Pack Break - 1988 Fleer

Fresh from my trip to a local card show this past weekend I bring you a pack of 1988 Fleer I paid a whole nickel for!  I actually have several packs so if there is a card or cards you are looking for let me know and they are yours.  Now let's take a look at what is inside this pack.

From left to right, top to bottom:

#524 Mike Scioscia, #561 Mike Griffin, #460 Gerald Young
#370 Scott Bradley, #059 Larry Herndon, #484 Tony Armas
#466 Scott Fletcher, #098 Robby Thompson, #281 Rick Honeycutt



#593 Eric Nolte, #354 Mike Greenwell, #143 Kevin McReynolds
#642 Damon Berryhill / Jeff Montgomery - Prospects



What kid in 1988 wouldn't have love this card?  My how times have changed.



I love this card of Ron Gant.  I wonder who or what he is staring at though.





Unless someone the stickers from each pack I'm sure my 2 year old will love to have them!  The best part of the stickers however are the backs.  Love seeing the various stadiums and the little section of stats there is cool to see.

Trading w/ SMG

I offered up a Titus Young jersey card to the SewingMachineGuy awhile back for one of those manufactured patch cards from 2012 Topps blasters.  By the way I'll gladly trade you for any of the manu patches...

 

I was surprised the other day when I received a large kraft envelope from the SMG and an old Beckett slid out.

I love old Beckett magazines, especially when there is a story about a Braves player(s).  The new Becketts just don't have the same feel...you know what I mean?   He also tossed in a selection of Braves from 2012 Topps.  This was a cool gesture on the part of him...thanks buddy!

Pack Break - 2012 Tristar TNA Impact Reflexxions

I've had this pack of cards sitting here on my desk for awhile now.  Since I'm sitting here watching Monday Night Raw I figured now would be a good time to get this pack posted...even if it is of the competitor TNA.

 

I swear every time I turn around it seems that Tristar is pumping out a new TNA product.  I don't watch much TNA on Thursday evenings very often, but I'm always curious to see what Tristar is doing.  Despite the stupid name of this set these cards look really nice.  Let's take a look.

#73 Sting - Fast Traxx

Now this is an interesting concept for a subset in a wrestling card set.  Fast Traxx details the pictured wrestler's (favorite) car.  Sting apparently things the Dodge Viper is one of the "coolest" cars, but is partial to the 1972 Ford Ranchero.  The Bentley is his dream car.

#54 Christopher Daniels

#41 ODB

#04 Bobby Roode

The base cards look really nice in my opinion.  At least its something a little different.  Tristar used a nice thick card stock and the UV coating is really glossy.  The back of the card features a small write up about the wrestler.

#83 Karen Jarrett - Be My Valentine

Now this is a subset that I just don't get.  I guess it's just another way to get one of their "Knock Outs" on a card!

Overall this is a great effort on the behalf of Tristar.  If I watched more TNA and was a bigger fan then I'm sure I'd enjoy this set even more.  The hobby boxes come loaded so that is the way to go of course.  I've always wondered what Tristar would do if they ever gained the WWE license.

Sunday Verse

1 John 4:16

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

Happy Sunday everyone.  I pray that you all have a wonderful day.

Card show report

I got to attend my first card show in close to a year earlier today.  I made the short drive to Charlotte for a rather large combo trading card and toy show.  Most of you know that I collect both cards and toys so this is the perfect show for me.  Well, almost perfect.  Finding Transformers at these shows is usually slim pickings.  At least I found some good stuff on the trading card front.  I'll start off by sharing some of the game used and autos I found.

I decided to make this card fit into my batting pitchers collection.

OK, so it's not a gamed used or auto...but these look great in person and it was only a quarter!

I couldn't find many Tim Hudson cards in a Braves uniform, but thankfully I remember to look in the various Oakland A's sections.  Finding the Smoltz and Maddux cards were a bonus.





I'm not a Yankees fan in the slightest, but I still thought this was a cool card.  Authentic game-used stadium seat from the old Yankee Stadium.  I think it was worth the $2 I paid.



I didn't spend much time looking at football cards, but I did find this auto RC of Jon Beason.  He went down with a season ending injury early in the 2011 season and it really hurt the Panthers defense.  A lot of fans are eager to see how he'll return from his injury in 2012.



On the way out I saw the guy in the corner had a bunch of monster boxes full of commons.  Then I saw his sign - 40 for $1.00.  How could I pass this up?  I made out with several things for me and several things that'll be sent out to select readers in the near future!



The same guy also had a bin full of junk wax packs.  He sold them to me for a nickel each so I took the dive and pulled out several things before a few kids wormed their way in.  I believe my final count was as follows:

x18 1988 Fleer
x7 1991 WCW
x3 1990 Bowman jumbos
x4 1991 Studio
x3 1992 Stadium Club
x1 1988 Score
x1 1990 Upper Deck
x1 1990 Fleer rack pack
x1 Leaf Awesome All-Stars
x1 92-93 Stadium Club basketball

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with these quite yet, but I'm sure I'll have some fun.

The last thing I'll show was actually my first pick up.  Again at these type of shows I usually don't find many toy related items that interest me, but I did manage to find a nice boxed Transfrmers Palisades statue of Wheeljack for more than a reasonable price.  It was so cheap I'll probably be selling it.

All in all it was a fun time and I'm glad I was able to attend.  It'll probably be another year before I have a chance to attend another show, but that's OK.  I'm just glad I was able to find several things without having to break the bank!

I struck Huddy gold!

Say what you will about the current programs for 2012 Topps, but when it yields a card like this for me call me a satisfied collector!

  

The card is serially numbered #31/50.  Being that these are randomly inserted into the Gold Rush packs that are only available in the month of February makes me think I won't see a lot of this card floating around the market.  I haven't picked up the regular version of this card yet so I was amazed at how nice these look.  I like them a lot better compared to last year's wrapper redemption program.

My Tim Hudson auto collection is slowly starting to grow.  Eventually I'll have a virtual album of his in the sidebar.

2012 Topps Braves Want List

Thanks to Sports Card Radio I have finally put together a want list of the various Braves (plus a few non-Braves).  Some I know I probably won't obtain anytime soon.  Others have a higher priority (anything Tim Hudson for instance).  I'll migrate this to my official want lists eventually, but for now here you go.

Classic Walk-Offs:
#CW-09 Rafael Furcal

Gold Futures:
#GF-04 Freddie Freeman
#GF-10 Craig Kimbrel
#GF-11 Julio Teheran

Gold Futures Autographs:
#GFA-JT Julio Teheran

Gold Futures Relics:
#GFR-CK Craig Kimbrel
#GFR-JT Julio Teheran

Golden Moments:
#GM-36 John Smoltz

Golden Moments Autographs:
#GMA-BM Brian McCann
#GMA-CJ Chipper Jones
#GMA-TH Tommy Hanson

Golden Moments Relics:
#GMR-BM Brian McCann
#GMR-CJ Chipper Jones
#GMR-DU Dan Uggla
#GMR-MP Martin Prado
#GMR-TH Tommy Hanson
#GMR-THU Tim Hudson

Gold Rush:
#15 Dan Uggla
#32 Tommy Hanson
#35 John Smoltz
#45 Tim Hudson
#50 Hank Aaron

Gold Rush Autographs:
#45 Tim Hudson

Gold Standard:
#GS-16 John Smoltz
#GS-21 Chipper Jones

Historical Stitches:
#HS-HA Hank Aaron

1987 Minis:
#TM-09 Jason Heyward
#TM-17 Craig Kimbrel
#TM-18 Michael Bourne
#TM-24 Dan Uggla
#TM-32 Tommy Hanson

Parallels (Black):
#058 Tim Hudson

Parallels (Gold Sparkle):
#058 Tim Hudson

Parallels (Purple):
#058 Tim Hudson

Parallels (Red):
#020 Craig Kimbrel
#058 Tim Hudson
#085 Jason Heyward
#087 Craig Kimbrel
#113 Craig Kimbrel
#115 Tommy Hanson
#215 Freddie Freeman
#227 Mike Minor
#305 Chipper Jones

Prime 9:
Hank Aaron

Short Prints:
#215 Freddie Freeman

Silk Collection:
SC-08 Craig Kimbrel
SC-22 Jason Heyward
SC-29 Tommy Hanson
SC-49 Freddie Freeman
SC-53 Mike Minor
SC-88 Chipper Jones
SC-97 Tim Hudson


Timeless Talents:
TT-09 John Smoltz / Craig Kimbrel
TT-10 Ryne Sandberg / Dan Uggla
TT-11 Johnny Bench / Brian McCann

Timeless Talents Autographs:
TTDA-SK John Smoltz / Craig Kimbrel

Timeless Talents Dual Relics:
#TTDR-SU Ryne Sandberg / Dan Uggla
#TTDR-MB Johnny Bench / Brian McCann

World Champion Relics:
#WCR-MH Matt Holliday
#WCR-LB Lance Berkman

World Series Pins:
#GCP-CJ Chipper Jones

Sunday Verse

Ephesians 4:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

I thought this verse tied in well to last week's.  If all people would  strive and work hard not to say negative things about others this place we call our temporary home would be a much better place.  Have a fantastic Sunday!

Not your average "Linsanity" post

You don't have to be a fan of the NBA to have heard the term "Linsanity" floating around the media recently.  I'm not a huge NBA fan.  Sure I collect Charlotte Bobcat cards, but when your team has the worst record in the NBA it's kind of hard to get excited.

I usually listen to sports talk radio while at work so I've heard all about what Jeremy Lin has done in New York this past week.  What has intrigued me about the guy however was what I heard on the radio this morning on my way in to work.  My musical tastes are varied so I often flip from station to station until I land on something I like.  This morning I was in a reflective mood so I hit the preset button for the local Christian station.  I liked the Jeremy Camp song on the radio so I left it there.  The husband and wife that chit chat between songs mentioned Jeremy Lin oddly enough this morning.  Just in the quick minute or two they talked they mentioned Jeremy's faith and how Tim Tebow has encouraged him to live his faith out loud. 

I love what Jeremy has on his Twitter page - "to know Him is to want to know Him more".  Awesome.  I went on to find several interesting articles on Jeremy as well such as this one entitled Faith, Sin and Jeremy Lin in the Washington Post.  Here is an excerpt of the interview I particularly enjoyed:

When people ask him, ‘How are you going to stay grounded? he says, ‘I understand that I’m a sinner.’ And when he says that, he’s saying that he understands that he’s a sinner saved by grace. He knows that [because] he came to salvation. He [knows] that what he has is not his and that does keep him grounded. That is part of Christian character that he continues to work on. I think we’d all agree that we need to be working on humility. That’s one of those things that he’s able to keep in check because he remembers where he came from and the work that God has already done in his life.”

In this day and age of negative publicity athletes often receive thanks to off the court/field antiques it's refreshing to hear such positive stories such as this.  I looked on eBay for some cards of Jeremy Lin and after I saw the crazy amounts they are currently going for I decided to just put collecting his cardboard on the back burner for now.  

Gary Carter

I've always been intrigued about the off the field lives of athletes, especially baseball players.  I tend to gravitate towards and collect players that I can somewhat relate too.  My faith is one of these areas.  That said I've learned more and more about Gary Carter after I heard of his cancer.  It's a sad story and I was saddened to hear that he passed away on my way into work today. 

My player collection list in the sidebar is already pretty lengthy, but I've decided to add Mr. Carter to the list.  I'm not looking to be a super collector or anything like that, but it would be cool to go back and pick up base cards of his.  So if anyone happens to have some duplicates of 70's, 80's or 90's base cards please let me know so we can work out some sort of trade. 

Can't beat that for a buck

First of all -- yes, I am alive.  I've had training at work for the last 2 weeks that has knocked me off my regular routine.  Combine that with a cold and I've been away from a computer for awhile.  I'll try to catch up w/ some posts I've had in the pipeline for awhile soon.

It's rare that I drop by any of the trading card forums, but for some reason I found myself at Blow Out Cards' forum and I ran across a guy selling autos for super cheap.  I checked the list and was surprised to find a 2009 Topps T206 auto of Heath Bell...for a buck!

This makes my 4th auto of Bell since I started collecting him late last year.  Sure it's a sticker auto, but for a buck you just can't beat the price.  It's a rather nice looking card in my opinion, but I can't help get by the fact that it doesn't look much like him.  Did he put on weight post 2009 or is it just the way the card was "painted" that makes him look younger/thinner?

Sunday Verse

Romans 15:7

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

In this day and age where it's not uncommon to hear of people putting others down this verse comes in as a strong reminder to accept one another just as you have been.  I really hope to instill this into my girls before they enter the jungle that is called public school!  Have a great Sunday everyone!

Old school NBA Hoops & David Robinson

I found this image staring at me today in my inbox courtesy of Panini.  David Robinson autographed in silver ink a total of 10 cards, each with a different Bible verse.  Now if you've been reading my blog for long then you know that I post a Bible verse each Sunday along with many of the athletes I collect are fellow Christians.  This set is right up my alley.  I'm a little surprised though that Panini would participate in a program such as this.  I'm glad they did, but surely someone out there is going to be offended by the verses.

So I ask what are your thoughts of these cards?  Cool?  Risky move on part of Panini?  Are you offended?

A Tomahawk of a trade!

Derek from Tomahawk Chopping sent over this nice card of Braves rookie pitcher Arodys Vizcaino from 2011 Bowman Chrome.

 

I usually don't buy much of anything Bowman so about the only way I get many cards from the various Bowman sets is by trading.  I'm looking forward to see what the young guns the Braves will have on the mound and in the bullpen will do in 2012.

Free Marvel Vs. cards to a good home

I've got a two row box full of assorted Marvel Vs. gaming cards that I have no desire to keep.  There are foil cards and I'm sure rare cards as well.  I collected them for a brief time for the art as I have no idea how to play the game.

If you want the whole box worth of cards I only ask that you pay shipping.  If you are interested please leave a comment and then e-mail me at flywheels at yahoo . com and we'll work out a deal.  First one to respond gets 'em.  Thanks!

Attention jaybarkerfan...

...I need your mailing address so I can get you that sweet Dustin Pedroia auto relic (and the rest of your group break winnings).

Super Bowl Countdown - Carolina Panthers Patch Edition Day #7

It's game time in the National Football League!  Hopefully you can pull yourself away from the riveting pre-game on television long enough to read this post.  Today is a bittersweet moment.  It's the game we've been looking for to all season.  On the other hand it also means the end of the season and August seems so far away.  Here in Carolina waiting to see what Cam can do with this offense will seem like an eternity!  Hopefully I can get the rest of my Panthers game-used and autos scanned into my virtual album before the 2012 season kicks off.  For know I share one last Panthers patch card.

2011 Panini Rookie & Stars #26/50

Sunday Verse

Matthew 6:33

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Enjoy this beautiful day that has been given to us everyone.

February 2012 Affordable Group Break - 2009 Topps Ticket to Stardom

This box I thought yielded better hits than our 2012 Topps Series 1 jumbo.  Just take a look!

  

This Dustin Pedroia auto relic is #d 216/489.  It's pretty sharp looking too.  I saw several less than stellar autos come out of this product so I was hoping we'd get a good one and I think that most would agree.

  

Next up is a dual relic with an embedded ticket stub...Prince Fielder #d 075/228!  You can see a small blue pinstripe on the piece of jersey to the left and the right has a small area of stitching.  Congrats cynicalbuddha!

  

This next relic I made a mistake with in the video.  I said it belongs to the Cubs.  It's part of the World Baseball Classic so it's not assigned to any team.  What we'll do is random the card to the teams that didn't get a hit...

...and the winner is 

...the Rockies!

Of course there were more cards in the box than just the 3 hits.  Here is a look at the other inserts pulled.

#d base parallels of Troy Glaus (80/99) and Colby Rasmus (43/99)

Seasoned Veterans - Alfonso Soriano & Alex Rodriguez

Big Ticket - Miguel Cabrera, Tim Lincecum & Dustin Pedroia

Ticket to Stardom -  Jay Bruce, Grady Sizemore, Joba Chamberlain, Joe Mauer, Cameron Maybin, Colby Rasmus (32/50) & Joey Votto (29/99)

And with that this wraps up this month's group break.  Thanks again to everyone that participated.  I hope to have all the cards in the mail this coming week.  Until next time!