The night shift

Three weeks ago, I returned to the night shift.  It’s the first time I’ve worked nights since last year.  At that time, Beardy was also working nights and we would occasionally chat online about the hobby and other things.  It was about that time that I realized I was getting burned out and that card [...]

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So it’s time for me to try to play catch up once again. A flurry of trades has left me with stacks on stacks of cards on my scanner.  There’s so many cards there, the lid creaks from the weight.  It takes me three minutes to clear the cards off to use the darn thing.  [...]

Continue reading about Catching up, one trade at a time »

Went to Target yesterday on the news that Topps series 2 was out, and it was.  Even more amazing was the massive amounts of series 1 that still lined the shelves.  I didn’t look that closely, but I didn’t notice any other releases from this year anywhere – no GQ, no Bowman…  Just Topps series [...]

Continue reading about My first pack of 2011 Topps Series 2 »

Apparently a lot of my sets end up needing Steve Carlton near the end.  His all-star card was one of the last few cards I needed for my ’83 Topps set.  His superstar special card was a recent acquisition for my ’84 Fleer set needs.  And with this card here, I’m now just a Morgan [...]

Continue reading about Then there were two, 1981 Topps edition »

Reds down 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth.  I know you can’t win them all, but you can win them all against the Cubs. Right?

Continue reading about Didn’t think I’d have to do this, but… »

I stayed away from 2009 Goodwin Champions.  I had a feeling that if I got my hands on some of them, I’d want to collect the set.  At the time, that seemed like a bad idea, so I left all the blasters and loose packs alone.  Then a pack of the stuff fell out of [...]

Continue reading about A Bench, a Bruce, and a Barry arrive in the mail… »

Tonight Edinson Volquez returns to the rotation after two starts in AAA.  The outcome may have been less than stellar, but the Reds say he’s ready.  I thin by ready they mean that they really have no other choice. So, to bring him luck, here’s a card from a happier time, 2008 Upper Deck Timelines.  [...]

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I can’t believe it’s come to this, but drastic times call for drastic measures. Matt Garza was pretty darn good before landing on the DL about fifteen days ago. He had some elbow problems after his last showdown with the Reds when he went six innings and gave up only three unearned runs in a [...]

Continue reading about Reverse jinx, Cubs edition »

One of these years the Reds will learn how to beat these guys.  Until then, thank goodness it’s time for Matt Kemp, Andre Either and the rest of that team to get out of Cincinnati. Kemp hit three home runs over the last two days, including a game tying grand slam yesterday.  Either threw Jay [...]

Continue reading about Go away, LA »

As a fan of baseball, I enjoy watching Kershaw pitch a two-hit-double-digit-strikeout performance as much as the next guy. But not against the Reds. So here to blowing the shutout open and scoring some runs! *UPDATE* I may or may not be a witch: Bottom 6th: Cincinnati – R. Hernandez singled to shallow left – [...]

Continue reading about Reverse Jinx, part 2 »

Even though the money I had earmarked for cards has gone into allowing me to stand upright and walk with little pain once again (man, I feel so old typing that), I still found enough change in the couch to buy one of those Bowman three packs with the retail exclusive purple parallels. Because if [...]

Continue reading about My unhealthy Bowman obsession continues »

Back’s better, thanks for asking. As I’ve been trying to scour trades on the Sports Card Blogroll, I noticed a dearth of people trying to complete the 1989 Fleer set.  I know I’d be a little embarrassed myself to ask for help with this set, but you can email me privately and no one will [...]

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So posting has been scattered and pretty lightweight lately. Sorry for that. Somehow I’ve managed to inflame my back. Badly. This causes things like walking to be somewhat painful, so you can imagine scanning and sitting at a desk to be painful as well. I’m not into that sort of thing. If I was, I’d [...]

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Since I’m taking credit for the Jay Bruce resurgence due to a card I posted here, I’m also hoping that I have the power of the reverse jinx.  If so, here goes: I don’t actually have this card, so it may not work.  Something’s gotta give, though, and soon.  I don’t want to be the [...]

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Edison, when will the lights go on?  When will you figure out how to pitch out of the first inning without giving up a run or four?  When will you harness that skill you call pitching and become the quality starter we know you can be. On the plus side, Jay Bruce has been en [...]

Continue reading about Volquez trouble »

Alright folks, here it comes.  Kids are in bed.  Everything’s quiet.  It’s about time to rip this open. First, though, my hunch about Bowman was half correct.  One store, the first store I hit up, actually, had four blasters left (meaning only one other one had been bought) and most of the loose packs were [...]

Continue reading about A Bowman Blaster live break »

Life permitting, I hope to return in about two, two and a half hours to live break what should be my second and final Bowman blaster. What mysteries will it hold? What secrets lie inside? Does anyone still care about live box breaks documented on a blog? Find out (maybe) later tonight!

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I haven’t been back to the store yet to see if there’s still Bowman about.  I’m guessing that there is, though, as Harper Hype seems a little less exciting that Strasmas was.  Purpley shiny Stephen’s were routinely selling for over $100 during the hype, while Harper’s refractor seems to be hanging in the $80 range.  [...]

Continue reading about A Blaster of Bowman and the Hoopla of Harper »

I was just reading my preliminary thoughts post on 2011 Bowman, and how I probably wouldn’t buy any of it, the design was boring, complain, complain, complain. So what did I do when I heard Bowman might be out in stores now? Went out right after work to see what I could find. Six blasters, [...]

Continue reading about Two random packs: 2011 Bowman »

No interest in anything having to do with those blasters, huh?  I felt the same way.  Good deal if it was something I actually wanted.  Bad deal since it’s nothing I need.  And I’ve got plenty of cards I no longer need.  I’ll have more once I track down those new Bowman blasters and try [...]

Continue reading about Choices from the monopoly »

One of my local box store has some 40% off blasters – three of the OPC baseball, two 2009 Artifacts, and one of2008 X.   I’m not planning to buy them for myself, but I thought I’d offer them up to readers if they want to enjoy the saving.  Of course, once you factor shipping [...]

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Yes, I bought a second blaster, and yes, I found this one more entertaining for some reason, even though the hits were nowhere near as good. I’m thinking that blasters are definitely the way to go for now unless prices start to fall below the $100 mark. I just need to start preordering the stuff [...]

Continue reading about One more for the Gypsies »

It’s on topic, it’s trendy, it’s the perfect card for today’s game. Bruce’s double off Trevor Miller in the 8th would prove to be a game winner after Aroldis Chapman walked four batters (with a fly out in there somewhere) to start off the ninth and the rest of the pen struggled to get the [...]

Continue reading about One tough sweep »

1)  Johnny Cueto goes 7.2, allowing 0 ER on three hits and striking out 5… 2) and Brandon Phillips goes 2-3 with a home run and 3 RBIs. That Cueto is part of the 60 Years of Topps insert set.  I’d be happy if it was the key card from that set for years to [...]

Continue reading about Two things to upset a Cardinals fan »

2-5 with a game winning walk off single in the bottom of the tenth. Oh, and welcome back Scott Rolen… … 3-5 with an RBI.  Can you believe this is the only card I have him on as a Red?  Me neither, but it’s true (hint, hint)! One down, two to go…

Continue reading about Domo Arigato, Mr. Joey Votto »

It’s my first blaster of the 2011 season, and rather than continue to pound on a set that I’m trying to complete (2011 Topps Series 1), I thought I’d get something I had no intention of collecting at the time. Note the choice of verbs, kiddies, cause I think this blaster may have changed my [...]

Continue reading about Blastin’ the Gypsey Queen »

I can’t recall if this is the third or fourth post from my birthday packages. There’s still plenty more left in the posting tank as far as they go, too. Hopefully some of you are enjoying the opportunity to enjoy the bounty that I received. I’ll try to shake things up as the days go [...]

Continue reading about More early 80′s birthday gifts »

Back in 2007, this would have been quite a card.  On the same day, the ever struggling to rebuild Rangers signed Chris Drury and Scott Gomez to become the first and second line centers they badly needed.  Glen Sather hoped this would be the key to bringing the Stanley Cup back to New York, and [...]

Continue reading about Some Rangers history as told through jersey cards I recieved for my birthday »

I’ve been out of the loop the last few days helping my in-laws move, and I will probably be indisposed for a few more after that.  Until then, I’ve sent Jhonny Peralta to watch you for me.  So don’t do anything immoral or unclean. (And yes, this probably means I’ll be building a Heritage set [...]

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Another card from the birthday haul, a game used Gump Worsely card.  This one came with a note asking if I can figure out what’s wrong with it.  More on that in a minute. First off, let’s talk about Gump.  Gump Worsley won the Calder Trophy while with the New York Rangers despite posting a [...]

Continue reading about He’s Gump, He’s Gump, He’s Gump, took a puck to the head… »

I’ve decided in my only personal neck of the woods that May shall be Make More Comments month.  I’ve been wandering the sports card blog forest for over three years now, and I can admit to being very lax when it comes to sharing comment-y goodness with my fellow bloggers. I wish I had a [...]

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I’m finally organized enough to start going through the Sports Card Blogroll and try to solicit some trades once more.  And here’s how easy the first one was.  I clicked on the link to 26¢ Summer, found his wantlists, made an offer, suggested what he could send me, and four days later I had some [...]

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My brother came through pretty big when it came to my birthday.  I received no less than five packages with cards inside that were a lot of help my 1980′s wantlists and some hockey starter sets to boot.  I’m not going to post them all at once, as it would end up a post of [...]

Continue reading about Birthday cards, 2011 edition, Pt 2 »

My prayers have been answered, and my set is finally complete.  But why did I receive to 1990 McGriff All Stars??? To hide the Pokey Reese surprise inside! It’s like an Easter egg filled with jellybeans.  That can’t hit very well.  Or take a walk. Fast as heck, though, and boy could they play some [...]

Continue reading about Joy of a completed set (finally), 1990 Topps edition »

About two days before my birthday my son stopped what he was doing and asked me why I like baseball so much.  I was a little surprised by the question, and kinda fumbled for a “I just do” kind of answer rather then attempting to woe a four year old with some Giamatti quote.  It [...]

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