According to Pat Neshek's twitter account, the card collection of Dmitri Young is about to go up for sale. I read about Young's impressive collection of Gem Mint rookie cards when the original story came out in 2008. Sounds like a lot of money is about to change hands and new records for some of those cards could be reached. Here is a link to the original story about his collection from PSA.
Personally, I can say that I don't own one single graded card. Never found the point in it for the average collector. However, if you are wanting to make a business out of it, I think that is the only way to go. Buy cheap, get it slabbed, and sell high. I have thought about sending one of my cards in to get graded, but just haven't pulled the trigger. If I ever decide to sell it, I will spend the money to see what kind of grade I can get. My one card worthy of grading.....
I use to have two of these. If you want to know what happened to the 2nd one, you will need to listen to the Thorzul's first Card Wars podcast in which I came out victorious. Here is the link to my original post about that, and here is the link to the post at Thorzul Will Rule.
Or at least the events after the trip were the highlight of my day. A week and a half ago I spent 38 straight hours awake. Not because I was busy working, but because a had a ridiculous toothache that only got worse when I laid down. Turns out I needed my first root canal. Not much fun, but definitely not even close to what people said it was going to be like. Actually, it was absolutely painless. I did get to sort through a lot of cards though instead of getting some sleep.
So today I head to my regular dentist to get a temporary crown put on that tooth. Turns out this is more painful than the whole root canal thing. Anyway, before I head back to work I decide to hit the Dollar General store in search of some cheap packs...fail! However, it just so happens that the other half of the building is a antique mall. Now you know where this is going.....
Upon looking at the first glass case I notice some baseball cards. Wow, a complete 1990 Score set for $20. I immediately asked the nice lady to open the case so I could get a closer look at......the 3 cards sitting next to the set. The first was a 1971 Frank Bertaina for $0.10. Sold! I am not collecting the 71 set. I am not even collecting Cardinals, but I will always spend a dime on a piece of 41 year old cardboard.
The other two cards are what actually caught my eye. Both 1973 Topps, the current obsession of my set collecting. I dig out my phone to search my blog to make sure that I need them. I really think the lady thought I was going to be checking prices or something because I got this strange look from her when I did this. The first card was a 1973 Bobby Winkles, manager of the California Angels (I really wish they would have kept the California name instead of becoming the LA Angels). I already have this card but I thought it would be a upgrade for what I currently had so I grabbed it for $0.45. Turns out the cards had a scratch across the face of it that you can see in the scan. While the corners are better than what I currently have, I am afraid this card is going to my doubles box. However, I discovered an oddity about one of the coaches on this card, that will warrant a later post.
The next card was a 1973 Dave Marshall #513 and I needed it. So I plunked down a couple quarters for this one so I could come home and mark off one more card on my 1973 Topps want list.
Dave Marshall would finish a 7 years major league career in 1973 with the San Diego Padres. I found the back of the card more intriguing for a couple of reasons. First, the write-up says he was able to hit 3 Grand Slammers during his NL career. It then goes on to specifically mention the first and second ones giving the date and opponent. I guess the third just wasn't that important as it is not mentioned at all. However, the cartoon on the back summarizes Dave's career with what every players dreads...."Dave is an effective pinch-hitter." At least he was able to have 7 years in the majors even if he wasn't an "effective everyday hitter." I miss those great cartoons.
So the trip to the dentist was not a total waste. Three pieces of 40 year old cardboard for $1.05, and the highlight of my day!
I got an email from Jason regarding a Royals Team Set from the 2011 Topps Diamond Anniversary Set. He was willing to send them to me since he only wanted the Rangers cards. I was happy to oblige. When I got them in the mail the other day, they went straight into my Royals binder. Here is the first page of the set. Notice the Diamond Anniversary logo along with the "Factory Set Limited Edition" right above the player's name. Thanks Jason!
Here's the deal. I am trying to cross off most of my current want list this year. I just made a drastic dent in my 2000 Topps HD set and I am now down to needing 4 cards. The cards I need are:
45 - Tony Gwynn
76 - Sean Casey
78 - Juan Gonzalez
90 - David Walling
If you have any of these cards please help me get this set off my want list soon. Tell me what you collect and we can try to work out a trade. Thanks!
Michael at Nomo's Sushi Platter contacted be about a possible trade. The centerpieces of the trade were a Maury Wills jersey card in exchange for a spectacular Aaron Crow jersey/auto card. We will get to that later. Michael also sent along some cards on my want list including some 2011 Topps Heritage and 2011 Topps Year of Topps insert cards.
He also through in some additional Royals besides the Aaron Crow. These just happen to be 2 new cards of the top 2 young players in the organization that I hope will make a dramatic impact this year AND for many years to come: a 2012 Topps Gold Futures Mike Moustakas and a 2012 Topps 87 Mini Eric Hosmer. I welcome any cards of these two players. I must say the 1987 Minis look pretty sharp!
The centerpiece of this trade was my first relic/autograph card of anybody. I have to be honest in that I don't really chase relics and autographs, but I thought an Aaron Crow (the token 2011 Royal All Star who didn't play because he was sick....) would be pretty sick to own. When I opened up the package from Michael, this card sure didn't disappoint. A 2011 Topps Finest dual patch/autograph card!!! I think I might just be chasing relics and autos now for my collection. Here it is.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I had the privilege of being in Thorzul's first Card Wars Podcast. Bill has put up all of the card scans as well as the podcast for your viewing and listening pleasure. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did talking cards with two great collectors. Thanks again to Thorzul Will Rule for putting it on and The Cardboard Junkie for being the other participant.
I just wanted to put in a plug for Thorzul's Card Wars podcast that we recorded tonight. I had the privilege of being one of the first participants on the podcast with Dave from Cardboard Junkie. I will not give out any results and I will post more about this later. I had a great time, got to talk to two great collectors, and heard some great stories about their cards. I know Bill will be posting the podcast on his blog soon so everyone can check out the battle.
If you get a chance to participate in a future edition of the Card Wars, I would encourage all of you to jump in. You will have a great time. For more information, here is his original post on the idea over at Thorzul Will Rule.
Living in north central Kansas does not lend itself to being able to go to your local card shop and pick up a pack of anything. In fact, I would just about consider our local Pamida as my LCS if it weren't for the extremely limited supply. If I look at all the card shops (or supposed card shops) within an hour of my house, I would find one that looks like it hasn't had new stock since the 1980s and it tends to my a gathering place for those 30 somethings guys that live with their parents and play Magic: The Gathering all day (**Not that there is anything wrong with that. I am not here to judge.**). I would also find another one in which the card shop looks like it was inhabited by a bunch of RC (remote-control NOT rookie card) enthusiasts. It is just hard to find a good card shop whose primary purpose is actually baseball cards. Now I suppose the economy has much to do with that, but nevertheless, it is extremely disappointing.
Anyway, yesterday I decided to get out and meet up with a good friend of mine to visit some card shops in the Kansas City area. I first decided to stop by a shop that I found this summer in Topeka only to find that the store front had a "For Lease" sign in the window. I was disappointed as I really enjoyed my visit with the owner there this summer. I was able to pick up a bunch of supplies that I needed. Unfortunately, being an hour and 45 minutes from my house didn't lend itself to frequent stops. Disappointed, we headed to Kansas City where my phone internet and GPS helped us locate a few stores in the area.
The first one (and the only one) we visited was The Baseball Card Store. Now you might think, that is a rather uninspiring name, but to me it is perfect. It tells me exactly what I am going to find. It doesn't have the word "collectables" or "hobby" in the name to hide the fact that their primary purpose isn't cards. I want baseball cards and I FOUND BASEBALL CARDS. The store is kind of hidden away in one of those 1990s suburban mini malls. Unfortunately, many of the store fronts appeared empty. However, the store was anything but.
We entered to find display cases of cards and walls full of boxes. I believe, the owner Scott and his son were the ones manning the store yesterday. We visited briefly, as I got right into sorting through some 2009-2010-2011 Topps boxes to fill my want list. An hour and a half later I came out with around 200 cards from my lists, a 2012 Topps Series I set, and a box of card pages. All of which were very reasonably priced. And the good news I overheard, was that the store had been busy all day! I hope this means that The Baseball Card Store is here to stay for a long time.
Since I will be heading to Kansas City this summer for Royals games and All Star Game, I plan on becoming a regular at the store. Even though I am about 3 hours away, this store has become my new LCS.
Store hours are Tues-Fri 12:30-6:00 and Sat 11:00-4:30.
Another trade where I was able to knock off a number of my wants included this card of former Royal Willie Bloomquist. I love these action shots that are not your normal plays. I think Topps does a great job of catching this type of action and putting it on cardboard. Now the question that comes from this card has to be is the runner SAFE or OUT? And just who is the runner? From the looks of the card, I think the umpire is trying to beat Bloomquist to the bag!
Thanks James for reading 26 Cent Summer and contact me about a trade. I hope you enjoyed the cards.
I was contacted by blog reader Brendan and we were able to settle on a trade that helped me tremendously with the 2011 Topps Update want list. I decided to take a Royals theme with my scans so I present to you a current Royal, a former Royal and a Royal killer.
Eric Hosmer had a great season for the Royals during his rookie season batting .293 with 19 homers and 78 r.b.i.'s. He finished 3rd in the A.L. Rookie of the Year voting behind Jeremy Hellickson and Mark Trumbo.
Former Royal Matt Stairs has played for 12 different teams during his career including 3 for the Royals from 2004-2006. Stairs ability to hit the long ball made him a quality left-handed pinch hitter. His 265 career home runs make him the all-time Canadian born leader and he also holds the record for most home runs by any player that has been on 10+ teams.
Finally, David Ortiz, the career leader in home runs by a designated hitter. I give you his home run from August 8, 2006 off Luke Hudson at Kauffman Stadium.
I have always considered myself more of a set collector so I have enjoyed the opportunity to sit down and open and few packs/blasters for the products that I buy. So I didn't think there would be any reason not to head to Wal-Mart or Target and pick up so packs of 2012 Topps when they came out this week. I was actually ready to drive the 35 miles to the nearest store that night. However, I fought the urge and then something came over me. What if I didn't buy any packs of 2012 Topps? Would that go against everything I have done in the hobby? Would my wife be singing the Hallelujah Chorus when I passed up the card aisle?
After reading many blogs, I have seen a backlash to this year's set for many reasons that are I agree are valid. However, my decision has nothing to do with the negative feelings about Topps. I actually like the set although I am in agreement that the inserts may be a bit of a bore. But the photography is, perhaps, the best it has ever been. For the first time this year, I sat down and came up with some collecting goals this year. They were put down in this blog post. So I thought, could I still fulfill my goals without opening a pack of 2012 Topps. The answer was YES! But can I REALLY keep myself from doing that?
After the first of the year, I got the blog going again since I hadn't posted much since school had started. Teaching and coaching will sometimes put an end to that extra time I had. I went to a card show in Kansas City in the fall where I picked up a bunch of 1973 commons to go into that set I am building, and from there I began browsing eBay and picking up 20-30 cards here and there. I also made some trades where I started to really fill my 2009-2011 Topps want lists. The next thing I know I am more concerned with finishing some of the things that I have started and less interested in breaking into another new set only to have it fill space in my want lists. Now, I am not going to give up on 2012 Topps. I have the fullest intention of collecting the set as well as some of the variations, like the Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler ones. But I am bound and determined to keep 2012 Topps off my want list and get that thing down to just a handful of sets. I can do that if I can focus my attention (and $$$) on my other sets. My wife probably won't be happy that this action doesn't result in less spending on cards!
Sounds like a good doesn't it!!! But wait, what could be the negative from all of this. Most of my trades have been for the Topps inserts that I don't collect. I have been able to fill much of my base card needs by sending my unwanted inserts to some of you. If I don't buy packs, where will I get my trade bait? I guess the answer is "in the cards" that I currently have. We will see how this experiment goes. I know I can't quit pack opening completely, but I can delay it a bit. I fully intend to buy me some Topps Heritage when they come out in March. Until then, send me your trades. My items for trade list is updated here. If you don't find something you want, but you still have something on my want list, just ask. I am sure we could work something out.
Do that have a POA help group? Pack Openers Anonymous, anyone want to join me.
My 3rd trade post of the year is a great one for me. After working out the details, we both ended up attaching a little extra into the package. For me it was getting most of my 2011 Update wants taken care of and I hope Darren found some good 1983 Topps in his package. In the original deal we worked out I was able to finish off my 2011 Topps Series 1 set which I was glad to cross off the list. I also received some 2011 Series 2 cards, some Year of Topps inserts, some 2011 Heritage, and the always nice "Royals lot" that he includes.
Some of the Heritage that I received included 2 of the SPs which make up most of my wantlist now. I usually don't collect any subsets, but last year I decided on the Year of Topps set. He included a handful of cards that filled some of those wants as well. If you have anything from those two sets or others, please fill free to check out my Want List here as well as my Items for Trade here.
The rest is part of the "Royals lot" that Potch sent me with one exception. Just like the Heritage Dodger Matt Kemp above, I also got his Update card as well. Kemp had a phenomenal season last year for the Dodgers finishing 2nd in the MVP race. While we know who won it, and the subsequent failed test that followed, I still believe Kemp had the better season. Was he the "most valuable" to his team???? I don't know, but I really enjoyed watching Kemp play last season. I got to watch the Dodgers in person during Spring Training a couple of times and watching athletes like Kemp and Kershaw did not disappoint especially when they went on to have stellar season.
While Potch threw in some older Royals with the trade I have showcased the 2011 cards above. The two catchers, Brayan Pena and Matt Treanor, were basically platooning until rookie Salvador Perez came up. If Perez can continue where he left off, I would venture to say Pena will only be playing when Perez needs a rest. Jeff Francoeur, had a great season in right field. One of the few free agent signings in the last few years, that have paid off. Frenchy proved many of the critics wrong with his great defensive play and above average hitting. Finally, two Topps 60 cards of Billy Butler and rookie pitcher Danny Duffy. While Butler has maintained his consistency throughout his career as a great "doubles" hitter including hitting into many double plays, Duffy came into the rotation and struggled a little. Duffy has some great stuff and it still considered to be a mainstay in the Royals rotation for years to come, but I hope he can put together a stronger sophomore season and live up to the praise he has been given.
As I continue to try to put together more trades for 2012, I ran across Martyn's blog Arbitrary Crap. Martyn was my first "foreign" trade as he resides in the United Kingdom. If you have ever wondered what exactly is the difference between the UK, Great Britian, and England then watch this short educational video on The United Kingdom Explained...
I had a few cards from the 2011 Topps 60 insert set that he has been putting together. In exchange, he sent me some cards to fill some of my wants with three 2011 sets. I got three cards from the Topps base set, 3 from the Heritage set, and 6 from the Year of Topps insert set. I usually just try to build the base set and use all the inserts for trading, but I decided last year to pick an insert set to try to complete. Martyn was able to fill some holes with some cool cards from that set. Here is part of my haul that I brought in...
