eBay Got Me Again

I'm still looking for two teams to join my fantasy football league.  Come on and join. Tom, I'm looking at you!!!
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I feel like it has been a while since I posted anything, and work is to blame for that.  This is my desk, as it currently sits, with me about to go on the road for a few days.  Yes, I plan on leaving it like this.  I have no shame.

I keep a few saved searches in my eBay profile in case anything that I am specifically looking for comes up at a good price. This week, I was able to grab a couple things.

I grabbed this guy to mark it off my Top 10 Most Wanted List. It surprises me how pricey these cards are. There is one more Harper Emerald (in the alternate Red jersey) that I need to get, but no promises on when I will get it.  If you have one and would consider trading it, let me know!!!

Lastly, I grabbed this 2013 AJ Pierzynski Blue Sparkle to be the start of my Pierzynski PC.  Having watched him for almost a full season now, it's hard not to love this guy.  So I'm glad to start picking his cardboard up when I can.

It's Happening Again.....

I need TWO (2) more people for my blogger's fantasy football league!  Go here to comment and join!!!
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...I'm starting to buy packs of A&G, only to have most of the cards go into my trade stack.

For instance, I bought a blaster yesterday at Big Blue because it was the first one I've seen in a couple weeks. I got home and ripped it, only to find that I didn't have a single base card in the blaster that I needed for my set. To go a step further, I only had five cards that I needed in that box (four inserts and an ad back).

This can mean only one thing: I've reached that dreaded time in my set building in which I should no longer buy blasters, packs, etc. and should focus more on trading to acquire the cards I need. This creates two problems: one, the odds of me pulling a "hit" are dramatically reduced to almost zero percent; and second, no one has approached me about a trade for A&G yet and no one seems to have any 2013 A&G up for trade on their trade bait pages.

So, do me a favor. If you are building the set, go to my Trade Bait page and see if I have anything you need. If I do, please go to my 2013 A&G Needs List to see if you have anything I need. If you do, then leave me a comment and let's get this ball rolling!

***Please Note: I still need two teas for my blogger's fantasy football league. If you haven't signed up, please do so! Just follow the link above!

In Case You Missed It....

...Last night I decided to start a fantasy football league for myself and seven other card bloggers/readers.  You can follow that link to get the preliminary details.

I still need four (4) two (2) more people to join before I actually create the league.

It's free to join (in the sense that you don't have to pay money).  Winner will get a stack of cards from the other players.

Why haven't you joined yet?

UPDATE: There are two open spots remaining.  Here's who's in so far:
- Me
- Superduperman99
- Jose Velazquez
- Chris
- The Junior Junkie
- Rosenort

So, I Had A Brilliant Idea Today

So, after suffering through the longest day I've ever had (I was pretty sick), for whatever reason, my mind went to football - fantasy football, that is.

I had a draft yesterday in a league that I tend to dominate during the regular season, but then lose Week 1 of the playoffs. I don't know most of the people of the league and it gets fairly boring. 

Which made me think: I want to start a blog writers league! I feel like I know most of the bloggers I follow better than the people in the league I'm in now. 

I'm thinking an ESPN 8-team league. Basic/standard rules. Free to join, each player commits a card or stack of cards to send to the winner at the end of the season. 

So what say you? Who's in? First seven two to reply get a spot!!! 

LET'S DO THIS!!!!!!

UPDATE: There are two open spots remaining.  Here's who's in so far:
- Me
- Superduperman99
- Jose Velazquez
- Chris
- The Junior Junkie
- Rosenort

2013 Allen & Ginter Needs Updated

Hello my friends! I hope you have had an enjoyable weekend! I certainly have.

I've updated my Needs List for 2013 A&G. Surprisingly, I only need 12 of the short prints. If you have anything I need, please let me know and I'll be more than happy to work something out with you.

On that note, I've also decided to **attempt** to build a set of the 2013 A&G ad back minis.  I still need most of the them, and I foresee this as a long-term project. You can see what I need here.  Again, if you have something I need, let's work out a trade!

Lastly, my tradeables list for this year's A&G is growing. Check it out and see what I've got. I will be more than happy to unload these cards to help you along with your set.

That's it for this post. Deuces!

TTM Success....Sort Of???

I received some more mail today. However, when I saw that it came in a team envelope, I knew something was up. Proudly displaying the Phillies logo, the envelope had this inside:

That's my Heritage card, unsigned. Disappointment filed my heart. But that isn't all that was in the envelope.

Charlie wishes he had the time to respond individually to every request. Something tells me that he is about to have a lot of free time on his hands. After all, he isn't managing anymore, so what else is he going to spend his time doing? (I don't mean that to be as harsh as it sounds, I promise)

But, this was also in the envelope:

It appears to be a legitimate signature. Okay, Charlie, you have redeemed yourself in my eyes. Of all the "I'm sorry I'm too busy to sign your card" letters and player photos I've received back (i.e. Adrian Beltre and David Ortiz), Manuel's is the first one that is "signed." I can appreciate the man for knowing he's going to get a lot of mail that he can't sign and signing some of these beforehand. Bravo Charlie, I knew there was a reason I've always liked you.

So, I need to figure out a way to get my card signed. If anyone has any kind of special access to him, let me know! Assuming that this isn't a realistic request, I guess I will wait a bit and try again. Either way, this was a success in my book.

No More Gint-A-Cuffs, So Let's Look At A TTM

Well, my Gint-A-Cuffs V scoring is over, and I will not be winning. I'll do a post-game wrap-up tomorrow to look back on the box. I'm sure you are all tired of my posts, so let's move on.

Today, I got another card back for my Heritage Managers Project:

Buck Showalter came through. He's doing a heck of a job with the Orioles, and Ranger fans should be grateful that he helped put the team on the right path. I'm excited to get this one back, and I'm sure at least two of you will like it as well.

Gint-A-Cuffs V: Pack 24 (The Final Straw)

Here we go...

Willie McCovey (0)
Coco Crisp (0)
Paul O'Neill (0)
Hiroki Kuroda (-1)

              (Image file was corrupted, will insert a new image ASAP)

Jon Niese (0)
One Little Corner - Asteroid Belt (+3)

Mike Joy Mini (0)
Freddie Freeman SP (+2)

Let's do the math:

-1 Hiroki Kuroda
+3 OLC - Asteroid Belt
+2 Freddie Freeman SP
------------------
+4 points

Running total: 180

On to the, er, that's all!

Gint-A-Cuffs V: Pack 23

Here we go...

Eddie Murray (0)
John Smoltz (0)
Paul Goldschmidt (0)
Albert Pujols (0)
Jackie Robinson (0)
Dexter Fowler (0)
Jason Vargas Mini A&G Back (+2)

Across the Years - Sandy Koufax (+2)

Let's do the math:

+2 Jason Vargas A&G Back
+2 A.t.Y. - Sandy Koufax
-----------------
+4 points

Running total: 176

On to the next one!

Gint-A-Cuffs V: Pack 22

Here we go...

Rickie Weeks (0)
Hanley Ramirez (0)
Salvador Perez (0)
Jose Altuve (0)
Reggie Jackson (0)
Martial Mastery - Vikings (+3)

Early Wynn (0)
Avisail Garcia SP (+2)

Let's do the math:

+3 MM - Vikings
+2 Avisail Garcia SP
--------------
+5 points

Running total: 172

Gint-A-Cuffs V: Pack 21

I didn't finish yesterday - I got busy at work and then left early for the Ranger game.  So let's make it happen today.  Here we go....

Shelby Miller (0)
Evan Longoria (0)
Jurickson Profar (+1)

Bryce Harper (+4)

Mike Joy (0)
Barry Melrose (0)
Heavy Hangs the Head - King Henry VIII (+3)

Across the Years - Jesus Montero (+2)

Let's do the math:

+1 Jurickson Profar (FT)
+4 Bryce Harper (FP)
+3 HHH - Henry VIII
+2 A.t.Y. - Jesus Montero
--------------------
+10 points

Running total: 167

Gint-A-Cuffs V: Pack 20

Here we go...

Joey Votto (+2)

Frank Thomas (0)
Alfonso Soriano (0)
Ernie Banks (0)
Palaces & Strongholds - Schonbraun (+3)

Jose Altuve Mini(0)
Carlton Fist SP (+2)

Let's do the math:

+2 Joey Votto (FP List)
+3 P&S - Schonbrunn
+2 Carlton Fisk SP
-----------------
+7 points

Running total: 157

On to the next one!

Gint-A-Cuffs V: Pack 19

I'm going to try and finish up today, so expect a frenzy of posts (I'm leaving work early to pick someone up from the airport and then go to a Rangers game). With that said, here we go....

Raul Ibanze (0)
Mariano River (-1)

Don Mattingly (-1)

Gary Carter (0)
Yovani Gallardo (0)
Clayton Kershaw (0)
Codes & Ciphers - Zodiak Killer (+3)

Across the Years - Yu Darvish (+3)

Let's do the math:

-1 Mariano Rivera
-1 Don Mattingly
+3 C&C - Zodiak Killer
+3 A.t.Y. Yu Darvish (+2 AtY, +1 FT)
--------------------
+4 points

Running total:

I Hate This Feeling...

A little while back, I was perusing the blogosphere checking in to see the reactions to the A&G release. I remember coming across something that I really liked and seeing that it was available for trade. Seeing that the blog was devoted to the Cubs, I remember checking to see what I might be able to trade and then leaving a comment as a way to initiate a trade conversation.

All of this just came back to me. For the life of me, I can't remember what blog it was that I commented on, even after sorting through my blogroll and checking posts. Dammit.

Does this ever happen to you? I need to be more efficient about this stuff. What are some of the ways you keep your trading house in order? I would certainly appreciate any advice!

PS - If any of you Cubbies out there were wondering what I had, this card was the centerpiece and can still be had for the right price (preferably some 2013 A&G cards/inserts).

Gint-A-Cuffs V: Pack 18

Here we go...

Mike McCarthy (0)
Scott Hamilton (0)
Red Schoendienst (0)
Fernando Rodney (0)
Ekolu Kalama (0)
Julia Mancuso (0)
Avisail Garcia SP Mini (+3)

Across the Years - Ernie Banks (+2)

Let's do the math:

+3 Avisail Garcia Mini SP
+2 A.t.Y. - Ernie Banks
---------------
+5 points

Running total: 146

On to the next one!

Gint-A-Cuffs V: Pack 17

Here we go...

Death Valley (0)
Gio Gonzalez (0)
Anthony Gose (0)
David Murphy (+1)

Stan Musial (0)
Martial Mastery - Amazons (+3)

Anthony Rendon Mini (0)
Wei-Yin Chen SP (+2)

Let's do the math:

+1 David Murphy (My FT)
+3 Martial Mastery - Amazons
+2 Wei-Yin Chen SP
------------
+6 points

Running total: 141

On to the next one!

Gint-A-Cuffs V: Pack 16

Here we go....

Billy Williams (0)
Johnny Cueto (0)
Trevor Bauer (+2)

Ryan Ludwick (0)
Jim Abbott (0)
One Little Corner - Saturn (+3)

Bill Walton #350 Mini SP (+6)

Josh Rutledge SP (+2)

Let's do the math:

+2 Trevor Bauer (FP List)
+3 OLC - Saturn
+6 Bill Walton Mini SP A&G Back
+2 Josh Rutledge SP
-------------------
+13 Points

Running score: 135

On to the next one!!!

Gint-A-Cuffs V: Pack 15

Here we go...

Carlos Ruiz (0)
Starling Marte (0)
Tim Lincecum (+2)

Ken Griffey Jr.
Zack Cozart Auto (+10)

James Shields mini (0)
Across the Years - Gio Gonzalez (+2)

Let's do the math:

+2 Tim Lincecum (FP List)
+10 Zack Cozart auto
+2 A.t.Y. Gio Gonzalez
--------------------
+14 points

Running score: 122

On to the next one!

Gint-A_Cuffs V: Pack 14

Here we go....

Jake Peavy (0)
Josh Hamilton (+2)

Tim Hudson (0)
Jim Johnson (0)
Will Middlebrooks (0)
Starlin Castro (0)
John Lester mini (0)
Across the Years - Ken Griffey Jr. (+2)

Let's do the math:

+2 Josh Hamilton (FP List)
+2 A.t.Y. Ken Griffey Jr.
-------------------
+4 points

Running score: 108

On to the next one!

Gint-A-Cuffs V: Pack 13

Here we go...

Monty Hall (0)
Jason Dufner (0)
Freddie Roach (0)
Chrissy Teigen (0)
Ryan Zimmerman (0)
Civilizations of Ages Past - Greeks (+3)

Jim Palmer Mini - A&G Back (+2)

Andrew McCutchen SP (+2)

Let's do the math:

+3 Civ. of Ages Past - Greeks
+2 Mini Jim Palmer A&G back
+2 Andrew McCutchen SP
-----------------
+7 points

Running score: 104

On to the next one!!!

Heritage Managers TTM Update

I received a self-addressed PWE in the mail today.  Who got back to me?

Mr. Jimmy Leyland.  At first glance, I thought that this was just an obscene drawing, but, upon further review, it turns out that this is how he signs.  Okay then.  Add it to the project!!!  I am still in need of three cards, so if you have any of them, please send 'em my way!!!

Wow...100 Already? (Well, 100 Plus A Few)

I started this blog a few months ago mostly as a way to interact with the card collecting community. To be honest, I thought I would have a few entries and then forget about it, much like I had done with other blog attempts in the past. But, that isn't the case - a few months and more than 100 posts later, I'm alive and kicking in the blogging community.

I've tried to figure out why this blog is different than my past attempts, and I've concluded that it is because of the interaction I have with the other bloggers. I got interested in doing a blog by joining a 2013 Gypsy Queen box break that Andrew from Andrew's Baseball Cards hosted.  It was a fun and affordable way to get back into collecting!  When I started writing, I turned to William over at foul bunt for advice on many things, including TTMs and the like. He helped me get up and going, and for that, I am deeply grateful.

The biggest reason for blog failure is lack of readers. I worried greatly about this when I started writing on a consistent basis. However, Tom from Waiting Till Next Year always takes a moment to leave a note after he has read one of my posts, and it is always encouraging to see these comments.

When I decided to take on my own box break, Ryan from "O" No! Another Orioles Blog was truly my box break Sherpa (yes, I know that I have already used that line).  I would have been lost without him. I can't thank you enough for helping me through that.

And lastly, the trading.  So many people have helped me along the way to building my sets or personal collections. I've traded with every one of the gentlemen listed above and so many more! Apologies for not naming everyone that I have traded with, there are just too many to count.

So I dedicate this, my 100th (well, 108th, really) post to all of you. Thanks for taking this ride with me, thanks for allowing me to join your community, and thanks for sharing your cards!

Gint-A-Cuffs V: Pack 12

Here we go...

Brain McCann (0)
Cody Ross (0)
Jason Vargas (0)
Jim Palmer (0)
Adam Dunn (0)
Martial Mastery - Apache (+3)

BJ Upton Mini - A&G Back (+2)

Kyle Seager SP (+2)

Let's do the math:

+3 Martial Mastery - Apache
+2 BJ Upton Mini, A&G back
+2 Kyle Seager SP
-----------------
+7 points

Running score: 97

On to the next one!

Gint-A-Cuffs V: Pack 11

Here we go...

Alex Gordon (0)
Robinson Cano (-1)

Vida Blue (0)
Ben Revere (0)
AJ Burnett (0)
Palaces & Strongholds - Buckingham Palace (+3)

Cody Ross Mini - A&G Back (+2)

Marco Scutaro SP (+2)

Let's do the math:

-1 Robinson Cano (damn Yankees)
+3 P&S - Buckingham Palace
+2 Cody Ross mini, A&G back
+2 Marco Scutaro SP
-------------------
+6 points

Running score: 90

On to the next one!