2016 & 2017 Topps Allen & Ginter Want Lists (Finally)

To say I've been a little behind in getting myself organized is an understatement. I've got several sets that I'm building that I don't have active want lists for. Over the past few weekends I bought a new 4 inch binder and some pages and got to work on putting my 2016 A&G and 2017 A&G organized and in pages. This evening I took some time to finally get actual want lists prepared. I'm hoping to trade of course, but I still have more work to do in getting my doubles and other new cards I have listed on my trade list.

If you have lots of base cards and or inserts from last year or this year's Allen & Ginter set and you're up to trading, drop me a line and we'll see if we can work something out.

2016 Topps Allen & Ginter Want List

2017 Topps Allen & Ginter Want List

Affordable Group Break Results!

Thanks once again to everyone that decided to participate in this break. I was afraid we were just going to fall short of having enough people to make this happen.

I thought the boxes had some pretty good stuff in them and I hope everyone will be happy w/ their teams' cards. I'll do my best to have everything packaged up this weekend and get them in the mail by Tuesday at the latest. If you want a wrapper or two let me know as soon as you can.

I recorded the opening of the boxes live via Facebook. We started right at 8 PM EST on Saturday evening, 08/26/17. The video lasts right at one hour, so if you don't want to watch and you're just curious as to what inserts/hits were pulled...just scroll on down past the video.

SLOTS / TEAMS SELECTED

01) Atlanta Braves - Cardboard Collections (Paid) | Angels (from Royals & Random

02) New York Yankees - Mint Condition (Paid) | Blue Jays

03) Chicago White Sox - 2x3 Heroes (Paid) | Mets

04) Arizona Diamondbacks - Jared Rayes (Paid) | Marlins

05) St. Louis Cardinals - Cards on Cards (Paid) | Orioles

06) Cincinnati Reds - Jason German (Paid) | Indians (from Stealing Home)

07) Los Angeles Dodgers - Stealing Home (Paid) | Brewers (from Jason German)

08) Philadelphia Phillies - Mint Condition (Paid) | Giants

09) Houston Astros - Royals & Randoms (Paid) | Padres

10) Seattle Mariners - Royals & Randoms (Paid) | Royals (from Cardboard Collections)

11) Chicago Cubs - Cardboard Conundrum (Paid) | Tigers

12) Minnesota Twins - Cardboard Conundrum (Paid) | Rangers

13) Colorado Rockies - Infield Fly Rule (Paid) | Rays

14) Boston Red Sox - Will Rouse (Paid) | Expos/Nationals

15) Oakland Athletics - Cardboard Collections (Paid) | Pirates

2003 Fleer Focus Jersey Edition

 inserts

hits

2005 Fleer Showcase

inserts 

hits

2017 Panini Optic

parallels

2017 Topps Chrome

parallels

Congratulations to everyone! I'm not sure when I'll host another break, but when I do I hope to you back in the fold. 

Affordable Group Break Goes LIVE Tonight at 8 PM EST

Whether you're participating or not, I've love to have an audience as we get underway this evening. Head on over to Facebook where I'll be live. More specifically, go to my Facebook Page for the blog, Cardboard Collections.

Two mid 90's Fleer Hobby boxes and a few other surprises will be broken. See you soon!

Affordable Group Break: 2nd Team Randomization

Alright everyone, below are the results from the 2nd team randomization. This process was done live via my Facebook page. If you have not yet liked the page, I urge you to do so to keep up to date w/ the break and all the updates.

If you don't care to watch the video and want to know who your second team for each slot you claimed, click on the image below for a larger view.

Team trading has begun! If you are not happy w/ the 2nd team you were randomly assigned, no worries. Hit up one of the other participants and propose a trade. Or you can post in the comments here. I just ask that if you complete a trade, please let me know one way or another so I can update my own list. I'd hate to send you the wrong cards once everything is over!

I'd also like some feedback on whether you would prefer a live break this Friday evening or Saturday evening. The default time will be Saturday evening, 08/26/17 at 9 PM Eastern...unless more of you want to do it Friday. Just comment below or shoot me an email.

Thanks guys, looking forward to this!

Sunday Verse

1 John 5:14-15

New International Version This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

2016 Topps Now: Freddie Freeman #513 (print run 221)

Most people think of Freddie's power when hear his name, but last summer (September 28th) Freddie was channeling his inner Joe DiMaggio and found himself with a 30 game hitting streak. The franchise record was 33 games, set by Dan Uggla. Sadly Freddie's streak came to an end on the evening of September 28th, 2016.

Affordable Group Break Update

While I'm more than willing to eat a little of the purchase price to make this break happen, I can't afford to absorb too much. That said I'm willing to offer multi-slot discounts as of today. I'm going to give this through this weekend to see if we can get additional people signed up. By Monday morning if we don't have enough partcipants, I'll cancel the break and issue refunds to those that have paid.

The first two team slot is $11.00, this includes shipping. You'll pick the first team, unclaimed teams will be assigned randomly after sign ups have closed. If you want an additional (two team) slot, it will only be $6.00. Help spread the word this weekend and let's see if we can get a few more people to sign up. I'm looking to fill at least 4 or 5 more slots filled.

For full details or to sign up, please refer to the original post for all the information.

It's time for another Afforable Group Break

08/19/17 UPDATE - Boxes have been ordered. Monday evening, 08/21/17 (sometime after 8 PM EST) I'll post a Facebook Live video on my page randomizing the unclaimed team and assigning those. After that point, trading of the secondary teams will take place. Further details will be posted on Monday.

I've got the itch again to rip some packs and it's been awhile since I've hosted one of my Affordable Group Breaks...so why not give it a go? If you've never participated in one of my group breaks, I don't break the newest, hottest product. Instead I go back several years and look for stuff I've never opened before and for things that will yield a few hits. This allow usually allows me to keep the prices down, hence the word affordable in the title. We always have fun with these.

This time I've selected to boxes from the mid-2000's, both Fleer products. Both boxes combined will yield us 44 packs to open with a promise of 5 hits. Plus returning collector's will know that I usually toss in a few surprises and extra cards of your main team you select. Below you'll find the two boxes slated to be opened in this break.

2004 Fleer Focus Jersey Edition (hobby)

- 24 packs, 5 cards per pack

- 2 hits, game-used

more info

2005 Fleer Showcase (hobby)

- 20 packs, 5 cards per pack

- 3 hits, 1 auto & 2 game-used

more info

I'm going to go w/ the 2 team slot format again. We'll have 14 open slots (because as the host I've already selected the Atlanta Braves) and you choose the team. If all 14 slots are filled, then I'll random off the other 15 teams not selected using Random.org. You will receive all base cards plus any inserts, parallels and of course hits for your teams. There will be a short period after all teams assigned where trading of your randomized second team is allowed. However once I have a date of when the boxes will be delivered I'll update the post with a cut off date for trading so we can get the break underway. I do plan on breaking the cards LIVE on my Facebook page. I'll then upload the video to my (rarely used) YouTube channel. I'll also try to create a new post w/ the video as well as scans of the inserts, parallels and hits.

Keep in mind that all 14 slots have to be filled in order for this to work, so if you want to participate I ask that you help spread the word on your blog and on social media to help get it filled.

Each 2 team slot will only cost $11.00. This includes shipping and all supplies. If you've claimed a slot and want an additional slot, it will only be $6.00. All you have to do to claim your spot:

1) Leave a comment on this post w/ your team selected

2) Send an email to flywheels at yahoo.com with your name, mailing address & team selected

3) Send your payment via PayPal (friends & family if you don't mind) to: 

cardboardcollections at yahoo.com

SLOTS / TEAMS SELECTED

01) Atlanta Braves - Cardboard Collections (Paid) | Angels (from Royals & Random

02) New York Yankees - Mint Condition (Paid) | Blue Jays

03) Chicago White Sox - 2x3 Heroes (Paid) | Mets

04) Arizona Diamondbacks - Jared Rayes (Paid) | Marlins

05) St. Louis Cardinals - Cards on Cards (Paid) | Orioles

06) Cincinnati Reds - Jason German (Paid) | Indians (from Stealing Home)

07) Los Angeles Dodgers - Stealing Home (Paid) | Brewers (from Jason German)

08) Philadelphia Phillies - Mint Condition (Paid) | Giants

09) Houston Astros - Royals & Randoms (Paid) | Padres

10) Seattle Mariners - Royals & Randoms (Paid) | Royals (from Cardboard Collections)

11) Chicago Cubs - Cardboard Conundrum (Paid) | Tigers

12) Minnesota Twins - Cardboard Conundrum (Paid) | Rangers

13) Colorado Rockies - Infield Fly Rule (Paid) | Rays

14) Boston Red Sox - Will Rouse (Paid) | Expos/Nationals

15) Oakland Athletics - Cardboard Collections (Paid) | Pirates

Less than 12 hours left to bid Cubs fans!

I may should have waited and listed this card later in the day last Sunday, but as of right now there are less than 12 hours left to bid on my 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Kris Bryant RC Glossy Mini 1/1. I'm hoping that one of the near 30 people currently watching the auction place their bid(s) tonight while I'm sleeping so tomorrow morning feels like Christmas morning for me!

2016 Topps Now: Ender Inciarte #489 (print run 273)

Ender was part of the Dansby Swanson trade that took place at the beginning of the 2016 season. It almost seems as he was just "thrown" into the deal to make things even between the clubs. So far however I believe Ender has been the consisent bright spot of that deal.

Braves fans are used to seeing fast guys patrolling center field, whether it was at Fulton County Stadium, Turner Field or now SunTrust Park. Ender has joined the ranks of some great Braves centerfielders and hasn't disappointed. He was the club's lone All-Star reprensentative at the 2017 festitivities held in Miami this year...and the guy deserved it. He has some great speed and is oh so fun to watch in the field. I don't know how he covers so much ground. In July my wife and I had front row seats in centerfield, pretty much right behind Inciarte. Watching him in person cover the outfield was so cool. He's not all about his defensive abilities though, he can get on base with his speed and he's been known to steal a base or two as well.

For this particular Topps Now card it spotlights a game saving catch where he robs the Mets' Yoenis Cespedes of a HR.

Like Father, Like Son?

Wednesday evening the Carolina Panthers will participate in their first preseason game of the 2017 NFL season. To say that 2016 was a disappointment for Panthers fans is a huge understatement. Cam Newton, the team's QB has taken on what I believe is an unfair amount of criticism since the team lost the Super Bowl against Denver in 2015. He will not be taking the field Wednesday evening so that means all eyes will be on this guy...

If the name sounds familiar to you, it should. His father, Ed, played in the NFL for 13 years as a wide receiver. Ed won 3 Super Bowls, went to the Pro Bowl in 1998 and had honors in college before he was drafted by the New York Giants in the 3rd round of the 1991 NFL draft.

Christian was the runner up for the Heisman Trophy in 2015 and currently holds the NCAA record for most all-purpose yards in a season with 3,864. Christian was drafted in the 1st round of the 2017 NFL draft as the 8th overall pick by the Panthers. The team looks forward to his versatility on offense and special teams. A lot has been made about his scrimmages against teammates locally so all eyes will be on him as he takes the field for his first NFL game. 

Right after the draft, Panini fired up their Instant program and created cards for the players being drafted. In Topps Now fashion, these cards would go up for sale for only 24 hours. Unlike Topps however, Panini actually prints the run of cards printed on the back...kudos Panini. As you can see, this card of Christian is limited to only 73 cards.

While my expectations for the Panthers this season is moderately mild, I am looking forward to seeing Christian McCaffrey and some other young players hit the field and show what they are made of. Cam will be ready for the start of the season and the idea of having him, Christian and some others on the field at the same time makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up!

Can a baseball card cause a heart attack?

If you follow my Facebook page for the blog then you would have known that Sunday evening I nearly had a heart attack. No, my health is fine...thanks for the worrying. What caused this was what I found sitting inside a discounted blaster of 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter I was sorting.

I'm way behind on organizing 2015, 2016 and now 2017 A&G. I didn't have them in pages/binder yet alone have a want list created for 2016 before a few days ago. While going through these opened packs, I had set aside the minis since I usually don't do much with those. As I was doing so, one card caught my eye as the front was a little different than the others. It was glossy instead of the normal matte finish. I looked at a pack and saw the odds were 1:2,167 for a glossy mini parallel. I thought cool, it's of Kris Bryant RC...perhaps I can trade this for something good.

Then I flipped the card over and saw it was a 1/1!! Cue heart attack.

I never have good luck buying packs. Its rare these days I buy a hobby box/packs so most of my purchases come from retail outlets like Target and Walmart. After I composed myself, I took my latest find to social media to try and figure out what I should do. I was given all sorts of advice before I settled on listing it on eBay with a starting bid of $9.99. The Sewingmachineguy (remember him bloggers?) gave me some of the best advice. Just toss it on eBay and let the market decide it's worth. Within hours of putting it on eBay, the price jumped to $50, then doubled to $100. The auction will run until Sunday morning, 08/13/17. While I hope it brings in a nice amount, I just hope someone gets it that will cherish it as a part of their collection. 

** EDIT ** By request, here is a link to the auction.

This is easily the best pull that I've ever had. It just kills me that its been sitting right there underneath my nose all this time and I never knew it!

2016 Topps Now: Dansby Swanson / Alex Bregman #366 (923 print run)

Last summer two young talents were promoted by their respective ball clubs to the majors. Dansby Swanson by the Braves and Alex Bregman by the Astros. Not being a fan of the latter, I can't really comment on Alex. However for Dansby, what some forget is that he was promoted on August 17th, 2016 from AA ball. He skipped over the AAA level completely.

While it is a little disappointing that Dansby is no longer on the Braves roster as of today, he is getting some much needed time in AAA. While he came into the league roaring like a lion, I believe his demotion to AAA Gwinnett is much needed.

New Rey Ordonez Cardboard

It's getting harder and harder for me to find cards of Rey Ordonez that I don't already own...however over the last few weeks it seems I keep finding a few cards...some of them I didn't even know existed! Many of these were found on COMC.com...which is odd because for the longest time I never could find anything there that I needed. All of these cards will be added to my side blog, Rey Ordonez Super Collector...eventually.

This 1995 Upper Deck SP Top Prospects promo is a card that for a long time that I never knew existed. This is a promo for the autograph version of the card.

The 90's had plenty of parallels, including this gold parallel of the Limited Rookies insert set of 1996 Leaf Limited.

The Diamond Destiny insert from 1996 Upper Deck is one of my favorite sets. I love the acetate window w/ the head shot of the player. These game in bronze, gold and silver varities. I just need the gold version now to complete the set.

The 1997 Score set is confusing to me with all of the subsets and parallels. This is a Showcase Series silver foil parallel...that shows lots of fingerprints!

1999 Topps featured his first Topps issued autograph from what I understand. The cardstock is a little thicker than a standard Topps card and is really glossy. If I didn't know better I would've thought this card came from a pack of Stadium Club.

Pacific loved their parallels back in the day. This is from their 2000 Paramount set and is the Premiere Date parallel #39/50.

Topps Finest have always been some sharp looking cards and while their design used for the 2000 set may not have been my favorite, I'm glad to have finally found the Gold Refractor parallel of this card.

The Features subset card featured Edgardo Alfonzo on the gold chrome size and Rey was obligated to the boring back, but hey, it's still a Gold Refractor and one more card checked off the list.

2001 Pacific had 3 different Limited type parallels, all serially numbered to different amounts. This is the Hobby LTD version, 64/70.

Pacific's Printing Plates bring with them a lot of controversy. Some say they are all fake since they weren't included in packs. Others say they only surfaced after Pacific went under. I don't care. To me it's a nice, limited item of Rey for me to collect and I will gladly include them in my collection.

Since I haven't been able to find much of any of the 2017 Bowman product in my neck of the woods, I wasn't familar w/ the Buyback cards. Needless to say I quickly scooped up these bronze and silver parallels of Rey. 

This is a Gold Rediscover Topps parallel as part of Topps' current program. Still trying to figure out if he has any other 2017 parallels between this set and the Rediscover Topps program.