My lone baseball card representation from Christmas

When people were asking what I wanted for Christmas earlier in the year I mentioned just about everything BUT baseball cards.  Not sure why.  Perhaps I was just taking a break during this off season, but my wife was gracious enough to toss a rack pack of 2012 Bowman Chrome into my stocking.

I'm not a big prospector so I don't buy much Bowman each year.  I'll track down all of Tim Hudson's cards and at least a complete Braves set, but that's about it.  Having said that this pack of Bowman Chrome was my first time ripping this product.

You know the break down - three packs each containing three cards + an exclusive three card pack of green bordered cards.  The first pack I opened contained a nice Braves surprise waiting for me in the form of a Brian McCann Refractor.

The 2nd pack didn't contain anything special...just some base cards which have been listed on my trade page.  The 3rd pack however is where things got interesting.  The pack lists the odds at 1:390 for Prospect Refractors.  I'm hoping an Astros fan will want to trade with me.

#170/500

My wife said she had a hard time finding much to choose from at the local Walmart by the house and told me she really didn't know what to buy.  I would've been happy even if I hadn't pulled a Braves card I needed or the auto - I just love her for thinking of me and my crazy hobby enough to buy me a pack of cards.  Thanks babe!

How appropriate...

A day after Tim Hudson got his 12th win of the season against the NY Mets last night did 2 packages arrive sporting some new cards to add to the collection.  Outside the timing of their arrival the other thing that put a smile on my face was the fact I paid 2 bucks for them.  I love great pitchers and I love great deals!

1999 Bowman Chrome RC #375

2000 Pacific Vanguard #36

2006 Topps Finest Black Refractor #58 (30/99)

I love the Vanguard cards though I'm not sure why.  I always had a soft spot for most of Pacific's baseball card releases and Vanguard is no different.  Perhaps it's the card stock used for the set.  It almost seems as if the cards are printed on plastic.  While the design may leave a lot to be desired I still like it.  Perhaps one day I'll tackle the task of building the set.

The 2006 Finest Black Refractor is rather blah actually.  Part of the draw of refractors is the rainbow sheen they give off.  This black card might as well be a non-refractor as there is very little area on this card that "acts" like a refractor.  Good thing it was a cheap card too!

Successful trade w/ On Card Autos

Over the 4th holiday I received a bubble mailer that I wasn't expecting. A few weeks back I sent Chris over at On Card Autos a purple Refractor of Starlin Castro and he told me he'd send me some Braves goodies. Well I gotta say I was very impressed w/ the bubble mailer full of goodies.

Yunel Escobar 2008 Topps Chrome #53 Bronze Refractor #d 339/599

I love Refractors and this is a beauty! He also sent me a 2008 Topps Chrome Brian McCann which I didn't already have. Nice.

Edgar Renteria 2006 Upper Deck shiny green foil card (don't know the insert's name) #75 #d 25/99

Sometimes I forget Renteria even played in Atlanta. I'm not familiar w/ this card, but hey it's #d to 99 and it has that Refractor vibe going.

Gary Sheffield 2008 Topps Moments & Milestones #52 #d 124/150

Gary's years in Atlanta were too short. Great #d card that also goes straight into the Sheffield/Braves collection.

He also sent me a 2010 Topps Yo Mamma card of Chipper Jones that should help round out that set.

All in all it was a great trade and I look forward to sending more Cubs stuff to Chris.

In the mail 5/19/10

Rey Ordonez
1999 Topps Finest Gold Refractor #199 (073/100)

Finally! A new Ordonez card to add to my collection. I haven't found too many cards over the last few years, but ever since eBay restructured their fees I'm starting to see more and more of his cards listed so perhaps there is hope!

Chipper Jones
2000 Topps Chrome Power Players

Cheap card, but still cool. The chrome looks so much better in person.

Travis Jones
2010 Topps Debut autograph

Not quite ready for the Bigs, but still a nice autograph despite the sticker.

Jason Heyward / Chipper Jones
2010 Bowman Expectations #BE17

Hopefully Heyward will continue to have a great 2010 season and help lift the Braves past the Phillies.

Michael Dunn
2010 Bowman Chrome Rookie Autograph Refractor

Anyone know what these cards look like yet?

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.

In the mail 3/19/10

Only one card today and it's beautiful shiny refractor of a former Braves player. I don't normally buy former Braves players, but Steve Avery cards don't seem to be that plentiful (at least on eBay) and I'm a sucker for refractors. Worth the $1.00 purchase price.