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!

Almost Instant Regret

Remember the Koufax penny card? In case you don't, let me remind you. I went to my LCS to deliver some cards to Jimmy, the shop owner, from my GQ break. 

While I was there, I decided to buy a few packs of GQ for myself. I declined to buy the mini box. Jimmy opened it, and this was inside. 

I instantly hated my life. I wanted that card. I've always liked Koufax (he was my grandpa's favorite player, so he's always been important to me). Jimmy knew I wanted it, so he offered to let me have it for some higher-end cards I had and cash. I took him up on the offer. 

The card now belongs to me. 

But now that I want it, I wish I would have spent my money elsewhere. I just don't ever see my Koufax collection going anywhere (let's be honest - I can't afford his cards!), so I think the card belongs with someone who will truly love it. 

So here's the deelio, peeps: make me an offer. Cash, cards - offer me something that does fit in my collection. I've got it on eBay now for $475 OBO, but I would rather send it to someone I know. However, if I don't get something worked out in the next 24 hours, I'm going to put it up on eBay for auction. 

Someone already offered me a Machado Bowman Chrome Auto, a Clint Frazier auto graded at 9.5 and a James Taillon Bowman Chrome Superfractor. Would anyone be interested in those? If so, what would you trade for them? I could always go back and see if he will still offer them up. 

The Audacity Of Hope (And The Absurdity Of Craigslist)

Yesterday, Once A Cub featured a post about what appears to be a killer Craigslist success story - 35,000 cards for $50 or best offer. Regardless of what he finds, that's a steal that, at the very least, will pack trade packages for YEARS. So I decided to search Craigslist in the DFW area to see what I could find.

Uh, yeah....it is a bit ridiculous.

So ridiculous, in fact, I decided to devote an entire post to them for your amusement. So, without further ado, let's get to the show!

First up, how about a 1990 Upper Deck complete set still sealed? It will only set you back $65!

Next, 32 junk wax cards for $50! Helluva deal!

This one isn't so much the price, but the description. "1000's Baseball Cards" it reads, yet doesn't show a single baseball card.

If the $65 was too much for the '90 UD set, here's an '89 Fleer complete set for $55. DEAL ALERT!!!

Here's a lot of 8,000 cards from the late 80's to early 90's for $150.

However, after much internal debate and consideration, the award for most outrageous asking price goes to this seller, who believes his collection - better described as an ode tot eh junk wax era - books for $30-$35,000, and he is willing to sell it to YOU for a low, Low, LOW price of only $3,000!!!

So there it is, hopefully some good laugh material for you this morning. I'm not trying to be rude or mean, but these things are ridiculous.

You Know What Makes Me Sick???

I visited my LCS today to give Jummy his cards from the break. I decide to buy some GQ for myself. I decline to buy the mini box. 

Here's what's in it:

I am literally sick to my stomach. 

Finally, Some New Cards To Share

Amid all of the complaining, I actually did purchase some new cardboard. After learning that Nelson Cruz would appear in a Rangers uniform for Gypsy Queen, I knew that I needed to grad his cards. I'm not sure how many more sets will have him featuring the red, white and blue.

The cards are all minis. I'm not a big fan - there size and shape make them difficult to store - but I picked them up anyway. First up, the black version, numbered 91/199:

Next, the red version, numbered 71/99:

I didn't pull any reds from our break, so I'm wondering if these are a retail-only parallel. Anyone know?

And lastly, the sepia parallel, numbered 7 of 50.  Much closer to the brown side of the color spectrum this year.

So there it is, my first three cards in what seems like an eternity.

Another Blog Update

First, a big thank you to everyone who commented or sent me a note about my last post. As I said, getting excited about collecting has been trying lately. I've let some cards pass that I've needed for various projects, I've stopped looking for certain players, and set building has become a bit tedious.

However, your emails have not gone unnoticed. It is a bit comforting to know that I'm not the only one who has gone through the doldrums. A big thanks for PATP for giving me a call and encouraging me. For now, I'm still here. I'm still interested in my Cruz PC and I'm gaining more and more interest in grabbing some Ranger prospect autos from past years of Bowman. We'll see how I feel when Bowman streets in a couple weeks.

Almost all of the cards from the break went out today. Brian, I still have yours, but they go out tomorrow. Bru, I still need your address my friend! Everyone else, you should be getting your cards this week! (Dutch, yours may be next week or later - I'm not sure how quickly they come to you!)

Also, I'm revamping my Trade Bait page. It is partially up now, so feel free to check it out. From here on out, I will have my tradeable hits listed by team, then by player. It should be easier to find cards you may be interested in this way. In regards to what I may be looking for in return, I think I would prefer something similar (i.e. an auto for an auto, a relic for a relic, parallel for a parallel). However, that isn't set in stone. For instance, a blue Heritage parallel could be had for a couple cards I need in my Heritage set. So give it a look and let me know if anything tickles your fancy.

So thanks again, everyone, for sticking with me while I whine all the time. All in all, life isn't bad, so I need to build a bridge and get the f*** over it, right?!

Blog Update: Need Addresses; A Little Lost

First up, I need addresses from the people that participated in my break. I thought I had most, but I only have a few. So, if I could get you to email your addy at judsonmeeks AT gmail DOT com, I would greatly appreciate it!!!
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Now on to the post I've been dreading for a while.

I can't offer a reason, but for the past couple of months, I have been growing less and less interested in collecting cards. My personal collections have pretty much withered up and dried - I've really only been actively collecting Cruz and Gallo, and even then, I haven't really been looking for anything in particular. I've sold off a good deal of cards I once thought I would never part with.

Even the set building aspect of my collection has fallen by the wayside. Gypsy Queen was what got me back into the last year. This year, I really couldn't care less. I thought the break would reinvigorate me, but it hasn't. Don't get me wrong - I had an absolute blast ripping through all of those packs, and I was even excited for a bit - but all of that excitement faded pretty quickly.

So here I am, four days from the one-year anniversary of this blog, and I'm not sure what the future holds of it. Any thoughts?

And don't worry, Brian - if I do decide to call it quits, you get first shot at everything I have.  ;-)

Well, That Was Fun...But I Probably Won't Call You On Tuesday

The title is an obscure Big Bang Theory reference. It was on while I sorted cards last night. It makes me laugh. It has nothing to do with this post.

In case you missed it, our 2014 GQ break was last night, and I think it qualifies as successful. (If you did miss it, you can find the videos here) The entire break lasted just about two and a half hours. We had a box that offered up a /10 gold jumbo patch and a /5 wood mini (in the first pack!) and a /49 red auto, and we had a box that spit out four autographs!

I was up until about 1 a.m. last night sorting cards and preparing them for shipping...it was exhausting. I forgot how much work goes into the break post-pack ripping! I came up short on some supplies, so I am making a run to the LCS today to grab what I need. I plan to have everything in the mail by Monday.

If you participated and didn't get any hits, I am looking for something to send your way. I don't want anyone to go away empty handed. However, it might take me a little time to find something for you. So, if there is nothing in your package, fear not - you will be receiving something soon!

Box Break Video Recaps!

I thought the videos would take longer to upload, but they are done! Here they are, just in case you missed it!

Box #1

Box #2

Box #3

Box #4

Box #5

Box 5 Recap: Auto Hot Box!!!

Autos:
Jeff Locke, Pirates
Paul Goldschmidt, DBacks
Matt Williams, Giants
Evan Gattis, Braves

Relics:
Hunter Pence, Giants
Chris Archer, Rays

Blue Border Parallels:
Yoenis Cespedes, Athletics 299/499

Colored Minis:
Black Adam Jones, Orioles 84/199
Black Shane Victorino, Red Sox 51/199
Black Xander Bogaerts 10/199

Box 4 Recap

Autos:
Adeiny Hechavarria, Marlins
Allen Webster, Red Sox

Relics:
Jay Bruce, Reds
Matt Adams, Cardinals

Blue Border Parallels:
Goose Gossage, Yankees 470/499
Eddie Matthews, Braves 230/499

Colored Minis:
Black Ethan Martin, Phillies 189/199
Black Jonny Gomes, Red Sox 34/199
Black Mike Moustakas, Royals 179/199
Sepia Jacoby Ellsbury, Yankees 13/50

Box 3 Recap - MONSTER BOX!!!

The VERY FIRST PACK gave us a Gold Wade Boggs Jumbo Relic numbered 4/10 AND a Mark Trumbo wood mini 3/5!!!

Autos:
Red Ricky Nolasco, Dodgers 14/49
Adam Eaton, Diamondbacks

Relics:
Wade Boggs, Red Sox Gold Jumbo 4/10
Evan Gattis, Braves (framed mini)

Blue Border Parallel:
Buster Posey, Giants 433/499
Robnison Cano, Mariners 122/499

Colored Minis:
Wood Mark Trumbo, Diamondbacks 3/5
Black Reggie Jackson, Athletics 70/199
Black Mariano Rivera, Yankees 80/199
John Lackey, Red Sox 43/50

Box 2 Recap

Autos:
Derek Holland, Rangers
Jeff Locke, Pirates

Relics:
Mike Minor, Braves
Chris Archer, Rays

Blue Border Parallel
Mike Schmidt, Phillies 259/499

Colored Minis:
Black Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies 149/199
Black Bronson Arroyo, Reds 51/199
Black Phil Niekro, Braves 25/199
Sepia Juan Marichal, Giants 21/50

Box 1 Recap

Autos:

David Phelps, Yankees

Carlos Martinez, Cardinals

Relics:

Kris Medlen, Braves

Alex Cobb, Rays (Framed Mini)

Blue Border Framed:

Whitey Ford, Yankees 398/499

Robin Yount, Brewers

Colored Minis:

Black Neftali Feliz, Rangers 176/199

Black Victor Martinez, Tigers 43/199

Sepia Omar Infante, Royals 21/50

Break Going Live Soon: Click The Link To Watch!

Our 2014 Gypsy Queen Half-Case Break will be going live in about 7 minutes! Click below to watch on UStream!

I am broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/1c623 come and check it out!

...They're Here...

My Last Post

Clearly, my last post about Hank Aaron's foolish words was not taken the way I intended it to. 

Therefore, I have deleted it. I apologize - I thought that I conveyed the post in a manner that would not stimulate political debate. I was wrong. 

I get enough political debate during my day job. I don't want it on my blog, unless it's about baseball cards. 

Again, my apologies. 

Break Update

First, apologies for being so sparse on here lately. Like everyone, I find myself busy with work then busy watching games, so my blog production has slowed. I just haven't had that "I can't wait to write about this" moment for a while. I'm not giving up blogging, I'm just slowing down. I'm sure that no one will even notice.

Now, for the meat and potatoes part of this post: an update on my break. everyone is paid up and boxes have been ordered. I received a shipping email yesterday that initially said the boxes would get here Wednesday. Now it looks like they will have to wait until Thursday. Click here to see the progress, if you want.

When I do get the boxes, I will be broadcasting the break **LIVE** on my uStream channel that evening starting hopefully at 4 p.m. Central. I will be doing the break in 5 segments (one for each box). This will make the videos smaller and easier to upload to YouTube. However, it might take a day or two for them to show up on the Tube, so be patient.

After each box, we'll take a short break (no more than 5 minutes), which will give me time to post the hits to the blog. So if you don't want to watch the live stream, you can just check the blog for updates.

LAST THING: There have been a few people comment in regards to trades. Please take a moment to review the past comments to see if anyone has a trade you like and let me know if any trades go through.

I think that's it - please let me know if you can think of a better way for me to do this!

It's Been A While...

...since I posted anything. Between work, getting ready for my break (who knew it was so complicated to get a webcam hooked up to uStream and set automatic uploads to YouTube?) and keeping busy in my social life (that's a joke - I've been building a storage shed and gazebo for my grandparents - I don't have a social life), I just haven't had time to do anything blog related.

So, let me share a few cards I have recently picked up via eBay. First up, a new Harper:

This is the 2014 Heritage action photo variation. I got it for $5 and change - a benefit of the the seller creating a listing that ends at roughly 3 a.m. Central time. Ironically, I got this card and pulled a Chrome version before I pulled a base version.

Next up, a couple cards for my Cruz PC.

2013 Bowman Red Ice numbered 17 of 25. It is pretty. I don't really know what else to say about it.

Lastly, a piece for my Cruz Triple Threads Project.

The Emerald tri-player triple relic, numbered 12 of 18. It is in mint condition. I really think it would grade out at 10 if I sent it in. Which will happen soon.

Well, that's it. Sorry I'm not more fun this time.