A New Addition and 2014 Bowman Needs

I've been kind of inactive on eBay lately. Nothing added has really jumped out at me. I'm sure that will change this week when 2014 Bowman drops. More on that below.

However, I have been starting to go back and pick up Rangers prospect autos from Bowman. It started with me pulling a Jorge Alfaro base auto earlier this year, then I received the Gallo base auto as a replacement. Then I grabbed a few here and there, and was able to pick up Gallo's Perfect Game auto. Well, I added another Perfect Game auto to my collection:

Now, don't get me wrong, I love this card. But it has one serious flaw. Can you spot it? I'll wait.

Okay, I'm tired of waiting. It is horribly off-center. I didn't notice that in the picture on eBay. I thought the seller may have creatively edited the card to make it appear centered, but after further review, I'm just an idiot that didn't check close enough.

Like my other autos, I'm sure I will send this one in for grading. I can only imagine what the centering grade will be. Oh well, the card is just for me anyway.
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As I mentioned above, 2014 Bowman is slated to street this Wednesday. I've already got an order in for a jumbo box. I want to go ahead and throw my "Needs List" out there for y'all to keep an eye on. If you pull any of these cards, I will be more than happy to make a deal with you for it.

Chrome Autos
Chris Bostick
Luke Jackson (especially this card)
Yohander Mendez

Retail Autos
Isiah Kiner-Falefa

Bowman Black Autos
Chris Bostick

Rookie Autos
Michael Choice

Futures Game Relics
Joey Gallo (especially this card)

Like I said, if you pull any of these, please let me know. I'm dying to add them to my collection.
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I ordered my Bowman Jumbo box from Atlanta Sportscards. The box was listed at $149.99. One penny more and I would receive free shipping, saving me roughly $16. Dammit! Naturally, I went back to find something to add so that I could get free shipping.

I found something, alright.

Pardon the blurry picture, I pulled it straight off their website. You're looking at a Big Stick Jeff Francoeur model signed bat. It is signed in gold. Frenchy played for the Rangers back in 2010. He gave 100% effort every time on the field, which automatically makes him a great guy in my book. Look at that signature - how beautiful is that???

Anyway, you would think - even with Frenchy currently in the minors - that a bat would go for $50 (at least). Well, my friends, Atlanta Sports Cards has this bat (and the silver version, too) for a mere $19.99!!! You can also snag an autographed ball for $14.99. Hell, you can't even buy a regular, unsigned OMLB ball for that!

Go check it out!

I Have A Question For You!

Online retailers: the faceless stores that seem to be able to sell product for up to 20 percent less than brick-and-mortar card shops.

I would be willing to be that everyone that reads this blog has bought cardboard from an online retailer at least once (I know because I read all of your posts!). I certainly have. There are four that I am aware of:

1. Atlanta Sports Cards
2. Dave & Adam's Card World
3. Steel City Collectibles
4. Blowout Cards 

I've used Atlanta Sports cards for my 2013 A&G break as well as my recent 2014 GQ break. I get amazing customer service and everyone is always extremely nice. I've never used Dave and Adam's or Steel City because they tend to be pricier than Atlanta. And I will never, Never NEVER use Blowout because of their poor customer service.

That being said, I am looking to you to discover your favorite online retailer. Leave a comment below with the name and website, along with why you like them. I'm going to compile a list and (hopefully) keep an updated tab on my site for everyone to use when searching for the best price on cardboard!

Thanks everyone!

So, My PC Player Might Be Better Than Yours

In case you didn't know, Joey Gallo is one of my player collection. He was drafted in the first round in 2012 out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, and immediately put up serious power numbers. Last year, Gallo's first full professional season, he led all of Minor League Baseball (MiLB) with 40 bombs.

He hasn't exactly slowed down this year. Last night, in a 21-6 shellacking of Frederick (a Baltimore farm team), Gallo added three more homers to his season total. He also walked three times. He's a beast.

He played in the 2011 Rawlings Perfect Game All American Classic. What did he do there? Only crush a 442-foot home run.

Keep in mind: in this video, Gallo is still in high school, he's using a wooden bat, AND he's playing in Petco Park in San Diego. Absolutely Impressive.

All of that talent, and he dated Greg Maddux's daughter in high school. Life must be rough for him, eh?

Speaking of the Perfect Game All American Classic, here's my favorite Gallo card that I own:

This baby is sweet. I picked it up for right at $27 - a bit more than I am used to paying, but definitely well worth it. I'll be sending it off to get graded soon - I want this bad boy in a slab so it doesn't get hurt.

So, if you have any Gallo cards, please send them my way. I am moving him to the front of the line in terms of importance in my collecting. Gracias!

Look Everybody! I Got A New Card!!!

Now that I have your attention, let me introduce you to the newest addition to my Nelson Cruz PC:

It's a 2010 Topps 206 Piedmont Auto Mini! I've wanted this card for quite some time, but they always seemed to be overpriced. This one showed up and cost $7.75 shipped, so I jumped. Naturally, another showed up on eBay a couple days later for $4.50 shipped

This card is beautiful. It's clean...I'll be honest, I would probably prefer this card to an Allen & Ginter auto. But that's just me I suppose.

Anyway, thanks for taking a look. I hope I didn't disappoint you too much!

Sometimes You Just Gotta Share

I've only been to one game this year (Opening Day), so I don't know if this is still being shown at games, but this video made the crowd go nuts that day:

It cracks me up! It's also cool to see people from the organization in the video (i.e. Emily Jones). The version shown at the Ballpark featured Rangers GM Jon Daniels, though it appears this version has been edited to cut his part.

Anyway, I hope y'all enjoy this video as much as I do!

I Almost Forgot

I've updated my Trade Bait page again. It has a ton of stuff on there. Take a look!

I've Got Wood!!!!

A wood mini, that is. Get your mind out of the gutter...geez.

My Nelson Cruz search filter on my eBay app let me know that someone had listed something I might be interested in. It was absolutely right:

I became an instant fan of the 2014 GQ wood minis the moment we pulled one on the break last week. I was pretty happy that a Cruz version popped up so quickly.

This one is an eBay 1/1!!! (Insert sigh here) Numbered 5 of 5, it was the last of the print run. Nothing really special, but still kinda neat.

The only thing I don't like about this is the fact that some jerk bid me up at the auction. Turns out that I know that jerk. One Mr. Play At The Plate. This guy....he just hates me!!!

Also, I've joined the Twittersphere. I've searched for people I know, but give me a follow and I'll do the same for you!