Letting the cards do the talking

Back when I started this post a half a day ago, I was in a foul, foul mood.I had no time and I was in a state of perpetual pissed-off-ness. But I still felt the need to post, which is What I Do these days. The only problem was I was so angry that I did…

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Box Details: 24 packs per box, 7 cards per pack, $40 From: Baseball Card Exchange Base set: 140/165 (85%), 2 duplicates The base set is comprised of 165 cards. The veteran to young star/rookie ratio works out to 104:61. The veterans in this set, such as Nicklas Lidstrom, have red base cards while the young [...]

Continue reading about 2002-03 Bowman Youngstars Hockey Review »

I have a total of five boxes that have been busted and are awaiting review (yes, there will be more hockey!) so I thought I’d start things off with an old favorite of mine, 2000 E-X baseball. I broke a box of this product when this blog was brand new. In fact, this post comes [...]

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A little while ago, I responded to a Night Owl post, expressing interest in a certain Mickey Mantle X-Fractor he had. I don’t do a whole lot of trading, but once in a while, Greg and I usually end up making a pretty hefty Dodgers/Yankees exchange. With that said, I had yet to put together [...]

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Today is April 10, 2010, which means it’s been exactly two years since this, my very first post here on Old School Breaks. Later that day, I also wrote my first review, 1998 Flair Showcase. I honestly can’t believe it’s been that long already. Thanks again to everyone who has been following the blog for [...]

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Alright, so maybe a single-card acquisition shouldn’t be labeled as a “mailday,” but this new addition to my autograph PC surely deserves its own post!
The card on the right is a Sign of the Times autograph of Eddie Mathews. This card was just one of thirty different autographs that could be found in packs of [...]

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In 2001, Topps Archive Reserve debuted as an all-refractor reprint set of 100 cards, each featuring a former MLB star as they appeared on their first Topps card. Each box delivered an autographed baseball as a boxtopper, along with an additional autograph and game-used card.
The following year, the same basic concepts applied, but the rookie [...]

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Prior to this post, have you ever noticed that the title of every box break of mine has had the word “baseball” in it? Since those previous breaks had been exclusively baseball, there surely had to be a reason for it, right? You don’t see the word “baseball” in the titles of breaks done by [...]

Continue reading about 2000-01 Topps Gold Label Hockey Review »

A little over a week ago, I promised a break of a box that was different from all the previous boxes seen here. I haven’t quite finished the very scan-heavy review yet but before I do, here are some details regarding the next break:
1. The box is nearly 10 years old.
2. The box sold for [...]

Continue reading about Mystery Box Hints »

The first time I ever mentioned this product, I referred to it as an “ugly mess of a product.” I know those seem like harsh and shocking words (in fact, I take them back), especially coming from a fan of the Gold Label series, but in my opinion, this product just never quite measured up [...]

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A couple weeks ago, Tim at 90’s Box Breaks busted a box of 1999 Bowman Chrome Series 1. Today, we’ll take a look at Series 2, the portion of the set containing most of the big names from the ‘99 class. These names include C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Alfonso Soriano, Adam Dunn, Carl Crawford, and [...]

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A couple of months ago, I participated in the group break hosted by John at Old School Breaks. There were 8 boxes broken from an era when I did not do much collecting: 2001-2004. I claimed the Cardinals and Phillies as my teams. We all know why I cl…

Continue reading about Group Break from Old School Breaks: Image Gallery »

Holy crap, it’s been exactly a month since I last made a post! Since the time of my last post, I haven’t done a whole lot of blog-related activities (that sadly includes reading others). I also haven’t touched any boxes since our group break. However, that will change next week as three boxes are on [...]

Continue reading about What Lies Ahead… »

I was lucky enough to participate in Old School Breaks’ most recent group break that included eight hobby boxes from 2001-2004. For a very reasonable price I was able to nab all the Mariners and Reds from the boxes (in hopes of Griffeys of course) and …

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Magnificence “Blue” Parallel Reggie Jackson 197/250 (Yankees – Chuck)
Magnificence “Blue” Parallel Vernon Wells 231/250 (Blue Jays – Captain Canuck)
Magnificence “Blue” Parallel Jeff Bagwell 042/250 (Astros – darkship)
Dynamic Debuts Dontrelle Willis (Marlins – WickedOrtega)
Dynamic Debuts Rich Harden (Athletics – Beardy)

The Naturals Frank Howard (Senators/Rangers – Play at the Plate)
The Naturals Al Kaline (Tigers – Night Owl)
The [...]

Continue reading about OSGB2: Box 8: 2003 Fleer Rookies and Greats »

Just so everyone knows, I’m still alive and got back from vacation ok. I arrived a couple days ago and am still adjusting to the time difference! The Fleer Rookies and Greats box did arrive while I was away and has been busted. I’m trying to post up the results right now, but my scanner [...]

Continue reading about Just a Heads Up… »

Alright guys, here’s the deal. In my last post, I stated that our Fleer Rookies and Greats box would be here by today and I would break it before I left tomorrow. I’ve been pretty busy running around and working the past few days and finally got around to checking my PO box for the [...]

Continue reading about Group Breakers READ »

Hey guys. Sorry this took so long for me to post! This is the second-to-last box in our break. The Fleer Rookies and Greats box is on its way here, but may not get here until Saturday (in which case I’ll have to bust it and recap it that night after work before hopping on [...]

Continue reading about OSGB 2: Box 7: 2004 Donruss World Series »

Fans of the Game Steve Schirripa (Yankees – Chuck)
Fans of the Game Bode Miller (Red Sox – Shoebox Legends)
Rally Caps Mike Mussina 481/999 (Yankees – Chuck)
Rally Caps Joe Kennedy698/999 (Rockies – WickedOrtega)
Heritage Stan Musial 125/999 (Cardinals – Dan)
Spirit of the Game Roger Clemens 642/999 (Astros – darkship)

Studio Stars:
Mike Mussina (Yankees – Chuck)
Vladimir Guerrero (Angels – [...]

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Avant Card SP Jason Giambi (Yankees – Chuck)
Avant Card SP Ichiro (Mariners – Bud)
Avant Card Legacy Rene Reyes 155/175 (Rockies – WickedOrtega)
Mark Teixeira SP 0329/1000 (Rangers – Play at the Plate)
Hank Blalock SP 0461/1500 (Rangers – Play at the Plate)
Legacy Aramis Ramirez 134/175 (Pirates – Chuck)

Baseball’s Best Rafael Palmeiro (Rangers – Play at the Plate)
Baseball’s [...]

Continue reading about OSGB 2: Box 5: 2002 Fleer Showcase »

I’m currently enslaved at work at the moment, where I’ll be for the next oh…10 hours or so……so I have a quick question to our group break participants.
Do any of you NOT want your base cards or one of your team’s base cards? E-mail me or post a response here, please.

For example, let’s say you have [...]

Continue reading about About Base Cards (And My Screw Up)… »

Travis Chapman Rookie 1662/1750 (Tigers – Night Owl)
Aspirations Miguel Tejada 39/96 (Athletics – Beardy)
Passing the Torch Stan Musial/Jim Edmonds 200/500 (Cardinals – Dan)
All-Time Career Best Andre Dawson (Cubs – Shoebox Legends)
All-Time Career Best Stan Musial (Cardinals – Dan)

Career Bests Roy Oswalt jersey 442/500 (Astros – darkship)
Throwback Threads Randy Johnson hat 072/250 (Mariners – Bud)
This marks [...]

Continue reading about OSGB2: Box 4: 2003 Donruss Elite »

Craig Biggio SP (Astros – darkship)
Jorge Posada SP (Yankees – Chuck)
Jason Romano Rookie 0952/1500 (Rangers – Play at the Plate)
Recollection Collection 2001 Luis Garcia Rookie Auto 05/25 (Red Sox – Shoebox Legends)
Status Vladimir Guerrero 37/73 (Expos – oldschoolbreaks)
All-Star Salutes Pedro Martinez 0870/1999 (Red Sox – Shoebox Legends)
Hmm, I thought these boxes delivered a little more [...]

Continue reading about OSGB 2: Box 3: 2002 Donruss Elite »

At Large Ivan Rodriguez (Rangers – Play at the Plate)
Pennant Aggression Barry Bonds (Giants – Peterson)
High Interest Derek Jeter (Yankees – Chuck)
High Interest Ken Griffey, Jr.  (Reds – Bud)

Material Issue Scott Rolen jersey (Phillies – Dan)
Final Cut Troy Glaus jersey (Angels – Play at the Plate)
Autographics Dee Brown (Royals – darkship)
Autographics Silver Kip Wells 054/250 [...]

Continue reading about OSGB2: Box 2: 2001 Fleer Genuine »

Alright guys, here we go! It’s time to reveal the results of our group break (hope the holidays treated everyone well, BTW)! Before I show off the goods, I have to remind/inform everyone of a few things:
1. I will be on vacation (and out of the country), just over a week from now. I’m desperately [...]

Continue reading about OSGB2: Box 1: 2002 Topps Gold Label »

Alright, so apparently I missed an email sent to me a couple days ago regarding the box of 2002 Bowman’s Best which was to be part of our upcoming group break. Apparently, they were out of stock, but remained on the site. As a result, we are one short on the boxes. I’m looking for [...]

Continue reading about One Little Problem! »

By now, I have heard from everyone participating in our break and I expect all payments to arrive early next week, if they haven’t already via Paypal. With that said, I have already ordered our boxes and even included one more impromptu purchase: a box of 2002 Gold Label, which I’m sure will be a [...]

Continue reading about Old School Group Break 2 Team Assignments + Surprise »

The roster for our group break has been completed! I’m sorry to say that I had to deny a couple people who tried to get in just a little too late. The two spots actually filled up this morning, but thanks to work, I was unable to approve the comments until the afternoon. Here’s the [...]

Continue reading about Group Break Closed »

Alright, everyone. Here is the OFFICIAL Signup Post for OSGB2. Here are the boxes we’ll be breaking:
1 box 2004 Donruss World Series
1 box 2003 Donruss Elite
1 box 2002 Donruss Elite
1 box 2004 Donruss Studio
1 box 2001 Fleer Genuine
1 box 2002 Fleer Showcase
1 box 2002 Bowman’s Best
Some of these boxes (but not all) will be ordered [...]

Continue reading about Old School Group Break 2 OFFICIAL SIGNUP POST »

First off, I’d like to thank everyone who commented on the last post. I just wanted to see how much interest there would be in the break, especially if money was involved. Most of you said both options/scenarios were fine so we’ll go ahead and try number 2, the one I was hoping you guys [...]

Continue reading about Group Break 2 Update! »

When I (not so) triumphantly returned to the blogosphere a few weeks ago, I mentioned the desire to hold my second-ever Old School Group Break. For those that weren’t around or weren’t paying attention the first time, here’s what happened.
Earlier this year, I held a very special free group break as a “thank you” gesture [...]

Continue reading about Testing the Waters AGAIN (Group Break 2) »

…there’s a brand new blog for you to check out! You’re probably already familiar with The Great Orioles Autograph Project (but if you’re not, get familiar, it’s great). Now, there’s one more Oriole autograph hound whose blog you’ll want to keep an eye on.
The man behind Eutaw Street Cardboard is a big-time Orioles collector (especially [...]

Continue reading about For the O’s Fans Out There… »

Here’s a quick recap, with scans, of the box of 2001 Fleer Genuine I recently busted. For a full review of this product, click here (broken 1.5 years ago).
Base set: This box yielded 99 out of 100 short set base cards (99%) with 14 duplicates. The only missing base card was #14 Sammy Sosa.

Pennant Aggression [...]

Continue reading about 2001 Fleer Genuine Baseball Box Two »

Here’s a video of a box break of 2001 Fleer Genuine I did a short while ago. I will post scans and my thoughts sometime Thursday. Just so you know, the game-used card is unavailable. And yes, I am aware of the screwy audio at the end.
Posted in Videos Tagged: 2001, Autographics, Fleer, Fleer Genuine, [...]

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In the past, I’ve stated my dislike for game-used base and ball cards for a couple reasons. First, the players have no personal connection to these kinds of items (just about everyone in that game will touch the item in one way or another). Second, the certificate of authenticity on the back does not always [...]

Continue reading about Old School Hits: 2001 Playoff Absolute Memorabilia Home Opener Souvenirs »