Listia Pin Wins

I've sold a few things on Listia, with some aggravating results, but still have enjoyed the experience overall.  I have been able to pick up a few free additions to one of my periphery collections: pins.

 Mostly, my small collection of pins is baseball related.  So I was thrilled to get this Ichiro Jersey pin to add to it.

 The other theme is corporate/business logos.  The Kelloggs Olympic Pins group I showed a while back is an example. This CAT pin only cost a few hundred points. Crap, this iPhone image rotation baloney is pissing me off to no end!

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.

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!

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!   

Checklist Chipaway 2003 SPX Winning Materials- Ichiro

There once was a fella named Doon

Who blogged like a total buffoon

But he felt so angelic

Winning this Ichiro Relic

Cause this set would be knocked out quite soon!

(67% complete- 14 cards to go!!)

Goodwill Finds

I really wanted to name this post Goodwill Hunting, but even I think that is a little hacky. 

About a month ago, my sister called from the Goodwill store in her city.  Before I could ask her what the hell she was doing in a Goodwill store, she told me she found a bunch of bobbleheads for $2 each.  Long story short, I told her to get one of everything, and get every Piazza, Ichiro and Ripken they had.  I picked them up from her recenty:

I do not know why Blogger rotates this picture.  I don't have time to mess with it, so just turn your head to view.

I guess this was a short lived program from UD.  Obviously I didn't help keep the series going in 2001, since this was the first I ever saw of them.  That's too bad, because these are pretty nice. I actually have a pretty sizeable Startting Lineup/McFarlane collection, so these go quite nicely with them.

Lost and Crinkly Trades:

I came back from travel last week to find some nice little packages waiting for me.  I typically am referring to dirty diapers from my little girl when I say this, but this time I am referring to my end of some trades with my pal AJ from the Lost Collector and Ted from Crinkly Wrappers.

AJ and I play Words with Friends.  AJ kicks the holy crap out of me most of the time, and I just keep coming back for more.  He also has a great, energetic blog that is an asset to this hobby.  He also sends cool cards in the mail like these:

The Hamilton refractor is really cool and I love the Piazza Vintage card.  In fact, I may start building this set if I can find some cheap starter lots.  The Gwynn cards are nice too, and hit several gaps in my Gwynn collection.  Thank you AJ!

I also received a package from Ted at Crinkly Wrappers.   This is one of the blogs that I read religiously before delving into the blog world myself.  It’s got a nice, crisp look to it that I envy.  He claimed some of my early Gypsy Queen gets and sent a lot of really nice stuff of top tier players in return.  This is just half of them:

The Ichiro cards are really nice.  I don’t collect much Upper Deck, so these are all new to me.  I also like the UD Icons set and may have to check into building this one as well.  Thank you Ted!

Blog World Top 5 Players

This week I ran a sort of informal poll as to who are the top 5 current players to collect from a long term "value" standpoint.  Here are the results according to the responses I received:

1 Tie:  Albert Pujols
1 Tie:  Ichiro
3: Roy Halladay
4: Derek Jeter
5: Jason Heyward

That looks like a pretty solid list to me. 

There were 9 commenters who listed both Pujols and Ichiro, and after a quick spin through the randomizer, the winner of some cards arbitrarily picked by me is.....

Captain Canuck!

Thanks for playing Captain.  I don't think I have your address from any previous contests, so please email me when you get a chance.  Here is what I will send you:

I'll find another Ichiro to round out the prize to 6 cards.  I know, it's nothing huge, but not a bad payoff for giving a quick comment on my blog right?