In the mail 6/1/10 - 6/5/10

I've fallen a little behind on posting some of my acquisitions thanks in part to a hectic work schedule and a comic book convention I attended over the weekend, but I'm back to show off more of my cardboard collection!

We'll start off with a nice Kris Medlen rookie. 2009 Topps Unique #168 Red #0614/1199. Medlen pitched a great game last night despite giving up 3 solo homers to the Diamondbacks. Hard to believe he's been in the Bigs now for over a year (MLB debut was 5/21/09).



Switching gears to Finest. Brian McCann 2010 Topps Finest #116 Refractor # 003/299. As I'm sure you've read elsewhere, scans just don't do these cards justice, esp. the refractors.



Nate McLouth 2010 Bowman Throwback #BT31

I love this insert set partly because I never had many 1992 Bowman cards. The '92 set came out just a few years after I started collecting and I never could seem to find it at the stores where I bought cards. I'm surprised at how well the design has held up and how it doesn't seem so retro looking when compared to other early 90's designs.



Brian McCann 2010 Bowman Throwbacks #BT87



Yunel Escobar 2010 Bowman Throwbacks #BT95



Chipper Jones 2010 Bowman #125 Orange #046/250



Martin Prado 2010 Bowman #18 Orange #235/250



Caleb Brewer 2010 Bowman #BP81 Blue #400/520

A quick scan of the back of the card reveals he was part of a no-hitter in '09 along with 3 other teammates as well as not giving up a home run in 2009.



Michael Dunn 2010 Bowman RC #211 Gold



Martin Prado 2010 Bowman #18 Gold



Yunel Escobar 2010 Bowman #182 Gold

Start 'em young!

This is my 6 month old daughter Olivia. She is at that stage where she must be in the middle of everything. I pulled out a new card I got in the mail today to show my wife and Olivia quickly grabbed it out of my hand and was instantly mesmorized by the shiny Finest card. Have I hooked my daughter on this great hobby? If so I wouldn't mind at all!

If you were wondering what card she was holding it was a beautiful 2010 Topps Finest Jeff Francoeur Finest Moments autograph. Sure it's a sticker autograph, but at least the sticker is somewhat incorporated into the card's design. On my card the sticker isn't even straight! Oh well, it only set me back $2.00.

2010 Topps Finest first impressions

Since I don't have a good local card shop (that I know of) I hit up eBay looking for some 2010 Finest Braves Refractor goodness and a few finally hit the mailbox today.

I picked up blue refractors of Chipper Jones (168/299), Brian McCann (013/299) & Yunel Escobar (028/299) as well as a refractor of Tommy Hanson (289/599). I gotta say that I'm not as impressed with the front design as in past years. To me the background is bland and it looks odd that the team logo doesn't even fit...at least the Braves logo doesn't. The blue refractors are shiny indeed, but still seem blah to me. The regular refractors (/599) don't have the wow effect either on me. In a way I guess I'm kind of glad as it makes it that more easier for me to save my cash and wait for the next product.

The backs of the card are OK. I'm not a huge stats junkie, but the lack of even 2009's stats bothers me. True you get a snapshot of their career stats so I guess that is better than nothing. The finestrivia is interesting however and for young collectors I can see how this may be a good way for them to learn about the history of the game.