My Patented Crappy Sports Weekend Had Begun..

I started seeing it coming a mile away.  Every year, there is at least one weekend where all of my teams take beatings, some of them unmerciful.

First, the Rays announced they were starting a rookie phenom pitcher in game 1 of the ALDS.  The Rangers seem to ALWAYS have trouble in situations like that.   Then, in looking at the expert picks today on the various sports sights, too many people were picking the Rangers to win this series, with Jayson Stark even picking the Rangers to win the World Series.  I knew Matt Moore would put the Rangers bats to sleep, and I knew they would lose this game. I just didn't think CJ would lay such an egg. When he got shelled early, I knew my annual crappy sports weekend was knocking at my door.   So let me go ahead and call James Shields dominating game 2 tomorrow, too and taking the Rays up 2-0 and heading back to Tampa.  Don't be surprised if Shields throws a shutout.  I won't be.

I might as brace myself for a Hogs loss tomorrow too.  They are likely still reeling from the Alabama debacle, and Texas A&M is going to be sky high for this game, after losing to the Hogs the past two years in a row, and wanting to prove they can compete in the SEC.  I can see this unfolding much the same way as the Rangers game today: a major catastrophe will happen early.  It might be a quick touchdown from A&M followed by a 3 and out, or worse, a turnover from Arkansas. Or it might be a pick six on one of Arkansas's first plays of the game.  Something terrible will happen early, mark my words.  If you are an A&M fan, welcome to the SEC, but get off my blog.

And then my Cowboys will finish off the weekend with an uninspired performance against the upstart Lions.  I don't yet have a feel for how it will unfold, but I'm sensing a blowout.  This will be the least painful of the games this weekend, but it has the spotlight on Sunday and I will already be depressed from 2 loses from the Rangers and one from the Razorbacks.

My only solace is that I can now at least call this all out on record beforehand and have some proof my prognostication skills.

My kids are going to be animals this weekend too.  Crappy weekend here I come.

eTopps Football Value Tracking

One of the great things about eTopps is that you have a pretty solid idea of what your cards are worth.  At least, you do for the cards that are in port.  Since the IPOs from the first week are just now starting to hit portfolios, please follow along with me as I track the value of what I purchase throughout the football season.  I will maintain a worksheet of the cards I purchase, updated weekly, at the top of my blog.  For comparison’s sake, I’ll also keep tabs on what I didn’t buy.    I will list the current best price for immediate sale from cardtarget.com as the current “value” of the card.

Along the way, I will likely sell or trade some of these cards, and will update the worksheet to reflect those changes. 

Week 1 Summary:

Since this is the first week of running this report, let me walk through it for those of you not familiar with eTopps.  Here is a quick primer of the basics.  Last week, the first offering of 2011 football was posted.  There were 3 cards you could request for purchase: Tom Brady for $5, Titus Young for $5 and AJ Green for $6.  I chose to purchase the Brady and Green and passed on the Young.  Cards were allocated this week (Brady was not allocated until today, which was very frustrating- but I won’t complain since I got one and not everyone did.  In fact, the feeling is the Brady card was sold out in about 10 minutes).  Once cards are allocated to your portfolio, eTopps states the value of the card as the average of the 10 most recent sales of the card on eBay (not including the highest and lowest price sale).  There is also a site called cardtarget.com that coordinates directly with eTopps where you can purchase/sell eTopps cards, but using an instant purchase/sale method.  To me this is a better indicator of the current value of the card. Here is where I am so far:

I've listed the cards that were offered this week as well as last week, but since they have not yet been allocated, I've left off the values.  After one week, my portfolio is up 90% over the cost of IPO!  I could sell my Brady card and have a $10 profit.  Of course, that would take all the fun out of it, so I will decline the opportunity to quit while I am ahead.  The Green is slightly down to IPO, but unless he really tanks, his card should stay close to IPO cost.  And even though the best offer for this card on cardtarget.com is $5.89, the best sale price is $6.35. In other words, to purchase this card, so far getting it at IPO was the cheaper option.  It looks like I was wise to pass on Young since this card is already $1.05 under IPO.  

The Brady card significantly put me in the black this first day of its availability on the secondary market, and should stay there though the season.  It will be interesting to document the peaks and valleys of these cards along the way.  Interesting to me anyway- some of you likely got bored two sentences into this post and bailed. 

Doonboggle Of The Week: Courtesy of The Lost Collector

One of my favorite blogs out there is the Lost Collector, run by one of my favorite dudes.  He was gracious enough to provide my first "Doonboggle of the Week" material and answer a few questions about his blog and himself as a collector.

Blog Name: The Lost Collector

How long have you been blogging? Since Feb., 2011.

What do you enjoy most about the card blogging world? Trading with other bloggers. I've grown my Yankees collection vastly. After middle school, I wouldn't have imagined I'd ever trade a baseball card again. Now I make trades on a nearly weekly basis.

How long have you been collecting? Like most bloggers, I started when I was a kid, stopped in high school and college, then recently picked it back up again.

What do you collect? Yankees cards, Tino Martinez, Yankees prospects, and currently 1968 Topps Game. I'm also a fairly avid TTM (Through The Mail) autograph collector.

 The Bungles

How did you come to own these Doonboggles? Frustratingly enough, I was born a Cincinnati Bengals fan. It's the only sport where I follow a non-NY team, and it's horrible. After years of being irrelevant, the 2005 Bengals exploded onto the scene with young talent and an exciting team. They even won the AFC North. I was so inspired, I went on eBay and bought a few lots of Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson cards. I grabbed a few rookies and inserts. I have never collected football cards and I literally had no idea what I was buying at a time when I wasn't even collecting (I was in college). I thought it would be a sound investment. I even told my dad about it while I was home on winter break, and I remember him saying, "you better hang onto those ones, buddy." I didn't spend crazy amounts on autos or game used or rare cards, but the fact that I felt the need to stock up on these guys when I knew nothing about the product I was buying certainly makes me a doonboggle. Just six years later, Carson is sitting out the season because he doesn't want to be associated with Mike Brown or the Bengals, and Chad Johnson has a new last name and is struggling to put up remotely decent numbers in New England's high-powered offense.

He even saved his invoice.  No Credit Cards?  This was old...

What advice would you give to someone who is starting a blog, and/or starting a sport card collection?  For someone starting a blog, I'd say do it for yourself and find your own identity (I'm still looking for mine). Everyone has their unique spin - some guys are team collectors, others player collectors, and others just offer insightful thoughts on the hobby in general. Personally, I like showing off cards I get from other bloggers and showing off TTM successes. It's very Yankee-centric, which probably turns off some potential readers, but I can't please everyone and if it's not to their liking, and that's ok. I use it as a way to stay interested in collecting and I would encourage anyone else to do the same.

For starting a collection, find something you like and don't go overboard. Pick a team or player to focus on and start small. There is always set building too. Try a few different areas of focus and then it'll be easier to narrow down what to collect.
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Thank you for participating AJ!  I would love to do this weekly, so please shoot me an email if you would like to share your Doonboggle story.

30/29? Good enough for me..

Why are no Rangers being mentioned as AL MVP candidates?  I take that back.  Michael Young has sort of been mentioned, here and there and deservedly so.  But the guy who I think has been the most valuable to the team this year is Ian Kinsler.  Part of that is my own anecdotal evidence from the many times I've watched  the Rangers play on TV.  It seems like every time I happened to be watching and something positive happened for the Rangers, Kinsler was in the middle of it.  Twice I saw him end a close game with a spectacular defensive play.    Seemingly every time I watched him hit, something good happened as well, whether it was a leadoff homerun, an extra base hit, or a stolen base to turn a single into an extra base hit.  

Kinsler just needs one more stolen base tonight to put him in the 30/30 club (30 HRs and 30 steals) for the second time in his young career.  With only two games to go, he might not get it.  But 29 steals is close enough for me.  I’m not suggesting that he should win the MVP, but from my eyeball test, he’s one of the best players in baseball.  

And my Kinsler collection is building up pretty nicely I must say.   This little beauty came in the mail this week:

 

Doonboggle: My Contribution to the Cardboard Lexicon

 Doon-bogg-le: [doon-bog-uhl, -baw-guhl]  noun,verb

noun
1.  A serious misjudgement regarding the potential value of a sports card.  Usually occurs as an over-reaction to a hot streak by a player, in which the collector freaks out and buys an expensive card of said player and soon realizes he/she made a big mistake.  
2.  The point after purchase or trade in which a collector asks: "Why do I have this card?"

verb
1.  The actual act of misjudging the potential value of a sports card.   This can include overspending of money towards a card, or the act of submitting a worthless card for grading, among other actions.  The failing end of the process of prospecting.

Perhaps there already is a term out in cardboard land for what I am getting at above.   I like "doonboggle" myself, and hope it catches on like "bipping".  What was my inspiration for this post?  I was petting my cards this evening and came across this thing: 

It's a graded card of Kris Benson.  Keep in mind, it is not my motif to make fun of players, past or present, if I can help it.  Benson was a darn good pitcher for a while,  so I don't mean any disrespect towards him.  And it's a sharp looking card, too.  But.... what in the holy hell am I doing with a graded card of Kris Benson?  I didn't send it in for grading, but obviously I bought this along the way somewhere in my collecting life.  I don't remember when or why I bought this, and I really hope I only got it because it basically a gimmee on eBay or part of a lot or something.  Whatever the back story, there it was, sitting with some other graded cards in one of my boxes.  I needed a word to explain what I had here, and doonboggle seemed to fit.


I am comforted by the thought that I can't be the only person out there that has committed at least one doonboggle in my collecting life.  So I invite you all to submit your doonboggle stories.  I'm going to tie this into a blogger/reader profile series that will have a place on the sidebar of my blog.  If you have a doonboggle you would like to share (it's cathartic, trust me) please shoot me a note. 

eTopps offering 9/26

Great week from eTopps this week.  The Ingram and Peterson are great buys for the game, and of course I'm stoked about the former Razorback Mallett getting a card.  It's a little strange to offer Mallett a week after Brady, so I won't be totally shocked if the Mallett gets nixed between now and IPO time (1 pm est).

Contest Winnings From Cheap Card Collecting

I'm a little slow on the draw, but I wanted to send out a big thank you to Anthony at  Cheap Card Collecting.   I entered a drawing a few weeks ago at this wonderful blog, and the randomizer smiled upon me.  My winnings arrived and they are beauties:

These are from 1991 Topps Archives, reprints of 1953 Topps, one of the great sets of all time.  The above were my favorites that Anthony sent.   These are really neat cards!  The backs are great too:

Cards or no cards, reading the Cheap Card Collecting blog is a prize itself, with great posts and lots of good "heads ups" of the best pricing for cards on the Internet.  Thank you for the much appreciated cards!

Rangers are the 2011 AL West Champions!

And it's all because I went to the game tonight... 

Luck, nay, destiny had your pal Napkin in Dallas this weekend on business.  When the opportunity to see the Rangers and Mariners play Friday night, I was all over it like a guy... who likes baseball... is on tickets for a baseball game..

I could sense some magic in the air as I approached this gorgeous baseball cathedral..

I love the Ballpark in Arlington.  It's a really pretty place to look at, and it is humongous.  Well, I guess humongous is a relative term.  to wit-

Right across the way from the Rangers Ballpark is Jerry World.  This thing has to be seen to be believed.  A little picture from my cell phone doesn't come close to doing it justice.  I hear parking is $75 here.  Parking for the Rangers game was $5.  But I digress.

Since I was on the company's dime, we shelled out dough for good seats and sat up a little ways behind home plate, in a covered section.  It was a great view of the field.  Unfortunately, my tale will not have the benefit of compelling photos, because the camera on my phone stinks.  But here are a few pics:

 We didn't get to see the Rangers take BP, but saw the Mariners "sluggers" lace some singles around the outfield.

 It was pretty cool seeing Ichiro up close.  He's a charismatic dude, and still had lots of fans screaming for his attention.

It wouldn't be a post from me without a picture of a hot dog would it?

The game went along pretty quickly.  I kid you not, before the game I told my co-worker that Adrian Beltre would go deep.  Bottom of the second, he proved me right.

Here's Beltre crossing the plate after his home run.  This would have been so much more fun to write if the picture won't so crappy.

Soon after, Josh Hamilton followed with a blast of his own.  But the best part of the night was former Razorback, Craig Gentry, hitting an inside the park home run, his first home run of his career.  Gentry is a fast mother.  He almost caught Nelson Cruz who was on base and running home ahead of him.

After the bullpen followed up a pretty solid outing by Matt Harrison with 3 shutout innings, we headed back to our hotel, the haunted Adolphus, and saw the A's finish off the Angels, at least as far as the AL West is concerned.

Bring on the playoffs!!! 

I'm so happy right now...

Rangers Mariners

Shiny Rangers

I'm headed to Dallas on business today.  I'm hoping to see the Rangers play Friday night.  I intend to go by the stadium at some point no matter what, and hope to have some good blog material while I'm away.  In the meantime, I received some new set pickups in the mail this week:

I picked up the sepia, black and blue Michael Young chrome parallels.  The sepia is nice, but I have to say, I think I like the plain ole' base card of '11 chrome the best.  I'm anxious to see one of the atomic refractor cards though.

This is my first look at Topps Marquee, and I'm kind of relieved that it doesn't do anything for me.  The photo is pretty cool though, with Ichiro horning in on the action.

Cleve's Auction Night: "Nice cards, babe!"

I couldn't make the Tuesday night auction at Cleve's this week, but I put in a few write in bids beforehand.  I was thrilled to see today that I won most of what I wanted (last week I was shut out).  I picked them up this afternoon and brought them home.  My wife blinked, smiled a pretty little smile and said "Nice cards, babe!"

Wait... what?

Could it be that the lovely wife now realizes what a shrewd purchaser I am and is coming around to my auction power?  Nah... I don't think so either.  She is either feeling guilty about something she bought, has something she wants me to do that she thinks I won't want to do, or she is SO REALLY, REALLY mad at me that she has skidded all the way off the anger charts and being nice is the only way she can express her feelings.  Like a fire that is so hot it becomes blue and looks cool to the touch.   The supportive words above may have been dripping with sarcasm and I was too dense to figure it out.  But, I'll take it all the same and enjoy the non-scolding.

And who wouldn't be impressed at this haul?  LOOK AT THIS!!!!

 Michael Young Triple Threads Auto/Relic Bonanza

This card instantly becomes my best Michael Young card.   I am so excited to get this I may not be able to sleep tonight.  In fact, I'm still in a bit of shock that I have it.  Numbered to 18, it has 4 pcs of jersey and 2 pcs of bat, PLUS and auto.  Awesome, awesome, awesome card. 

Topps Tribute Clayton Kershaw auto/relic

 

I really did not expect to get this card with a $6 bid.   But here it is.  This guy will be good great for a long, long time I think.  I'm not sure yet if I want to keep it, flip it or trade it.  Maybe I can use this to spur a trade with the famous Night Owl.

 

 1960 Fleer Lot of 3

I don't consider a haul from Cleve's a success unless I pick up some vintage.  I got these three 1960 Fleer for $1 each.  The Cochrane is mis-cut but I don't care.  

Topps Pristine Uncirculated Robinson Cano

From the "why not" category, comes this uncirculated Robinson Cano.  I figured $3 would be a steal for an uncirculated, numbered refractor of a superstar.  And Cano is a superstar.  

Grades:

Topps Triple Threads Michael Young auto/relic $10:  A+  Instantly my best Michael Young card, and a beautiful card to look at.  I would have been happy paying $20 for this awesome card of my favorite player.

Topps Tribute Clayton Kershaw auto/relic $6:  A-  A tremendous value in my opinion, that will only get better as he gets more recognition.

1960 Fleer Lot $3:  B  I'm actually a bit on the fence about building this set now. But these are still cool cards that didn't cost much at all.

2003 Pristine Uncirc. Robinson Cano $3:  A-  I'm a sucker for uncirculated cards, and don't have any great rookies of Cano.  This covers both wants.

Blog Dog Championship Semifinal:

Sam’s Club vs. White Oak Station

The votes are in as to whether or not I should continue my hot dog tournament.  You have spoken, and I am your humble servant.  I wish I knew who the lone dissenter was who voted for me to stop doing this so I could thank them for trying.  The rest of you don’t know what you are putting me through. 

Sam’s Club- 2^nd Dog

I don’t know why I keep forgetting to take a picture of the outside of Sam’s.  I assume you all know what one looks like?  Sam’s Club put on a scintillating performance in round one, and may have won the overall competition had I not been urged to hold a second round.  I was actually looking forward to my second dog at Sam’s as I handed over my $1.50 +tax and took my huge fountain drink and Nathan’s dog to my seat.  Here was the offering for round two:

Uh….  I guess that’s why we needed to play this out.  This was ok, but not nearly as good as the round 1 dog.  The bread was kind of stale, and the relish had a strange taste to it.  If this had been the round one dog, it would not have beat out the $12 Kobe beef dog at Tusk and Trotter.   Stale buns seem to be the downfall for many of these entrants.   The favorite going into the semifinals is now in big, big trouble.  White Oak Station is going to have to really mess up to lose this one.

White Oak Station- 2^nd Dog

I had to improvise slightly for this contestant, although it was not my fault.  I went in for lunch to White Oak Station, ready to get my dog and wrap up this first semifinal.  However, there were no hot dog holders left, and only two pitiful franks in the warming bin.    I really didn’t want to mess around asking for a container, so I decided to try the smaller White Oak Station nearer my office.  I would have gone to that location for round one as well, but it is smaller and not as nice as the one you saw in round one.  Only the best will do for my hot dog tournament.  I suppose I could have waited another day and tried again at the first White Oak station, but I am travelling again this week, and I need to put this series out your misery.

Here was what I got at the supplemental White Oak Station:

It was pretty good.  Not great, but good enough to beat the substandard offering Sam’s Club gave me this round.    The bun was soft, the meat was just fine, (a bit salty) and the size was about as big as Sam’s Club. 

I sort of expected Sam’s to win this thing in a breeze after their the excellent first round dog, but that’s why you play the games.

White Oak Station goes into the championship against the winner of Five Guys/Chicago Dog. 

Etopps Football!

Etopps starts football offerings today at 1 pm est.  The first week is a strong one with Tom Brady, AJ Green and Titus Young.

The design is sharp!

Not sure what the prices are yet, but the Brady and Green are musts.

I am a little suprised there wasn't a Cam Newton this week though. 

Patches? We Don’t Need No Stinking Patches!

Oh, but I do need some stinking patches, so bought some I did.  The Kinsler is the one I was shooting for on eBay, but the seller of this particular card offered free shipping for additional purchases.  I decided to bid on the Alomar, and got it for only $1 more.  It is for trade if anyone is interested.

GWAG12 Update

My recent travel slowed any momentum I had for my George Will for Allen and Ginter 2012 campaign.  Aside from sending a few cards with trade packages, I hadn't done jack the past week in this endeavor.  However, last night I did set up a GeorgeWill for Allen and Ginter page on Facebook, which will be interesting to watch, along with my own personal profile (Napkin Doon).  I put a post on George Will’s Facebook page, as well as Topps's.  It will be interesting to see if anyone checks it out, or assumes it is some spam garbage.

Hoosier Buddy? Potch at Indianaland that’s Who..

Potch over at Indianaland Picture Cards and I just completed a trade that was seeded by a one for one Bowman Platinum trade.  I was interested in a Jurickson Profar card he picked up (bottom row, right).  He also threw in some additional favorite Rangers of mine:

I love the Opee Chee Moments card of Michael Young, top center.  That expression HAS to be on purpose. 

He also sent some other cards of other players I collect:

I wonder what former Razorback Kevin McReynolds is doing now?  I think he is back in Arkansas.  I bet I could get these autographed.

Anyway, thanks for the nice easy trade Potch, and keep up the great work on a wonderful blog!   I hope you enjoy the cards I sent.