Hinske in my mailbox

Been a long week at work...one of the reasons for the lack of posts lately.  I did want to share really quick this little beauty that showed up in my mailbox this weekend.  Most Braves fan will say IT'S ABOUT TIME TOPPS PUT HIM IN THE BASE SET!  Finding a deal on the black version just made the card that much sweeter.  #d 5/60.

Blaster Break - 2008 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes

Finding good discounted blasters @ Walmart has been getting harder and harder as most of the stores in my area have had their selection picked through only leaving behind boxes and boxes of UD O-Pee-Chee.  That said I did find one lone box of Baseball Heroes that I grabbed.  I've never opened a pack of this product before, but I liked what I saw on other blogs so I thought why not give it a chance.

I only plan on keeping a few of the cards for myself so if you see something you want or need if you are building the set let me know and I'm sure we can work something out.


Pack 1:
#057 Troy Tulowitzki
#132 Daric Barton RC
#038 Derrek Lee

#080 Matt Cain - Purple (03/25)
#176 Don Mattingly & Wade Boggs - Black

Pack 2:
#142 Felix Pie
#092 Jon Lester
#189 Chipper Jones / Ryan Braun / Miguel Cabrera
#3976 Craig Nettles - Yankee Stadium Legacy
#144 Jake Peavy - Black

Pack 3:
#116 Robinson Cano
#133 Ryan Howard
#163 Bob Gibson
#002 Dan Haren
#071 Andrew Miller - Black

Pack 4:
#020 Jason Varitek
#156 Albert Pujols
#115 Alex Rodriguez
#181 Eddie Murray & Prince Fielder
#034 Wade Boggs - Black

Pack 5:
#047 Ken Griffey Jr.
#070 Dan Uggla
#027 Josh Beckett
#085 John Lackey
#174 Lastings Milledge

Pack 6:
#123 Yogi Berra
#154 Kenji Johjima
#197 Yogi Berra / Reggie Jackson / Joe DiMaggio / Derek Jeter
#3951 Sparky Lyle - Yankee Stadium Legacy

#107 David Wright - Black

Pack 7:
#140 Freddy Sanchez
#165 Carl Crawford
#056 Matt Holliday
#022 Manny Ramirez
#073 J.R. Towles RC - Black

Pack 8:
#054 Travis Hafner
#030 Dustin Pedroia
#050 Johnny Bench
#194 Brandon Webb / Justin Verlander / Felix Hernandez

#125 Don Mattingly - Black

Pack 9:
#077 Hunter Pence
#007 John Smoltz
#079 Alex Gordon
#110 Carlos Delgado

#196 Derek Jeter / Ken Griffey Jr. / Cal Ripken Jr. / Ichiro - Black

I can now see why a lot of collectors like this set.  Upper Deck did a great job at capturing that iconic Baseball Heroes look and feel.  I remember searching the counters of gas stations for packs of 1991 Upper Deck on my annual father/son trip after school let out for the summer.  Baseball Heroes were some of the first insert cards I had the chance to chase and I loved seeing the old photos of Hank Aaron and Ted Williams as a kid.  I wish I could find at least one more blaster of this stuff as it was a lot of fun opening.

Now that my Group Break is done, why not join another?

hiflew over at Cards from the Quarry is hosting his second ever group break and he's busting 4 great boxes!  His prices are even starting to rival mine!  $12 per team = great deal!  Several teams are still available so why not jump on over to his blog to claim a team(s).  Click HERE for all of the details.

Group Break Bonus! 2010 Upper Deck Blaster

I told you I wasn't done yet w/ this month's Affordable Group Break!  I just couldn't sleep well at night until all the teams had a good amount of cards in their stack...so I tracked down a blaster of 2010 Upper Deck at my local Target.  I know it's not chrome cards, but I didn't think anyone would turn down free cards!

In addition to this blaster I've also pulled several cards from my trade box for the majority of the teams to help bolster the card count.  I won't be typing those cards up or adding the number to your team(s)'s count so you'll have a little mystery as to what is inside the package.

Let's get to the blaster now and see what's inside for everyone!

Pack 1:
#004 Michael Brantley (Indians)
#468 Brad Thompson (Cardinals)
#060 Matt Diaz (Braves)
#430 Edgar Renteria (Giants)
#404 Evan Meek (Pirates)
#222 Hanley Ramirez (Marlins)
#523 Dustin McCowan (Blue Jays)
#561 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballparks

Pack 2:
#477 Ben Zobrist (Rays)
#379 Shane Victorino (Phillies)
#165 Shin-Soo Choo (Indians)

#SE-8 Shin-Soo Choo - Portraits (Indians)
#SB-96 Tim Lencecum - Season Biography (Giants)
#317 Nick Blackburn (Twins)
#268 Joe Saunders (Angels)
#593 San Diego Padres Checklist

Pack 3:
#013 Wade Davis (Rays)
#105 Daniel Bard (Red Sox)
#469 Dennys Reyes (Cardinals)
#254 Kyle Farnsworth (Royals)
#365 Brad Ziegler (A's)
#080 Cesar Izturis (Orioles)
#177 Seth Smith (Rockies)
#552 Houston, Texas Ballparks

Pack 4:
#416 Edward Mujica (Padres)
#158 Homey Bailey (Reds)

#SB-143 Wandy Rodriguez - Season Biography (Astros)

#PH-7 Josh Beckett - Pure Heat (Red Sox)
#135 Scott Linebrink (White Sox)
#401 Jesse Chavez (Rays)
#584 Los Angeles Angels Checklist

Pack 5:
#093 J.D. Drew (Red Sox)
#149 Scott Rolen (Reds)
#465 Julio Lugo (Cardinals)

#288 Clayton Kershaw - Gold parallel #52/99 (Dodgers)
#447 Jose Lopez (Mariners)
#217 Josh Johnson (Marlins)
#314 Kevin Slowey (Twins)
#077 Felix Pie (Orioles)

Pack 6:
#407 Chase Headley (Padres)
#464 Joe Thurston (Cardinals)
#205 Nate Robertson (Tigers)

#SB-8 Evan Longoria - Season Biography (Rays)
#528 Adam Dunn (Nationals)
#355 Jonathan Albaladejo (Yankees)
#570 Washington DC Ballparks
#428 Eugenio Velez (Giants)

Pack 7:
#005 Brian Matusz (Orioles)
#285 George Sherrill (Dodgers)
#513 Travis Snider (Blue Jays)

#SE-80 Franklin Gutierrez - Portraits (Mariners)
#263 Brandon Wood (Angels)
#132 Alex Rios (White Sox)
#440 Tim Lincecum (Giants)
#579 Colorado Rockies Checklist

Pack 8:
#492 Matt Garza (Rays)
#196 Fernando Rodney (Tigers)
#250 Juan Cruz (Royals)

#SB-183 Brian Matusz - Season Biography (Orioles)
#309 Matt Tolbert (Twins)
#124 Jake Fox (Cubs)
#248 Miguel Olivo (Royals)
#274 Matt Kemp (Dodgers)

Pack 9:
#032 Kyle Phillips (Blue Jays)
#055 Stephen Drew (Diamondbacks)
#504 Brandon McCarthy (Rangers)
#065 Chipper Jones (Braves)

#UDGJ-EM Evan Meeks - UD Game Jersey (Pirates)
#439 Noah Lowry (Giants)
#295 J.J. Hardy (Twins)
#543 Baltimore, Maryland Ballparks

Pack 10:
#256 Torii Hunter (Angels)
#238 Alberto Arias (Astros)
#384 J.A. Happ (Phillies)

#SB-48 Ivan Rodriguez - Season Biography (Astros)

#AW-14 Russell Martin - All-World (Dodgers)
#354 Jose Molina (Yankees)
#339 Pedro Feliciano (Mets)
#597 Tampa Bay Rays Checklist

So there you have it...more cards for everyone along with a hit for a team that hardly EVER gets a hit!  And with this blaster this completes this month's Affordable Group Break.  As I stated earlier I'm taking next month off from hosting since my wife will be 38 weeks and full term with our 2nd daughter later this week.  Don't worry though as my good buddy hiflew over @ Cards From the Quarry will step into the void and pick up the slack with a great break...I'm sure of it!

Thanks for everyone's participation.  I hope to have the cards packed up and mailed by the end of the week at the latest.  Colbey out...

And Marvel finds another way to reach into my pocket...

Joe Madureira + Spider-Man?  Sold!

Group Break Bonus! 1997 Bowman Chrome

If you've ever participated in one of my group breaks then you know that I want everyone to be happy and walk away with a good amount of cards...so I grabbed 2 packs of 1997 Bowman Chrome.  I have one last surprise as well that I hope to announce tomorrow.

4 cards per pack with several inserts to chase.  Bowman Chrome International Parallel 1:4, Bowman Chrome Refractor 1:12, Bowman Chrome Scouts Honor Roll 1:16, Bowman Chrome 1998 Rookie of the Year Favorites 1:32, Bowman Chrome International Refractor 1:24, Bowman Chrome Scouts Honor Roll Refractor 1:48, Bowman Chrome 1998 Rookie of the Year Favorites Refractor 1:96

I know it's not much, but I hope these few extra cards will make everyone happy.  More on the way so don't go anywhere!

The A.J. Zapp card is a International Refractor!  I believe that's Alex Gonzalez's rookie card too.

Matt Clement International parallel.

Group Break - 1998 Topps Chrome Series 1

We're already on the last box of the group break?  Or are we?!  I've had a lot of fun with this all chrome themed group break.  If you'd like to see other themed group breaks in the future let me know.  Even though I'm planning on taking next month off from hosting my Affordable Group Break, I do have some ideas along with a some what big announcement to make that will effect future product selected for breaks.

With that out of the way let's take a look at the inserts and the odds we'll be chasing in this box.  Refractors 1:12, Flashback 1:24, Flashback Refractors 1:72, Baby Boomer 1:24, Baby Boomer Refractors 1:72, Hall Bound 1:24 and Hall Bound Refractors 1:72.  If we go by the listed odds we should find 2 Refractors, 1 Flashback, 1 Baby Boomer and 1 Hall Bound.  Let's get to ripping some packs to see what we have.

Pack 1:
#130 Tom Glavine (Braves)
#262 Eric Chavez (A's) / Russ Johnson (Astros) / Russell Branyan (Indians)
#088 B.J. Surhoff (Orioles)
#207 Raul Casanova (Tigers)

These multi player draft pick cards will be randomed off between the listed teams

Pack 2:
#272 Denny Neagle (Braves)

#003 Billy Wagner (Astros)

#198 Luis Sojo - Refractor (Yankees)
#051 Mark Garnder (Giants)

Pack 3:
#018 Mike Bordick (Orioles)
 
#FB6 Tony Gwynn - Flashback (Padres)
#126 Jeromy Burnitz (Brewers)
#263 John Barnes (Red Sox) / Ryan Jackson (Marlins) / Todd Dunwoody (Marlins)

This multi player card will go to the Red Sox since the Marlins weren't picked.

Pack 4:
#201 Bill Mueller (Giants)
#149 Alex Fernandez (Marlins)
#065 Ryan Klesko (Braves)
#252 Jason Conti & Mike Stoner (Diamondbacks)

Pack 5:
#270 Chuck Knoblauch (Twins)
#084 Steve Karsay (A's)
#232 Bret Boone (Reds)
#125 Manny Ramirez (Indians)

Pack 6:
#093 Edgar Renteria (Marlins)
#244 Tim Belcher (Royals)
#053 Dave Hollins (Angels)
#260 Chad Hermansen (Pirates) / Brent Butler (Cardinals) / Warren Morris (Rangers)

Pack 7:
#170 Darryl Kile (Astros)
#267 Richaro Rincon (Pirates)
#166 Gary Sheffield (Marlins)
#071 Mark McLemore (Rangers)

Pack 8:
#047 Devon White (Marlins)
#088 James Baldwin (White Sox)
#066 Darryl Hamilton (Giants)
#261 Eliser Marrero (Cardinals), Ramon Hernandez (A's) / Ben Davis (Padres)

Pack 9:
#087 Jamey Wright (Rockies)
#206 Quinton McCracken (Rockies)
#129 Jason Dickson (Angels)
#132 Rick Reed (Mets)

Pack 10:
#061 Pat Kelly (Yankees)
#107 Jeffrey Hammonds (Orioles)
#045 Pat Hentgen (Blue Jays)
#279 Gary Sheffield (Marlins)

Pack 11:
#134 Dave Martinez (White Sox)

#184 Jeff Montgomery (Royals)
#113 Brad Radke (Twins)
#241 Bobby Ayala (Mariners)

Another firefighter card?  What gives?!

Pack 12:
#231 Glendon Rusch (Royals)
#238 Tom Martin (Astros)
#106 Mike Sweeney (Royals)
#216 Jose Mesa (Indians)

Pack 13:
#239 Dave Burba (Reds)
#147 Damion Easley (Tigers)
#048 Danny Patterson (Rangers)
#159 Pokey Reese (Reds)

Pack 14:
#211 Allen Watson (Angels)
#058 Tony Fernandez (Indians)
#012 Matt Williams (Indians)
#202 Russ Davis (Mariners)

Pack 15:
#141 Jaime Navarro (White Sox)
#229 Rich Amaral (Mariners)

#005 Vladimir Guerrero (Expos)
#114 Steve Avery (Braves)

Pack 16:
#228 Scott Hattenberg (Red Sox)
#174 Jose Rosado (Royals)
#190 Brian Giles (Indians)

#119 Orlando Merced (Blue Jays)

I love the "play at the wall" photos such as this!

Pack 17:
#120 Kevin Appier (Royals)
#143 Joey Cora (Mariners)
#177 Hal Morris (Reds)
#221 Jim Bullinger (Expos) 

Pack 18:
#115 Esteban Loaiza (Pirates)
#154 David Segui (Expos)
#154 David Segui (Expos)
#077 Greg Vaughn (Padres)

Pack 19:
#183 Javier Lopez (Braves)
#275 Checklist
#044 Gary DiSarcina (Angels)
#019 Michael Tucker (Braves)

Pack 20:
#089 Edgardo Alfonzo (Mets)

#HB5 Dennis Eckersley - Hall Bound (Cardinals)
#026 John Thomson (Rockies)
#161 Roger Pavlik (Rangers)

Finally another insert!  I was beginning to wonder where they were hiding.  Nice looking card too!

Pack 21:
#188 Tom Candiotti (Dodgers)
#121 Mel Nieves (Tigers)

#HB13 Mike Piazza - Hall Bound (Dodgers)
#060 Mark Leiter (Phillies)

Wow!  Another insert?  Another Hall Bound insert at that?  We're beating the odds here people!

Pack 22:
#198 Kevin Elster (Pirates)

#BB12 Todd Greene - Baby Boomer (Angels)
#176 Jason Giambi (A's)
#247 Vernon Wells & Aaron Akin (Blue Jays)

Nice.  Insert and a Vernon Wells RC.

Pack 23:
#172 Vinny Castilla (Rockies)
#113 Brad Radke (Twins)
#116 Stan Javier (Giants)
#251 Pablo Ortega & James Manias (Rays)

Pack 24:
#072 Gary Gaetti (Cardinals)
#250 Jared Sandberg & Alex Sanchez (Rays)

#BB14 Justin Thompson - Baby Boomers (Tigers)
#182 Kevin Young (Pirates)

And with that we are out of packs.  I'd say we did pretty good as we beat the odds on a few of the inserts.  We were short one Refractor, but we got an extra Baby Boomer and Hall Bound card.  The team tally list below has been updated to reflect all 3 boxes.  I'm not done yet so make sure you keep checking back as I may have a card up my sleeve!


Key:  
B = base, I = insert

Atlanta Braves | B/11, I/2

Baltimore Orioles | B/14, I/1

Boston Red Sox | B/7, I/1

California Angels | B/9, I/3
Chicago Cubs | B/4, I/0

Chicago White Sox | B/8, I/0

Cincinnati Reds | B/9, I/0

Cleveland Indians | B/9, I/2

Colorado Rockies | B/10, I/0

Detroit Tigers | B/11, I/1

Florida Marlins | B/11, I/0
Houston Astros | B/7, I/0
Kansas City Royals | B/12, I/1

Los Angeles Dodgers | B/9, I/1

Milwaukee Brewers | B/6, I/1

Minnesota Twins | B/9, I/0
Montreal Expos | B/12, I/1

New York Mets | B/11, I/2

New York Yankees | B/13, I/2

Oakland Athletics | B/8, I/1
Philadelphia Phillies | B/6, I/0
Pittsburgh Pirates | B/12, I/0

San Diego Padres | B/5, I/1
San Francisco Giants | B/11, I/1
Seattle Mariners | B/11, I/1

St. Louis Cardinals | B/6, I/1

Tampa Bay Rays | B/9, I/0
Texas Rangers | B/10, I/1
Toronto Blue Jays | B/10, I/0