Sunday Verse

Isaiah 53:5-6

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

I spent my weekend with my family tent camping for the first time.  I'm not the biggest outdoors person and I wasn't sure how my little girls would take to camping or sleeping in a tent in the cold.  Overall it was a lot of fun.  Had a blast getting dirty, throwing anything we could get our hands on in the campfire.  Friday night it was COLD which made for a rough night.  Saturday night got better in terms of temperature.  However around 3:30 am it began to rain and let's just say we found out the hard way that you need to pull the tarp over top of your tent very tight.  We all woke up early this morning wet...some parts of the tent were soaked.  So needless to say we packed up our gear and headed home a little earlier than we had anticipated.  I hated that we missed Easter services today, but this was some of the best time spent w/ my wife and kids in awhile.

Hope everyone else has had a good weekend / Sunday.  I'll be posting soon one last push to get the group break full as there are a few spots left.  Hope to get it underway later this week.

Oh yeah...Opening Day is finally here!  Well at least it'll be here tomorrow at 7 PM for me and the rest of Braves Country.

PC Addition: Daniel Nava

At some point in 2010 I decided to add Daniel Nava to my list of players to collect.  Outside of some Bowman cards I didn't have much to chase.  2011 and 2012 and he was just about completely absent from most Topps checklists, so imagine my surprise when I saw he was going to be included in 2013 Topps Series 1.  

I'm hoping chasing his rainbow will be a little easier and less expensive than completing Tim Hudson's rainbow.  This $1.45 lot I picked up is my start of the process.  Anyone care to wish me luck?

Sunday Verse

James 1:12 (NIV)

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Phew!  What a week.  For my family it was the first week that we all were feeling much better after suffering from the norovirus the week before.  March Madness is now in full swing and my bracket looks like swiss cheese after 3 days of play.  Good thing I'm not the betting kind of guy or my wallet would probably be mad at me!  Hope the coming week is just as full of blessings for everyone as this week was.

P.S. - I've got a few spots left in next month's Affordable Group Break if you haven't already noticed.  Just scroll down for the post or look in the upper right corner for a link. 

April 2013 Affordable Group Break Redux - ALL NEW Boxes selected!

Earlier this week I posted sign-ups for one of my Affordable Group Breaks, but it appears I may have struck out when it came to the product selection.  That said I went back to the drawing board and selected 3 new boxes.  Hopefully this time the boxes will be a little more attractive and more than 4 people will sign up.

Speaking of the 4 people that did sign up and pay for the old break - you have first dibs at your team selected.  If you choose not to go ahead with the new selections your money will be promptly refunded and your team will be released.

The break will once again be sponsored by the great guys at the Baseball Card Exchange!

1998 Pacific Online

- 24 packs, 9 cards per pack

- 750 card set

- 2 different versions of the top 20 players (alt. photo)

INSERTS

- Team Checklist (1:3)

- Gold Team Checklist (1:24)

- Web Cards (1:1)

1998 Pacific Paramount (Hobby)

- 36 packs, 6 cards per pack

Possible RCs include Jimmy Rollins, Troy Glaus, Carlos Lee & Kevin Millar

INSERTS

- Copper parallel (hobby exclusive) (1:1)

- Platinum Blue parallel (1:73)

- Cooperstown Bound (1:361)

- Fielder's Choice Laser Cut (1:73)

- Team Checklist die-cuts (1:37)

2000 Topps Gold Label (Hobby)

- 24 packs, 5 cards per pack

INSERTS
- Gold #'d 100 (1:68)

- Bullion (1:32)

- End of the Rainbow (1:7)

- Prospector's Dream (1:16)

- The Treasury (1:13)

After crunching the numbers it comes out to $10.50 per slot.  14 slots available.  Because the USPS jacked international rates nearly 400%, I'm asking those outside the U.S. to add an extra $5 for shipping ($15.50 total).  Additional slots can be purchased for a discount of $2.  Pick a team and the 2nd team will be randomized.  The faster you pay the sooner I can place the order and get to ripping packs.  If for some reason we can't get 14 people to join in on the fun then I'll refund everyone's money.

To claim a slot(s) please:

• 1) Leave a comment letting me know your team of choice (or teams if claiming multiple slots)

• 2) PayPal your payment via gift to:  cardboardcollections at yahoo.com

• 3) E-mail me (same address as payment) your screen name, full name, address and the team(s) claimed

01) Braves (Cardboard Collections) (PAID)
02) Dodgers (grcl) (PAID)
03) Yankees (Dutch Card Guy) (PAID)
04) Astros (That Astros Guy / @SWVLguy) (PAID)
05) Pirates (NY Hitman 23) (PAID)
06) Orioles (Ryan H) (PAID)
07) Cubs (Spiegel83) (PAID)
08) Giants (arpsmith) (PAID)
09) Rockies (hiflew) (PAID)
10) Royals (Josh D.) (PAID)
11) Cardinals (madding) (PAID)
12) Mets (Carlos Salgado) (PAID)
13) Brewers (cynicalbuddha) (PAID)
14)
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Pack Break - 2013 Topps Heritage

I'm not a huge fan of the Heritage brand.  While I can appreciate the older Topps designs, I'd much rather drop my hard earned money on some of their other products.  However like most of us I love to open packs so I usually end up buying at least one or two packs of just about every Topps product.

This pack came from Walmart.  I grabbed the pack right off the top of what looked to be a newly opened box.  As I walked to the checkout I felt the sides of the pack and I noticed there seemed to be a gap in the stack of cards.  I didn't think of it that much since there are smaller security "cards" inserted into retail packs.

Once I got back to my office I preceded to open the pack and nothing was staring back at me to cause me to smile.

1) No Braves. 2) No SPs. 3) No inserts = not much fun.  However not all was lost as the gap in the stack of cards I felt wasn't one of those security tag cards.

It was a hand numbered mini parallel!  The retail pack odds for these are 1:235.  I defied the retail odds yet again.  Now I had a smile on my face as I'm pretty sure someone (Cards on Cards?) will want this.  Perhaps I can flip it for the Kris Medlen from the same parallel set or something else Braves related.

By the way, all of the cards in this post will be available for trade.  This most likely will also be the last Heritage post you see here.

Blaster Break - 2013 Topps Opening Day

Every year I say that I'm not going to bother with the annual Opening Day product, but I love this year's flagship design so much I couldn't help but to grab a blaster and a rack pack.  It also helps that the price is right at $9.99 for a blaster and $3.49 for a rack pack.

As you can see in the image above, Opening Day once again uses the base design from flagship with some minor changes.  Of course the Opening Day logo is added to the card's front, but the biggest and most welcomed change is the absence of the silver foil lettering!  This one small change makes a huge difference, at least in my opinion.

Every year Opening Day has it's own exclusive parallel set and inserts and in past years they have been really nice.  A few years back we had the Stadium Lights glow in the dark cards.  Last year we had the awesome 3D cards.  Well I'm happy to report that the 3D cards are back and the rest of the inserts blow the doors off last year's Opening Day effort.

The parallels this year are very similar to the Emerald parallels from the flagship set.  No longer just a light blue border parallel, we get sparkly blue parallels!  As good as they look, Topps still had to slap 'April 2013' just over the Opening Day logo...in silver foil!  At least the font is really small.  On the back of the cards these are serially numbered to 2013, however Topps messed up again and used that horrid black ink.  Two minor issues, but worth mentioning.

Ballpark Fun showcases fun celebration photos...from champagne spraying to Gatorade showers.  I believe the pie in the face antics are also captured in this set.  I don't mind cards like these, as long as they aren't SPs in the regular set.  Fun set, but not one I'm planning on building.  All 3 of these cards will be available for trade.

Opening Day Highlights is a new set for 2013, however it just doesn't do anything for me.  Nice simple design, but again a set I won't build.  Both cards available.

Opening Day Stars...now this is what I'm talking about!  The set features the same 3D technology that Topps has been using over the past few years in sets like Opening Day and Archives.  25 cards strong, this is a set that I'll gladly chase.  I'll put it out there right now, if you have any of these cards you don't want, then please let me know!

Play Hard is yet another new set this year and features some awesome photography.  I also love the design of the card and how the color is focus in the center of the card.  With the card in hand you can better see the design that gives an impact feel.  By the way that is silver foil on the card front.  Fun set that I will build for sure.

Superstar Celebration is a carry over from last year and continues the team celebration theme.  Like the design, just not enough to collect the set.  I'll be keeping the Pujols, but the Mauer is available for trade.

I'll probably end up building the base set of Opening Day as well since I know I'll buy a few more packs before I call it quits.  I hope to have a want list and a trade list added by the end of the day.

2013 Topps Silver Slate parallels aren't so silver

The other day I got in my 2 packs of 2013 Topps Silver Slate parallels from this year's wrapper redemption program and I was surprised to see the cards weren't so silver.  Instead they are a blue and sparkly.  Think the Emerald cards, just replace the green with blue.  In all honestly they look great.

With the cards being somewhat limited I wanted to offer them up here for trade in hopes I can trade for the Braves cards since I got shut out.  I've got a line on the Tim Hudson, but would still like the rest of the team.  Also open to trading these for something off my want list.

One of my packs contained a Silver Framed parallel #09/10 of Josh Beckett too!  Originally I wanted to trade it for the same card of Tim Hudson, but I'll really trade it for something of similar numbering or similar awesomeness of a Braves player or anyone else I collect (see right sidebar for list).  If you're interested in any of the cards please leave a comment, connect with me at Google + or Facebook, or e-mail me.

The start of the baseball season is almost here, so why not celebrate with an Affordable Group Break?!

As most of my regular readers and fellow bloggers know, I've been hosting my Affordable Group Breaks for  a few years now and in 2012 I nearly had a break every month.  It's a lot of work and frankly I got a little burnt out.  There are more bloggers hosting their own breaks now so trying to get people's support and money has been a little tougher.  On a few occasions I lost a little money hosting as well so combine all those factors and you'll see why I've been laying a little low here lately.

However with the beginning of the 2013 baseball season just around the corner I thought now would be a perfect opportunity to host another edition of my Affordable Group Break.  In staying true to my roots I've decided to go back to the 90's a pick 3 boxes that I hope everyone will enjoy.  Like with previous breaks, the great guys at The Baseball Card Exchange will again be sponsoring this break.

Up first is a product I first learned about when my brother was in college.  In 1992 I had only been collecting for a few years and I didn't have access to a hobby shop or even Beckett magazine.  My brother brought home a few packs of these cards from the college's school store and I always thought they were unique.  I think this one a one and done product for Topps making it that much more enjoyable.

1992 Topps Kids

- 48 packs, 7 cards per pack

* I have all the Atlanta Braves from this set so I'll be selling a Braves slot for just this slot if anyone cares

By 1993 rolled around I was just getting into collecting other brands outside of Topps.  I remember when the Ted Williams Card Co. was founded and oddly enough I opened a few packs, but I can't remember for the life of me where I purchased the packs!  I figured this was something that a lot of us may not have in our team/player collections.

1993 Ted Williams (Premiere Edition)

- 36 packs, 12 cards per pack

- 2 insert cards per pack

- Etched in Stone, a tribute to Roberto Clemente

- Gene Locklear Collection

Skip a few years to 1996.  By this time I was in college and my attention to baseball and baseball cards was waning a little bit.  Leave it up to Fleer/Skybox to catch my attention with their Metal Universe set. I was somewhat familiar with the concept as I was buying basketball cards for a short while.  I know not every collector out there cared for this brand, but I for one always enjoyed it.

1996 Fleer Skybox Metal Universe (Hobby)

- 24 packs

- Look for Motherlode inserts

After crunching the numbers it comes out to $9 per slot.  14 slots available + the Braves '92 Topps Kids slot.  Additional slots can be purchased for a discount of $2.  Pick a team and the 2nd team will be randomized.  The faster you pay the sooner I can place the order and get to ripping packs.  If for some reason we can't get 14 people to join in on the fun then I'll refund everyone's money.

To claim a slot(s) please:

• 1) Leave a comment letting me know your team of choice (or teams if claiming multiple slots)

• 2) PayPal your payment via gift to:  cardboardcollections at yahoo.com

• 3) E-mail me (same address as payment) your screen name, full name, address and the team(s) claimed

01) Braves (Cardboard Collections) (PAID)
02) Dodgers (grcl) (PAID)
03) Yankees (Dutch Card Guy) (PAID)
04) Astros (That Astros Guy / @SWVLguy) (PAID)
05) Pirates (NY Hitman 23) (PAID)
06)
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1992 Topps Kids Atlanta Braves slot - $2.00

16)

Sunday Verse

Acts 4:10,12

then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Hope everyone had a good week.  March Madness is gearing up later this week, Spring Training baseball is winding down and the all ever exciting Opening Day is getting closer and closer!

The hardest part is waiting

Cards like this David Justice auto makes it even harder waiting for April 1st to get here.  Funny thing about this card is I didn't even know Justice was part of the Chasing History auto set, let alone he was pictured in a Braves uniform.  Even better the card cost me less than $4 shipped!

A few more - 2002 Fleer Authentix Ripped Jersey

While I wait for 2013 Topps Series 2, Gypsy Queen, the Sticker Album and A&G to release, I'm taking the time to work on a few insert sets I've always been fond of.  I know the whole jersey/relic card thing has been beat worse than a back alley hooker, but in 2002 when Fleer introduced their new line of cards called Authentix I was hooked.  The base cards were different looking and the short printed rookies had mini "ticket stubs" embedded in the card as part of the design.  Brilliance I thought.  Then I saw the Ripped Jersey cards and I was in love.  There was just something about the horizontal design combined with the embedded fake ticket stub that I loved.  I also wasn't sick of jersey and bat cards in 2002.  I never gave putting the set together much of a serious thought, but lately it's been on my mind so I've sought out looking to fill the many holes in my set.

I ended up finding a few for a decent price, but why oh why do some sellers want to charge $3+ to ship one single card?!  Some of the lesser name players in the set can easily be found, but shipping usually kills it for me so I pass.  So for now I'll just show the deals that I did find...

I love the colorful ticket stub on the A-Rod card. I can't remember if this card is a SP or not, but it usually commands much more than I paid.

I believe the Bagwell is a SP as I don't see it listed for sale as often and I got into a mini bidding war for it.  Wonder if I was bidding against the Dimwit?





Normally if a Brave is in a set I'm building, then I'd want two - 1) for my Braves collection and 2) for the set.  In the case of Andruw, I'll just keep to this one card for the set.



It seemed as if most of the jersey pieces in this set were plain boring white, so it's nice to have a black piece to break up the white consistency.

This is actually quite a big set of cards, so if you have anything from it to trade or can find something for cheap at your LCS, please let me know.  You can find my want list for this set HERE.

2013 Topps Tim Hudson Rainbow Completed!

I know I haven't been blogging as much recently (at least here), but that doesn't mean that I haven't been buying, collecting or trading.  That actually couldn't be further from the truth.  In fact ever since Topps released 2013 Series 1, I've been actively chasing the rainbow - the Tim Hudson rainbow that is.

It was a daunting task when I first saw the early checklist and saw so many freakin' parallels this year.  However with so many people busting the flagship Topps product this year it was actually quite easy to find most of the cards.  I said most.  The Toys R Us exclusive purple parallel took me the longest to find...but it finally became mine - with the rest of Huddy's cards.  Feels good, real good.

Walmart Blue

Toys R Us Purple

Target Red

Emerald

Gold #0196/2013

Camouflage #33/99

Black #31/62

Pink #18/50

Silk Collection #39/50

Sunday Verse

1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

I can't speak for others, but this is something that I often need to be reminded of.  Have a great Sunday everyone.  Baseball is getting ever closer and closer!

Ready for Baseball

For those of you that care...I am alive!  Like many I can't get that hyped until baseball actually starts.  2013 Topps helped me get more in the mood, but I'm still not quite there.  However I have picked up a few things...like this new Brandon Beachy relic.  Love the red jersey...even if I don't know if he wore it or from what year or game!

Sunday Verse

Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Hands down one of my favorite verses in the New Testament.  Powerful words.  Have a great Sunday everyone!