Sunday Verse

Luke 9:23-24

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.“

Every time I read this verse this song by Guardian always pops into my head.  Have a great day everyone!

Going dark

Starting tomorrow, 4/26/12 I'll be on vacation.  Most likely I'll have internet access, but I don't plan on blogging while I'm gone as I'm looking forward to giving my time and attention to my family.  We're headed to Myrtle Beach in the morning and I can't wait!  Catch everyone later!

Packages inbound!

All of this month's group break packages were mailed this morning along with a few trade packages so keep your eyes on your mailbox!

Sunday Verse

John 10:28-30

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Have a great Sunday everyone!

April 2012 Affordable Group Break - 2003 Fleer Genuine

Finally we have arrived to the 2nd half of the last box.  I've really enjoyed this month's break so far and I hope everyone else has too.  These last few packs should hold a few hits so let's see what else we may end up with.

Pack 11:
#046 Pedro Martinez (Red Sox)

Jim Thome & Pat Burrell - Longball Threats Jersey
#018 Tim Salmon (Angels)
#093 Manny Ramirez (Red Sox)

Another hit has been found!  Nice red pinstripe too!

Pack 12:
#058 Junior Spivey (Diamondbacks)
#068 Raul Ibanez (Royals)
#007 Barry Bonds (Giants)
#034 Eric Gagne (Dodgers)
#020 Moises Alou (Cubs)

Pack 13:
#038 Andruw Jones (Braves)
#024 Kevin Millwood (Phillies)
#099 Juan Gonzalez (Rangers)
#095 Preston Wilson (Rockies)

#087 Ken Griffey Jr. (Reds)

Pack 14:
#025 A.J. Burnett (Marlins)
#091 Matt Morris (Cardinals)
#083 Miguel Tejada (A's)
#021 Edgardo Alfonzo (Giants)
#096 Garret Anderson (Angels)

Pack 15:
#028 Vladimir Guerrero (Expos)
#046 Pedro Martinez (Red Sox)

Mike Sweeney (Royals) / Phil Nevin (Padres) - Longball Threats
#064 Jim Edmonds (Cardinals)
#003 Adam Dunn (Reds)

This hiflew is why I swapped the Dodgers for your Royals!

Pack 16:
#039 Pat Burrell (Phillies)

Derek Jeter - Tools of the Game Bat (Yankees)
#004 Aubrey Huff (Rays)
#035 Nomar Garciaparra (Red Sox)

Another Derek Jeter hit!  This time a game-used bat.  Nice card design.  Congrats goes to the Dutch Card Guy!

Pack 17:
#069 Darin Erstad (Angels)
#008 Kevin Brown (Dodgers)

#113 Josh Willingham - Genuine Upside #412/799 (Marlins)
#055 Luis Gonzalez (Diamondbacks)
#065 Ben Sheets (Brewers)

Pack 18:
#031 Fred McGriff (Dodgers)
#049 Chipper Jones (Braves)
#015 Gary Sheffield (Braves)
#097 Cliff Floyd (Mets)
#089 Torii Hunter (Twins)

Pack 19:
#037 Lance Berkman (Astros)
#023 Jay Gibbons (Orioles)
#098 Sean Casey (Reds)
#027 Rafael Palmeiro (Rangers)
#045 Kazuhisa Ishii (Dodgers)

Pack 20:
#071 C.C. Sabathia (Indians)
#010 Ray Durham (Giants)
#006 Kerry Wood (Cubs)
#081 Larry Walker (Rockies)
#072 Carlos Delgado (Blue Jays)

Pack 21:
#030 Scott Rolen (Cardinals)
#048 Roy Oswalt (Astros)
#060 Omar Vizquel (Indians)
#053 Jim Thome (Phillies)
#026 Austin Kearns (Reds)

Pack 22:
#016 Jermaine Dye (A's)
#075 Ichiro (Mariners)

Chipper Jones (Braves) / Todd Helton (Rockies) - Longball Threats
#088 Albert Pujols (Cardinals)
#080 Eric Chavez (A's)

Pack 23:
#029 Paul Konerko (White Sox)
#047 Sean Burroughs (Padres)
#059 Bernie Williams (Yankees)
#013 Bobby Abreu (Phillies)
#043 Barry Larkin (Reds)

Wonder if Chris (FanofReds / Nachoes Grande) needs this Larkin?

Pack 24:
#070 Roger Clemens (Yankees)
#009 Sammy Sosa (Cubs)
#040 Juan Encarnacin (Marlins)
#044 Alex Rodriguez (Rangers)
#056 Alfonso Soriano (Yankees)

We were promised 4 hits and all of them were pretty great.  I really liked this box and I can see myself featuring this one again in a future break.  Well that's it folks!  Another Affordable Group Break is in the books.  I'm sure there will be another break next month so keep watching.  Thanks everyone!

April 2012 Affordable Group Break - 2003 Fleer Double Header

We're back with the 2nd half of the 2003 Fleer Double Header box.  There is one more hit looming in the box so let's go hunting!

Pack 11:
#060 Josh Beckett (Marlins)
#145 Doug Mientkiewicz (Twins)

#02LPT Kevin Mench - Let's Play Too! (Rangers)
#219 & #220 Eric Chavez & Miguel Tejada (A's)
#215 & #216 Edgardo Alfonzo & Mike Piazza (Mets)
#119 Preston Wilson (Rockies)
#114 Jason Varitek (Red Sox)
#174 Edgar Martinez (Mariners)

Pack 12:
#153 Brad Radke (Twins)
#150 Jeff Kent (Giants)
#135 Jim Edmonds (Cardinals)
#259 Jimmy Rollins / #260 Alex Rodriguez (Rangers)
#283 & #284 Miguel Asencio / Runelvys Hernandez (Royals)
#099 Roger Clemens (Yankees)
#067 Tsuyoshii Shinjo (Giants)
#161 Derrek Lee (Marlins)

Pack 13:
#128 Roy Oswalt (Astros)
#107 Omar Vizquel (Indians)
#091 Andres Galarraga (Expos)
#227 & #228 Jeff Kent / Barry Bonds (Giants)
#193 & #194 Paul Konerko & Joe Borchard (White Sox)
#049 Gabe Kapler (Rockies)
#006 Brad Wilkerson (Expos)
#172 Paul Byrd (Royals)

Pack 14:
#075 Edgardo Alfonzo (Mets)
#018 Eddie Guardado (Twins)

#3TB Pedro Martinez - Twin Bill (Red Sox)
#257 Shea Hillenbrand / #258 Scott Rolen (Cardinals)
#295 & #296 Jung Bong / Trey Hodges (Braves)
#028 Steve Cox (Rays)
#019 Juan Gonzalez (Rangers)
#159 Shannon Stewart (Blue Jays)

The Twin Bill card had a (B) after the number so I suppose there is another card labeled (A).  Makes since - "Twin Bill".

Pack 15:
#126 C.C. Sabathia (Indians)

Derek Jeter - Game-Worn Jersey (Yankees)
#225 & #226 Phil Nevin / Sean Burroughs (Padres)
#237 Lance Berkman / #238 Chipper Jones (Braves)
#005 Steve Finley (Diamondbacks)
#027 Scott Rolen (Cardinals)
#178 Jay Gibbons (Orioles)

Yankees hit!  I don't care for the Yanks myself, but this is a nice looking card.

Pack 16:
#031 Greg Maddux (Braves)
#086 Matt Morris (Cardinals)
#154 Al Leiter (Mets)
#183 & #184 Curt Schilling / Randy Johnson (Diamondbacks)
#285 Fernando Rodney (Tigers) / #286 Barry Wesson (Astros)
#096 Roberto Alomar (Mets)
#080 Adam Kennedy (Angels)
#118 Mark Quinn (Royals)

Pack 17:
#105 Vladimir Guerrero (Expos)
#089 Richie Sexson (Brewers)
#073 Hee Seop Choi (Cubs)
#209 & #210 Jose Hernandez / Richie Sexson (Brewers)
#187 & #188 Tony Bastista / Jay Gibbons (Orioles)
#045 Pedro Martinez (Red Sox)
#002 Derek Jeter (Yankees)
#162 Jason Giambi (Yankees)

Pack 18:
#016 Garret Anderson (Angels)
#038 Curt Schilling (Diamondbacks)

#07TB Manny Ramirez - Twin Bill (Red Sox)
#223 & #224 Jason Kendall & Brian Giles (Pirates)
#275 Doug Devore (Diamondbacks) / #276 Rene Reyes (Rockies)
#024 Tomo Ohka (Expos)
#081 Eric Chavez (A's)
#173 Gary Sheffield (Braves)

Well, I guess I answered my own question when the Manny Twin Bill card fell out of the pack.  What were the chances are pulling the pair out of the same box?

Pack 19:

#051 Ichiro (Mariners)
#009 Phil Nevin (Padres)

#07LPT Felix Escalona - Let's Play Too! (Rays)
#203 & #204 Craig Biggio / Jeff Bagwell (Astros)
#181 & #182 Darin Erstad / Troy Glaus (Angels)
#131 Jeff Conine (Orioles)
#111 Mark Teixeira (Rangers)
#164 Jay Payton (Rockies)

Pack 20:
#050 Andy Van Hekken (Tigers)
#007 Craig Biggio (Astros)
#029 Mike Sweeney (Royals)
#249 Mark Teixeira (Rangers) / #250 Mark Prior (Cubs)
#279 & #280 Eric Junge / Brett Myers (Phillies)
#062 John Smoltz (Braves)
#147 Bobby Hill (Cubs)
#163 Rafael Palmeiro (Rangers)

This was a fun product to open and the hits were pretty good.  Hope everyone enjoyed this box.  We'll finish off the break with the last half of the 2003 Fleer Genuine box where there are a few hits still looming!

April 2012 Affordable Group Break - 1999 Skybox Thunder

We're back with the 2nd half of the 1999 Skybox Thunder box.  Several inserts were pulled in the 1st half and there should be plenty left so here we go.

Pack 19:
#040 Devon White (Dodgers)
#095 Trot Nixon (Red Sox)
#053 Jamie Moyer (Mariners)
#123 Andy Benes (Diamondbacks)

#2WB Nomar Garciaparra - www.Batterz.com (Red Sox)
#180 Walt Weiss (Braves)
#192 Joey Hamilton (Blue Jays)
#290 Orlando Hernandez (Yankees)

Pack 20:
#137 Marquis Grissom (Brewers)
#100 Rolando Arrojo (Rays)
#047 Ugueth Urbina (Expos)
#001 John Smoltz (Braves)
#138 Doug Mientkiewicz (Twins)
#164 Alex Gonzalez (Marlins)
#178 Quinton McCracken (Rays)
#241 Jose Cruz Jr. (Blue Jays)

Pack 21:
#081 Corye Koskie (Twins)
#054 Brian Giles (Pirates)
#045 Fernando Vina (Brewers)
#132 Rob Fick (Tigers)
#109 Carl Pavano (Expos)
#198 Wilton Guerrero (Expos)
#153 Todd Greene (Angels)
#270 Mark McGwire (Cardinals)

Pack 22:
#060 Chris Carpenter (Blue Jays)
#128 Paul Konerko (White Sox)
#065 J.T. Snow (Giants)
#076 Derrek Lee (Marlins)
#124 Ed Sprague (Pirates)
#184 Jerry Hairston Jr. (Orioles)
#171 John Olerud (Mets)

#254 Mike Piazza (Mets)

Pack 23:
#014 Bret Boone (Braves)
#058 Al Leiter (Mets)
#094 Chuck Finley (Angels)
#071 Mike Caruso (White Sox)
#008 Roberto Alomar (Indians)
#168 Raul Mondesi (Dodgers)
#187 Brian Simmons (White Sox)
#245 Troy Glaus (Angels)

Pack 24:
#127 Mickey Morandini (Cubs)
#067 Matt Stairs (A's)
#007 Dmitri Young (Reds)
#062 Tom Glavine (Braves)

#043 Jeff King - Rave #044/150 (Royals)
#150 Fred McGriff (Rays)
#201 Kenny Rogers (A's)
#265 Roger Clemens (Blue Jays)

The first parallel has been found...and woo, Jeff King.

Pack 25:
#083 Jay Tessmer (Yankees)
#004 Daryl Ward (Astros)
#055 Kevin Tapani (Cubs)
#107 Eric Karros (Dodgers)

#06U Jeremy Giambi - Unleashed (Royals)
#216 Brant Brown (Pirates)
#213 Ryan Klesko (Braves)
#266 Sammy Sosa (Cubs)

Two Royals inserts in consecutive packs?  Is the world coming to an end?!

Pack 26:
#104 Craig Biggio (Astros)
#042 Shane Reynolds (Astros)
#031 Billy Wagner (Astros)
#108 Matt Lawton (Twins)
#069 Todd Walker (Twins)
#234 Kevin Young (Pirates)
#236 David Cone (Yankees)
#276 Alex Rodriguez (Mariners)

Pack 27:
#115 Wally Joyner (Padres)
#101 Geoff Jenkins (Brewers)
#005 Andy Ashby (Padres)
#011 Odalis Perez (Braves)
#105 Omar Daal (Diamondbacks)
#228 Brad Fullmer (Expos)
#177 Matt Morris (Cardinals)
#284 Albert Belle (Orioles)

Pack 28:
#119 Bobby Smith (Rays)
#027 Eric Davis (Cardinals)
#121 Kirk Rueter (Giants)
#091 Javy Lopez (Braves)

#11U Gabe Kapler - Unleashed (Tigers)
#220 Dante Bichette (Rockies)
#161 David Justice (Indians)
#285 Cal Ripken Jr. (Orioles)

Great pack!  The Unleashed inserts keep coming and this one was the first for the Tigers.


Pack 29:
#140 Carl Everett (Astros)
#129 Denny Neagle (Reds)
#080 Rafael Roque (Brewers)
#085 Mike Lieberthal (Phillies)
#025 Chuck Knoblauch (Yankees)
#233 John Valentin (Red Sox)
#235 Steve Finley (Diamondbacks)
#288 Eric Chavez (A's)

Pack 30:
#068 Ismael Valdes (Dodgers)
#079 Charles Johnson (Orioles)
#018 Ron Coomer (Twins)
#015 Mendy Lopez (Royals)

#05U Juan Encarnacion - Unleasehed (Tigers)
#227 Brad Radke (Twins)
#239 Wade Boggs (Rays)
#283 Tony Clark (Tigers)

...and another Tigers insert!  Didn't this guy just suffer a nasty career ending injury not too long ago?

Pack 31:
#127 Marquis Grissom (Brewers)
#100 Rolando Arrojo (Rays)
#078 Brady Anderson (Orioles)
#001 John Smoltz (Braves)
#133 Livan Hernandez (Marlins)
#196 Jeromy Burnitz (Brewers)
#151 Rusty Greer (Rangers)
#268 Carlos Beltran (Royals)

Pack 32:
#041 Edgar Renteria (Cardinals)
#033 Jim Edmonds (Angels)
#086 Jose Guillen (Pirates)
#023 Blake Stein (A's)

#6TC Mike Piazza - Turbo Charged (Mets)
#182 Tony Batista (Diamondbacks)
#169 Jeff Cirillo (Brewers)
#248 Richie Sexson (Indians)

Wow!  These Turbo Charged cards are seeded 1:72 so we beat the odds.  It's also a very cool clear acetate card.


Pack 33:
#013 Jeff Abbott (White Sox)
#093 Sean Casey (Reds)
#016 B.J. Surhoff (Orioles)
#022 Jose Canseco (Rays)

#10U Orlando Hernandez - Unleashed (Yankees)
#166 Dermal Brown (Royals)
#185 Bret Saberhagen (Red Sox)
#249 Juan Encarnacion (Tigers)

Pack 34:
#098 Bartolo Colon (Indians)
#034 Todd Stottlemyre (Diamondbacks)
#006 Miguel Tejada (A's)
#122 Tom Goodwin (Rangers)
#050 Tom Gordon (Red Sox)
#148 Bill Mueller (Giants)
#199 Rey Ordonez (Mets)
#271 Travis Lee (Diamondbacks)

Pack 35:
#066 Matt Clement (Padres)
#028 Francisco Cordova (Pirates)
#030 Will Clark (Orioles)
#111 Mariano Rivera (Yankees)
#044 Darren Dreifort (Dodgers)
#158 Jose Hernandez (Cubs)
#211 Tim Salmon (Angels)
#264 Ryan Minor (Orioles)

Pack 36:
#139 Dustin Hermanson (Expos)
#118 Eli Marrero (Cardinals)
#059 Royce Clayton (Rangers)
#010 Eric Young (Dodgers)
#036 Michael Tucker (Reds)
#176 Dean Palmer (Tigers)
#221 Armando Benitez (Mets)
280 Carlos Guillen (Mariners)

Well, I thought we'd see one card from the In Depth (1:24) and Hip-No-Tized (1:36) sets...but unless I somehow missed them we were shut out.  We did however score that nice Turbo Charged (1:72) cards.  Next up will be the 2nd half of the 2003 Fleer Double Header box.

April 2012 Affordable Group Break - 2003 Fleer Genuine

The last box of the break is 2003 Fleer Genuine.  24 packs, 5 cards per pack.  The regular set is comprised of 130 - 100 base cards and 30 Genuine Upside (Prospects), numbered to 799.  Parallels include 130 Genuine Reflection: Ascending, individually & consecutively numbered from 1 to 130; Descending, individually & consecutively numbered from 130 to 1.  Inserts include 15 Tools of the Game (1:20), 15 Long Ball Threats (1:8).  Game-Used/Autographs overall odds are 1:6.

Pack 4:

#038 Andruw Jones (Braves)
#024 Kevin Millwood (Phillies)
#099 Juan Gonzalez (Rangers)
#050 Barry Zito (A's)
#011 Carlos Beltran (Royals)

Pack 5:

#082 Randy Johnson (Diamondbacks)
#015 Gary Sheffield (Braves)

#010 Ray Durham - Genuine Reflection: Descending #008/121 (Giants)

#041 Curt Schilling (Diamondbacks)
#062 Jose Vidro (Expos)

The first #d parallel goes to arpsmith and the Giants!  I like this one as Ray is from my hometown of Charlotte, NC and played high school ball for my HS' rival (Myers Park).

Pack 6:

#074 Magglio Ordonez (White Sox)

#GA-AD Adam Dunn - Genuine Article (Reds)

#063 Bartolo Colon (White Sox)
#002 Mo Vaughn (Mets)

Wow, these Genuine Article cards are really nice.  Even though the Adam Dunn card just features a solid white jersey swatch, the little pull out COA is a novel idea.  Congrats FanofReds!

Pack 7:

#090 Joe Crede (White Sox)
#014 Craig Biggio (Astros)

#05LB Torii Hunter (Twins) / Vladimir Guerrero (Expos) - Longball Threats

#057 Josh Beckett (Marlins)
#067 Edgar Martinez (Mariners)

We'll have to flip a coin to see who gets the first insert out of the box.

Pack 8:

#073 Tom Glavine (Mets)
#028 Vladimir Guerrero (Expos)

#103 Francisco Rodriguez - Genuine Upside #d 771/799 (Angels)

#001 Derek Jeter (Yankees)
#032 Frank Thomas (White Sox)

The first #d SP goes to the Angels (and FanofReds)

Pack 9:

#029 Paul Konerko (White Sox)

Albert Pujols (Cardinals) / Lance Berkman (Astros) - Longball Threats Jersey

#033 John Olerud (Mariners)
#019 Mike Piazza (Mets)

And the 2nd hit out of the 4 we should get goes to the Astros and jaybarkerfan.  In addition to that certain Astros fan I know that'll want this card you can also add my name to the list as Berkman is one of many players in my PC.  Nice score!

Pack 10:

#017 Carlos Pena (Tigers)

#076 Johnny Damon (Red Sox)

#6TG Nomar Garciaparra - Tools of the Game (Red Sox)

#036 Ryan Klesko (Padres)
#022 Mike Sweeney (Royals)

This is a nice looking design for an insert.  jaybarkerfan scores another card for his growing stack!

Whew!  My fingers are tired.  We're through the first half of the boxes and so far the results look good.  Most of the teams have a good stack of cards building up and the inserts and hits are being spread around.  There should be 2 more hits in the Genuine box and 1 more in the Double Header box.  Keep watching for more pack rippin' fun soon.

April 2012 Affordable Group Break - 2003 Fleer Double Header

Next up is 2003 Fleer Double Header.  These "mini" cards are the same size as the current '87 Minis from 2012 Topps.  They also feature an artsy look which I really like.

20 packs, 8 cards per pack.  180 card basic set which 45 are Flip cards and 15 are On-Deck Flip Prospects. Game-used cards are inserted 1:10 packs.  15 Let's Play Too! (1:5), 20 Twin Bill (1:10), 10 Keystone Combinations (1:10), 15 Matinee Idols (1:20).

Pack 4:

#118 Mark Quinn (Royals)
#104 Joe Borchard (White Sox)
 

#12PT Josh Bard - Let's Play Too! (Indians)
#217 & #218 Roger Clemens / Derek Jeter (Yankees)

#271 & #272 Josh Hancock / Freddy Sanchez (Red Sox)
#066 Austin Kearns (Reds)
#048 Torii Hunter (Twins)
#167 Bret Boone (Mariners)

Pack 5:

#149 Sean Burroughs (Padres)

Alex Rodriguez (Rangers) / Craig Biggio (Astros) - Keystone Combinations Jersey

#199 & #200 Larry Walker / Todd Helton (Rockies)

#191 & #192 Sammy Sosa / Kerry Wood (Cubs)
#001 Ramon Vazquez (Padres)
#113 Ellis Burks (Indians)
#168 Roy Halladay (Blue Jays)

#263 Ichario (Mariners) / #264 Sammy Sosa (Cubs)

The first hit of the box goes to the Astros & jaybarkerfan!  I know a certain Astros fan that will probably want this card.  For the two team Flip cards I've decided that the card will go to the team featured on the front.  I feel this is fair since it would be hard to display the inside player in a top loader or 9 pocket page.  If anyone disagrees with me please let me know.

Pack 6:

#156 Manny Ramirez (Red Sox)

#132 John Olerud (Mariners)
#120 Carlos Lee (White Sox)
#229 & #230 Kazuhiro Sasaki / Ichiro (Mariners)
#293 Josh Bard (Indians) / #294 Wil Nieves (Padres)

#084 J.D. Drew (Cardinals)
#076 Pat Burrell (Phillies)
#165 Adrian Beltre (Dodgers)

Pack 7:

#155 Eric Karros (Cubs)
#127 Bernie Williams (Yankees)
#106 Kevin Mench (Rangers)
#255 Jose Vidro (Expos) / #256 Alfonso Soriano (Yankees)

#277 & #278 Hank Blalock & Travis Hafner (Rangers)
#070 Darin Erstad (Angels)
#092 Paul Lo Duca (Dodgers)
#179 Corey Patterson (Cubs)

Pack 8:

#090 Eric Milton (Twins)
#074 Shea Hillenbrand (Red Sox)
#017 Kazuhisa Ishii (Dodgers)

#265 Barry Bonds (Giants) / #266 Manny Ramirez (Indians)
#185 & #186 Andruw Jones / Chipper Jones (Braves)
#140 Carl Everett (Rangers)
#033 David Wells (Yankees)
#166 Marlon Byrd (Phillies)

Pack 9:

#115 Larry Walker (Rockies)
#100 Matt Williams (Diamondbacks)

#068 Tim Hudson (A's)
#233 & #234 Juan Gonzalez / Ivan Rodriguez (Rangers)

#261 Torii Hunter (Twins) / #262 Vladimir Guerrero (Expos)

#020 Mark Mulder (A's)
#041 Mo Vaughn (Mets)
#176 Milton Bradley (Indians)

Finally!  The reason I claimed the A's - Tim Hudson.

Pack 10:

#039 Eric Gagne (Dodgers)
#059 Rob Mackowiak (Pirates)

#2MI Richie Ashburn - Matinee Idols (Phillies)
#207 & #208 Adrian Beltre / Shawn Green (Dodgers)
#289 Tony Torcato (Giants) / #290 Chris Snelling (Mariners)

#144 Alex Rodriguez (Rangers)
#138 Robin Ventura (Yankees)
#177 David Eckstein (Angels)

Score an insert for the Phillies...and a nice one at that!

Half the box down, one half (and a hit) to go.  Next - 2003 Fleer Genuine.

April 2012 Affordable Group Break - 1999 Skybox Thunder

We'll start off this month's group break with the hobby box of 1999 Skybox Thunder.  Again a big shout out to the Baseball Card Exchange for sponsoring us again this month.

36 packs, 8 cards per pack.  The basic set is comprised of 300 cards.  #141 to #240 are seeded 2:1 while cards #241 to #300 are seeded 1:1.  Inserts include sequentially numbered Rave (#d 150) and Super Rave (#d 25) parallels.  15 Unleashed (1:6), 10 www.Batterz.com (1:18), 10 In Depth (1:24), 15 Hip-No-Tized (1:36), 10 Turbo-Charged (1:72) and 10 Dial 1 (1:300)

Pack 5:
#083 Jay Tessmar (Yankees)
#026 David Segui (Mariners)
#062 Tom Glavine (Braves)
#107 Eric Karros (Dodgers)

#04U J.D. Drew - Unleashed (Cardinals)
#232 Bobby Abreu (Phillies)
#189 Kenny Lofton (Indians)
#287 Curt Schilling (Phillies)

First non-videoed pack and we've got our first insert!  I'm digging the whole Wheaties cereal box look.  Congrats IkesCards!

Pack 6:
#127 Mikcey Morandini (Cubs)
#089 Ray Lankford (Cardinals)
#048 Bobby Bonilla (Mets)
#019 Rondell White (Expos)
#055 Kevin Tapani (Cubs)
#226 Ronnie Belliard (Brewers)
#203 Tony Womack (Pirates)
#294 Nomar Garciaparra (Red Sox)

Pack 7:
#130 Travis Fryman (Indians)
#103 Mark Kotsay (Marlins)
#053 Jamie Moyer (Mariners)
#037 Sandy Alomoar Jr. (Indians)
#123 Andy Benes (Diamondbacks)
#218 Guillermo Garcia (Marlins)
#215 Mike Stanley (Red Sox)
#289 Larry Walker (Rockies)

Pack 8:
#135 Johnny Damon (Royals)
#040 Devon White (Dodgers)
#095 Trot Nixon (Red Sox)
#047 Ugueth Urbina (Expos)
#138 Doug Mientkiewicz (Twins)
#208 Miguel Cairo (Diamondbacks)

#141 Hideo Nomo (Mets)
#296 Bernie Williams (Yankees)

Pack 9:
#125 Mike Mussina (Orioles)
#087 Jim Leyritz (Padres)
#020 Edgardo Alfonzo (Mets)
#132 Rob Fick (Tigers)

#131 John Rocker (Braves)
#165 Scott Elarton (Astros)
#179 Rick Helling (Rangers)
#242 George Lombard (Braves)

I'm sure New York fans remember John Rocker.  They guy had talent...too bad he couldn't keep his mouth shut!

Pack 10:
#081 Corey Koskie (Twins)
#054 Brian Giles (Pirates)
#051 Ryan Christenson (A's)
#124 Ed Sprague (Pirates)
#105 Omar Daal (Diamondbacks)
#147 Trevor Hoffman (Padres)
#163 Luis Gonzalez (Diamondbacks)
#243 Todd Helton (Rockies)

Pack 11:
#060 Chris Carpenter (Blue Jays)
#128 Paul Konerko (White Sox)
#065 J.T. Snow (Giants)
#045 Fernando Vina (Brewers)

#9WB Sammy Sosa - www.Batterz.com (Cubs)
#157 Troy O'Leary (Red Sox)
#145 Ron Gant (Reds)
#261 Frank Thomas (White Sox)

The www.Batterz.com insert has to have one of the silliest names I've ever seen.  The background of the card is comprised of small holographic squares while the top of the card looks like a crude web browser.  Not my favorite design, but congrats to the Cubbies.

Pack 12:
#014 Bret Boone (Braves)
#058 Al Leiter (Mets)
#108 Matt Lawton (Twins)
#076 Derrek Lee (Marlins)
#008 Roberto Alomar (Indians)
#175 Jason Schmidt (Pirates)
#155 Mike Lowell (Yankees)
#272 Darin Erstad (Angels)

Pack 13:
#013 Jeff Abbott (White Sox)
#093 Sean Casey (Reds)
#016 B.J. Surhoff (Orioles)
#022 Jose Canseco (Rays)

#12U Travis Lee - Unleashed (Diamondbacks)
#156 Orlando Cabrera (Expos)
#144 Robb Nen (Giants)
#253 Roy Halladay (Blue Jays)

Another "Wheaties" insert - this time for the Dbacks.

Pack 14:
#098 Bartolo Colon (Indians)
#034 Todd Stottlemyre (Diamondbacks)
#006 Miguel Tejada (A's)
#122 Tm Goodwin (Rangers)
#050 Tom Gordon (Red Sox)
#174 Rico Brogna (Phillies)
#154 Jay Bell (Diamondbacks)
#244 Andruw Jones (Braves)

Pack 15:
#066 Matt Clement (Padres)
#028 Francisco Cordova (Pirates)
#010 Eric Young (Dodgers)
#111 Mariano Rivera (Yankees)
#044 Darren Dreifort (Dodgers)
#190 Vinny Castilla (Rockies)
#172 Andy Pettitte (Yankees)
#251 Gary Sheffield (Dodgers)

Pack 16:
#139 Dustin Hermanson (Expos)
#118 Eli Marrero (Cardinals)
#059 Royce Clayton (Rangers)
#003 Matt Williams (Diamondbacks)
#036 Michael Tucker (Reds)
#204 Robin Ventura (Mets)
#188 Pete Harnisch (Reds)
#256 Juan Gonzalez (Rangers)

Pack 17:
#097 Reggie Sanders (Reds)
#010 Eric Young (Dodgers)
#107 Eric Karros (Dodgers)
#132 Rob Fick (Tigers)

#03U Eric Chavez - Unleashed (A's)
#156 Orlando Cabrera (Expos)
#221 Armando Benitez (Mets)
#255 Tony Gwynn (Padres)

Pack 18:
#135 Johnny Damon (Royals)
#103 Mark Kotsay (Marlins)
#019 Rondell White (Expos)
#030 Will Clark (Orioles)
#131 John Rocker (Braves)
#194 Andres Galarraga (Braves)
#231 Scott Spiezio (A's)
#297 Matt Anderson (Tigers)

We'll finish off the last half of the box soon.  Up next is 2003 Fleer Double Header.

April 2012 Affordable Group Break Video Preview

Good news group break participants...and anyone else curious.  The boxes have arrived today courtesy of the good folks at the Baseball Card Exchange!  Like last month I decided to open the first few packs on video to give everyone a preview of sorts.  The audio is a little crackly for some reason so I apologize for that.  I'm still relatively new at the whole webcam and video thing.  Anyhow I think these boxes are going to be a lot of fun so I'm going to wrap this up so you can watch and I can start ripping!  Enjoy and good luck everyone!

Can't find the new GQ in your area? Why not join Cardboard Heaven's break?

That's right, Cardboard Heaven is hosting and ripping 2 hobby boxes of the newly released 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen.  Lots of good teams are still available.  What are you waiting for?

Eric Hinske - 2002 Rookie of the Year

I don't normally care for cards when one of the players I collect has to share the cardboard with another player, but for $.99 why not?

Perfect Timing

To say that these last few days for me and my family have been crazy is a huge understatement.  Things however appear to be taking a turn for the better and my daughter's fever seems to be coming under check now.  She is starting to eat a little and her smile and laugh are returning.

Even though I was up all night and morning with my wife and daughter at the ER Monday I still had to report to work yesterday.  I thought I would go in and keep a low profile, but as the day dictated that wasn't the case.  It was a very busy day and it kept me after closing a few hours.  By the time I got home I was beat.  My mom had offered to keep our oldest daughter while we were @ the ER which was a huge blessing.  When my mom brought her home yesterday she also brought us dinner...yummy Doritos Taco Bell tacos!  If that itself wasn't great I found a small USPS flat rate box waiting for me in the mail.

Wes from Jaybarkerfan's Junk filled up a box with random Braves cards.  I'm sorry I didn't have time to scan in any examples, but it was loaded with Greg Maddux cards and early 90's stuff that surprisingly I didn't have.  I loved seeing names such as Steve Avery, Mark Lemke, Rafael Belliard and Sid Bream staring back at me.  Thank you for cards.  It was a great way to unwind after the past couple of crazy (and scary) days we've been through.

Group Break 2nd Team Randomization

Now that all the slots have been claimed it's time to randomize the remaining 15 teams.  Randomization will be done in the original order of sign-ups.  Drum roll please...

01) Los Angeles Dodgers (Cardboard Collections) (hiflew)
02) Montreal Expos (The Dutch Card Guy)
03) Milwaukee Brewers (aprsmith)
04) Chicago Cubs (aj245)
05) Minnesota Twins (cynicalbuddha)
06) Kansas City Royals (hiflew) (Cardboard Collections)
07) Arizona Diamondbacks (arfmax)
08) Baltimore Orioles (jaybarkerfan)
09) Detroit Tigers (jaybarkerfan)
10) Toronto Blue Jays (jaybarkerfan)
11) Pittsburgh Pirates (Jason)
12) Anaheim Angels (FanOfReds)
13) Tampa Bay Rays (FanOfReds)
14) Florida Marlins (IkesCards)
15) San Diego Padres (Cardboard Collections)

Let the trading begin!  Boxes should arrive by mid week (I hope) so once I make the announcement that the boxes are in hand then all trading will close.  Please make sure to make your comments here letting me know who is trading who.

All that said I'll put the Dodgers on the trading block for either the Royals (preferred) or the Blue Jays.

Sunday Verse

Romans 13:6-7

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

I know this is sort of an odd verse to post, but hey, it's April 15th!  I'm just thankful my family makes enough money to be able to make it day to day.  The fact that we are getting a refund this year (after have to pay through the nose last year) is a real blessing.

If you're wondering why this post occurred so late it's because my little 9 month old daughter came down with pneumonia Saturday evening.  This day has been rough - a real roller coaster.  At times it's been down right scary.  It's 10:15 pm EST as I type this and she is resting somewhat comfortably in her crib.  We are hoping and praying to get some rest and make it through the night.  We have an appointment tomorrow morning w/ the pediatrician.  If you are the praying type I would ask that you keep us in your prayers.  My daughter's name is Winnie and we would appreciate any thoughts and prayers sent our way.

Group Break Update

Sign ups for this month's Affordable Group Break haven't been coming along as fast as I'd like, but I'm going to go ahead and order the boxes tomorrow, 4/13/12.  I'm taking my family to the beach the last week of the April for some much needed R & R so I'd like to get the break going before I leave.  That said time for claiming a slot is running out.  Any unclaimed teams will go to the host (that's me).  I don't want to eat these slots so if you've been on the fence now is the time.  Sign ups will officially close next week once the boxes have arrived.

All the sign up info can be found in the top box in the sidebar to the right.  C'mon people!  Lots of hits to be had this go 'round.

Rey Ordonez Collection: 2000 Pacific Printing Plate (1/1)

 

Score another one for the Rey Ordonez collection.  This time a 1/1!  I didn't even know Pacific was inserting printing plates into their packs of 2000 Pacific.  One day I may scan my whole Ordonez collection...but I wouldn't wait around.

Steve Smith re-signs with Carolina through 2015 & a SMG sighting!

Earlier today it was reported that wide receiver Steve Smith has re-signed with the Carolina Panthers through 2015 with an option for 2016.  Steve Smith holds just about every team receiving record and has been the heart and soul of the team...even if he has let his anger get the best of him a time or two.  I'm sure having Cam Newton as the starting QB influenced his decision to stay in town and hopefully retire as a Panther.

Speaking of Steve a few weeks back I got a package in the mail from the sewingmachineguy.  In the past we've routinely exchanged cards with each other, but I was expecting anything from him so I was already surprised.  That surprised turned into glee when this card slid out of the bubble mailer.

2010 Topps Magic jersey (25/25)

I love this set.  2010 Magic was the first football set I wanted to build.  I stayed away from the relics because of their low numbering and high price, but the art on the base cards is just beautiful.  I knew that the sewingmachineguy had been breaking up parts of his collection to sell, but no way did I expect him to send me this card.  I know he could've sold this on eBay and it probably would've fetched a nice amount so I can't think him enough for his generosity. 

Taste the Hudson Rainbow

I've never really been able to complete the rainbow for any one player...until now!

Well the rainbow is almost complete.  I read the other day there will be Orange parallels in the factory set.