and they just arrived in the mail.

Etopps 4/25 Offering

This week, Etopps offers the following IPOs:

Roy Halladay

Zach Britton

Michael Pineda



As always, my purchase plans will be based on price and print run, although I am certain I will purchase the Halladay.  Had the Halladay been in ports, his 14K performance last week would have netted 15 points!  Hopefully he accomplishes this feat several times this year and we get other chances to cash in.

And as always, be sure to order at 1 pm est if you want any of these.