Sign Up Now!!! 2013 Bowman Chrome Box Break

Over the weekend, I mentioned that I was interested in doing a box break for some 2013 Bowman Chrome. A few of you have expressed interest, so let's get this thing going!

Here are the details. Fifteen slots are open and available. Each slot costs $18* and gets you one team of your choosing AND a randomly assigned team. If all 15 slots get filled, we'll be busting three (THREE!!!) hobby boxes of 2013 Bowman Chrome; if less than 15 get filled, then only two hobby boxes will be busted. My reasoning: if I am going to have to eat more than the team I plan to buy, then I can't afford three boxes (I learned my lesson on the Allen & Ginter break!!!). Moral of this story: get your team and then pimp the hell out of the break on your respective blogs if you have one!!!!

(*If you live outside the US, shipping charges will be a bit more. We can cross that bridge when we come to it)

Why should you want to get in on this break? Well, this year's Bowman Chrome is pretty sweet! As is customary with Bowman, there are a ton of prospect autos (Yasiel Puig included), as well as current stars (c'mon Bryce Harper!) and former stars (like Ken Griffey Jr. and Ernie Banks!). Furthermore, if you are a set builder like me, the 440 card base set (220 pros, 220 prospects) should be enough to keep you busy for a few months until 2014 Gypsy Queen streets. You can get more info on the product from Cardboard Connection here.

Here's how you sign up: simply comment below, leaving me your name and what team you want. Then shoot me an e-mail with your contact information so that I have it. Lastly, send a gift payment to me via PayPal. My e-mail address for the contact info and payment is judsonmeeks AT g mail DOT com. As soon a sI receive payment, I'll put you down as "PAID."

I would like to have all team slots filled by this Friday, but I may extend sign-up until next week if need be.

I know this is going to be an awesome break.  I just need you to join me! Some people have already expressed interest, so the team availability should reflect that!

Here are the teams:

Arizona Diamondbacks
Atlanta Braves - Captain Canuck
Baltimore Orioles - irondequoit36 (PAID)
Boston Red Sox
Chicago White Sox
Chicago Cubs
Cincinnati Reds
Cleveland Indians
Colorado Rockies
Detroit Tigers
Florida Marlins
Houston Astros
Kansas City Royals
Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles Dodgers - Jeroen, a.k.a. The Dutch Card Guy
Milwaukee Brewers
Minnesota Twins
New York Mets
New York Yankees
Oakland Athletics
Philadelphia Phillies
Pittsburgh Pirates - Nathan Bell
San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants
Seattle Mariners
St. Louis Cardinals
Tampa Bay Rays
Texas Rangers
Toronto Blue Jays
Washington Nationals - Judson Meeks (PAID)

2013 Bowman Chrome - Anybody Interested in a Break?

I've never explicitly said it, but I'm a fan of Bowman. That probably comes as no surprise if you read this blog. 

The 2013 incarnation of the Bowman Chrome product hit the streets yesterday. With a base set composed of 220 current players as well as 220 prospects, it appeals to the set builder in me, and that many base cards should keep me busy until 2014 Gypsy Queen streets in six months. 

So here's my question: is anyone interested in joining me in a break? If I can get 15 teams accounted for at $15 a team, I should be able to break three boxes. The remaining 15 teams would be randomly assigned. 

I hope y'all are as interested in doing this as I am. Beyond the base set, there are a ton of prospect autographs as usual, but there are also autographs from many of today's stars as well, including Bryce Harper and David Ortiz, and past stars like Ernie banks and Ken Griffey Jr. 

Join dammit!!!!

You Spoke, I Listened

In my last post, I complained about buying an entire blaster full of purple refractors. I'm trying to build a set, and a blaster filled with the color purple isn't going to help. 

A few of you commented, and I think the majority of y'all (if not all of y'all) made it apparent that this was a good thing. Some suggested selling the cards, others offered up trades. 

I listened to you. 

I've decided that I am going to put the lot on eBay, along with the other purple refractors I already had. Here's where I need and want your input. 

Should I put up the lot with purple refractors only (totaling 50 cards), or should I put up a lot of refractors - the purple, normal, xfractors and one gold refractor (totaling 70ish cards)? How much should I start the bidding at?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. I am clueless in this area. 

Regardless of the direction I go, one thig is set in stone: if the lot doesn't sell, I'm going to trade them all to you. So if you haven't already, leave me a comment with the team(s) that you want. It's first come, first serve, so get in line quickly!

Well, Topps FINALLY Screwed Me

I've been back in the collecting world for almost a year now. I've read horror stories that some if y'all have had, from redemptions taking months and years to get to poor collation and so on and so on. I've never had a problem though.

Until tonight. 

I stopped by Walmart to grab a few things and decided to grab a blaster of Chrome since I decided to put the set together. Imagine my surprise, disappointment and anger when I looked at the cards inside:

With the exception of five cards (four normal refractors and one insert), every single card was a purple refractor. 

Blasters are supposed to have one pack of purple refractors and seven packs of normal cards. 

I can't build a freaking set with a blaster full of purple refractors. 

Topps, you freaking suck. 

Catching Up on Some Trade Posts

I've been pretty terrible about posting trades recently.  Case in point: I have two completed trades in the past few weeks that I have yet to mention.

First, Scott from Mr.baseball-scott is an avid David Ortiz collector, and I just happened to have an Ortiz relic I wanted to move. In return, I got this sweet 2013 Gypsy Queen Danny Espinosa relic.

As you may or may not know, the Nats are my second-favorite team, behind the Rangers of course. This will be a nice addition to my collection.  Thanks Scott!

Second, Brain from Play at the Plate saw that I had some holes in my 2013 Allen & Ginter set. He sent over a massive stack of cards to help me out, along with quite a few of my needs from 2013 Bowman Platinum. Being the idiot that I am, I sorted and collated the cards into my set without taking a picture first.  My bad, Brian, but I really do appreciate it!!!

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2013 Topps Chrome

53 Derek Holland
55 Mike Olt RC
57 Jurickson Profar RC
122 Adrian Beltre
141 Neftali Feliz
160 Ian Kinsler
169 A.J Pierzynski
193 Nelson Cruz
199 Yu Darvish

Somebody, Help Me!!!

The two sets-in-progress that are receiving most of my attention lately have been the current Allen & Ginter and Bowman Platinum sets. It seems that every dollar that I have designated to my habit has gone to buy cards from these two sets.

Ironically, I am stuck on the same player in both sets.

Yasiel Puig.

I'm not on the Puig mania bandwagon. He's a great player, don't get me wrong - but I don't think he's in the Harper - Trout conversation of rookie years. (Note: I haven't looked at Puig's stats and compared them to Harper or Trout; therefore, the previous statement is purely opinion and I hope you don't hate me for it). That being said, I find it very hard to pay the asking prices for his rookie card in A&G or Platinum as they stand on the Bay and COMC.

That's where I need your help. If you have an extra of either of these two cards, please let me know. I have a Puig Cutting Edge Stars insert that I would be more than happy to exchange for these cards (and more if so needed). 

Help me out!!!!!

In a Funk...So I Wonder: "What Does the Fox Say?"

I've had nothing really to write about lately, and I haven't opened any packs either, so I've kind of been in a collecting funk.

So, in case you haven't seen this video, I want to share it with you.

This was created as a video for a Norwegian talk show. The singers are brothers, and evidently the talk show is comedic. Either way, the video (and song) is so stupid, it becomes hilarious. My apologies if you don't find it as funny as I do.

So Canada Isn't So Bad, And A Guy On A Bike

As a Texan, I take great pride in being a native son of the greatest state in the United States. It carries quite a bit of responsibility, and I don't take that lightly.

Up until recently, my only interaction with Canada had been the few South Park episodes that take "light-hearted" jabs at our neighbors up north. Well, every stereotype I may have had was completely blown out of the water, courtesy of Captain Canuck.

Canuck just happened to have a good number of cards I needed for my Texas Rangers Team Set project, and he was kind enough to send them south to me.

All kidding aside, I can't thank you enough, Canuck. I really appreciate it, and I've already started looking for cards to return the favor.

The second part of today's post hits on some 2013 Allen & Ginter. Today, I stopped by WalMart to grab a few things for my office. As per the usual, I checked to see what cards the store had. I feel compelled to say here that of all the stores I have ever been to, my local WalMart has the absolute worst selection of cards of any of them. There are tons of Magic cards that have never sold and hardly any sports cards. We get some baseball cards put out once ever three or four weeks, if we're lucky, and even then it's usually only one or two blasters.

So to my surprise, there were two hanger packs of 2013 A&G. I grabbed them both, needing my cardboard fix. There was nothing really special about any of the packs, until the next to last card:

This guy fell out - the People on Bicycles-Messenger. This, of course, comes from the unannounced mini insert set, so the odds aren't on the packaging...and I don't feel like looking it up. I'm pretty happy about it, but I don't know if I am going to try to get the entire set or not. It seems like it could be difficult and expensive, and I'm looking for cheap and easy (hold your laughs until the end, please).

(Okay, it's the end.)

I Visited Mickey Mantle Today

I've been on the road a lot lately. As I've mentioned in the past, my job requires me to meet with land and mineral owners, but after moving up and becoming one of the "higher-ups," I've also been negotiating the sales and acquisition of oil and gas production. Today, that meant I was in North Dallas for a meeting.

When I was done, I realized that I was near the cemetery where Mickey Mantle was interred, Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park. I decided to make a quick stop to pay my respects.

The Mick is interred in one of the mausoleums on the property along with his wife and two of his sons. They have they're own "nook", if you will.

I don't really know how to explain how it felt being there. On one hand, I felt that perhaps I had overstepped - I don't know how acceptable it is to visit someone's final resting place that you didn't know. I wasn't the only one there, though, so I suppose this is a fairly common occurrence.

On the other hand, it was neat to visit. Not everyone will have the opportunity to do so, and I consider myself fortunate enough to know about Mantle's contributions to the sport to appreciate the moment I had. So, there's that.

All in all, it was a memorable experience and I'm glad I did it. Tom Landry is buried in the sam cemetery, but I didn't have the time to find him.

Trade Bait - The Hits

2013 A&G - Tim Lincecum Relic

2013 A&G - Wilin Rosario Relic

2013 A&G - Aramis Ramirez Relic

2013 A&G - Logan Morrison Relic

2013 A&G - Mark Cuban Relic

2013 A&G - Paul O'Neill Relic

2013 Bowman Platinum - Tayler Scott (Cubs) Auto

2013 Bowman - Josh Bowman (A's) Auto

2013 Bowman - Lenny Lensky (Rays) Auto

2013 Bowman - Tayler Scott (Cubs) Auto

2013 Topps Tribute - Anthony Gose Auto 15/15

2013 Gypsy Queen - Cole DeVries Auto

2013 Gypsy Queen - Michael Bourn Auto

2013 Gypsy Queen - Yovani Gallardo Relic

2013 Gypsy Queen - Phil Niekro Relic

2013 Gypsy Queen - BJ Upton Relic

2013 Gypsy Queen - Justin Morneau Relic

2013 Gypsy Queen - Jordan Pacheco Relic

2013 Gypsy Queen -  BJ Upton Relic (a second one)

2013 Gypsy Queen - Ricky Romero Relic

2012 A&G - Michael Morse Relic

2012 A&G - Vernon Wells Relic

2012 Topps Chrome - Wei-Yin Chen Purple Refractor

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2013 Allen & Ginter

18 Matt Harrison
23 Adrian Beltre
26 Elvis Andrus
37 Nelson Cruz
57 Mike Olt RC
74 Yu Darvish
93 A.J. Pierzynski
102 Ian Kinsler
156 Jurickson Profar RC
190 David Murphy
230 Derek Holland
344 Nolan Ryan

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2013 Topps Tribute

27 Josh Hamilton
36 Nolan Ryan
66 Adrian Beltre
72 Yu Darvish
92 Jurickson Profar

Texas Rangers Team Set - 1992 Upper Deck

10 Rob Maurer SR
11 Donald Harris SR
70 Kurt Miller TP
92 Nolan Ryan TC
176 Ruben Sierra
179 Gary Pettis
196 Jeff Huson
201 Kevin Reimer
204 Jose Guzman
223 Rafael Palmeiro
241 Julio Franco
243 Juan Gonzalez
245 Ivan Rodriguez
462 Monty Fariss
465 Dean Palmer
483 Brian Downing
559 Oil Can Boyd
576 Bobby Witt
578 Kevin Brown
597 Mike Jeffcoat
599 Geno Petralli
651 Kenny Rogers
655 Nolan Ryan
691 John Barfield
695 Jeff Russell
769 Dickie Thon

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2012 Topps Archives

40 Nelson Cruz ('54 Topps Design)
64 Derek Holland ('71 Topps Design)
72 Ian Kinsler ('71 Topps Design)
81 Adrian Beltre ('71 Topps Design)
93 Matt Harrison ('71 Topps Design)
119 Yu Darvish RC ('80 Topps Design)
131 Elvis Andrus ('80 Topps Design)
135 Mike Napoli ('80 Topps Design)
158 Michael Young ('84 Topps Design)
190 Josh Hamilton ('84 Topps Design)
208 Frank Howard (Senators) SP ('71 Topps Design)

200? Already???

I've officially hit 200 posts! Okay, so maybe that number needs an asterisk by it because more than 40 of my recent posts have been team checklists, but Barry Bonds was busy and couldn't give me an official ruling. So, I stand by my number proudly.

I can't believe I've been fairly regular in posting for almost five months. I'm pretty happy about that. I know that my posts are usually pretty brief, just explaining and showing cards that I've added to the collection. A couple of times I've shared a story and those pieces seem to go over well, so I am going to try to post at least one story a week that is similar to those I've shared in the past, but I can't guarantee that. 

My Trade Bait page is about 90% complete. I have all the relevant base cards up (i.e. base cards, inserts, etc.), but I am going to create a page devoted to the "hits" that will have pictures. I think that is probably the best way to post those so that you know what I have to offer.

So...yeah. I guess that's about it.  Thanks again for reading, and let me know what I can do to improve the site. I'll consider any and all suggestions.

New, Improved Trade Bait Is (Kinda) Up

As you may or may not remember, I deleted my trade bait page yesterday by accident. So, while watching Tech beat TCU in a sloppy, sloppy game last night, I went to work rebuilding my trade bait page. Since I was rebuilding from the ground up, I went back and started my list beginning in 2012 (when I got back into the game).

So head on over to my trade bait page and give it a look. The page will have the current year's cards up, with links to previous years cards that I have for trade. I decided to do it this way to keep the page less cluttered and to keep it from being 15 miles long.

More will be coming soon (I still have Allen & Ginter, Bowman, Bowman Platinum, Gypsy Queen and a few others to add to this years, not to mention the "hits" I want to unload), so keep an eye out!

Trade Bait - 2012 Cards

2012

2012 Allen & Ginter

Base
6, 22, 22, 28, 36, 36, 38, 40, 40, 48, 54, 56, 78, 80, 80, 89, 90, 91, 97, 97, 98, 105, 105, 107, 112, 120, 122, 142, 145, 149, 157, 166, 166, 167, 167, 174, 186, 190, 190, 190, 197, 201, 201, 225, 225, 234, 234, 249, 249, 250, 260, 262, 264, 271, 273, 278, 280, 282, 282, 287, 291, 292, 308, 315, 320, 329, 331, 344, 349 

Mini - Base 
32, 43, 44, 47, 51, 60, 64, 76, 90, 93, 107, 117, 120, 127, 127, 129, 146, 151, 152, 152, 180, 186, 215, 184, 311, 318, 318, 331, 342 

Mini - Gold Border 
1, 29, 47, 71, 92, 159, 284, 301, 320, 333, 336, 339, 348, 350 

Mini - Black Border 
9, 46, 97, 208, 254, 260, 274 

Mini - A&G Back 

15, 36, 70, 90, 108, 136, 161, 180, 235, 285, 294, 322 

Culinary Curiosities Insert 
1, 3 

Giants of the Deep Insert 
3, 12 

Highlight Sketches Insert 
2, 5, 8, 9, 13, 15, 17, 18, 21, 22 

Historical Turning Points Insert 
1, 2, 10, 10, 13, 17, 19, 19 

Man's Best Friend Insert 
8, 11, 16, 16, 19 

Musical Masters Insert 
8, 12, 15 

People of the Bible Insert 
12, 5 

What's In A Name Insert 
2, 2, 4, 10, 12, 17, 17, 23, 25, 28, 28, 28, 32, 35, 35, 37, 37, 50, 51, 54, 55, 56, 64, 68, 70, 91, 91, 93 

World's Greatest Military Leaders Insert 
12, 20 

World's Tallest Buildings Insert 
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 


2012 Topps 
Series 2 Base 
332, 336, 348, 349, 351, 351, 351, 352, 355, 356, 356, 356, 357, 357, 358, 358, 358, 359, 359, 365, 367, 368, 369, 370, 370, 370, 371, 375, 375, 376, 376, 378, 378, 378, 379, 381, 382, 384, 387, 391, 392, 399, 402, 404, 405, 416, 416, 417, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 430, 431, 431, 432, 432, 433, 436, 436, 436, 438, 442, 443, 444, 445, 449, 452, 462, 464, 470, 471, 471, 471, 472, 472, 475, 475, 479, 479, 484, 490, 490, 491, 491, 495, 495, 501, 502, 504, 509, 516, 518, 518, 523, 523, 526, 533, 534, 535, 538, 541, 542, 542, 545, 551, 551, 551, 555, 556, 557, 558, 558, 560, 564, 566, 571, 571, 572, 577, 578, 578, 579, 579, 580, 582, 582, 584, 588, 592, 595, 595, 595, 596, 596, 601, 605, 605, 621, 621, 622, 624, 626, 627, 628, 630, 630, 630, 638, 640, 652, 654 

Update Series Base 
3,5, 8, 8, 9, 12, 13, 13, 17, 18, 18, 19, 19, 24, 25, 27, 31, 31, 32, 33, 34, 34, 35, 35, 35, 35, 36, 40, 40, 43, 44, 45, 48, 52, 52, 52, 54, 56, 59, 59, 60, 61, 63, 63, 63, 64, 66, 67, 67, 67, 68, 68, 69, 69, 72, 74, 75, 75, 76, 77, 78, 78, 79, 79, 80, 81, 83, 84, 85, 85, 86, 86, 86, 88, 91, 91, 91, 92, 92, 92, 93, 93, 93, 93, 94, 94, 95, 95, 95, 96, 97, 97, 97, 97, 98, 98, 98, 99, 99, 101, 102, 102, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 108, 108, 109, 109, 109, 111, 112, 113, 113, 113, 113, 114, 114, 114, 115, 115, 116, 116, 116, 116, 119, 119, 119, 119, 119, 121, 121, 122, 122, 124, 124, 125, 125, 126, 126, 127, 129, 131, 131, 131, 132, 133, 135, 135, 136, 136, 137, 137, 137, 138, 140, 140, 140, 141, 141, 142, 143, 143, 144, 144, 144, 145, 145, 149, 150, 151, 151, 152, 152, 152, 153, 153, 154, 154, 155, 155, 155, 156, 156, 156, 156, 157, 157, 158, 158, 158, 158, 160, 161, 161, 162, 163, 164, 164, 165, 165, 166, 167, 167, 168, 174, 175, 175, 180, 181, 183, 183, 184, 185, 185, 186, 186, 186, 187, 189, 189, 191, 191, 191, 192, 192, 193, 193, 195, 196, 196, 196, 197, 197, 198, 199, 199, 200, 200, 201, 203, 203, 203, 204, 204, 205, 205, 207, 208, 208, 208, 209, 209, 209, 210, 212, 212, 213, 213, 214, 214, 214, 215, 215, 215, 215, 215, 216, 217, 218, 218, 218, 219, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 226, 227, 227, 228, 228, 228, 229, 229, 229, 230, 230, 231, 231, 231, 233, 233, 233, 234, 234, 235, 235, 236, 236, 236, 239, 239, 240, 240, 240, 241, 241, 243, 243, 243, 244, 244, 244, 245, 245, 246, 247, 248, 248, 249, 250, 250, 251, 252, 252, 252, 253, 253, 254, 254, 254, 255, 255, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 259, 259, 260, 260, 261, 261, 262, 263, 263, 263, 264, 264, 265, 265, 265, 266, 266, 266, 267, 268, 268, 269, 269, 269, 269, 270, 270, 270, 270, 271, 271, 274, 275, 276, 277, 277, 277, 278, 278, 278, 279, 279, 281, 281, 283, 283, 284, 285, 286, 286, 287, 287, 287, 289, 289, 290, 290, 291, 291, 295, 295, 296, 297, 298, 298, 299, 300, 300, 301, 302, 302, 303, 304, 304, 305, 306, 306, 306, 307, 307, 307, 308, 308, 308, 309, 309, 309, 309, 310, 310, 310, 311, 311, 312, 312, 313, 313, 314, 314, 314, 314, 314, 314, 316, 316, 317, 317, 318, 319, 319, 319, 321, 321, 322, 322, 322, 323, 323, 323, 323, 324, 324, 324, 326, 326, 326, 328, 328, 330, 330, 330 

Gold Parallels 
10, 13, 19, 20, 38, 42, 58, 72, 83, 84, 85, 103, 111, 119, 135, 144, 161, 165, 166, 173, 175, 180, 183, 203, 204, 210, 240, 248, 256, 262, 275, 290, 310, 350, 387, 392, 448, 467, 559, 616 

US Gold Parallels 
22, 40, 45, 60, 76, 93, 103, 115, 118, 121, 127, 134, 186, 192, 217, 218, 227, 239, 245, 270, 280, 293, 294, 304 

Series 2 Gold Sparkle 
316, 346, 355, 389, 443, 445, 498, 582, 592 

US Gold Sparkle 
2, 15, 22, 28, 44, 61, 67, 80, 105, 127, 130, 138, 144, 155, 163, 172, 211, 214, 222, 242, 246, 249, 251, 253, 267, 282, 323, 324 

Series 2 WalMart Blue Parallel 
350, 441, 444, 491 

US WalMart Blue Parallel 
15,39, 47, 69, 85, 102, 111, 119, 140, 142, 144, 154, 158, 161, 168, 176, 183, 189, 194, 207, 213, 223, 225, 235, 260, 276, 278, 288, 295, 312, 312, 318 

Blockbusters Insert 
1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11, 11, 12, 17, 18, 20, 20, 21, 24, 24, 26, 26, 26, 28, 29, 29, 30 

Career Day Insert 

6, 7, 16, 16, 19, 22, 24 

A Cut Above Insert 
2, 9, 16, 19, 21, 24 

Golden Greats Insert 
78, 78, 79, 80, 82, 87, 90, 91, 92, 94, 95, 99 

Golden Moments Insert 
10, 11, 17, 20, 29, 31, 40, 41, 50, U4, U8, U9, U13, U16, U22, U22, U22, U25, U26, U27, U27, U34, U38, U39, U39, U40, U40, U40, U41, U44, U46, U46, U47, U47 

Gold Futures Insert 
26, 30, 31, 31, 32, 33, 34, 38, 41, 47 

Gold Standard Insert 
28, 29, 29, 29, 35, 38, 41, 46, 48 

Mound Dominance Insert 
1, 4, 4, 6, 7, 9 

Minis 
57,57, 63, 78, 80, 85, 88, 95, 102, 105, 106, 106, 109, 113, 113, 114, 114, 116, 116, 120, 122, 124, 124, 130, 131, 131, 135, 138, 139, 140, 143, 143, 145, 147, 148, 149

Heartbreak at the LCS

I've been on the fence since I heard this story yesterday when it comes to sharing it. It's a heartbreaking story that doesn't have a true happy ending, and if I'm going to be completely honest, it made me shed a tear. But ultimately, I think the story, though tragic, shows the power the hobby has in our personal lives.

There are only two shops that I consider to be my "local" card shops. One is in North Richland Hills, about an hour and fifteen minutes from my home. The other is Duane's Sports Cards, located in Grand Prairie, about an hour and a half from my house. I like both of them, but I go to Duane's when I'm looking for specific cards.

Duane's Sports cards is jointly operated by four men, all of whom have retired from their careers. The card shop is more or less a place for them to gather, tell stories, rip packs and trade cards. When they say they aren't in it for the money, they genuinely mean it.

The shop is divided into four sections - one for each of the owners. I especially like "Bob," he's always been extremely nice to me and gives me a great deal every time I come in to buy some singles from him. I go out of my way to buy some cards from him, even if I don't really need anything, just because he's one of the nicest people I ever met.

A Failure of Epic Proportions

Ever have one of those mornings where you feel that everything you touch turns to waste? I'm having one of those mornings. While trying to update my Trade Bait page, I inadvertently deleted everything.

And then saved it.

Now I'm left with nothing.

So, I'll be taking time beginning tonight to re-create my trade bait list. The flip side to all of this is that the page will be more detailed in regards to what I do and don't have.  So there's that...I guess.

I feel like an idiot.

Retail Blaster and Some Retail Singles

On the way to the game yesterday, I stopped at Target and bought a Bowman Platinum blaster and a few packs of 2013 Panini Usa Baseball Champions. The baseball gods punished me for bragging about going to the game by making the Rangers lose 1-0. They took mercy on me, however, and gave me a very nice card.

First for the Panini "hits," if you can call them that.

I made this picture large because of the upper left corner: the 15U National Team.  This kid is 15 AT THE OLDEST and he has a freakin baseball card. How awesome would that be? "Hey son, how was freshman year? Oh, some of your baseball cards came in the mail for you to sign." Ridiculous.

Next up, a numbered die cut card of someone I've never heard of. No offense, but I'm moving on.

Here's where I was fortunate:

Bowman Platinum Yasiel Puig Cutting Edge insert. I can't pull the damn Puig base card to save my life, but I can pull inserts. I can't decide if I want to trade it or sell it, so here's the deal. If you want it, throw an offer my way. No reasonable offer will be turned down, just try to offer up something from one of my collections (Bryce Harper PC is looking a little shallow **ahem**). If I don't have anything by Friday, the bad boy is going up on the Bay.

Mail Day Lottery

Today was a helluva day for my mailbox. I got some eBay pickups and one awesome TTM. First, let's check out the eBay additions.

I snagged this 2013 Bowman Platinum Bryce Harper Cutting Edge Stars insert for $1. I don't believe that I have an die-cut cards in my Harper PC, so this is a welcome addition.

This beauty is the Bowman Platinum National Convention parallel, numbered 11 of 125. It's not a Chrome parallel; instead, it's a standard paper parallel with the orange background. I had to have it once I saw it, and I got it for under $5.

Speaking of Joey Gallo and Bowman Platinum. I snagged this Chrome Green Parallel numbered 122/399. Fits well with my other cards.

Now, for the TTM. I'm pretty excited to add this one. The Allen & Ginter set provides some nice cards perfect for signing. With that being said...

Bud Selig!  I know that there is a **large** percentage of of baseball fans that don't care for him. And while I think he has made a few mistakes, I count myself among those who like Selig. I was happy to get this back.

But wait - there's more!

He signed his mini, too. He signed it with a ballpoint pen, so that's a little different.

Anyway, I have to get back to work.

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2013 Topps

11 Yu Darvish
18 Mitch Moreland
29 Adrian Beltre
30 Neftali Feliz
39 Scott Feldman
57 Mark Lowe
87 Mike Olt RC
184 Geovany Soto
236 Joe Nathan
248 Colby Lewis

286 Jurickson Profar RC
320 Michael Young
383 Matt Harrison
415 Leonys Martin
436 Elvis Andrus
440 Ian Kinsler
480 Lance Berkman
531 Craig Gentry
558 David Murphy
591 Derek Holland
623 Alexi Ogando
650 Nelson Cruz

** Does Not Include Update Series (US). I also have not yet sorted through Series 1 to pull team set cards.

Texas Rangers Team Sets - 2012 Topps Archives

40 Nelson Cruz ('54 Topps Design)
64 Derek Holland ('71 Topps Design)
72 Ian Kinsler ('71 Topps Design)
81 Adrian Beltre ('71 Topps Design)
93 Matt Harrison ('71 Topps Design)
119 Yu Darvish RC ('80 Topps Design)
131 Elvis Andrus ('80 Topps Design)
135 Mike Napoli ('80 Topps Design)

158 Michael Young ('84 Topps Design)
190 Josh Hamilton ('84 Topps Design)
208 Frank Howard (Senators) SP ('71 Topps Design)

Be Jealous

My view for perhaps the most important regular season interleague matchup in history, between the Rangers and Pirates. 

In case you don't like panorama:

Couldn't ask for more beautiful weather!

Trade With Matt of Cardboard Conundrum Fame

Matt over at Cardboard Conundrum saw that I was in need of some 2013 Allen & Ginter cards, so he took a moment to send some stuff over.

Matt, you and I have very different definitions of the phrase "a few."

You crushed my needs list.  I think you may have knocked off half of what I needed.  I can't thank you enough, though I will try by sending you some of your needs.

As if this Monday wasn't awesome enough, I get to work to find these on my desk.

I thought the game was tomorrow, but it's tonight.  Sweet.

This Monday doesn't suck.

An Addition to the 2013 A&G Quest; Needs/Tradeables Updated

I don't know about y'all, but I was pretty useless this weekend. With college football rolling (Wreck 'Em, Tech!) and the Cowboys playing like crap even though they had 6 turnovers, I pretty much sat on the couch for 48 hours doing nothing but watching football.

I did, however, manage to put together a new Needs list for my 2013 A&G project. On top of collecting the entire base set, SP's and inserts, I'm shooting for collecting the Rangers team set of no-numbered minis. Here's what I've got:

2013 A&G NNO Rangers
Matt Harrison
Adrian Beltre
Elvis Andrus
Nelson Cruz
Mike Olt
Yu Darvish
AJ Pierzynski
Ian Kinsler
Jurickson Profar
David Murphy
Derek Holland
Nolan Ryan

So, I'm about a third of the way done. I also have a Matt Harrison Red Back, Hand Numbered to 25. I like it, but I might be willing to part with it in exchange for multiple NNO's. So if you see any, let me know. I would greatly appreciate it.

Also, I've updated my Allen & Ginter needs list. Matt over at Cardboard Conundrum was kind enough to send me a HUGE stack of cards to knock off my checklist (trade post coming soon). Matt, I can't thank you enough. I'm looking through my stack to see what I can send you in return.

Part of my Trade Bait update was adding in 2013 Archives that I don't want (which was nearly all of them). If you collected the set and need a few, head over there and check it out. There are a ton of base cards and a couple SPs.

Texas Rangers Team Set - 1990 Donruss

3 Ruben Sierra DK
33 Juan Gonzalez RC
43 Scott Coolbaugh RR
48 Pete Incaviglia
56 Geno Petralli
107 Steve Buechele
142 Julio Franco
165 Fred Manrique
166 Nolan Ryan
174 Ruben Sierra
225 Rafael Palmeiro
260 Cecil Espy
283 Kenny Rogers
284 Jeff Russell
292 Bobby Witt
343 Kevin Brown
378 Jamie Moyer
402 Harold Baines
403 Cecilio Guante
411 Charlie Hough
461 Jack Daugherty
496 Jeff Kunkel
520 Chad Kreuter
521 Mike Jeffcoat
529 Dean Palmer RC
579 Mike Stanley
613 Rick Leach
659 Nolan Ryan 5000K
660 Harold Baines AS
665 Nolan Ryan KING
673 Ruben Sierra AS
679 Gary Mielke
701 Julio Franco AS

Texas Rangers Team Sets - 2013 Topps Archives

11 Joe Nathan '72
21 Adrian Beltre '72
30 Yu Darvish '72
37 Elvis Andrus '72
68 Matt Harrison '82
88 Derek Holland '82
119 Ian Kinsler '85
133 Jurickson Profar RC '85
136 Nelson Cruz '85
138 David Murphy '85
158 Mike Olt RC '90
204 Charlie Hough '87 SP
205 Ruben Sierra '89 SP

You Learn Something New Everyday

Yesterday, before Geno Petralli showed up, my boss and I were talking baseball. One of his friends told him that the Chicago White Sox used to have Spring Training in our town (Mineral Wells, Texas) back in the early 1900's. With the excitement of meeting Petralli, I completely forgot this little nugget.

Today, my boss asked if I had a chance to look it up, which reminded me of our conversation. Thanks to Google, I was able to find that the Southsiders did, in fact, host Spring Training here in 1911 and then again from 1916 to 1919.

In 1919, the "Black Sox" scandal rocked baseball and the White Sox organization, as eight players allegedly "fixed" the World Series. I say allegedly because, even though the eight players were banned from baseball for life, they were acquitted in court.

On a related note, seven illegal gambling facilities were shut down in our town yesterday. Evidently, this town has that effect on people.

Why would they come to our town, you ask? Well, during that town, Mineral Wells was one of the premier resort towns in the country. People (presidents, movie stars and athletes among them) would come here to take mineral baths and rest.

If you want more of the story, you'll have to wait to find out. Why? Because I have to go do some research!

Texas Rangers Team Set - 1977 Topps

36 John Ellis
55 Jeff Burroughs
81 Juan Beniquez
103 Mike Bacsik
137 Jeff Terpko
152 Gaylord Perry
174 Nelson Briles
196 Len Randle
237 Gene Clines
254 Doyle Alexander
256 Joe Hoerner
275 Mike Hargrove
301 Toby Harrah
328 Tommy Boggs
351 Jim Sundberg
373 Bert Campaneris
378 Jim Umbarger
403 Tom Grieve
428 Texas Rangers CL / Frank Lucchesi
459 Steve Foucault
511 Bill Fahey
539 Mike Wallace
588 Dave Moates
608 Roy Howell
630 Bert Blyleven

Texas Rangers Team Sets - 1976 Topps

7 Jim Umbarger
31 Len Randle
55 Gaylord Perry
83 Jim Spencer
106 Tom Grieve
148 Stan Thomas
172 Frank Lucchesi
226 Jim Sundberg
250 Fergie Jenkins
279 Roy Howell
303 Steve Foucault
327 Dave Moates
360 Jeff Burroughs
388 Stan Perzanowski
412 Toby Harrah
436 Bill Fahey
463 Steve Hargan
485 Mike Hargrove
496 Juan Beniquez
509 Bill Hands
559 Clyde Wright
569 Nelson Briles
582 Mike Kekich
587 Leo Cardenas
604 Joe Lovitto
615 Mike Cubbage
635 Jim Fregosi
657 Roy Smalley

Texas Rangers Team Set - 1975 Topps

12 David Clyde
36 Joe Lovitto
60 Fergie Jenkins
83 Jim Merritt
106 Mike Hargrove
131 Toby Harrah
155 Jim Bibby
178 Cesar Tovar
234 Tom Grieve
259 Len Randle
283 Steve Foucault
316 Jackie Brown
339 Jim Fregosi
362 Steve Hargan
387 Jim Spencer
412 Bill Hands
435 Dave Nelson
470 Jeff Burroughs
493 Don Stanhouse
511 Billy Martin
518 Leo Cardenas
542 Pete Broberg
567 Jim Sundberg
644 Bill Fahey

Texas Ranger Team Sets - 1974 Topps

11 Jim Bibby
39 Ken Suarez
63 Bill Sudakis
87 Fergie Jenkins
89 Jackie Brown
107 Alex Johnson
133 David Clyde
184 Rangers Team
196 Jim Fregosi
223 Jeff Burroughs
242 Bill Gogolewski
268 Tom Grieve
294 Steve Foucault
318 Jim Merritt
355 Dave Nelson
379 Rangers Coaches - Billy Martin, Frank Lucchesi, Art Fowler, Charlie Silvera, Jackie Moore
401 Elliott Maddox
425 Pete Broberg
446 Len Randle
466 Dick Billings
511 Toby Harrah
539 Lloyd Allen
558 Bill Fahey
580 Jim Spencer
618 Jim Mason
639 Joe Lovitto
657 Jim Shellenback

Texas Rangers Team Set - 1973 Topps

7 Rangers Team
27 Bill Gogolewski
58 Mike Paul
94 Dick Billings
111 Dave Nelson
138 Horacio Pina
162 Pete Broberg
186 Bill Fahey
216 Toby Harrah
249 Larry Biittner
276 Joe Lovitto
299 Ted Ford
321 Rich Hinton
352 Don Stanhouse
378 Lenny Randle
398 Rich Hand
435 Rico Carty
458 Jim Mason
489 Jeff Burroughs
512 Dalton Jones
549 Rangers Mgr/Coaches - Whitey Herzog, Chuch Estrada, Chuck Hiller, Jackie Moore
564 Mike Thompson
579 Tom Grieve
594 Vic Harris
640 Dick Bosman
658 Elliott Maddox

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2012 Allen & Ginter

4 Yu Darvish RC
8 Mitch Moreland
98 Nelson Cruz
103 Alexi Ogando
203 Ian Kinsler
213 Joe Nathan

227 Michael Young
267 Neftali Feliz
290 Derek Holland
294 Elvis Andrus
328 Josh Hamilton SP
330 Mike Napoli SP
334 Adrian Beltre SP
341 Colby Lewis SP

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2013 Topps

11 Yu Darvish
18 Mitch Moreland
29 Adrian Beltre
30 Neftali Feliz
39 Scott Feldman
57 Mark Lowe
87 Mike Olt RC
184 Geovany Soto
236 Joe Nathan
248 Colby Lewis
286 Jurickson Profar RC
320 Michael Young
383 Matt Harrison
415 Leonys Martin
436 Elvis Andrus
440 Ian Kinsler
480 Lance Berkman
531 Craig Gentry
558 David Murphy
591 Derek Holland
623 Alexi Ogando
650 Nelson Cruz

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2013 Topps Heritage

76 Ron Washington Manager
78 Mike Napoli
125 Yu Darvish
148 AJ Pierzynski
153 David Murphy
169 Elvis Andrus
171 Derek Holland
238 Joe Nathan
241 Geovany Soto
261 Mike Olt RC & Jurickson Profar RC
295 Mitch Moreland
317 Lance Berkman
363 Neftali Feliz
444 Adrian Beltre SP
473 Matt Harrison SP
479 Ian Kinsler SP

482 Nelson Cruz SP

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2013 Topps Opening Day

7 Adrian Beltre
37 Jurickson Profar RC
51 Elvis Andrus
107 Lance Berkman
114 Mike Olt RC
154 Nelson Cruz
165 Yu Darvish

181 Neftali Feliz
214 Ian Kinsler

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2012 Gypsy Queen

47 Derek Holland
49 Adrian Beltre
52 Colby Lewis
57 Michael Young
67 Josh Hamilton
76 Mike Napoli
96 Alexi Ogando
133 Mike Adams
145 Ian Kinsler
146 Elvis Andrus
157 Nelson Cruz
189 Neftali Feliz
203 Matt Harrison
206 David Murphy

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2012 Topps

8 Mike Adams
18 Colby Lewis
34 Derek Holland
37 Mike Napoli
55 Michael Young
59 Texas Rangers Postseason Highlight
171 Koji Uehara
217 Texas Rangers Postseason Highlight
299 Mitch Moreland
300 Josh Hamilton
301 Alexi Ogando
310 Adrian Beltre
344 Nelson Cruz
347 Craig Gentry
360 Nelson Cruz Checklist
385 David Murphy
437 Yoshinori Tateyama RC
439 Elvis Andrus
481 Matt Harrison
550 Ian Kinsler
611 Neftali Feliz
632 Joe Nathan
660 Yu Darvish RC

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2012 Topps Opening Day

3 Nelson Cruz
28 Michael Young
29 Mike Napoli
48 Adrian Beltre
72 Derek Holland
104 Alexi Ogando
116 Josh Hamilton
122 Neftali Feliz
169 Ian Kinsler
197 Elvis Andrus
215 Colby Lewis

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2011 Topps

6 Neftali Feliz
8 Julio Borbon
26 Neftali Feliz ROY
29 Josh Hamilton MVP
67 Vladimir Guerrero
103 Cliff Lee
112 Jorge Cantu
236 Nelson Cruz
320 Michael Young
323 C.J. Wilson
327 Cristian Guzman
343 Mason Tobin RC
352 Colby Lewis
371 Taylor Teagarden
405 Ian Kinsler
413 Derek Holland
432 Matt Harrison
435 Elvis Andrus
498 Scott Feldman
543 Rangers Team Card
600 Neftali Feliz
603 David Murphy
621 Omar Beltre
634 Mitch Moreland
650 Josh Hamilton
US19 Mike Napoli
US38 Josh Hamilton

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2011 Topps Opening Day

35 Vladimir Guerrero
111 Nelson Cruz
139 Michael Young
142 C.J. Wilson
147 Josh Hamilton
166 Ian Kinsler
190 Elvis Andrus
203 Neftali Feliz

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2010 Upper Deck

29 Kevin Richardson
35 Pedro Strop RC
493 David Murphy
494 Nelson Cruz
495 Michael Young
496 Ian Kinsler
497 Chris Davis
498 Elvis Andrus
499 Taylor Teagarden
500 Jarrod Saltalamacchia
501 CJ Wilson
502 Derek Holland
503 Darren O'Day
504 Brandon McCarthy
505 Scott Feldman
506 Jason Jennings
507 Eddie Guardado
508 Frank Francisco
509 Marlon Byrd
568 Texas Rangers Ballpark
598 Texas Rangers Checklist

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2010 Topps

5 Texas Rangers Team Card
31 Jason Grilli
62 Kevin Millwood
90 Ian Kinsler
94 Ivan Rodriguez
127 Hank Blalock
139 Frank Francisco
143 Omar Vizquel
175 Josh Hamilton
192 Andruw Jones
204 Elvis Andrus & Ian Kinsler
235 Neftali Feliz
255 Chris Davis
310 Elvis Andrus
336 C.J. Wilson
341 Texas Rangers Franchise History
346 Taylor Teagarden
374 Scott Feldman
433 Julio Borbon
435 Nelson Cruz
568 Jarrod Saltalamacchia
587 David Murphy
593 Derek Holland

643 Michael Young
645 Texas Rangers Team Card
658 Tommy Hunter
660 Brandon McCarthy
US140 Josh Hamilton
US325 Ian Kinsler

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2009 Topps

23 Gerald Laird
106 Marlon Byrd
121 Greg Golson
178 Frank Catalanotto
201 Jarrod Saltalamacchia & Josh Hamilton Combo
215 Ian Kinsler
250 Josh Hamilton
294 Brandon Boggs
317 Jarrod Saltalamacchia
323 Vicente Padilla
364 Kevin Millwood
369 Matt Harrison
412 Taylor Teagarden
422 Hank Blalock
531 Frank Francisco
584 Ron Washington
586 Nelson Cruz
591 Elvis Andrus RC
610 Michael Young
614 David Murphy
634 Chris Davis

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2008 Topps

19 Robinson Tejeda
22 Ron Washington
53 Hank Blalock
66 Brad Wilkerson
132 Ramon Vazquez
148 Gerald Laird
153 Luis Mendoza
156 Brandon McCarthy
214 C.J. Wilson
254 David Murphy
313 Kameron Loe
314 Ian Kinsler
343 Kason Gabbard
374 Jason Jennings
389 Callix Crabbe
439 Josh Hamilton
477 Ben Broussard
482 Kazuo Fukumori
499 Milton Bradley
527 Marlon Byrd
564 Frank Catalanotto
566 Kevin Millwood
635 Michael Young
659 Vicente Padilla

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2007 Topps

81 Ian Kinsler
114 John Koronka
143 Vicente Padilla
166 Hank Blalock
174 Frank Catalanotto
221 Robinson Tejeda
286 Joaquin Arias
309 Mark Teixeira Gold Glove
371 Kenny Lofton
382 Kevin Millwood
412 Gerald Laird
440 Mark Teixeira
474 Michael Young
506 Akinori Otsuka
564 Nelson Cruz
567 Chris Stewart
574 Brandon McCarthy
589 Brad Wilkerson

596 Texas Rangers Team Card
606 Ron Washington

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2006 Topps

35 Brad Wilkerson
43 Laynce Nix
85 Hank Blalock
131 Rod Barajas
180 Mark Teixeira
186 Vicente Padilla
188 Gary Matthews
198 Kevin Mench
243 Kenny Rogers Gold Glove
244 Mark Teixeira Gold Glove
293 Texas Rangers Team Card
298 Jason Botts
312 John Koronka
321 C.J. Wilson
322 Marshall McDougall
337 Michael Young
402 David Dellucci
429 Francisco Cordero
485 Kevin Millwood
504 Phil Nevin
543 Edinson Volquez
594 Buck Showalter
632 Ian Kinsler
652 H.Blalock / M.Young

Texas Rangers Team Sets - 2005 Topps

20 Hank Blalock
41 Chan Ho Park
68 Francisco Cordero
96 Kevin Mench
209 Eric Young
260 Gerald Laird
263 Michael Young
295 Buck Showalter
302 Ian Kinsler
357 Alfonso Soriano AS
399 Ryan Drese
419 Richard Hidalgo
429 Gary Matthews Jr
460 Alfonso Soriano
479 Rod Barajas
489 R.A. Dickey
597 Laynce Nix
621 Ricardo Rodriguez
634 Mark Teixeira
666 Texas Rangers 2004 Team Photo
695 Kenny Rogers GG

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2004 Topps

9 Chan Ho Park
41 Michael Young
75 Hank Blalock
100 Alex Rodriguez
123 Ismael Valdes
188 Kevin Mench
208 Einar Diaz
227 Francisco Cordero
295 Buck Showalter
316 Chris O'Riordan
334 Rafael Palmeiro HL
358 Alex Rodriguez AS
382 Jeff Nelson
494 Eric Young
498 Laynce Nix
527 Mark Teixeira
576 Ramon Nivar
600 Alfonso Soriano
607 Kenny Rogers
633 Herbert Perry
666 Texas Rangers Team Card
701 Alex Rodriguez GG
716 Alex Rodriguez MVP

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2003 Bowman

103 Chan Ho Park
129 Alex Rodriguez
155 Rafael Palmeiro
171 Ramon Martinez
256 Tyler Martin
310 Keith Stamler

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2003 Topps

1 Alex Rodriguez
38 Juan Gonzalez
75 Herbert Perry
80 Ivan Rodriguez
85 Kenny Rogers
102 Hideki Irabu
163 Carl Everett
187 Ismael Valdes
245 Mike Lamb
290 Jerry Narron
309 Ramon A. Martinez
313 C.J. Wilson
324 H. Blalock / M. Teixeira
358 Alex Rodriguez AS
386 John Thomson
389 Doug Glanville
422 Kevin Mench
463 Chan Ho Park
475 Einar Diaz
487 Rafael Palmeiro
513 Michael Young
602 Ryan Drese
658 Texas Rangers Team Picture
667 Drew Meyer
685 Kenny Rogers Award
690 Alex Rodriguez Award

Texas Rangers Team Sets - 2002 Topps

18 Rick Helling
40 Rafael Palmerio
48 Kenny Rogers
54 Chad Curtis
62 Darren Oliver
128 Frank Catalanotto
175 Ivan Rodriguez
282 Jerry Narron
309 Hank Blalock
417 Herb Perry
468 Rusty Greer
478 Ismael Valdes
488 Hideki Irabu
494 John Rocker
496 Bill Haselman
558 Rob Bell
597 Jeff Zimmerman
632 Gabe Kapler
640 Alex Rodriguez
669 Texas Rangers Team Photo
682 Jason Botts (rookie card)
697 Ivan Rodriguez Gold Glove Award

Texas Rangers Team Set - 2001 Topps

68 Rick Helling
91 Mike Lamb
96 John Wetteland
150 Ivan Rodriguez
202 Luis Alicea
215 Rusty Greer
232 Jeff Zimmerman
261 Mark Clark
280 Royce Clayton
282 Jason McDonald
286 Gabe Kapler
294 Francisco Cordero
343 Johnny Oates
428 Ruben Mateo
540 Chad Curtis
552 Kenny Rogers
610 Bill Haselman
612 Alex Rodriguez
614 Darren Oliver
650 Rafael Palmeiro
654 Ricky Ledee
668 Justin Thompson
700 Frank Catalanotto
780 Texas Rangers Team Photo
785 Nolan Ryan Golden Moments

Texas Rangers Team Sets - 2000 Topps

23 Mark McLemore
40 Juan Gonzalez
61 Lee Stevens
64 Ivan Rodriguez
88 Roberto Kelly
112 Mark Clark
121 Todd Zeile
167 Aaron Sele
183 Tom Goodwin
195 Mike Morgan
197 Jeff Zimmerman
254 Kenny Rogers
270 Rusty Greer
278 Darren Oliver
316 Ruben Mateo
357 Justin Thompson
368 Gabe Kapler
381 John Wetteland
397 Royce Clayton
406 Rick Helling
417 Rafael Palmeiro

Texas Rangers Team Sets - 1999 Topps

9 Will Clark
34 Nolan Ryan
50 Juan Gonzalez
83 John Wetteland
86 Aaron Sele
111 Tom Goodwin
116 Roberto Kelly
126 Lee Stevens
128 Rusty Greer
226 Juan Gonzalez LL
267 Rick Helling
286 Todd Zeile
315 Rafael Palmeiro
337 John Burkett
339 Royce Clayton
396 Mark McLemore
399 Ivan Rodriguez

Texas Rangers Team Set - 1998 Topps

15 Bobby Witt
30 Juan Gonzalez
48 Danny Patterson
71 Mark McLemore
148 Lee Stevens
161 Roger Pavlik
220 Rusty Greer
273 Juan Gonzalez Interleage Play
292 Ivan Rodriguez
316 Will Clark
329 John Wetteland
376 Tom Goodwin
401 John Burkett
408 Roberto Kelly
418 Darren Oliver
449 Fernando Tatis

Texas Rangers Team Sets - 1996 Topps

79 Roger Pavlik
87 Rusty Greer
130 Kenny Rogers
140 Ivan Rodriguez
152 Benji Gil
166 Mark McLemore
178 Otis Nixon
227 Ivan Rodriguez Star Power
242 Jonathan Johnson
286 Mickey Tettleton
299 Will Clark
325 Juan Gonzalez
379 Dean Palmer
387 Bob Tewksbury

Texas Rangers Team Sets - 1994 Topps

22 Roger Pavlik
34 Nolan Ryan
51 Manuel Lee
80 Jose Canseco
108 Gary Redus
136 Dean Palmer
165 Ivan Rodriguez
193 Steve Dreyer RC
201 Mike Bell RC
231 Benji Gil
260 Julio Franco
288 Craig Lefferts
317 Cris Carpenter
345 Kevin Brown
413 Kenny Rogers
441 Dan Peltier
470 Rafael Palmeiro
498 David Hulse
591 Doug Strange
618 Rob Ducey
629 Matt Whiteside
644 Tom Henke
685 Juan Gonzalez
775 Jon Shave & Desi Wilson

Texas Rangers Team Sets - 1993 Topps

19 Ed Nunez
34 Juan Gonzalalez
64 Scott Chiamparino
87 Kevin Reimer
118 David Hulse
143 Jeff Huson
169 Kenny Rogers
197 Jeff Frye
223 Roger Pavlik
253 Jose Guzman
279 Todd Burns
305 Rafael Palmeiro
332 Geno Petralli
360 Ivan Rodriguez
438 Ritchie Moody
468 Matt Whiteside
500 Jose Canseco
545 Dean Plamer
575 Monty Fariss
607 Dan Smith
638 Brian Bohanon
670 Julio Franco
700 Nolan Ryan
731 Donald Harris
763 Rob Maurer
785 Kevin Brown
809 Cris Colon

Texas Rangers Team Set - 1992 Topps

1 Nolan Ryan
4 Nolan Ryan RB
27 Juan Gonzalez
55 Rafael Palmeiro
78 Ivan Rodriguez
138 Monty Fariss
149 Brian Bohanon
173 Brian Downing
188 Jose Guzman
215 Rich Gossage
237 Jose Hernandez
257 Jeff Russell
277 Scott Chiamparino
297 Kevin Brown
314 Jeff Huson
344 Jack Daugherty
398 Julio Franco AS
403 Ruben Sierra AS
409 Geno Petralli
428 Dennis Boyd
464 Mike Jeffcoat
490 Julio Franco
511 Kenny Rogers
534 Benji Gil RC
554 Donald Harris
567 Dean Palmer
584 Wayne Rosenthal
675 Bobby Witt
700 Ruben Sierra
737 Kevin Reimer
756 Gary Pettis
789 Bobby Valentine

Texas Rangers Team Set - 1992 Pinnacle

1 Nolan Ryan
6 Nolan Ryan RB
27 Bobby Witt
54 Gary Mielke
78 Geno Petralli
138 Jamie Moyer 172
Pete Incaviglia
184 Gary Green
224 Juan Gonzalez
244 Mike Jeffcoat
277 Scott Coolbaugh
295 Rafael Palmeiro
304 Kevin Reimer
314 Gary Pettis
332 Kenny Rogers
344 Jeff Russell
387 Julio Franco AS
409 Mike Stanley
428 John Barfield
464 Steve Buechele
489 Bobby Valentine
495 Charlie Hough
535 Ruben Sierra
562 Jeff Kunkel
584 Kevin Brown
622 Jack Daugherty
676 Scott Chiamparino
706 Brad Arnsberg
734 John Russell
756 Jeff Huson
775 Julio Franco

Texas Rangers Team Sets - 1991 Topps

1 Nolan Ryan
6 Nolan Ryan RB
27 Bobby Witt
54 Gary Mielke
78 Geno Petralli
138 Jamie Moyer
172 Pete Incaviglia
184 Gary Green
224 Juan Gonzalez
244 Mike Jeffcoat
277 Scott Coolbaugh
295 Rafael Palmeiro
304 Kevin Reimer
314 Gary Pettis
332 Kenny Rogers
344 Jeff Russell
387 Julio Franco AS
409 Mike Stanley
428 John Barfield
464 Steve Buechele
489 Bobby Valentine
495 Charlie Hough
535 Ruben Sierra
562 Jeff Kunkel
584 Kevin Brown
622 Jack Daugherty
676 Scott Chiamparino
706 Brad Arnsberg
734 John Russell
756 Jeff Huson
775 Julio Franco

Texas Rangers Team Set - 1990 Leaf

21 Nolan Ryan
47 Kevin Brown
73 Geno Petralli
100 Rafael Palmeiro
126 Harold Baines
152 Jeff Russell
179 Steve Buechele
205 Julio Franco
231 Pete Incaviglia
257 Ruben Sierra
264 Nolan Ryan Checklist
265 Nolan Ryan No Hit King
285 Jeff Huson RC
311 Kenny Rogers
337 Bobby Witt
363 Scott Coolbaugh RC
390 Charlie Hough
416 Mike Jeffcoat
442 Jeff Russell
469 Gary Pettis

495 Brad Arnsberg
521 Jack Daugherty RC

Texas Rangers Team Set - 1990 Score

69 Cecil Espy
93 Pete Incaviglia
107 Jamie Moyer
153 Geno Petralli
158 Mike Jeffcoat
160 Julio Franco
166 Fred Manrique
202 Charlie Hough
210 Kevin Brown
221 Steve Buechele
250 Nolan Ryan
263 Jeff Russell
301 Kenny Rogers
405 Rafael Palmeiro
406 Chad Kreuter
420 Ruben Sierra
426 Rick Leach
431 Jeff Kunkel
438 Cecilio Guante
457 Bobby Witt
470 Harold Baines
516 Drew Hall
564 Jack Daugherty RC
574 Gary Mielke RC
594 Dean Palmer RC
612 Scott Coolbaugh RC
637 Juan Gonzalez RC
661 Donald Harris RC
696 Nolan Ryan Highlight

Texas Rangers Team Sets - 1990 Upper Deck

34 Nolan Ryan 5000K's
42 Scott Coolbaugh
72 Juan Gonzalez RC
74 Dean Palmer RC
82 Rangers Team Card
103 Julio Franco
123 Kevin Brown
314 Charlie Hough
333 Pete Incaviglia
335 Rafael Palmeiro
353 Harold Baines
355 Ruben Sierra
371 Cecil Espy
392 Fred Manrique
394 Jeff Kunkel
544 Nolan Ryan
606 Kenny Rogers
609 Chad Kreuter
612 Gary Mielke
614 Jack Daugherty
617 Jose Guzman
619 Jamie Moyer
631 Drew Hall
633 Geno Petralli
636 Bobby Witt
638 Jeff Russell
640 Rick Leach
685 Steve Buechele
731 Brian Bohanon
734 Nolan Ryan
770 Gary Pettis
788 Jeff Huson

Texas Rangers Team Sets - 1989 Upper Deck

51 Dwayne Henry
54 Pete O'Brien
73 Jose Guzman
92 Cecil Espy
95 Mitch Williams
312 Chad Kreuter RC
314 Jerry Browne
331 Jim Sundberg
333 Oddibe McDowell
335 Paul Kilgus
416 Ruben Sierra
418 Steve Buechele
420 Scott Fletcher
437 Charlie Hough
439 Bob Brower
461 Jeff Russell
463 Jeff Kunkel
465 Curtis Wilkerson
482 Geno Petralli
484 Pete Incaviglia
557 Bobby Witt
560 Jose Cecena
576 Cecilio Guante
579 Mike Stanley
598 Edwin Correa
686 Texas Rangers Team Card
752 Kevin Brown
772 Rafael Palmeiro
774 Nolan Ryan
791 Jamie Moyer
793 Julio Franco

Texas Rangers Team Sets - 1989 Topps

53 Ruben Sierra
78 Jim Sundberg
92 Jeff Kunkel
137 Geno Petralli
177 Monty Fariss
183 Oddibe McDowell
221 Cecil Espy
242 Ed VandeBerg
276 Paul Kilgus
295 Scott Fletcher
314 Bobby Valentine Manager
331 Curt Wilkerson
345 Charlie Hough
411 Mitch Williams
432 Chad Kreuter RC
462 Jose Guzman
496 Dwayne Henry
532 Jerry Browne
548 Bobby Witt
565 Jeff Russell
587 Mike Stanley
629 Pete O'Brien
683 Jose Cecena
706 Pete Incaviglia
729 Texas Rangers Team Leaders
732 Steve Buechele
754 Bob Brower
766 Cecilio Guante
779 Craig McMurtry

Texas Rangers Team Sets - 1989 Fleer

514 Bob Brower
515 Steve Buechele
516 Jose Cecena
517 Cecil Espy
518 Scott Fletcher
519 Cecilio Guante
520 Jose Guzman
521 Ray Hayward
522 Charlie Hough
523 Pete Incaviglia
524 Mike Jeffcoat
525 Paul Kilgus
526 Chad Kreuter
527 Jeff Kunkel
528 Oddibe McDowell
529 Pete O'Brien
530 Geno Petralli
531 Jeff Russell
532 Ruben Sierra
533 Mike Stanley
534 Ed VandeBerg
535 Curtis Wilkerson
536 Mitch Williams
537 Bobby Witt

Texas Rangers Team Set - 1988 Topps

26 Mitch Williams
53 Curt Wilkerson
77 Tom O'Malley
114 Jeff Russell
139 Jerry Browne
163 Dale Mohorcic
178 Dwayne Henry
201 Rangers Team Leaders
219 Mike Stanley
227 Ed Correa
252 Bob Brower
280 Pete Incaviglia
319 Mike Loynd
345 Scott Fletcher
369 Greg Harris
427 Paul Kilgus
462 Don Slaught
490 Larry Parrish
537 Steve Buechele
563 Jose Guzman
589 Geno Petralli
594 Bobby Valentine
617 Oddibe McDowell
680 Charlie Hough
721 Pete O'Brien
747 Bobby Witt
771 Ruben Sierra

Lunch With A Ranger

Well, former Ranger.

But first, an apology. I'm currently in the process of building the pages for my Ranger Team Set project.  I thought that I had scheduled everything to publish at midnight tonight so that it wouldn't clog up everyone's blog feeds, but apparently I messed up a few of them. I apologize for filling your feeds with things that you probably don't care about. Hopefully, it won't be an issue anymore.

However, the real story for today is that I was fortunate enough to have lunch with a former Ranger today. I went to lunch with my boss to a local pizza joint, where we were joined by my boss's friend (a successful businessman and golf course owner). He brought Geno Petralli, who played catcher (along with just about every other position) for the Rangers from 1985-1993. Petralli suffered a back injury in 1991 which landed him on the DL. To replace him, the Rangers called up Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, who would never relinquish the starting spot until he left the Rangers in 2002. The first two home runs of Petralli's career were memorable: the first came off of now-Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, the second off of Roger Clemens (which tied the game).

I was like a little fangirl at a Justin Beaver concert, I'm sure. I tried to play it cool, but Petralli was one of my favorite players when I was a kid. Mostly because he had a bushy mustache and an awesome mullet, but he was still one of my favorites nonetheless. Naturally, I didn't have any cards with me, so I didn't get him to sign anything, nor did I ask for a picture - I didn't want to bother him while he was trying to eat. Regardless, it was still an awesome experience for me.

I've inserted a couple of cards so you can see the awesome flavor savor and lion's mane that Geno was rocking back in the day.  He's clean-cut now with no mustache. It was a little disappointing.