I haven’t posted worth a damn lately, for a couple of reasons. The first – although I moved over a month ago, I still haven’t set up my “office” (which is a huge storage closet where we put my computer desk) yet. Basically my only internet access is at my office, and when I’m there, they usually make me work.

The other reason is that I’ve hit a bit of a collecting wall, in that I don’t know quite what I want to collect any more. I’m saving money for both a ring AND hopefully a down payment on a house next spring, and cards don’t seem to be quite the priority at the moment, so I’ve decided to put a halt on buying hardly any wax, except for the Goodwin Champions set. I’m only three cards away from the 09 A&G set, so I’m probably done buying that, and maybe about 30 cards from the 07 A&G. I really want to buy a box of 2006, but am having a really difficult time swallowing the $200+ price tag.

Aside from sets, I’ll obviously still be collecting Andy Pettitte. I’m also getting a little more serious about my Chad Greenway collection, as well. Aside from that, I’ll probably actively keep building on my Jeter, Rivera and Joba collections, as well as adding the occasional auto as well, like the previously mentioned Cashman and hopefully a Joe Torre as well.

Finally, I busted a box of 07 A&G for something different, and pulled three hits from a box that promises only two. I’m not one to get worked up too much about g/u stuff, which is a good thing because the first one was a Rich Harden. In the pack following Harden, I pulled a Joe Frazier relic, which I thought was pretty damn cool too. Then I pulled my third hit from the box: an SP auto of Jason McElwain – the autistic kid who couldn’t stop making three-pointers a few years back. I think the quantities were limited to 200, and as cool a card as it is, it is definitely up for trade if somebody has the Yankee auto(s) to pull it off. Perhaps, a Cashman?

OK, hopefully it’s not another two weeks before I post again. Be good, people.

I haven’t opened the boxes yet, because I got to go to the Yankees/Twins game last night, and will be headed back tonight. I had the opportunity to get Joba Chamberlain’s autograph last night, and was completely blown away by his friendliness towards everybody he signed for. He was really good with the kids, and even took the time to talk with 30-year-old me. After my encounter with him last night, he has shot up to #2 on my “collecting” list, only behind Pettitte, and I will now be going after all things Chamberlain. I just left with a really good feeling about the guy, and I liked him quite a bit already.

Anyway, I’ll be opening the boxes tomorrow or Friday night, and I’ll be sorting out the minis to be mailed out after that. There are still some players/teams available – if you want in, just let me know!

I gave into temptation and bought a few blasters of Masterpieces Football this past weekend, and am as hooked on these as I was on the 2007 baseball release. I love the “moments” cards, showing the Snow Plow game, Herm Edwards, etc. And the Time Warp cards rule too.

Here’s what I’m shameless pandering for:

2008 UD Masterpieces Football: 3, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 24, 28, 31, 37, 41, 44, 49, 51, 54, 55, 57, 60, 63, 69, 72, 79, 82, 83, 90, 92, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110.

If I understand correctly, #s 45, 59, 65 and 70 were omitted from the set. If I’m mistaken, or have overlooked others, please lemme know.

My 2008 Upper Deck Goudey set is down to FOUR needs: 304. 306, 313, and 317. 2009 Topps Heritage has also dwindled to: 444, 473, and 492, along with NAP6, and the David Wright Mayo.

As per always, I appreciate everyone’s help with this!

Random notes: two new 2009 Pettites came my way recently, by way of the generosity of Hand Collated, who hooked me up with the 2009 Topps Black, and the 2009 O-Pee-Chee, by way of Wax Pack Relapse. I had nothing to currently offer in return to either of these gentleman, but will definitely be putting cards aside for them when I get my hands on A&G this week. All minis will be up for grabs, although a few players/teams/politicians have been set aside for my trading friends.

For what it’s worth, I’m planning on buying a box of Masterpieces Legends Hockey in the future too, so that shall guarantee at least one future post out of me. Also, I see Chad Greenway is in Topps Magic – if anyone pulls any, look me up.

And that’s all I know – I currently have no internet at my new place, so my posting will have to happen at work. I promise to do my best to respond to trade requests in between mundane tasks.

Now where the hell are my A&G boxes? I don’t want to until next week.

So what I’d like to do is open this up to all of you: all non-Pettitte mini cards will be up for grabs by player/team. I’m setting aside the Cardinals for Kerry from CoC (hoping I pull some sort of St Louis auto for ya), but everything else will be pretty much fair game. I’ll post the minis I pull once I bust my boxes. All doubles will be available, as well.

07 UD Masterpieces: 2, 5, 16, 17, 27, 43, 51, 55, 65, 68, 81, 83

08 Upper Deck Goudey: 210, 260, 264, 301, 302, 304, 306, 312, 313, 317, 318, 320, 324, 326, 328, 329

09 Topps Heritage: 426, 444, 451, 462, 466, 471, 473, 474, 483, 484, 485, 492, 494

New Age Performers: 6, 11

Mayo: AP, CJ, DP, DW, IS, RB (I may be close to acquiring the Chipper, but am not quite cocky enough to take it off the list yet).

I’d really like to get Goudey knocked off by year’s end too – if anyone has any of those SPs they want to get rid of, I’ll even buy ‘em off of you.

Also, I’ll be moving at month’s end to St Paul, MN, and will be paying double-rent until August. If we work out a trade, be sure to ask for my new address just so I can get in the habit of typing St Paul, instead of Bloomington. In semi-related news to the move, I am going to dump a bunch of commons at the local card store pretty soon. If anybody wants me to pull aside any teams for them, I’ll gladly do so – I currently have nothing for the Indians or Dodgers, and I’ve set my Reds aside to go to Nachos Grande. Anything else, lemme know, peeps.

Pettitte cards: I’ve been mostly picking up oddball 90s stuff off of Beckett’s Marketplace lately, and winning a few .99 eBay g/u auctions. Thanks to Mario, I’ve also added his 09 Topps and Series II UD cards to the binder, which has pushed me past the 800 different mark. The goal: 1000 different by year end.

Okay, back to not posting for weeks.

07 UD Masterpieces: 2, 3, 5, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 25, 27, 31, 38, 41, 43, 51, 54, 55, 56, 65, 67, 68, 70, 78, 80, 81, 83, 90

08 Upper Deck Goudey: 210, 260, 264, 301, 302, 304, 306, 312, 313, 317, 318, 320, 324, 326, 328, 329

09 Topps Heritage: 429, 432, 444, 446, 451, 455, 459, 462, 463, 464, 466, 471, 473, 474, 482, 483, 484, 485, 492, 494, 496

New Age Performers: 6, 11

Mayo: AP, CJ, DP, DW, IS, RB

If you’re looking to dump any of these, don’t hesitate to look my way…