tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45256369424934019772024-03-14T15:07:08.188-04:00Shoebox Legendsshoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.comBlogger2258125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-66117906731794249002021-03-05T08:00:00.003-05:002021-03-05T08:00:42.293-05:00Weekly Round-Up - A New Endeavor & a Legend Takes a Break<p>Boy it's been a rough and challenging week on the work/professional front. Glad I have cards, this blog, this hobby and this great community to keep me engaged in something I enjoy. I've been busy on the card front, here are some recent updates...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgGFjZSn8sk/YEIm_uSySVI/AAAAAAAA-kg/53K8Na-DfHoo8x6nQ-9gwwomVSkPsMUeACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2013PaniniPrizmSilver103-BGS9.5Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1300" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgGFjZSn8sk/YEIm_uSySVI/AAAAAAAA-kg/53K8Na-DfHoo8x6nQ-9gwwomVSkPsMUeACLcBGAsYHQ/w254-h400/2013PaniniPrizmSilver103-BGS9.5Photo.jpeg" width="254" /></a></div><p>I've been really busy with creating content for my new <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UConVOE0YWDOzr4O91R4Tb0g" target="_blank">YouTube channel</a>. As I said before, I have no intention whatsoever of abandoning this blog after more than a dozen years running. That being said, I am really enjoying a fresh way to generate hobby content. It's certainly a lot less time consuming to turn on a camera and talk for a few minutes than to scan cards and type up a post, and some cards just plain <i>look better</i> on video. Each outlet has its strengths and weaknesses.</p><p>If you have a few minutes to stop by, maybe you'll enjoy some of the videos. Maybe you won't and that's okay too, but I do keep them to less than 10 minutes in length so I won't waste too much of your valuable time! Anyway, in my latest video I showed off the absolutely awesome Ovechkin card above, which is now my second favorite card of The Great 8!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-UqxbkqnEM/YEIojLT6u3I/AAAAAAAA-ko/x6SIy6tHM4MvlB2NRi3fuMIxb8zA1TDegCLcBGAsYHQ/s1038/2008O-Pee-CheeBoxBottomOvechkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="736" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-UqxbkqnEM/YEIojLT6u3I/AAAAAAAA-ko/x6SIy6tHM4MvlB2NRi3fuMIxb8zA1TDegCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2008O-Pee-CheeBoxBottomOvechkin.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Here's one more Ovi while we're at it. Recently I stumbled upon a seller who had no less than 10 of these retro box bottom cards from 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee for sale for 25 cents each. I've always loved the retro parallels this year, and completed the entire 600-card set in retro parallel format, but I didn't have any of these box bottom cards. I bought all ten copies of Ovechkin for $2.50!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1hUBW7DU4A/YEIpbntJSbI/AAAAAAAA-kw/v-FJqT9iDhMf2XoGlh4rNrfCJ-AL28xgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1051/2018BowmanHolidayFestiveGreenTH-RD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="743" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1hUBW7DU4A/YEIpbntJSbI/AAAAAAAA-kw/v-FJqT9iDhMf2XoGlh4rNrfCJ-AL28xgwCLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/2018BowmanHolidayFestiveGreenTH-RD.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><p>Getting excited for baseball season, and I showed a few nice Rafael Devers pickups on my YouTube channel earlier in the week. Here's one that I did not show though, a "Green Festive" parallel from the 2018 Bowman Holiday set. I thought it was kind of a cool oddball rookie of Raffy, with the whole holiday sweater vibe in the background, and it's numbered to /99 as well.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FJsdrMaPHlo/YEIp3RJ7flI/AAAAAAAA-k4/rD8tFrhWfQ8kWYv-DC9qNI9lQ9eHsDaPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s695/FujiCard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="498" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FJsdrMaPHlo/YEIp3RJ7flI/AAAAAAAA-k4/rD8tFrhWfQ8kWYv-DC9qNI9lQ9eHsDaPQCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/FujiCard.jpg" title="Yes, this is an official Fuji RC and no, it's NOT for sale!" width="286" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>(Yes this is an official Fuji RC, and no it's not for sale!) </i><br /></p><p>Lastly, and most importantly, I wanted to give a huge shout-out to Mark, aka San Jose Fuji! He <a href="http://sanjosefuji.blogspot.com/2021/03/taking-break.html">announced yesterday</a> that he'll be stepping back and taking a break from operating his blog for a bit due to fatigue and burnout, which is certainly understandable. I will certainly miss his enthusiasm for our hobby and his awesome weekly recap posts that have turned me onto many awesome cards and many other great blogs as well.<br /></p><p>I think you will all agree with me that Fuji has absolutely been one of THE most supportive people out there when it comes to reading all of our blogs and providing insightful comments over the years. In fact, I'd wager he's left more comments on card-related blogs than anyone else in history?!?! Prove me wrong!</p><p>In any event, I am so appreciative of everything that Mark does for our hobby that I wanted to specifically thank him here. Fuji, I hope you enjoy your well-deserved break, get your collection organized and enjoy some other aspects of our hobby, and I guarantee you we will all be here to resume reading your fantastic content if/when you ever decide it's time to return! THANK YOU, you are truly a "Shoebox Legend" in my book!</p><p>To everyone else, thanks as always for stopping by, and be safe out there!</p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-36933030251492568412021-02-28T18:00:00.003-05:002021-03-01T08:48:33.263-05:00The 400-Goal Club - Bellows, Sittler & Fedorov<p>Time for the next installment of The 400-Goal Club, where we look at some potentially lesser-known (at least to the casual fan) scorers who hung up their skates after topping 400 career NHL goals, but prior to reaching the esteemed 500-goal plateau...<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6B93iTvuUE/YDFJsfPiivI/AAAAAAAA-XM/WuZu8ZudScQbCcQnsfD_ZsCRW4B56RmcACLcBGAsYHQ/s699/2012PaniniClassicsSignaturesAuto110.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="498" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6B93iTvuUE/YDFJsfPiivI/AAAAAAAA-XM/WuZu8ZudScQbCcQnsfD_ZsCRW4B56RmcACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2012PaniniClassicsSignaturesAuto110.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Brian Bellows - 485 Goals</b></p><p>Here's a name that's very familiar to fans of the game during the 1980s, Brian Bellows! Brian was the second overall pick in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft, and made an immediate impact for the Minnesota North Stars. He scored an impressive 35 goals as a rookie in 1982-83, at just 18 years of age, and never looked back during his tenure with Minnesota. After an amazing run through the 1980s with the North Stars, Brian was sitting on 342 goals after completing his age 27 season, and looked like a lock for both 500 career goals and the HOF.</p><p>After a trade to the Canadiens, he won the Stanley Cup in his first season in Montreal. In the following seasons though he'd miss significant numbers of games, and was out of the NHL entirely after his age 34 season. He finished just 15 goals shy of 500, and since that one Stanley Cup is the sum total of all the hardware he accumulated during his career, you rarely if ever hear him mentioned in conversations about who should be enshrined. Certainly a member of the Hall of Very Good, though!</p><p>Again, I chose this 2012-13 Panini Classics Signatures auto for the post, because these cards are just plain awesome.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_5auVo-Zbg/YDFK2f4LKbI/AAAAAAAA-XU/K6m7QzuT1ZU_kHVH5bqnIyHd0zXK5AV-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s695/1979Topps120.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="498" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_5auVo-Zbg/YDFK2f4LKbI/AAAAAAAA-XU/K6m7QzuT1ZU_kHVH5bqnIyHd0zXK5AV-ACLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/1979Topps120.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Darryl Sittler - 484 Goals</b></p><p>Finishing with one career goal less than Brian Bellows is longtime Toronto Maple Leaf Darryl Sittler. He was a consistent 30 or 40+ goal scorer into his early 30s, but as with Brian Bellows time was not on his side. Like Bellows, his final NHL campaign was his age 34 season.</p><p>Even though Bellows won a Stanley Cup and Sittler did not, Sittler is the one enshrined in the HOF. His peak years he was a more dominant player than Bellows. He had two 100-point seasons and another <i>five</i> 90-point seasons, whereas Bellows never achieved triple digits in points in his career. </p><p>Great card here from the release that I personally think is the best hockey set ever created.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TMRK8K60xpc/YDFNMdBd6WI/AAAAAAAA-Xc/UWTHAEYn8XUS8t_uu77tkKqJJjHfK2jEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s691/1990O-Pee-CheePremier030.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="497" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TMRK8K60xpc/YDFNMdBd6WI/AAAAAAAA-Xc/UWTHAEYn8XUS8t_uu77tkKqJJjHfK2jEwCLcBGAsYHQ/w288-h400/1990O-Pee-CheePremier030.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Sergei Fedorov - 483 Goals</b></p><p>Probably my favorite player who will be featured in this entire series, Fedorov was an absolute beast during the height of my childhood hockey fandom. I spent many hours with my street hockey net, stick and ball in the yard on the side of our house emulating Sergei as a kid! His 1993-94 season alone cemented him as one of the best ever, as he scored 56 goals, 120 points, and won the Hart, Pearson and Selke trophies!</p><p>Sergei added another Selke Trophy and three Stanley Cups (all with Detroit) to his resume in the seasons to follow, but finished 17 goals short of the 500 mark when all was said and done. Fedorov played until his age 39 season, but saw his goal-scoring totals decline rapidly in the few seasons that he hung on after the lockout. As with the first two guys in today's post, he had done most of his goal-scoring damage by his early 30s. This post isn't a good omen as far as Ovechkin's chances of toppling Gretzky's goal record I guess (though he did have one earlier today!).</p><p>For Fedorov's card I chose his iconic 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier RC. Could just as easily have gone with his iconic 1990-91 Upper Deck RC, but this one wins the coins flip and makes the blog.</p><p>So, there are your next three members of The 400-Goal Club. I'll be back soon with more of these posts, and the names will get more obscure as we move down the list. In the meantime thanks for visiting my little corner of the internet, stay safe, and happy collecting!<br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-50889352901139236692021-02-25T09:24:00.001-05:002021-02-25T09:24:10.854-05:00YouTube?!?! Yep, YouTube!<p>While I'm still sticking with this blog going forward, and have no intention of abandoning my posting here after so many years, I've decided recently that I want to experiment with some video content as well. One of the reasons I don't post here as often as I'd like to is that the process of scanning, cropping, typing and editing a post can be very time consuming.</p><p>Sometimes I'm looking for a faster and easier way to share content, and after admiring other collectors on YouTube from afar for some time now I've decided to take the plunge myself. If you are on YouTube I would truly appreciate it if you'd be willing to check out my channel and maybe even subscribe. As I've done on this blog over the years I'll be showing off a ton of random cardboard content, and I really think and hope that it will be enjoyable.</p><p>If you're interested, you can find me <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UConVOE0YWDOzr4O91R4Tb0g" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>As a teaser, here's the epic card that I talk about in my very first video:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DKNyyGVJJrc/YDeykmqQS2I/AAAAAAAA-g8/h4FUGv5u6rA41bX0lOjoi65kEY2b3Aq0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1954Topps128-PSA2.5Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1222" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DKNyyGVJJrc/YDeykmqQS2I/AAAAAAAA-g8/h4FUGv5u6rA41bX0lOjoi65kEY2b3Aq0QCLcBGAsYHQ/w239-h400/1954Topps128-PSA2.5Photo.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div><p>If you're someone who enjoys YouTube, I truly hope you'll join me over there. If not, no worries, I'll be back here soon with more blog content. Either way, thanks for your support and time!<br /></p><p>Stay safe out there, and happy collecting!<br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-65955218706766396152021-02-19T20:00:00.001-05:002021-02-19T20:00:06.557-05:00The 400-Goal Club - Anderson, Ratelle & Ullman<p>A lot of focus is put on NHL players who achieve the famed 500-goal plateau during their careers. This is a significant milestone indeed, and nearly everyone who has surpassed 500 career goals is enshrined in the HOF. </p><p>What I thought might be just as interesting as looking at the game's all time great scorers in the 500-goal club, and in fact <i>more</i> interesting in some ways, would be to look at players who are members of the 400-goal club. With that, an idea for a series of posts was born. In batches of three, I plan to feature in this series players who surpassed 400 career goals, but who hung up the skates for the final time before reaching the infamous 500 milestone. I'll show a card of each player from my own collection as well, as long as I have one that is.</p><p>So, you won't see active players who would otherwise meet the criteria in these posts, like Sidney Crosby or Eric Staal, but you will see plenty of retired greats like tonight's trio...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAM-bTccMVo/YDBVBolPWEI/AAAAAAAA-Ww/8pOkgtzE7q4M8j-ddjFfIsb1kf81PgkfACLcBGAsYHQ/s695/1986Topps080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="494" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAM-bTccMVo/YDBVBolPWEI/AAAAAAAA-Ww/8pOkgtzE7q4M8j-ddjFfIsb1kf81PgkfACLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/1986Topps080.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Glenn Anderson - 498 Goals</b></p><p>Talk about coming tantalizingly close to the big number! Nobody has retired to date with 499 career goals, so Glenn's 498 give him the distinction of coming the closest to 500 of any player who fell short. It's amazing that he didn't try to eek out just a few more games, though it seems there weren't any takers remaining in the NHL during his final (age 35) season.</p><p>Maybe Glenn wasn't all that bothered by coming up just short of 500 career goals though, considering he won an amazing <i>six</i> Stanley Cups as a player, and is enshrined in the Hockey HOF regardless! There will be some names in these posts that were a surprise to me, but Glenn is not one of those, having played on those powerhouse Oilers teams throughout the 1980s.</p><p>I've got nearly two dozen Glenn Anderson cards, but none of them are all that exciting to me, so I went with this nice photograph courtesy of 1986-87 Topps.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BT6MfpJksck/YDBXWRxyEMI/AAAAAAAA-W8/Ta9-pinuMUgdQXNnq3GK8S1Gi_74TZ_egCLcBGAsYHQ/s697/1967Topps031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="498" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BT6MfpJksck/YDBXWRxyEMI/AAAAAAAA-W8/Ta9-pinuMUgdQXNnq3GK8S1Gi_74TZ_egCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/1967Topps031.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Jean Ratelle - 491 Goals</b></p><p>The next spot down on the list goes to Jean Ratelle, who spent his entire two-decade-plus NHL career with the Rangers and Bruins franchises. While he was an amazingly successful player from an individual stats standpoint, and played on some really great teams in the early 70s, Jean never won a Stanley Cup, in contrast to Glenn Anderson's six.</p><p>Nevertheless, he did capture some individual hardware throughout his career, and was 6th all-time in points upon his retirement from the NHL. Like Glenn Anderson, he is enshrined in the Hockey HOF.</p><p>This beautiful 1967-68 Topps card was a real steal off of COMC a couple of years back. Got it for just a couple of dollars due to some paper loss on the back. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nEWdVH_BL-k/YDBZbd4NUjI/AAAAAAAA-XE/0g1NM6fZD0wniXos0oLRO_VjtAemwtYkACLcBGAsYHQ/s695/2012PaniniClassicsSignaturesAuto192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="496" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nEWdVH_BL-k/YDBZbd4NUjI/AAAAAAAA-XE/0g1NM6fZD0wniXos0oLRO_VjtAemwtYkACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2012PaniniClassicsSignaturesAuto192.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Norm Ullman - 490 Goals</b></p><p>Finishing just a single goal behind his contemporary, Jean Ratelle, is center Norm Ullman. Norm had the benefit of playing on a line with guys like Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay early on in his career, but he was no slouch himself. In fact he led the entire league in goals during the 1964-65 season. His case is an interesting one because he spent the final two seasons of his career in the WHA. It's almost certain that he would have surpassed 500 career goals had he scratched out two more NHL campaigns.</p><p>Norm is also enshrined, and it's not surprising that all three guys in tonight's post are given that I began with the highest goal totals in the 400 club and will be working my way down that list.</p><p>I absolutely love the amazing photograph, and bold on-card autograph on this 2012-13 Panini Classics Signatures autograph. If you were following my blog back in 2013 then you may recall that I went somewhat crazy acquiring these autos, so I'm sure a few more of them may resurface in these 400-Goal Club posts.<br /></p><p>So, that's a wrap for this first installment. I expect this series to get more entertaining as we go, as the names will become a bit more obscure the closer we get to the 400 mark. Hope you enjoyed this look at some of the more under-appreciated scorers in NHL history, and thanks as always for stopping by!<br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-57468998338234228112021-02-17T18:00:00.021-05:002021-02-17T18:00:05.889-05:00Shiny Prizm Hockey<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6PebMUlgCGQ/YC0bCmfcSbI/AAAAAAAA-I4/w7tmnlsN3AIqtvws2i75w9GXu-qNGgY-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2013PaniniPrizmSilver007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6PebMUlgCGQ/YC0bCmfcSbI/AAAAAAAA-I4/w7tmnlsN3AIqtvws2i75w9GXu-qNGgY-ACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2013PaniniPrizmSilver007.jpg" width="285" /></a></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p>Basketball and football card collectors (not to mention retail flipper guys) <i>love</i> Panini Prizm, and it seems to be one of the most popular sets in those sports year in and year out. When it comes to hockey though, there was only one <i>true</i> Panini Prizm set released before Panini lost their license to produce NHL trading cards, and that was the 2013-14 set you see above.</p><p>True, there were some Prizm cards released as part of the Rookie Anthology set the year prior, but this 2013-14 release is it when it comes to a standalone Prizm hockey set proper. The cards are absolutely gorgeous if you're a fan of shiny like I am, and the parallels have that fantastic Panini etching, a practice that Topps unfortunately abandoned for its refractors long ago.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37iE7R82GO0/YC0cJFtyaWI/AAAAAAAA-JA/tAWhiCewvuEvCuwkxX4YLZTD0HtPES1zgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1040/2013PaniniPrizmSilver048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="743" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37iE7R82GO0/YC0cJFtyaWI/AAAAAAAA-JA/tAWhiCewvuEvCuwkxX4YLZTD0HtPES1zgCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2013PaniniPrizmSilver048.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">I've been making an effort to pick up some parallels of star players, HOFers, or even just members of the Hall of Very Good from the set, before they become the latest thing to skyrocket in price. Thankfully all of the cards I'm showing here today, including my first two Silver Prizm parallels of David Krejci and Ilya Kovalchuk here, cost mere pocket change on Sportlots. Even in these crazy times for our hobby, there are still outlets for cheap, satisfying pick-ups to keep us going if we look hard enough.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xKZiGgdDxI4/YC1F_5b0XSI/AAAAAAAA-JM/k3q4FIfNsjskqMOP_MNg2G1R98l9GSekQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1046/2013PaniniPrizmRed002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="739" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xKZiGgdDxI4/YC1F_5b0XSI/AAAAAAAA-JM/k3q4FIfNsjskqMOP_MNg2G1R98l9GSekQCLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/2013PaniniPrizmRed002.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">I like the colored parallels even more than the silvers. This Patrice Bergeron Red is so fantastic that I bought both copies the seller had available at 75 cents! Bergeron, Chara, Marchand, Krejci and Tuukka Rask are generational greats in the history of this franchise, and along with sniper David Pastrnak are having another great campaign here in the 2020-21 season.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRmIF3C0j0w/YC1GuOZRlsI/AAAAAAAA-JU/Ahu7aLulu4gxEoSxYadaEvhGDe-RsP4UwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1043/2013PaniniPrizmRed005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="738" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRmIF3C0j0w/YC1GuOZRlsI/AAAAAAAA-JU/Ahu7aLulu4gxEoSxYadaEvhGDe-RsP4UwCLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/2013PaniniPrizmRed005.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">This generation's "Little Ball of Hate" is really filling in the shoes of the original namesake, the great Pat Verbeek. His next goal will be the 300th of his NHL career, so he has a legit shot to top the 500-goal mark, just like Verbeek did. Grabbed three copies of this one, and they look really nice all in a row in a Z-Folio.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Vj-rwlaZtM/YC1TimR52RI/AAAAAAAA-Jg/CN4uSIiz8Ew9HIT-1WZeZiPN-430h-wuACLcBGAsYHQ/s1043/2013PaniniPrizmRed006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="739" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Vj-rwlaZtM/YC1TimR52RI/AAAAAAAA-Jg/CN4uSIiz8Ew9HIT-1WZeZiPN-430h-wuACLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2013PaniniPrizmRed006.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Already had a copy of this Lucic, but grabbed a second because the price was right. "Luc" has bounced around some in recent years, but he had some really exciting seasons in Boston as a goal-scoring bruiser that I will always remember fondly.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MO_QHGryKDk/YC1dphxSs2I/AAAAAAAA-Js/evj_FBSGeRUCszzxIfw_xlnH5YVHgLm3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1043/2013PaniniPrizmRed007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MO_QHGryKDk/YC1dphxSs2I/AAAAAAAA-Js/evj_FBSGeRUCszzxIfw_xlnH5YVHgLm3gCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2013PaniniPrizmRed007.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Heavy Bruins theme here with the Red parallels, but like I said this was the group that won a Cup for Boston and was a regular playoff contender. I saw this particular iteration of the team play in person so many times during this stretch, so I enjoy picking up cards of all these guys. Grabbed a pair of this Red Krejci card.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TUeR-Mcm0cg/YC1eTbvFVbI/AAAAAAAA-J0/6EN8ADKau8YRe03jkOfJjw0gNhKRl4VCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/2013PaniniPrizmRed048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TUeR-Mcm0cg/YC1eTbvFVbI/AAAAAAAA-J0/6EN8ADKau8YRe03jkOfJjw0gNhKRl4VCgCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2013PaniniPrizmRed048.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>I swear I'm not an Ilya Kovalchuk super-collector or anything like that, he was just a really solid player that happened to be available cheaply is all. Besides, how fantastic do these Red parallels look on New Jersey Devils cards? Fantastic enough that I bought <i>three</i> of these, that's how fantastic.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7T79Oufpp8/YC1ikhJ7IYI/AAAAAAAA-KA/T1z1ggUUVKYgC8baLtKVpbR_73Q87aaOACLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2013PaniniPrizmRed071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="739" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7T79Oufpp8/YC1ikhJ7IYI/AAAAAAAA-KA/T1z1ggUUVKYgC8baLtKVpbR_73Q87aaOACLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2013PaniniPrizmRed071.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Ditto for the Ottawa Senators. Mika Zibanejad (whose hair is now much longer than what you see here) has been slumping a bit for the Rangers this season, but this is an amazing looking piece of cardboard.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bw_Elu3n3OY/YC1jDzwgAAI/AAAAAAAA-KI/fWjhCE_bE-c2ltrhxbBuKo6FLgNORD-agCLcBGAsYHQ/s1046/2013PaniniPrizmRed092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bw_Elu3n3OY/YC1jDzwgAAI/AAAAAAAA-KI/fWjhCE_bE-c2ltrhxbBuKo6FLgNORD-agCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2013PaniniPrizmRed092.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Hall-of-Famer Martin St. Louis for under a dollar?!?! I'll take two! Hell, I'd have taken <i>ten</i> at that price, but alas, there were only two available.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hcDLgg7G5-0/YC1jgchvYwI/AAAAAAAA-KQ/w-CPsvmTTmgmPvroKQrZ6wWU7Nninc2tQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2013PaniniPrizmRed097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hcDLgg7G5-0/YC1jgchvYwI/AAAAAAAA-KQ/w-CPsvmTTmgmPvroKQrZ6wWU7Nninc2tQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2013PaniniPrizmRed097.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>One-time Boston Bruin, one of the top scorers of his era, and potential future HOFer? Sure! Snagged a pair of these for the Z-Folio as well.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHlYnA5dwuE/YC1nk5UMf0I/AAAAAAAA-Kc/eYSiFungCuEAAPNlc-_6pXg1sH831smSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/2013PaniniPrizmRed104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="739" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHlYnA5dwuE/YC1nk5UMf0I/AAAAAAAA-Kc/eYSiFungCuEAAPNlc-_6pXg1sH831smSQCLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/2013PaniniPrizmRed104.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><p>The Capitals look absolutely stunning on these. Very high on my list of hobby goals is to acquire a Red Alex Ovechkin, but I have literally yet to see a single one available at any price point in the many weeks I've been searching. If you have one, I will pay handsomely in trade or Paypal credit! For now, happy to have a pair of these Backstrom cards, featuring one of the premier set-up men in the business, and the man who has assisted on many an Ovechkin goal over the years.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kq0l9CXR_ZA/YC1sz8qNQ3I/AAAAAAAA-Ko/xwrYtIlRkJQBdT3Kz-sZ13jNDK6a_nl7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1043/2013PaniniPrizmRed111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kq0l9CXR_ZA/YC1sz8qNQ3I/AAAAAAAA-Ko/xwrYtIlRkJQBdT3Kz-sZ13jNDK6a_nl7QCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2013PaniniPrizmRed111.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Hall of Fame for Getzlaf? Not sure, but certainly the Hall of Very Good, and the face of the Ducks franchise for about a decade and a half now. I happily grabbed three of these for the combined price of less than $2.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-In_j3HFzRGA/YC1tjcWJ_jI/AAAAAAAA-Kw/4mHCauGhoTQeXiPK-JQJ1T60Iol2KySCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1046/2013PaniniPrizmRed135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-In_j3HFzRGA/YC1tjcWJ_jI/AAAAAAAA-Kw/4mHCauGhoTQeXiPK-JQJ1T60Iol2KySCgCLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/2013PaniniPrizmRed135.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><p>Another guy who has sort of been the face of a franchise since he came into the league, or shortly thereafter. Only picked up one of these but in retrospect probably should have bought a trio. Benn has never won a Stanley Cup, but did pick up an Art Ross Trophy back in 2015.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xyL0nncJ88M/YC1umr877jI/AAAAAAAA-K8/GpcEDDyYCIwELFV5556yjlWn8vsw9xgEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1043/2013PaniniPrizmRed174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xyL0nncJ88M/YC1umr877jI/AAAAAAAA-K8/GpcEDDyYCIwELFV5556yjlWn8vsw9xgEACLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2013PaniniPrizmRed174.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Pleased to land this Joe Thornton, the man who currently has the 14th most career points in NHL history. The <i>only </i>reason I'd be excited to see Toronto win a Stanley Cup this year would be so that Jumbo Joe could hoist it at last.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vcI955bFKK8/YC1vYsC3LxI/AAAAAAAA-LE/sQTNxxy3VYIMwH9mYhOYNC6H3NRllXz6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2013PaniniPrizmRed175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="738" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vcI955bFKK8/YC1vYsC3LxI/AAAAAAAA-LE/sQTNxxy3VYIMwH9mYhOYNC6H3NRllXz6ACLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2013PaniniPrizmRed175.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>With the Thornton card in my order, it made sense to pair it with his longtime teammate Joe Pavelski, so I threw this one in too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UWuq0igVDk4/YC1vt6PizpI/AAAAAAAA-LM/qvhGTZmnq7QAdS9qxIG1NZv4pLP3OyCdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2013PaniniPrizmRed191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UWuq0igVDk4/YC1vt6PizpI/AAAAAAAA-LM/qvhGTZmnq7QAdS9qxIG1NZv4pLP3OyCdgCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2013PaniniPrizmRed191.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Would have been cool to pick up a Red of each of the Sedin twins, but since the seller had just this card I ended up with two Henriks instead! Obviously this one would look better on Blue, or even more so Green, but this is the card I ended up with for now.</p><p>Your eyes may be sore from looking at all that bright red holo foil, so let's calm things down with a trio of soothing blue cards before we call this a post, shall we?<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lR4F87cuihM/YC1xRi5i2nI/AAAAAAAA-LY/GylX0uSr6-AGR7qyXznCyBzIX7pxwbINACLcBGAsYHQ/s1048/2013PaniniPrizmBlue191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lR4F87cuihM/YC1xRi5i2nI/AAAAAAAA-LY/GylX0uSr6-AGR7qyXznCyBzIX7pxwbINACLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/2013PaniniPrizmBlue191.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><p>Well, what do you know, I <i>did</i> land a Blue Sedin. Yeah, that looks way better with the Canucks colors than the Red does. Again, Henrik was the only Sedin brother available in blue, a Daniel collector must have cleared out his inventory before I arrived on the site.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZ2ftEARYZU/YC1x2iH0ROI/AAAAAAAA-Lg/hPQg6_2ZodciPLklLjDWdKegSPNqTZbHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1043/2013PaniniPrizmBluePulsar048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="739" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZ2ftEARYZU/YC1x2iH0ROI/AAAAAAAA-Lg/hPQg6_2ZodciPLklLjDWdKegSPNqTZbHgCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2013PaniniPrizmBluePulsar048.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Once again we have Ilya Kovalchuk. Looks like I'm well on my way to a rainbow of this card. This one, and the final card up next, are actually Blue Pulsar parallels. If memory serves, these were exclusive to Prizm product purchased at Wal-Mart. They seem to be some degree rarer than the standard Blue parallels, anyway.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wUGLO35ETZw/YC1yXwkVooI/AAAAAAAA-Lo/0M8eBXgRxvsLzie3imqj4cLqYDqtB2nywCLcBGAsYHQ/s1046/2013PaniniPrizmBluePulsar002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="743" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wUGLO35ETZw/YC1yXwkVooI/AAAAAAAA-Lo/0M8eBXgRxvsLzie3imqj4cLqYDqtB2nywCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2013PaniniPrizmBluePulsar002.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Finally, we have what may be my favorite card of this entire order, a Blue Pulsar Patrice Bergeron. One of the under-rated players of the modern era, and one of the greatest ever to don a Bruins sweater. Very, very happy to have this card in my Prizm hockey collection.</p><p>So there you have it, a bunch of really shiny and really colorful hockey cards that I managed to find on the cheap, even during these insane times in the hobby. If you have any of these Prizm hockey parallels available to trade let me know, and if not thanks as always for stopping by my little corner of the internet!<br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-76335360606315068082021-02-12T14:30:00.001-05:002021-02-12T14:30:14.580-05:00Cardboard Keepers - LeBron!<p>Time for the next installment of Cardboard Keepers, a thought experiment in which I theoretically whittle my entire collection down to just 2,000 cards; 1,000 baseball keepers, and 1,000 "other" keepers.<br /><br />Today's entry into this project is a basketball card, and I'm virtually certain this is the first time in the history of this blog that back-to-back posts have been basketball-related. Don't worry, I'm not turning into a full-on b-ball collector or anything, just kind of worked out this way for whatever reason.</p><p>As many have commented on recently, this hobby has gone absolutely <i>insane</i> recently. I'm not sure how long it can keep up like this, or how long I can remain a collector if it does, but I'm trying to make lemons out of lemonade and take advantage of some of these outrageous prices to sell some things I am no longer interested in and pick up some significant cards with the proceeds (before I can no longer afford them, which happens in a matter of <i>days</i> in this climate).</p><p>This card is an example of just that, as I funded it entirely from eBay sales just last month:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lCaC9sjV9Xg/YCa_OLfi8oI/AAAAAAAA-IU/KRoeCgmNjiA-mNzfpR00-in7NJx3C0FJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2003BowmanRookies%2526Stars123-PSA9Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1227" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lCaC9sjV9Xg/YCa_OLfi8oI/AAAAAAAA-IU/KRoeCgmNjiA-mNzfpR00-in7NJx3C0FJQCLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h400/2003BowmanRookies%2526Stars123-PSA9Photo.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>Yes, the newest inductee into the Cardboard Keepers project is my first (and only) LeBron James rookie card! I know his Topps Chrome RC (and it's various parallels) is considered <i>the</i> LeBron rookie to have, but since that now sells in good condition for <i>more money than I paid for my new car </i>four years ago, that wasn't happening.</p><p>I settled on this Bowman Rookies & Stars card instead. It was right in the range of what I could afford in a PSA 9 based on the sales I'd made, and I really love that it shows him in his actual Cavaliers uniform (that Topps base card where he's wearing the white suit makes me cringe).</p><p>When I started to think about basketball players that I'd want in this collection alongside Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain (the only two basketball inductees so far), LeBron was an obvious choice. I'll leave the debate about the all-time GOATs to someone with more basketball knowledge than myself, but is there anyone who thinks there's been a greater player in the NBA these last 20 years?<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4nKBsKOt5qA/YCa_aiu_vgI/AAAAAAAA-IY/NsQi_Rp_Iooy4TXGMS0yMOkuVcoOWRmVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2003BowmanRookies%2526Stars123-PSA9PhotoBack.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1227" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4nKBsKOt5qA/YCa_aiu_vgI/AAAAAAAA-IY/NsQi_Rp_Iooy4TXGMS0yMOkuVcoOWRmVwCLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h400/2003BowmanRookies%2526Stars123-PSA9PhotoBack.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Here's a look at the back. I like the layout actually, though I totally see how some could consider it overly "busy".</p><p>And now for a small rant about the state of the hobby. Cards, not just select cards but seemingly ANY card that I develop an interest in, are literally rising in price exponentially by the week. I purchased this card less than one month ago now, and while I won't get into the exact price, I will say that it cost me "three figures". And it wasn't $999.99 either, it was a good deal less than that.</p><p>Well, in the few days that it took for the card to arrive in the mail, it rose to about a $1,200 card in a PSA 9. In the couple of weeks since then, it's now eclipsed $2,000, and continues to trend upward. Increasingly I get the feeling that, with the types of cards I'm searching for during my mission to condense and pick-up iconic cards, if I don't buy a certain card now, I will never be able to afford it again. This "FOMO" landscape is not how I want to enjoy collecting, and there is no way that prices can continue to increase at this rate for very long, it's simply mathematically impossible. I mean, at the rate things are going is this going to be a $10,000 card by the summer time? I don't see how that's possible, even though I continue to be proven wrong on that front over these past 12 months.<br /></p><p>I'm curious how you all are handling this new climate that we find ourselves collecting in? Are you trying to make lemons from lemonade, and flip some overvalued cards into other more expensive overvalued cards like I am? Are you just waiting it out for a bubble to burst? Will the bubble ever burst, and will collecting ever again be what it was for us prior to 2020? Ready to give up and find another hobby completely, perhaps?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3G9YhspoUGQ/YCbD0t4eD4I/AAAAAAAA-Io/b3ZQfKzJgCcEgsBq6QKSdQIa94GiC83ngCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2003BowmanRookies%2526Stars123-PSA9Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1227" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3G9YhspoUGQ/YCbD0t4eD4I/AAAAAAAA-Io/b3ZQfKzJgCcEgsBq6QKSdQIa94GiC83ngCLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h400/2003BowmanRookies%2526Stars123-PSA9Photo.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Alright, sorry for the rant there, I'm just highly concerned for the future of this hobby. If kids these days are completely priced out, and they can't even grab a pack of cards at the local big box store while shopping with Mom and Dad because the flippers cleared the shelves, will there even be anyone left who cares about sports cards in 20-30 years? </p><p>For me at least, and for many collectors that I know, a big part of what we love about this hobby is the nostalgia factor. If my Dad hadn't been able to purchase any cards for me as a kid because they were unavailable everywhere, and out of his price range when he could find them, I know for a fact that I wouldn't be a collector today. I'd love to hear in the comments from anyone else who has similar worries, or even a contrary viewpoint! <br /></p><p>As for the non-baseball Cardboard Keepers collection, it is up to 29 cards in size now, and can be viewed <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/Vv54P7BBGn8Q1ULx5">here</a>.
I've still got a long way to go, with 971 cards remaining to be
selected. With the way things are going it's looking doubtful that I'll ever finish this project, yet at this point anyway I intend to keep plodding along. I'll be back soon with the next card or group of cards for
the project, but until then thanks as always for stopping by! <br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-45260937252283336442021-02-09T09:30:00.001-05:002021-02-09T09:30:05.411-05:00The Basketball Z-Folio Project - The Beginning<p>Over the past year, while working on selling off some things and condensing my overall collection down, rolling many small sales up into fewer, "bigger" cards has been my MO. While I still believe this is the approach that's right for me at this stage in my collecting journey, it does leave me with a hole when it comes to the "have some good, cheap fun" side of the hobby.</p><p>Towards the end of last year I started to think about ways that I could still enjoy this side of collecting, but avoid things growing and sprawling out of hand in terms of sheer number of cards. I settled on an idea of creating a single Z-Folio album for each of my lesser-collected areas of trading cards (football, basketball, non-sport, etc).<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5RP58Trf3qk/YCKO-mYQAsI/AAAAAAAA-GU/bFhfHLwc1q8IVwjWNgr2p_y2-nWxEUiUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5937.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5RP58Trf3qk/YCKO-mYQAsI/AAAAAAAA-GU/bFhfHLwc1q8IVwjWNgr2p_y2-nWxEUiUQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_5937.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p> If you're unfamiliar with the Z-Folio album, here's the one housing my basketball project. These come in many different colors, I chose orange for this particular collection because it just seemed appropriate for the sport. Last I looked they're around $25 on Amazon, with slight variations in pricing for certain colors. <br /></p><p>No, this one did not come with the hoop on the front, that's a custom sticker my wife created for me using her Cricut craft machine. I'll probably add some more stickers to this over time, but for now at least I can easily look at this and determine what's inside without opening it. Speaking of opening it, here's the first thing I like better about Z-Folio compared to your standard binder:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ubavd_kWDrU/YCKQ_Z6T4PI/AAAAAAAA-Gg/cJOAaaLf6JwVReCoHk4KxjKudmBRqQdlACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5941.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="2048" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ubavd_kWDrU/YCKQ_Z6T4PI/AAAAAAAA-Gg/cJOAaaLf6JwVReCoHk4KxjKudmBRqQdlACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h223/IMG_5941.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Yes, the Z-Folio zippers shut, all the way around the album. While some may see this as an annoyance, I actually appreciate that it should keep the majority of dust out of these pages, and hopefully avoid that weird layer of "film" I sometimes see develop on the top of the first sheet in my standard Ultra Pro binders over time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKGCoeZoBNo/YCKRZPe3tZI/AAAAAAAA-Go/pLUV_4JJ5gEy69F4S0n1vlS-QVIe4c7_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5938.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="2048" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKGCoeZoBNo/YCKRZPe3tZI/AAAAAAAA-Go/pLUV_4JJ5gEy69F4S0n1vlS-QVIe4c7_ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h286/IMG_5938.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Inside the Z-Folio are 20 pages, each with 9 pockets on the front and 9 on the back, for a total of 360 available slots in the binder. There's a solid black cloth backing on each page, so that the cards are housed back to back on a sheet. Obviously this is not an ideal setup for those who really enjoy looking at the <i>backs</i> of their cards in binder form. Are there a lot of those folks out there, though? In fact, I know quite a few collectors that put their cards back to back in a standard Ultra Pro sheet anyway, just to economize space.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bGm339VP6Ks/YCKSFAeGWlI/AAAAAAAA-Gw/iUPr_azNCgIOumHOql0uY3qKHZ1nNEStgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5939.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bGm339VP6Ks/YCKSFAeGWlI/AAAAAAAA-Gw/iUPr_azNCgIOumHOql0uY3qKHZ1nNEStgCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_5939.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p>Besides, another thing that I really love about these is they are taller than your standard binder/sheets, and are designed for the card to fit within each slot while encased in a penny sleeve! As you can see above, sleeved cards fit nicely right into each pocket, sliding in horizontally. So, if you do want to have a look at the back of your cards (or shuffle around and rearrange what you have in an album), it's very easy to remove them without risking any damage.<br /></p><p>So yeah, that's a bit about why I've really come to love these Z-Folios after learning about them in a YouTube video months back. As I mentioned, I'll be looking to fill this one here with 360 cool, totally random basketball cards. </p><p>Let's take a look at what I've got in the album so far...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WjaZ0KOf0do/YCKSyxOxWyI/AAAAAAAA-G8/8dsADCmToDI5lMoFpu4_qBWPT8M6tqYvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2019PaniniPrizmPinkIce022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WjaZ0KOf0do/YCKSyxOxWyI/AAAAAAAA-G8/8dsADCmToDI5lMoFpu4_qBWPT8M6tqYvwCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2019PaniniPrizmPinkIce022.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>You've seen this cheap Prizm Pink Ice Ray Allen parallel on the blog before, and in some of the photos above. I'll buy amazing shiny basketball cards like this for less than a dollar for this project all day long!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ou8_QHLokg/YCKSygQOA_I/AAAAAAAA-G4/2RBX4bmCa_cSOhAe5OEUmkB4r4rfjsHZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2019PaniniPrizmPinkIce029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ou8_QHLokg/YCKSygQOA_I/AAAAAAAA-G4/2RBX4bmCa_cSOhAe5OEUmkB4r4rfjsHZQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2019PaniniPrizmPinkIce029.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Speaking of which, I'll likely dedicate an entire 9-pocket page to different variations of this Paul Pierce card. So far I have the Pink Prizm to match the Ray Allen...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mR0Qc6QUkc8/YCKSywVJUfI/AAAAAAAA-HA/QdwLYn5IjOYAqz4-7VGrOJFYtGNt85SBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2019PaniniPrizmRedWhite%2526Blue029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mR0Qc6QUkc8/YCKSywVJUfI/AAAAAAAA-HA/QdwLYn5IjOYAqz4-7VGrOJFYtGNt85SBwCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2019PaniniPrizmRedWhite%2526Blue029.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>...and this Red White & Blue Prizm. I've got at least a couple more parallels of this card on the way, whenever my COMC order from a couple months back eventually arrives. In fact, there are quite a few singles for this project within that overall order.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6gN3opzXwI/YCKTc2dI3YI/AAAAAAAA-HQ/CZJavkZtqRAV3a2zMd2n_n3ifc2gFkRrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s699/1992ToppsStadiumClubMembersOnly247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6gN3opzXwI/YCKTc2dI3YI/AAAAAAAA-HQ/CZJavkZtqRAV3a2zMd2n_n3ifc2gFkRrgCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/1992ToppsStadiumClubMembersOnly247.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>Next up, a trio of Shaq rookies. I was at a very impressionable age with my childhood collecting when O'Neal rose to fame, and even though I was never a big basketball collector I acquired a couple of his rookie cards at the time, at the local pharmacy where they had a small card shop setup with a display case up front.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZEHzsiBIXI/YCKTerJywaI/AAAAAAAA-HU/pHtO0sSKSboNCWP0EI1PU4nfssGSxkdLACLcBGAsYHQ/s696/1992Skybox382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZEHzsiBIXI/YCKTerJywaI/AAAAAAAA-HU/pHtO0sSKSboNCWP0EI1PU4nfssGSxkdLACLcBGAsYHQ/w288-h400/1992Skybox382.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><p>The two that I prized most were this Skybox rookie (which I funded with money from raking leaves, if I recall) because of the really great photograph...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u0pqMb4jj7k/YCKTgbCafJI/AAAAAAAA-HY/JB8bOgVNRngva1uY-pOvdkKDzITHrm0pwCLcBGAsYHQ/s697/1992FleerUltra328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="498" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u0pqMb4jj7k/YCKTgbCafJI/AAAAAAAA-HY/JB8bOgVNRngva1uY-pOvdkKDzITHrm0pwCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/1992FleerUltra328.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>...and the Ultra RC, which I think was an under-rated card for a very long time. I know it's not very rare, or super valuable, but this card is damn awesome. Those foil ROOKIE ribbons on the first couple of Ultra sets across all sports were highly coveted among my group of childhood collecting friends.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V25mN-U49TU/YCKUy7kVDgI/AAAAAAAA-Hs/s34ZnFznvAMf5fr5pORTaHGtXTrZAsU9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s699/1977ToppsWhiteBack090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="496" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V25mN-U49TU/YCKUy7kVDgI/AAAAAAAA-Hs/s34ZnFznvAMf5fr5pORTaHGtXTrZAsU9gCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/1977ToppsWhiteBack090.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Also tossed in this 1977 Topps White Back Dave Cowens card, which I picked up a long while back off of COMC just because it was cheap, and because I liked the photograph of the Celtics HOFer. Look at those socks! Like something my dad would have worn to go along with his "fanny pack" when we were walking around Disney World circa 1990.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BY3R9weuzd8/YCKU1NOJFlI/AAAAAAAA-Hw/1sTZICmmKUIOWr4p5BTHWgFaIYx35Mh2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1046/1990Hoops205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="746" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BY3R9weuzd8/YCKU1NOJFlI/AAAAAAAA-Hw/1sTZICmmKUIOWr4p5BTHWgFaIYx35Mh2QCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/1990Hoops205.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Finally, the latest addition to the binder, and the card that caused me to get my act together and create this post finally! I received this Mark Jackson card recently as a contest win from The Diamond King! This card suddenly became quite popular a while back when it was noted that two well-known evil people are seated courtside along the left border of the photograph there.</p><p>Sort of a creepy card for sure, but an interesting one that I really wanted to include in the binder right from when I first conceived of it. Big thanks to The Diamond King for holding the contest and sending me this one gratis, and thanks to everyone else for stopping by and reading a little bit about basketball cards from someone who knows admittedly very little about them.</p><p>With these 8 cards in the Z-Folio, I still have the fun of hunting and selecting 352 more before I call the project complete. If I ever reach that point even, then I'll treat the binder like an un-numbered franken-set I suppose, where a new card can be accepted in only by booting an existing one out. I'm a long way from having to make any of those decisions though, which I'm happy for since I enjoy the thrill of the hunt.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WX7Ki5F1cJs/YCKWUm3e74I/AAAAAAAA-H8/Nz7E9PmOY6U0qbZjq9yXWg8BIhUryTFlACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5940.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WX7Ki5F1cJs/YCKWUm3e74I/AAAAAAAA-H8/Nz7E9PmOY6U0qbZjq9yXWg8BIhUryTFlACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5940.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>What's your opinion on Z-Folio binders if you've ever seen them? Do you use any to store aspects of your own collection? As you can see from this shot of my home office bookshelf, I've been bitten by the bug. I'll be posting from time to time on what each of these is, and keeping you updated with my progress on each here on the blog as well.</p><p>In the meantime, thanks as always for stopping by!<br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-33388039117288056322021-02-02T15:00:00.028-05:002021-02-02T15:00:03.471-05:00Cardboard Keepers - Black Sox Red Sox<p>Time for the next installment of Cardboard Keepers, a thought experiment in which I theoretically whittle my entire collection down to just 2,000 cards; 1,000 baseball keepers, and 1,000 "other" keepers. This is a rant for another day, but more and more as this hobby has "evolved" over the course of the past 12 months, I'm starting to believe that it is never going to be the same again. </p><p>I'm more committed than ever to reducing the size of my collection overall, and am more and more leaning towards making this Cardboard Keepers thought experiment a reality. Part of this is my desire for more space and less clutter, another part is frustration with parts of the hobby.<br /><br />Recently, I tallied up all of my graded cards for the first time ever, and I ended up with a total that exceeded 800 slabs. Pretty shocking number, even to the guy who purchased them all. Now, those were accumulated over 13 years back in this hobby, but still, that's entirely too many slabs to have around here. I've been selling on eBay like crazy while this market is hot, and have been making multiple trips to the post office weekly just to keep up with the sales heading out the door.</p><p>Like I said, more about all that stuff soon, but for today's entry into this project we have a card that survived even this most recent and more aggressive phase of purging, a <i>true</i> Cardboard Keeper...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6aJmI0qgLSw/YBml5ABxqyI/AAAAAAAA-CE/_IwDFdX9aA8068rcpzj2PLF_LFuArKhFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1909E95PhiladelphiaCaramelCicotteEd-PSA1.5Photo.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1216" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6aJmI0qgLSw/YBml5ABxqyI/AAAAAAAA-CE/_IwDFdX9aA8068rcpzj2PLF_LFuArKhFwCLcBGAsYHQ/w238-h400/1909E95PhiladelphiaCaramelCicotteEd-PSA1.5Photo.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div><p>This is one of my absolute favorite pre-war baseball cards. I love it for a couple of reasons, most notably that absolutely <i>fantastic</i> Red Sox jersey! I am an absolute and total sucker for any pre-war cards that feature that particular uniform, and there are precious few of them (this is the only one that I actually own). Secondly, I love the concept that this card is so old that it actually features a young Ed Cicotte, a full decade <i>before</i> his reputation would forever be tarnished for his participation in the 1919 Black Sox World Series scandal.<br /></p><p>I purchased this card all the way back in 2014, and even though it wasn't exactly a jaw-dropping sum in the grand scheme of things (<$250), it was still something that as a 31-year-old I had to give serious consideration to before picking up, and one of my more expensive pick-ups in this hobby at that time. I'd be hard pressed to find one that looks this nice for less than twice that amount today.</p><p>For those that collect slabbed cards, this is a primo example of why you should buy the <i>card</i> and not the <i>grade on the top</i> (known as the "flip"). This card presents amazingly well for a piece of cardboard that is well over 100 years old now, yet received a "FAIR 1.5" from the folks at PSA for two reasons. First, there's a crease in the upper right corner, very hard to make out but if you look closely you'll see it there. Secondly...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-peKNXOQoHNg/YBmn4zAsfkI/AAAAAAAA-CQ/6Mc1O6WoqDosox8sn72Km73-_aDiKxmdACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1909E95PhiladelphiaCaramelCicotteEd-PSA1.5PhotoBack.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1222" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-peKNXOQoHNg/YBmn4zAsfkI/AAAAAAAA-CQ/6Mc1O6WoqDosox8sn72Km73-_aDiKxmdACLcBGAsYHQ/w239-h400/1909E95PhiladelphiaCaramelCicotteEd-PSA1.5PhotoBack.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div><p>...there's just a bit of paper loss on the back, at about the mid-way point there. Does not bother me in the least, given that the back is just a checklist of the 25 subjects in this set, and overall still looks good despite the paper loss.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_T3_r25nd1I/YBmoSc-4_CI/AAAAAAAA-CY/RUmiVZ0KYp0U0d9JKpSEVjHYYRRKbTo1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1909E95PhiladelphiaCaramelCicotteEd-PSA1.5Photo.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1216" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_T3_r25nd1I/YBmoSc-4_CI/AAAAAAAA-CY/RUmiVZ0KYp0U0d9JKpSEVjHYYRRKbTo1ACLcBGAsYHQ/w238-h400/1909E95PhiladelphiaCaramelCicotteEd-PSA1.5Photo.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div><p>Besides, just look at this front! It's absolutely <i>glorious</i>. This card is, and will forever be, one of my favorite Red Sox cards in my entire collection. With 100+ years in the rear view I think the fact that Cicotte was involved in the Black Sox scandal actually makes this card even <i>cooler</i>, if anything. Some of my other pre-war Red Sox are already listed on eBay, and others will be joining them soon, but this is one card I simply could not bring myself to part with.<br /></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">
For that reason, this one was an easy choice for my Cardboard Keepers baseball collection, which is now up to 39 cards and counting, and can be viewed <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZkwX9DkBHFF9WzhRA">here</a> if you're interested. I'll be back with more keepers soon, in the meantime thanks as always for stopping by! </p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-5967216395270304382021-01-20T08:30:00.001-05:002021-01-20T08:30:07.305-05:00Cheap Slabs - Orange Jee-tah<p>Welcome to the latest installment of Cheap Slabs, a recurring series of posts where I attempt to show that collecting graded cards does not necessarily need to be an expensive pursuit. Ground rules for these posts are simple; the card(s) shown have to have cost me less than $25 before taxes and shipping.</p><p>Today's card actually represents my final purchase of the dumpster fire of a year that was 2020, as I picked up this shiny HOFer on the very last day of the year...<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FAbXv9u9zC8/YAgk9M2Im0I/AAAAAAAA958/jXVvh50bJXQIIhMfvKKpMKfFJP6XKUJmACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5390.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1202" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FAbXv9u9zC8/YAgk9M2Im0I/AAAAAAAA958/jXVvh50bJXQIIhMfvKKpMKfFJP6XKUJmACLcBGAsYHQ/w235-h400/IMG_5390.jpeg" width="235" /></a></div><p>I'm not one of those Boston Red Sox fans who "hates" the Yankees. In fact, as a fan of the history of the game, I actually respect the organization a great deal. On top of that, out of the many, many HOF stars who have donned the pinstripes over the years, Derek Jeter is certainly one of my favorites.</p><p>As a kid who collected in the early to mid '90s, Jeter was one of the biggest rookies/prospects of the era. Even though I'd never seen him play a game at that time, I knew from talking with my friends, reading Tuff Stuff magazine, and checking out the display case at the local card shop, that Derek was a big deal. Later, in high school and college, I'd watch him grow into a leader on a team that won four World Series championships in a five-year stretch. Then, as an adult, I witnessed him win another championship for New York, and accomplish the famed 3,000 hits (which he crushed, finishing 6th all-time in hits). Hard <i>not to</i> respect a guy like that.</p><p>Combine all of this with my love for shiny cards, and for the colored refractors from the Topps white border years in particular, and I was absolutely helpless in the face of this fine PSA 9 a few weeks back. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gBUsEfHZ8xU/YAgm4aTz2yI/AAAAAAAA96I/x3iujEbtHCYPKI8k-ucPRV2vif8HiRtIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5391.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="2048" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gBUsEfHZ8xU/YAgm4aTz2yI/AAAAAAAA96I/x3iujEbtHCYPKI8k-ucPRV2vif8HiRtIQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h241/IMG_5391.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Here's the back, you can click the image for a larger version if you'd like, but trust me that there are a lot of italics, bold, and even some red to be found in that statistics table. </p><p>Always liked the layout of the 2011 set. Always liked the 2011 set <i>period</i>, actually. One of the best designs of the 2010s, the beautiful Cognac and Platinum Diamond Anniversary parallels (including retired legend variations) in the base set, Chrome Atomic Refractors that were slightly more plentiful at 225 copies each, and of course the famed Mike Trout. Yeah, 2011 was a great year for Topps flagship/Chrome!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZtGX_mCWXY/YAgm6ECDzPI/AAAAAAAA96M/Wc9rYyWH89QpycCyt9NXc9_XOg8u829EwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5387%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1374" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZtGX_mCWXY/YAgm6ECDzPI/AAAAAAAA96M/Wc9rYyWH89QpycCyt9NXc9_XOg8u829EwCLcBGAsYHQ/w269-h400/IMG_5387%25281%2529.jpeg" width="269" /></a></div><p>Here's a great look at Derek in all his shiny glory. A great-looking card if you ask me. I still want to get a really nice Jeter RC (or two) for my collection, but in the meantime I'm happy to have snagged this card on the cheap. Have a feeling it's going to be hard to find his refractors graded at less than $25 once he finally gets inducted this upcoming summer.<br /></p><p>That's all for now, thanks for stopping by to check out my cheap slab. Stay safe out there!<br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-52556084424632694682021-01-16T22:00:00.001-05:002021-01-16T22:00:01.137-05:00Shiny from All Sports<p>Still around and still collecting, have just been using my hobby time to further organize and condense, and after taking a break for the holidays have started rolling with some eBay selling/flipping to reduce clutter and target some really big cards. If you stop by here with any frequency then you know this strategy worked out amazingly for me last year, and I'll just say for now that I'm off to a similar start in 2021!</p><p>Since it's been over a week though since there was any activity here, I feel compelled to post <i>something</i>.</p><p>So, here are some shiny cards that have shown up here at Shoebox Legends headquarters in the past week or two. Cards out, cards in, my collection has very much become a revolving door, and I'm having a blast with it...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6DuiCPUnteU/YAOYDyEdI_I/AAAAAAAA94c/Da2IUM5jTrEXPzNk_eRNs1fiBQhv0ps9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/2016ToppsChromeSapphire126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1045" height="284" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6DuiCPUnteU/YAOYDyEdI_I/AAAAAAAA94c/Da2IUM5jTrEXPzNk_eRNs1fiBQhv0ps9ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h284/2016ToppsChromeSapphire126.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>As a fan of all cards that use Atomic Refractor (or 'Ice' in the Panini vernacular) technology, I really enjoy the Topps Chrome Sapphire releases. Most years they are fairly limited as far as print run, and out of my price range when it comes to unopened wax, but I will scoop singles up cheap on the secondary market if the opportunity presents itself.</p><p>This David Ortiz/Albert Pujols is technically a checklist card, but it was $2 on Sportlots (plus pocket change for shipping) and features two of the absolute best hitters of their era. I think the 2016 version of this set had a print run of just 250, so this is a cool addition to my shiny card binder. Over 1,200 Major League home runs represented on this card!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bisoT8SwMMg/YAOYnVmYwSI/AAAAAAAA94k/YWxjAPraT3YzE8SH81oSa0vyQdQqe7nxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2017BowmanChromeRefractor025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bisoT8SwMMg/YAOYnVmYwSI/AAAAAAAA94k/YWxjAPraT3YzE8SH81oSa0vyQdQqe7nxwCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2017BowmanChromeRefractor025.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Here's another one for that shiny card baseball binder, featuring one of the darlings of the 2020 post-season. This was an add-on to an eBay purchase late last year, for a buck with no additional shipping. Numbered to /499 on the back.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6A5QcvgT80/YAOaVRHHnEI/AAAAAAAA94s/48OmCHFXsHEaf1lS9kHKKUnifeE6RX7ywCLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2013PaniniPrizmRed027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="743" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6A5QcvgT80/YAOaVRHHnEI/AAAAAAAA94s/48OmCHFXsHEaf1lS9kHKKUnifeE6RX7ywCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2013PaniniPrizmRed027.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>I love shiny Prizm cards, in fact we're about to go on a small run of great Panini cards in general. Panini's NHL license was short-lived, but one of my favorite sets that they produced while it lasted was the 2013-14 Prizm release. If I can get a legit star on a team-color-matching Prizm parallel from this release at a good price, I'm absolutely sold. Henrik here, in glorious red-on-red, was available on Sportlots for just a dollar.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4eJkdzTOHc/YAOal6_6C5I/AAAAAAAA940/7boLi6JIdnAtwnuMklwFTWJF3mFDiewcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2013PaniniPrizmGreen193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4eJkdzTOHc/YAOal6_6C5I/AAAAAAAA940/7boLi6JIdnAtwnuMklwFTWJF3mFDiewcQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2013PaniniPrizmGreen193.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>The same seller had this Green Prizm Roberto Luongo available for a buck as well. Both guys are right on the cusp as far as whether they'll be inducted into the Hockey HOF, but one thing that's not up for debate is now nice all that shiny green looks with that modern-day Canucks uniform!</p><p>Landing a Crosby or Ovechkin parallel from this release is pretty high on my hockey to-do list, if anyone reading this should happen to have one, I'll pay handsomely in trade...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ARl6t7_GIY/YAObxDqqLeI/AAAAAAAA948/Kh_EPhJEs4wjqHnVg1N9mdEJM3VAv4XCACLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/2015PaniniSelectUltimateTeamBlue017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ARl6t7_GIY/YAObxDqqLeI/AAAAAAAA948/Kh_EPhJEs4wjqHnVg1N9mdEJM3VAv4XCACLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2015PaniniSelectUltimateTeamBlue017.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>I mentioned a post or two back that I purchased some 360-card Z-Folio binders on Amazon, and am hoping to fill one each with my collections of my lesser-collected sports. So, one binder full of only soccer, one football, and one basketball. I ponied up a full $9 via eBay auction for this 2015 Select Ultimate Team Blue Prizm Neymar card (#'d /299), mostly because I think the blue looks fantastic with this particular photo. This card pops in hand much more so than it does in this scan, though it doesn't look half bad here either.</p><p>$9 is more than I'd like to spend filling a slot in the soccer binder, but 2015 Select is really prized among soccer collectors, and Neymar is one of the best players in the world, so here we are.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aEo1ytca_pc/YAOcbU18xBI/AAAAAAAA95E/r-_14AOIdU404j2iEinte0lgdkwATPJQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2019PaniniPrizmRedWhite%2526Blue029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aEo1ytca_pc/YAOcbU18xBI/AAAAAAAA95E/r-_14AOIdU404j2iEinte0lgdkwATPJQwCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2019PaniniPrizmRedWhite%2526Blue029.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Got a couple new cards in for the basketball binder as well! I mentioned when I picked up the Pink Ice version of this 2019-20 Paul Pierce recently that I'd like to complete an entire 9-pocket page featuring different versions of the card. Well, here's the Red, White & Blue parallel, had for a mere 50 cents.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p6puxXkN9no/YAOc8YWl3rI/AAAAAAAA95M/fWxqugqY9Eg4sHD9pdvsODSktqEPC-SlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2019PaniniPrizmPinkIce022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p6puxXkN9no/YAOc8YWl3rI/AAAAAAAA95M/fWxqugqY9Eg4sHD9pdvsODSktqEPC-SlgCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2019PaniniPrizmPinkIce022.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>While I was it it, here's another one of those fantastic Pink Ice parallels, of Paul's one-time teammate with the Celtics. Growing up in Connecticut, Ray Allen was a household name as a big star at UConn. Definitely wanted to have him represented in the basketball binder. As for why I chose this particular card, see my comment at the outset of this post about my love for Panini "Ice" cards. </p><p>By the way, everyone says basketball is so expensive, but this card was 40 cents?!?!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTL9_NF4fzE/YAOdjZAniVI/AAAAAAAA95U/HXQ4gWiaDy0nkTWHZ8uTnWb1ROWu_fnsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/2018ToppsHeritageChromePurpleRefractorTHC-072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="737" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTL9_NF4fzE/YAOdjZAniVI/AAAAAAAA95U/HXQ4gWiaDy0nkTWHZ8uTnWb1ROWu_fnsQCLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/2018ToppsHeritageChromePurpleRefractorTHC-072.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><p>If you've made it this far, I'll reward you with a couple more baseball pick-ups to close out the post. A Jake DeGrom 2018 Topps Heritage Chrome Purple Refractor here. This was a perfect pick-up off of Sportlots now that I've started a Z-Folio dedicated entirely to purple cards, especially since 2018 was the first of his back-to-back Cy Young seasons. I'd like to get a 2019 version of this to go side-by-side with this one in that binder.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PlEJb8Uffv0/YAOeWr4403I/AAAAAAAA95c/nIlm4NoT5l0Uz3QwzmenVAlC8kkcpEjkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1047/2013ToppsChromePurpleRefractor136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="739" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PlEJb8Uffv0/YAOeWr4403I/AAAAAAAA95c/nIlm4NoT5l0Uz3QwzmenVAlC8kkcpEjkgCLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/2013ToppsChromePurpleRefractor136.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><p>We started with Pujols, and we'll end with Pujols. The Topps "white border years" provided some of the best colored refractors in baseball card history if you ask me. Shelled out $2.50 for this card, and I'd have bought 9 of 'em and filled a whole page at that price if I could have!</p><p>That's a wrap for tonight, getting late here, and I'm off to watch the rest of this train wreck of a football game. Thanks for stopping by to check out my shiny cards, and stay safe!<br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-84456721823906845582021-01-07T18:00:00.017-05:002021-01-07T18:00:08.409-05:00Cheap Slabs - Kiki Cuyler!<p>Time for the latest installment of Cheap Slabs, where I do my best to dispel the myth that graded cards have to be expensive. The rules for this recurring series of posts are simple, the card shown has to have cost me less than $25 before shipping and taxes.</p><p>In this latest installment, we have a card that I wasn't specifically seeking out, but that I could not possibly resist when I stumbled upon it with less than an hour to go:<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vQoGlmKeMmA/X_eCrBiWuvI/AAAAAAAA93w/WetOr3riMVgwI0YPMz8v2SsSKsoPaoUGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1935DiamondStars031-PSA1Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1227" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vQoGlmKeMmA/X_eCrBiWuvI/AAAAAAAA93w/WetOr3riMVgwI0YPMz8v2SsSKsoPaoUGwCLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h400/1935DiamondStars031-PSA1Photo.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>I never knew it was possible to land PSA-slabbed cards of HOF baseball players from the 1930s for roughly the cost of a retail blaster, but it turns out it can be done. <i>Even</i> during the bat-shit crazy year that 2020 was on the sports card market front, deals could still be found with a lot of patience and a careful eye. I picked up the above card, an absolute beauty from the 1934-1936 Diamond Stars release, for a mere $21.05, and this was not even three months ago.</p><p>What I liked about this card, aside from the fact that it will likely always be my only playing-era card of a guy in Cooperstown who was missing from my collection previously, is that it's in truly amazing shape for a card from the 1930s. In fact, at a quick glance you may be asking yourself how on this planet the card received a grade of "1/Poor" from PSA.</p><p>Well, if you look closely, there is a pin hole right at the apex of Kiki's ballcap there. It's sort of easy to look past since it occurs right along a fold in his cap, and in the darkest part of the card as well. I did see this before bidding, but do not care about it in the least. In fact, I'm thrilled that some kid stuck a thumb tack through this thing 80 years ago, because it made this gorgeous copy of the card affordable to me. Bright, vibrant colors, and even pretty amazing corners given the age. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe with PSA the pin hole reduces the card to a 1 regardless of all other attributes, so if you can get past a small hole in your card you can get a real gem for cheap coin.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TUyFom_pRwI/X_eC3jnlNjI/AAAAAAAA930/gnKzSMtOc2cXzCy-rIS0EAybwM3v4Q0rgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1935DiamondStars031-PSA1PhotoBack.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1203" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TUyFom_pRwI/X_eC3jnlNjI/AAAAAAAA930/gnKzSMtOc2cXzCy-rIS0EAybwM3v4Q0rgCLcBGAsYHQ/w235-h400/1935DiamondStars031-PSA1PhotoBack.jpeg" width="235" /></a></div><p>Cuyler was a slash-hitting speedster, known for his batting average and swiped bags. A lifetime .321 hitter, he led the league in steals four times, and won a World Series with the Pirates in 1925. Though he never lived to witness his own HOF induction (he died at just 51 years of age, in 1950), the Veterans Committee inducted him in 1968.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UwlIZbX1nmI/X_eM_24y1DI/AAAAAAAA94E/XAhKruR5MM8_OL9ehfKvuAP9QETRHwciACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1935DiamondStars031-PSA1Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1227" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UwlIZbX1nmI/X_eM_24y1DI/AAAAAAAA94E/XAhKruR5MM8_OL9ehfKvuAP9QETRHwciACLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h400/1935DiamondStars031-PSA1Photo.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p>I think the Diamond Stars release is a really fantastic and under-rated set. When it comes to the 1930s most collectors seem to prefer Goudey of the limited options that are out there, but to me Diamond Stars is every bit as interesting. I finished the Red Sox team set years ago, and while I don't pick these up often or search them out specifically, I'm hoping I run across a few more like this in my collecting lifetime. <br /></p><p>That's about all I've got to say regarding this card. Honestly, this was one of my better bargains of all of last year on the card front, still pretty surprised to have hauled this one in at the price point that I did. A good reminder to myself that not finding any blasters in the retail world for the past 10 months or so really may not be as big an inconvenience as it seems...</p><p>Thanks as always for stopping by!<br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-83730079753040849742021-01-04T18:00:00.024-05:002021-01-04T18:00:04.866-05:00Purple & Pink<p>I've got a few shiny card projects that I plan to work on in 2021, one of which involves a small binder filled entirely and exclusively with shiny purple cards. Towards that end, here are a few that I've plucked recently...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HX8QNYMj4c/X-_YwSD6xII/AAAAAAAA92I/d5d4_MH2fake9dmxzSMEeZ1-4J9BbaYfACLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2014ToppsChromePurpleRefractor030.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HX8QNYMj4c/X-_YwSD6xII/AAAAAAAA92I/d5d4_MH2fake9dmxzSMEeZ1-4J9BbaYfACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2014ToppsChromePurpleRefractor030.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p></p><p>At the beginning of this binder, I'd like to have complete Topps Chrome Purple Refractor Red Sox team sets of the white-border 2010 through 2014 sets. Found a seller on Sportlots that had four I needed towards the 2014 team set, available for mere pocket change.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8ADZ02KaTc/X-_ZTAMoMyI/AAAAAAAA92Q/XJisu7aa-NMixZaiBASr3jJ3edlZ376YgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1035/2014ToppsChromePurpleRefractor031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8ADZ02KaTc/X-_ZTAMoMyI/AAAAAAAA92Q/XJisu7aa-NMixZaiBASr3jJ3edlZ376YgCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2014ToppsChromePurpleRefractor031.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>I really miss the colored Topps parallels from the years when the cards had a full border, these just look fantastic in hand.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-psRhAk-lbkA/X-_ZdaiTWMI/AAAAAAAA92U/cADyoUbgvBU9hyepRnAzTYMtKwGJMJMvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2014ToppsChromePurpleRefractor042.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="739" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-psRhAk-lbkA/X-_ZdaiTWMI/AAAAAAAA92U/cADyoUbgvBU9hyepRnAzTYMtKwGJMJMvQCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2014ToppsChromePurpleRefractor042.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>I was especially pleased to find this Shane Victorino, as the photograph is amazing. I've got many different flavors of this card between base and Chrome parallels, but the Purple Refractor had eluded me until now. Look at how the crowd glows almost angelically.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SwGL2KIZhKc/X-_ZrV71AqI/AAAAAAAA92c/51H3l76Q05g4nalSTj75ydDUBRy8bJRsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2014ToppsChromePurpleRefractor047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="737" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SwGL2KIZhKc/X-_ZrV71AqI/AAAAAAAA92c/51H3l76Q05g4nalSTj75ydDUBRy8bJRsgCLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/2014ToppsChromePurpleRefractor047.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><p>I really thought Will Middlebrooks was going to be a stud, but it was not meant to be. He did last quite a few seasons at the MLB level, though.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZFD_X_b070/X-_nduOjRUI/AAAAAAAA92s/N80LAcU00eshTJAIN9-oujD_zygMIe8mgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2017BowmanChromePurpleRefractor019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="739" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZFD_X_b070/X-_nduOjRUI/AAAAAAAA92s/N80LAcU00eshTJAIN9-oujD_zygMIe8mgCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2017BowmanChromePurpleRefractor019.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Even though Topps Chrome Purple Refractors are my favorite shiny purple cards, I do want some variety in the binder, so I added these next two for a buck a piece with free shipping when I tacked them onto an existing eBay order a few weeks back. Can't go wrong with future HOFer Justin Verlander.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tU0Yl6QTqQM/X-_ndiMXRSI/AAAAAAAA92w/i9iLYospu7IRfFKbKPATx5ltAAnpznjdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1049/2017BowmanChromePurpleRefractor055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="736" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tU0Yl6QTqQM/X-_ndiMXRSI/AAAAAAAA92w/i9iLYospu7IRfFKbKPATx5ltAAnpznjdQCLcBGAsYHQ/w281-h400/2017BowmanChromePurpleRefractor055.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><p>Trevor Story is one of the best shortstops in the game, has been for a few seasons running now. Some say he has the potential for Cooperstown down the line. I'm not sure, but I do know that I love a team color matching refractor, so this probably won't end up being the only Colorado Rockies card in the purple binder. Maybe a Nolan Arenado or two to accompany Trevor here?<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R1P0makE13o/X_HW12aymDI/AAAAAAAA928/h89DfLWHrcQB2PGRgsfmgsWQbjFzmM6RQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1046/2018ToppsChromePinkRefractor055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R1P0makE13o/X_HW12aymDI/AAAAAAAA928/h89DfLWHrcQB2PGRgsfmgsWQbjFzmM6RQCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2018ToppsChromePinkRefractor055.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Back to back Trevors! As the post title indicates, I enjoy a good Pink Refractor as well. I tacked this 2018 Trevor Bauer onto a Sportlots order for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, I could add one more card to my order without increasing shipping cost, and this was available for a quarter. Secondly, Bauer had recently won the 2020 Cy Young Award, so it seemed like a good time to add a shiny card of his. Finally, of the sets that have come out since Topps moved away from the full white border, I think the 2018 Topps Chrome release has the refractors that look the best.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hwyepjC6ZE0/X_HXpYYaFjI/AAAAAAAA93E/jxgM0JTzE9kgtyvrPzvBOJApWpDI6qMtACLcBGAsYHQ/s1039/2020ToppsChromePinkRefractor137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hwyepjC6ZE0/X_HXpYYaFjI/AAAAAAAA93E/jxgM0JTzE9kgtyvrPzvBOJApWpDI6qMtACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2020ToppsChromePinkRefractor137.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Part of that same order was this Xander Bogaerts 2020 Topps Chrome Pink Refractor, for my player collection of the Boston shortstop. Xander has moved into the number one overall spot in my baseball collection as far as sheer number of cards, and I have a feeling he'll hang onto that title for quite some time.</p><p>One more card to close out today's post, and it's a basketball card?!?!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3nNHZXW3d-o/X_HYZsje6fI/AAAAAAAA93M/ci56SRjknasQCJ3BmDCosAlPbvi0sQgsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2019PaniniPrizmPinkIce029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3nNHZXW3d-o/X_HYZsje6fI/AAAAAAAA93M/ci56SRjknasQCJ3BmDCosAlPbvi0sQgsQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2019PaniniPrizmPinkIce029.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Yep, it's a basketball card. I am very slowly and very selectively (please don't mail me heaps of NBA cards) venturing into basketball as something new in 2021. As with the purple cards, I'm going to try to build up a really small collection of random basketball cards that fit into a single Z-Folio binder (these hold 360 cards). </p><p>There's really no criteria for this project except to have fun with it. I'm guessing the end result will contain a lot of bright cards like this one, and probably some sentimental stars of my youth. As opposed to baseball where I am in pursuit of various sets and goals, and have more rigidity to my collecting, I think it will be rewarding to have an open goal like "stuff this binder with 360 basketball cards you think are cool".<br /></p><p>The very first card to be inserted into said binder is this gloriously shiny Pink Ice parallel of Paul Pierce's 2019-20 Prizm card. This thing looks freaking amazing, and makes me wish badly that Panini had a license to produce MLB trading cards. If you're a baseball player or team collector, tell me you wouldn't love to chase a card like this of <i>your</i> guy?<br /></p><p>My one fear with a basketball card project in 2021 was that the market may have gotten <i>so</i> crazy that I wouldn't be able to afford enough interesting cards to fill out the binder. In the early going though, I'm realizing that you can still find some great b-ball cards for cheap coin even today. This Paul Pierce cost me all of 75 cents for example, and less than a dollar shipping. Better yet, there are so many different colored and shiny variations of this card that I may devote an entire page of the basketball binder to house nine different parallels of it.</p><p>More on my basketball project later, but that's a wrap for today. Thanks for stopping by to see some of my new shiny pick-ups, and stay safe out there!<br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-80995967585280464622021-01-03T14:00:00.001-05:002021-01-03T14:00:01.379-05:00Signature Sundays - 1975 Topps Double DipFirst Sunday of the year, might as well start things off with a Signature Sundays post! For this week's edition we have a card that doesn't strictly fit into any of my main collecting priorities, but that was just way too cool to pass up for the price. Check this one out...
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qoPyIoJOX70/X_H3rqdgOrI/AAAAAAAA93U/axom7Vv5j5wAQ8rzUjTsDXMiUuC_MxuJACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4950.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1217" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qoPyIoJOX70/X_H3rqdgOrI/AAAAAAAA93U/axom7Vv5j5wAQ8rzUjTsDXMiUuC_MxuJACLcBGAsYHQ/w238-h400/IMG_4950.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Pretty sweet, huh? I've got a small handful of Brooks Robinson autographs at this point in my collecting timeline, but this is my first Ted Kubiak, and certainly my first card featuring autographs of <i>both</i> players. Maybe the <i>only</i> card featuring autos of these two guys, actually?<br /></p><p>While I said (and meant!) in my year-end posts that I've cooled off on autographs to an extent, I ran across this card back in November while browsing eBay and was immediately intrigued. With just minutes to go it was very reasonably priced, and in the end I brought it home for right around the cost of a retail blaster (was $21 and change). I always loved the playoff and World Series subset cards in vintage Topps releases, and I agree with the majority of collectors who feel that 1975 Topps is one of the best sets of its decade (though personally I'd rank '72 higher, I think). </p><p>Similar to the 1971-72 Topps hockey autograph that recently made my year end countdown, I love that someone went through the trouble to have both subjects sign this. While Ted Kubiak may not be the person you picture when you think of the 1970s "Swingin' A's, this is a fantastic photograph and both autographs are so large and bold. In fact, I'd have to say this is my new favorite Brooks Robinson auto, and may make one or two of my others expendable actually.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqcFkehwpho/X_H36NcIVMI/AAAAAAAA93Y/h8Yg81BvV-Mq3i3UCzIOgzSh6jJMzLllwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4951.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1225" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqcFkehwpho/X_H36NcIVMI/AAAAAAAA93Y/h8Yg81BvV-Mq3i3UCzIOgzSh6jJMzLllwCLcBGAsYHQ/w239-h400/IMG_4951.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div><p></p><p>The back gives you a high-level summary of the four games in the 1974 ALCS, but if you're a fan of vintage baseball cards you've seen these countless times by now.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3FCmP8uoYdY/X_H37UGAGJI/AAAAAAAA93c/2RjNh3GJzvcaABkB7qJSFGG4nZsmmZfsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4950.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1217" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3FCmP8uoYdY/X_H37UGAGJI/AAAAAAAA93c/2RjNh3GJzvcaABkB7qJSFGG4nZsmmZfsQCLcBGAsYHQ/w238-h400/IMG_4950.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div><p></p><p>The front is what makes this a truly one-of-a-kind collectible.</p><p>So there you have it, not much more that I can say about my latest autograph pick-up. Do you have any autographs in your collection that are not pack-issued and are authenticated by a third party, similar to this one? If so, I'd love to hear about a personal favorite in the comments.</p><p>Thanks as always for stopping by! Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and I'll be back this week with more sports card content. Until then, stay safe!<br /></p><p></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-12011916359617733282021-01-02T15:00:00.001-05:002021-01-02T15:00:03.181-05:00The Itch to Rip - Star Wars in 3D!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__oyQX_ukUY/X-8kCwxccmI/AAAAAAAA90o/5szE9jrgFNQB8pQ_pYzQgs3EJlFaLuwjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5053.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2048" height="294" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__oyQX_ukUY/X-8kCwxccmI/AAAAAAAA90o/5szE9jrgFNQB8pQ_pYzQgs3EJlFaLuwjQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h294/IMG_5053.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Around the same time that I grabbed two packs of Super '70s Baseball direct from Topps, they had another limited online offering that really appealed to me. This one had nothing to do with sports at all, but was a newly-conceived Star Wars 3D set!</p><p>As a lifelong fan of the Star Wars saga, and a confessed lover of "lenticular" 3D trading cards, this set was right in my collecting cross-hairs so to speak. The price point per pack was a little lower than the Super '70s Baseball release but you get fewer cards, as you receive just 8 cards per "pack" in the Star Wars product, for $19.99 (vs 20 cards for $24.99 with the Super '70s Baseball set). Basically, you're paying $2.50 per card here. There are an even 100 cards on the checklist, and no short prints, inserts or hits to be had, just plain base cards which is actually kind of nice.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FqEzW_J1MGQ/X-8lVg4kEqI/AAAAAAAA90w/Em_UAwYFeQM6Wvi489t-cOwnXnAUpWMkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5054.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FqEzW_J1MGQ/X-8lVg4kEqI/AAAAAAAA90w/Em_UAwYFeQM6Wvi489t-cOwnXnAUpWMkQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5054.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>With a little help from my childhood Ewok action figure, you can see that inside the Topps On Demand box is just a single, silver pack containing the eight cards.</p><p>As for what I was hoping to pull...I'm not the world's biggest Star Wars nerd by any means. I have watched the 9 movies from the original saga many times, as well as the Rogue One and Han Solo movies (and the two made-for-TV Ewok movies from the '80s), and am currently plowing my way through The Mandalorian show. </p><p>That being said though, I've never seen the Clone Wars cartoon show, or read any of the many books or comic books. As a result, in looking at the 100-card checklist, there are certainly quite a few names that simply don't register with me at all. I'm just hoping at a couple bucks per card that I recognize most of the characters that I pull at least...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64B5SVN0SvI/X-9AMBZPEmI/AAAAAAAA91A/vAAItE7IBuYa5spLOT-9Z7AWpW7NvowdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1037/2020ToppsOnDemandStarWars3D-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="743" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64B5SVN0SvI/X-9AMBZPEmI/AAAAAAAA91A/vAAItE7IBuYa5spLOT-9Z7AWpW7NvowdQCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2020ToppsOnDemandStarWars3D-007.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>Very pleased with the first card, as the original Star Wars trilogy that I grew up on will always be the set of movies that I'm most fond of. These cards use the design from the 1980 Empire Strikes Back set from Topps, and are absolutely fantastic! Everything I'd hoped they would be as a fan of lenticular cardboard. </p><p>One card in, and I'm already kicking myself that I purchased only two packs of this stuff. I will 100% be trying to complete this set, though I hope the cards don't end up being too expensive on the secondary market with the passage of time. It's been many long years since I completed any non-sport set, and I'm not sure if the non-sport market has gone as berserk as the sports market in the past year, so I guess we'll see.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bxluJHwukVY/X-9AMH5a7jI/AAAAAAAA908/v6a5_7hCzCsc8kUeGHqVr5GSyRlhIDSjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1038/2020ToppsStarWars3D-007Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1038" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bxluJHwukVY/X-9AMH5a7jI/AAAAAAAA908/v6a5_7hCzCsc8kUeGHqVr5GSyRlhIDSjQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h286/2020ToppsStarWars3D-007Back.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The backs are relatively plain, though they are at least customized with a write-up for each character. As a collector, you're not likely buying 3D cards for the backs, anyway.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QPE-CAWdSbU/X-9AeBBzluI/AAAAAAAA91M/s4NS71JSZr4TaewfY9YJ6gNQ-aRkJLQNACLcBGAsYHQ/s1039/2020ToppsOnDemandStarWars3D-076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="739" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QPE-CAWdSbU/X-9AeBBzluI/AAAAAAAA91M/s4NS71JSZr4TaewfY9YJ6gNQ-aRkJLQNACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2020ToppsOnDemandStarWars3D-076.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Not quite as excited about my second card, though I do recognize the character of Jannah, who had a smaller role in the most recent Episode IX film. Since I'm going to pursue the set, it's one I'd have needed to grab at some point anyway.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oYtR673f2JE/X-9ApaZK6eI/AAAAAAAA91Q/aIeFwMNMnH8bNFbPIHz37jH5cfco6Q34gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1040/2020ToppsOnDemandStarWars3D-015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oYtR673f2JE/X-9ApaZK6eI/AAAAAAAA91Q/aIeFwMNMnH8bNFbPIHz37jH5cfco6Q34gCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2020ToppsOnDemandStarWars3D-015.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Here's one that's much more up my alley! I always thought Admiral Ackbar was one of the more amusing bit characters from the original trilogy, enough so that I've actually picked up a couple of his Topps High Tek cards on COMC over the years. I like this one even better than the Chewbacca that led off the pack. "It's a trap!"<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3aY0VxeMWhc/X-9BK0NxrvI/AAAAAAAA91c/0eIwQ0wcLUAn31b3C88ExyH50IcPa2ilgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2020ToppsOnDemandStarWars3D-040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="739" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3aY0VxeMWhc/X-9BK0NxrvI/AAAAAAAA91c/0eIwQ0wcLUAn31b3C88ExyH50IcPa2ilgCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2020ToppsOnDemandStarWars3D-040.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Next up, Bodhi Rook, from the Rogue One film. Not one of the major characters from that movie, but it's a film that I enjoyed quite a bit. Definitely more of a gritty/dark/war film feel compared to the other films in the franchise.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9SNSW9eIlsU/X-9BL76wECI/AAAAAAAA91g/T38scWXvasonAn080XrXOtBLqpp3lGsaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1038/2020ToppsOnDemandStarWars3D-096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="739" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9SNSW9eIlsU/X-9BL76wECI/AAAAAAAA91g/T38scWXvasonAn080XrXOtBLqpp3lGsaQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2020ToppsOnDemandStarWars3D-096.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Alas, we have a character that I'm completely unfamiliar with. I'm guessing Grand Admiral Thrawn is from the Clone Wars show, since he seems computer-animated. I knew I'd pull someone who was unknown to me, but thankfully this was the only card in this pack that fits that criteria.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8zQNffPFAys/X-9BUuhSBXI/AAAAAAAA91k/d_EvqvYELxoXTfau4psi0YwJR8ArwDkcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2020ToppsOnDemandStarWars3D-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8zQNffPFAys/X-9BUuhSBXI/AAAAAAAA91k/d_EvqvYELxoXTfau4psi0YwJR8ArwDkcgCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2020ToppsOnDemandStarWars3D-002.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Definitely can't complain about pulling the protagonist from the beloved original trilogy! Luke Skywalker in pilot's uniform with blaster pistol is tied with Admiral Ackbar for my favorite card in this pack! This is one I'm happy to have pulled on my own as I'd expect it to be one of the more sought-after singles from the release.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3M-YpBuWkaw/X-9BiRXVZnI/AAAAAAAA91s/78-MjQwRozQ2PZBVbS-dQ18nKuG7FasVACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5072.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3M-YpBuWkaw/X-9BiRXVZnI/AAAAAAAA91s/78-MjQwRozQ2PZBVbS-dQ18nKuG7FasVACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_5072.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Here's a photograph of Luke's card, just so you can see how the cards appear in a photograph rather than a scanning bed. I bought my nephew a big old bag full of miscellaneous Star Wars action figures for Christmas (pretty cool uncle, am I right?), and ended up purchasing two Yodas by mistake, so we have one around the house now. </p><p>It's really hard to do these cards justice in blog format, this is one of those posts that almost makes me consider starting a hobby-related YouTube channel. Maybe someday...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5WUOoheszwM/X-9BswXg4qI/AAAAAAAA910/c-mEpPB55koMPYKlK5W0ngULWtHujqCfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1039/2020ToppsOnDemandStarWars3D-024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5WUOoheszwM/X-9BswXg4qI/AAAAAAAA910/c-mEpPB55koMPYKlK5W0ngULWtHujqCfQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2020ToppsOnDemandStarWars3D-024.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>We'll close things out with a couple of ladies from the Star Wars universe. First we have Padme Amidala, queen of the Naboo. I will never complain about adding a new Natalie Portman card (in 3D, no less!) to my collection, hubba hubba.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sLg5QBPw0Hw/X-9B-BXz8VI/AAAAAAAA92A/IDvH9hXPnEQxhAVlsh6gERWnLm_ZhBifQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1036/2020ToppsOnDemandStarWars3D-055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sLg5QBPw0Hw/X-9B-BXz8VI/AAAAAAAA92A/IDvH9hXPnEQxhAVlsh6gERWnLm_ZhBifQCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2020ToppsOnDemandStarWars3D-055.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>Finally, General Leia Organa. Certain characters have multiple cards, most notably Luke, Leia and Han Solo, since they appeared in both the original trilogy and the most recent one.</p><p>That's a wrap on this first pack of Star Wars 3D. These cards certainly aren't for everyone, but if you're a fan of the franchise and you enjoy either 3D cards or cards with a retro design, you really can't go wrong. These were only sold direct by Topps for one week back in December, so you'll have to hit eBay if you want to grab a pack or some singles at this point. I'm hoping that in a couple of months when folks have moved onto the latest and greatest thing, singles will be available on COMC for a buck or two. If so, I'll be waiting to pluck them!<br /></p><p>Had you seen or heard of this set before? If you're a Star Wars fan, what's your opinion of this effort by Topps? If anyone out there is collecting these I'd love an opportunity to trade for any dupes, so hit me up!</p><p>I'll be back to sports-related content tomorrow, but in the meantime thanks as always for stopping by! <br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-25815111334318247862021-01-01T16:30:00.000-05:002021-01-01T16:30:01.254-05:00State of the Collection & 2021 Goals<p>With a new year upon us, let's take a look at how I did with the <a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/01/state-of-collection-2020-goals.html">goals I set for my collection for 2020</a>, and maybe set a couple of new ones for the upcoming year as well while I'm at it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GcMRq1ZHifs/X-yADdHCRNI/AAAAAAAA9zs/0jDXYaHGRhYsi1RsNjzIkLPZc73-zEdfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1105/1954Bowman182.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="744" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GcMRq1ZHifs/X-yADdHCRNI/AAAAAAAA9zs/0jDXYaHGRhYsi1RsNjzIkLPZc73-zEdfwCLcBGAsYHQ/w269-h400/1954Bowman182.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>1950s Baseball Cards</b></p><p>Last year I declared my intent to collect one baseball set from every year of the 1950s. My simple goal was just to increase the number of cards in my collection from all ten of the chosen sets. Let's see how I fared...</p><p><b>1950 Bowman</b> - 17/252 (7%, +3 cards)<br />
<b>1951 Topps (Red Backs)</b> - 5/52 (9%, no net change)<br />
<b>1952 Bowman</b> - 25/252 (10%, +3 cards)<br />
<b>1953 Topps</b> - 93/274 (34%, +26 cards)<br />
<b>1954 Bowman</b> - 41/224 (18%, +12 cards)<br />
<b>1955 Topps</b> - 55/206 (27%, +4 cards)<br />
<b>1956 Topps</b> - 32/342 (9%, +2 cards)<br />
<b>1957 Topps</b> - 52/407 (13%, +6 cards)<br />
<b>1958 Topps</b> - 36/494 (7%, no net change)<br />
<b>1959 Topps</b> - 357/572 (62%, +15 cards)</p><p>I'd give myself a B- here, and even that may be generous. While completing all of these sets would be a lifetime collecting dream, I could have done better here. Two of these saw no new additions all year, but I did make decent forward progress on 1953 Topps, 1954 Bowman, and 1959 Topps at least.</p><p>This project will remain on my list of goals for 2021, and far beyond! <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oj4EOpMyjNc/X-yCXSGd4qI/AAAAAAAA9z0/AM7HPGCIw6sxoRAKxVZ7Tw0y_Wr-R7giACLcBGAsYHQ/s701/2015ToppsBuyback1960-317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="701" height="284" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oj4EOpMyjNc/X-yCXSGd4qI/AAAAAAAA9z0/AM7HPGCIw6sxoRAKxVZ7Tw0y_Wr-R7giACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h284/2015ToppsBuyback1960-317.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Buybacks</b></p><p>Of course I continued work on my long-running Buyback Franken-set project this past year. Time is my enemy when it comes to these posts, as it takes quite a while to process the incoming cards and get all the scans sorted. It's a labor of love though, and these are the current numbers as we close out this year...</p><p><b>Franken-set Progress: 672/792 (84%)</b><b> (+13 cards)<br />1990 Topps Buyback Set: 136/792 (17%)</b><b> (+15 cards)<br />"Rejected" Buybacks: 725 (+70 cards)</b><b><br />Total Buybacks in Collection: 1,533 (+98 cards)<br /></b></p><p>I'll go with a B+ here, as I did exceed my vague goal of 1,500 total buybacks. Like the 1950s baseball cards, this is an ongoing project that will remain on the list of goals for 2021. I've toyed with the idea of selling some of the rejected buybacks in lots on eBay to raise some funds and make space, but I'm just not there yet.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7iqIx5usFM/X-yDWiJwqBI/AAAAAAAA9z8/_cNrv-IPbrgo7yaUtP9orukaoZTF-fSbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Card%2BRoom%2B2020.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7iqIx5usFM/X-yDWiJwqBI/AAAAAAAA9z8/_cNrv-IPbrgo7yaUtP9orukaoZTF-fSbgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/Card%2BRoom%2B2020.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Condense & Organize</b></p>Going with a A+ here. I sent tens of thousands of cards out of the house this past year, exponentially more than I brought in. As we saw in yesterday's Top 20 of 2020 post, I was really successful with selling off a lot of "lesser appreciated" cards, and using the funds to acquire some big fish. Couldn't be happier with how I did on this front, and this effort will continue in 2021.<p>Other miscellaneous goals from last year included...</p><p><b>Resume Signature Sundays Autograph Series</b> - Assigning myself a D grade here. I showed a few great autographs over the course of 2020, but they're just not where my collecting passion lies these days. You'll see some more nice signatures in the coming year for sure, but I'm removing this one from my formal goal list at this point.</p><p><b>Cut Spending/Increase Saving & Investing</b> - A+ here. Ramping up my eBay sales this year helped me not only to purge my collection to an extent and trim down its overall size, but to really bolster my savings since much of the money I spent on cards this year was profit from sales vs money from my paycheck. For the second straight year, I was successful in my self-imposed rule that I must save or invest at least $1 for every $1 spent on cards. In fact, I saved and invested at an even better ratio to my hobby spending than 1-to-1. This remains my approach for 2021, especially with ongoing uncertainty related to my job...</p><p><b>Team/Player Collections</b> - I'd set rough goals of getting to 6,000 Red Sox cards and 2,000 Hartford Whalers cards in 2020. Didn't make either, as I finished with 5,658 Red Sox cards and 1,858 Whalers. We'll go with a C+ here on the team collecting front.</p><p>For player collecting goals I fared a bit better. I'm not a big player collector by nature, but set a crazy goal of maybe acquiring at least one new playing-era card of Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams <i>and</i> Mickey Mantle. Check, check, check and check! A+ here, no question.<br /></p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>So, there's a rundown on how I stacked up over the past twelve months. Aside from the carryover goals of continuing to make progress on my 1950s baseball sets, my Buyback Franken-set, and my condensing effort, I do have a couple of others I'm adding to my list for 2021!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9WW1_4oDUI/X-yGZxbKxlI/AAAAAAAA90E/cYAb7r4yQ8I1_wRpmWN60RzTbkYUDAoegCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1968Topps177-PSA2.5Photo.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="2048" height="245" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9WW1_4oDUI/X-yGZxbKxlI/AAAAAAAA90E/cYAb7r4yQ8I1_wRpmWN60RzTbkYUDAoegCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h245/1968Topps177-PSA2.5Photo.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Complete Run of Topps Nolan Ryan Career-Spanning Flagship Cards</b></p><p>Nolan Ryan was my absolute favorite baseball player as a kid. I've been casually collecting his cards since returning to the hobby, and in 2020 landed his iconic rookie card at last. My goal for 2021 is to complete Nolan's run of Topps cards from his 1968 rookie, through his 1994 Topps card. I'll be aiming to get the entire run, quite a bit of which I already have, in PSA slabs if possible.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BALuW4_w0dg/X-yHB68DSQI/AAAAAAAA90M/TkTYhlDTFjEnhYUEPZrQ8OLuvc3bDwRgACLcBGAsYHQ/s1614/1960Topps350PSA2.5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1614" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BALuW4_w0dg/X-yHB68DSQI/AAAAAAAA90M/TkTYhlDTFjEnhYUEPZrQ8OLuvc3bDwRgACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h238/1960Topps350PSA2.5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Land Two New Playing-Era Mantle Cards</b></p><p>When I was a kid, owning even a single Mickey Mantle card seemed like a pipe dream. It took me until a couple of years ago to realize that, with patience and the willingness to accept low grade or imperfect copies, it was a more realistic goal than I'd imagined. One day I'd love to complete a run of Mantle's flagship Bowman and Topps cards from 1953 through 1969.</p><p>So far I have acquired and shown off his 1960, 1964, 1966 and 1968 releases. I'd like to add two more in 2021, and have at least one of them be from the 1950s.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-visndYoD9bI/X-yIE7-HKgI/AAAAAAAA90U/xtYBVYgsDyU_Dx7jnPcUeaYHnovLua3KQCLcBGAsYHQ/s698/2014ToppsFinestXFractor100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-visndYoD9bI/X-yIE7-HKgI/AAAAAAAA90U/xtYBVYgsDyU_Dx7jnPcUeaYHnovLua3KQCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2014ToppsFinestXFractor100.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Complete One of Two Shiny Card Sets</b></p><p>I'm currently working on two very shiny baseball card sets, and would like to complete one of them in 2021. With 2011 Topps Chrome Atomic Refractors, I'm at 199 out of 220, and with the 2014 Finest X-Fractors (Mike Trout shown above) I'm sitting at 62 out of 100. 2014 Finest would be the easier of the two even though I have further to go, the 2011 Atomic Refractors are BRUTAL.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3CCyULEa0rA/X-yLjh5YdmI/AAAAAAAA90c/B4G_4FHUQmg4clLwriSMQ_RWUXcvEt3gQCLcBGAsYHQ/s698/1975Topps300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="497" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3CCyULEa0rA/X-yLjh5YdmI/AAAAAAAA90c/B4G_4FHUQmg4clLwriSMQ_RWUXcvEt3gQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/1975Topps300.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Expand (Selectively) into Some New Sports</b></p><p>For quite a few years there I was a baseball and hockey collector only, then a while back began to collect soccer to an extent. Well, using my Cardboard Keepers project as a framework, I'd like to pick up some choice cards of greats from other sports like basketball, football, and maybe even a little golf?<br /></p><p>I'm still a baseball and hockey guy at heart, with soccer rapidly approaching those two, but it will be fun to land some iconic cards of GOATs from other sports if I can find the time and the funds.<br /></p><p></p><p>So, there you have it, a look back at how I did last year, and what to expect in terms of my collection, and in turn this blog, in 2021. I hope you'll join me in the coming months as I continue my lifelong exploration of the hobby we love. Amazingly, it will be my 14th year running this little blog, and hopefully my best one yet!</p><p>Have you set any goals for your collection for the coming year? If so, I'd love to read about them (or see a link) in the comments. Whatever it is you'll be chasing, best of luck in hunting it down!<br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-27511599318411680102020-12-31T13:00:00.002-05:002020-12-31T13:00:04.100-05:00Shoebox Legends' Top 20 of 2020!<p>As I've done each of the previous few years here on the blog, I'd like to use my final post of this particularly horrid year to highlight the top cards to debut on this blog over the past twelve months. The rules for this countdown are just that simple, the card has to have debuted here on Shoebox Legends between January 1, 2020, and today.</p><p>Each card caption in the post is actually a hyper-link to the original post where that card debuted on the blog, in case you missed it the first time around and are incredibly bored or looking for some extra card-related reading material.</p><p>With that out of the way, here is my Top 20 of 2020 countdown...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tg3VRzq5koM/X-tAPRxukQI/AAAAAAAA9xY/JIveWuafk4oxZ2WhXjndbayIjq7zRrkuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1971Topps630-PSA4Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1244" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tg3VRzq5koM/X-tAPRxukQI/AAAAAAAA9xY/JIveWuafk4oxZ2WhXjndbayIjq7zRrkuwCLcBGAsYHQ/w242-h400/1971Topps630-PSA4Photo.jpeg" width="242" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/05/i-sold-my-1953-topps-cards-part-4-71s.html"><b>#20 - 1971 Topps Roberto Clemente</b></a></p><p></p><p>You know it's the sign of a good year for my collection when the <i>last-place</i> card in the countdown is a playing-era Clemente!</p><p>One of my big trends this past year was selling off cards and downsizing my collection, and using the proceeds to pick up fewer, more significant cards instead. This Roberto is the first of many examples of the fruit of all of that labor in today's countdown. I picked up half a dozen graded HOFers from this iconic set with some sales funds, but Roberto here was the best of the bunch by far, and thus just squeaks onto this list.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tUfFo_iy1KM/X-tAe1rjJKI/AAAAAAAA9xc/XXcLkh3yeBE_r-8NSaJ-UMcDAAcWSqkdACLcBGAsYHQ/s693/1995SelectCertifiedGoldTeam02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="495" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tUfFo_iy1KM/X-tAe1rjJKI/AAAAAAAA9xc/XXcLkh3yeBE_r-8NSaJ-UMcDAAcWSqkdACLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/1995SelectCertifiedGoldTeam02.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/06/grabbing-gretzkys-i-like-goooold.html"><b>#19 - 1995-96 Select Gold Team Wayne Gretzky</b></a></p><p>Wayne Gretzky seems to have at least one card in the countdown at the end of each year, and 2020 was no exception. This year he gets the #19 slot, with this obnoxiously shiny '90s insert. I pretty much went out and picked this up as soon as I heard about these golden beauties. I may have added some older Gretzky cards, and some more valuable Gretzky cards, to my collection this year, but this shiny gem is my favorite of the bunch.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xf4EL_EAU1Y/X-tAlB8bRNI/AAAAAAAA9xk/0Z0GXrPa2YYROE_b-KBXYPQYCsjSYIPugCLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/1964Philadelphia012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xf4EL_EAU1Y/X-tAlB8bRNI/AAAAAAAA9xk/0Z0GXrPa2YYROE_b-KBXYPQYCsjSYIPugCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/1964Philadelphia012.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/09/cardboard-keepers-first-football-card.html"><b>#18 - 1964 Philadelphia Johnny Unitas</b></a></p><p>Using my Cardboard Keepers project as an excuse to pick-up some all-time greats outside my normal collecting wheelhouse has been quite successful so far. Case in point, this really great Johnny Unitas, which just so happens to be the very first football card to make one of these year-end countdowns. I'm hoping to (very selectively) continue to pick-up some NFL greats in the coming year, so maybe this will be the beginning of football having a place here on the countdown in future years.</p><p>This one's also great in that I picked it up at an antiques store just down the street from me that has plenty more great vintage to be picked through. I've been avoiding going back due to COVID, but will hopefully peruse again someday soon when conditions are better...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PpleBctgVAs/X-tAwmkv70I/AAAAAAAA9xs/0pf2d9vC1Hof20tLKLKY7VaVHcpP2ihUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s697/2016FleerShowcaseUltraBuyback002Auto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="496" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PpleBctgVAs/X-tAwmkv70I/AAAAAAAA9xs/0pf2d9vC1Hof20tLKLKY7VaVHcpP2ihUQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2016FleerShowcaseUltraBuyback002Auto.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/01/signature-sundays-ray-bourque.html"><b>#17 - 2016-17 Fleer Showcase '92-93 Ultra Buyback Auto Ray Bourque (#'d /25)</b></a></p><p>I have seriously cooled off on collecting autographs over the years, and have been trending more in the vintage and shiny card directions of late. Nonetheless, there was no way I could leave this amazing on-card autograph of one of the NHL's all-time best defensemen off this list. I'd love to pick up a few more of these Ultra buyback autos, but at just 25 copies each they are tough little buggers to track down in the wild.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3TWU2pWDGEE/X-tA-etsRRI/AAAAAAAA9x0/lFoAKoyhtK0jOwB_dyIMu1c2XbY0IzB8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s699/2011ToppsChromeAtomicRefractor173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="498" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3TWU2pWDGEE/X-tA-etsRRI/AAAAAAAA9x0/lFoAKoyhtK0jOwB_dyIMu1c2XbY0IzB8ACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2011ToppsChromeAtomicRefractor173.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/11/shiny-cardboard-mvp.html"><b>#16 - 2011 Topps Chrome Atomic Refractor Freddie Freeman RC</b></a></p><p>This gorgeous Freddie Freeman rookie card kicks off a streak of shiny cardboard here on the countdown. This was a satisfying pick-up because I'd been after an affordable copy for oh so long, yet finally hauled one in just months before Freeman won the NL MVP, decreasing the odds of finding a cheap copy even more. I'm determined to complete the 2011 Topps Chrome set in Atomic Refractor format someday, and this card was a <i>huge</i> win on that particular front.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7gbJyryHxK4/X-tBFYSp-tI/AAAAAAAA9x8/BNKU4pANKD4RDWIdiHD6l7fRRstcnxATwCLcBGAsYHQ/s696/2014O-Pee-CheePlatinumTraxx177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="498" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7gbJyryHxK4/X-tBFYSp-tI/AAAAAAAA9x8/BNKU4pANKD4RDWIdiHD6l7fRRstcnxATwCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2014O-Pee-CheePlatinumTraxx177.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/05/platinum-traxx-pastrnak.html"><b>#15 - 2014-15 O-Pee-Chee Platinum Traxx David Pastrnak RC</b></a></p><p>Feels like it's been forever since we saw any NHL hockey, doesn't it? Well, things are going to start back up in a couple of weeks here, and one of the players that I'll be most excited to watch is David Pastrnak, who shared the Rocket Richard Trophy for most goals in last year's abbreviated season with the great Alex Ovechkin. Still just 24 years old, David has already established himself as one of the elite scorers in the league. I flat out stole this card at under $40 last winter.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u1Jil_fNGHY/X-tBmQs4aeI/AAAAAAAA9yI/A0a1t0NGUi487I9O9zROimJFNDUrhv-aACLcBGAsYHQ/s698/2018PaniniPrizmWorldCupRedMosaic001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="496" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u1Jil_fNGHY/X-tBmQs4aeI/AAAAAAAA9yI/A0a1t0NGUi487I9O9zROimJFNDUrhv-aACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2018PaniniPrizmWorldCupRedMosaic001.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/08/cardboard-keepers-changes-at-shoebox.html"><b>#14 - 2018 Panini Prizm World Cup Mosaic Lionel Messi</b></a></p><p>Arguably the world's greatest soccer player over the last 15-20 years, in the top 2-3 players by anyone's account. This is also one of my favorite soccer sets ever, and just a gloriously shiny, retail-exclusive parallel. These Mosiacs are really tough to find, much more so than many of the other great colored parallels from this release. I stumbled upon it as a Buy-It-Now just minutes after it was listed, and I'm glad I did because at the bargain price that it was listed at, it would not have lasted very long.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lcGNfTUmIP0/X-tBxurG-ZI/AAAAAAAA9yM/XOxXmcSBD5gNJg3z7g8UWhnJ2qJlejSFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s700/2015ToppsBuyback1968-480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="700" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lcGNfTUmIP0/X-tBxurG-ZI/AAAAAAAA9yM/XOxXmcSBD5gNJg3z7g8UWhnJ2qJlejSFgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h285/2015ToppsBuyback1968-480.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/04/buyback-franken-set-1500-buybacks.html"><b>#13 - 2015 Topps Buybacks 1968 Topps Manager's Dream Oliva/Cardenas/Clemente</b></a></p><p>Roberto Clemente makes his second and final appearance in today's countdown. 2020 was another steady year for my long-running Buyback Franken-set project, and the best buyback that was added to the set by a country mile over these past twelve months was this 1968 Manager's Dream card. '50s and '60s combo cards are just amazing, and to get one with Clemente into my project was more than I could have hoped for when I started it. There's no way that this card ever gets bumped from the franken-set binder as far as I'm concerned.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BBNquxvwjA4/X-tCGyKclnI/AAAAAAAA9yY/UNq5li6rLzgxq8zNP5Z7-yXJYAw_CkC_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s703/2005UpperDeckBaseballHeroesEmeraldAuto019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="502" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BBNquxvwjA4/X-tCGyKclnI/AAAAAAAA9yY/UNq5li6rLzgxq8zNP5Z7-yXJYAw_CkC_wCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2005UpperDeckBaseballHeroesEmeraldAuto019.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/06/signature-sundays-yaz.html"><b>#12 - 2005 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes Emerald Auto Carl Yastrzemski (#'d /99)</b></a></p><p>I know I said that I've cooled off quite a bit on autograph pick-ups, and I truly have, but it's more that I seek out quality over quantity I guess. My first ever Yastrzemski autograph certainly fits the definition of quality! What a bold, amazing signature it is, too! Pretty amazing that it took me this many years of collecting to finally add Yaz's name to my autograph collection, but I'm happy that when it finally came it was from one of my favorite baseball autograph sets ever.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-snIfVR84mac/X-tCOjPm1cI/AAAAAAAA9yc/dU6YkxdKLGo-6znPYpnAgb5b8cO_PQORwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1609/1968Topps280-PSA3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1609" data-original-width="965" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-snIfVR84mac/X-tCOjPm1cI/AAAAAAAA9yc/dU6YkxdKLGo-6znPYpnAgb5b8cO_PQORwCLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h400/1968Topps280-PSA3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/05/cardboard-keepers-my-best-card-flip-ever.html"><b>#11 - 1968 Topps Mickey Mantle</b></a></p><p>The first nine cards were great, but I have to say that the top eleven cards this year really took my collection to a whole new level. I used a lot of my downtime during the pandemic to sell unwanted or under-appreciated cards from my collection on eBay, using the proceeds to land some big fish instead. It worked out amazingly, as this card and basically everything that come after it could have easily fit into the top three in any of the previous years' countdowns.</p><p>One of my biggest long-term collecting objectives is to complete a run of Mantle's playing era Bowman and Topps cards. While I cannot afford the 1951 or 1952 Bowman cards, or the insanely expensive 1952 Topps release, I'd like to get all of his other flagship Bowman and Topps cards from '53 through '69. This is a lifelong project to be sure, but I'm pleased to say I came one card closer in 2020 with this nicely centered '68.</p><p>This was the first of five cards that I acquired in my greatest card flip ever, funded by a $5 soccer pick-up, if you can believe that!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZqdwrNH4gU/X-tCVTCue6I/AAAAAAAA9yg/q9flbbE8egcrK6X1vvhcX2C-z5GbrDUfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1985O-Pee-Chee009-PSA6Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1225" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZqdwrNH4gU/X-tCVTCue6I/AAAAAAAA9yg/q9flbbE8egcrK6X1vvhcX2C-z5GbrDUfgCLcBGAsYHQ/w239-h400/1985O-Pee-Chee009-PSA6Photo.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/05/cardboard-keepers-my-best-card-flip-ever.html"><b>#10 - 1985-86 O-Pee-Chee Mario Lemieux RC</b></a></p><p>It just so happens that the next two cards came in the same flip as the Mantle. In retrospect I should have ranked this particular card higher, as Lemieux is a top-10 hockey player all-time in my opinion, and his rookie is also one of the most iconic hockey cards of the 1980s. When I acquired this, I commented that I thought Super Mario's rookies were criminally under-priced. I guess I was correct, as they've skyrocketed in the months since, as have many sports cards to be fair. A definite case of "I'm sure glad that I picked this up when I did".<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0FLQKZ5dm0g/X-tCdjk-o9I/AAAAAAAA9yo/iSvZ-zR3SB0hu9qGgdUMD7ETgMw3V4k5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1956Topps130-PSA3.5Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="2048" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0FLQKZ5dm0g/X-tCdjk-o9I/AAAAAAAA9yo/iSvZ-zR3SB0hu9qGgdUMD7ETgMw3V4k5gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h238/1956Topps130-PSA3.5Photo.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/05/cardboard-keepers-my-best-card-flip-ever.html"><b>#9 - 1956 Topps Willie Mays</b></a></p><p>Yet another card that came in the epic $5 soccer card flip. I'd love to complete both the 1955 and 1956 Topps sets someday, but I've been pursuing '55 with more vigor to date. The price was right on this '56 though when I had the flip funds to spend, and I knew I wanted to add a significant Willie Mays card to my collection, so here we are. I still get a smile on my face that's similar to the one Willie is flashing here whenever I look at this card.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lHVZWIaRG0g/X-tCk-Go3wI/AAAAAAAA9yw/fkFcdAVthdgrYMj1Br8munkT7fpGBB-JgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1971Topps004-PSADNAPhoto.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1223" data-original-width="2048" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lHVZWIaRG0g/X-tCk-Go3wI/AAAAAAAA9yw/fkFcdAVthdgrYMj1Br8munkT7fpGBB-JgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h239/1971Topps004-PSADNAPhoto.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/05/cardboard-keepers-my-favorite-card.html"><b>#8 - 1971-72 Topps NHL Goalies Win Leaders Auto Esposito/Johnston/Cheevers/Giacomin</b></a></p><p>This year's highest-ranking autograph card is easily one of the most unique autographs in my entire collection. I just think it's beyond cool that somebody put in the effort to have this one signed by all four subjects, and it helps that it's from one of the most iconic hockey sets ever produced and features multiple HOFers. I may not be as into autographed cards as I used to be, but I'll <i>always</i> appreciate a unique collectible like this one!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U9tvA4wLpyU/X-tCuv9rqII/AAAAAAAA9y4/-hoVcNTfH4g84bNdXJfWxGdeDl8KAul9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1955Topps047-PSA2Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="2048" height="244" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U9tvA4wLpyU/X-tCuv9rqII/AAAAAAAA9y4/-hoVcNTfH4g84bNdXJfWxGdeDl8KAul9QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h244/1955Topps047-PSA2Photo.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/06/cardboard-keepers-aaron-jordan.html"><b>#7 - 1955 Topps Hank Aaron</b></a></p><p>The sports card market was an insane place, full of ups and downs this past year. Sure, there were negative aspects to this, like the fact that I didn't see any retail packs available even once after early March. On a positive note though, there were ways to capitalize on the insanity.</p><p>Case in point, I sold a 1993 Finest Michael Jordan when his cards went bananas. Not the refractor or anything, just a plain ol' <a href="https://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2018/12/these-fit-that-doesnt-greatest.html">base card</a>. Got enough money for it that it funded this second year Hammerin' Hank, one-for-one. Yep, that's just plain crazy. Since even a relatively beat Aaron RC is a four figure card now, this is likely the oldest Aaron I'll ever own, and I effectively traded a '90s basketball base single for it. 2020 was a crazy year, indeed.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OIe6ADszEIg/X-tC0J2-zLI/AAAAAAAA9y8/wjdMEx97rcMrFk6S1XeCHl_0VBTkc7zHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1955Topps002-PSA3Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1251" data-original-width="2048" height="244" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OIe6ADszEIg/X-tC0J2-zLI/AAAAAAAA9y8/wjdMEx97rcMrFk6S1XeCHl_0VBTkc7zHgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h244/1955Topps002-PSA3Photo.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/05/cardboard-keepers-my-best-card-flip.html"><b>#6 - 1955 Topps Ted Williams</b></a></p><p>This was the fourth of five cards acquired from my epic $5 soccer flip, and to date is my oldest card of The Splendid Splinter. I probably should have had this ranked behind the Hank Aaron that we just looked at a moment ago, but I guess my Red Sox bias bumped this one up a spot. As with the Hank Aaron, once I had this card in hand I felt like my 1955 Topps set pursuit was truly starting to get serious.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1QufUvAZL40/X-tC8CWU5ZI/AAAAAAAA9zA/nB47OepVBxw64gy_CpLs5GRWazoiiJxMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1950Bowman046-PSA2Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="2048" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1QufUvAZL40/X-tC8CWU5ZI/AAAAAAAA9zA/nB47OepVBxw64gy_CpLs5GRWazoiiJxMgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h238/1950Bowman046-PSA2Photo.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/05/cardboard-keepers-my-best-card-flip.html"><b>#5 - 1950 Bowman Yogi Berra</b></a></p><p>Here's the final card from my $5 soccer card flip, and honestly the one that I was most excited about out of that grouping. I've adored this card since I was a kid, as I just love the image of the game's greatest catcher. I'm a total sucker for 1950 Bowman as well, since the set provided the first truly vintage card I ever owned as a kid (a Maurice McDermott, given to me by my dad). This card would have placed #1 in either of the last two years of these countdowns, but in 2020 it only ranked #5. Yep, some truly special cards are coming up here.<br /></p><p>Completing a '50 Bowman set feels like a pipe dream still, especially given what guys like Jackie Robinson go for, but even if I never get there I'll always treasure this beauty. Speaking of Jackie Robinson... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YhN37eMEFro/X-tDDQf-awI/AAAAAAAA9zE/TKM4XtSsJO4BmPm3vmDO28KERLwxfx0TgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1955Topps050-PSA3.5Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="2048" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YhN37eMEFro/X-tDDQf-awI/AAAAAAAA9zE/TKM4XtSsJO4BmPm3vmDO28KERLwxfx0TgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h238/1955Topps050-PSA3.5Photo.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/05/cardboard-keepers-another-hard-to.html"><b>#4 - 1955 Topps Jackie Robinson</b></a></p><p>The top four cards in this year's countdown are a cut above the rest in my mind. Each of them is very special to me for a particular reason, and in this case it's because this is my first playing-era Jackie Robinson card! A vintage Robinson is a great cornerstone to any baseball card collection, and I was pumped to clear out some cards I no longer appreciated to make space, and to finally acquire my first one with the resulting funds. My 1955 Topps set is in hyper-drive mode after landing Ted Williams, Hank Aaron and Jackie here all in the past year!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AFTDDr57-EY/X-tDKw5C7PI/AAAAAAAA9zM/KijNhQ9xieQkFH4Spcr-_as0FdOMnk48QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1968Topps177-PSA2.5Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="2048" height="245" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AFTDDr57-EY/X-tDKw5C7PI/AAAAAAAA9zM/KijNhQ9xieQkFH4Spcr-_as0FdOMnk48QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h245/1968Topps177-PSA2.5Photo.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/01/dream-card-acquired.html"><b>#3 - 1968 Topps Jerry Koosman/Nolan Ryan RC</b></a></p><p>2020 saw me pick up another card that I've coveted since childhood, the Nolan Ryan rookie. This purchase is special to me for a few reasons, not the least of which is that it was funded by gift cards provided by my parents and my mother-in-law, which I'll always remember. I'm 100% certain that I will keep, and treasure, this card for the rest of my life.</p><p>When I posted it all the way back in January, I predicted that it might finish in the top spot on this here countdown, and it certainly would have been a fitting choice. Amazingly though, I ended up with two others before the year was out that I'd put above even this wonderful RC!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YuEGd52PW9c/X-tDPJ3tJTI/AAAAAAAA9zU/WXR71yMM5w4CVSCe_FXjqWixDdodB9NowCLcBGAsYHQ/s1711/1940PlayBall001-PSA3Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1711" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YuEGd52PW9c/X-tDPJ3tJTI/AAAAAAAA9zU/WXR71yMM5w4CVSCe_FXjqWixDdodB9NowCLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h400/1940PlayBall001-PSA3Photo.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/08/a-straight-up-holy-shit-flip.html"><b>#2 - 1940 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio</b></a></p><p>The first of those would be this 1940 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio. I never in my life thought I'd own a playing-era card of Joltin' Joe. Once again though, the craziness that was the sports card world in 2020 allowed it to actually happen. I sold a soccer card that I pulled myself from a pack in 2018, that had no patch or autograph on it, and wasn't even serial-numbered, and made enough off of it to buy this Joe D straight-up. I really question whether we'll ever see some of the insanity in sports cards that we saw this past year ever again.</p><p>What on earth could top an authentic vintage card of The Yankee Clipper?<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-95HiVfyko5E/X-tDTTFfM7I/AAAAAAAA9zc/kiBWW3HVOYsHgwmiad7L9DtGjNejzsMEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1905/1986Fleer057-PSA4Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1905" data-original-width="1125" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-95HiVfyko5E/X-tDTTFfM7I/AAAAAAAA9zc/kiBWW3HVOYsHgwmiad7L9DtGjNejzsMEwCLcBGAsYHQ/w236-h400/1986Fleer057-PSA4Photo.jpeg" width="236" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/04/flipping-my-way-to-one-of-most-iconic.html"><b>#1 - 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan RC</b></a></p><p>Arguably the most iconic basketball card ever produced, that's what. This was the pinnacle of my mantra of selling quantity to fund quality this past year, as I spent many hours over many weeks, and many trips to the post office listing, selling and shipping over three dozen separate graded singles to fund the purchase of this one card! My timing was perfect too, as I picked this up just weeks before Jordan cards went bat-shit crazy as far as prices on the market. The greatest basketball card I have ever owned, or will ever own, and a very fitting choice for the top spot in this year's countdown.<br /></p><p>So, that's a wrap for the Top 20 of 2020. Looking back at the past twelve months like this makes it pretty clear that this was the single best year for my collection to date. 2020 was a trying year in both my professional and personal life, but it sure was a good one for sports cards.</p><p>As nice as all these acquisitions are, what I appreciate more is the great camaraderie that exists between collectors, and in our sports card blogging community in particular. In addition, I'm more grateful that ever to have my family happy and generally healthy, even if I don't get to see them much of late. Let's hope 2021 is a brighter year ahead on many counts.</p><p>Thanks as always for stopping by, and I hope you'll join me for yet another great upcoming year here on Shoebox Legends!<br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-81033678381218071992020-12-24T16:00:00.064-05:002020-12-24T16:20:41.606-05:00The Itch to Rip - Topps Super '70s Baseball!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P5cyyUlGscA/X-Oeg_GEhFI/AAAAAAAA9tM/9eS9koksai48lJ5jYTvjJ-pNPcACM9I0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4990.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P5cyyUlGscA/X-Oeg_GEhFI/AAAAAAAA9tM/9eS9koksai48lJ5jYTvjJ-pNPcACM9I0gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4990.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Like many collectors, I have been almost completely shutout from buying any unopened product at retail locations in 2020. Between the pandemic reducing my trips to these locations drastically, and the flipping vultures who purchase every bit of product the second it hits the shelves, it's been hopeless. In order to satisfy my itch to rip, I've had to modify my tactics a bit.</p><p>It was for these reasons that I recently succumbed to an offer in my daily email digest from Topps. Most of the time I scroll quickly through the available items, click Delete, and move on with my day. A few weeks ago though I saw a product that looked intriguing, and that was the Super '70s box (read: pack) you see above.</p><p>Each box features a single pack of 20 cards, at a price point of $24.99. Yes, you're paying $5 more than a retail blaster would set you back, but shipping is free, and as I said above good luck finding a retail blaster these days even if you wanted one. </p><p>Though I was born in the early '80s, and thus missed the '70s entirely, I still have an admiration for the decade and its baseball cards. I mean, just look at the awesome logo that Topps used on this box:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yITc_gFtch4/X-To5Xei4RI/AAAAAAAA9tU/e2I_Pe--lHgJDaGllIMkyALAw5Pek250wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1833/IMG_4989.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1716" data-original-width="1833" height="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yITc_gFtch4/X-To5Xei4RI/AAAAAAAA9tU/e2I_Pe--lHgJDaGllIMkyALAw5Pek250wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h375/IMG_4989.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Sorta looks a little like Reggie Jackson meets Mr. Met to me. Long hair, a great mustache, tequila sunrise jersey, some cool shades, and blowing a nice bubble too. I'm no expert, but this is just about a perfect 1970s mascot if you ask me! This is the first time in a long time that I was impressed enough with the packaging that I couldn't bring myself to toss the box away. It's small enough anyway, and kind of a fun display piece in my home office/card room.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQq91qRLB84/X-TpgJBWXEI/AAAAAAAA9tc/W-lSRhIxhxUHNtqoPe10NGhamrrMWdC_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4991.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQq91qRLB84/X-TpgJBWXEI/AAAAAAAA9tc/W-lSRhIxhxUHNtqoPe10NGhamrrMWdC_wCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_4991.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p>Opening up the box, you can see that there's an air-gap on the two sides, with the single "deck" of cards in the center. The cards come in a clear acrylic holder, and there's some black Styrofoam padding there to keep things fitting snugly.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8XnMh8yUv4/X-Tp3ET4qlI/AAAAAAAA9tk/_H8X-pEqulMEMGI0hqKUpke0QrWNbmhOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4992.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8XnMh8yUv4/X-Tp3ET4qlI/AAAAAAAA9tk/_H8X-pEqulMEMGI0hqKUpke0QrWNbmhOwCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_4992.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p>It would have been nice to see Topps design a wax wrapper for these as an excuse to use that fantastic logo once more, but instead it's just some tamper-proof tape around the clear holder.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6YpLQG2loDk/X-TqoDsFBnI/AAAAAAAA9tw/woSo0E_XZ-8BThik-CExqO3pnbxgT9BEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2020ToppsSuper70s020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6YpLQG2loDk/X-TqoDsFBnI/AAAAAAAA9tw/woSo0E_XZ-8BThik-CExqO3pnbxgT9BEwCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2020ToppsSuper70s020.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>As you could plainly see in the above photo, the first card out for me was the great speedster Rickey Henderson. A satisfying first pull. I really just picked this up for the pure enjoyment of opening something. I don't plan to complete the set at this point, even though it is somewhat enticing at just 90 cards deep. Mostly I'm just hoping to get a few favorite players, and Rickey certainly qualifies. A cool opening card too, given that Henderson debuted in 1979 with Oakland.<br /></p><p>It's obvious to me that Topps used the 1977 through 1979 flagship baseball sets as inspiration for the design here. The little position flag in the lower left is lifted right from '77 Topps, the cursive team name from '78, and the banner with the player name from '79 (though the colored banner contained the team name in that set, rather than the player name). As expected, this amalgamation results in a very '70s feel for these cards.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FZZa2dz7C8g/X-TqoPsG7UI/AAAAAAAA9ts/ce7SVop1vdw_CJ8s2FbLNuumAMBDiBkRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2020ToppsSuper70s020Back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1042" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FZZa2dz7C8g/X-TqoPsG7UI/AAAAAAAA9ts/ce7SVop1vdw_CJ8s2FbLNuumAMBDiBkRwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h285/2020ToppsSuper70s020Back.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>If a little over a dollar a card sounds pricey to you (and I agree that it is), I will at least say that Topps took it upon themselves to actually create card backs for these, which I have not always found to be the case with their online-only releases. They're very well done too, including cartoons (a must-have for a set paying tribute to the '70s), and they managed to fit that awesome Super '70s icon on there too! I have zero complaints about the design here, bravo Topps!<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IIIuruqXepc/X-Tt3F2-4qI/AAAAAAAA9uA/hdkGyvcjZRIpRx5hXJ5bc7K8opFNiIKYwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2020ToppsSuper70s028.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="739" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IIIuruqXepc/X-Tt3F2-4qI/AAAAAAAA9uA/hdkGyvcjZRIpRx5hXJ5bc7K8opFNiIKYwCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2020ToppsSuper70s028.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p></p><p>Second card in, and one of my top five favorite players from childhood. This one's a keeper for me. It does introduce one of my first gripes though about this release; I wish Topps would've stuck with subjects who appeared in at least one Major League game between 1970 and 1979. I get that they have to keep modern fans of the game interested, and that they'd never dare to release a set without a Mike Trout in it these days. Oh well, is what it is.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EgDed5Uv_T8/X-Tt3BnrRZI/AAAAAAAA9uE/ygTnAWYqwQE_0xL3CE1-Y-doHjNKHKs2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2020ToppsSuper70s028Back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="1041" height="284" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EgDed5Uv_T8/X-Tt3BnrRZI/AAAAAAAA9uE/ygTnAWYqwQE_0xL3CE1-Y-doHjNKHKs2QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h284/2020ToppsSuper70s028Back.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1TnI7rMvBw/X-TufUdx-UI/AAAAAAAA9uM/oWy7uaFbWPQf7wPRUD9wbMYiCOglpJWnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2020ToppsSuper70s039.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1TnI7rMvBw/X-TufUdx-UI/AAAAAAAA9uM/oWy7uaFbWPQf7wPRUD9wbMYiCOglpJWnQCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2020ToppsSuper70s039.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>This Frank Thomas is just not an attractive card. A little surprised, and a little disappointed, that more effort wasn't made to find a better photograph of Big Hurt than this one.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8dY09uxeQHs/X-TuqlBKEjI/AAAAAAAA9uQ/ozLNka_gXpY6bs2s1evSqI0RNauv62H1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2020ToppsSuper70s036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8dY09uxeQHs/X-TuqlBKEjI/AAAAAAAA9uQ/ozLNka_gXpY6bs2s1evSqI0RNauv62H1ACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2020ToppsSuper70s036.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aXvW7x1H21c/X-Tu58gST9I/AAAAAAAA9uY/i7ShxjX6EIIzQDkX0tTOXEU6NiyT_B-fQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2020ToppsSuper70s023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aXvW7x1H21c/X-Tu58gST9I/AAAAAAAA9uY/i7ShxjX6EIIzQDkX0tTOXEU6NiyT_B-fQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2020ToppsSuper70s023.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>I'm sure a more seasoned Dodgers collector might look at this card and say otherwise, but this doesn't seem like an image of Sandy Koufax that I recall seeing used very often on modern cards. Not bad, though I wish it was cropped out a bit wider so we could see more of that interesting ballpark backdrop.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tH_71GWYfbQ/X-TvCgKffEI/AAAAAAAA9ug/UtqAaxoo_JYaALP83pEFpIXJqNPcWIMuACLcBGAsYHQ/s1039/2020ToppsSuper70s001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="739" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tH_71GWYfbQ/X-TvCgKffEI/AAAAAAAA9ug/UtqAaxoo_JYaALP83pEFpIXJqNPcWIMuACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2020ToppsSuper70s001.jpg" width="285" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Al Oliver has the distinction of being the first card on the checklist, and the one used in some of the promotional material for the set. Something a little different at least, not to mention someone who played throughout the entire decade that is this set's inspiration. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pd17RL6D2oA/X-TvSBsgZcI/AAAAAAAA9uo/DteSUpyJuYwvwBb1NwMnFT57SK7ohRaGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/2020ToppsSuper70s062.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pd17RL6D2oA/X-TvSBsgZcI/AAAAAAAA9uo/DteSUpyJuYwvwBb1NwMnFT57SK7ohRaGgCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2020ToppsSuper70s062.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p></p><p>I was going to complain that this Brooks Robinson card looks a little grainy, but then I remembered that photography wasn't perfect in the '70s either. Besides, we've got a Walt Disney advertisement on the fence back there. Yep, I like this one after all.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aDd8UdsfZ28/X-Tvcqkze2I/AAAAAAAA9uw/s-mSTmtxWmMqe6AJBQCB6JA9guGAGh5PACLcBGAsYHQ/s1040/2020ToppsSuper70s062Back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1040" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aDd8UdsfZ28/X-Tvcqkze2I/AAAAAAAA9uw/s-mSTmtxWmMqe6AJBQCB6JA9guGAGh5PACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h285/2020ToppsSuper70s062Back.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>A decent cartoon on this card too, referencing Brooks' great nickname.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrONALEe1WU/X-TxGzbKxAI/AAAAAAAA9vE/yUMBiY7yoNoWtGMpnPhltzhgEhtrALW7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2020ToppsSuper70s026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrONALEe1WU/X-TxGzbKxAI/AAAAAAAA9vE/yUMBiY7yoNoWtGMpnPhltzhgEhtrALW7gCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2020ToppsSuper70s026.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>Alan Trammell's card is nice enough, but the best part is actually the back...<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uMPRncdMzF4/X-TxG0d62SI/AAAAAAAA9vA/JfLq0PAo1tEZsqvW_2e6YAaRv_t1JK1fACLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2020ToppsSuper70s026Back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="1041" height="283" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uMPRncdMzF4/X-TxG0d62SI/AAAAAAAA9vA/JfLq0PAo1tEZsqvW_2e6YAaRv_t1JK1fACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h283/2020ToppsSuper70s026Back.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>...because it references the iconic Paul Molitor/Alan Trammell RC from 1978 Topps!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h7sNdNMwJhI/X-TxP9KhDHI/AAAAAAAA9vI/Pz1SSg0xEpgu-X2eL7tIYzGCJn30CxqcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1040/2020ToppsSuper70s047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="739" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h7sNdNMwJhI/X-TxP9KhDHI/AAAAAAAA9vI/Pz1SSg0xEpgu-X2eL7tIYzGCJn30CxqcQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2020ToppsSuper70s047.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p></p><p>With Robin Yount's card, we've now settled into a nice little streak of players who actually played in Major League Baseball during the '70s. As I said with the Koufax above, I don't feel like this image has been over-used by Topps or other card companies over the years. Nice Yount card, for sure.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mJmHTlmjk-U/X-Txg2r-8CI/AAAAAAAA9vY/vHS4ocIPzrsH0_1_U45NXwLhQAFZUCzpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1046/2020ToppsSuper70s002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mJmHTlmjk-U/X-Txg2r-8CI/AAAAAAAA9vY/vHS4ocIPzrsH0_1_U45NXwLhQAFZUCzpgCLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/2020ToppsSuper70s002.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>Very happy to land a Montreal Expos card in this first pack. The Hawk's looking pretty mean and muscular here, ready to crush a ball outta the park.<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJ5cpacYUak/X-Txg8ALBLI/AAAAAAAA9vU/9ee2qMfKdiA6Iv0WTV3yEyybQH3Eqrw3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2020ToppsSuper70s002Back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1041" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJ5cpacYUak/X-Txg8ALBLI/AAAAAAAA9vU/9ee2qMfKdiA6Iv0WTV3yEyybQH3Eqrw3wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h285/2020ToppsSuper70s002Back.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>I thought his cartoon was kinda cool as well, with Andre playing up his fans at Wrigley. A little odd in that he's depicted with the Expos on the front, but I won't be too harsh on Topps for that I suppose.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jj71pzSm-YI/X-Tx0eACVPI/AAAAAAAA9vo/hXGpSG_49hksWtFS9VkyajODo_T_Gb9_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/2020ToppsSuper70s021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jj71pzSm-YI/X-Tx0eACVPI/AAAAAAAA9vo/hXGpSG_49hksWtFS9VkyajODo_T_Gb9_QCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2020ToppsSuper70s021.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>I am always thrilled to pull a new Clemente card, one of my favorite players from before my birth for sure. Easily one of my favorite cards in this pack.<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqTgMD0vJRs/X-Tx0fopgzI/AAAAAAAA9vk/7mIeR_aWmR8CkjYs4ZkZaN0s8kHekqwgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1043/2020ToppsSuper70s021Back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1043" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqTgMD0vJRs/X-Tx0fopgzI/AAAAAAAA9vk/7mIeR_aWmR8CkjYs4ZkZaN0s8kHekqwgQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h285/2020ToppsSuper70s021Back.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Roberto got a pretty good cartoon, too!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTapW-JMhCA/X-TyB9B1oDI/AAAAAAAA9vs/B24HYAyWz0EWDY0fzEXtvF190HQOA8AQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2020ToppsSuper70s037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTapW-JMhCA/X-TyB9B1oDI/AAAAAAAA9vs/B24HYAyWz0EWDY0fzEXtvF190HQOA8AQgCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2020ToppsSuper70s037.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p></p><p>Since I don't have much to say about Eric Davis, I'll just point out that these are on a very appropriate Topps Heritage-like card stock.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2fbUKncIkpo/X-TyRc08PNI/AAAAAAAA9v4/uGQv-N1eRu4jcaRJr6kxu7pX0uscnwvIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1043/2020ToppsSuper70s082.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2fbUKncIkpo/X-TyRc08PNI/AAAAAAAA9v4/uGQv-N1eRu4jcaRJr6kxu7pX0uscnwvIgCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2020ToppsSuper70s082.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>My least favorite card in the pack. I'm not even an Astros hater or anything like that, have just never been a big Bregman guy. It's somewhat jarring to see an active player on the design after all of those retired greats also.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eD48-0F02h4/X-TyZR0hEFI/AAAAAAAA9v8/FuA71V_nvRsJMMOJ4O8BRLMnCMy90CpKACLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2020ToppsSuper70s054.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eD48-0F02h4/X-TyZR0hEFI/AAAAAAAA9v8/FuA71V_nvRsJMMOJ4O8BRLMnCMy90CpKACLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2020ToppsSuper70s054.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p></p><p>One of the game's all-time great contact hitters, the late Tony Gwynn! Love the stylin' wrist-bands and that Starter-branded zipper!<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HD-F13iApcc/X-TyqPtd83I/AAAAAAAA9wE/8K7EFepM8HMyf62QlJ7ogeXQa8Sdw1vpACLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2020ToppsSuper70s070.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HD-F13iApcc/X-TyqPtd83I/AAAAAAAA9wE/8K7EFepM8HMyf62QlJ7ogeXQa8Sdw1vpACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2020ToppsSuper70s070.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Yeah, the active players just don't do much for me. Guerrero Jr. and Bregman will probably head out the door in trade packages at some future date.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lk6-jXUNv68/X-T1-gStzXI/AAAAAAAA9ww/lu-zHr4wRakXiRQQ-XI8AV81IPeks1uygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/2020ToppsSuper70s071.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lk6-jXUNv68/X-T1-gStzXI/AAAAAAAA9ww/lu-zHr4wRakXiRQQ-XI8AV81IPeks1uygCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2020ToppsSuper70s071.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p></p><p>As current players go though, I do like Nolan Arenado. Don't know if others will agree with me, but I feel he has a shot at Cooperstown if he can patch together another few good years here.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xUgOZAWfheY/X-TyzSuwzjI/AAAAAAAA9wI/ABJxTexq5mIMZ3ydCUN7cKSHEc-o1R44gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2020ToppsSuper70s067.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="737" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xUgOZAWfheY/X-TyzSuwzjI/AAAAAAAA9wI/ABJxTexq5mIMZ3ydCUN7cKSHEc-o1R44gCLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/2020ToppsSuper70s067.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Awesome! Not only did I get a new Red Sox card for my collection out of the box, but it's also a very appropriate subject for the set. Fisk had some great baseball cards in the '70s, and this one will certainly have a home in my collection.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsBsewET6zk/X-TzCfJld8I/AAAAAAAA9wQ/JTj6-_wyV0gIUg7FKfOou8k08ayRji0HgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1047/2020ToppsSuper70s010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsBsewET6zk/X-TzCfJld8I/AAAAAAAA9wQ/JTj6-_wyV0gIUg7FKfOou8k08ayRji0HgCLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/2020ToppsSuper70s010.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Great shot on this card of The Kid, smiling as usual. Not one, but two Expos cards in this pack! </p><p>That does it for the 18 base cards I pulled, but there were also two inserts to be had...<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uhD_mkYWs-A/X-TzfOo-ZJI/AAAAAAAA9wc/5LtxXtmtYs8AOGGBigBF0wRNTWtdM5EPACLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2020ToppsSuper70sMM-05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uhD_mkYWs-A/X-TzfOo-ZJI/AAAAAAAA9wc/5LtxXtmtYs8AOGGBigBF0wRNTWtdM5EPACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2020ToppsSuper70sMM-05.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p></p><p>First up, a Magnificent Mustaches Wade Boggs. Great idea for an insert set for this release in <i>concept</i>, but a bit short of great in <i>execution,</i> I'd say. There are only five cards in this insert set. Think back to all the fantastic facial hair of the '70s, yet this fuzzed-out photograph of Wade Boggs with the Devil Rays (and with a pretty standard, boring mustache, to boot) made the cut? You can do better than that, Topps!</p><p>In addition to the 1970s designs mentioned above, 1975 Topps inspiration comes into play with the inserts for this release, with different colored upper and lower borders on each card.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FHg2J17TG4/X-TznS-AN7I/AAAAAAAA9wk/lOPk2lxatssTebtHy2W6oBvbMNTM398xgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/2020ToppsSuper70sUU-03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FHg2J17TG4/X-TznS-AN7I/AAAAAAAA9wk/lOPk2lxatssTebtHy2W6oBvbMNTM398xgCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2020ToppsSuper70sUU-03.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p></p><p>If I was a little bitter over my first insert, the second one made up for it. Nolan Ryan was my absolute favorite player growing up, and I was happy to see this Ultimate Uniforms insert in my pack! I believe this is the same photograph used on Nolan's 1981 Topps flagship card, but I could be mistaken. Either way, a great end to the pack for me personally.</p><p>Topps really loved alliteration when it came to naming the inserts in this set, as aside from the Magnificent Mustaches and Ultimate Uniforms inserts that I pulled, there are also Happening Hairdos, Memorable Managers, and Spectacular Spectacles insert cards that you can pull from these packs.</p><p>All in all, that was a fun break for $25. Are there things I'd change about the release? Sure, it's not perfect, but it was an entertaining rip and made for a good blog post. At just $25, it's a lot cheaper than many of the products that Topps is peddling online these days, and brought me more satisfaction than many blasters I've opened in my day. I actually picked up a second pack of the stuff, but am keeping it unopened for now. Maybe I'll tear into it on a rainy day in the future, or maybe I'll sell it if prices keep going up over time. Not sure yet...<br /></p><p>What's your take on Topps' Super '70s release? Interesting? Over-priced? Have you purchased any of these packs, or any other online products from Topps in recent months? Do you think they're a viable solution at a time like this when it's fairly impossible to find packs in stores? I actually found the price point and free delivery to my door in the COVID age pretty attractive, enough so that I purchased two packs of another online-only product that I'll be showing as soon as it arrives. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments though.</p><p>In case I'm not back tomorrow with a post, I'd like to wish a Merry Christmas to everyone who stops by here, and to all collectors out there! Enjoy the holiday, and be safe as well as merry!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B5PH1TG5esY/X-T7-LYA3QI/AAAAAAAA9w8/2KDV1kZO4m4jTuMkLWUk50UrcUMhZFOewCLcBGAsYHQ/s866/IMG_4989%2B-%2BCopy.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="866" height="346" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B5PH1TG5esY/X-T7-LYA3QI/AAAAAAAA9w8/2KDV1kZO4m4jTuMkLWUk50UrcUMhZFOewCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h346/IMG_4989%2B-%2BCopy.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-62245716167948626282020-12-22T18:00:00.002-05:002020-12-22T18:00:00.131-05:00I Sold My 1953 Topps Cards! Part V - Even More '53s!<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7PjfRObdbhs/X2keLSsl9UI/AAAAAAAA9D0/fnkhxLhh6D040vOZI6ojR9HG5W59FLRBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1953ToppsBonanza.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1426" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7PjfRObdbhs/X2keLSsl9UI/AAAAAAAA9D0/fnkhxLhh6D040vOZI6ojR9HG5W59FLRBwCLcBGAsYHQ/w279-h400/1953ToppsBonanza.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><p>A little over a year ago now, I broke down and sold off the majority of my graded 1953 Topps set attempt. I saved more than 50% of my proceeds from the sale in my rainy day fund, but set aside a hefty $750 of the proceeds for funding new cards for my collection.</p><p>In the first post in this series I covered <a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2019/10/i-sold-my-1953-topps-cards-part-1.html">the sale itself</a>. In the second post, I started sharing my pick-ups with the resulting windfall in the form of <a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2019/11/i-sold-my-1953-topps-cards-part-2.html">16 1953 Topps cards from COMC</a> to re-initiate my set build in raw format. In the third post in the series, I picked up another <a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2019/11/i-sold-my-1953-topps-cards-part-3.html">33 raw '53 Topps cards</a> courtesy of eBay. Then, in the fourth post this past May we looked at a <a href="https://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2020/05/i-sold-my-1953-topps-cards-part-4-71s.html">batch of graded '71 HOFers</a> that I landed.<br /></p><p>Today I cover the next purchase, which was 22 <i>more</i> 1953 Topps singles towards my revamped set build! I picked these up off of eBay at a price point that worked out to $2 and change per card on average ($54 for the entire lot).<br />
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I won't provide commentary for all 22 of these, but generally speaking you'll see that they're all in similar condition to this first card of White Sox pitcher Tommy Byrne (who was nicknamed "Wild Man" due to his control issues). </p><p>I don't expect my cards for this set to be anywhere near perfect. Certainly don't mind a dinged corner or a faint surface crease. I'm just concerned with good overall visual appeal.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I won't show the backs for all 22 cards either, in the interest of preventing this post from getting entirely too long. Since they're some of the greatest card backs in history though, I had to show off at least one.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wayne Terwilliger, who played Major League Baseball between 1949 and 1960, is still alive and kicking today at age 95!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've mentioned it numerous times throughout the long life of this blog, but I'm very fond of the St. Louis Browns logo used in this set.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgmx7wUmIn4/XtlZ3oRkHSI/AAAAAAAA74U/U7F7vic_UAczaORJxWX-3-ni1nK1HuNBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1953Topps136.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="521" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgmx7wUmIn4/XtlZ3oRkHSI/AAAAAAAA74U/U7F7vic_UAczaORJxWX-3-ni1nK1HuNBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/1953Topps136.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><p>
Ken Heintzelman's lower left corner is particularly dinged compared to most of my others, but I'll have to get used to those types of things if I ever hope to acquire guys like Willie Mays from this set. Like I said up top, all good here condition-wise.<br />
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One thing I forgot to touch on was centering. To me as a vintage collector, it's a bigger deal than corners, or even mild surface creasing. For that reason, this Ebba St. Claire is maybe the only card in today's post that I could see myself upgrading someday. For now, this copy was like $2, so more than happy to have it as a placeholder.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ujDFzBMR2wI/XtldQKypVDI/AAAAAAAA74s/f-tTWi8FE3E0XP48o-_6Vp5cSQYKB9RGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1953Topps161.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="523" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ujDFzBMR2wI/XtldQKypVDI/AAAAAAAA74s/f-tTWi8FE3E0XP48o-_6Vp5cSQYKB9RGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/1953Topps161.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><p>Safe to say that you won't see Topps using a logo like this on a modern-day baseball card ever again.<br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7D-Tq8w_riU/Xzih4q29e8I/AAAAAAAA88A/cqEDmxsSK84Z0nJNfr4ZPd7p1AumbU-wQCLcBGAsYHQ/s746/1953Topps124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="518" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7D-Tq8w_riU/Xzih4q29e8I/AAAAAAAA88A/cqEDmxsSK84Z0nJNfr4ZPd7p1AumbU-wQCLcBGAsYHQ/w278-h400/1953Topps124.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><p>In these earlier-series cards, the Braves are referenced as the Boston Braves. That would change later on in the year.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flNYyRXjqfQ/XziiyCIlsgI/AAAAAAAA88I/L1bKDV2zjoAoCZeVqkDa1ur3VvrsyIqfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s747/1953Topps116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="518" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flNYyRXjqfQ/XziiyCIlsgI/AAAAAAAA88I/L1bKDV2zjoAoCZeVqkDa1ur3VvrsyIqfQCLcBGAsYHQ/w278-h400/1953Topps116.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><p>I like the image on this Frank Smith, the shading on his face from his cap looks pretty good to me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LCHZxI7iEWA/XzijJeooO5I/AAAAAAAA88Q/0RD5Xm2crzML_HOMJcPm811i1TGdjAlOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s744/1953Topps145.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="523" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LCHZxI7iEWA/XzijJeooO5I/AAAAAAAA88Q/0RD5Xm2crzML_HOMJcPm811i1TGdjAlOQCLcBGAsYHQ/w281-h400/1953Topps145.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><p>Little bit of outfield advertising visible on Harry Dorish's card.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5X1gMttTFc/Xzijsp1rCDI/AAAAAAAA88Y/3jcy5984r7kVHyAglxfISzYg66XvIPjrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s749/1953Topps156.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="520" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5X1gMttTFc/Xzijsp1rCDI/AAAAAAAA88Y/3jcy5984r7kVHyAglxfISzYg66XvIPjrgCLcBGAsYHQ/w278-h400/1953Topps156.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><p>"Jungle" Jim Rivera! This is one that I'd sold my graded copy of, so happy to have it back in my raw set build now.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4oARGx2JZuw/XzikD1SV8kI/AAAAAAAA88g/-DrQ98Qm3v0Xw1UZfTYVdsOgjRog0Q57ACLcBGAsYHQ/s750/1953Topps202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="523" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4oARGx2JZuw/XzikD1SV8kI/AAAAAAAA88g/-DrQ98Qm3v0Xw1UZfTYVdsOgjRog0Q57ACLcBGAsYHQ/w279-h400/1953Topps202.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-htOxqxMXyrA/XzikfGQlBKI/AAAAAAAA88o/HxJeUawkTusQrqChci_B9iWA8Uzz7aVWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s746/1953Topps097.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="524" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-htOxqxMXyrA/XzikfGQlBKI/AAAAAAAA88o/HxJeUawkTusQrqChci_B9iWA8Uzz7aVWQCLcBGAsYHQ/w281-h400/1953Topps097.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><p>A nice look at the Philadelphia Athletics elephant. To me, those two signs at right almost look like the same two featured on Harry Dorish's painting a few cards back, no?<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hA3lOpks9Ic/X2kHWkVaxpI/AAAAAAAA9C8/fg2SO-dQMdok-5J6hkZ1TKQLn2irGFZTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/1953Topps089.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="522" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hA3lOpks9Ic/X2kHWkVaxpI/AAAAAAAA9C8/fg2SO-dQMdok-5J6hkZ1TKQLn2irGFZTQCLcBGAsYHQ/w278-h400/1953Topps089.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><p>Chuck Stobbs was actually the first graded '53 that I picked up as an adult and featured here on this blog. All the way back in <a href="http://shoeboxlegends.blogspot.com/2008/01/1953-topps-project-card-1.html">January of 2008</a>! Crazy to think that post is coming up on 13 years old now.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W2rNxFZUfQc/X2kK_UCnkTI/AAAAAAAA9DE/eWZxuj56AogEsEeJ5wcQ8U70Fffo1akLACLcBGAsYHQ/s748/1953Topps178.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="519" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W2rNxFZUfQc/X2kK_UCnkTI/AAAAAAAA9DE/eWZxuj56AogEsEeJ5wcQ8U70Fffo1akLACLcBGAsYHQ/w278-h400/1953Topps178.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><p>Most of the paintings in this iconic set are more the close-up head shot style, so when you get one like Jim Waugh's here it really stands out. Love the Pittsburgh jersey, that Pirates logo, and that wooden fence in the background.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_Zw5qFymoM/X2kMUjSi3AI/AAAAAAAA9DM/EBN47txw6uwj1-eP4eW5JajcpdGwoNEdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s748/1953Topps208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="521" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_Zw5qFymoM/X2kMUjSi3AI/AAAAAAAA9DM/EBN47txw6uwj1-eP4eW5JajcpdGwoNEdwCLcBGAsYHQ/w279-h400/1953Topps208.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><p>Here's a later-series card (though not the tough high-number series) that shows the transition from Boston Braves to Milwaukee Braves. I always thought it was cool that you could see that progression within this one set, just another reason to like '53 Topps I guess.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-45ycguL7SKc/X2kcyQwSf8I/AAAAAAAA9DU/bun2LWsbg6cr8cGz-L1rfDUuzVvyY0tSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s747/1953Topps103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="522" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-45ycguL7SKc/X2kcyQwSf8I/AAAAAAAA9DU/bun2LWsbg6cr8cGz-L1rfDUuzVvyY0tSgCLcBGAsYHQ/w280-h400/1953Topps103.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-388RDAXa22w/X2kdNSGSaSI/AAAAAAAA9Dc/tXsNYF75aeY18B9y5vyt6npN4CifkZ1-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s745/1953Topps164.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="523" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-388RDAXa22w/X2kdNSGSaSI/AAAAAAAA9Dc/tXsNYF75aeY18B9y5vyt6npN4CifkZ1-QCLcBGAsYHQ/w280-h400/1953Topps164.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><p>Great Senators logo in this set, too!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ReZQOqPfa5s/X2kdjEB1D3I/AAAAAAAA9Dk/A_XSwdXIa_srwMewRQKQxaKEU2fIsw1mQCLcBGAsYHQ/s748/1953Topps199.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="523" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ReZQOqPfa5s/X2kdjEB1D3I/AAAAAAAA9Dk/A_XSwdXIa_srwMewRQKQxaKEU2fIsw1mQCLcBGAsYHQ/w280-h400/1953Topps199.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><p>Here's another one with a painting that stands out, nearly a full body shot of Athletics hurler Marion Fricano.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GcjTJ12yv0I/X2kd3QCAa4I/AAAAAAAA9Ds/VFDuDBohLQ0Q23-Cy-Kwku1te41qaJvigCLcBGAsYHQ/s746/1953Topps195.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="521" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GcjTJ12yv0I/X2kd3QCAa4I/AAAAAAAA9Ds/VFDuDBohLQ0Q23-Cy-Kwku1te41qaJvigCLcBGAsYHQ/w279-h400/1953Topps195.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><p>That's a wrap on this latest batch of 22 singles. Really happy to have these in hand, as my version 2.0 1953 Topps set build is now up to 92 cards out of 274. Pretty significant, as this lot pushes me past the 1/3 complete mark!</p><p>I plan to continue to work on my '53 Topps set in 2021, but it feels good to finish the year above 33% complete anyway. Below is the current running total for how I spent the proceeds of my graded '53 Topps sale. I can't wait to show you what I spent the remaining $480 and change on!</p><p>Until next time though, thanks as always for stopping by, and stay safe out there! <br /></p><p><u><b>1953 Topps Sale Breakdown</b></u><br />
<br />
<b>$1,000.00</b> - Invested/Saved<br />
<b>$192.20</b> - 71 1953 Topps Singles<br />
<b>$75.36</b> - 6 1971 Topps PSA-graded Singles<br />
<br />
<b>Remaining Funds:</b> $482.44
</p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-22822671685755269382020-12-15T18:00:00.001-05:002020-12-15T18:00:01.419-05:00Another Helping of Shlabotnik Sox<p>It's high time I showed off the remainder of the awesome Red Sox cards that I received from longtime hobby friend Joe Shlabotnik quite a ways back. I'd like to get caught up on having featured all cards received in trade this year by December 31st, so here they are, the newest additions to my ever-expanding Boston Red Sox collection...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_taWuGWXdW4/X8-S1UD2dkI/AAAAAAAA9oI/5t7imV9BKeYAiuZWFsQLxpW5GyGnakpEACLcBGAsYHQ/s700/1999ToppsNB04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="494" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_taWuGWXdW4/X8-S1UD2dkI/AAAAAAAA9oI/5t7imV9BKeYAiuZWFsQLxpW5GyGnakpEACLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/1999ToppsNB04.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><p>When I first thumbed to this Nomah card in the stack, I had a feeling I maybe already owned a copy. It turns out that I felt that way because I have two <i>other</i> Garciaparra inserts from 1999 Topps flagship, but not this one! Always happy to land a new Garciaparra card, especially one from the era in which he was my favorite player on the Red Sox (1996 through 2003).<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpKsA8axSuc/X8-kmVB7c3I/AAAAAAAA9oQ/3DHbjwFpFQEKnbH2sVNcTWw0vXt3aqm4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s701/1981Donruss458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpKsA8axSuc/X8-kmVB7c3I/AAAAAAAA9oQ/3DHbjwFpFQEKnbH2sVNcTWw0vXt3aqm4ACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/1981Donruss458.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Next up, a trio of 1981 Donruss cards towards my team set from this release. This Dwight Evans is gloriously mis-cut, but I'm not bothered by it in the least.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gHHz3ot9Txs/X8-kw3GMILI/AAAAAAAA9oU/lnte3zZLnGobZwCoNoKkHWnhzs6NPNREQCLcBGAsYHQ/s701/1981Donruss577.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="497" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gHHz3ot9Txs/X8-kw3GMILI/AAAAAAAA9oU/lnte3zZLnGobZwCoNoKkHWnhzs6NPNREQCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/1981Donruss577.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Jim Dwyer looks...concerned? Certainly uneasy at least.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GoMirK03W3o/X8-k8aXmQzI/AAAAAAAA9oc/xtzSpeVHeLoik7uqtrmIqUIMkEiosEyOACLcBGAsYHQ/s692/1981Donruss215.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="503" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GoMirK03W3o/X8-k8aXmQzI/AAAAAAAA9oc/xtzSpeVHeLoik7uqtrmIqUIMkEiosEyOACLcBGAsYHQ/w290-h400/1981Donruss215.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><p>There's really no excuse for me not to have every playing-era card of the great Jerry Remy by this point, but clearly I don't because this gem was new to me!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uRlNNth9Nds/X8-0tPeqLTI/AAAAAAAA9ow/b4bxUcjgGuk-qKi_26iPQpyxTpVrV5kkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s697/2018ToppsOpeningDay019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="497" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uRlNNth9Nds/X8-0tPeqLTI/AAAAAAAA9ow/b4bxUcjgGuk-qKi_26iPQpyxTpVrV5kkQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2018ToppsOpeningDay019.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>From there we'll transition to 2018 Topps Opening Day, a set from which there were a few different singles in the latest delivery from Joe.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfbdNcdjm2A/X8-0tMq71EI/AAAAAAAA9os/VAfG-TKZCgMBY8rHzSXJjqa_NT_RW5esQCLcBGAsYHQ/s695/2018ToppsOpeningDay020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="495" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfbdNcdjm2A/X8-0tMq71EI/AAAAAAAA9os/VAfG-TKZCgMBY8rHzSXJjqa_NT_RW5esQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2018ToppsOpeningDay020.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-buQJM0dNAGw/X8-04procXI/AAAAAAAA9o0/wo_-reOjTFM7FF4T0g8jERENX7QFwvJxACLcBGAsYHQ/s698/2018ToppsOpeningDay021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="496" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-buQJM0dNAGw/X8-04procXI/AAAAAAAA9o0/wo_-reOjTFM7FF4T0g8jERENX7QFwvJxACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2018ToppsOpeningDay021.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdns6KYzEhQ/X8-1AVPWnyI/AAAAAAAA9pA/JfVF48beV0A1b-y9Hzd4wxwrxy1oSkt7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s699/2018ToppsOpeningDay022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="497" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdns6KYzEhQ/X8-1AVPWnyI/AAAAAAAA9pA/JfVF48beV0A1b-y9Hzd4wxwrxy1oSkt7gCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2018ToppsOpeningDay022.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Opening Day or not, not everyone just throws around Mookie Betts cards for free and by surprise these days. That Joe is a solid guy I tell ya!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7BbrTLRSpcc/X8-2IWOL-iI/AAAAAAAA9pQ/-djdUA5aqPQ1cy3C493AFa1K-HEKmQBsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s697/2018ToppsOpeningDay116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="697" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7BbrTLRSpcc/X8-2IWOL-iI/AAAAAAAA9pQ/-djdUA5aqPQ1cy3C493AFa1K-HEKmQBsgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h286/2018ToppsOpeningDay116.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMuggkuW_r0/X8-3XFuR5_I/AAAAAAAA9pc/xsY3X9AnUcka-w6q4le5WHnlDRiFLpbhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s698/2018ToppsOpeningDay147.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="495" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMuggkuW_r0/X8-3XFuR5_I/AAAAAAAA9pc/xsY3X9AnUcka-w6q4le5WHnlDRiFLpbhwCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2018ToppsOpeningDay147.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>I'm still kind of surprised at just how quickly Hanley's MLB career came to an end.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4h51g2ke4s/X8-3XPRhj0I/AAAAAAAA9pY/s7qxkdzcKyoWzDYd-3A3lqaU3J0JAX9xQCLcBGAsYHQ/s697/2018ToppsOpeningDay150.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="495" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4h51g2ke4s/X8-3XPRhj0I/AAAAAAAA9pY/s7qxkdzcKyoWzDYd-3A3lqaU3J0JAX9xQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2018ToppsOpeningDay150.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>The Topps All-Star Rookie Cup rounds out the 2018 Opening Day cards. Perhaps the best part about this batch is that my 2018 Opening Day Red Sox team set is now complete, woohoo!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3lQAxM-ExL0/X8-4wsY4gJI/AAAAAAAA9pw/Sizbdd732HUScPW3Ftr6Mk0YixJrqRqfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s695/1982Fleer301.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="501" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3lQAxM-ExL0/X8-4wsY4gJI/AAAAAAAA9pw/Sizbdd732HUScPW3Ftr6Mk0YixJrqRqfwCLcBGAsYHQ/w289-h400/1982Fleer301.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><p>Here's one odd early '80s Fleer that got left out of my last post on Joe's mailer, where I showed a few of these fuzzy beauts.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jf8Ftdn_2ug/X8-54d-dSYI/AAAAAAAA9p4/84TWIvQrWMUDmfssZ549bFJ2PjUf0J_0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s698/2020PaniniDiamondKings028.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="499" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jf8Ftdn_2ug/X8-54d-dSYI/AAAAAAAA9p4/84TWIvQrWMUDmfssZ549bFJ2PjUf0J_0ACLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2020PaniniDiamondKings028.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>A couple of very artsy Diamond Kings cards are next. I think these are from the 2020 release, but I've filed them away weeks ago and am too lazy to confirm right now.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XUi7aM55BmQ/X8-54bWKq3I/AAAAAAAA9p8/GKEbD2xWSuwjr0VhYfVU-qylfiKedS6FQCLcBGAsYHQ/s697/2020PaniniDiamondKings034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="495" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XUi7aM55BmQ/X8-54bWKq3I/AAAAAAAA9p8/GKEbD2xWSuwjr0VhYfVU-qylfiKedS6FQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2020PaniniDiamondKings034.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TxSOfDBd0Tg/X8-6t05EMYI/AAAAAAAA9qI/GzZHB1q4r-8DtsZFoQS4ZYhQeucwKy3vwCLcBGAsYHQ/s698/2019ToppsUS151.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="497" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TxSOfDBd0Tg/X8-6t05EMYI/AAAAAAAA9qI/GzZHB1q4r-8DtsZFoQS4ZYhQeucwKy3vwCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2019ToppsUS151.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p><i>Another</i> new Mookie? Jackpot!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-buv9xjBxA0M/X8-64aVVuZI/AAAAAAAA9qM/iEt8_l29I_499SjCEZKhJ3FGnsfXcuoZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s698/2019ToppsUS134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="496" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-buv9xjBxA0M/X8-64aVVuZI/AAAAAAAA9qM/iEt8_l29I_499SjCEZKhJ3FGnsfXcuoZQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2019ToppsUS134.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>JD Martinez, from the same ASG subset from 2019 Topps Update. Martinez is a bit of a mystery to me, in that after two <i>really</i> great years with the Red Sox he doesn't seem to be too popular with collectors. He struggled in 2020 I'll admit, but so did a lot of guys, and I'm not really holding that train wreck of a season against any player. I guess we'll see how he bounces back next year... <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t8UVAWz0KVM/X8_B9rBnPvI/AAAAAAAA9qg/SceDQajWXEo456iaUo7iaNUJdcwuBchrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s697/2005FleerTradition003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="494" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t8UVAWz0KVM/X8_B9rBnPvI/AAAAAAAA9qg/SceDQajWXEo456iaUo7iaNUJdcwuBchrgCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2005FleerTradition003.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Next up, some Fleer Tradition cards. These are from the 2005 release, which is great because they feature the players who finally broke the curse and won the 2004 World Series. This one doubles as a new addition to my small Bartolo Colon collection, also.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmdCBH75YtM/X8_B9tPaBtI/AAAAAAAA9qk/LhqSIk0ODBcXxpdDzQRAlsb3zWrVlpkMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s696/2005FleerTradition005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="495" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmdCBH75YtM/X8_B9tPaBtI/AAAAAAAA9qk/LhqSIk0ODBcXxpdDzQRAlsb3zWrVlpkMwCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2005FleerTradition005.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Two thirds of a Red Sox card here, but that counts to me!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5EmR2n-Q6mw/X8_B9qAPfoI/AAAAAAAA9qc/yZuB0kZqodM4dSEHzNrWYX8lw9VMiu5MwCLcBGAsYHQ/s694/2005FleerTradition258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="490" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5EmR2n-Q6mw/X8_B9qAPfoI/AAAAAAAA9qc/yZuB0kZqodM4dSEHzNrWYX8lw9VMiu5MwCLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/2005FleerTradition258.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tuvyvq8XIDQ/X8_CGHVJLTI/AAAAAAAA9qo/nXlpZEYJzTwKstN-jaXg5EtWVeOKqolKACLcBGAsYHQ/s695/2005FleerTradition247.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="495" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tuvyvq8XIDQ/X8_CGHVJLTI/AAAAAAAA9qo/nXlpZEYJzTwKstN-jaXg5EtWVeOKqolKACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2005FleerTradition247.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2NcYTMOc2vk/X8_CPVv4pZI/AAAAAAAA9q0/M0JZecdwBewNT5aqZjzKOb9lxgB5krzWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s695/2005FleerTradition172.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="495" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2NcYTMOc2vk/X8_CPVv4pZI/AAAAAAAA9q0/M0JZecdwBewNT5aqZjzKOb9lxgB5krzWgCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2005FleerTradition172.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Dirt Dog!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FS9TCM_sp_E/X8_CYOfVJhI/AAAAAAAA9q8/dya-A63vWtUfb8urTP1-wHjMnPCSfP7mQCLcBGAsYHQ/s695/2005FleerTradition350.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="496" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FS9TCM_sp_E/X8_CYOfVJhI/AAAAAAAA9q8/dya-A63vWtUfb8urTP1-wHjMnPCSfP7mQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2005FleerTradition350.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Yet another David Ortiz card. Right now Big Papi is the most-represented player in my baseball card collection, with a slim one-card lead over Xander Bogaerts. Pretty amazing since I frequently search out Xander's cardboard, while David just seems to sort of happen by circumstance, due to the sheer number of Ortiz card that have been produced over the years.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wfAxgt54WSk/X8_ahYqx1WI/AAAAAAAA9rI/TDuoJs-0ppkR6YCzmEfnFEzid7ONZhtnACLcBGAsYHQ/s700/2005DonrussTeamHeroes057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="499" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wfAxgt54WSk/X8_ahYqx1WI/AAAAAAAA9rI/TDuoJs-0ppkR6YCzmEfnFEzid7ONZhtnACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2005DonrussTeamHeroes057.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>A stray Donruss Team Heroes Dewey...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--db6iboGftc/X8_ct-doU2I/AAAAAAAA9rU/Bc1T3_0ANik09hYYcKexSEf_k1kEwwlGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s697/2005ToppsHeritage368.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="697" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--db6iboGftc/X8_ct-doU2I/AAAAAAAA9rU/Bc1T3_0ANik09hYYcKexSEf_k1kEwwlGQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h285/2005ToppsHeritage368.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>...and a stray Topps Heritage Manny. I still have quite a ways to go in terms of the earlier Topps Heritage Red Sox team sets, so this card is very much appreciated.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rq4t-RyA54/X8_dHowz6vI/AAAAAAAA9rc/V0d-RgaYeH0Qqga0bM_xv6PIjcHDo8e6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s689/1999ToppsLD10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="505" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rq4t-RyA54/X8_dHowz6vI/AAAAAAAA9rc/V0d-RgaYeH0Qqga0bM_xv6PIjcHDo8e6QCLcBGAsYHQ/w293-h400/1999ToppsLD10.jpg" width="293" /></a></div><p>Here's another new Nomar, this one an extremely shiny and die-cut card. I think it'll find a home in my in-progress shiny card binder project, actually. The bottom of the card is a standard, straight edge, but you could cut your fingers along the top there if you weren't careful!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k2lh0i5hSlo/X8_h6hexICI/AAAAAAAA9ro/c-Z-IRn7aK0_L7K85e6kF1lqc3hnkAMUACLcBGAsYHQ/s696/2019O-Pee-Chee145.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="499" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k2lh0i5hSlo/X8_h6hexICI/AAAAAAAA9ro/c-Z-IRn7aK0_L7K85e6kF1lqc3hnkAMUACLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2019O-Pee-Chee145.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>Here's one lone hockey card that made its way into the package, featuring defenseman John Moore of the Bruins. I've really strayed away from modern hockey cards big time over the past few seasons, with few exceptions, so this is actually my first card from last year's O-Pee-Chee hockey set. I'm guessing Joe found a loose pack or two in the wild, and I'm glad he passed this one on to me so I could at least get a look at the design in hand.</p><p>Finally, Joe was nice enough to throw in a fantastic hit that he pulled from last year's Topps Heritage release. Check this one out: <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OjV_Z5vRWok/X8_ieB-cELI/AAAAAAAA9r0/ZFgnchmOwpga5LA7m5JW55i_HI39hFDZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s696/2019ToppsHeritageROA-RP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="497" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OjV_Z5vRWok/X8_ieB-cELI/AAAAAAAA9r0/ZFgnchmOwpga5LA7m5JW55i_HI39hFDZQCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2019ToppsHeritageROA-RP.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>Niiiiiiiice! Amazingly, though I have just a couple dozen cards of Rico, the majority of which are of the vintage variety that were released during his playing career, this is now my third autograph of the man. All three are on-card, and all three feature beautiful signatures like this one here. There's a man who takes some pride in his penmanship! Next time you pull an autograph that looks like two initials, or a one-second scribble, think back to this card.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fXFpcYoJXzU/X8_ieF1vzdI/AAAAAAAA9rw/DIYQ4QAeIGAXHQf9d3m05r0Qm5PNCdakACLcBGAsYHQ/s693/2019ToppsHeritageROA-RPBack.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="693" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fXFpcYoJXzU/X8_ieF1vzdI/AAAAAAAA9rw/DIYQ4QAeIGAXHQf9d3m05r0Qm5PNCdakACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h286/2019ToppsHeritageROA-RPBack.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Joe, I really appreciate all the great cards you sent my way here, and even more so the hobby friendship that we've struck up over the years. Thank you! I'll see if I can round up some cardboard to send your way over holiday break maybe.</p><p>To everyone else, thanks as always for stopping by, and stay safe out there!<br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-36112584532249475772020-12-13T18:45:00.009-05:002020-12-13T18:45:02.011-05:00Signature Sundays - Premier League's Top Scorer<p>I know soccer is not exactly likely to drive up the view count on any post here on the blog, but this week's Signature Sundays subject is one that I'm really happy to finally have represented in my collection and so wanted to show off here nonetheless...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1MT_N1V_YM/X9YwvDZHYzI/AAAAAAAA9s0/heq3rUDYIN09ULJ1k6rBP7gzgfVvq-0EwCLcBGAsYHQ/s695/2015PaniniSelectHS-AS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="695" height="284" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1MT_N1V_YM/X9YwvDZHYzI/AAAAAAAA9s0/heq3rUDYIN09ULJ1k6rBP7gzgfVvq-0EwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h284/2015PaniniSelectHS-AS.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p> It's a little hard to make out just above the signature there, but this is England's Alan Shearer! Although he played before I was a fan of the international game, I've long wanted a significant card of his for one reason and one reason alone. He is the all-time leading goal-scorer in the English Premier League, which is the league that I've followed most closely, for about the past ten years now.</p><p>Alan netted an impressive 260 career Premier League goals across 15 campaigns from 1992 through 2006. That's enough to give him the career lead by a wide margin, as the next closest scorer is Wayne Rooney with 208 career Premier League goals, and he left the league back in 2018. As for active players, Sergio Aguero of Manchester City has 180, and Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur has just over 150. I actually think Kane has the better shot of the two of them, as Aguero seems to miss a lot of games.<br /></p><p>While a sticker autograph, the signature itself on this card is actually very nice in this case.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJPA1ZD1NOE/X9YwvCzENPI/AAAAAAAA9sw/qieYTRU_SbM7P8Rd8e7yi8EgCZ3CXjkWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s697/2015PaniniSelectHS-ASBack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="697" height="284" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJPA1ZD1NOE/X9YwvCzENPI/AAAAAAAA9sw/qieYTRU_SbM7P8Rd8e7yi8EgCZ3CXjkWgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h284/2015PaniniSelectHS-ASBack.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Here's a look at the back where, because it's Panini, we see the same photograph recycled from the front.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1MT_N1V_YM/X9YwvDZHYzI/AAAAAAAA9s0/heq3rUDYIN09ULJ1k6rBP7gzgfVvq-0EwCLcBGAsYHQ/s695/2015PaniniSelectHS-AS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="695" height="284" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1MT_N1V_YM/X9YwvDZHYzI/AAAAAAAA9s0/heq3rUDYIN09ULJ1k6rBP7gzgfVvq-0EwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h284/2015PaniniSelectHS-AS.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>That's all I've got for now. Back to watching the DVR'd Premier League action from earlier today! </p><p>Thanks as always for stopping by, and stay safe out there...<br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-66751169329043368282020-12-12T10:00:00.001-05:002020-12-12T10:00:00.298-05:00Put Your Sunglasses On<p>As collectors, we often go through different phases in what we're attracted to or in search of. Lately, I've been on a shiny card kick. Here are a bunch that I've picked up in recent weeks, courtesy of Sportlots and eBay... <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4njLGQgd0c/X7wgNoba2uI/AAAAAAAA9ck/FHc1m_3o6W4NFh5icdDLzCE4eTpWCiCgACLcBGAsYHQ/s1047/2017DonrussOpticHolo140.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="744" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4njLGQgd0c/X7wgNoba2uI/AAAAAAAA9ck/FHc1m_3o6W4NFh5icdDLzCE4eTpWCiCgACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2017DonrussOpticHolo140.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>I've shown a few different cards from this Donruss Optic set recently, just love the design. Can't go wrong with future HOFer Yadier Molina either.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FGaQBBpC13M/X7wfwKC82AI/AAAAAAAA9cc/L25e95nhdgoZtVzCQ4CgqZPkUX47oduiACLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2017DonrussOpticHolo105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="743" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FGaQBBpC13M/X7wfwKC82AI/AAAAAAAA9cc/L25e95nhdgoZtVzCQ4CgqZPkUX47oduiACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2017DonrussOpticHolo105.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>I find the catcher cards work best in this set, as it's much harder to tell that this is an unlicensed release when the tools of ignorance hide the fact that the jerseys and helmets are bereft of logos.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o8s1D2XAhW8/X7wfOHvKcrI/AAAAAAAA9cU/qbJBWYAOOPgl4Rgzlech1uDt0ydK2tBcACLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2017DonrussOpticHolo099.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o8s1D2XAhW8/X7wfOHvKcrI/AAAAAAAA9cU/qbJBWYAOOPgl4Rgzlech1uDt0ydK2tBcACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2017DonrussOpticHolo099.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Another future HOFer here. These first few are all standard "Holo" parallels, akin to Topps' Refractors, but shiny in a different sort of way if you ask me.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4h0bXlLQs4E/X7wewBcX4gI/AAAAAAAA9cM/OlbnAvSeQIA7nW9ondBpwP9zMsYLkvWsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1047/2017DonrussOpticHolo093.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="743" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4h0bXlLQs4E/X7wewBcX4gI/AAAAAAAA9cM/OlbnAvSeQIA7nW9ondBpwP9zMsYLkvWsQCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2017DonrussOpticHolo093.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p></p><p>I feel like maybe collectors in general are not as hot on Charlie Blackmon because of the fact that he plays in Colorado, and got a somewhat late start to his MLB career age-wise. I enjoy picking up his cards when I can find them on the cheap though, and that was certainly the case with every one of these Optic cards in today's post.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NOgYZ475I5k/X8Jz4IEMrCI/AAAAAAAA9dg/CGnH29xk0_EhKGeUSksVydFFIJI1g-uPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1048/2017DonrussOpticAqua075.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NOgYZ475I5k/X8Jz4IEMrCI/AAAAAAAA9dg/CGnH29xk0_EhKGeUSksVydFFIJI1g-uPgCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2017DonrussOpticAqua075.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Moving into some Aqua parallels now, I believe these are serial-numbered to /299. A nice enough looking Pedroia for my ever-expanding Red Sox collection.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xeWNtgZeGu0/X8Jz4BNPfwI/AAAAAAAA9do/vtpqPo4tisMqOu135kdOAioGG_jLeza7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1046/2017DonrussOpticAqua081.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="744" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xeWNtgZeGu0/X8Jz4BNPfwI/AAAAAAAA9do/vtpqPo4tisMqOu135kdOAioGG_jLeza7gCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2017DonrussOpticAqua081.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>In some cases I picked out the cards because I enjoy the player, team, or the look of the photo. In other cases, like with Anthony Rizzo here, none of those things are particularly true but the price was just too cheap to pass on.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pQycdNtFA84/X8Jz4DxprXI/AAAAAAAA9dk/UCe0wTSjz5MnXOO5BzvEpJ-5BYYPoRaoACLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2017DonrussOpticAqua083.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pQycdNtFA84/X8Jz4DxprXI/AAAAAAAA9dk/UCe0wTSjz5MnXOO5BzvEpJ-5BYYPoRaoACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2017DonrussOpticAqua083.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>If I was going to pick up a Rizzo, might as well grab a Kris Bryant to accompany it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3IWJBSImBno/X8Jz4pa7kjI/AAAAAAAA9ds/zn2MgQOPmmgb61FKuasK5HYDvj_bmqNLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1048/2017DonrussOpticAqua089.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="744" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3IWJBSImBno/X8Jz4pa7kjI/AAAAAAAA9ds/zn2MgQOPmmgb61FKuasK5HYDvj_bmqNLQCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2017DonrussOpticAqua089.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Corey Kluber might be the least aesthetically pleasing card in this set. Certainly high up there. The lack of logos is absolutely glaring and painful here. Not even sure I'll hang onto this card long term, but we'll see.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rAqSavaSUJw/X8Jz40ub9gI/AAAAAAAA9dw/RIhHMI2qoTULK62WHQqVoCb3lWWXa2uVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2017DonrussOpticAqua103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="745" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rAqSavaSUJw/X8Jz40ub9gI/AAAAAAAA9dw/RIhHMI2qoTULK62WHQqVoCb3lWWXa2uVQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2017DonrussOpticAqua103.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>By contrast, Eric Hosmer doesn't look half bad!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WkVkS_bP2Ns/X8Jz5eME7II/AAAAAAAA9d0/-urx7go9Hds4o4UqVgLXUDbZwVdgvo_bgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2017DonrussOpticAqua144.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WkVkS_bP2Ns/X8Jz5eME7II/AAAAAAAA9d0/-urx7go9Hds4o4UqVgLXUDbZwVdgvo_bgCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2017DonrussOpticAqua144.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Here's another photograph where, if you don't look too hard, you could almost convince yourself it's a licensed set.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7gj2afkniCE/X8Jz51u8gAI/AAAAAAAA9d4/_LhsLi7CDrY6VOZqceKvmu8SkksT-kCXACLcBGAsYHQ/s1046/2017DonrussOpticBlue085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7gj2afkniCE/X8Jz51u8gAI/AAAAAAAA9d4/_LhsLi7CDrY6VOZqceKvmu8SkksT-kCXACLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2017DonrussOpticBlue085.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Moving on now to some Blue parallels, starting with a guy who appears to have played his last game for the Cubbies.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XlCghtTPp-I/X8Jz6ZsDXXI/AAAAAAAA9d8/1xo1PkbR6pQBV_o0Nfi-wU2u9-vnhdl5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2017DonrussOpticBlue089.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XlCghtTPp-I/X8Jz6ZsDXXI/AAAAAAAA9d8/1xo1PkbR6pQBV_o0Nfi-wU2u9-vnhdl5ACLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2017DonrussOpticBlue089.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Yikes, Kluber again?! Of all the cards to have picked up multiple parallels of...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZexoAymFfBI/X8O5wS5HzbI/AAAAAAAA9f8/_b7_1ogT1j0M0bczKpeWN1AOtlBbDPdfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1043/2017DonrussOpticAqua073.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZexoAymFfBI/X8O5wS5HzbI/AAAAAAAA9f8/_b7_1ogT1j0M0bczKpeWN1AOtlBbDPdfwCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2017DonrussOpticAqua073.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Whoops, here are a couple more Aquas that I missed in the first batch. Manny Machado is not exactly a fan favorite, but I grabbed this one nonetheless.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UeqwfLgpTaM/X8O5wSpasRI/AAAAAAAA9gA/0Ov6HlEtFq8B1lZ2MNbdZBPnzu9vLILWwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2017DonrussOpticAqua097.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="745" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UeqwfLgpTaM/X8O5wSpasRI/AAAAAAAA9gA/0Ov6HlEtFq8B1lZ2MNbdZBPnzu9vLILWwCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2017DonrussOpticAqua097.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Another guy who'll be in Cooperstown someday, the great Justin Verlander.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9I6mt_dt9c/X8O5wU6OvAI/AAAAAAAA9f4/_Wo0WvxUorkJobUZ1-JYt5UHV7Vjol_AQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1046/2017DonrussOpticAqua152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9I6mt_dt9c/X8O5wU6OvAI/AAAAAAAA9f4/_Wo0WvxUorkJobUZ1-JYt5UHV7Vjol_AQCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2017DonrussOpticAqua152.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Another figure who's polarizing among fans. I actually really like the way this Bryce Harper card looks.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7tsu4QoXQcE/X8O5w3GanjI/AAAAAAAA9gE/ZFO2-Ib4vxwbOPkN_JCoWkxmh7qXTXDXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2017DonrussOpticOrange066.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="738" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7tsu4QoXQcE/X8O5w3GanjI/AAAAAAAA9gE/ZFO2-Ib4vxwbOPkN_JCoWkxmh7qXTXDXwCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2017DonrussOpticOrange066.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Closing things out on the Optic front, here are no less than a dozen Orange parallels, all landed in a lot from the same seller...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oyApuFET-xU/X8O5xA7--8I/AAAAAAAA9gI/69NymktsfG8SbcsHVAA7YE6lSEuTY_XyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2017DonrussOpticOrange073.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oyApuFET-xU/X8O5xA7--8I/AAAAAAAA9gI/69NymktsfG8SbcsHVAA7YE6lSEuTY_XyQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2017DonrussOpticOrange073.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Orange seemed like an obvious match for an Orioles card.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zM6ZqDlBLdA/X8O5xiJ3nwI/AAAAAAAA9gM/AnsVzt0xaOc7rNVgz3Rvp4hlh2gAEjQ2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/2017DonrussOpticOrange074.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zM6ZqDlBLdA/X8O5xiJ3nwI/AAAAAAAA9gM/AnsVzt0xaOc7rNVgz3Rvp4hlh2gAEjQ2gCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2017DonrussOpticOrange074.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Chris Sale's card is right up there with Corey Kluber's in terms of the lack of logos being super noticeable. I'll never really turn down a new Red Sox card though.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7IMRWJ9WTfE/X8O5yAJyDOI/AAAAAAAA9gQ/KTa6y-tJ8Aw5YGzCUKfjiXBLRcoTrEsoACLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2017DonrussOpticOrange075.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="738" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7IMRWJ9WTfE/X8O5yAJyDOI/AAAAAAAA9gQ/KTa6y-tJ8Aw5YGzCUKfjiXBLRcoTrEsoACLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2017DonrussOpticOrange075.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Pedroia makes his second appearance of the post, though I have to say I prefer the Aqua version.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cNBvf7BsbjA/X8O5ytN3oqI/AAAAAAAA9gU/YI5RjiTwicgddKiPSchS7iu39zP6OfEAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1043/2017DonrussOpticOrange076.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="739" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cNBvf7BsbjA/X8O5ytN3oqI/AAAAAAAA9gU/YI5RjiTwicgddKiPSchS7iu39zP6OfEAwCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2017DonrussOpticOrange076.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>JBJ! I must be getting close to a completed Red Sox team set of these Orange cards at this stage.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LFDZdtJ6kYM/X8O5zJfRhDI/AAAAAAAA9gY/eLFs5_1vxtsxmNHK2LSdowiWE8v4k0bSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1046/2017DonrussOpticOrange082.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LFDZdtJ6kYM/X8O5zJfRhDI/AAAAAAAA9gY/eLFs5_1vxtsxmNHK2LSdowiWE8v4k0bSgCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2017DonrussOpticOrange082.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUzwVDKUsSc/X8O5zit6IoI/AAAAAAAA9gc/KZPvfL6W37Ec3JWYjOGZELQJP6OY2sLEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2017DonrussOpticOrange105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUzwVDKUsSc/X8O5zit6IoI/AAAAAAAA9gc/KZPvfL6W37Ec3JWYjOGZELQJP6OY2sLEACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2017DonrussOpticOrange105.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Yeah, I love the image on this Perez. I might have to try to complete a 9-pocket sheet of these in my shiny binder, each pocket with a different colored parallel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X134GXqt4d0/X8O50CARDUI/AAAAAAAA9gg/iYO-hp4DbqEqOJuuZmIn-2GAPTLdVFojgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1040/2017DonrussOpticOrange108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X134GXqt4d0/X8O50CARDUI/AAAAAAAA9gg/iYO-hp4DbqEqOJuuZmIn-2GAPTLdVFojgCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2017DonrussOpticOrange108.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Unlicensed or not, a serial-numbered Kershaw is a decent pick-up in my book.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tq6JBCxAjyU/X8O50qlvlKI/AAAAAAAA9gk/4IlBAkdcYaESTaFB9VCZizzUDZCYyXNEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1043/2017DonrussOpticOrange128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tq6JBCxAjyU/X8O50qlvlKI/AAAAAAAA9gk/4IlBAkdcYaESTaFB9VCZizzUDZCYyXNEwCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2017DonrussOpticOrange128.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bGj981w9GuA/X8O51BLenVI/AAAAAAAA9go/EGu1lQBcQZgKjRbdYbLG4oFBZoXIIbi9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1048/2017DonrussOpticOrange144.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bGj981w9GuA/X8O51BLenVI/AAAAAAAA9go/EGu1lQBcQZgKjRbdYbLG4oFBZoXIIbi9QCLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/2017DonrussOpticOrange144.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dSsBadMWTs/X8O51sXRf8I/AAAAAAAA9gs/vI8hbx15rL8AB8vAzjE08Ifisti9BL4EQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1047/2017DonrussOpticOrange148.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dSsBadMWTs/X8O51sXRf8I/AAAAAAAA9gs/vI8hbx15rL8AB8vAzjE08Ifisti9BL4EQCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2017DonrussOpticOrange148.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Seems like the pitcher cards in general are rougher when it comes to the lack of licensing. If I ever purge the Kluber cards in the future I'll probably toss Yu Darvish here in with them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0kwLaD9lLd0/X8O52KzMLnI/AAAAAAAA9gw/vXC9VwYwBEEMNXNjIIApRo-Au7Vi-_elgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/2017DonrussOpticOrange152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="743" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0kwLaD9lLd0/X8O52KzMLnI/AAAAAAAA9gw/vXC9VwYwBEEMNXNjIIApRo-Au7Vi-_elgCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2017DonrussOpticOrange152.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Last but not least on the Optic front, another Bryce.</p><p>I know unlicensed cards, and Panini product in general, aren't for everyone. If that's the case for you personally, let's cleanse your palate with some good ol' officially licensed Topps Chrome, shall we?<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_p8326Owx2M/X9PO8-TUnVI/AAAAAAAA9sQ/_J9F3ORNN1sNExMWgpXcErF-XMjuCmxCACLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/2013ToppsChromePurpleRefractor173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_p8326Owx2M/X9PO8-TUnVI/AAAAAAAA9sQ/_J9F3ORNN1sNExMWgpXcErF-XMjuCmxCACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2013ToppsChromePurpleRefractor173.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>These last four I picked up in a Sportlots order from a seller who had a few cheap 2013 Topps Chrome parallels. I really love the colored refractors from the "white border years" of 2009 through 2014 or so. Paul Goldschmidt is a guy who doesn't seem to get a whole lot of hobby love, but that's okay because it made this beauty dirt cheap to acquire.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCkiX8czm3M/X9PPU-nC-BI/AAAAAAAA9sY/ULXlDj1Xm3camX5pLu5W8Hz67RwERQ7nwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2013ToppsChromePurpleRefractor181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCkiX8czm3M/X9PPU-nC-BI/AAAAAAAA9sY/ULXlDj1Xm3camX5pLu5W8Hz67RwERQ7nwCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2013ToppsChromePurpleRefractor181.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>I'm not really an Ian Desmond guy, simply grabbed this because it was 18 cents and did not increase shipping costs for my order at all.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HpiIQZRzNOg/X9PPvBIbVlI/AAAAAAAA9sg/lQUovloNTUAOpK7g1s3V0HOmtrUoL0FSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2013ToppsChromeOrangeRefractor174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HpiIQZRzNOg/X9PPvBIbVlI/AAAAAAAA9sg/lQUovloNTUAOpK7g1s3V0HOmtrUoL0FSQCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2013ToppsChromeOrangeRefractor174.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>A nice Orange Refractor here of another future HOFer. Cy Young Award winner, 250+ wins, 3,000+ K's. Was happy to be able to pick this one up for less than a buck.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CAmYSeNZm0/X9PP5InlF1I/AAAAAAAA9sk/6_45ngwA4C8CYjXClxyNkZV4uaALk0CdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1040/2013ToppsChromeOrangeRefractor220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CAmYSeNZm0/X9PP5InlF1I/AAAAAAAA9sk/6_45ngwA4C8CYjXClxyNkZV4uaALk0CdQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2013ToppsChromeOrangeRefractor220.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Finally, the third Bryce Harper card in today's post. I'm not exactly a Harper collector, but he's a legit star and I'm a sucker for the Topps All-Star Rookie Cup. I paid a whole $5 for this card, which seems like a lot, but I have a feeling it'll hold its value and won't be easy to find at that price point years from now.</p><p>Thanks for joining me on this quick tour through some of my new shiny acquisitions. Stay safe out there, and happy collecting!<br /></p><p></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-77259897147197947192020-12-09T18:00:00.002-05:002020-12-09T18:00:08.221-05:00Grabbing Gretzkys - A Look Back at Upper Deck's Legacy<p>In this installment of "Grabbing Gretzkys", we look at a grouping of ten new Wayne Gretzky cards that were included as inserts in last season's Upper Deck hockey release. These were part of a "30 Years of Upper Deck" insert set, containing one re-imagined card from each of the brand's first 30 flagship hockey sets.</p><p>I like this idea for an insert set <i>in theory</i>. Had I been in charge of assembling the checklist for this one, I'd have enjoyed doing some research to find one cool player who was significant in the year of each set's release, with a goal of diversity and getting some unique or lesser-known guys included. In classic Upper Deck fashion though, they instead gave us ten Wayne Gretzky cards, ten Patrick Roys, and ten Connor McDavids (facepalm). In all three cases, this approach (aside from being repetitive) results in at least one insert (many in the cases of Roy and McDavid) from a year in which the subject wasn't even active in the NHL. Oh well.<br /></p><p>For this reason, I wasn't too keen on collecting the entire 30-card insert set, but decided instead to just snag the ten Gretzky cards for my player collection. Thanks to Upper Deck's e-Pack promotion, they were had for mere pocket change on COMC. They're slightly more expensive these days, but you should still be able to find all ten for no more than 50 cents to a dollar each if you're interested.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NC4hTOkmTt8/X8O6zUfPE-I/AAAAAAAA9hI/rYHzG0W0WVEwpIT49PBHayK32lEs5aUegCLcBGAsYHQ/s1040/2019UpperDeckUD30-01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="743" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NC4hTOkmTt8/X8O6zUfPE-I/AAAAAAAA9hI/rYHzG0W0WVEwpIT49PBHayK32lEs5aUegCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-01.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p></p><p>The cards proceed in chronological order, beginning with the company's inaugural hockey release in '90-91. Wayne's 1990-91 Upper Deck card is somewhat iconic in the hockey card hobby, and it's interesting to me to see him with the Oilers on this design instead. This is a somewhat faithful representation of the original, only the colors look darker/more saturated. Also, the Upper Deck logo in the lower left is not accurate whatsoever. Still, a recognizable tribute to the original.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dMIxe7IaNCc/X8O7FcFSLlI/AAAAAAAA9hQ/jwnL7UFThAA3cGaRIHvXNpPgPLimcKBiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2019UpperDeckUD30-01Back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="743" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dMIxe7IaNCc/X8O7FcFSLlI/AAAAAAAA9hQ/jwnL7UFThAA3cGaRIHvXNpPgPLimcKBiQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-01Back.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>What I will give Upper Deck credit for is taking the time to replicate the card backs as well. You know for a <i>fact </i>Panini would not have done this. Not a chance. Smart move by Upper Deck too, as especially in these first couple of releases, they were as infamous for their amazing card backs as for the fronts.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ddu3WlJ7_pc/X8O7kNgMEPI/AAAAAAAA9hY/izSL34DZOrcCMyABlaOvUjM13Ts8qV4VQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2019UpperDeckUD30-02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ddu3WlJ7_pc/X8O7kNgMEPI/AAAAAAAA9hY/izSL34DZOrcCMyABlaOvUjM13Ts8qV4VQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-02.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Next up, the '91-92 set, which I collected the holy hell out of along with my two brothers in the winter of 1991. Easily recognizable thanks to the 75th Anniversary logo the NHL used that year (in the lower right). I'm heavily biased here due to childhood nostalgia, but this is a fantastic "junk wax" era hockey set in my humble opinion.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffSrzhnkdgA/X8O7kTwaqCI/AAAAAAAA9hc/yOsPrL0HXm8QbBslBF-PgXNxQ3LfF-dLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2019UpperDeckUD30-02Back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffSrzhnkdgA/X8O7kTwaqCI/AAAAAAAA9hc/yOsPrL0HXm8QbBslBF-PgXNxQ3LfF-dLQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-02Back.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Again, it's interesting to see Gretzky with the Oilers on this design rather than the Kings. That pattern will continue for the next few cards, so I won't bother to mention it again.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0fiTvnlth0/X8O73VNFbGI/AAAAAAAA9ho/aP3-eIHIvwEJag03zYGTHtZqdk1VDSi-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1043/2019UpperDeckUD30-03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0fiTvnlth0/X8O73VNFbGI/AAAAAAAA9ho/aP3-eIHIvwEJag03zYGTHtZqdk1VDSi-wCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-03.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>A nice celebration shot on the '92-93 design, though it seems to me that the photo is a little blurry or slightly out of focus. The first four Upper Deck hockey sets all featured similar white borders, sort of akin to how they got off the ground in the world of baseball actually (the '93 baseball set had white borders too I suppose, but just felt different). Because of that, I feel like the '92-93 release kind of gets lost or overlooked a bit.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_FiEExkJHQ/X8O73Q41rJI/AAAAAAAA9hs/esWx5kucdHI-tdhvau9pN9MZvmpIGFFegCLcBGAsYHQ/s1039/2019UpperDeckUD30-03Back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="745" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_FiEExkJHQ/X8O73Q41rJI/AAAAAAAA9hs/esWx5kucdHI-tdhvau9pN9MZvmpIGFFegCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-03Back.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>Front and back, this one has the most creative photographs out of the first three cards in this insert set anyway.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yrtb3jrmeaQ/X8O8NGXK1iI/AAAAAAAA9h4/OlpyTvmEakMXsSx-8MGY_9P6q77ji6enACLcBGAsYHQ/s1040/2019UpperDeckUD30-04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="743" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yrtb3jrmeaQ/X8O8NGXK1iI/AAAAAAAA9h4/OlpyTvmEakMXsSx-8MGY_9P6q77ji6enACLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-04.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>'93-94, the final set in the white border run. This was always my least favorite of those first four sets. In fact, I recently made the decision to part with 95% of my cards from this release and they're in my next box destined for Billy of Cardboard History.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGVnEFFRxFQ/X8O8NP-0olI/AAAAAAAA9h8/SSenVIycc1EteARkgFhbvgGQTe7hlgHxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1039/2019UpperDeckUD30-04Back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGVnEFFRxFQ/X8O8NP-0olI/AAAAAAAA9h8/SSenVIycc1EteARkgFhbvgGQTe7hlgHxQCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-04Back.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>Upper Deck broke from the elongated vertical (most of the time) photograph trend on the reverse in '93-94, and dedicated an even larger portion of the card back to a unique photo that spanned the entire width of the card.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3keBeUhug4/X8O8icqamVI/AAAAAAAA9iM/lxZz3wM_djc94BO9MDQRF1kXNceXFHgiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/2019UpperDeckUD30-05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3keBeUhug4/X8O8icqamVI/AAAAAAAA9iM/lxZz3wM_djc94BO9MDQRF1kXNceXFHgiwCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-05.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>I really dig this tribute to '94-95 Upper Deck hockey. I'm a sucker for cards that show the greatest trophy in sports, so I obviously love this image even though I've certainly seen it before. This was a huge departure design-wise from Upper Deck's previous hockey efforts, with only a minimal (and transparent) border on one side.</p><p>It was this set that introduced the shortly-lived but highly sought after (at least among me and my collecting buddies) Electric Ice parallels. It would have been cool and sort of creative if Upper Deck had made a super-rare Electric Ice parallel of this particular insert, but nope.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNP0E1d8SnE/X8O8ieVSMPI/AAAAAAAA9iI/Rd_e_wuaxacwpnXr199YNfw0gUJXveLcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1039/2019UpperDeckUD30-05Back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNP0E1d8SnE/X8O8ieVSMPI/AAAAAAAA9iI/Rd_e_wuaxacwpnXr199YNfw0gUJXveLcgCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-05Back.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>Lord Stanley's Cup again (barely) makes an appearance on the card back here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Moo2OO4grkE/X8O81z3Q-hI/AAAAAAAA9iY/ptIwoXq1lN8nTMkDNgeh0CNP5FF72dwMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1038/2019UpperDeckUD30-06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="743" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Moo2OO4grkE/X8O81z3Q-hI/AAAAAAAA9iY/ptIwoXq1lN8nTMkDNgeh0CNP5FF72dwMwCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-06.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>The 1995-96 Upper Deck set is an all-time favorite of mine. The company went with this simplistic, full bleed design, or a slight alteration of it, across it's entire product portfolio in 1995. I'm working on both the baseball and hockey sets, and in fact have wax boxes of each in my unopened pack stash. Upper Deck Electric Ice parallels were back for the second and final year, and this set also had a one-per-box Electric Ice Gold parallel available as well.<br /></p><p>Great photograph choice for the design too, almost looks like Wayne is hoisting up his own name, on a metallic silver platter.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKAirU8YqK0/X8O81zH6CWI/AAAAAAAA9ic/uPeMZqR3qfIV2-NXNdiSvyn1fU50fYTuACLcBGAsYHQ/s1043/2019UpperDeckUD30-06Back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="747" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKAirU8YqK0/X8O81zH6CWI/AAAAAAAA9ic/uPeMZqR3qfIV2-NXNdiSvyn1fU50fYTuACLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-06Back.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>On the reverse, a close-up look at Wayne's legendary flowing locks. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I0KOj94zw1s/X8O9GXrDNXI/AAAAAAAA9io/qYcqMs4uS8wLYT5WeRF2Pg06WiKSDxwygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/2019UpperDeckUD30-07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I0KOj94zw1s/X8O9GXrDNXI/AAAAAAAA9io/qYcqMs4uS8wLYT5WeRF2Pg06WiKSDxwygCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-07.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>By 1996 I was moving into high school and card collecting started to
take a back seat to school work, girls, learning to drive, parties and
music. Because of that I don't have any particular attachment to the
remaining four designs here personally.</p><p>This 1996-97 set is best remembered as the one that contained a caption for the specific photograph used on the front. This concept was used in other sports as well by Upper Deck that year, though the specific card designs varied.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m5pCN7m547k/X8O9GbsiqRI/AAAAAAAA9ik/s0LA41s08lQO_VfJkDZWZWHFvfqB_AUCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2019UpperDeckUD30-07Back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m5pCN7m547k/X8O9GbsiqRI/AAAAAAAA9ik/s0LA41s08lQO_VfJkDZWZWHFvfqB_AUCQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-07Back.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>They sure managed to fit a lot of data on the back of a card in 1996-97. It's actually a decently laid out card back, provided you have 20/20 or better vision!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-A6FoSwc-E/X8O9dWVqxOI/AAAAAAAA9i4/o5C758fdpkEYMbqwI2rzuBjl8DqebedBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1037/2019UpperDeckUD30-08.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="737" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-A6FoSwc-E/X8O9dWVqxOI/AAAAAAAA9i4/o5C758fdpkEYMbqwI2rzuBjl8DqebedBQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-08.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>The 1997-98 release was largely forgettable in my opinion, though I'm sure the set has its supporters. Just really dark, and not very easy on the eyes due to all the foil. In just a few short years, Upper Deck sure had moved a long way away from those mostly-white sets they began with.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BoTMEoWHjSY/X8O9dR21gHI/AAAAAAAA9i0/hrWg6NmqQZgHMCJuuOwux7f-tPA5YYlPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1039/2019UpperDeckUD30-08Back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="745" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BoTMEoWHjSY/X8O9dR21gHI/AAAAAAAA9i0/hrWg6NmqQZgHMCJuuOwux7f-tPA5YYlPgCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-08Back.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>Actually, I just checked, and I do not own a single card from the 1997-98 Upper Deck hockey release. Not that surprising given my opinion of it, I suppose.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ny-XlsCiNc/X8O9zVUKnxI/AAAAAAAA9jA/d4DgiMcpiMg6oJsbvYLyNYRAfNsC9SlxACLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2019UpperDeckUD30-09.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ny-XlsCiNc/X8O9zVUKnxI/AAAAAAAA9jA/d4DgiMcpiMg6oJsbvYLyNYRAfNsC9SlxACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-09.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>This next card is actually a <i>very</i> close representation of Wayne's 1998-99 Upper Deck card, right down to the photograph in fact. Here's the original, since I do have a copy:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dN1YNu9_4hg/X9EkisC2-ZI/AAAAAAAA9sI/UKGLobz2D6MNqj9zKAfDTGq5fVA1OP93wCLcBGAsYHQ/s699/1998UpperDeck390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="498" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dN1YNu9_4hg/X9EkisC2-ZI/AAAAAAAA9sI/UKGLobz2D6MNqj9zKAfDTGq5fVA1OP93wCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/1998UpperDeck390.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b3tkzwRoh7E/X8O9zbfLK-I/AAAAAAAA9jE/lVzO1cE3hEsfl_I7c3hI45VzczHqTfE2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/2019UpperDeckUD30-09Back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1045" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b3tkzwRoh7E/X8O9zbfLK-I/AAAAAAAA9jE/lVzO1cE3hEsfl_I7c3hI45VzczHqTfE2ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h285/2019UpperDeckUD30-09Back.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>For the sake of completeness, here's the back as well.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UE5T0Q61omg/X8O-EfDDGSI/AAAAAAAA9jU/YTvqRLiJw3QMpOMmMdcg-QUfiMeCQh9UgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2019UpperDeckUD30-10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UE5T0Q61omg/X8O-EfDDGSI/AAAAAAAA9jU/YTvqRLiJw3QMpOMmMdcg-QUfiMeCQh9UgCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-10.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>Finally, the tenth card in the insert set, which pays homage to 1999-2000 Upper Deck. To me, the coolest thing about this one is actually not found on the front, but on the back:<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h9VTAK-mGI4/X8O-ESSm_KI/AAAAAAAA9jQ/-hEa2d-lSdwYAMKrHo44B3mZc8TEjdoSACLcBGAsYHQ/s1043/2019UpperDeckUD30-10Back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h9VTAK-mGI4/X8O-ESSm_KI/AAAAAAAA9jQ/-hEa2d-lSdwYAMKrHo44B3mZc8TEjdoSACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2019UpperDeckUD30-10Back.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Wayne Gretzky never suited up for another NHL game after the 1998-99 season, which means these are full-career statistics. A "sunset card" of sorts for The Great One.</p><p>These ten new additions to my Gretzky collection were a fun way to look back at the beginnings of Upper Deck's hockey legacy. While I wish Upper Deck would have varied the subjects for the insert set, I'm nonetheless grateful to have grown my collection of Gretzky through these cards, and at a very cheap price point.</p><p>If you're a hockey card collector, what do you think of this insert effort by Upper Deck? If you're not, do you have a favorite set or insert set that recycles a prior year's design? Topps Heritage maybe? Archives?<br /></p><p>Thanks as always for stopping by, and stay safe out there!<br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-26314566175029519012020-12-08T16:00:00.001-05:002020-12-08T16:00:02.332-05:00Some Recent Additions<p>I've been somewhat absent here over the past couple of weeks, but it's not because I haven't had any time for my hobby. I've actually had a decent amount of hobby time, but have been spending it organizing and condensing my collection and my home office/card room. Here are some cool cards that I ran across, scanned and added to my organized collection proper during that process...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOd8czxohis/X85d0nm64TI/AAAAAAAA9mk/BSGzMxHGTRYlYNF-GykekPiQ7Lvq17JPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s700/1972O-Pee-Chee316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="495" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOd8czxohis/X85d0nm64TI/AAAAAAAA9mk/BSGzMxHGTRYlYNF-GykekPiQ7Lvq17JPQCLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/1972O-Pee-Chee316.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><p>Still chugging away on these '72-73 O-Pee-Chee hockey high number WHA cards. Tough little buggers, but I've got another trio to share today, starting with Reg Fleming of the Chicago Cougars! You really have to question what the folks at O-Pee-Chee were doing with photograph selection and cropping here, but since I'm trying to complete the entire WHA portion of this set, I needed a copy of this card regardless.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VdaJ4q6IbaM/X85erAilIbI/AAAAAAAA9ms/Cp9VFI_3b5kSD5TsWoIWBw4YbYr7AJIBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s702/1972O-Pee-Chee319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="496" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VdaJ4q6IbaM/X85erAilIbI/AAAAAAAA9ms/Cp9VFI_3b5kSD5TsWoIWBw4YbYr7AJIBQCLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/1972O-Pee-Chee319.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><p></p><p>Before the Edmonton Oilers, there was the Alberta Oilers. They were the final stop in a lengthy professional hockey career for Val Fonteyne, who began playing in the NHL all the way back in the 1950s! If you look closely, there's a giant crease running across this card, just below Val's shoulders. Do I care? Not in the least. This is a perfectly fine, visually appealing example for my little set.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekCQGBhSV0s/X85e8v9XiqI/AAAAAAAA9m0/8YbubkmC-3IRh_wlmjK2yJRfy9ShWAGgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s696/1972O-Pee-Chee294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="496" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekCQGBhSV0s/X85e8v9XiqI/AAAAAAAA9m0/8YbubkmC-3IRh_wlmjK2yJRfy9ShWAGgQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/1972O-Pee-Chee294.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Last but not least, Murray Hall of the Houston Aeros. The bright blue of the Aeros gear, combined with the jarring hot pink background, really makes this card tough on the eyes. Murray broke into the NHL in the early '60s with Chicago, and played in just about every game of the first four seasons of Houston Aeros hockey in the WHA.</p><p>There are a total of 51 of these WHA cards at the tail end of the '72-73 O-Pee-Chee checklist. With this trio in hand I'm now up to 21 of them in my collection, with an even 30 left to go. I think I still have a small handful in my "to be processed" box, but probably only enough to get me to the halfway point or so. Next year I'm going to have to make a concerted effort to track down the final couple dozen. It won't be easy, but this is one set I absolutely plan to finish <i>someday</i>.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wZi6S7TZ4vQ/X855Eq7Vl4I/AAAAAAAA9m8/rtGZqkBkLSs1TlcQv7HBDuiOwPw58_jWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s702/1957Topps253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="496" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wZi6S7TZ4vQ/X855Eq7Vl4I/AAAAAAAA9m8/rtGZqkBkLSs1TlcQv7HBDuiOwPw58_jWgCLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/1957Topps253.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><p>Next up, a trio of 1957 Topps baseball singles that I picked up in a local antiques shop at least a couple of <i>years ago</i> now. While I'm not really pursuing the '57 set with that much vigor, I couldn't pass up Gus Zernial's pythons holding not one, but three bats. Great image on this one, a fantastic look at the Athletics' elephant shoulder patch as well.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-24YpIJ_n8/X85-f5QkruI/AAAAAAAA9nE/gw0nBa6w3WAOWYiRFbK0jGFffnsWpHrpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s699/1957Topps249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="497" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-24YpIJ_n8/X85-f5QkruI/AAAAAAAA9nE/gw0nBa6w3WAOWYiRFbK0jGFffnsWpHrpgCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/1957Topps249.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Don't really know much about Dave Pope, but I like this simple portrait shot. I feel like this particular Cleveland Indians cap, with Chief Wahoo behind the large C, isn't one you see all that often. Maybe that's just me, though.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pteudJBcjwY/X86DKsE31FI/AAAAAAAA9nM/odLN_TX_c8YuoWGcHS_Ie-FARNjYTYu-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s702/1957Topps036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pteudJBcjwY/X86DKsE31FI/AAAAAAAA9nM/odLN_TX_c8YuoWGcHS_Ie-FARNjYTYu-QCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/1957Topps036.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Rounding out the trio of '57 Topps cards is this Bob Grim. Picked this one up because you just don't miss a chance to grab '50s Yankees cards when the price is reasonable. If I someday get serious about a '57 Topps set pursuit, I'll be glad to have this card already crossed off of my list.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k5hinf8-1Cs/X86Dh1P3ZeI/AAAAAAAA9nU/OkM0ITmmhIMQbxjVDDqfsGJZIM_onL2cACLcBGAsYHQ/s700/1982Donruss252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="496" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k5hinf8-1Cs/X86Dh1P3ZeI/AAAAAAAA9nU/OkM0ITmmhIMQbxjVDDqfsGJZIM_onL2cACLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/1982Donruss252.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>I picked this one up at the same shop as the '57s, because like many collectors I'm a sucker for rookie cards of HOFers. It was only 75 cents, so I just couldn't leave it behind. Sadly, I returned to this antiques store a month or two ago to quickly grab a birthday present for my wife, and noticed their card selection was all but gone. Glad I grabbed what I did when I did, I suppose.</p><p>Switching topics, one of my favorite things to do on cold, winter evenings when my wife has fallen asleep or is watching a Netflix show, is to browse Sportlots and put together a cheap order. Many sellers offer bargain shipping via PWE if you pick up four cards or less, so I enjoy putting these together. It's nice to find surprise cards in the mailbox alongside bills and junk mail, especially when I can often assemble a PWE for just a couple of dollars shipped.</p><p>Here are the contents one such package that arrived just a couple of weeks ago...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HR9OVHO_CJQ/X86JSyy6EaI/AAAAAAAA9nc/ZL55vzdkw-QbxceSjQ6rKZ6gImh_UztZACLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/2019ToppsHeritageChromePurpleRefractorTHC-487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="732" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HR9OVHO_CJQ/X86JSyy6EaI/AAAAAAAA9nc/ZL55vzdkw-QbxceSjQ6rKZ6gImh_UztZACLcBGAsYHQ/w280-h400/2019ToppsHeritageChromePurpleRefractorTHC-487.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><p>Started off with this 2019 Topps Heritage Purple Refractor of my man Xander Bogaerts. Aside from the fact that I'm always in search of new Xander cards for my collection, I generally enjoy the Purple Refractors from Topps Heritage each year. Scooping this one up for less than a dollar was very satisfying.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwAkZlffZyo/X86KHqHGWvI/AAAAAAAA9nk/9GHTwpen_5w8QVCEwajmbbBja4ib3gJkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2017BowmanYellowBP101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwAkZlffZyo/X86KHqHGWvI/AAAAAAAA9nk/9GHTwpen_5w8QVCEwajmbbBja4ib3gJkgCLcBGAsYHQ/w284-h400/2017BowmanYellowBP101.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>After Xander, and now that Mookie Betts has moved on, Rafael Devers is my favorite player to collect on the Red Sox. With this 2017 Bowman Prospects yellow parallel counted for, I'm up to 48 unique cards of Devers in my collection now. I have quite a few others in my COMC to post chest as well. I'd like to get up to around 100 or so cards of the young star at some point, but I'm not in a serious rush. He's at times inconsistent in the field, but his bat is so good that I think he has a shot to become a legitimate MLB star. Don't forget, he led the American League in doubles <i>and</i> total bases during the last "normal" season in 2019.<br /></p><p>For now, this one checked the box as far as my love of colorful cardboard and, like the Xander Heritage Purple Refractor, was less than a dollar. Not too bad for a pre-rookie card parallel of one of the game's best young hitters. Speaking of which...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVGCKy25rEc/X86KTpOmFOI/AAAAAAAA9no/fHOkQPAuhtU3N2eWvIWspwarV-8DaIbTACLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2017BowmanYellowBP028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="743" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVGCKy25rEc/X86KTpOmFOI/AAAAAAAA9no/fHOkQPAuhtU3N2eWvIWspwarV-8DaIbTACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2017BowmanYellowBP028.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>...I wanted to find two other cards from the seller's inventory to go with the Bogaerts and Devers, since as I mentioned the shipping was the same for four cards as it was for a pair.</p><p>I found a couple of cards of one of my favorite young non-Red Sox players, Kyle Tucker of the Astros, available for pocket change. Kyle doesn't seem to be as appreciated yet among the national collecting base as some other young stars like Ronald Acuna Jr and Fernando Tatis, Jr, which is great for me as his cards are still very attainable. I paid 38 cents for this 2017 Bowman Prospects yellow parallel.</p><p>I'm hoping Kyle, who is still just 23 years old, can get a couple of 25/30-HR, 100-RBI seasons under his belt soon. If so this will be a great pick-up in retrospect, if not I certainly didn't break the bank on it. Pocket-change prospecting. Might have to turn that into a recurring series of blog posts actually, has a nice ring to it!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_z4wDA1-KfY/X86K7EysbpI/AAAAAAAA9n0/8SWL03xabWM8kUWSMwBlKlw0BqmcqXZ1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1040/2018ToppsHeritageMinorLeague69CC-KT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_z4wDA1-KfY/X86K7EysbpI/AAAAAAAA9n0/8SWL03xabWM8kUWSMwBlKlw0BqmcqXZ1ACLcBGAsYHQ/w289-h400/2018ToppsHeritageMinorLeague69CC-KT.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><p>Here's the final card from that Sportlots order, another yellow Kyle Tucker. Paid the site-minimum 18 cents for this Collector's Card insert from 2018 Topps Heritage Minor League. I like it because I'm fairly certain it's my very first card of the Fresno Grizzlies! Not only that, but you get a good (if fuzzy) look at the Grizzlies' ballpark, Chukchansi Park, in the background there. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGwwa-pH3HM/X8-FnXx4xVI/AAAAAAAA9n8/Je9ku978f7ENiKNjaL6RyGQZfx48csnSACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Chukchansi-Park-Ad-Filled-Scoreboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGwwa-pH3HM/X8-FnXx4xVI/AAAAAAAA9n8/Je9ku978f7ENiKNjaL6RyGQZfx48csnSACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/Chukchansi-Park-Ad-Filled-Scoreboard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>This post's getting a little long, so we'll call it here for today. Thanks for stopping by to check out some of the most recent cards to enter into my collection.</p><p>There are stacks of amazing cards that have yet to see the blog laying all over the place here at Shoebox Legends World Headquarters, so check back frequently over the winter if you're bored. Until then, thanks as always for stopping by!<br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-22823580605637629062020-12-01T18:00:00.014-05:002020-12-01T18:00:02.077-05:00Cheap Slabs - Tavares Patch!<p>Time for another installment of Cheap Slabs, where I dispel the myth that graded cards are always expensive to acquire. In case this is your first Cheap Slabs post, the rules are simple; the graded card cannot have set me back more than $25 before shipping in order to qualify for this ongoing series.</p><p>Today's card came in <i>well</i> below that, as you'll see. It was one of those cases where I was not searching for the card specifically, in fact I didn't even know that it existed, but once I stumbled upon it I simply could not turn down the bargain.</p><p>Check it out!<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KRfyYx9ZFVA/X8aMmOz1BAI/AAAAAAAA9mA/j3Mx5oFjBZUWc_Cwqlutal-V6WWR_oJ5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4903.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1175" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KRfyYx9ZFVA/X8aMmOz1BAI/AAAAAAAA9mA/j3Mx5oFjBZUWc_Cwqlutal-V6WWR_oJ5gCLcBGAsYHQ/w230-h400/IMG_4903.jpeg" width="230" /></a></div><p></p><p>Now, I've gone on record many times stating that I'm not really big on game-used relic or patch cards. It's just not an area of our hobby that I've ever really focused on much. Still, when I came across this really nice looking tri-color patch of a legit star player, I was instantly intrigued. With just minutes to go, nobody had even placed a very reasonable $8.25 opening bid on this card, if you can believe that. I threw down a bid of less than $10 and lo and behold, a few minutes later the card was mine for $8.25 plus a couple bucks shipping.<br /></p><p>John Tavares is certainly a recognizable name in the NHL, on the precipice of 350 career goals and 800 career points already, and only entering into his age-30 season whenever the NHL gets back underway here. He doesn't have any individual hardware to his name, and has never won the Stanley Cup, but if he can change either of those two things his case for the HOF starts to look pretty good. Heck, even if he can't achieve <i>either</i> of those objectives, he may still get in based on career stats alone. With quite a few good years left in front of him, it's not inconceivable that he could surpass the 550-goal or 1,200-point plateaus.<br /></p><p>Either way, this is a striking card of a man who's pretty well under-represented in my hockey card collection to date. I never acquired his Young Guns rookie, and in fact didn't really have a single Tavares card of note prior to hauling this one in. Tri-color patch, some nice foil shine, and serial-numbered to just /25. Easily my best card of the star center who's now with the Maple Leafs.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UPrA-oDC5k4/X8aNE7Wau4I/AAAAAAAA9mI/PmkSkkV7000nS0v0JeF65g4whDNDfUhlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4905.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1223" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UPrA-oDC5k4/X8aNE7Wau4I/AAAAAAAA9mI/PmkSkkV7000nS0v0JeF65g4whDNDfUhlQCLcBGAsYHQ/w239-h400/IMG_4905.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div><p>The back of the card is actually somewhat important in this case, as the material on the front is certified by Upper Deck not as "event-worn", or as "having been worn by the player", but as "certified to us as having been used in an official NHL game". Very important distinction there, at last to this collector.<br /></p><p>If the NHL would put some type of clause into their agreement with Upper Deck that would only allow for game-used relics like this, and eliminate the event-worn crap, I might actually be more into relic and patch cards than I am. Wishful thinking, I know!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gianXm2jpjo/X8aVw5eByRI/AAAAAAAA9mU/LpNPrGYLh7gkDAv1Q8Q9HorjfrcN849GgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4903.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1175" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gianXm2jpjo/X8aVw5eByRI/AAAAAAAA9mU/LpNPrGYLh7gkDAv1Q8Q9HorjfrcN849GgCLcBGAsYHQ/w230-h400/IMG_4903.jpeg" width="230" /></a></div><p>So there you have it, a real beauty, especially when you factor in the price point. It'll be fun to hang onto this card and watch how John's career progresses over the next few years with the Leafs and beyond. Maybe someday I'll be able to say that I got a graded, game-used patch card of a HOFer, serial-numbered to /25, for less than $10. And if not, I've certainly blown $8 and change on much dumber things than this in my life.<br /></p><p>How about you? When is the last time that you purchased a card that you really weren't even looking for, based solely on last-minute impulse? If you have a recent example, I'd love to hear about it in the comments.</p><p>Thanks as always for stopping by!<br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525636942493401977.post-44064873334586569162020-11-30T18:00:00.008-05:002020-11-30T18:00:04.830-05:00Closing the Gap on 2015 Stadium Club<p>A couple of weeks ago now, I received a surprise bubble mailer out of the blue, pretty well stuffed with really great cards that were a home run hit for my collection. While we hadn't talked directly in some time, I recognized the address as belonging to Jeff, of the blog <a href="http://www.2x3heroes.com/">2x3 Heroes</a>!</p><p>There were too many cards inside to include all of them in a single post, but there were some easy ways to divide the cards up for posting. Today, a batch of 2015 Topps Stadium Club set-building needs!<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SpxGEsYrhkA/X8T_6Z1asJI/AAAAAAAA9kA/0mvGPWaYFQ4MacX_RA3hOd0kwVCGAoe9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2015ToppsStadiumClub025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="743" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SpxGEsYrhkA/X8T_6Z1asJI/AAAAAAAA9kA/0mvGPWaYFQ4MacX_RA3hOd0kwVCGAoe9gCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2015ToppsStadiumClub025.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Topps Stadium Club is really the only modern baseball set that excites me year to year. I have sort of a passive collecting goal of completing the entire Stadium Club run since its revival as a brand by Topps back in 2014. Photographs like the one on this Matt Holliday card here keep me coming back year after year.<br /></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzDyY5RK6Co/X8UAPEUOa8I/AAAAAAAA9kI/3t-QhQj_LfEoQAlHRBaQN2OPyMa1XkciQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/2015ToppsStadiumClub059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="745" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzDyY5RK6Co/X8UAPEUOa8I/AAAAAAAA9kI/3t-QhQj_LfEoQAlHRBaQN2OPyMa1XkciQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2015ToppsStadiumClub059.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>As it stands right now, the 2015 release is the set I'm closest to completing of the modern Stadium Club run, and also the only one listed on my Want List here on the blog (though I hope to change that soon). I was missing 41 cards from the 300-card set prior to receiving Jeff's mailer.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eRlj0_NPQ-A/X8UAPHG_chI/AAAAAAAA9kM/mlB_2HCP0hkzulokmBMw34kUOpBBLDCvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1040/2015ToppsStadiumClub085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1040" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eRlj0_NPQ-A/X8UAPHG_chI/AAAAAAAA9kM/mlB_2HCP0hkzulokmBMw34kUOpBBLDCvwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h286/2015ToppsStadiumClub085.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Is Joey Votto a future HOFer? I'm not sure, but a surprising number of people do think so. No wonder I'm having a hard time finding an affordable copy of his 2011 Topps Chrome Atomic Refractor for that set build. </p><p>I <i>am </i>certain that this is a beautiful card, regardless of whether Joey gets a plaque in Cooperstown or not. Practically cardboard perfection if you ask me.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FrRCsuZDUhc/X8UAb4ZbutI/AAAAAAAA9kQ/vZPaLRgWDGYWyq2XxwJGuWdeLnkOYysjACLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2015ToppsStadiumClub105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="743" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FrRCsuZDUhc/X8UAb4ZbutI/AAAAAAAA9kQ/vZPaLRgWDGYWyq2XxwJGuWdeLnkOYysjACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2015ToppsStadiumClub105.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>Even lesser-known guys have some really nice-looking cards in Stadium Club, as we all know well.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i6ItKSB8T8g/X8UAjx6iVHI/AAAAAAAA9kY/l9HWzf6JhMEjDQSZ6v7vqqnJJ_3RBok2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1044/2015ToppsStadiumClub139.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="743" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i6ItKSB8T8g/X8UAjx6iVHI/AAAAAAAA9kY/l9HWzf6JhMEjDQSZ6v7vqqnJJ_3RBok2QCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2015ToppsStadiumClub139.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>All told, Jeff sent me 14 cards from this set, each one of which was needed for my own set build thanks to him consulting my want list. Down to just 27 cards to go now, then I can put this one to bed and get my act together with the other Stadium Club sets.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4AI_Vjow7JA/X8UAvOjKkGI/AAAAAAAA9kg/eqhaqDRdy4gZn8k_ss3DZ1DIZqi4tm7XQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1040/2015ToppsStadiumClub151.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1040" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4AI_Vjow7JA/X8UAvOjKkGI/AAAAAAAA9kg/eqhaqDRdy4gZn8k_ss3DZ1DIZqi4tm7XQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h285/2015ToppsStadiumClub151.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3VhEi2GsZs8/X8UBK0UbkeI/AAAAAAAA9k0/vb8zxj20jTQ7f-T7WvzZT0wc9GkbqZt-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1038/2015ToppsStadiumClub170.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1038" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3VhEi2GsZs8/X8UBK0UbkeI/AAAAAAAA9k0/vb8zxj20jTQ7f-T7WvzZT0wc9GkbqZt-wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h288/2015ToppsStadiumClub170.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>One of the all-time greatest. I'm always happy these days to add any new Pujols cards to the collection. In fact, I picked up a couple of cheap ones over the weekend during COMC's Black Friday promotion. I'll be blogging about those in the spring by the time they show up I'm sure, which honestly is fine with me. I've got more than enough backlogged/hoarded cardboard to get me through the winter months here!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JQHKriqQrXs/X8UBK6g-J3I/AAAAAAAA9k4/VF71q1wwP98cjtYSsuia1wscI3vn6ZDxACLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2015ToppsStadiumClub172.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="744" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JQHKriqQrXs/X8UBK6g-J3I/AAAAAAAA9k4/VF71q1wwP98cjtYSsuia1wscI3vn6ZDxACLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2015ToppsStadiumClub172.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HnZLaPW3y9U/X8UBK7R3EFI/AAAAAAAA9kw/g12pbq0E74IIqcjDHsHhFcwEA2dTRkzJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1041/2015ToppsStadiumClub194.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="747" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HnZLaPW3y9U/X8UBK7R3EFI/AAAAAAAA9kw/g12pbq0E74IIqcjDHsHhFcwEA2dTRkzJwCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2015ToppsStadiumClub194.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3E-IpZEuDO4/X8UB9RqJjsI/AAAAAAAA9lI/MBeWdhhbLe4oOfFXDyDgTFUKXAKuN3ZbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1043/2015ToppsStadiumClub220.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="741" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3E-IpZEuDO4/X8UB9RqJjsI/AAAAAAAA9lI/MBeWdhhbLe4oOfFXDyDgTFUKXAKuN3ZbwCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/2015ToppsStadiumClub220.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><p>I need to head on over to Sportlots one of these evenings and just put the last couple dozen of these that I'm missing to bed. Unless there's some surprise RC I'm not accounting for, they're probably all available for the site-minimum 18 cents...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9iuK0ZMRg3k/X8UB9SZNf-I/AAAAAAAA9lM/zsvyPWJ62MIQO6FnTuLCcOx5Q9JFyoingCLcBGAsYHQ/s1040/2015ToppsStadiumClub242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="1040" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9iuK0ZMRg3k/X8UB9SZNf-I/AAAAAAAA9lM/zsvyPWJ62MIQO6FnTuLCcOx5Q9JFyoingCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h286/2015ToppsStadiumClub242.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>A nice Tulowitzki here. At one point this guy seemed destined for the HOF, but as can happen, his body had other ideas. I think he's a college coach now, would be cool to see him transition to Major League Baseball in a coaching capacity someday.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e7kp_nqhF7U/X8UB9W9iLCI/AAAAAAAA9lQ/G_MqMrUsTBYxI4wnY1fxor4iAoz_4YxqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1039/2015ToppsStadiumClub272.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="744" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e7kp_nqhF7U/X8UB9W9iLCI/AAAAAAAA9lQ/G_MqMrUsTBYxI4wnY1fxor4iAoz_4YxqwCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2015ToppsStadiumClub272.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNKkw40P5Tw/X8UCP3l0RdI/AAAAAAAA9lk/-u05NSCRL5YyqttalKMib209tsYbROyuACLcBGAsYHQ/s1038/2015ToppsStadiumClub291.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="746" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNKkw40P5Tw/X8UCP3l0RdI/AAAAAAAA9lk/-u05NSCRL5YyqttalKMib209tsYbROyuACLcBGAsYHQ/w288-h400/2015ToppsStadiumClub291.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L1GF5aaqypc/X8UCP69v7II/AAAAAAAA9lg/1oopXAZoDOoJ0_Pk35hY9AhkLG4dR8__wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1042/2015ToppsStadiumClub297.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="745" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L1GF5aaqypc/X8UCP69v7II/AAAAAAAA9lg/1oopXAZoDOoJ0_Pk35hY9AhkLG4dR8__wCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h400/2015ToppsStadiumClub297.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>Jeff, thanks so much for these set needs! You (along with the lone card that Collector Chris recently sent me from this set) have motivated me to get my Stadium Club act together, enough so that I think I'll make it a formal goal for 2021!</p><p>I've got at least two more posts to go covering the remaining content that Jeff sent along in the mailer. Until then, thanks as always for stopping by!<br /></p>shoeboxlegendshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642879419337014960noreply@blogger.com3