Trades, acquistions and whole lot more

You've probably noticed the lack of posts lately, but that doesn't mean that I don't have anything to share.  Over the last few weeks I've acquired lots of new cards via trades and cheap finds.  Instead of spreading these out over several posts I decided to just combine them all and share them at one time.  Besides, I don't know how much more time I'll have to blog in the coming week.

We'll start with the Braves since well, they're my team.

 
David Justice 
2005 Topps Pristine Refractor #78 (063/549)

Now the question is whether or not to crack this card out of it's sealed case?




Chipper Jones 
2000 Upper Deck HoloGrFX A Piece of the World Series base #PS2

I've wanted one of these World Series base cards for a long time.  I was surprised the seller accepted such a low ball offer too!

Chipper Jones
1996 Leaf Limited Pennant Craze #10 (0911/2500)

I was really hoping we'd pull one of these cards from the last group break I hosted.  The pennant portion of the card is felt.  I love gimmick cards.  I believe that these cards fetched some pretty prices in '96.

Andruw Jones 
2002 Upper Deck Mid-Summer Stars Swatches #MS-AJ

Gotta love free cards!  The seller threw this in with the card below.

Andruw Jones 
2003 Upper Deck Vintage Dropping the Hammer bat #DH-AJ

Another gimmick card if you will.  The first card from this insert set I got was of Lance Berkman.  For the longest time I didn't even know that a Braves player was on the checklist.

Charlie O'Brien 
1999 Skybox Molten Metal #19

I have no idea what this insert is called, but I love the big die-cut Atlanta "A".

Martin Prado 
2011 Topps Heritage SP #486

I HATE short printed cards, thankfully though I was able to snag this SP for a buck fifty.

Tony Gwynn 
2011 Topps Tribute blue parallel #54 (084/199)

This is about as close to Tribute as I'll get this year thanks to the prices being through the roof.  I love how on this blue parallel Tony's shades are the same refractor like blue.

Tony Gwynn 
2002 Topps Reserve bat relic #TRB-TG

I know there are no shortages of sets for Topps, but I wish Reserve would come back.  

Tony Gwynn 
2000 Fleer Ultra Swing Kings

Have I mentioned before on my blog that I love clear acetate cards?  No?  You sure?

Albert Pujols 
2002 Fleer EX Hit & Run base

I couldn't believe I won this card for just over 5 bucks.  This is my first game used card of Pujols.  The fact that it's a base card makes it even better.  I wish Topps would change up the whole relic thing and start using other materials again.

 

Frank Thomas 
1996 Leaf Limited Lumberjacks #4 (1051/5000)

I was so impressed with the quality of these Lumberjacks cards after pulling a Sosa from the group break that I had to have at least one.  I thought about building the set since it's only 10 cards, but a quick scan on eBay and you'll that some of the cards are rather pricey.  So I think I'll stick w/ my $2 Frank Thomas for now.

Ben Sheets 
2001 Playoff Absolute Memorabilia Rookie Premiere Materials bat #161 (030/700)

No, I'm not impeding on Cynical Buddha's Brewers.  I got this card for my batting pitchers collection...a collection of which I haven't done much with lately.  This card actually comes courtesy of Matt from Cardboard Conundrum.  I believe we swapped some cards before he claimed the Cubs from my last group break.

Todd Helton 
2005 Fleer Authentix Jersey Authentix #JA-TH

One of the better card designs for Authentix.  I love the gray piece of jersey w/ the angled pin stripe.

Matt Holliday 
2007 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Ultimate Star jersey #SM-MH

Not the best design in my opinion, but at least the jersey piece has the pin stripe.  That and the card was $.99.

Matt Holliday 
2008 Bowman Sterling bat relic #BS-MH

Love chromed relics.

Matt Holliday 
2008 Upper Deck A Piece of History Timeless Moments jersey #TM-19

Matt Holliday 
2007 Topps All Star Game Stitches #AS-MH

If jersey cards are going to be made then at least the card companies can use something other than the traditional jersey.  This was taken from a All-Star festivities jersey.

Matt Holliday 
2005 Upper Deck SPx autograph #85 (029/225)

Sure it's another sticker auto, but anytime you can score a nice auto of a power hitter and all around swell guy for under $5 why not?

Matt Holliday 
2010 Topps Update Series All-Star Game Workout Jersey #AS-MH

This makes 2 different all-star game jersey cards I have now!


Matt Holliday 
2009 Topps Silk Collection (16/50)

This beauty comes courtesy of the Cards From the Quarry.  I e-mailed Johnny to let him know that I had picked up a Larry Walker Rockies bat relic and asked him if he needed it.  He offered up this Holliday card and the rest was history.

Micah Owings 
2006 Bowman Signs of the Future autograph #SOF-MO

I grabbed just about all of these next few cards of Micah for $.99 or less.

Micah Owings 
2005 Topps Chrome autograph #UH235

Micah Owings 
2006 Bowman Sterling Prospect autograph #BSP-MO

Micah Owings 
2007 Upper Deck Exquisite Rookie Signatures autograph #187 (031/150)

I didn't expect much competition from other bidders on the majority of these autos, but I was kind of surprised that I won this card for the opening bid of $.99.  Beautifully THICK card.

Micah Ownings 
2009 Upper Deck Inkredible autograph #OW

Still looking for the red auto version.

Otis Nixon
1998 Topps Arizona Diamondbacks & Tampa Bay Devil Rays #382

I haven't seen any of these cards in a long long time.  I picked up both versions for my Rey Ordonez PC back in '98, but haven't really come across any the players until recently.

Well, that's about it for now.  I really want to get better at posting my hauls from group breaks I've participated in as well as completed trades.  With any luck I'll have some more things to share soon.  Until then have a great rest of the weekend everyone!

A Clear Cut Above the Others

2007 UD Elements Matt Holliday #CCE-MH
#d 126/199

A few months back I opened a box of 2007 Upper Deck Elements as part of my monthly group break and I was so impressed with the Clear-Cut Elements autograph jersey card that was pulled so it got me looking to see what other players were part of the checklist.

I found that Matt Holliday was part of the set, but at the time I didn't give it much thought.  A few weeks ago however while doing some off the field research on a few players I discovered some really cool things about Matt that I didn't know.  This lead to the idea of collecting autographs and game used cards of Matt since I couldn't afford / have the desire to collect every card of his.  Then I remembered his card in the Elements set.

When I searched out the card I found a lot of the sellers wanted $20.00 + for the card.  While that may not be a bad price for a nice serially numbered auto jersey card of his I'm on a fixed budget here.  Even more so now.  I believe I ended up nabbing this card with shipping for around $8.00.  Good thing I was able to move some other things I didn't want to offset the purchase.  For me this is a great way to start off my Holliday collection.  I've got a few other things I plan to share in the coming week, but for now I'm going to enjoy this one.

Off the Field Appreciation - Todd Helton, Matt Holliday & Micah Owings

If you've followed my blog for awhile then you probably know that several of the players I collect cards of are Christians.  Yes - it helps that most of them are (or at one time were) great players of their respective games, but my reasoning for collecting their cards goes beyond their talent displayed on the field or court.  A lot of times we hear the negative news stories of professional athletes off the field getting into trouble.  I just heard this morning that Lawrence Taylor is now labeled a sex offender and has 6 years of some sort of probation.  In this crazy world we live in it's easy for anyone to fall prey to sin.  After all we all are human and fall short of the glory of God.  I don't mean this post to be preachy at all.  I respect everyone's opinion and whatever faith you decide to practice (if at all).  I just have always had a natural inclination to gravitate towards Christian athletes.

While visiting various sports sites over the last few months it's come to my attention of several players share my faith that I originally didn't know - Todd Helton & Matt Holliday specifically.  Now the last thing I can afford to do is start another player collection for someone else, but if I set parameters when it comes to collecting a new player(s) then it may work.  That said I've decided to passively pursue game-used cards of these two players.  Now I know that both are somewhat big names in the hobby and a quick scan of eBay shows a lot of different cards for these players.  What I don't want to do is just buy or trade for your run of the mill jersey card.  If I'm going to do this I want cards that either sport an awesome card design or features a swatch of jersey that just isn't white.

Take this card for example.  I pulled it from a box earlier this year I got for Christmas.  I was originally going to trade it, but the purple jersey swatch is really nice.  This isn't nearly as boring as some jersey cards of his that I've seen.  This is what I'm looking for going forward.  I like bat cards so I won't be as picky there.  Game used base cards are always worth buying IMO.

Sadly I don't have any game used cards of Holliday yet, but I think the first card I'm going after is his 2007 Upper Deck Elements game used jersey auto card.

Another player that I've read some great stuff about currently pitches for the Reds, Micah Owings.  I found his website via a Google search and I noticed her referenced the following verse as one of his favorites.  " Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. " (Hebrews 13:5)

Now for Micah I can probably make an exception and pick up whatever cards of his I can find.  I'll have to go back through my stuff and see if I have anything.  If anyone out there has anything of his that you don't want then please drop me a line.


I know there are other collector's and bloggers that collect these guys so I'm not looking to step on any toes.  I just wanted to share my latest collecting endeavor with the masses in hopes that someone out there may be able to help me out going forward.

1999 Topps Stadium Club Group Break Results

Insert odds
'98 MLB Draft Picks & Future Stars 1:3
Stadium Club Chrome 1:24
Stadium Club Chrome Refractor 1:96
Luminous Trimvirate 1:36
Liminescent Trimvirate 1:144
Illuminator Trimvirate 1:288
Video Replay Lenticular 1:12
Never Compromise 1:12
Co-Signers Group A 1:43,639
Co-Signers Group B 1:8,984
Co-Signers Group C 1:2,975
Co-Singers Group D 1:251
(Overall Co-Signers 1:224)
Sequentially Numbered One of a Kind 1:48

Pack 1
#212 Todd Dunwoody (Marlins)
#244 Darrin Fletcher (Blue Jays)
#202 Carl Everett (Astros)
#275 Mike Piazza (Mets)
#308 Mike DiFelice (Rays)
#337 Chris George RC (Royals)

Pack 2
#227 Andy Pettotte (Yankees)
#201 Mike Lieberthal (Phillies)
#263 Jose Valentin (Brewers)
#287 Jeff Cirillo (Brewers)
#309 Brian Meadows (Marlins)
#346 Marlon Anderson RC (Phillies)

Pack 3
#262 Matt Stairs (A's)
#206 Ryan Klesko (Braves)
#231 Tim Wakefield (Red Sox)
#264 David Justice (Indians)
#307 Carlos Hernandez (Padres)
#333 Dean Palmer - Transactions (Tigers)

Pack 4
#189 Jeff Blauser (Cubs)
#177 David Cone (Yankees)
#226 Magglio Ordonez (White Sox)
#228 David Ortiz (Twins)

#VR4 Kerry Wood - Video Replay (Cubs)
#332 Will Clark - Transactions (Orioles)

Pack 5
#252 Pat Hentgen (Blue Jays)
#279 Cliff Floyd (Marlins)
#293 Terry Steinbach (Twins)
#204 Mike Lansing (Rockies)

#NC19 Orlando Hernandez - Never Compromise (Yankees)
#327 Todd Stottlemyre - Transactions (Diamondbacks)

Pack 6
#186 Sean Bergman (Astros)
#172 Sandy Alomar Jr. (Indians)
#230 Larry Walker (Rockies)
#183 Ellis Burks (Giants)

#SCC34 Alex Gonzalez RC - Chrome (Marlins)
#322 Brian Jordan - Transactions (Braves)

Pack 7
#188 Bernard Gilkey (Diamondbacks)
#266 Matt Morris (Cardinals)
#173 Miguel Cairo (Rays)
#280 Barry Bonds (Giants)
#297 Brian Moehler (Tigers)

#341 Matt Holliday RC (Rockies)

Pack 8
#181 Barry Larkin (Reds)
#197 Jamie Moyer (Mariners)
#179 Royce Clayton (Rangers)
#291 Juan Encarnacion (Tigers)
#229 Todd Jones (Tigers)
#326 Ken Caminiti - Transactions (Astros)

Pack 9
#199 Quinton McCracken (Rays)
#288 Richie Sexson (Indians)
#196 Hideki Irabu (Yankees)
#225 Nomar Garciaparra (Red Sox)
#205 Manny Ramirez (Indians)
#321 Jose Offerman - Transactions (Red Sox)

Pack 10
#272 Mark Grace (Cubs)
#192 Jeff Kent (Giants)
#190 Andruw Jones (Braves)
#209 Rick Helling (Rangers)
#305 Kerry Ligtenberg (Braves)
#331 Devon White - Transactions (Dodgers)

Pack 11
#194 Dave Burba (Indians)
#174 Jason Kendall (Pirates)
#238 Greg Norton (White Sox)
#300 Dwight Gooden (Indians)
#302 Kirt Manwaring (Rockies)
#344 Seth Etherton RC (Angels)

Pack 12
#242 Jason Giambi (A's)
#261 Henry Rodriguez (Cubs)
#285 Jeff Bagwell (Astros)
#250 Kerry Wood (Cubs)
#171 Darin Erstad (Angels)
#320 Kevin Brown - Transactions (Dodgers)

Pack 13
#257 Wayne Gomes (Phillies)
#301 Randy Velarde (Angels)
#295 Dan Wilson (Mariners)
#176 Darryl Kile (Rockies)

#NC20 Troy Glaus - Never Compromise (Angels)
#335 Mo Vaughn - Transactions (Angels)

Pack 14
#232 Jose Guillen (Pirates)
#310 Tim Bogar (Astros)
#195 Bobby Higginson (Tigers)
#224 Brad Radke (Twins)

#VR2 Sammy Sosa - Video Replay (Cubs)
#324 Bobby Bonilla - Transactions (Mets)

Pack 15
#253 Scott Spiezio (A's)
#269 Al Martin (Pirates)
#247 Hideo Nomo (Mets)
#290 Pedro Martinez (Red Sox)

#223 Aramis Ramirez - One of a Kind #027/150 (Pirates)
#330 Rafael Palmeiro - Transactions (Rangers)

Pack 16
#187 Shannon Stewart (Blue Jays)
#234 Ricky Gutierrez (Astros)
#220 Scott Rolen (Phillies)
#303 Jeff Abbott (White Sox)
#294 Miguel Tejada (A's)
#334 Gregg Jeffries - Transactions (Tigers)

Pack 17
#216 Jaret Wright (Indians)
#251 Ismael Valdes (Dodgers)
#218 Marty Cordova (Twins)
#277 Javier Valentin (Twins)
#268 Edgar Martinez (Mariners)
#329 Luis Gonzalez - Transactions (Diamondbacks)

Pack 18
#265 Javy Lopez (Braves)
#208 Chad Curtis (Yankees)
#248 Kevin Stocker (Rays)
#237 Sean Casey (Reds) - UV coating is peeling on the bottom of the card badly
#178 Mike Sweeney (Royals) - UV coat is peeling on the bottom even worse!
#352 Ramon Hernandez RC (A's)

Pack 19
#259 Todd Zeile (Rangers)
#210 Justin Thompson (Tigers)
#299 Kelly Stinnett (Diamondbacks)
#203 Omar Vizquel (Indians)
#296 Chris Peters (Pirates)
#350 Dernell Stenson RC (Red Sox)

Pack 20
#267 Steve Trachsel (Cubs)
#214 Tony Saunders (Rays)
#289 Charles Nagy (Indians)
#222 Damion Easley (Tigers)
#276 Rick Aguilera (Twins)
#328 Randy Johnson - Transactions (Diamondbacks)

Pack 21
#185 Garret Anderson (Angels)
#211 Tom Goodwin (Rangers)
#175 Cal Ripken (Orioles)
#304 Dave Hollins (Angels)
#298 Jason Christiansen (Pirates)
#323 Mike Cameron - Transactions (Reds)

Pack 22
#278 Brian Anderson (Diamondbacks)
#271 Carlos Delgado (Blue Jays)
#255 Troy Glaus (Angels)
#239 Bret Saberhagen (Red Sox)
#240 Bernie Williams (Yankees)

#338 Austin Kearns RC (Reds)

Pack 23
#241 Tim Salmon (Angels) - UV coating damage to the bottom of the card
#281 Troy O'Leary (Red Sox)
#243 Fernando Vina (Brewers)
#274 Jay Buhner (Mariners) - UV coating damage to the bottom of the card
#306 Aaron Boone (Reds)
#325 Roberto Alomar - Transactions (Indians)

Pack 24
#283 Mark Grudzielanek (Dodgers)
#249 Mike Hampton (Astros)
#260 Matt Williams (Diamondbacks)
#245 Mike Bordick (Orioles)
#270 Ivan Rodriguez (Rangers)
#349 Michael Barrett RC (Expos)