Anthony Ranaudo PC

HYPERLINK indicates card that I already have.

NON-HYPERLINKED name indicates card I need.

2015

240 2015 Topps Series 1 Base

240 2015 Topps Series 1 Toys R Us Purple

240 2015 Topps Series 1 Rainbow Foil

240 2015 Topps Series 1 Gold /2015

240 2015 Topps Series 1 Factory Set Sparkle /179

240 2015 Topps Series 1 Snow Camo /99

240 2015 Topps Series 1 Black /64

240 2015 Topps Series 1 Pink /50

240 2015 Topps Series 1 Framed /20

240 2015 Topps Series 1 Clear /10

240 2015 Topps Series 1 Platinum /1

240 2015 Topps Series 1 Printing Plate /1

240 2015 Topps Limited

TR7 2015 Topps Rangers Team Set

US109 2015 Topps Update Base

US109 2015 Topps Update Rainbow Foil

US109 2015 Topps Update No Logo

US109 2015 Topps Update Gold /2015

US109 2015 Topps Update Snow Camo /99

US109 2015 Topps Update Black /64

US109 2015 Topps Update Pink /50

US109 2015 Topps Update Platinum /1

US109 2015 Topps Update Printing Plate /1

CHARA 2015 Topps Career High Auto Series 1

CHAAR 2015 Topps Career High Auto Series 2

240 2015 Topps Mini Base

240 2015 Topps Mini Black /10

240 2015 Topps Mini Red /5

240 2015 Topps Mini Gold /1

104 2015 Topps Opening Day Base

104 2015 Topps Opening Day Toys R Us Purple

104 2015 Topps Opening Day Blue Foil

104 2015 Topps Opening Day Black /1

104 2015 Topps Opening Day Printing Plate /1

15 2015 Topps Chrome Base

15 2015 Topps Chrome Refractor Base

15 2015 Topps Chrome Refractor Sepia

15 2015 Topps Chrome Refractor Pink

15 2015 Topps Chrome Refractor Prism

15 2015 Topps Chrome Refractor Purple /250

15 2015 Topps Chrome Refractor Blue /150

15 2015 Topps Chrome Refractor Green /99

15 2015 Topps Chrome Refractor Gold /50

15 2015 Topps Chrome Refractor Orange /25

15 2015 Topps Chrome Refractor Red /5

15 2015 Topps Chrome Superfractor /1

15 2015 Topps Chrome Refractor Printing Plate /1
FSC10 2015 Topps Chrome Future Stars Base

FSC10 2015 Topps Chrome Future Stars Refractor Gold /50

FSC10 2015 Topps Chrome Future Stars Refractor Orange /25

FSC10 2015 Topps Chrome Future Stars Refractor Red /5

FSC10 2015 Topps Chrome Future Stars Superfractor /1

36 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Base

36 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter 10^th Anniversary /10

36 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Glossy /1

36 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini Base

36 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini Black

36 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini A&G Back

36 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini No Number /50

36 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini Red /40

36 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini Flag Back /25

36 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini Framed Silk /10

36 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini Metal /3

36 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini Wood /1

36 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini Glossy /1

36 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini Framed Printing Plate /1

36 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter X 10th Anniversary Base

36 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter X 10^th Anniversary Mini

36 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter X 10^th Anniversary Mini Silver

AGAARA 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Framed Mini Auto

AGAARA 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Framed Mini Auto Red Ink /10

60 2015 Topps Archives Base

60 2015 Topps Archives Silver /199

60 2015 Topps Archives Gold /50

60 2015 Topps Archives Black /1

60 2015 Topps Archives Printing Plate /1

90ASIAR 2015 Topps Archives ’90 Topps All Star Rookies Base

90ASIAR 2015 Topps Archives ’90 Topps All Star Rookies Gold /50

90ASIAR 2015 Topps Archives ’90 Topps All Star Rookies Black /1

90ASIAR 2015 Topps Archives ’90 Topps All Star Rookies Printing Plate /1

122 2015 Bowman Base

122 2015 Bowman Silver /499

122 2015 Bowman Purple /250

122 2015 Bowman Blue /150

122 2015 Bowman Green /99

122 2015 Bowman Gold /50

122 2015 Bowman Orange /25

122 2015 Bowman Red /5

122 2015 Bowman Black /1

122 2015 Bowman Silver Ice

122 2015 Bowman Purple Ice /50

122 2015 Bowman Red Ice /5

122 2015 Bowman White Ice /1

122 2015 Bowman Printing Plate /1

197 2015 Bowman Chrome Base

197 2015 Bowman Chrome Refractor /499

197 2015 Bowman Chrome Refractor Purple /250

197 2015 Bowman Chrome Refractor Blue /150

197 2015 Bowman Chrome Refractor Green /99

197 2015 Bowman Chrome Refractor Gold /50

197 2015 Bowman Chrome Refractor Orange /25

197 2015 Bowman Chrome Refractor Red /5

197 2015 Bowman Chrome Superfractor /1

197 2015 Bowman Chrome Refractor Printing Plate /1

BCARAR 2015 Bowman Chrome Auto Base

BCARAR 2015Bowman Chrome Auto Refractor /499

BCARAR 2015 Bowman Chrome Auto Refractor Blue /150

BCARAR 2015 Bowman Chrome Auto Refractor Green /99

BCARAR 2015 Bowman Chrome Auto Refractor Gold /50

BCARAR 2015 Bowman Chrome Auto Refractor Orange /25

BCARAR 2015 Bowman Chrome Auto Refractor Red /5

BCARAR 2015 Bowman Chrome Auto Superfractor /1

48 2015 Topps Finest Base

48 2015 Topps Finest Refractor Base

48 2015 Topps Finest Refractor Prism

48 2015 Topps Finest Refractor Black

48 2015 Topps Finest Refractor Purple /250

48 2015 Topps Finest Refractor Blue /15

48 2015 Topps Finest Refractor Green /99

48 2015 Topps Finest Refractor Gold /50

48 2015 Topps Finest Refractor Orange /25

48 2015 Topps Finest Refractor Red /5

48 2015 Topps Finest Superfractor /1

48 2015 Topps Finest Printing Plate /1

FF3 2015 Topps Finest Firsts Base

FF3 2015 Topps Finest Firsts Refractor /25

FF3 2015 Topps Finest Firsts Refractor Red /5

FF3 2015 Topps Finest Firsts Superfractor /1

128 2015 Gypsy Queen Base

128 2015 Gypsy Queen Printing Plate /1

GQAAR 2015 Gypsy Queen Auto Base

GQAAR 2015 Gypsy Queen Auto Silver /50

GQAAR 2015 Gypsy Queen Auto Gold /25

GQAAR 2015 Gypsy Queen Auto Red /5

GQAAR 2015 Gypsy Queen Auto Black /1

128 2015 Gypsy Queen Mini Base

128 2015 Gypsy Queen Mini Silver /199

128 2015 Gypsy Queen Mini Gold /9

128 2015 Gypsy Queen Mini Red /50

128 2015 Gypsy Queen Mini Black /5

128 2015 Gypsy Queen Mini Leather /1

128 2015 Gypsy Queen Mini Graphite /1

128 2015 Gypsy Queen Mini Framed Clear /1

128 2015 Gypsy Queen Mini Framed Printing Plate /1

522 2015 Topps Heritage Base

522 2015 Topps Heritage Gum Stained Back

522 2015 Topps Heritage Blue Back

522 2015 Topps Heritage Black and White

522 2015 Topps Heritage Chrome Purple Refractor

522 2015 Topps Heritage Chrome Base /999

522 2015 Topps Heritage Chrome Refractor /566

522 2015 Topps Heritage Chrome Black Refractor /66

522 2015 Topps Heritage Chrome Gold Refractor /5

522 2015 Topps Heritage Mini

356 2015 Topps Heritage Anthony Ranaudo/Rusney Castillo Base

356 2015 Topps Heritage Anthony Ranaudo/Rusney Castillo Retail Foil

356 2015 Topps Heritage Anthony Ranaudo/Rusney Castillo Gum Stained Back

356 2015 Topps Heritage Anthony Ranaudo/Rusney Castillo Blue Back

356 2015 Topps Heritage Anthony Ranaudo/Rusney Castillo Purple Refractor

356 2015 Topps Heritage Anthony Ranaudo/Rusney Castillo Chrome Base /999

356 2015 Topps Heritage Anthony Ranaudo/Rusney Castillo Chrome Refractor /566

356 2015 Topps Heritage Anthony Ranaudo/Rusney Castillo Chrome Black Refractor /66

356 2015 Topps Heritage Anthony Ranaudo/Rusney Castillo Chrome Gold Refractor /5

AAARA 2015 Museum Collection Archival Auto Base /399

AAARA 2015 Museum Collection Archival Auto Sepia /5

AAARA 2015 Museum Collection Archival Auto Gold /5

MMJRAARA 2015 Museum Collection Momentous Materials Jumbo Relic Auto Base /10

MMJRAARA 2015 Museum Collection Momentous Materials Jumbo Relic Auto Gold /5

MMJRAARA 2015 Museum Collection Momentous Materials Jumbo Relic Auto Black /1

MMJRAARN 2015 Museum Collection Momentous Materials Jumbo Relic Auto Base /10

MMJRAARN 2015 Museum Collection Momentous Materials Jumbo Relic Auto Gold /5

MMJRAARN 2015 Museum Collection Momentous Materials Jumbo Relic Auto Black /1

MMJRAARO 2015 Museum Collection Momentous Materials Jumbo Relic Auto Base /10

MMJRAARO 2015 Museum Collection Momentous Materials Jumbo Relic Auto Gold /5

MMJRAARO 2015 Museum Collection Momentous Materials Jumbo Relic Auto Black /1

MMJRAARU 2015 Museum Collection Momentous Materials Jumbo Relic Auto Base /10

MMJRAARU 2015 Museum Collection Momentous Materials Jumbo Relic Auto Gold /5

MMJRAARU 2015 Museum Collection Momentous Materials Jumbo Relic Auto Black /1

SSDARA Museum Collection Signature Swatches Dual Relic Base /299

SSDARA Museum Collection Signature Swatches Dual Relic Gold /25

SSDARA Museum Collection Signature Swatches Dual Relic Emerald /5

SSTARO Museum Collection Signature Swatches Triple Relic Base /75

SSTARO Museum Collection Signature Swatches Triple Relic Auto Gold /25

SSTARO Museum Collection Signature Swatches Triple Relic Auto Emerald /5

5 2015 Topps Stadium Club Base

5 2015 Topps Stadium Club Gold

5 2015 Topps Stadium Club Black /201

5 2015 Topps Stadium Club Foilboard /25

5 2015 Topps Stadium Club Black and White /17

5 2015 Topps Stadium Club Members Only /7

SAARO 2015 Topps Supreme Auto Base

SAARO 2015 Topps Supreme Auto Green /50

SAARO 2015 Topps Supreme Auto Orange /25

SAARO 2015 Topps Supreme Auto Red /5

SAARO 2015 Topps Supreme Auto Supreme /1

SAARO 2015 Topps Supreme Auto Printing Plate /1

NGAARA 2015 Tier One New Guard Auto Base /399

NGAARA 2015 Tier One New Guard Auto Bronze Ink /25

NGAARA 2015 Tier One New Guard Auto Silver Ink /10

NGAARA 2015 Tier One New Guard Auto Red Ink /5

NGAARA 2015 Tier One New Guard Auto Gold Ink /1

TAARA 2015 Tribute Framed Auto Base /189

TAARA 2015 Tribute Framed Auto Green /99

TAARA 2015 Tribute Framed Auto Orange /75

TAARA 2015 Tribute Framed Auto Black /50

TAARA 2015 Tribute Framed Auto Gold /25

TAARA 2015 Tribute Framed Auto Purple /10

TAARA 2015 Tribute Framed Auto Red /1

TAARA 2015 Tribute Framed Auto Onyx /1

TAARA 2015 Tribute Framed Auto Printing Plate /1

125 2015 Triple Threads Auto Base /99

125 2015 Triple Threads Auto Sepia /75

125 2015 Triple Threads Auto Emerald /50

125 2015 Triple Threads Auto Black /35

125 2015 Triple Threads Auto Ruby /1

125 2015 Triple Threads Auto Wood /1

125 2015 Triple Threads Auto Printing Plate /1

UAJRAR 2015Triple Threads Unity Relic Auto Base /99

UAJRAR 2015 Triple Threads Unity Relic Auto Sepia /75

UAJRAR 2015 Triple Threads Unity Relic Auto Emerald /50

UAJRAR 2015 Triple Threads Unity Relic Auto Gold /25

UAJRAR 2015 Triple Threads Unity Relic Auto Sapphire /10

UAJRAR 2015 Triple Threads Unity Relic Auto Ruby /1

2014

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Base

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor /500

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor Blue /150

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor Black /99

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor Green /75

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor Gold /50

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor Orange /25

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor Social Media /10

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor Purple /10

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor Red /5

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor Bubbles /99

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor Black Static /15

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor Purple Bubbles /10

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor Carbon Fiber /10

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor Blue Wave /50

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor Black Wave /50

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor Orange Wave /5

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Superfractor /1

BCAPAR 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Printing Plate /1

BMBRS5 2014 Bowman Chrome Bowman Scout Top 5 Mini Refractor

BMBRS5 2014 Bowman Chrome Bowman Scout Top 5 Mini Refractor Blue /250

BMBRS5 2014 Bowman Chrome Bowman Scout Top 5 Mini Refractor Purple /99

BMBRS5 2014 Bowman Chrome Bowman Scout Top 5 Mini Refractor Orange /50

BMBRS5 2014 Bowman Chrome Bowman Scout Top 5 Mini Refractor Gold /25

BMBRS5 2014Bowman Chrome Bowman Scout Top 5 Mini Refractor Black /15

BMBRS5 2014 Bowman Chrome Bowman Scout Top 5 Mini Refractor Green /10

BMBRS5 2014 Bowman Chrome Bowman Scout Top 5 Mini Refractor Red /5

BMBRS5 2014 Bowman Chrome Bowman Scout Top 5 Mini Superfractor /1

BTP84 2014 Bowman Top 100 Prospects Base

BTP84 2014 Bowman Top 100 Prospects Die Cut Refractor /99

OIAR 2014 Bowman Oversized Silver Ice Auto /99

OIAR 2014 Bowman Oversized Purple Ice Auto /25

OIAR 2014 Bowman Oversized Red Ice Auto /10

OIAR 2014 Bowman Oversized White Ice Auto /1

APAR 2014 Bowman Inception Patch Auto Base /25

APAR 2014 Bowman Inception Patch Auto Orange /15

APAR 2014 Bowman Inception Patch Auto Red /10

APAR 2014 Bowman Inception Patch Auto Purple /5

APAR 2014 Bowman Inception Patch Auto Inception /1

ARAR 2015 Bowman Inception Relic Auto Base

ARAR 2015 Bowman Inception Relic Auto Pink /50

ARAR 2015 Bowman Inception Relic Auto Green /25

ARAR 2015 Bowman Inception Relic Auto Gold /10

ARAR 2015 Bowman Inception Relic Auto Blue /5

ARAR 2015 Bowman Inception Relic Auto Silver /1

PAAR 2014 Bowman Inception Auto Base

PAAR 2014 Bowman Inception Auto Gold /99

PAAR 2014 Bowman Inception Auto Blue /75

PAAR 2014 Bowman Inception Auto Pink /50

PAAR 2014 Bowman Inception Auto Green /25

PAAR 2014 Bowman Inception Auto Red /10

PAAR 2014 Bowman Inception Auto Purple /5

PAAR 2014 Bowman Inception Auto Inception /1

PAAR 2014 Bowman Inception Auto Printing Plate /1

191 2014 Topps Heritage Minors Base

191 2014 Topps Heritage Minors Lime Green

191 2014 Topps Heritage Minors Black /105

191 2014 Topps Heritage Minors Blue /1

191 2014 Topps Heritage Minors Printing Plate /1

MPAR 2014 Tops Heritage Minors Manufactured Cap Logo

CCPARA 2014 Topps Heritage Minors Clubhouse Collection Patches /15

2013

ARA 2013 Bowman Draft Future’s Game Relics Base /99

ARA 2013 Bowman Draft Future’s Game Relics Gold /10

ARA 2013 Bowman Draft Future’s Game Relics Red /5

ARA 2013 Bowman Draft Future’s Game Relics Black /1

124 2013 Topps Heritage Minors Base

124 2013 Topps Heritage Minors Venezuelan Back

124 2013 Topps Heritage Minors Black /96

124 2013 Topps Heritage Minors Blue /1

124 2013 Topps Heritage Minors Printing Plate /1

2012

96 2012 Topps Pro Debut Base

96 2012 Topps Pro Debut Gold /50

96 2012 Topps Pro Debut Printing Plate /1

BPP93 2012 Bowman Platinum Base

BPP93 2012 Bowman Platinum Refractor

BPP93 2012 Bowman Platinum Xfractor

BPP93 2012 Bowman Platinum Refractor Purple

BPP93 2012 Bowman Platinum Refractor Green /399

BPP93 2012 Bowman Platinum Refractor Blue /199

BPP93 2012 Bowman Platinum Refractor Gold /50

BPP93 2012 Bowman Platinum Refractor Red /25

BPP93 2012 Bowman Platinum Refractor Atomic /5

BPP93 2012 Bowman Platinum Superfractor /1

BPP93 2012 Bowman Platinum Printing Plate /1

2011

BCP181 2011 Bowman Chrome Prospects Base

BCP181 2011 Bowman Chrome Prospects Xfractor

BCP181 2011 Bowman Chrome Prospects Refractor Purple /799

BCP181 2011 Bowman Chrome Prospects Refractor /500

BCP181 2011 Bowman Chrome Prospects Refractor Blue /150

BCP181 2011 Bowman Chrome Prospects Refractor Gold /50

BCP181 2011 Bowman Chrome Prospects Refractor Orange /25

BCP181 2011 Bowman Chrome Prospects Refractor Red /5

BCP181 2011 Bowman Chrome Prospects Refractor Canary Diamond /1

BCP181 2011 Bowman Chrome Prospects Superfractor /1

BCP181 2011 Bowman Chrome Prospects Printing Plate /1

7 2011 Bowman Chrome Futures Base

7 2011 Bowman Chrome Futures Refractor

7 2011 Bowman Chrome Futures Futures Fractor

7 2011 Bowman Chrome Futures Fusion Fractor /99

7 2011 Bowman Chrome Futures Microfractor /25

BBP70 2011 Bowman’s Best Prospects Base

BBP70 2011 Bowman’s Best Prospects Refractor /99

BBP70 2011 Bowman’s Best Prospects Xfractor /25

BBP70 2011 Bowman’s Best Prospects Refractor Atomic /1

34 2011 Topps Heritage Minors Base

34 2011 Topps Heritage Minors Green Tint /620

34 2011 Tops Heritage Minors Black Border /62

34 2011 Topps Heritage Minors Printing Plate /1

229 2011 Topps Heritage Minors Short Print Base

229 2011 Topps Heritage Minors Black Border /62

229 2011 Topps Heritage Minors Printing Plate /1

How Did I Do? A Look Back On My '15 Goals

Like most everyone else, I laid out a few goals for 2015 in January of last year. This post is meant to look back on those goals and evaluate how I did. Let's take a look.

1. Limit box purchases to three. Well, this was an outright failure. I was doing okay until Ginter rolled around, and I bought six boxes of it by itself. I also ended up grabbing a couple boxes of Series 2 and Bowman Chrome, so I definitely did not achieve the desired effect there.

2. Host a 2015 Heritage break. This one was also a failure, but not for my lack of trying. I put it out there, but not enough people expressed interest. I was disappointed, but I get it. These breaks can cost more than people are willing to spend, and most people haven't participated in one of my breaks (because it has been a while since I've had one), so the trust isn't there. I get that too! I'm sad that it didn't work out, but I think that I learned my lesson and doubt I will attempt to host anymore breaks in the future.

3. Increase my followers by 10%. Mission accomplished! I was sitting at 90 followers, and now have 100 (though at one point I was at 101). It's nice to see I wasn't a complete failure in 2015!

4. Complete the 1982 or 1983 Kellogg's 3D Superstars set. This one didn't happen either. My desire to build sets took a major hit in 2015, for a couple reasons. First, I moved to a relatively small apartment and space is limited, so storage is difficult. Furthermore, I can't decide if I want to store the sets I do have in boxes or albums (which doesn't really matter right now because I have space for neither). Perhaps this was the driving force, but I also just lost interest in completing sets. Not sure what else to blame it on.

5. Make significant progress on my player collections. This one was a pass and fail. I grabbed quite a few cards for my Matt Harrison PC, which was emotional because Harry was traded to the Phillies. Unlike past PCs that were abandoned when the player would leave or was traded, I kept my Harrison PC. However, my others PCs were not so lucky. I lost interest in Luke Jackson and sold my PC for a nice chunk of change. Other players I thought I wanted to PC were quickly abandoned. 

Beyond these five, I had several smaller goals. I wanted to start a monthly newsletter (didn't happen, don't even remember what I wanted to talk about), add to my Bowman autograph project (this actually did happen, but I can't recall how many I picked up), update my blog design (nope), and add a certified Bryce Harper auto (did it...then sold it shortly thereafter and made a good chunk of change on it). 

So, if I had to give myself a grade, I have to say I failed. I'm okay with that, I think, because in the end, I enjoyed what I did do. What did I do, you ask? Well, let's look.

I successfully got a copy of each of my Top 5 Most Wanted.

I started a new subcollection of the 2010 Topps T206 American Caramel autograph set. 

Got back my first Black Label from Beckett (along with another 10 gold label)

Acquired some sweet Harry cards. 

And those are only a few things. So, in all, it was a somewhat successful year. I'm not going to complain much.

Check back tomorrow...I'll have some unattainable goals for 2016 to discuss!

Wrapping Up 2015

I know I'm a few days late with this, but it's time to put a bow on 2015. I went home for a couple weeks and decided to lay off social media, so this post didn't get put together before the end of the year.

2015 has by far been the worst year of my life. That's really saying something, because 2014 was pretty bad. But, that's life, and I made it through.

Anyway, I had five cards on my top 5 for 2015 and managed to pick up 4 before I went home for the holiday. I was a bit bummed that I didn't get the fifth.

Yesterday when I got home, I had a Christmas card from Brian of Play at the Plate. I always get excited when I receive something from him, because I know that as a Rangers collector, he's going to send me something I really like. 

He didn't disappoint.

The card had two pieces of cardboard inside. Here's the first:

I'm still working on my Greer PC, though at a snail's pace. This card is beautiful! I really like the older Leaf designs. They always seemed sleek and classy to me. This one is no different, and I'm glad to finally have a copy!

However, the second card is the one that really took the cake:

This is the 2008 Bowman Chrome Derek Holland base auto, otherwise known as card number 5 on my 2015 Top 5 Most Wanted List! I'm certain that I received it before January 1, so I am going to consider my 2015 list completed! 

Thanks Brian, I have some things to send your way soon!

A Gift From Gavin

Last week, I got home and noticed that I had an unexpected package in my mailbox. Not knowing what to expect, I pulled it out and quickly saw that it was from none other than perhaps the most creative man in baseball blogging, Defgav, a.k.a. Gavin, from Baseball Card Breakdown. Gavin is one of my favorite bloggers because he always seems to have an incredibly unique point of view when he writes about cards, and I always learn something when I read his posts. 

Gavin was kind enough to send some cardboard my way for the holidays, all fo which I needed and am grateful to include. Let's take a look.

First up, a Luke Jackson base from 2015 Opening Day and a Colby Lewis base from 2015 Update. I love both of these guys. I'm stoked the Cobra signed another one-year deal to return to the Rangers, though I wish they would have given him at least two years. Jackson was the centerpiece of one of my old PCs, and I wish I was still working on it. The kid is a heckuva pitcher, has amazing hair, and has an amazing relationship with his faith. 

Next up, a Neftali Feliz Rookie Sensation insert from '15 Chrome Update and a Prince Fielder insert from '14 Chrome. I really wanted to love Feliz. He had an amazing fastball, but he just never seemed to care. Once he started getting rocked, he just didn't have that bulldog mentality to fight back so he just gave up. Fielder, on the other hand, essentially took 2014 off to recover from neck surgery. Evidently, that's what he needed, as he was a key addition to the Rangers playoff team from this past season. Stoked to have him back to somewhat normal.

Also included were these two Topps Gold Label cards, which I have never heard of. However, they are beautiful! Can't go wrong with a Pudge card, and it's nice to see a card of Kap as a Ranger. I think most people forget that he played here.

I've been eyeballing these two cards on eBay for a bit now. Fortunately, I have yet to pull the trigger on wither of them. Gavin must have known....These are what I believe are called "pulsar" refractors, at least that's what it seems everyone is calling them. DeShields quickly became one of my favorite Rangers. The dude can fly. Sadly, a bit before the Rangers selected him in the Rule 5 Draft from the Astros, I traded a printing plate of him that I pulled to Bru over at Remember the Astrodome. It is one of the few cards I traded away that I wish I would have kept. Then there's Chi Chi....everytime I say his name I giggle a bit. 

Perhaps that best part of the entire package was the quick sketch and card Gavin included:

I got a good laugh, and I have already put the card into a larger toploader (made for magazines). I truly appreciate the cards and the thoughts Gavin. I am putting something together to send back your way, but it may be after Christmas before I have it all. Thank you again, my friend.

So, I Guess It's Time For Another Blog Post...

I can't believe it has been more than a month since my last post. The end of the semester got here and I buried my head in the books. I wanted to pull a 4.0 this semester, so I devoted myself to studying the material. It worked, for the most part - I received all "A's" with the exception of one "B", which my Theory professor was more than happy to send my way. I can't complain too much, keeping high grades in a PhD program is commendable, right? Okay, I apologize for the blatant call for reassurance. I'm really not that needy.

Okay, back to cardboard. When I last posted, I was talking about how I was noticing a trend of Joey Gallo cards appearing in my collection. Well, that still holds true. I snagged a couple more. 

This is the action photo variation from 2015 Heritage High Number. I've wanted one of these since they came out, but they were always priced well above what I wanted to pay. Fortunately, I found one that was priced at $3 last week, and I immediately scooped it up. The card looks better than the scan, and I think I may send it in for grading (which I will probably do with all of my Gallo rookie cards). I'll let you know what I decide.

This guy hails from the 2015 Heritage 1951 Collection. It's pretty awesome, based on its namesake set. This is the base version, which means...

It has a red back. I know there are other parallels (black, blue, green, and perhaps more), but this is the only I have gotten my hands on. Hopefyully I can snag a few of the others soon.

But Gallo isn't the only player I've been grabbing lately. Before last season, the Rangers shipped lefty reliever Robbie Ross to Boston for Anthony Ranaudo. I don't know why, but I like him. His numbers this year weren't outstanding, but they weren't terrible. I think he has a bright future as a back-end starter, and I hope I'm right. Either way, I've been looking out for his cards, and I've managed to snag some for a very cheap price.

First up, this Future Stars gold parallel from 2015 Topps Chrome. This one ran me all of 50 cents, plus shipping. Numbered to 50, this is one of those cards that looks way better in-hand than it does in the scan,

This is the black refractor from 2015 Heritage High Number. Numbered to 66, it cost me more than the above gold refractor, but still came in at a whopping $3. It also looks better in-hand; as a matter of fact, I would venture to say this card is beautiful. Glad to have it.

So there it is, my first post in a month. Feels good to get something out there. Now perhaps I will stop losing readers...you guys deserve content, and I am glad to once again give it to you. So if you have any Gallos or Ranaudos, hit me up, let's make a trade and then I will have more content to post about!

I Think I See A Pattern Forming Here....

It's getting harder and harder to find Matt Harrison cards that I don't already have. I don't really look for Nick Martinez cards anymore, and I rarely buy a Rusty Greer card on eBay (I just can't bring myself to pay $3 to have a 25 cent card shipped to me...I need Greer cards in lots!). 

I've also stopped buying boxes. My budget just won't allow it. 

However, I still have the itch to add cards. And I have added a few. When I look at them, I think I see a pattern. My last post showed off a sweet Joey Gallo auto. This post is going to share a few more Gallo cards.

See the pattern?

Gallo is the Rangers' best prospect, and he didn't do too shabby when he was called up this year. Keep in mind - he really hadn't played above Double A when he was summoned. However, when you come up the same year that Kris Bryant and Carlos Correa do, you may be judged unfairly. It sucks, but it makes his cards affordable.

For instance, I snagged this guy for less than $3:

This is Gallo's photo variation rookie card. I like it quite a bit.

I was also able to snag this card:

Look strange? Here, compare it:

That is the standard base card from 2015 Heritage High Number on the right. The card on the left is the reverse print: the front is a matte finish, the rear is glossy. Now, I tried to get a copy of Mitch Moreland's reverse print and the card sold for more than $30. Rumor is that each card is limited to 10 or fewer copies, hence the reason for the price.

That being said, the seller had this card listed as "2015  Topps Heritage Joey Gallo RC #647 Rangers Reverse 1/1?" I felt that he had no idea what he had and contemplated sending him a message to let him know what the card was exactly. However, I checked his profile and saw that he was an experienced seller...he should know exactly what he is going to sell if that's the route he wants to take. Sounds kind of prickish, but I think it's fair to expect that of a high-volume seller.

Anyway, the card is pretty freakin' sweet. I'm happy to add it. And I think I'll get back to actively collecting Gallo cards. So, help me out and send me what you got!

An Introspective -OR- Where I Am Today

Just about 11 months ago, I decided to make a serious life change. I decided to quit my well-paying job and return to school to work on my PhD, which doesn't pay terribly well while you are in school. 

This meant that my card budget would be cut back. It was hard for me to do that. I didn't have much of a social life while I was working, so baseball cards were my "thing" - that thing I do that is just for me, to give me an escape. My social life - and budget - were cut drastically when I came back to school. 

Along the way, I was able to save up and buy a few boxes, clearly breaking my new year's goal of only buying one box of three different products. I also got rid of some of the less-essential parts of my collection.

I also noticed that a few blogs threw in the towel during the last eleven months. There were times when I thought I should be one of them. I have only been able to post five or six times a month. I would wonder if anything I wrote was of any value to anyone. 

But I kept stepping forward. Here I am today, writing about my recent journey. I don't know where I am going with my collection, but this blog has been rather cathartic for me. I love reading about other people's adventures, and I love communicating with other bloggers as well. 

So enough of that. Let's look take a look at a card that I didn't know if I would ever get:

This dropped with 2015 Topps Update. When I saw Gallo was on the list, I expected that his card would be through the roof. I put this card in my search on my eBay app and waited as I saw it regularly sell for nearly $20. That was a bit rich for my blood...that kind of money is generally reserved for Matt Harrison cards.

However, this one was listed for $9 buy it now and free shipping. I was more than okay paying that price for the card. So, after pressing the button and waiting about a week, I received this card. 

If I had one problem, it would be that it's a sticker auto. But it is what it is, and I'm glad I have it. 

Are there any cards from Update that you absolutely have to have?