Trades, acquistions and whole lot more

You've probably noticed the lack of posts lately, but that doesn't mean that I don't have anything to share.  Over the last few weeks I've acquired lots of new cards via trades and cheap finds.  Instead of spreading these out over several posts I decided to just combine them all and share them at one time.  Besides, I don't know how much more time I'll have to blog in the coming week.

We'll start with the Braves since well, they're my team.

 
David Justice 
2005 Topps Pristine Refractor #78 (063/549)

Now the question is whether or not to crack this card out of it's sealed case?




Chipper Jones 
2000 Upper Deck HoloGrFX A Piece of the World Series base #PS2

I've wanted one of these World Series base cards for a long time.  I was surprised the seller accepted such a low ball offer too!

Chipper Jones
1996 Leaf Limited Pennant Craze #10 (0911/2500)

I was really hoping we'd pull one of these cards from the last group break I hosted.  The pennant portion of the card is felt.  I love gimmick cards.  I believe that these cards fetched some pretty prices in '96.

Andruw Jones 
2002 Upper Deck Mid-Summer Stars Swatches #MS-AJ

Gotta love free cards!  The seller threw this in with the card below.

Andruw Jones 
2003 Upper Deck Vintage Dropping the Hammer bat #DH-AJ

Another gimmick card if you will.  The first card from this insert set I got was of Lance Berkman.  For the longest time I didn't even know that a Braves player was on the checklist.

Charlie O'Brien 
1999 Skybox Molten Metal #19

I have no idea what this insert is called, but I love the big die-cut Atlanta "A".

Martin Prado 
2011 Topps Heritage SP #486

I HATE short printed cards, thankfully though I was able to snag this SP for a buck fifty.

Tony Gwynn 
2011 Topps Tribute blue parallel #54 (084/199)

This is about as close to Tribute as I'll get this year thanks to the prices being through the roof.  I love how on this blue parallel Tony's shades are the same refractor like blue.

Tony Gwynn 
2002 Topps Reserve bat relic #TRB-TG

I know there are no shortages of sets for Topps, but I wish Reserve would come back.  

Tony Gwynn 
2000 Fleer Ultra Swing Kings

Have I mentioned before on my blog that I love clear acetate cards?  No?  You sure?

Albert Pujols 
2002 Fleer EX Hit & Run base

I couldn't believe I won this card for just over 5 bucks.  This is my first game used card of Pujols.  The fact that it's a base card makes it even better.  I wish Topps would change up the whole relic thing and start using other materials again.

 

Frank Thomas 
1996 Leaf Limited Lumberjacks #4 (1051/5000)

I was so impressed with the quality of these Lumberjacks cards after pulling a Sosa from the group break that I had to have at least one.  I thought about building the set since it's only 10 cards, but a quick scan on eBay and you'll that some of the cards are rather pricey.  So I think I'll stick w/ my $2 Frank Thomas for now.

Ben Sheets 
2001 Playoff Absolute Memorabilia Rookie Premiere Materials bat #161 (030/700)

No, I'm not impeding on Cynical Buddha's Brewers.  I got this card for my batting pitchers collection...a collection of which I haven't done much with lately.  This card actually comes courtesy of Matt from Cardboard Conundrum.  I believe we swapped some cards before he claimed the Cubs from my last group break.

Todd Helton 
2005 Fleer Authentix Jersey Authentix #JA-TH

One of the better card designs for Authentix.  I love the gray piece of jersey w/ the angled pin stripe.

Matt Holliday 
2007 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Ultimate Star jersey #SM-MH

Not the best design in my opinion, but at least the jersey piece has the pin stripe.  That and the card was $.99.

Matt Holliday 
2008 Bowman Sterling bat relic #BS-MH

Love chromed relics.

Matt Holliday 
2008 Upper Deck A Piece of History Timeless Moments jersey #TM-19

Matt Holliday 
2007 Topps All Star Game Stitches #AS-MH

If jersey cards are going to be made then at least the card companies can use something other than the traditional jersey.  This was taken from a All-Star festivities jersey.

Matt Holliday 
2005 Upper Deck SPx autograph #85 (029/225)

Sure it's another sticker auto, but anytime you can score a nice auto of a power hitter and all around swell guy for under $5 why not?

Matt Holliday 
2010 Topps Update Series All-Star Game Workout Jersey #AS-MH

This makes 2 different all-star game jersey cards I have now!


Matt Holliday 
2009 Topps Silk Collection (16/50)

This beauty comes courtesy of the Cards From the Quarry.  I e-mailed Johnny to let him know that I had picked up a Larry Walker Rockies bat relic and asked him if he needed it.  He offered up this Holliday card and the rest was history.

Micah Owings 
2006 Bowman Signs of the Future autograph #SOF-MO

I grabbed just about all of these next few cards of Micah for $.99 or less.

Micah Owings 
2005 Topps Chrome autograph #UH235

Micah Owings 
2006 Bowman Sterling Prospect autograph #BSP-MO

Micah Owings 
2007 Upper Deck Exquisite Rookie Signatures autograph #187 (031/150)

I didn't expect much competition from other bidders on the majority of these autos, but I was kind of surprised that I won this card for the opening bid of $.99.  Beautifully THICK card.

Micah Ownings 
2009 Upper Deck Inkredible autograph #OW

Still looking for the red auto version.

Otis Nixon
1998 Topps Arizona Diamondbacks & Tampa Bay Devil Rays #382

I haven't seen any of these cards in a long long time.  I picked up both versions for my Rey Ordonez PC back in '98, but haven't really come across any the players until recently.

Well, that's about it for now.  I really want to get better at posting my hauls from group breaks I've participated in as well as completed trades.  With any luck I'll have some more things to share soon.  Until then have a great rest of the weekend everyone!

Evening @ the ball park

Pair of minor league baseball tickets - $24

Parking - $8

Hotdogs, corn dog, chili cheese fries - $18

Spending time w/ my daughter - priceless

After a long week at work (sadly the work week isn't over yet) I met my wife and daughter @ Knights Stadium this evening to catch the home town Charlotte Knights (White Sox affiliate) take on the Wilkes-Barre Yankees in the last game of the series.  My wife said our daughter didn't want to take a nap today so we weren't sure how well she would hold up.  I am happy to say she was going strong into the 7th inning stretch...a good hour and a half past her normal bedtime!
 

Wow, did I really snap this action picture on my simple camera?  The game was pretty good for the first few innings as both teams traded runs.  I did recognize a seeing a few names on cardboard tonight.  Dallas McPherson and Lastings Milledge were two that stood out.
 

 

Of course one of my daughter's favorite moments of the night is whenever the Knights mascot Homer the dragon would appear on the field.  Tonight was Homer's birthday celebration so several other local mascots showed up to celebrate.  The Winthrop Bulldog, Charlotte Motor Speedway's Lugnut, NBA's Charlotte Bobcats' Rufus, EHL's Charlotte Checkers' Chubby, NFL's Carolina Panthers' Sir Purr were a few in attendance.

Anytime the mascots showed up she would point at them.  When they would leave the field she would wave bye bye and blow kisses.  I believe she offered up her pacifier and a french fry a time or two as well!

If you read my post from a few days ago then you would probably know one of the reasons I picked this game to attend was for some free baseball cards.  The first 1,000 kids were to get free cards.  While I waited in the parking lot for my wife to arrive I started to get a little nervous that I wouldn't...I mean my daughter wouldn't get any of the cards as I saw kids running around outside the stadium everywhere.  There was a whole mob of kids that sang the national anthem and what seemed to be bus load.  Upon entering the stadium we were given our perforated strip of baseball cards.  Sadly though they weren't the cards that were solicited in the e-mail I received earlier in the week.  Where is my Cal Ripken Jr. Charlotte O's card?!  At least one of the cards was good.

#1 Homer the dragon

#2 Harmon Killebrew

Wow, I never knew he played in Charlotte.  He played 7 games in 1956 for the Charlotte Hornets, part of the Washington Senators.

#3 Chris Sale

There wasn't nearly as many kids at the field tonight as I thought so I was easily able to pick up a few extra sheets of these cards.  If anyone is interested in either a strip of cards or one of the cards in particular let me know and I'm sure we can work something out.

In the back of the program was a page called Knights Knowledge.  It was a neat little read as it shed some light on the history of baseball in Charlotte, North Carolina that I didn't know.  In 1901 Charlotte joined the newly formed Virginia-North Carolina professional baseball league.  In 1930 Charlotte became affiliated first with Boston and then Washington of the American League.

Baseball was in the city long before 1901 though.  In the late 1890's, Charlotte was a popular destination for northern baseball teams to conduct their annual preseason training.  1901 saw the Chronicle-Telegraph Cup winners of 1900, the National League's Brooklyn Superbas, traveled to Charlotte to prepare their baseball club for the upcoming season.

In the 50's and 60's Charlotte became home to the Hornets - part of the Washington Senators (later the Minnesota Twins).  Hall of famer and franchise star Harmon Killebrew and Tony Oliva ranted among the South Atlantic League leaders for the Hornets.  During the 1970s and 1980s, the baseball club signed to become the AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.  The team changed their name to the Charlotte O's and hall of famers Cal Ripken Jr. and Eddie Murray made Charlotte their home team.

During the 90's and early 21st century, Charlotte continues to provide home for many of baseball's current stars and future hall of famers.  2010 World Series MVP Edger Renteria played in Charlotte for example.  Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome both spent time in Charlotte when the club was part of the Cleveland Indians organization.  The club is now the AAA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

The only thing I don't remember what happened with minor league baseball is when did the tickets get so "expensive".  $14 for the upper half of the lower level seems high to me.  Then again I remember when general admission tickets were $5 or $6 and you could practically sit anywhere inside the stadium.  It still was an awesome evening and I'm glad we had the chance to take it all in.

So who does the worst team in the NFL draft with the #1 overall pick?

Or another way to ask the question...who do the Carolina Panthers draft tonight with the #1 overall pick?  So far it looks like the overwhelming conclusion is Cam Newton out of Auburn.

I may be in the minority here, but I'm not sure if that is the right pick for the team.  One one level it makes sense as it'll put some butts in seats and give the fans something to be excited about.  It'll also help give the team some national exposure, because let's face it going 2-14 last year doesn't help give the media anything positive to talk about your team.

By drafting Cam with the 1st pick also means the team is giving up on Jimmy Clausen whom they selected last year.  I like Clausen personally and I felt bad that he was thrust into the starting line-up as he was.  The Panthers should've went into last season with a veteran QB to help Matt Moore and the 2 rookie QBs (Clausen & Tony Pike).  Jimmy was running for his life on the field thanks in part to a poor offensive line.  I don't think last season was indicative of Clausen's abilities.  

I would like to see the Panthers trade down in the draft personally.  The team has so many holes to fill right now it's not even funny.  Yes, the team could use some stability in the QB department - I won't debate that...but I don't see Cam Newton coming in and being the team's savior.  I see him being 3rd string while he learns.  The Panthers are rebuilding and a lot of the locals think that Cam does have the tools to be a good NFL quarterback, but it'll take some time.  Carolina fans are impatient and for good reason.  Our owner (Jerry Richardson) has been acting like a major jerk over the last few seasons.  We lost Julius Peppers and apparently now Steve Smith is done in Carolina.  The whole set up of the team last year was horrible and I'm sure coach John Fox was glad to get out of Charlotte.

In addition to trading the first pick I'd like the see the team sign a veteran QB at least to a one or two season deal.  If nothing else to provide that leadership aspect in the locker room and for the young guys on the team.  They did it before with Steve Beuerlein, Rodney Peete and more recently w/ Vinny Testeverde.  Some people have brought up Vince Young's name.  Others have mentioned Kelvin Kolb or even Donovan McNabb.  I just want a half decent team on the field again!

The other draft picks the Carolina Panthers have supposedly targeted include:

 Marcell Dareus, Alabama defensive tackle

 A.J. Green, Georgia wide receiver

Patrick Peterson, Louisiana State cornerback

There are several arguments to be had of who the Carolina Panthers should pick and the topic has dominated local sports talk radio shows for the last few weeks.  If the Panthers could trade the pick and get something in the 2nd round I'd like to see them draft A.J. Green.  It looks like Steve Smith has played his last game at WR for the Panthers and while rookies David Gettis and Brandon LaFell showed splashes of brilliance last year the position could use another guy.

I guess we'll see how it all turns out later this evening.  Either way I hope Topps shows the Panthers some cardboard love in 2011 with whomever is drafted.

Packages mailed...

My new job has me working Monday through Saturday right now which doesn't leave me a lot of time to do anything else.  Add to that being sick.  Yeah, things are kinda crappy right now.  Where am I going with this post?  I don't know really know.  I may read this tomorrow and wonder the heck!

Everyone's group break packages have been mailed.  I took the last few today.  Hopefully everyone will have them by the weekend.  At some point in the near future I hope to be back w/ regular blogging.

I gotta figure out a way to get these

While checking my e-mail this evening I saw a message from the Charlotte Knights box office that mentioned the Scranton Yankees were coming in behind the Gwinette Braves for a 3 game series.  This coming Friday's promo is free baseball cards for the first 1,000 kids.  Hey!  I have a kid!  Normally I wouldn't go all crazy over free minor league cards, but then I saw the image...

Who cares about Manny Ramirez or the Knights mascot Homer the Dragon.  I want that Charlotte O's card of Cal Ripken Jr.!  Ripken played one season in Charlotte, NC when the team was affiliated w/ Baltimore.  I was too young to really remember seeing him play, but I'm sure I was there for at least one game that season as my dad loved to go to the old Crocket Field.  Eddie Murray also played for the Charlotte O's during that time frame.

I'm trying to get down to the field Tuesday to see the last game in the Braves series, but now I gotta find a way back to the field with my daughter in tow on Friday.  May have to send the wife down early to better my chances at getting some free cards since I have to until 5:30 and I work about an hour away.  Is it wrong to use my daughter for free baseball cards?

Happy Heavy Metal Easter

Come on, who says all easter songs have to be hymns?  "More Than A Man" courtesy of Stryper, via 1986's "To Hell with the Devil" album.

Verse 1

Long ago, there was a man who came

Came and died for you

You, you say you don't want to know

But I've got to tell you the truth

Chorus

God, I will follow you because you died for me

Gave to me your life to set me free

Anyone who asks shall receive

Jesus in your heart

It's time for you to start

Giving God all the glory

Verse 2

More than a man, God almighty

He created you

He's the One, the One who rules the land

He is the One I choose

All of the glory today

No matter what some people say

All of your faith

And your life will start to change

In the process...

This week has been crazy.  The first half of the week saw me on the NC coast training for my new job.  When I came back to town I found out the storage facility I would be taking over had been broken into the weekend before.  What a way to start a new job!  I've been dealing with upset tenants all week while trying to get my bearings of the new property.

I bring up all of this to let you know that I'm a little behind on everything.  House work, yard work and what matters to you guys - blogging as well as getting my recent group break stacks in the mail to everyone.  I'm picking up some more mailing supplies this week and I hope to have everyone's cards in the mail by the first half of next week.  I pride myself on getting cards out quickly after the completion of a group break so I'm trying hard to get caught up!

If I'm lucky I can squeeze in a minor league AAA game as the Braves' affiliate is in town for a few games against the Charlotte Knights (White Sox affiliate).  If things get better on the job front I hope to hit up a card show next Sunday.  I'll be back with more soon...

Good Friday

I wanted to post something for Good Friday earlier today, but I just wasn't able to for several different reasons.  This Easter weekend means a lot to me and I can't not share just a little bit.  Below is a clip from the movie "The Passion of the Christ".  The clip shows Jesus taking a nasty beating before Pontius Pilate before being taken to Golgotha to be crucified.  I will warn you the video is graphic in parts, but I do encourage you to watch it.  For me it's amazing to see just what Jesus went through.  The pain he suffered.  All for me and you.

The song, "Carry My Cross" is by Third Day.  I've posted the song lyrics below.

As long as I remember
I've been walking through the wilderness
Praying to the Father
And waiting for my time
I've come here with a mission
And soon I'll give my life for this world

I'm praying in the garden
And I'm looking for a miracle
I find the journey hard but
It's the reason I was born
Can this cup be passed on
Lord, I pray your will be done
In this world

So I'll carry my cross
And I'll carry the shame
To the end of the road
Through the struggle and pain
And I'll do it for love
No, it won't be in vain
Yes, I'll carry my cross
And I'll carry the shame

I feel like I'm alone here
And I'm treated like a criminal
The time has come for me now
Even though I've done no wrong
Father, please forgive them
They know not what they've done
In this world

Three more days and I'll be coming back again
Three more days and I'll be coming back again 

Steel blogging...

I've read on several other blogs where the blogger talks about their child(ren) pulling a great hit out of a pack or a box.  Heck, I've done that myself!  I love reading such posts.

My daughter - even though she is only 1 1/2 has already shown excitement on plenty of occasions when I get new cards in the mail.  This was evident more so than ever last week before we left to go out of town for training for my new job.  I had won an auction for 22 steel 1996 Leaf Preferred cards off eBay for a measly $.99.  I'm always leary about handing over cards to her to look at...even if they are in top loaders.  With these cards being made of metal I wasn't over cautious.  She squealed with delight as she thumbed through the cards and laid them out on the kitchen floor to get a better look.  I tried to grab the camera to snap a few pictures and capture her excitement.  That said I'll leave you with these pictures:

Sunday Verse

^{Mark 11:22-25 (NIV)
22} “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. ²³ “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. ²⁴ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ²⁵ And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Prayer is a very powerful tool.  Don't ever underestimate it.  So many of my prayers have been answered recently.  As I type this my family and I are preparing to leave town for a few days as I'll be training for my new job.  Have a great week everyone.

Group Break - 1996 Pinnacle Denny's Hologram

This is the 4th and final video for the group break - 15 packs of 1996 Pinnacle Denny's Hologram promotional packs. These packs are kind of a thank you for everyone's participation.

I've also thrown in 4 packs of 1986 OPC, a deck of 2003 MLB Showdown and a few other select cards into everyone's stacks. These cards are not reflected in the team tally's found in my previous post.

I have to go out of town starting Sunday to train for my new job, so it'll be mid-week or late next week before I'm able to get everyone's cards in the mail. Any cards you may have requested have been fulfilled to the best of my abilities.

I've already got a few boxes in hand for next month so if you are pleased with your haul then make sure you find your way back here in early May!

Group Break - 1996 Leaf Limited

This is the third and final box of this month's group break - 1996 Leaf Limited.  Originally a hobby exclusive product, we're looking for wooden Lumberjacks cards among other inserts.  28 packs, 5 cards per pack.

Sammy Sosa gold parallel

 
Fred McGriff & Tom Glavine gold parallel


Jermaine Dye & Andruw Jones Limited Rookies


Ruben Rivera & Alex Ochoa Limited Rookies

 
Sammy Sosa Lumberjacks

Well, we didn't really beat the odds on this box, but 2 out of 3 ain't bad.  I've got one more video coming up for you guys so stay tuned.  Also, if you have participated in any of my previous group breaks then you know I always throw in some extra cards.  In this case I've got 4 packs of 1986 OPC, a 2003 MLB Showdown deck and a few other things.  The card tally below is the final count for the 3 boxes.  Your extra cards and anything you may have requested are NOT part of the total count.  Stay tuned as there is more to come!

Key:  B = base, I = insert

Atlanta Braves | B/33, I/6

Baltimore Orioles | B/19, I/0

Boston Red Sox | B/19, I/0

Chicago Cubs | B/25, I/2

Chicago White Sox | B/19, I/1

Cincinnati Reds | B/17, I/1

Cleveland Indians | B/38, I/2

Colorado Rockies | B/17, I/0

Detroit Tigers | B/13, I/2

Houston Astros | B/43, I/0

Los Angeles Dodgers | B/17, I/1

Milwaukee Brewers | B/35, I/0

Montreal Expos | B/18, I/1

New York Mets | B/14, I/2

New York Yankees | B/27, I/3

Oakland Athletics | B/18, I/0
Philadelphia Phillies | B/17, I/1

San Diego Padres | B/18, I/0
San Francisco Giants | B/27, I/2
Seattle Mariners | B/25, I/2

St. Louis Cardinals | B/22, I/0

Texas Rangers | B/35, I/1