Waxaholic

A complete masterpiece

2012-01-26T21:53:00.000-07:00

As most of you are aware, Night Owl started a new feature called 'One Card Challenge.' It, like it sounds, is where everyone can list the one card they need to complete a set. Any set. So other collectors can see it and help each other out. A lot like a wantlist, but in point form, if you will.

I immediately put up five cards I needed in order to put five sets to bed. I got two responses almost immediately.

The first of those arrived today.

Robert emailed me (not sure if he has a blog or not...) and told me Ozzie would be on his way North.
Today ended his journey, and he is now with the rest of his friends in one of my binders.

Thanks Robert!!!!

1965 Topps Embossed Inserts

2012-01-23T09:28:00.001-07:00

I saw a post over at Vintage Sportscards that reminded me about two cards sent to me by Baseball Dad around xmas time.

They are inserts originally found in packs of 1965 Topps baseball cards. Embossed in gold foil and slightly smaller than a regular card.

Of course you know they just happened to be Braves.

#12 Catcher Joe Torre...

and #62 outfielder Lee Maye

It was a 72 card set, with each league having 36 cards. The National League cards, as seen here, have red backgrounds, while the American League had blue.

Quite a few Hall of Famers in the set, and singles can be picked up relatively cheaply.

Thanks Jack! A return package is already on it's way.

A checklist, for those of you that are interested...

1    Carl Yastrzemski
2    Ron Fairly
3    Max Alvis
4    Jim Ray Hart
5    Bill Skowron
6    Ed Kranepool
7    Tim McCarver
8    Sandy Koufax
9    Donn Clendenon
10   John Romano
11   Mickey Mantle
12   Joe Torre
13   Al Kaline
14   Al McBean
15   Don Drysdale
16   Brooks Robinson
17   Jim Bunning
18   Gary Peters
19   Roberto Clemente
20   Milt Pappas
21   Wayne Causey
22   Frank Robinson
23   Bill Mazeroski
24   Diego Segui
25   Jim Bouton
26   Eddie Mathews
27   Willie Mays
28   Ron Santo
29   Boog Powell
30   Ken McBride
31   Leon Wagner
32   Johnny Callison
33   Zoilo Versalles
34   Jack Baldschun
35   Ron Hunt
36   Richie Allen
37   Frank Malzone
38   Bob Allison
39   Jim Fregosi
40   Billy Williams
41   Bill Freehan
42   Vada Pinson
43   Bill White
44   Roy McMillan
45   Orlando Cepeda
46   Rocky Colavito
47   Ken Boyer
48   Dick Radatz
49   Tommy Davis
50   Walt Bond
51   John Orsino
52   Joe Christopher
53   Al Spangler
54   Jim King
55   Mickey Lolich
56   Harmon Killebrew
57   Bob Shaw
58   Ernie Banks
59   Hank Aaron
60   Chuck Hinton
61   Bob Aspromonte
62   Lee Maye
63   Joe Cunningham
64   Pete Ward
65   Bobby Richardson
66   Dean Chance
67   Dick Ellsworth
68   Jim Maloney
69   Bob Gibson
70   Earl Battey
71   Tony Kubek
72   Jack Kralick

Fight SOPA / PIPA

2012-01-18T08:24:00.003-07:00

Blog blacked out on 1/18/12

Joy of a completed set.... almost.

2012-01-16T22:39:00.000-07:00

A little while ago I received an email from Kyle of the newish blog Just A Bit Outside. Not sure if he named it in honour of Just A Bit Offside... but he told me he had some '83 Topps off of my wantlist.

Great!

Maybe the best set from the '80's...

Pete Falcone Pete was winding down his career when this card came out. Debuting in 1975, retired in 1984. Pete played for four teams, ending with Atlanta. He went 14-11 with 2 saves and a 3.89 ERA in his time with the Braves.

Terry Forster Terry debuted in 1971, retired in 1986. He spent '83-85 with the Braves. 7-5 with 19 saves and 2.29 ERA in his stint with the Braves.

Mike Jorgensen Journeyman Mike only spent 88 games with the Braves. Acquired from the Mets on June 15th, 1983, he was traded to the Cardinals on June 15th, 1984 in the swap that brought over Ken Oberkfell. 1 HR 15 RBI and a .257 avg is Mike's legacy with Atlanta.

Craig McMurtry I believe we may have Craig's rookie card here... maybe... I think. 1983 saw Craig go 15-9 with a 3.09 ERA. Craig spent one more year starting and two years relieving for the Braves. After being in the minors for a year, he played three seasons with Texas. Four more years in the minors and then one last hurrah with Houston in 1995. Nice 'stache Craig.

Pascual Perez Here we have a true odd ball. Pascual's middle name is Gross. 'Nuff said. After acquiring Perez from Pittsburgh, Pascual pitched for four years in Atlanta. In the first three, he went 33-20. In year four, 1-13. Done. Gone. Out of baseball. A year later, back with the Expos, 7-0 and a 2.30 ERA. Go figure.

This little package leaves me with needing only one card. #401. But thanks to Night Owl's 'One Card Challenge' blog, that card is soon to be in my needy hands.

Need one last card to finish that set? Check it out.

Please, with your donations, the Mets can be helped

2012-01-13T19:55:00.001-07:00

Please, give what you can afford.... stop the suffering.

Sophmore Slump

2012-01-13T15:36:00.001-07:00

One of the benefits of a player you like going through the dreaded sophmore slump, is that you are able to pick up cards of them a lot more readily. And cheaply too. Mr Heyward is an example of that.

I've gone from not even seeing cards of his as people hoard them away in tightly sealed vaults, to being able to pick them up at card shows and card shops whenever I want.

I visited one of the local shops awhile back and they brought out this little beauty from behind the counter.

From 2011 Topps Lineage. No one seemed to like this set but me. Although I still didn't collect because of the price point, and the dreaded UNO backs. But this one had a decent back to it.

For those of you scratching your heads as you can't remember seeing this one in packs, it's okay because it wasn't available in packs. It was a box topper. And bigger than the normal 2 1/2 x 3 1/2.
Here's a shiny Phil Hughes to demonstrate.

Phil is for trade by the way......

Jason set me back $1.25.

Now the only problem is........ how the hell am I going to store this sucker???

Victory is Mine!

2012-01-12T09:42:00.002-07:00

After a lengthy 14 day, hard fought battle, Windows 7 lays in ruins, as I and my scanner stand victorious.

Expect normal posting to resume shortly. In anticipation, please return your tray tables and seat backs to their original, fully upright position. Thank you.

Spending the Night Before Xmas with Harry Caray

2011-12-24T11:37:00.002-07:00

Merry Christmas.

A Baseball Christmas

2011-12-23T13:32:00.000-07:00

It's video week here at Waxaholic. Yeah, I'm phoning it in, but it's xmas... sue me.

Booty Boogie of the Day...

2011-12-19T16:02:00.000-07:00

Jacob Markstrom, future star goalie for the Florida Panthers, seen here playing for their AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, keeping things loose during a stoppage in play to fix a broken pane of glass.

It's no Ned Braden.... but it's not bad. Glad to see that some athletes still play for the fun of it.

A Star Trek box break... Yes. Star Trek.

2011-12-13T20:40:00.001-07:00

It's been a long time since I bought a box of cards. If you subtract hockey from the equation, it's been almost 2 years since I've bought a box of cards. I think other than 2010 Topps Chrome football, it was 2009 Ginter for baseball.

Yeah.

I've been feeling what a lot of you have been expressing towards the latest offerings from Topps.

Meh.

And until they get their act together and release something worthwhile, I'll concentrate on my wantlists for vintage baseball, and buy other offerings from other companies who aren't just phoning it in.

One of those companies is Rittenhouse. While you will never find a Chipper Jones or Josh Hamilton in anything they do, that doesn't mean it isn't worth checking out.

I've always been a fan of non-sports cards. From the Star Wars release in the late '70's to the great sets out today. I've enjoyed seeing sets of movies and tv shows that I've watched.

Today's box break is of Star Trek: The Next Generation The Complete 1987-1991 Series One.

This is limited to 6000 waxboxes. Each box has 24 packs, 6 cards per pack.

The base set is 90 cards (including two checklists) and covers the first half of The Next Generation series run. Series Two, which will be released in February, 2012, will cover the latter half of the series in another 90 card set.

Each base card features 5 full colour pictures. Yes. Five. The fronts look like this....

I really like the feel of these cards as they are not the typical full high glossy lacquered card you find in most sets today.
Each base card tells the story of one episode. A summary, as well as two more pictures, appear on the back.

I really enjoyed sitting down after putting them in pages and reading the backs. Something I did as a kid with my sportscards, but manufacturers have all but eliminated. Did I mention you always get a full set in a box?

There are four different insert sets to chase. They have a foil front parallel set at 1:3 packs.

An 'Aliens' insert, featuring, in alphabetical order, every alien race shown in the series. There are 13 different cards at 1:8 packs. Each card feautures 6 alien races.

A 'Tribute" series, 18 cards featuring those actors that have passed on in the years since. 1:6 packs. Can you believe it's been 25 years since Captain Jean-Luc Picard first appeared on screen?

Nine cards showing off artwork of one of the main characters. The U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D. 1:9 packs

But the real allure of the set, besides those awesome base cards, are the autographs. You get four per box.
Rittenhouse has different levels of autos in this set. Very Limited, Limited, and Normal.
Very Limited is around 200-300 total available. Limited is between 300-500. Normal is listed as 'Over 500'.
Knowing how many boxes/packs etc are available, I figure if everything is equal and balanced, Normal means around 580.
Rittenhouse changes the checklist of their autos from set to set, so not all of the cast is available in this series. Out of the "big" characters, Data, Doctor Crusher, and Commander LaForge are in Series One. I didn't get any of them. Surprise!
I pulled two Normal and two Limited autos in my box. None of the big names, but some memorable characters.

William O. Campbell came on board the Enterprise and in less than five minutes had a young Ensign Terri Hatcher in the sack. Well done sir.
Now known as Billy Campbell, he's starred in Once and Again, The 4400, and The Killing

Richard Lineback played a powerful slave/drug addict. He's been in Speed, Varsity Blues, Natural Born Killers and The Jackyl.

Nehemiah Persoff is 92 years old and retired in 1999. He's been in so many shows I couldn't possibly list them all. You all know who he is, if not, IMDB or google is your friend.

My best auto, character on the show wise, was of the mysterious Traveller. This is the dude that kept popping in every other year to help Wesley Crusher evolve into an energy state. One of the more obscure plotlines of the show for sure.
Played by Eric Menyuk, who was the runner-up to play Data. Eric is now a trial litigator in Los Angeles where, according to his firm's website, "he has been keeping the world safe for Fortune 500 companies."
I think that's lawyer-speak for he's rich with a nice car and even nicer house.

Anyways... I had a blast breaking this box... so much so I'll definitely pop on Series 2 in February.

Jim Plunkett... Hall of fame worthy...

2011-12-05T10:33:00.003-07:00

so today is December 5th, 2011. Which happens to be Jim Plunkett's 64th birthday. I was planning on doing a post sometime this week on Jim, but Hackenbush's "You Can't Have Too Many Cards" told me this morning that it was his birthday. So we have to quickly adapt and move plans forward a bit.

At the last trade night I went to, I picked up a few 1976 Topps football cards out of the Quarter box.... er... Quarter binder actually.

One of them, surprise!, was Jim Plunkett.

Now some of you out there may not know who Jim Plunkett is. Let me enlighten you on someone who deserves the recognition.
Jim is a guy who worked four part time jobs through junior high school and high school to help with the familie's financial situation. His mother was blind, and his father, due to a medical condition, was going blind.
Jim earned a full scholarship to Stanford University where he would play his college football.

Despite being encouraged by the NFL to come out early after his junior year for the NFL draft, Jim stayed in school for his senior year to be a good role model to the grade school kids that he tutored in his spare time.

During his Senior seasonin 1970, Plunkett led Stanford to it's first Rose Bowl win over Ohio State, earning the Heisman Trophy as best college football player, beating out Joe Theisman and Archie Manning.

Plunkett was drafted first overall by the Boston Patriots and set rookie records for touchdown passes his first season.
Jim ended up being traded to San Francisco for their starting QB, three 1st round picks, and a 2nd round pick.

Fast forward a bit, towards the end of Jim's career. It's 1981 and Plunkett is a backup with the Raiders. Due to an injury to starting QB Dan Pastorini, Jim took over the starting job and guided the Raiders to 13 wins over the next 15 games, including four in the playoffs, to lead the Raiders to a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XV, becoming the first 'Wild Card' team to win the title. Jim also took home Super Bowl MVP.
Three years later, another injury to a starting QB, this time Marc Wilson, had Jim leading the Raiders into the playoffs once more, and once more winning the Super Bowl, defeating Washington.

If the whole 'race' thing matters to you at all, Jim was the first Latino to be a Rose Bowl winning QB. The first to win the Heisman. The first, and only, to be drafted 1st overall. The first to start a Super Bowl at QB, the first to win a Super Bowl, the first to win Super Bowl MVP. The first, and only to start and win multiple Super Bowls.

Jim Plunkett is also the only QB of any race to ever start multiple Super Bowls, and the first to win multiple Super Bowls, and NOT be elected into the Hall of Fame.
Why the heck he is not in the Hall I will never understand. We're voting guys in every year like Rod Woodson for god's sake, and we can't elect Plunkett???

Anyways... if you've stayed this long, I thank you. And next time you see a Quarter box, or binder, give it another look. You never know what you might find. There's some interesting stories hidden away in there.

New Competitive Balance Lottery... WTF????

2011-11-30T13:11:00.001-07:00

with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement signed by MLB and it's players, a few new things have come up on our baseball landscape.
Bud Selig's stupidity in putting the Astros in the American League.
Bud Selig's stupidity in allowing two more playoff teams. Everybody gets to play!!!
Bud Selig's stupidity in his insistance on making the leagues one and the same. Mixing teams, interleague play, eliminating seperate umpiring crews, eliminating league presidents, but still insisting on using the DH. That should've been the first thing to go.

and now we have something called the Competitive Balance Lottery. Basically, it's a lottery for teams to get extra picks in the draft, so that the "poorer teams" can compete with the Yankees and Red Sox.

It starts with the 2013 draft, and 13 teams are eligible for picks. There will be 12 picks given away, 6 at the end of the 1st round, and the other six at the end of the 2nd round.
The teams that are eligible are the D-backs, Orioles, Indians, Royals, A's, Pirates, Padres, Rays, Reds, Rockies, Marlins, Brewers and Cardinals.

Read that list again.

Four playoff teams, two division champions, and the World Series winner.

Because they need the extra help and picks.

Bud Selig wins again.

Just when I think there is nothing anyone can do to top Gary Bettman and company, Bud comes back swingin'.

New! Shiny! Bowman somethingorothers.....

2011-11-25T10:22:00.000-07:00

at last weekend's card show, I picked up a couple of new shiny Braves from on of Bowman's latest releases.

The first, of pitcher Arodys Vizcaino is a very shiny die-cut thingie. I have no idea what insert set this is from. It's number is 10.

Cool despite not knowing where it came from. Or why the really odd die-cut shape.

The second was a shiny J-Hey. This one was a little easier figuring out where it came from.

Nice.
Not bad for a hockey show in the Great White North.

Tony Stewart for the win!

2011-11-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

EDIT: so I posted this on monday. Apparently blogger is a Carl Edwards fan as it decided not post it. Boo blogger!

Tony "Smoke" Stewart won his third NASCAR championship yesterday. His first as a driver/owner.

My favourite driver since he moved over from Indy car.... Congratulations Tony!!!

2011-12 NHL Hall of Fame Inductees...

2011-11-13T22:10:00.000-07:00

This year's Hall of Fame inductees are....

Joe Nieuwendyk (KNEE-when-dike) Center. (SEN-ter)

Joe ended his 20 year career with 564 goals, 562 assists in 1257 games. And three Stanley Cup wins with three different teams.

Joe's rookie card is this 1988/89 OPC #16. To show you how times have changed, Joe had already played 2 seasons BEFORE this card came out, including scoring 51 goals the season before.

Mark Howe (HOW) Defence (DEE-fents)

Mark Howe, famous for more than being one of Gordie's sons, retired after 22 seasons in both the WHA and then the NHL. Combined, Mark scored 405 goals and 841 assists. No Stanley Cups, but two Avco Cups in the WHA with Houston, '74 and '75.

Mark's rookie card is from the '75/76 OPC WHA set, which I do not have sadly. So enjoy his card from the '77/78 OPC WHA set instead.

Mark did have a card in the '73/74 OPC WHA set, but apparently it does not count as a rookie card like it would in baseball.

Ed Belfour (BELL-4) Goalie (GO-lee)

Eddie the Eagle, probably best known for his masks than anything, finished a 17 year career with one Stanley Cup win in 1999 with Dallas. In those 17 years he had a record of 484-320-125 with a 2.50 GAA.
Ed's inclusion into the H.O.F. is marginal at best, however with the bar set at Grant Fuhr, quite a few goalies from the '90's are going to get in.

Ed's rookie card came in the horroble card year of 1990/91. Upper Deck (seen here), Bowman, Pro Set and Score all had rookie cards of Belfour.

Doug Gilmour (DUG) Center (DUG)

Another marginal entry into the Hall. Mostly due to media popularity. But when Glen Anderson, Bernie Federko and Clark Gilles are in the Hall.... the bar is now set pretty low....
450 goals 964 assists for 8 teams. Traded 7 times.

Dug's rookie card is the '84/85 OPC seen here.

what I thought was a mint set is not as Dug here is the poster child for OPC off centeredness.

Congrats to all the new entries into the NHL Hall of Pretty Good. I mean, Fame.

Who's it going to be???

2011-11-12T12:27:00.000-07:00

On Monday, November 14, the National League Rookie of the Year will be announced. It will be an Atlanta Brave. The top three rookies in contention are all Braves. The question is, which one?

Freddie Freeman 1B - .282 with 21 HR and 76 RBI with a .795 OPS and top notch defence....

or Craig Kimbrel RP - 4-3 46 saves 2.10 ERA 1.04 WHIP .178 avg against and 127 K's in 77 IP

or Brandon Beachy SP - 7-3 3.68ERA 1.21 WHIP 2.36 avg against with 169 K's in 141 2/3 IP

all very strong candidates... however, I feel that the voters with lean towards............

Strikeouts are sexy.

Nationals 2B Danny Espinoza will get some votes as well... I just don't think that many.
Thoughts?

Redemption at the Plate

2011-11-09T20:21:00.000-07:00

Awhile ago I received a small package from my buddy who runs Play at the Plate. In it, he enclosed this piece of cardboard....

3-4 weeks later, another small package arrived at my door from Topps.

Nice.

Now if only Panini and Upper Deck would return my redemptions.....

Thanks Brian!!!

btw... please keep Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos in your thoughts.... LINK

Cause and Effect ..... Yankee Edition.

2011-10-31T22:52:00.000-06:00

The average price of the breakfast buffet in Las Vegas increased yesterday to $32.

Today, CC Sabathia signs a contract with the yankees for 5 years and 122 million.

Coincidence?

CC Sabathia seen here with Yankee fan, Miley Cyrus outside the locker room.

when there's something strange, in your neighbourhood...

2011-10-31T12:48:00.001-06:00

As we all know, today is Halloween. For today's post, I was saving a pack of Ghostbusters 2 to break on the old blog. As I was saving the scans, I had troubles because my computer was telling me they already exist. Hmmm....

There they were in my image folder alright. I guess I scanned them already. Turns out I posted them already too.

In June.

Of 2009.

Getting old sucks kids.

So if you want to see more of the Ghostbusters gang.... click HERE. Then come back.

So in a last minute scramble I found these..... boxtoppers from the Vampirella Gallery set. They are oversized, about 3"x5". There are six in total, of which I did have all six at one time. I think. But I could only find two.

#'s 5 and 6 of 6. So if any of you has the other 4, let me know.

and a video, just because I can. Have a happy and safe halloween everyone.

Delayed Trade Night posting...

2011-10-22T20:33:00.003-06:00

I'm only three weeks late in posting this. Which means.... I'm catching up!

I managed to acquire two Braves 'hits' at this trade night. The first is an Alvin Dark auto on a Topps Heritage card.

The second piece is this Hank Aaron card. It says "Game Used Memorabilia".

But what does that mean?

You have received a Topps Memorabilia Card. The relic on this card is not from any specific game, event or season.

What the hell does that mean?????? Does it have anything to do with Hank Aaron even??? This could be a floorboard from the dugout from Three Rivers Stadium for all I know.

Does anyone know what Topps has said about these? Anything?

I had to give up a DeSean Jackson '08 Masterpieces auto, a Carlos Ruiz sticker auto from Moments and Milestones, and an '09 Ginter Chase Utley grey jersey.

The 2010 World Cup is NOT over... Stickie edition.

2011-10-17T20:31:00.001-06:00

Let your minds wander back to last summer.... okay, not the one that ended a couple of weeks ago, the one before that. It was World Cup Frenzy! People who never watched soccer before or since were all of a sudden experts. Games were watched. And discussed. The U.S got beaten, and all was forgotten.

Except for those few of you, who like me, were addicted to stickers. World Cup stickers. We were a small, but determined bunch. Most of us finished our sticker books as well as our online sticker books.

Or did we???

Like you, once I put the last sticker into my book, I let out a satisfied sigh and closed the cover. Until a few weeks ago.

I found out some disturbing news.

The bastards Panini had put out an UPDATE SET! ACK!!!

Are you kidding me?!???! No pigeon had come to my door telling me this. I MUST complete my sticker book!

So I did what any normal OCD set collector would do. I scoured the internet until 3am looking for these elusive unstuck stickers.

And after a few sleepless nights, I found them. All of them.

Behold.

The reason for the update set was of course because not all of the players in the initail release actually played, so stickers had to be made up for those that did.

Germany did fairly well considering that apparently they had no idea who their Keepers were going to be going in. 0/2 on that one.

I guess I should show you the backs..... they are numbered according to who they replace in the book, with an "x" annotation. At the bottom, it also tells you by name the 'substitution' that needs to be made.

The stickers are a bit longer than the original stickers, as the new information about the player needs to cover up the old pplayer's information that was pre-printed into the book.

Team France added 5 new members, and still imploded.

Not much to say about most of these guys....

like any of you are still reading at this point anyways...

that was a boring sheet... all white kits.

The lone new American.

all in all they were 80 new stickers made up for this update set

and as a reward for actually scrolling through all that, may I present 6 members of Canada's womens soccer team. They never win any games, but we don't care.

Sorry there's no ponies... but it's best to stick with what you know.
(see what I did there?)

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-10-09T09:41:00.001-06:00

Have a great and safe holiday.

I need better sunglasses...

2011-10-04T10:23:00.000-06:00

Things have got shiny around here lately. I thought I might share some of the shiny with you. Because everyone likes the shiny, right?

Put on some shades, lower the lights, and take a gander.

First up, one of those Topps Atomic refractors everyone has got all excited about.

I got this one of Dan Uggla at my card shop the other night. It was a gift from another collector, left there for me to pick up. Very nice.

The next two cards cost me .50 cents each at a card show a couple of weeks back.

JHey in shiny parallel glory.

I got Mr Aaron Shiny in a trade package from Cheap Card Collecting two weeks ago.

And for .25 cents each at that same card show, I picked up these four Braves wrapper redemptions.

First Uggla

then Jason...

The Devil Wears Prado...

and finally BMac.

I now have more Braves shiny in the last couple of weeks then I had all before put together. I'm almost in overload. I think I need to go and look through my '50's Topps Braves binder just to calm down. These cards are for someone who has a.d.d or something.

I guess I have to do it...

2011-09-27T12:57:00.001-06:00

I hadn't planned on it, but due to a couple of requests, the fourth annual Just A Bit Offside Fantasy Hockey League is back on.

Due to a blatant rules violation by two other teams, my team was knocked down to third last season. I look to rectify that this year.
If you are interested in joining up, please leave a comment here. No experience necessary.
Email invites have been sent to those that were in last year.

And why yes ladies, during the draft I will be wearing one of these......

It's on!

Free stuff!

2011-09-24T09:58:00.000-06:00

Awhile ago, (okay, a long time ago) David at First and Goal held a contest. I wanted to enter. This isn't rocket science is it? Well, it gets a little odd after that. You see, David is one of those new fangled techies who is on facebook and twitter etc... etc... I am not. I'll leave tweeting up to all the 14 year old girls who NEED to know where everyone is at all times and what they're doing. I could not care any less.

Stay with me...

Now the contest Dave was running required you to do something on twitter or myspace or something, I can't remember. I, being twitless, could not do the required task. So I just left a comment saying Good Luck with the contest.

Fast forward a month. A package arrives at my door with contest winnings from First and Goal. What??? I have no idea how I won, but I've never refused hobby generousity before.

I got me some loot. That wee little baseball set has Hank Aaron in it. Enough said. That is the second Emmit Smith tin I've got from David. This one was full of Tony Romo and Jason Witten cards, along with a few other Cowboys. And then 3/4 of a retail box of 08/09 UD Victory. Sweet. Packs to open are never a bad thing.

Thanks for the loot David!

Advertisement of the day.....

2011-09-20T10:17:00.000-06:00

not much else needs saying really.....

Tribecards on a Braves blog.......

2011-09-16T21:51:00.002-06:00

One of the first few bloggers I ever "traded" with when I started this humble blog three years ago, was David from Indians Baseball Cards. Or Tribecards for his friends. You can call it Tribecards. Even people David hasn't met yet he considers friends. That's just the way he is.

I put the word "traded" in quotation marks earlier because back then there was very little if any trading going on. It was all more accurately described as "giving". If you saw something you liked, or needed it, someone would end up giving it to you. If you wanted to send something back, you did. You could call that trading I suppose, but it's different to me.

About a week ago I found a bubble envelope in my mailbox from the great state of Arkansas. That can only mean one thing.....

Free wax packs!!! Well, free packs anyways... David doesn't use wax to seal his packs. He uses three rolls of tape. Per pack. I'm not kidding.
After freeing the cards from their protective cocoon, I sat and read them for an hour. David always includes a wide variety of cards in his packs, some of which I haven't seen before.
I'll just show a small sampling here, as most of the cards are already in binders, filling in holes in my team sets.

Some of you may not get past the first card. For it is Glorious.

I can still hear Skip Caray screaming at the top of his lungs... "BRAVES WIN!!!! BRAVES WIN!!!!! BRAVES WIN!!!! BRAVES WIN!!!!!" Damn I miss him.

Ladies, may I present Mr Ron Gant.

Line forms at the left....

and of course, Terry Pendleton.

Terry doesn't look overweight here.... I've never seen Terry not look overweight....

along with the old, I got some new as well....

Tommy Hanson, and...

...Jason Heyward Ginter style.

Tommy is sad someone took his hat......

and finally for this showing.... Chipper and Smoltzie on some super embossed Upper Deck set that was cool but everyone has forgotten about.

Thanks David!!! If you want to get in the madness.... visit Indians Baseball Cards.... tell 'em I sent you. The magic password is "Tiger Blood"

QUARTER BOXES!!!!!!

2011-09-14T19:49:00.000-06:00

If you were with me on my last post on my other blog, Just A Bit Offside, then you know I found a card shop that has Quarter Boxes! If you didn't read it, what's wrong with you???

Anyways... of course I scrounged through and absconded with almost all of the Braves from it. I'm told hockey and football quarter boxes are being made as well. Sweet.

But for now, bask in the glorious that is .25 cent Braves. Plus I have a rainbow to show off at the end. Not a My Little Pony Rainbow Bright anything... that's on the other Braves blog. He was first, and is still the best. Despite his latest obsession with ponies.

On with the cards!!!

2007 Finest Chipper!

2007 Finest Francoeur refractor....

2007 SP Authentic Francoeur

2007 SP Rookie Edition Saltalamacchia... which I already had at home. Oops.

2007 Sweet Spot Classic Bob Horner /575

2007 Elements Chipper!

2007 Elements See through Chipper!.... which I already had at home. Oops.

2005 Donruss Champions Niekro... I really hate these two cards... but they were a Niekro and Murphy for .25 cents that I didn't already have.

see above comment. Dale doesn't like them either. He's running away.

2006 Flair Showcase Chipper! I miss Flair... and Fleer.

2006 Bowman Prospect of current Brave Diory Hernandez. If young Diory can't wrestle playing time away from Alex Gonzalez, I'm afraid his career may be over soon.

2009 Sweet Spot BMac! which I already had at home.... Oops.

2009 Sweet Spot Nate McLouth. Which I already had. Oops.

2009 Sweet Spot Javier Vazquez. Which I already had. Oops.

2009 Sweet Spot Chipper!!!! And I needed him!!!! Yes!!! It's a good thing too..... because I ended up buying two of him.

Oops.

2007 Topps Warren Spahn. I knew I had this already, but I wanted another copy.

2006 Finest John Smoltz. Shiny!!!

2006 Finest Chipper. More Shiny!

and finally a Chuck James 2006 Finest Rookie Auto. I was pretty sure I had this already... and I did. But in slightly different form.

It is hidden behind a slab.

but it has friends! The Refractor version....

the X-Fractor version....

and of course the Black X-Fractor version.

Quarter boxes!!! Thanks for looking. I can't wait to pillage the football and hockey ones. And I meant what I said about my other blog. Read it. I'll know if you don't.

Feeding the habit...

2011-09-09T21:42:00.000-06:00

Robert, from the fairly new blog, $30 a week habit approached me via the email about a swap. He had a swack of short prints from 2003 Topps Heritage. Music to my ears.... I've been working on this damn set since 2007.

I decided to make Fernando Tatis the lead image, in hommage to his sideburns. Awesome. I might try these and see if the wife let's me get away with it.

all of these beauties are dreaded SP's.

as are these.... I told you he had a swack of 'em..

the Pat Burrel is a variant SP... check out the old logo

Robert also threw in a psychadelic Chipper

and a Carey Price card, just to be random.

Thanks for the swap Robert!!!

If anyone else can help me with this set, or any other.... check out my lists and hit me up. WANTLISTS

Tragedy in Russia....

2011-09-07T09:39:00.000-06:00

I'm not going to write it out twice.... if you haven't heard, just go HERE ...

As promised.... Vintage Junkie

2011-09-06T21:23:00.000-06:00

As we bring the massive trade post of the Collective Troll and the Cardboard Junkie to a close.... keeping in mind there is still a huge stack of cards from them that I did not scan... I can't help but think of how generous fellow bloggers are. Not only did I receive these great cards from close friends I've never met, but I got four more trade packages in the mail today, as well as winning a contest at Mint Condition. I'm not going to start tearing up here or anything... but you guys and gals are the best. It's no wonder why I just sent out six packages today. I have to try and keep up...

On with the post.. you know the drill by now, and if you don't, scroll down and read some of these posts from earlier. We'll wait.

1964 Braves team card. The last team card of the Milwaukee Braves... there you can see the little person in the tux on the left again...... wait a minute. If this is the '64 Braves team card.... where's that '63 that Troll sent me?

Lucy, looks like you got 'splainin' to do....

it's the exact same freaking picture in back to back years. On a TEAM card. Apparently Topps learned their laziness over 50 years ago....

whatever.... here we have a '61 Felix Mantilla.

Felix hit 18 homers for the Braves in six years. He went to the Red Sox and hit 54 homers in three years. Size matters folks. At least stadium size anyways....
Need 'em!!!!

a 1960 Chuck Dressen card... I talked about Chuck a couple of posts ago...

Got 'em.

A 1959 Lou Burdette error card!!! Lou is not left handed!!!

We all know by now fun loving Lou was messing with the photographer. That trickster.
Need 'em!!!

My first '57 Topps Brave!

Andy Pafko. Andy is probably more famous for being card #1 in the 1952 Topps set than for anything he did on the playing field. Oh, and that Bruce Willis movie.
Need 'em!!!

Ohhh... it's getting good people.
A 1951 Bowman Bob Elliott.

Bob had a pretty darn good 15 year career in the bigs including 6 All Star teams and being voted the 1947 MVP. Bob's best years were the 5 seasons with the Braves in Boston from 1947 to 1951.
Bob's nickname was "Mr Team"
He passed away in 1966 at the age of 49.

Now for the Grand Poo-Bah. This is one sweet card.... Behold the Awesome that is Eddie Matthews.

Words escape me.

Thank you for the package dayf.

What Cano Can Do For You....

2011-09-03T22:55:00.000-06:00

If you've been paying attention (I hope someone has because I sure haven't...) you'll remember awhile back when I busted a couple of packs of..... something.... and pulled a bat relic of Robinson Cano. Or maybe it was a jersey relic. Or maybe a sock relic. Something. Anyways, it was Robinson Cano.

Now the only person crazy enough to have a player collection of him is my good friend Marie. She's a little odd about stuff like that, but I like her, so I just go with it.

I sent it off, with not much else, because Marie is a girl. And her collecting tastes are very narrow and a wee expensive. She is after all, a girl. It is their ways.

It is also her way, to be very generous in return, as she sent me a package that contained wonderous Braves inside.

Let's peek inside...

First, one of several Braves relievers popping the mitt at over 100mph, Arodys Vizcaino from a card set that I never knew existed.

Andruw!!!!!!! I miss Druw. Glad to see he's still smacking the long ball, even if it is for the Yankees in that hatbox they call a stadium.

Chippah!!! Not once, but....

...twice!

BMac!

Smoltzie!!! (I'm going to set a record for use of exclamation marks soon...)

JHEY!

and Fabulous Freddie Freeman...

a Bowman Heyward seen celebrating another victory.

Another Arodys. I can actually type his name now without having to think about the spelling.

another Jason makes an appearance.

Are you feeling BLUE????????

Tommy is...

as is Brandon..

and young Yasser. I know nothing about Yasser Gomez, except that I hope he grows into his hat one day soon....

A super duper framed green Jason Heyward.

Mini Jason!!! I have framed Jason, Mini Jason, and the full size Future Star Jason at least twice, but I do not have Regular base Jason yet. Odd.

Game worn something of Tim Hudson. Who knew that when Oakland broke up the Big Three, that stat wise Hudson would be the second best pitcher in all of baseball from that moment until now behind Halladay?

And now some Bowman shiny....

Beachy rookie..

Big bad Brian

Mr Home Run Champ...

Fabulous.... just fabulous...

and why don't we end with 452 home runs worth of Chipper?

Thanks Marie!!!! I'm already working on something to send back.....

the record falls...

2011-08-31T19:28:00.000-06:00

Braves rookie pitcher Craig Kimbrel has just broken the all time Major League record for saves by a rookie in a season by pitching his 41st save. And it's not even September yet.

Craig has pitched 65 2/3 innings, with 107 strikeouts and only 25 walks. He hasn't allowed a run in the last 33 2/3 innings.
And he has struck out at least 2 batters in each of the last 8 innings pitched.

People are talking about Fabulous Freddie Freeman as Rookie of the Year. Sorry Freddie. Craig has this one locked up tight. No question. No arguments. End of discussion.

Vintage Troll.... Part Deux.

2011-08-31T14:43:00.000-06:00

These are the other vintage cards that Troll sent over, but they just didn't fit with the 1965 theme of the last post. Again, we'll play the Got 'em, Need 'em game.

we'll start off with a beauty...

I wonder if Spahn ever threw a knuckleball as part of his repertoire? Anyone know? And how would you like to just sit back and listen to that conversation going on right there between those three pitchers... Awesome.
Need 'em!!!

Braves team card. 1963 edition. Good luck identifying all of those blurry faces. That may be Eddie Gaedel on the far left in the tux.
Need 'em!!

1961 Chuck Dressen - Manager. Chuck managed the Braves in '60 and '61 going 159-124
Chuck passed away part way through the 1966 season at the age of 67.
Got 'em... but upgrade!!!

1963 Ty Cline - I babbled about Ty in the last post... This card came two years earlier. And he is still pictured in his Indians uniform, whom he played with in 1962.
Need em!!!!

Ahh... my buddy Carlton the doorman. (Those of you who got that obscure reference are OLD!) We're looking at his rookie card here. I wonder how I figured that out without three oversized logos, a special insert subset, and it being short printed at the back end of the set? We just did people. And it worked fine, thank you very much.
Carl pitched 8 years in the bigs, the first 5 with the Braves, before retiring as a Met at the end of the '65 season. He passed away in 2009 at the age of 78.
Need 'em!!!

Thanks again Troll... up next... Vintage Junkie.

Vintage Troll...

2011-08-30T22:30:00.000-06:00

I'll be wrapping up the massive trade package posts from Collective Troll and Cardboard Junkie in the next day or so.... here we have a small stack of 1965 Topps from my bud the Troll.

Let's play a little game of Need 'em, Got 'em....

Ty Cline had just finished his first year with Milwaukee. 101 games, 1 HR 13 RBI and a .302 avg

Got 'em.

Sandy "Iron Pony" Alomar played 15 seasons in the majors, hitting 13 HR 282 RBI's and batting .245

Johnny Braun appeared in one game as a reliever in 1964. He pitched two scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk, while striking out one.
He never appeared in the bigs again.
Need 'em!

Mean Gene Oliver played from 1959 to 1969. Five years with the Braves.
Got 'em.

Frank Lary was traded to the Braves halfway through the '64 season. He only appeared in five games for Milwaukee before being sold back to the Mets for the '65 season. After being traded to the White Sox, he retired at the end of the season. But here's why he is kick ass. He has three nicknames, "Mule", which is way cool. "Taters". I bet there's a story or two there... but the best is "The Yankee Killer". YEEAAHHH!!!
Apparently he had some pretty great years with Detroit.
Got 'em.

Bob Sadowski pitched four seasons in the majors. He had two brothers play in the bigs (Ed and Ted) as well as a nephew (Jim)
Need 'em!!!

Mike De La Hoz played nine years for Cleveland and the Braves. He hit 25 HR and 115 RBI, batting .251 Times were different then.
Got 'em.

Dan Osinski is pictured wearing an Angels jersey. He only played the one year in Milwaukee before being traded with Bob Sadowski to Boston. Dan played for six teams in 8 years.
Got 'em.

Frank Bolling played 12 years split evenly between the Tigers and Braves. He hit 106 HR and 556 RBIs
Got 'em.

Denver LeMaster was coming off a 17-11 season in 1964. He played six years for the Braves before being traded to Houston. He finished his career with the Expos in 1972.
Got 'em, but this is an upgrade!

Thanks again troll... it was fun sorting them into my team set binder, but even more fun learning about each player.

What Really Grinds My Gears...

2011-08-25T09:49:00.001-06:00

I've ranted on this topic before. Twice actually. Over a year ago... maybe two now that I think of it. But you see, nothing has changed. In fact, it's gotten worse. Why do idiot commisioners insist on wearing rose coloured glasses, and eating scented pellets so their crap don't stink when it's obvious that there are serious problems in their sport?
In case you're still wondering what the hell Canuck is blathering about now, I'm speaking of Bud Selig and the Florida Marlins.
In their game against Cincinnati yesterday, there were 347 fans in attendance. That's not a typo. Three hundred and fourty seven.

Apparently the Marlins closed down the top two decks earlier this season.

My local Calgary Vipers get a bigger turnout than this. Foul balls for everyone!!!

Sweet jesus Bud, wake up and smell the contraction. The game will be better for it. The quality of play will increase. And the fans will be happier.
Oh wait, none of that matters to you does it?

Good things come from Michigan.

2011-08-24T19:38:00.001-06:00

I know. I'm as shocked as you are. Who knew that anything good could still come outta Michigan. But apparently things can, and do. Case in point. These cards from everyone's favourite Sewing Machine tycoon.

Awhile back I sent him a super duper elite short print from '09 Goodwin of Roy Halladay along with some other stuff he collected. I guess the Halladay is uber rare and I could have retired if I had only kept it awhile longer. But, a fellow set collector needed it for his set, a set which I am not collecting, so the card must be passed along. It is the law of set collectors.

In return, I received some cards from this year's Goodwin and Ginter. Now that would be a great set hey? Goodwin and Ginter. It sure would confuse the hell out of the purists.

Moving on.... I have a new Mad Dog for my pc...

a rather odd picture of Bobby Orr, appropriately numbered #4. It appears as though Bobby has a towel around his neck while wearing an argyle knitted sweater.

Penguin superstar Evgeni Malkin dressed in an outfit like my mom used to make me wear when I was five.

Mr SuperBowl Troy Aikman.

and the man who single handidly ruined not one, but two NHL franchises. Although he did win the Cup with one....

B-Mac!!!

and a Brandon Beachy rookie. I read an article on one of the other card blogs that said Brandon's in the running for Rookie of the Year. Maybe, but he's only the third best rookie on the Braves this year.... so I wouldn't hold out hope.

SMG also sent one other card, but I'm saving it for a post tomorrow. Hopefully. Maybe the day after. It sure doesn't look like I can post it tonight.

Thanks for the cards Larry!!! And no Daunte Culpepper.

I'm here to help you... the Fall edition.

2011-08-22T15:18:00.003-06:00

Back in the Spring, I posted a handy dandy flow chart designed to help you choose who to root for this current baseball season. Find it HERE. Many of you found it uber useful, so I scoured the globe trying to find ways to help you now that it is FOOTBALL SEASON!!!!!!!! (click on the pic to enlarge)

Why yes, I am a Dallas fan, why do you ask?

Local Freebies...

2011-08-16T20:12:00.001-06:00

When I was at my local card shop the other day buying packs, the owner handed me two cards from under the desk.
A 2011 Bowman Gold Fabulous Freddie Freeman and a 2011 Bowman Platinum J-Hey.

I'm ashamed to say I didn't ask if it was the shop's donation, or another customer leaving me cards. Either way, I'm very grateful.
Another two great cards to the collection.

I love that new Braves smell....

2011-08-15T18:30:00.001-06:00

this seems like part 27 of the massive trade/gift packages from dayf and the Troll.... probably 3 more posts after this one. And as per dayf's request, the last two posts will be the vintage. I got a whole swack of new Braves. This is great, because other than sample packs, I haven't bought any new baseball this year or last. My favourite Troll sent me my first Ginter Brave. Fabulous Freddie Freeman. He also sent my boy Adam.

Then troll sent a bunch of 2011 Topps Braves... or former Braves. Dudes in Braves uniforms. How's that?

Jordan Schafer who is now Astro Boy. And Brandon Beachy. Another one of his rookie cards.

and a great shot of Jonny Venters. I like this because it shows his left arm attached to his body. After Fredi pitches him in a few more games.... it may not be quite so attached.

The whole gang! Celebrating a Sunday home win! In one of their four regular uniforms! Remember when teams only had two?

Chipper! Sliding into... second?

how many horizontal cards did Topps do in this set??? My main question is, I wonder if it's Rick Ankiel safe at third? Or Brian Snitker? Does this count as two runners on one base?

And finally Troll sent me Tim Hudson. He must really have liked this card because....

he sent me two. I hope he doesn't need one of these for his set.

Dayf, knowing that Troll was taking care of Topps flagship, sent me Braves from other sets.

First up, some Heritage.

Floating Heads!!!

Chippah!!!

Derek Lowe asking the photographer if he could have his hat back yet?

J - Hey smiling. Nice trophy Jason!

Dan Uggla showing off some palm trees and some light poles. Too bad there wasn't some cars in the background too...

My boy Adam!!! Now I just need A&G, Gypsy Queen, Lineage... I think.
Speaking of Gypsy Queen...

Tommy Boy!

a mini Derek Lowe

and J- Hey. He's everywhere!!!

A tiny Prado from Topps... are there mini's in every set now?

and some Bowman's of the next generation.

Mr Hoover.

Mr Teheran

and Mr Delgado. Randall pitches his second game tomorrow night against the Giants.

Thanks guys!!!

Today's trivia question. If you watched the Braves game tonight, it'll be easy. Since Tim Hudson made his major league debut in June of 1999, only one pitcher has more wins than Tim's 177 wins. This pitcher has 179 wins. Who is he?

2011 Topps Pedigree.... Blood lines... Ancestry...

2011-08-14T19:37:00.000-06:00

so basically Topps put out another fail. Surprise. With no incentive to make great products... guess what? No great products. No one seems to like Lineage. There are issues about it for sure. The backs are the worst backs in card history. They are so bad, I couldn't bring myself to scan them. Also, their bastardization of the Spanish language is unforgivable.

I bought two packs at my LCS for $10. And I got CHIPPER!!!!!!

Let's see what else I got.

Jay Bruce and Kurt Suzuki. Yawn.

A Mutt, Ike Davis.

Nolan Nolan Rollin', Keep those cattle rollin', RAWHIDE!

Young Mr Weeks.

And a very shiny Todd Helton refractor.

Hey look! A pop up pecker version of Joe Mauer.

Pack two.

A Brandon Beachy rookie! Brandon has the second most strike outs among rookie starters.

some Sox rookie I've never heard of.

Ty Cobb! Sweet!

Holy Hammerin' Hank Aaron Bat Man!!! Chipper, Beachy, and Henry!!! My luck is never this good.

Love the Milwaukee logo.
This is my dude. The one I pull in every single pack and brand of cards I buy. Nice to see you again Pedro.

Paul O'Neill??? Nolan Ryan, Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron, and Paul effing O'Neill??? Do we really need to add Yankees to the set just because? And Paul is a Red to boot. Not a damn Yankee.

a really shiny Brooks Robinson refractor!!! (really? Paul O'Neill?)

and a pop up pecker Mickey Mantle! (Paul O'Neill? Anyone?)

Now to me, it looks like the same guy designed both of these sets. That's the brand new Victory hockey set at .99 cents per pack. Except the card stock is better on the Victory.

And that takes me to my point about Lineage. It would've been a really great set IF

1) They didn't let an 8 year old design the backs.

2) Lose the autos and the Patch cards

3) Put this baby out at $1.50 per pack.

Imagine the fun of chasing the useless but fun inserts and the base set with the cool old guys (except paul O'Neill) at $1.50 per pack. The quality and value per box would be spot on.

But at $5 per pack, and crappy autos, this is one epic loser of a product. So I'll trade for my Braves. Or buy them for .18 cents each off of Sportslots.

You can buy packs for a fiver if you want, but I doubt you will.....

oh yeah, all of the cards here, except for the Braves, are up for trade. Yes, even Paul O'Neill.

sad news...

2011-08-12T21:25:00.004-06:00

Longtime Brave, Ernie Johnson passed away today. He was 87. I've always said that the reason I'm a Braves fan is because of Ernie, Pete van Wieren, and Skip Caray all those summer days on TBS. Now all I have left is Pete. Someone please wrap him in bubblewrap or something....
I'm not that old, I don't feel old, my wife and mistress both say I don't look old... and yet everything I hold dear from my youth is disappearing forever.

I actually don't even have a card of Ernie. I thought I bought the one you see here. Turns out I bought card #101 of Orioles pitcher Don Johnson with Ernie's picture on the front. Ernie's actual card appears later on in the set.

Ernie was one of the few remaining links to the Boston Braves/Milwaukee Braves/Atlanta Braves. He was around for all three.

Here's Ernie with his lovely wife Lois when he was elected to the Braves Hall of Fame in 2001.

We'll miss you pal.

Friends dusting the cobwebs off of some old wantlists....

2011-08-11T21:28:00.004-06:00

This is the continuing story of the infamous dayf and Troll trade/gift packages....

You ever think you'd see the day when a Juan Uribe card led off a show off post??? Me either. But here we are.

Back in 2007 when I got back into cards, one of the first sets that caught my eye was this set that emulated the 1954 Topps set. Turns out it was called Topps Heritage and was from 2003. I decided to collect it. Not only collect it, but to do what I used to do, which was get the master set. All of the variations and short prints. Four years later I'm still trying to finish that set. Dayf managed to find five cards off of my wantlist, including two SP's. One of which is old Juan Uribe up there.

As you can see... these aren't high profile players.... but damn hard to find regardless.

I've never found anyone else who is collecting this set, so if you know someone, let them know about me. I've got lotsa doubles to swap.

I also did my first trade on The Bench with this set. And my last trade. The trade I did involved $13.10 worth of cards. It took me forever to find a card he wanted to make up that last .10 cents I owed him. This was my re-introduction to beckett.

Dayf also found a card I needed for the 1976 Topps set that I am very close to finishing. Only 24 more cards to go.

Next up is a set that no human has managed to complete. The 2008 UD Timelines set. This is the set that never ends. Please sing the song softly to yourself.
A loooong time ago I gave up on the set and sent dayf as many cards as I could off of his wantlist, even from my set regardless if I had duplicates or not. I could be wrong, but I think dayf just sent back the same cards I sent him. Maybe he gave up too. It never ends.

LOOK! A Yankee!! Without a moustache or tutu drawn on him.

Here's Mr I run to first base when and if I feel like it.

and a bum who held on waaaay too long...

Some die-cut rookies

Mr Cub. Not.

Holy Crap! Another Yankee!

I really, really like this set. But it can never be completed.

Why yes Mr Towles, it is time to clean my scanner bed, thank you for noticing.

And why not some 2009 OPC, another of my favourite sets.
Who could resist that face??????

OPC is another set I'm doing the master set of. And I'm damn close to finishing.

Awhile back I needed 2 cards to finish the base set. Griffey and Victorino. Four bloggers later, I now have two of each.

Troll not only sent the Flyin' Hawaiian up there, but also two Braves for my binder.

well, a Brave and a former Brave. He was a Brave when it was sent.

Thanks a lot guys.... a lot more to come. Next up will be either 2011 stuff or Vintage. Any preferences???

Contests everywhere.

2011-08-11T16:35:00.000-06:00

Seriously... how anyone could miss any of these is beyond me with all of the shout outs going on... but anyways.
If you've been in a cave here's a freebie.

Jaybarkerfan's Junk

Go. Enter.

trade loot 2009-2010 Topps style....

2011-08-10T21:30:00.001-06:00

Alright, let's get this trade posting thing rolling. I know Sooz is exhausted from staying up all night waiting...

In the interest of keeping a theme going, I'm combining cards from both the Collective Troll and dayf the Cardboard Junkie (like you don't know who they are...) into nice tight little posts. Hit and run, right? Not that you American League fans have any clue what that is.....

First up, a few cards from Troll. The Troll was kind enough to send me three cards off of my Most Wanted List on the right hand side. Numbers 7,11 and 12 if it matters to you. Not that they're in any kind of order or anything...

2009 Update Tommy Hanson. When Tommy visited Rome last year, they did as he did.

The best backup in baseball. Not just catcher. David would start for about 27 teams.... and I am grateful he's a Brave.

and Diory Hernandez. Diory isn't well liked among Braves fans. But with Seabass playing like he is... maybe that will change soon.

a 2010 Update of Mr Jason Heyward. His debut game. Yeah. He went Yard.

and for some reason a card of Andy LaRoche of the Pirates. But I needed it, so what the heck.

dayf sent along one of Mike Minor. Thank you Frank for not listening to trade offers.

and a rookie of the Man. Jonny "Pitch me every freaking day" Venters.

Wait, how did this get here? Ah well, too late now.
It's my boy! Back home with the Braves! For about three weeks! Now he's in Washington! I never will see him on tv again!

Thanks for looking... and for helping off of my wantlists. And Sooz, the next post will even have a Yankee in it! Promise!

A promise...

2011-08-08T19:54:00.000-06:00

In the last little while I've received gift/trade packages from dayf and Collective Troll as well as contest winnings from 1st and Goal cards. My promise to you is that over the next bit, I will share the glorious that was contained within.

Proof or it ain't true you say? Well here's a card from Troll. A 1958 Topps rookie of Carlton Willey.

and it wasn't anywhere near the best card in the package.

Really.

Go get your popcorn ready.

At first I thought Epic Win....

2011-07-31T22:07:00.001-06:00

My wife called me and excitedly told me the news. The Braves had made a trade for Jason Bourne. This was amazing news. The intangibles he brings to the team off the field would make up for any bad publicity that may come with him, not to mention visa issues just trying to get him across the border or through airport security.

But alas, my ever helpful wife got the minute details slightly mixed up. we unfortunaltely did NOT acquire Jason Bourne. What we got was Michael Bourn. Slight difference.
Here, Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence react to hearing they are no longer Astros.

Good news, but for me sad news as well. We gave up three meh pitchers and one of my favourite Braves, center fielder Jordan Schafer. I really liked Jordan, even if his wrist is made out of rice crispies.

Yeah, I know, Michael Bourn is a gold glove all star center fielder who steals a lot of bases.

Reminds me of a trade we made a couple of years back. We acquired a gold glove winning all star center fielder who stole a lot of bases from Pittsburgh. His name is Nate McLouth. Michael Bourn's job is to do what Nate McLouth still has not done in three years.

I hope this one turns out differently.

Good luck Jordan, I'll miss you..... Welcome Michael Bourn. no pressure buddy.

I found the Shiny!

2011-07-28T20:44:00.001-06:00

I stopped by the card shop today. I was going to be in the northern part of the city anyways..... so what's a little diversion, right? I mean, I went there with a big box of base cards for trading to try and finish some of my sets. Not to spend money. But he had some new stuff on the counter. It would be rude not to sample, right?

One pack 2011 Bowman Platinum Baseball. 5 cards for $6.

The wrapper gets special treatment as it has Fabulous Freddie Freeman on it.

The very first card I see when I peel back the foil wrapper....

Glorious. For it is The J-Hey.

Next up, A Dodger, for now, Andre Ethier.

the checklist, scanned front and back for posterity.

an X-Factor super refractor glittery somethingorother of Blue Jays prospect Deck McGuire. Cool name for Mr No Chins. These are about 1:4 packs.

A Pirate! Young Pedro Alvarez. Isn't it amazing how many Pirate fans there are now since they've been in first place?

A Rays Rookie! Jeremy Hellickson! I know nothing about young Jeremy and am too lazy to find out!

but look! A sixth card in a five card pack!

Oooooohhhhhhhhhh! A Blue Jay hotpack!!! Edwin Encarnacion auto bat relic! I have no idea the insert rate of these as I don't know what group he's in.... BECAUSE TOPPS' WEBSITE SUCKS ASS!!!

I feel better now. All in all a good pack. I like these cards. A kajiilion times better than last year's "effort".

Thank the gods...

2011-07-25T12:54:00.000-06:00

It's back baby!

Get ready for the most insane free agency period EVAR!!!!

Trade Night at the LCS - Freebie Edition.

2011-07-22T13:55:00.000-06:00

This past Wednesday night was the monthly trade night at the card shop I go to. He had closed down his shop the week before, but it was only to move to a much larger location. Exciting news. So trade night was also opening night. I think it is safe to say that all went well. It's been awhile since I remember that many people still there at 9:30pm. It's been awhile since I've been there at 9:30pm.

Anyways, on with the cards. I got some freebies during the night. Remember Mike? The dude who pulled not one, not two, but three Bryce Harper autos? Well he gave me this sweet '77 Rob Belloir for my team set in progress.

He then proceeded to buy two 1982 Fleer cello packs and pull a Cal Ripken rookie card. A $6 Call Ripken rookie card.

I need mike to buy my lottery tickets. Or pick out my packs at least.

Darren the owner handed me a few base cards for '08 Legendary Cuts, which included this sweet Dodger card.
Night Owl, if you need it for your PC, you get first dibs :)

I then got two more Braves from a guy whose name completely escapes me at the moment. I feel shame.

But not enough to not show off this sweet horizontal Chipper Jones. Love that swing.

and my very first Fabulous Freddie Freeman card!!!

His walk up music needs to be Freebird. Just sayin'.

Fabulous Freddie Freeman ladies and gentlemen....

2011-07-19T20:40:00.000-06:00

so last night, Braves rookie 1st baseman Freddie Freeman hit his 15th homer and drove in his 50th RBI of the season. Freddie became the first Braves rookie to drive in 50 runs by or before July 18th since some guy named Henry Aaron in 1954.

No pressure kid.

all this from someone who looks like he should be handing me my fries. (Well, except for the whole 6'6" 227lbs thing)

If you'll notice I haven't shown any Freddie Freeman cards. That's because I don't have any. Seriously. Will someone out there hook a Braves fan up?

Keep swinging Freddie.

Oh! and for those of you who remember my Craig Kimbrel post from a couple of weeks ago, with his next save he'll set the Braves rookie record for saves with 30.

I'm going to need my shades.

The first, and last Allen & Ginter post on Waxaholic.

2011-07-13T21:35:00.001-06:00

This week marks the start of my least favourite time. Ginter time. Don't get me wrong, I love the product. And if I had more $$$ I'd chase the set. But we here in blogger land know what Ginter time means. It means All Ginter All the time. 24/7 on approximately 365 blogs for the next 6-8 weeks.

Now I try and read all of your blogs, because I truly enjoy reading everyone's differing opinions on stuff. The world is flat, Johnny Depp is a good actor, Yadier Molina is a good catcher... you know.... But sometimes it gets to be too much.

So, like last year, I will make one post about A&G and then no more (unless a card or two gets shown off in a trade post of course) After this, you may come to Waxaholic for a brief respite and a Ginter free zone.

We'll have cake and punch. It'll be fun.

So on we go to my two pack break. Here's what $9 got me.

Pack One:

First card I see, Brandon Beachy. Awesome.

And to bring me crashing back down to Earth, Ty Wigginton.

a former Brave, Rafael "I go where the big money is" Soriano

A hit! It's.... It's ...... Robinson ~~Crusoe~~. Er... Cano. Craptastic. A guy you hardly hear about, until he lucked out in the Home Run competition. But seriously, why was he even there? If anybody actually collects this guy, offer me a Brave relic somethingorother and we'll swap.

another former Brave, Mini Derrick Lee.

Strasburgjo!!!! A year too late I guess...

and some worthless insert of Lance Berkman.

Pack Two: Can I improve on pack one???
No. The answer is no.

Miguel Cabrera.

Nick Swisher. And my scanner is not playing tricks, nor am I hurt like Night Owl, it really is that bad off center.

former Brave Tim Collins. We had Tim for five minutes before trading him away for some Maple Bats.

The man no one wants.... Carlos Zambrano

Grady Sizemore

Mini Marmol! I always think of Robert Munsch when I say his name...

One of the Astros many pitchers named Rodriguez.... this one is Wandy. Seriously. Wandy.

and how would any pack break for a 2011 baseball product be complete, without a David DeJesus card.

All except Mr Beachy are for trade.... especially for any Braves or Adam LaRoche cards you may have.

Have fun Gintering!!!!!! Come back here for a well deserved break.

the world is coming to an end..... sooner than we thought.

2011-07-13T16:35:00.002-06:00

doesn't look like the Macho Man can save us from this one.............

NEW YORK (AP) -- The fan who returned Derek Jeter's ball from his 3,000th hit will get a bit of memorabilia to keep -- his own baseball card.

Topps says it will produce a trading card featuring Christian Lopez that will be included in sets later this year.

"We thought what he did captures the essence of what baseball and the Topps company is about," said Mark Sapir, Topps vice president for sports.
The recent college graduate with outstanding student loans will get some financial help, too.
Memorabilia dealer Brandon Steiner and sporting goods CEO Mitch Modell said they will make sure Lopez gets at least $50,000 toward his outstanding student loans of $150,000.

Steiner said he got a call on Wednesday from his buddy Modell, and they got the ball rolling. Steiner set up an auction of memorabilia that eventually will include baseballs signed by both Lopez and Jeter and said Modell is pledging five percent from the sale of Yankees-related merchandise at the Modell's chain during what will be called "Christian Lopez Week."
"That itself is a totally awesome situation right now for all parties involved," Lopez said.

What impressed the sports executives -- as well as countless fans across the country -- was the way a 23-year-old mobile phone salesman passed on the chance to sell the ball.
Instead, Lopez gave the ball to Jeter, saying he deserved to have the keepsake.
"Can you believe how good a mensch this kid was?" Steiner said.
Lopez has been overrun with requests since Saturday.
"It's been overwhelming to be honest with you," he said. "It's been a little crazy. But I'm handling it as best I can. I'm trying to get back to everybody I can."
That includes Topps.
"Yeah, I spoke with them a couple days ago," Lopez said. "All I know, is they kind of want to make a baseball card out of me."

Lopez was an avid collector as a kid. He said he has "probably a couple thousand baseball cards."
His favorite? A Yankees card, of course. It depicts Babe Ruth and one of the Yankees' owners at the time he came over from the Red Sox in 1920.
"It's a very dear card to me. I've had it for 15 years now or so," Lopez said.
Now he'll have another Yankees card to keep next to it.

2011 Goodwin Champions trade/swap/giveaway post

2011-07-08T10:40:00.000-06:00

Alright alright... settle down out there. We all know why you're here. There's been a billion posts on 2011 Goodwin Champions and this is just one more. I'll save you the review and just make it a show and trade post. Or a show and giveaway post if you have nothing I want.

If you've been following Cardboard Junkie, and really, who isn't? Then you've seen him go a little ga-ga over Champions. And rightly so. They're cool cards and his card shop sold him a stack really cheap. If there's anything you want or need to learn about these, go there. I'm just showing pictures for trade purposes.

John McGraw

Stevie Y!!!!!

Grant Hill.... I was just saying the other day I've never heard of this dude, now I have a card of him.

Keanu... I mean, Damien Hobgood.

Hey! A black bordered mini of Delino DeShields Jr the Second!!!

Now he's got a green bottom, what's that mean? and do all black border mini's have red Lady Luck backs?

Rhino is looking old. Real old. Nice sweater Mr Rogers.

A creepy pic of John Havlicek.

Hey look!!! Whitey Ford off to fight the bloody Germans after they bombed Pearl Harbour! Go get 'em Whitey!

Now this next one kind of blew me away. It's a die-cut from the Figures of Sports insert set. This card featuring an vastly over rated Jerry Rice. This is a box hit ladies and gentlemen. This is on par with autographs, relics, and printing plates. I just don't get this one....

Excuse me, do you have Jerry Rice in a can?
Why yes, yes I do.
Don't you think you oughtta let him out then? BWAHAHAHAAHAHHAA!!!!

moving on.

I'll finish up with my only short print, General Robert E. Lee. Apparently there is a car named after him.

You just heard the horn in your head, didn't you???? I knew it.

So there you have it. two packs, $9 worth. Whomever is looking for any of these, drop me a line. I'm sure dayf needs a couple... maybe Mr Lee since he's from that area...

I'm late and gotta catch up....

2011-07-04T13:55:00.000-06:00

The postal strike is over!! Which means it's finally here! My good friend John, or Jack Plumstead if you prefer, sent me the 2011 Topps Premier League sticker book!!! Now if you've been paying attention, yeah, I'm a wee late on starting this. The season has ended with Manchester United rightfully atop the standings.

No matter! Isnt it pretty?

John also sent along what must be considered a rack pack over there...... 11 packets for the price of 10!!!
Isn't it nice how they don't try and snow you by saying "One FREE bonus pack!" But I digress.

Those astute ones in the bunch have by now noticed the new feature for this year........

Yeah baby!!! 3D!!! Not all the stickers.... but quite a few, plus a lot of pages in the book.

The set also has large team stickers, here showing the best team in English football.

and smaller, regular size stickers. The section that shows off all the new kits, (uniforms) are in foil this year.

As are all of the team logos. I show Everton here in respect to my friend G_Moses.

Something new this season is a section for "Stars of the Future". Basically young and upcoming players. Yeah, they're rookie cards. But they don't need a one inch square rookie card logo.... Old school.

and of course the regular base stickers. 449 in all.

Thanks John!!!! If on the off chance that any of you are collecting this... I'm always available for swaps.

Happy Canada Day!

2011-07-01T09:11:00.000-06:00

Happy Canada Day!

Make it a safe and memorable one, eh!

to 100 faster than anyone before....

2011-06-29T14:38:00.000-06:00

Name me some great Braves pitchers. From any season. C'mon, even you 7 Braves haters that gather in your mom's basement once a month to stick pins in a Chipper Jones voodoo doll can acknowledge some amazingly great pitchers in the Braves past.

Smoltz, Glavine, maybe a guy named Spahn... well out of all the boys who have taken the mound representing the Braves, can you tell me who got to 100 strikeouts the fastest?

Okay, the pictures may have helped you. But for those of you who don't know yet, it was The Baby Faced Assassin, Craig Kimbrel.

100 K's in 59 1/3 innings. That's not bad. Can anybody besides dayf tell me who's record he broke???

All this from a kid who looks like he should be delivering my newspaper.

I'm not sure if he even shaves yet.

Go get 'em kid... I just hope Freddy doesn't wear your arm off....

Look what I found! Part 356

2011-06-28T22:42:00.000-06:00

As some of you know, I'm a very organized person. Neat and orderly. Except for my card collection. Go figure. But I've been working on it. And I am gaining on it. Slowly. But the key is that I am gaining.

One of the fun things about all of this, is coming across lost treasures in boxes and closets that I had forgotten about.

This is one of those. A Braves team set from the 1979 TCMA Baseball set. But we're not talking about Ted Turner's '79 Braves here. Oh no.

May I introduce you to Roy Hartsfield, 1950 and '51 Boston Braves 2nd baseman. Also the very first manager of the Blue Jays.

Buddy Kerr 1950 and '51 Boston Braves shortstop. I love these photos.

Del Crandall. Like dayf, I think up until Javy and BMac, Del was the greatest Braves catcher.

Sam Jethroe. Sam led the NL in steals and runs scored during his first two seasons in 1950 and '51.

Sid Gordon. Sid was one of the Braves sluggers for a few seasons after being acquired from the Giants. He was one of the ones who moved with the team from Boston to Milwaukee.

As expected, not all of the vintage photos can be perfect. Such as the case with Vern Bickford here.

Willard Marshall. Will only spent two season's with the Braves. Leaving for Cincinnati when Boston left for Milwaukee.

Johnny Logan, one of the Braves best shortstops of all time.

Some guy named Spahn. I think he was a pitcher.

Mr Eddie Matthews. Can you imagine sitting in that one room school house learning about fractions or something and looking out and seeing Eddie Freaking Matthews taking some cuts? Class dismissed.

I love these cards.... I may try and find the rest of the set now.... just what I need, right?

Payback!

2011-06-22T14:43:00.000-06:00

A couple of weekends ago, I dragged the wife out of town to one of the local nurseries to look at some trees and greenery for the back yard. She agreed a little too readily, but I unfortunately didn't notice at the time. After picking out some shrubbery, (why do I feel like watching Monty Python right now?) she volunteered to drive home. The second warning sign I missed. I must be getting old. Or I've given up and haven't yet noticed.

Anyways... I'm sure a lot of you have been trapped like this. On the way home, she pulled off onto a different road and into a yard sale. All the signs in front of me and I missed all of them. Now I'm doomed for a morning of yard sales. Fantastic. Now what? Think fast man!

I did what any sane person would do. No, not cower in the back of the truck in the fetal position.... I got revenge. Payback if you will.

I bought stuff. Stuff I know would annoy the hell out of my wife. Want to see?

I bought books. Old books. Books about stuff she couldn't care less about. And I plan on leaving them laying around half read throughout the house.

There's some beauties in there... .25 cents each! The bottom three on the left were a box set for .50 cents!
You should've seen her cringe when I asked her to hold some of them while I dug for more....

and then there's the cards! Oh yeah! Again, out of a .25 cent box. How come I can't find a card shop with a .25 cent box, or even a card show with one, but I can find one at a yard sale in rural Alberta?

That's Big Andruw, an unopened pack of 5x7 cards from an Esso gas station, a Pavel Bure Young Gun rookie card with a Pat Fallon Team Canada rookie card in one of theose double holder thingies.... and not one, but two Eric Lindros rookie cards in screw down holders.
I used to sell those for $40.... now I'm buying them for .25.... with a $2 screw down holder included.

The look on her face when I held those up and shouted to her from 30 feet away, "Honey! Look!"

I added a rusty old metal Coca Cola sign and a lantern from the wagon train days for $5 so I could put them in the garage where she parks. She sees them just sitting there every day, twice a day now.

And I no longer am asked to go to yard sales with her.

I need to write a book or something....

Does this make me one of "them"???

2011-06-20T10:06:00.002-06:00

I caved. I relented. I gave in. I conceded. For the first time in just over 19 years, I fell off the wagon. There were no 12 steps to save me. My dealer merely smiled and took my money.

I bought....... a Beckett.

For the first time since spring of 1992, I bought a beckett price guide. Even typing the words price guide gives me the shivers.
Did you know these things are now $10??? And that's only because my dealer wants everyone to be hooked so he doesn't charge the $15 cover price?!!
Not only that, but they are now 3/4 " thick! I should be able to read for hours! But no. Out of 168 pages, 14 pages of advertisements, 8 pages of stories, and 144 pages of price guide. All in glorious black and white, blurry newsprint.
Does this mean that everytime someone offers me a trade that I'll go sprinting over to check to see if I'm giving up a $40 card and only getting $38 in cards back? No.
I needed a handy printed checklist to look up cards because there are waaaay too many sets out there that I don't know about. After perusing this...... it may or may not work. Too soon to tell.

So out of this, I have two questions.... #1 Does this make me one of them? You know the guy I'm talking about...... I don't think so, but we're entering perilous waters here....
and question #2.... How do I tell my wife? Confused? Here's part two to my story....

Because I always need a good laugh, I started to look up some of my cards in the .... "price guide" section. I'm sitting there, chuckling away, when my wife happens along. She asks what I'm doing, and then offers to help. Now she rarely helps with anything card related except opening packs.... so I accept her offer.

Spending time with her, check. Still playing with sportscards, check. Good times, check.

I soon realized that it was a huge mistake. As I continued to pull out cards, she kept looking up their "worth". I was in big trouble.
After an hour, my wife had figured out just by using this small sample size, then multiplying by what I had upstairs, that we were millionaires. She couldn't understand why I wasn't as excited as she was.... there was no bursting her bubble. Deep into her beautiful brown eyes were dollar signs.... lots of them.
The next day I came home and there were vacation brochures on the counter. Belize, Bora Bora, and Montenegro.

I don't even know where Montenegro is.....

Then she comes home with a new car.

After reviving me, she explained it was just a test drive, and would I like to take it for a spin?

So I ask you, how the hell do I explain to her reality. And that this price guide is the furthest thing from it???
Why do they even print a price guide that haas no prices even close to true value???

Hockey players are tougher than baseball players......

2011-06-13T15:38:00.000-06:00

this is too true.......

Top 10 Hockey Tough Guys and Their Baseball Counterparts

10: Ian Laperriere, Philadelphia Flyers:

During the first period of a game versus the Buffalo Sabres, Laperriere stopped a wicked slap shot with his mouth and lost seven teeth in the process. An injury this gruesome should require at least a few weeks eating through a straw and drooling all over yourself. Not for a hockey player. Laperriere sat out the second period while he received 100 stitches. He then returned to the ice for the third period and didn’t miss a game all season.
This led to what may be one of the greatest headlines in Philadelphia sports history: “Puck Out Indefinitely After Taking a Laperriere to the Face”

Meanwhile, in Baseball ...

In 2004 Sammy Sosa spent 15 days on the disabled list with back spasms caused by sneezing too hard.

9: Martin St Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning:

During game one of the 2011 Eastern Conference playoffs vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins, the diminutive Lightning winger got two teeth knocked out by a high stick. Of course, he finished the game and underwent a double root canal the next day.
In the next series against the Washington Capitals, he took two more shots to the mouth and the team's dentists had to cement three of his teeth back in. After each game he’d spend 40 minutes in the trainer’s room draining the pus and trying to re-stabilize his teeth so he could continue in the series.

Meanwhile, in Baseball ...

Outfielder Kevin Mitchell and donuts were close friends. One night, in a fit of desperate craving, Mitchell microwaved a frozen donut just a little too long. The donut hardened and as he chomped down he broke his tooth. The broken tooth led to a root canal and a trip to the disabled list for two weeks of rest, relaxation and properly defrosted donuts.

8: Eddie Shore, Boston Bruins

Back in 1925 during practice (when practice wasn’t inspired by Allen Iverson) Shore’s ear was nearly ripped off during a confrontation with teammate Billy Coutu. Shore visited several doctors who all told him that the ear would have to be amputated. After an exhaustive search, Shore found one doctor who was willing to try sewing it back on. And near as I can tell from a Google image search, the ear stayed put.
Shore, the original tough guy hockey player, refused anesthetics, used a mirror to watch the good doctor work his magic and then played in the next game.

Meanwhile, in Baseball ...

Spending a lot of time in the sun while wearing a baseball hat can lead to an awkward tan line. You know, the one where your chin, nose and cheeks are a perfect golden brown but your forehead stays as white as your bottom. This must have really annoyed Marty Cordova because the former Baltimore Orioles outfielder was known to spend a lot of his down-time in a tanning bed. During one visit, the 1995 Rookie of the Year got a little too relaxed, fell asleep and the resulting tanning bed burns forced him to miss a few games.

7: Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning

During game seven of the 2011 Eastern Conference finals, the 21-year-old Stamkos took a slapshot to the face that badly broke his nose and left a lot of blood on the ice. But this was game seven. A winner-take-all for a trip to the Stanley Cup finals and Stamkos wasn’t about to spend the rest of the game in the locker room.
Like Humpty Dumpty before him, the Lightning training staff worked feverishly to put the young center back together again. Stamkos returned to the ice only five minutes later with a nose packed with cotton, some temporary stitches and a full face cage.

Meanwhile, in Baseball ...

Diamondbacks pitcher Brian Anderson ended up losing the feeling in his pitching arm after a 20-minute cab ride to shop on Rodeo Drive. Anderson blamed the numbness in his elbow from laying his pitching arm across the top of the backseat. Quite possibly the first time a professional athlete was injured by the backseat of a cab.

6: Jeremy Roenick, Phoenix Coyotes:

Roenick was once one of the scrappiest players in the NHL and he had his share of enemies around the league. One of those enemies was 6’5” 240 lbs Dallas Stars defenseman Darian Hatcher. Hatcher lined up Roenick behind the net one game and gave the winger a crushing elbow to the face and head that broke his jaw in multiple places. Hatcher was immediately ejected. Roenick paused, skated to the bench, spit out some blood and stuck his fingers into his mouth to adjust the shattered remnants of his jaw. He took his next shift.

Meanwhile, in Baseball ...

During a post-game interview, Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan tore the meniscus in his left knee while smashing a shaving cream pie into the face of teammate Wes Helms. Coghlan missed six weeks after surgery.

5: Paul Kariya, Anaheim Mighty Ducks

During game six of the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs, New Jersey Devils defenseman Scott Stevens lined up Kariya in the open ice and leveled the Ducks captain and star player. Kariya was knocked out cold and lay motionless on the ice. After several seconds Kariya regained consciousness and teammates helped him off the ice and into the locker room.
It was assumed that Kariya would be out for the remainder of the series, but just 11 minutes later Kariya skated back out onto the ice. Not only did he return to play, he also scored a goal to lead the Ducks to victory and force a game seven.

Meanwhile, in Baseball ...

Braves outfielder Terry Harper separated his shoulder while waving a teammate home and subsequently high-fiving him. There is no excuse for this, unless the teammate rounding third was Brock Lesnar.

4: Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins

While on pace to break Wayne Gretzky’s single season scoring record, the Penguins superstar announced that he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and would have to undergo radiation treatment for at least two months. Lemieux’s life and career were both threatened.
On the last day of his radiation treatment, Lemieux left a Pittsburgh hospital headed for the airport and flew directly to Philadelphia for a game THAT NIGHT. In his first game back he scored a goal and an assist and even got a standing ovation from the Philadelphia fans; fans who are best known for their accuracy throwing batteries at the opposition, not giving applause.
Despite missing two months of action, Lemieux captured the scoring title with 160 points on the year. To put that in perspective, Daniel Sedin led the league in 2011 with 106 points.

Meanwhile, in Baseball ...

Cincinnati Reds Pitcher Steve Foster injured his shoulder knocking over milk bottles during a segment with Jay Leno on “The Tonight Show”.

3: Bobby Baun, Toronto Maple Leafs

In the 1964 Stanley Cup finals against the Detroit Red Wings, the Maple Leafs blue liner blocked a Gordie Howe shot with his ankle and fell to the ice in pain. Baun had to be carried off the ice with a stretcher and suspected the ankle was broken. In true hockey player style, Baun refused x-rays and instead opted for a "tight tape job". The game went into overtime and it was Baun who scored the game-winner forcing a game seven.
Still refusing to have the ankle x-rayed for fear the team wouldn’t allow him to play, Baun popped some painkillers and headed to the ice for game seven. He didn’t miss a shift and the Leafs cruised to a 4-0 victory. Afterward Baun finally had that x-ray which revealed a badly broken ankle.

Meanwhile, in Baseball ...

Milwaukee Brewers knuckleballer Steve Sparks attended a motivational speaking seminar where the host ripped phone books in half! The session worked, Sparks was so fired up he tried to do the stunt himself…and dislocated his shoulder.

2: Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Montreal Canadiens

In game seven of the Stanley Cup semifinals between the Canadiens and the Boston Bruins, Richard was upended and landed on the ice head-first. These were the days before helmets, and Richard lay motionless surrounded by a growing pool of blood. After regaining consciousness he was helped off the ice by teammates and into the locker room.
To the surprise of everyone in the arena, Richard came back to the bench in the third period with a bandage on his forehead and a jersey still soaked in his own blood. He bounded onto the ice, blood still tricking down his face, and took the puck coast-to-coast through the entire Bruins team to score the winning goal. Many still refer to it as “the greatest goal in the history of the game”.

Meanwhile, in Baseball ...

Enigmatic Giants third baseman Chris Brown once asked out of the lineup because of a strained eyelid that made it difficult to blink. When asked the cause of his injury, he informed the skipper that “he slept on it wrong.”

1: Clint Malarchuk, Buffalo Sabres

One of the most gruesome injuries ever sustained in professional sports was back in 1989 when Sabres goaltender Clint Malarchuk was struck in the throat by another skate. The skate blade sliced open his interior carotid artery and a scene from a Horror movie played out before the fans eyes. Malarchuk rose on his own power and skated toward the nearest door off the ice.
It's odd to say that Malarchuk had luck on his side, but he did. The closest door led to the on-site emergency room where the medical staff was able to stabilize the bleeding enough for transport to a local hospital. Three hundred stitches later the wound was closed and Malarchuk was saved.
What makes this the ultimate Hockey player story? A mere four days later Malarchuk was back on the ice for practice, and a week after that he started in goal against the Quebec Nordiques.

Meanwhile, in Baseball ...

Just before the 2006 American League Championship Series, Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joel Zumaya strained his arm and was unavailable for most of the series. How did he get hurt? Playing too much Guitar Hero.

The Night Time is the Right Time

2011-06-11T16:34:00.000-06:00

A little while ago the infamous Night Owl put up some cards on his blog from teh 2009 OPC baseball set. I love this set and have been trying to complete it for sometime now. I casually inquired (read: BEGGED) for any help with completion that he may be able to offer.

Well wouldn't you know, N.O. had the last card I needed to complete the set.

Awesome. Owl also sent over one of the inserts I need as well. (I'm trying to complete all the insert sets also)

32 Yankees in the picture but somehow it's Jeter that is saluting the crowd. This just in... there are other Yankees on the ballclub... and more talented ones too..... over rated has been...

Of course Owl felt guilty sending over a Phillie and a Yankee. Who wouldn't??? So he softened the blow by including a bunch of Braves and a few random hockey cards. (I'm Canadian, you know, eh?)

Mr Murphy from that new fangled Gypsy set all the kids are talking about....

and his friend JHey.

Tommy Hanson about to unleash a fastball that is so fast it will strike you out. Last week. Before you even came to town.

An old Chipper!!! You know this sucker is gettting peeled.

A shiny of the best catcher in baseball. Odd how finally the sports "journalists" are now calling him that. I've been doing it for years.

And a gold Frenchie! I miss Jeff. I'm glad he's playing really well for the ~~Chiefs.~~ I mean Royals.

I now have the black, blue, and gold Frenchie's from that set. I only need the orange.

Among the random hockey cards was one of one of my all-time favourite players. Lyle Odelein.

I had the privilege of meeting Lyle a number of years ago. And it was a privilege. Lyle is one of those golly gee shucks kind of guys who is humbled and honoured that someone would even recognize him, let alone be a fan. Thanks for the beers Lyle.

And thanks to Night Owl for all of the cards, including those that I was waaay too lazy to scan. A return package is on the way to you.

My easiest trade ever.

2011-06-06T12:25:00.000-06:00

I don't do a lot of trading with other bloggers much anymore. It takes a lot of time, which I always seem to have none of. I prefer the old way. I get a stack of cards of a certain team, then fire them off to someone as a surprise. It's fun, and does not take any time at all.

However, most of the kids trade nowadays, so time to get with it.

I was perusing my blogroll the other day when I found a post from Bo of Baseball Cards Come To Life fame.

Bo had issued a plea, NAY!, a cry for help. He was missing one card for his 1991 Fleer set. Ryne Sandberg. Well looking through my box, I found 8 or so and decided I could spare one. I put out an email to Bo saying I would send him one.

He told me to look through his tradelist for something I wanted. This made me a wee uncomfortable as asking for something in return for '91 Fleer is bad mojo. I said I would send him the Sandberg gratis, however if he really wanted to send me something, there was a card I liked.

Of course Bo sent it.

1983 Topps #411. One card closer to my Braves team set. Awesome.

Thanks Bo!!!

I need '89 Topps! and other things.....

2011-06-04T19:32:00.000-06:00

Yes... the phrase you never thought you'd ever hear from a card blogger... I need '89 Topps baseball. And some other years as well.

So if you have this card....

or any of his friends that I need.... please dig through your closets, under your bed, the bottom of the recycle bin, and save them for me.
I finally got off my butt and finished my Topps Braves want list. Well, from 1952 through 1991 anyways.... '92 until now is going to be a bitch.

So if you have Topps baseball cards from 1952 to 1991, and wish to help, please go HERE to checkout my wantlist.
I thank you.

Card Show Bounty Baseball style....

2011-05-29T18:03:00.000-06:00

At the last card show of the year I managed to pick up some baseball cards. Hard to believe, but there was a couple of sellers there with baseball cards.

Of course, the one list I forgot to bring was my vintage Topps Braves wants/needs. No matter, carry on.

1958 Joe Adcock. These first 6 cards cost me $15. Not great, but something about beggars and choosers comes to mind.

1954 Bowman Jim Wilson.

I was thrilled to add this ultra rare sideways variant of this 1972 Hank Aaron card. This could also qualify for Night Owl's badass club in my opinion.

A 1955 Gene Conley. And I already have it. Always bring your lists kids.

a 1975 Topps Mini of Johnny Oates. And I already have it. Always, ALWAYS bring your lists kids.

I was able to add another card to my 1976 Topps set. Only 24 more to go!!!!!!

I got these next two cards for a $1 apiece. Both black bordered Braves from 2009 OPC baseball.
Brian McCann and

Jair Jurrjens...

These next two cards were gifts from two different attendees.
First, a John Smoltz that you can literally use as a mirror. The scan does not reflect that (see what I did there?) But it is that shiny and smooth.

and a Gold 2011 Bowman Chipper!!!

I also got a few vintage cards not seen here, but they have been mailed off to other bloggers. Or soon will be.
It was great to be able to browse some old baseball cards again.

you want Bryce Harper autos? I have Bryce Harper autos....

2011-05-25T21:40:00.000-06:00

Sothe other night was trade night at Maple Leaf Sports, my local card shop. I'm not even going to make jokes about it being 45 minutes away in light traffic. This is serious business.
2011 Bowman had made it's appearance. And believe it or not, there are a few baseball collectors coming out of the woodwork up here in the Great White North. Especially the hit chasers.

The jumbos got ravaged first. I had thoughts of picking up a box. Just for the Braves. And some guy named ~~Stras~~... Harper. But by the time I cleared the mothballs from my wallet, all the jumbos were gone. Sold. Cracked. Wrappers everywhere. A bunch of hockey collectors walking around confused why they don't see ice or skates on these guys....

I looked at the "hit ratio" for regular hobby, only one auto per box, and said to myself, Nah........

So my buddy Mike stepped up and grabbed one. A few packs in he pulls his auto. Yeah, if you've been paying attention, it was Bryce Harper chrome rookie auto.

Euphoria ensues... the heaven's part, angels are singing, doves are let loose as everyone gathers around to see the magical card that has just paid his next two months mortgage payments. As Mike goes to show off his prize, and if you've been paying attention to the title (look again if you need to, now back to me), he notices another card stuck to the back of th Chrome Harper auto.

As he seperates the two, his Chrome Harper auto becomes a Chrome Harper auto and a Blue Bordered Chrome Harper auto.

Make that his next 6 mortgage payments.

Surprisingly, Mike made it out of the shop safely.

If anyone wants to see the magnificent glory that is The Harper. Please check out Maple Leaf Sport's Hit blog.... HERE. You can magnify the pic if you dare by clicking on it.....

The End of the World Prevented....

2011-05-21T22:13:00.001-06:00

So the Rapture, the end of the world as we know it, didn't happen as widely predicted. Randy "Macho Man" Savage, left us yesterday in a tragic car accident.

Coincidence???

OHHHHHH YEEAHHHHH!!!!!!!!

You've heard of Seal Team Six...

2011-05-20T21:21:00.001-06:00

well this has nothing to do with them. But it does have to do with an insert set called Team Six from 2005 Absolute Playoff Baseball. A couple of weeks ago the owner of my local card shop went to the Expo in Toronto. I talk like I know what the Expo is, but I have no idea. All I know is that the card manufacturers are there as well as a whole mess o' dealers. So it's basically a big card show on steroids. I think.

Anyways.... Darren came back with little gifts for all of his best customers. And for some reason he brought me something too.

Here we have the best top 3 pitching rotation in baseball. Damn I miss these guys.

but that's not all.... look at the back! Andruw Jones!!! and ... and... two other guys!!

And here it gets even better. How's this for a 3-4-5 in the batting order? Chipper, Murph, and Andruw. Awesome.

but that's not all! Look at the back! The Big Cat! Raffy! and.... and.... some other guy!

Really cool cards from an era when I wasn't collecting. Even if I was, I would have never pulled these....

But here's where it gets complicated. Do I put these cards in my Chipper box? My Glavine box? My Smoltzie box? My Andruw box? My Maddux box? Seriously. I have monster boxes devoted to each of these guys.

Suggestions?

I'm gonna need some sharp scissors.

Thanks Darren!

The Ned Braden of the 2011 NHL...

2011-05-17T21:17:00.000-06:00

Most if not all of you know who Ned Braden is. He was the star player in the greatest sports movie ever made, Slapshot. Ned had a small problem. He was an outstanding skill player on a team of goons. And he refused to play the goon game. Despite being their best player, coach Reggie Dunlap benched him until he played a 'team game'.

May I introduce you to Mr Tyler Seguin. The modern day Ned Braden. The #2 pick behind Taylor Hall has been a healthy scratch more often that not. Including every playoff game except the last two. Coach Julien says he "has not learned the Boston style of play" and... " he will not play the Bruin way." What he means is that Tyler....

will not play like this. Dr Hook Tim McCracken.

His hand forced by injuries, Julien hasa let Seguin play despite his lack of goonery... and Tyler has responded by scoring 3 goals and 3 assists in 2 games. By far Boston's most talented player, Tyler electrified the home crowd during a 4 point second period tonight on route to a 6-5 win over Tampa Bay.

Coach Julien has said with Patrice Bergeron returning for game 3, it's no guarantee that the inexperienced youngster will play.
He better.
If Boston wants to beat the more talented Lightning, they had better play Seguin, and they had better ride him the whole way.

Because if Tyler gets tired of the zoo.... it can only lead to this....

and I'm just not ready for that.

Call of the Year so far.......

2011-05-11T13:00:00.000-06:00

It's Game 7 in the AHL between the Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal's affiliate) and the Manitoba Moose (Vancouver's affiliate) The winner takes the series. It goes to one overtime. It goes to a second overtime. It goes to a third overtime........

Dustin Boyd of Hamilton ends the game and series 6 seconds into the third overtime period. Awesome.

Gus Johnson, eat your heart out.

Mr Smith goes to...... Dallas!

2011-04-29T11:21:00.000-06:00

As most of you know, the 2011 NFL draft began last night with the 1st round in primetime.

A few surprises took place, but with the Cowboys, they did nothing stupid. They didn't trade up or down, just stood pat and drafted the best and meanest Offensive Lineman in the draft. Meet Tyron Smith from USC.

Tyron is a wee undersized for the Cowboys line at 6'6" and 315 pounds. But I'm sure the training staff will have another 20 lbs of muscle on him by Week One.

Mr Smith, meet Mr Romo. He is the reason you exist.

Mr Smith, no one... no one, may touch Mr Romo. Got it?

Good boy... now the buffet...

... and the weight room are to your left. Help yourself, See you in three months.

Tommy Hanson....

2011-04-27T23:05:00.000-06:00

Tommy Hanson once threw a no-hitter... with a bowling ball.

Tommy Hanson can win a game of Connect Four in three moves.

Behind tommy Hanson's beard is not a chin, but a 102 mph fastball.

Tommy Hanson is the reason Waldo is in hiding...

there once was a street named Tommy Hanson, but they had to change the name. No one survives after crossing Tommy Hanson.

And for the ladies....

Edward can't read Bella's mind because Bella is always thinking about Tommy Hanson.

It's been officially decided... and the winner is....

2011-04-26T11:17:00.000-06:00

the voting is over. You the people have spoken. Although to be honest, some of you need professional help.

Our friend Night Owl needed a new Dodger Girl. And with the results of your voting, one has been chosen.

In third place, Audrina Patridge.

In second place, Shawn Johnson, seen here with her cousin. Apparently that side got all the height.

And the winner is........ Lauren Conrad. Although Owl himself may have influenced the voting early on. But it's his babe, not mine... so we'll let it slide.

Congrats Lauren There are no prizes, although if you contact Owl through his blog, I'm sure he'll buy you lunch to celebrate. I hope you like tacos.

Now for those of you still with me... I need to talk about the 8 of you that chose Kim Kardashian. This was a serious poll to help out a friend, and joke voting nearly threw the results out of whack.
And if you seriously voted for her.... seek help immediately. I can put you in touch with a counsellor if need be. You're sick. Sick and in need of help.

One card kindness....

2011-04-22T16:26:00.001-06:00

I was at this month's trade night at the old card shop the other night. And while these nights are always dominated with hockey, there are 2 or 3 of us that dabble in the lesser sports. While I was at one end of the store, apparently there was some busting going on at the other end. Well wouldn't you know that my friend Jamie walks over and hands me this beauty...

Tony and Dez delight! /50. Free. Gratis. I miss football already. When is training camp?

My friend, Mr Night Owl, is in trouble. Please help.

2011-04-18T09:57:00.000-06:00

For those of you who read Night Owl's blog, and I think you all do... you know by now that he is in crisis. He is facing reality that he must take down the picture off of his blog of his beloved Alyssa Milano. Now me, I'm not that into her. But I ain't into the Dodgers either.

However none of that matters as Owl is my friend, and he needs help.

This is where we come in. I'll have a poll up on the sidebar to help Owl choose his new Dodger Girl. And you, the voters, will help decide.
Here are the potential candidates, in alphabetical order, so no favouritism.

Audrina Partridge, wearing number 59. Who wears 59 for the Dodgers? No idea. Ask the Owl.

I think Joe has cast his vote.

Kim Kardashian wearing number 25. Please god, no one choose her.... maybe for the Mets...

a benefit for Kim is you not only get her, but her whole family as well. Take that as a plus, or a minus.

Lauren Conrad wearing number 7. Very cute. Leader of the pack so far....

Shawn Johnson wearing number 10. Now this one I know. Night Owl's favourite player wore number 10.
and it's Shawn Johnson. We all know what she can do. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge...

Victoria Beckham in a '70's warm up jacket. Very retro. And she's married to an athlete far more skilled than any baseball player. Owl may not want to hear that. So she may not do to well in the vote. But it is up to you!

Whitney Port wearing the old 00. Nice.

If it matters, her first pitch was actually a darn good throw. All of the others, not so much. So she gets the athletes vote.

There you have your finalists for Night Owl's new Dodger Girl. Google them if you must for further, uh.... research material. It's all in the name of science. And helping a friend.

Right?

Now vote!

Hey Look! A Contest!!!

2011-04-12T13:07:00.000-06:00

It's playoff time peeps, and that means it's time for the third annual Waxaholic NHL Playoff contest.

only it's not here, it's going to be over at Just A Bit Offside this year. So go there. Now. Don't worry, Meagan will still be here when you get back. Go!

from out of the Blue, some Orange!

2011-04-02T20:04:00.001-06:00

now that blogger is working and I can actually post images again, we'll try this posting thing again.

One of the things that really sucks about the horrible crap that Topps is putting out baseball wise is that I haven't bought much of any baseball cards in over a year. And what really sucks is that means a massive cutdown on trades. I trade a lot of hockey, but most of you are baseball only.

But a few days ago, I got a package from an address I remembered. Inside were about 25-30 Braves, including Mr Hanson Orange border refractor

A Yunel orange refractor (one of the worst trades we've made btw)

Brandon Hicks RC super xfractor thingie

and one of our CF by comittee members, also a superXfractor thingie.

there was no note or anything, but I knew the address to be of Marie from A Cardboard Problem. Apparently these Braves were just gathering dust on one of her shelves.
Thanks Marie! I love this hobby! Troll out!

oh.... wait... wrong blog....

You're not quite ready for baseball season yet!

2011-03-30T15:53:00.000-06:00

So the baseball season is finally upon us. I've helped you choose which team to root for HERE, but I already hear some of you complaining that the baseball season is too long.

And it is. 162 games is ridiculous. 80 would do just fine. But then the players and owners wouldn't make as much money, now would they?

So in an effort to help you out, (I'm always here for you) I give you this calendar/chart. It will show you just how long you really have to pay attention during the season.

If you have ADD, may I suggest the Pirates or the Royals?

click to enlarge if necessary

good luck, and enjoy your (partial) season!

Too true...

2011-03-23T22:10:00.000-06:00

Well I'm back and I'm alive. Mostly. But while I was away for work, my scanner decided to take a vacation. As soon as I find my hammer, we'll be back in business. Until then, let's just enjoy this screen cap

courtesy of Rowland's Office.

Promoting a good cause...

2011-03-14T12:24:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I don't normally do these types of things, but I've had a couple of requests. And you know I can't say no to beautiful women. Well, I assume they're beautiful. Email can be tricky sometimes. But one thing is for certain... the videos they are pimping have beautiful women in them, so there's that. On with the promoting.

The New York Jets Flight Crew are having auditions this April 1, 2, 3. But to jump right to the finals, and avoid any preliminary tryouts, just send them a video of no longer than 60 seconds. Introduce yourself, and bust a move. Do the kids still say that? Anyways, here's Waxaholic favourite Jessica to show us how.

once again, send those videos to flightcrew@newyorkjets.com

If you're a sothern gal, you'll maybe want to try out for the Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders. Better hurry though, tryouts are in person and are coming fast. March 20, 2011.

for more info, go to www.atlantafalcons.com/cheerleaders/auditions/

Coincidently ladies, those videos can also be sent to me as an audition to be my next ex-wife. Just sayin'.

And that's it for me folks. I'll be out of the city for a week for work. Not much if any internet time. If I miss anything good, leave a comment and I'll get to it when i get back.

I'm here to help you....

2011-03-03T09:41:00.000-07:00

With the beginning of spring training and the real baseball season looming on the horizon, I know several of you are torn on who to cheer for.

Well ole Canuck is here to help. Just take a look at the handy dandy flow chart below, and follow the simple instructions.

The chart should enlarge if clicked on....

Wasn't that easy? Now tell me, who are you cheering for this year?