I Have 2014 Topps People, Look At Me!!!!

I liked 2013 Topps, and I might like 2014 even more.  Or maybe I'm still tingly from my first purchase of product, since I didn't expect to find it today.

I found some blasters in Walmart today at lunch, and while I don't expect to spend much on retail wax this year (instead directing funds more towards vintage and finishing some sets) I couldn't help myself and partook.

I'll keep the comments brief since I suspect you mostly just want to see the cards.  Fair enough.  The first card out of the blaster was the bonus manu-patch card Topps puts in retail blasters.  And for me, it was a doozie:

These are very similar to last years rookie manu patches, which is a little lame.  However the makeup of the card is pretty cool:  the picture is a silky fabric, but the Rangers logo, name and graphic semi circle around them is part of the cardboard frame.  It gives it kind of a shadowbox effect and I like it.  There are two types of manu relics in blasters, the rookie reprints like the Darvish above, and some standard patch cards.  My other blaster gave me another rookie reprint, and it was another doozie:

You can tell pretty well in this picture that the Pirate logo is not part of the fabric part of the card.  I definitely like these!

As for the base cards, I didn't really score many that I felt were worth noting.  No favorite Rangers or other big names, but here are a few for examples sake:

The checklist card showing Rivera coming out of his last game is pretty sweet.  Glad Topps added that one.

I did have pretty good luck with the Walmart blue parallels though:

Of course there are several other parallels again this year:

I like the ruby red- that will make a great Ranger team set.  Camos are back too. 

The Power Players parallel intrigues me.  On the back is a code, similar to the Million Card giveaway and other online promotions Topps has done in the past.  I think it's smart to incorporate these codes on player cards instead of a throw away insert.  The site topps.com/powerplayers, is not live yet, but it looks like there will be real cards you can win this year, which is good news.

As for inserts, there are plenty, but I'll show the ones that I liked the best:

 

I wasn't all that jazzed about the 1989 minis at first, but they turned out pretty cool.  They're die cut and the color border makes a difference.

I also kind of like these "Future is Now" cards.  They seem to have a "gypsy-queen-ish" filter on the image, or maybe I'm imagining that.

Looks like it will be a fun set to build!

COMC Black Friday Parade: Rangers Rangers Rangers!

Man, I had a lot of fun with the Black Friday sale on COMC.com.  I got some really great stuff and it didn't set me back all that much.

I had all kinds of sweet spots in my collection, with some of my favorites being the various Rangers I picked up :

This was by far the most expensive card I bought, and it actually wasn't that bad.  It's an incredibly beautiful card, and if Profar lives up to his potential, the cost will be well worth it.  Even if he flops, it's still a great looking card.

Here are some other great looking cards:

 I think my only regret is that I didn't pick up more Darvish cards.

 I also had my last dalliance with Ian:

Oh Ian, I miss you already.

I Came Here To Show Cards And Chew Bubble Gum.

And I'm all out of bubble gum. 

Hmmm.  That was supposed to sound a lot more tough that it came out.  Between you and me, it came across a little dorky. 

But now I'm committed to showing cards, so let me show you some awesome cards, courtesy Greg from Plaschke, Thy Sweater Is Argyle.  I sent him a Jose Bautista auto and a few other Dodger cards and he sent back a few items right in my wheelhouse:

This was the highlight of the package.  If this Mike Moustakas auto showed him in his Northwest Arkansas uniform, it would have been more than I could bear.  I'm still hoping the light switch goes on for Moustakas at KC- he was certainly a beast while he was here in AA ball.

 

 

Speaking of beasts, Peyton Hillis was a man-child while at Arkansas.  I remember him coming in as a freshman and absolutely flattening people.  He was wildly popular and fans around here couldn't believe it the next year when Hillis starting losing playing time to a couple freshmen named Darren McFadden and Felix Jones.  What I love about the cards is the uncanny resemblance between his and my arms.

Finally, Greg added this cool mini SP of Jurickson Profar.  Not only is the card cool, but this is the first time I've ever seen a mini card toploader.  Sweet!

Thanks for the trade Greg!  And don't go revealing any secrets you think you may know about me!

Ranger Hits... And No Misses

Someone put together a Napkin Doon dream lot on eBay a few weeks ago, and thank god for us all, I won it.

It included a nice big handful of Ranger hits, including my first ever Yu Darvish relic:

Yeah, it's an all star game jersey, but so what?  My first Darvish relic!

The lot also included a pair of Heritage relics, including my main man Adrian Beltre.  I look at these and can't decide if they are boring or not. 

Two more of my favorites- Nelson Cruz and Ian Kinsler.  The Kinsler card is really sharp, and I love the blue swatch.

The lot also included one auto- David Murphy.

Finally, there were a few nice regular cards in the lot, including a gold parallel Elvis Andrus rookie, and some minor league cards of Jurickson Profar and Ian Kinsler.

My kind of lot!

Cleve's Auction Night: Anniversary Talk, Dodger Blue and Yu

As the lovely wife will tell you, remembering anniversaries is not one of my stronger skills.  I'll give you an example. For our wedding anniversary a couple of years ago, I thought I was being a great husband by looking up what the traditional anniversary gift was for a couple reaching their 8th anniversary.  Turns out the traditional gifts are either bronze or pottery.   We don't have any bronze in our house and I thought pottery would be the best bet.   Well, where else would I find good pottery but at Pottery Barn?  So I went to Pottery Barn.

I took my time looking and found a couple of nice pots and had them wrapped up.  I thought they were good looking pots, and knew that the lovely wife be gracious about them even if they weren't exactly what she would pick.  I mean, they came from Pottery Barn, and she seems to like that place pretty well.   Besides, I knew what was important was that she would realize I made the effort on my own to shop for traditional 8th year anniversary gifts.  I also knew that display of consideration and sweetness would get me a lot of action in the sack later when I told her the trouble I went to.

Our anniversary date came (it's somewhere like in the middle of May, like the 14th or 15th or abouts) and I gave my wife her gift.  I proudly handed over the box and she eagerly opened it.  As I hoped, she thought the pots were beautiful.    She asked how I came to choose them.  I told her I had done some research and found these were the traditional gifts for this year of our marriage.  Her eyes welled up a little and I knew I had done well.  I also knew that later that night it. was. on.

But.... I kept talking and didn't quit while I was ahead. Big mistake.  "Yeah, for the 8th anniversary they say  traditional gift is either pottery or bronze, and I didn't think you liked bronze that much."

She stopped and kind of stared off across the room for a moment.  "8th anniversary?" she asked.  Uh oh.

"Yeah, I um...."

"Sweet heart.... we've been married 6 years.  Not 8."

"Oh.  Hmm."  I chose my next words carefully.  "I guess it just seems like 8."

Now in my defense I realized what a dumb thing that was to say the moment the words came out of my mouth, which in my opinion, shows great progress on my part.

I won't go into any more detail, but I suppose you can imagine how the rest of that conversation and evening went.

I bring this up only because I just realized that I passed my 2 year blog anniversary last week.  I don't really care that much, but I suppose I should acknowledge it for posterity's sake. 

Actually the only reason I thought about it was that last week I was in Chicago for the International Housewares Show, which I go to every year.  I started my blog just before the show 2 years ago and so now when I'm at the show, I remember this is about the time my blog got started. 

And I only mention going to Chicago last week because it kept me from yet another Cleve Auction,and I once again had to rely on write in bids.  I did ok with them though:

This 1964 Don Drysdale is in exceptional condition and is a great addition to my sampler album. 

I think I'm going to have Yu-fever this year.  I probably didn't get a price steal on this lot of 4, but I needed his A&G rookie and now I have 4.

Finally, as I was in picking these wins up Saturday, Cleve told me he found a card I might like and gave me this:

Wow!  Cleve continues to amaze me- I'm looking to get my hands on any and all Profar cards I can, and this was one I definitely wanted.  What a guy! (Cleve, not Jurickson)


Grades:

1964 Don Drysdale $4   A   Very sharp card and much needed for my 1964 page

Yu Darvish Allen and Ginter Lot  $4:  B+  I probably didn't save a whole lot, but getting 4 of these in one shot is great.

Jurickson Profar Spring Fever Card  $0:  A++++++++   It's ridiculous how awesome Cleve is.

On a final note regarding the blog anniversary-  thank you to all of you who follow, comment, trade, play words with friends, and have become friends with me over this past two years.  This goofy project I started two years ago is more fun that I ever imagined and I owe it all to you good folks!

Thanks for hanging out with me!

Profar, Progood- Haiku For You

Jurickson Profar,

Texas Rangers Super-Stud

Bowman Chrome And Base

Chrome Futures Cards With My Name Written All Over Them

...at least the backs anyways.  I've been anxious to pick up some of the Futures Game insert cards from 2012 Bowman Chrome, especially of players I've seen in person like Wil Myers and Jurickson Profar.  Oh wait, I've seen ALL of the guys in the Futures Game set because I WAS AT the Futures Game.  Bully for me!

I knew that there was something special about this set, but until I read the backs of the cards, I wasn't sure what it was. 

 Yes, this is a sweet card.  But the back was what floored me. Turns out, my presence at the game that day did not go unnoticed.

Wow, recognition on this spectacular set was a complete shock to be sure!  Of course, my name on one card would have been plenty, especially on one of my favorite prospect's cards!  Let's look at Wil Myer's card and see what's doing there:

Wow, another beautiful card.  Surely this one doesn't mention me too does it?

OMG!!!!  This is too much!  Not to be nit-picky, but I was getting a bratwurst, not a hot dog, but the spirit of the card is correct. 

I can't wait to get the other cards and see if I made the text of them too!

Happy Labor Day, Woo Pig Sooie!, and I Love My Big Green Egg

There is not much better than a Monday off.  I hope you all have an enjoyable day.  I'm not sure what we will do today, but I know it will start with Krispy Kremes.

The Razorbacks started their season Saturday.  I guess most other college teams did too, but they don't much matter do they?  I'll spare you guys weekly recaps on the Razorbacks, since I'm assuming the vast majority of you don't care about the Razorbacks, although you should.  I will say that we are excited about the Hogs around these here parts, and the week after a Razorback win seems to always be so pleasant.

Speaking of Razorbacks, I won a pretty cool Darren McFadden graded rookie card on eBay recently and it came in the mail the other day:

I don't know how else to entertain you today, other than to show you some pictures of the magnificent steaks I grilled Sunday on my Big Green Egg.   I wish Allen and Ginter would do a card of a Big Green Egg, if they are going to stubbornly refuse to issue one of George Will.  I mean, tell me this isn't card worthy:

Then add these pieces of cow:

And after a few minutes at a balmy 650 degrees:

I forgot to take a picture of them on the plated, but trust me, it was culinary art.  Pair them up with a bottle of red and some delicious sides courtesy the lovely wife, and a Rangers victory earlier in the day (with a Jurickson Profar Home Run in his first ML AB), and you've got a perfect Sunday.

Potential Greatness Up Close

I suppose at some point I will realize how fortunate I have been to see so many big time MLB prospects play in person over the past couple of years that have gone on to success in the bigs:  Mike Trout, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas etc.  I’ve also seen a few who by all indications have a chance at stardom : Jonathan Singleton, Nolan Arenando, Wil Myers to name a few.  I realize the talent pool that plays through the AA venue around here will not always be so deep.

I recently was able to add one more player to add to the list this: Jurickson Profar.   And I can tell you that even if I didn’t know he was a big time prospect, I would have sensed something special about him after watching him play in person.

Actually, this is not the first time I've seen him play in person.  He was in the Futures Game in KC last month and hit a home run in the first inning.

From what I hear, he is a good bet to get called up this September, so this past weekend’s series against the Naturals was my last chance to see him play in person unless I goto an MLB game.  Or more precisely, the last chance I have to see him play without driving 4 hours and spending a lot of money.

I mentioned that my intention was to use my son to go get his autograph.  Truth be told, I would only want to get his autograph if my boy was interested in getting it.  He wasn’t, so we just watched from our seats and ate peanuts.

In summary, I have no autograph successes or good photos to share.  But Jurickson Profar is awesome.

Checklist Chipaway: 2012 Bowman Platinum Prospects

I picked up a lot of 38 Bowman Platinum prospects on eBay  a few weeks ago, and I think I only paid around $6 or $7 shipped.  With rack packs of this stuff at $10, and only including a handful of prospect cards in each, this was a great value.

Better yet, many of the prospects I'm especially interested in were included.

I'm now at about 50% done with the set. 

The Good Olt Days

The only thing I'm miffed about with the recent call up of Mike Olt to the Rangers is that I was only two weeks away from seeing him in person play here in NW Arkansas had he stayed in AA.  His previous team, the Frisco Rough Riders, are scheduled to be here in the middle of August and I was looking forward to going to the games and using my 6 year old to help me get an autograph of him and Jurickson Profar.  Oh well, I guess we'll focus on just stalking Profar.

 I pulled this card at Walmart the other day.  Not sure why my press release to the local news stations has not yet received a response.

Those of you who read my blog will know that I am not prone to exaggerate or over react.  Keep that in mind when I say that I am certain that Olt will be a bigger deal than Mike Trout and Bryce Harper COMBINED.  And I want any and all Olt cards you can send my way.  Even though there are only about 60 games to go this season, Olt is now the heavy favorite to win the AL ROY as well as MVP.

Texas Rangers Stocking Stuffers

Well, these weren't really in my stocking, because that would be insane unless they were well protected.  But I got a few nuggets in the mail this week:

Jurickson Profar relic card-  I'm not necessarily a huge prospector, but I do like to keep an eye on minor league talent, which is partly because of the Royals AA team in my area. Since they are a Texas League team, every year I get to see the Rangers AA team come to town a few times.  I think Profar may get to AA this year, and everything I hear about him leads me to believe he could be special.  In fact, one scout said Profar had Hanley Ramirez's physical skills with Dustin Pedroia's makeup.  He's really young and several years away (and blocked up the middle by Kinsler and Andruz) but I'm still excited about his future with the Rangers.

 Speaking of Kinsler, I also got this graded Turkey Red rookie card this week.  It was only around $3 shipped, and I love the way Beckett Graded cards look and feel.  So sterile and organized.

I now have 8 variants of the Michael Young 2005 Finest Card.  I don't know why I decided to do a rainbow of this card, but I did.  I do like the looks of the card, I just can't really explain why I need a page full of different color versions of the same card.  I just need it.

I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Holiday season! This experience in the blogging world has been a gift that has kept giving all year long through the contact and interaction I've had with all of you, and I appreciate it!

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.