Checklist Chipaway: 2012 Topps Archives Cloth Cards

I recently picked up almost all of the cards I needed for the Topps Achives Cloth set from a seller on sportlots.  The seller didn't quite have every card I needed, and I’m still lacking the George Brett card.    If anyone has one available, please let me know.  

Breaking Jaybarker Fan's Junk Jinx: Part 4 Other Guys

I think I proved my point folks.  After three jinx breaking posts, the Rangers take 2 of three games on the road at San Francisco, with two of the games being shutouts.  I'm not sure what will happen from here on out, but at least I know that I, single-handedly, was responsible for them getting a series win.

Since the Rangers are off today, I thought I would show the other stars that Wes included in the big box of cards he sent:

The Halladay and Pujols cards are Topps Chrome, and I really, really like them.  I think these are the first I've seen from the 2008 Topps Chrome set, and I'm tempted to tack this set onto my master checklist.

I'm not sending jinx vibes, anti or otherwise, through the air on these Torii Hunter cards.  It's a weird thing having one of my favorite players play for the enemy, but I just can bring myself to root against Torii. 

Even though the Rangers look to be getting back on track and are starting a home stand tomorrow, I'll get back to some more jinx busting posts tomorrow and try to ensure they stay on course.

Trade With The Dime Box Master

Nick from the prolific blog “Dime Boxes- the Low End Baseball Card Collector’s Journey” will heretofore have his blog referred to as the “Dime Box Master” for short on this post.  Or I guess I could just say "Nick's Blog" for shorter.  Or "Nick's" for shortest.

Anyway, I completed my first trade with him recently, and was able to help knock out some of his Heritage needs.  I was certainly happy with what he sent in return.  The best card wasn’t even one that I was expecting.  I was expecting this Nelson Cruz sticker:

Poor Nelson Cruz.  He will have that misplay of what should have been the final out in the World Series follow him the rest of his career.   If life were fair, people would also remember the walk off grand slam he hit against the Tigers in the LCS.  But life isn’t fair I guess.  I’m still a fan though, and I still remember the LCS grand slam, and my guess is that he will be just fine this year.

Nick also sent a nice group of other players I collect.

 

But the best part was this:

A 1984 Fleer Darryl Strawberry rookie.  I would ask if he found this in a dime box, but I probably don't want to know the answer.  About 20 years ago, I would have gone to great lengths to get this card.  I still love it, and as an unexpected add-in to the trade, it’s an incredible bonus!  That would have been worth the trade on its own.  Very excited about this, and I’m very appreciative of the Dime Box Master.    Keep up the great work on your blog Nick. 

But, I still can’t believe you passed on that 1971 rookie Concepcion for a dime.  That pains me every time I think about it.

Value Boxes Called Me Back

I mentioned last week that Value Boxes were back in stores, and while I liked them ok, I was likely not going to buy anymore.  That vow didn't last long.  Here is what I got in the second value box I bought.

This Griffey chrome card was by far the coolest thing in the box.  I only got one code card, and once again, I just came away with a stupid virtual coin.

The two Heritage hobby packs gave me a couple of cards I liked, but nothing huge.

Same for the 5 Topps flagship packs.

Everything is for trade, but that Griffey will be hard to part with even though I'm sure I could pick it up cheap off eBay.

Topps Heritage Opens Old Wounds

Like many of you, I have tested out Topps Heritage recently.    Unlike many of you, I burst into tears when I opened one of the packs in the blaster I bought.

I totally forgot that Heritage runs these World Series cards.  What a painful reminder of that horrible turn of events.  Sure, this is a card of game two, which the Rangers won, but all I can remember about that World Series is the disastrous game 6.   In fact, when I first saw this card, I thought it was referring to Feliz coming in with the lead in game 6 and blowing it.  Now THAT would have been mean.  

From a marketing standpoint, wouldn’t it have made more sense to feature the ALCS instead of the World Series?  Isn't the ALCS a bigger deal than the World Series?  I know it was in 2011 anyway.  Wouldn't we all have enjoyed that?  Or maybe a great Rangers Moments from 2011 set?  Topps really blew it on this one.

It kind of ruined the whole box for me, and I have no interest in building this set.  But here are some other cards I got in my blaster.  Nothing really great:

 The Adam Jones is a Chrome refractor which is fine I guess, and the McCutchen mini sticker is ok.  

What a downer.  I guess I’m not over last season yet.  At least the new season is almost upon us and a new opportunity will arise.  I think the Rangers have a realistic shot of going 162-0 this year, barring any bad luck.  Let’s say 152-10 just to be safe.

If anyone is building Heritage, I’ve got some for trade.  Other than the Cliff Lee and Ian Kinsler cards, everything is available.  Especially the cruel World Series card.

Baseball Card Box Of Chocolates

As if I needed any more reason to worship the lovely wife...

I have often been tempted to purchase one of these value packs at Target.  10 packs for $10 is a great deal, and at a minimum, you get a pack of 206 and 2010 Heritage.  I've always passed because I felt I should spend my money on packs I "needed."  I came home today to find a value pack, plus a rack pack of 2011 Topps Series 2 on my night stand with a sweet Valentine card that I will keep to myself.

This is a perfect gift for card collectors on Valentines Day because of the assorted nature of it.  I opened it with more of a sense of fun than anything I've opened in a long time.  There was no feeling of hoping to avoid doubles, hoping to get a big hit, or hoping to not get the "wrong" thing.  It was so much fun to open because it was a little of this, and a little of that.  Kind of like going to a wine tasting.
Here was what was inside:

 I haven't opened Upper Deck Wax since forever, so this was a great excuse to do so.

That's such a pretty picture.

And I was very happy with what I got in the packs:

I've received a few of these UD StarQuest cards in trades.  Very nice insert set.  Getting Jeter and Griffey cards turns any pack rip into a win.

The Kinsler at the top of this pic came from a 2007 Topps pack.  The bottom 2 are from the 206.  I love the Queensboro Bridge mini card.  The Munson is a beaut too.

The Heritage pack yielded probably my favorite assortment.  I got Vlad as a Ranger and two of my favorite non-Rangers, Ichiro and Halladay.

I may have mentioned this in the past, but there is something about this Fleer Ultra set that I really like.  It's on the short list of sets to add to my master checklist.

Finally, I mentioned the 2011 Topps rack pack.  Can't complain about these pulls, with the Kimball Champion Aaron leading the way.

That was just fun!  It was a nice reminder of what opening wax is supposed to feel like.  Thank you so much lovely wife.  I'm a lucky dude!

Spiegeling with the Stars

Spiegel from the awesome blog Nomo’s Sushi Platter has become to trading with me what Alec Baldwin is to hosting Saturday Night Live:  a frequent guest who never disappoints.

I just wrapped up my third (or was if fourth?) trade with Spiegel.  He posted his end of the deal on a cool video post on his blog here.    I love video posts.  I would love to do my own.  But alas, I dare not unveil the shroud of secrecy that must not speak it’s name for, I Napkin Doon, shall forsooth not seek ye… something… under a cloak of secrecy…  um…  perpitude, or something.

Sorry, lost my train of thought.    Anyway, I got a thick stack of superstars from Mr. Spiegel and I’m giddy about it:

The Fleer Ultra Kinsler is sharp.  I may have to look into building that set.  

Since he’s a Razorback, I’ll root for Cliff Lee no matter where he plays.  But it still hurts a little not seeing him in a Ranger uni.

 How about that Jeter Gallery card?  Very nice.

Fill those Halladay and Ichiro pages Spiegel, fill them full my man..

Spiegel, once again, you are an awesome trade partner!

eTopps In Hand Delivery Part 2

No talk, on with pictures:

These are the first 2010 cards I've taken in hand.  They're not bad, but not the best eTopps has done.

I took a few of my favorite players. The Hunter and Halladay on the right are from the 2003 set, which I think is the nicest base set eTopps has released.  The eTopps logo looks more like a medallion than just a printed logo.  The 2 Hunter cards on the bottom are from the 2007 set, which is much nicer in hand than I expected.

Finally, I took a handful of NFL stars. The Tomlinson cards at the bottom look GREAT.  I especially like the card on the left from the 2007 set.

Gypsy Queen Life Vest: Courtesy Reader Ryan

When I started this blog, I had no preconceived notions about the level of trading in which I would participate.   In fact, I don’t think trading was on my radar at all as I timidly stepped into the blogging waters. But lately, it seems like that’s all I’ve been doing,  and I’m happy to say it’s been a blast.  But how can you not enjoy coming home from a hard day of reading blog posts work and finding a nice padded envelope with your fake name on it.  That’s just what I got from reader Ryan L.  the other day.  He sent a very nice stack of cards and yet again pushed my GQ master set toward completion.  I’d spend a minute extolling the virtues of his blog, but as of yet, he doesn’t have one.  Based on my correspondence with him, I think he should.  He’s got some really nice collecting goals and it would be cool to follow his progress.  Just do it Ryan, quit screwing around.  What, do you have a life or something?  Anyway, onto the goodies:

 12 Base Cards including some SPs.  I'm now at 53% complete for the base set.

Ryan also snuck in a couple of Green Framed cards of two superstars, and minis of 3 of my favorite players.  I suppose if I really wanted to have a master set of GQ, I should build the minis.  After looking at these, I just might.

And finally, a few other cards of some of my favorite players.  The Halladay is a numbered refractor. Sa-weeet.

Since Ryan doesn’t have a blog to cover his end of the trade, let me do it for him.  Actually, I don’t even remember what I sent him, but I’ll cover the gist of what I think he would have said about me:

“I’m sure by now you are blissfully aware of the highly entertaining, edgy and relevant ‘The Adventures of Napkin Doon.’  If you haven’t read his blog yet, what the %@*% are you waiting for?  Imagine if Cormac McCarthy, Thomas Pynchon and Mark Twain had a baby and that baby grew up to write a baseball card blog.  That’s the essence of Napkin Doon.  But be warned, unless you are prepared to be challenged mentally, don’t read his blog.  Certainly, the subject matter of his blog is baseball cards, but if you read between the lines you realize that he is actually holding a mirror up to society and saying “This…. This is what you are society.’  Plus he held a tournament for hot dogs too.”

Thank you for the kind words Ryan.  I’m blushing, but I graciously accept what your post about me would have said.

Napkin Doon: Hall of Famer

Never in my wildest dreams did I think my work on this blog would lead me to the Hall of Fame, but I am proud to say that the Hall of Fame contacted me personally about one of my pieces and wanted to add it to their collection.  What an unbelievable honor!  In fact, I still remember when the Hall of Fame first contacted me, I told my wife with tears in my eyes that this made all the hard work of purchasing baseball cards, opening baseball cards, looking at baseball cards, and sorting baseball cards all worth it.  I assume that there will be a ceremony for my contribution in the near future and I will need to give some sort of speech.  So,  I basically can now say I am a  Hall of Famer, just like Ruth, Mays, Williams, all those guys.  Hall of Famer.  I doubt any of you chumps can say that.  I can.  I guess I've known all along I was better than most of you but I didn't want to say it without proof.   I think this does it. 

Yes indeed, the Baseball Card Hall of Fame now has one of my cards.  I assume this is the official baseball card branch of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.  I've been to the Hall in Cooperstown, and highly recommend it.  I do remember the Baseball Card display, and I assume that is where my card is going, perhaps next to the T206 Honus Wagner.  I'm surprised they would need to request cards from bloggers, since I figured Topps would give them whatever they need, but I guess the Reggie Jackson card I had looked Hall of Fame worthy, and they were likely already rabid fans of my blog.   In fact, the Hall of Fame liked my contribution so much, they sent me a huge assortment of artifacts for my collection.   Here is what the Hall sent me in return, almost like a trade between baseball card bloggers:

This Michael Young beauty was the main focus of the trade.  Now THAT is a Hall of Fame Card.

Who knew the Hall had former Razorbacks on hand?  Cool!

They also sent a whole mess of current Rangers (and Cliff Lee)

And and even bigger mess of 80's Rangers....

Plus a bunch of stars I collect...

And.... um.....a bunch of giveaway cards with players I collect on them... 

There was even more in the package, but I wouldn't expect you non Hall of Famers to have the attention span to look at much more.  So a big thank you to Kyle at the Baseball Card Hall of Fame for a great trade and my imminent induction to your wonderful museum!   

I Am The Smartest Man Alive…

Let’s look back at my predictions for the 2011 baseball season:

AL West -  I refuse to pick this division as I do not want to jinx the Rangers. 
AL Central- The Royals, with the help of some young ultra talented Naturals are 2 years away I think.  And I can't get a feel for this division at all, so I'll pick the Twins.
AL East-  I'll take the chalk and pick the Red Sox.  Although, I think the Orioles will make some noise this year. 

NL East-  Even with the injuries, I'll go with the Phillies.
NL Central-  The Brewers look good to me on paper, but I've said that before about them.
NL West-  Giants again, but the Rockies will be tough I think.

World Series-
What the heck:  Brewers vs. a team whose name I will not mention so that I do not jinx them.

AL MVP:  Someone who plays in the outfield with last year's MVP whose name rhymes with Pelson Pooze.
NL MVP: Ryan Braun

AL CY Young:  Felix Hernandez
NL CY Young:  Roy Halladay 

I was a measly two games from nailing the World Series contestants.  I only went 2 for 6 on my division picks, but, the Red Sox were headed toward winning the division until injuries decimated their lineup.  That would have been a .500 mark.  I also may have picked the NL Cy Young and MVP award winners, although I bet Kershaw takes the Cy Young.  I missed on Nelson Cruz winning the AL MVP, but he did with the ALCS MVP, which I would rather have any day since it means the Rangers ARE AGAIN IN THE WORLD SERIES. 

I wonder what my payoff would have been had I placed $5 on every prediction I made?  Surely I would have made a profit. 

I’m telling you, when my brain isn’t preoccupied ogling the lovely wife, it is capable of inhuman power.  All hail Napkin Doon.