10 centerrific! Cards with kids Edition

You know how some bloggers collect cards of something other than their favorite player and or team?  Like cards with cups in the picture, or American Flags, or facial hair.  A themed I've always thought was cool was cards with kids.  Being a parent of 2 this appeals to me more now than ever before. 

I ran across this 1992 Upper Deck Homerun Heroes cards of Fred McGriff in the dime box at the LCS and quickly added it to my pile.  Now the question I ask is this McGriff's son or was he just making for a great baseball card?

I've got a few more cards that fit this new theme of mine and if I can ever unearth them, I'll get them scanned and shared here alongside Fred.

Sunday Verse

Romans 8:35, 37

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

10 centerrific! Dave Dravecky Edition

In the midst of a sea of 1987 Topps commons, I ran across some early 80's cards in the dime box at the LCS.  Now I have to admit something.  Had I not specifically been looking for Padres stuff to add to my own "welcome back to the hobby" package I'm sending off soon, I may have missed this card.

Dave Dravecky is another one of those players that I ended up pursuing as a collection after hearing his story of how his baseball career ended.  Most importantly how he leaned upon his faith to get him through his traumatic times.  Me collecting him shouldn't surprise those of you that read this blog however.

This 1983 Fleer RC of his is actually in great shape.  Not sure why my scanner made the card look so off centered though.  Right out of the cheapo box, this card has a slight curve and 4 sharp corners.  I wonder how many other people thumbed right over this card without seeing it.  It is after all a horrible design with a horrible uniform!  Sorry, I can dig some throwback unis, but not this one!

Sunday Verse

1 Corinthians 13: 6-7

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

2013 Topps Want List and Trade Lists now live!

I was on the fence heading into 2013 whether or not I wanted to build the flagship set of Topps this year.  After opening so many packs during my recent group break I've fell in love with the design and some of the inserts.  With so many cards already I figured why not go for the set so I've comprised a list of the cards I'm missing from Series 1.  I also like several of the inserts and want to build those as well.  Some sets will be easier to complete then others.  I've yet to pull a Cut to the Chase card from retail yet.

One of the insert sets I'm not building is the 1972 Minis.  I know a lot of people like these, but I'm just sticking to the Braves players.

The only cards I don't have listed on my want list that I'm going after are the silver or gold foil parallels of the Chasing History inserts found exclusively in retail jumbo packs and hanger boxes.  I'll get that list added soon.

So if you have lots of commons to trade and or want some of my commons or '72 minis let me know and we'll work something out!

Want List

Trade List

The Braves are moving on Up(ton)

A week or so ago one of my group break participants (F. Quinlan) was gracious enough to send me a small Justin Upton care package.  Since signing with the Braves he told me that he wasn't sure if he wanted to keep his Upton PC so he sent me a nice selection of his rookie cards!

I was already excited about the upcoming baseball season before the Braves brought in the Upton brothers to take care of the outfield along with Jason Heyward.  Now I'm even more excited.  April can't get here fast enough!

Who's ready for another football group break?

I need to gauge interest to see if I could get this off the ground. Just released were 2012 Panini Contenders and 2012 Topps Magic. Each hobby box yields 3 autos plus lots of other goodies. Thinking about using two team slots - 1 you pick and 1 randomized. $18 a slot. Comment and let me know if you would be on board with this.

10 centerrific! Deion Sanders Edition

Wow, I can't believe after all these years this is the first time Deion Sanders has made the blog!  The dime boxes usually are filled with 85% baseball, but sometimes a few other sports get mixed into the baseball.  Usually it's annoying to be thumbing through baseball cards and then hit a run of something else, but this time I was glad to see a football card staring back at me.

This card is part of the 1991 Star Pics set.  I never followed his collegiate career and only briefly in the NFL.  I became a fan of his for who he is away from the game.  None the less it's always nice to find cards of his that I don't have.  Of note (at least to me), the back of this card has his college major listed:  Broadcasting.  No wonder he's so good in the booth!

Sunday Verse

Psalm 86:5

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. 

I hope everyone has a great Sunday enjoying time spent with family and friends.  I don't have a dog in the fight for tonight's game, but it oughta be entertaining no matter which teams comes out on top.

February 2013 Affordable Group Break - 2013 Topps Series 1 Jumbo Part 2

We are to the end of this month's group break.  I had a lot of fun hosting - I hope you had a fun time participating.  Below you'll find the pack ripping video of the 2nd jumbo box.  Or as usual you can just scroll down to see the inserts and hits.

Please note that all of the hits that went to unclaimed teams will be randomed off at the bottom of this post.  You'll also find an updated card tally for each team so you can see how your team(s) performed.

Gold parallels

Emerald parallels

Chasing History

Chasing the Dream

Cut to the Chase

1972 Minis

The Greats

Chasing History auto

Chasing History Relic

Silver Slugger Manufactured Relic

Now who would have ever guessed that only 2 of the 6 hits would go to teams that were claimed.  That means that the other participants will have a chance at the auto and relic from the 1st box and this Sheffield auto and Longoria relic.  I've entered the names of the remaining teams that didn't get a hit into Random.org and we'll see what happens!

First hit up for grabs is the Carlos Santana auto from box 1...and the winner is the Blue Jays!

Second hit up for grabs is the Chasing the Dream jersey relic from box 1...and the winner is the Orioles!

Next hit will be the Gary Sheffield auto from above...and the winner is the Padres!

Last hit to be randomed off is the Evan Longoria jersey relic...and the winner is the Brewers!

Congratulations to everyone!  This officially concludes this month's group break.  I'll be looking at future 2013 baseball product for future Affordable Group Breaks.  If you have a product suggestion please let me know.  My goal is to have everything shipped Monday morning, but due to some things that just came up at work it may be Tuesday before everyone's cards have shipped.  Thanks again!!

FINAL CARD COUNTS

Key - base cards / inserts / hits

Angels - 27 / 5 / 0

Blue Jays - 29 / 2 / 1

Braves - 22 / 3 / 1

Brewers - 24 / 2 / 1

Cardinals - 45 / 8 / 0

Diamondbacks - 34 / 2 / 0

Dodgers - 40 / 0 / 0

Giants - 43 / 6 / 0

Nationals - 37 / 7 / 0 

Orioles - 37 / 3 / 1

Padres - 22 / 4 / 1

Phillies - 25 / 3 / 0

Pirates - 28 / 4 / 0

Rangers - 38 / 4 / 1

Rockies - 15 / 2 / 0

Tigers - 37 / 1 / 0

Yankees - 45 / 9 / 0

February 2013 Affordable Group Break - 2013 Topps Series 1 Jumbo Part 1

The beginning of the 2013 baseball card season is finally upon us!  I've been so excited about hosting this month's break featuring 2 jumbo boxes of 2013 Topps Series 1.  I tried to go through the packs as quick as possible so the video wouldn't be 30 minutes long, so I apologize if you don't know what base cards your team ended up with.

I also wasn't entirely sure of the players included in the photo variant "Out of Bounds" so make sure you take a close look at your cards once you have them in hand.

If you want to watch the video (or at least skim it) feel free to do so.  Otherwise you can scroll down to see the hits, inserts and individual team card counts.

Indians weren't claimed, so card will be randomed off at the end to teams without a hit.

Marlins weren't claimed, so card will be randomed off at the end to teams without a hit.

Commemorative MVP Trophy

Out of Bounds photo variation

Emerald parallels

Cut to the Chase

1972 Minis

The Greats

Calling Card

Chasing History

Chasing the Dream

CARD COUNTS

Key - base cards / inserts / hits

Angels - 15 / 2 / 0

Blue Jays - 14 / 2 / 0

Braves - 12 / 1 / 1

Brewers - 14 / 1 / 0

Cardinals - 21 / 3 / 0

Diamondbacks - 18 / 1 / 0

Dodgers - 21 / 0 / 0

Giants - 22 / 4 / 0

Nationals - 19 / 4 / 0 

Orioles - 16 / 1 / 0

Padres - 12 / 2 / 0

Phillies - 12 / 1 / 0

Pirates - 13 / 4 / 0

Rangers - 21 / 1 / 0

Rockies - 8 / 1 / 0

Tigers - 21 / 0 / 0

Yankees - 24 / 2 / 0