My Exquisite Cards

I Am Joe Collector had the exquisite case break a few weeks back. I figured it was about time to gloat over what I got. I usually get in on his breaks because it gets me a lot of cool stuff that I wouldn't usually buy on my own. You know...like Exquisite.

I think the high end prices are ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, I understand the reasons why they cost that much. At least I understand from an elementary economic supply and demand type of view. But it's still ridiculous.

I don't want this to come off as a grumpy "high end is the devil" and "what about the poor children" kind of rant. I have nothing against high end and I'm glad it exists and I think it's good for the hobby. What I mean is that when I step back a little, I realize that I'm a grown man that considers it reasonable to spend around $200 for a pack of baseball cards with 5 cards in it.

That's not something that I would necessarily tell my friends at the bar. They wouldn't understand. They would think I've lost my marbles, and I'm not sure they would be wrong. That's why I say it's ridiculous.

That doesn't mean I don't want them. And when Stusigpi gives me a reasonable opportunity to get some, you better believe I'll be in on it.

I got 2 spots which got me 2 cards, and I won one of the base cards as well.

Vlad the Impaler base card.

Travis Hafner Auto 18/50

This is probably my favorite card, being a Tribe fan and all. I still have (probably unrealistic) hopes that he can pull out of his 3 year slide and re-emerge as one of the games preeminent sluggers.

And, he's from North Dakota so...Yahhh, Ohh Yahhh...You betcha.


Alexi Casilla/Don Kelly Dual Auto 20/35

I've heard of Alexi Casilla, and my initial reaction was a good one. However, Baseball reference has his similar batters as Jay Partridge and Arthur Irwin. Yeah, that dampens the enthusiasm a bit.

I haven't heard of Don Kelly. Now on his second go round with the Tigers, he's been released by the Pirates, Diamondbacks, and Tigers in the last few years. Not even a trade for a player to be named later or a gift certificate to Sizzler. Not encouraging. But, a very pretty card.

Miguel Montero Auto 15/20

Starting most of the Diamondbacks games at catcher this year, Miguel looks like he's in line for a pretty good, and possibly great, major league career. Nice pull on this one.


Chad Billingsley/Hong-Chih Kuo Dual Auto 6/10

I think this is a great pull. I like Billingsley. He's a hometown boy from right here in Ohio. I know he's not had a great year this year, but I think he's the real deal and is going to have a nice career. He was one of the names being thrown around, along with Kershaw, in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes this summer. I don't know exactly what the package was (or if it was just rumors). I know that what we got was a 19 year old fireballer who was on the disabled list at the time and just had shoulder surgery. So, yeah, I'd have preferred Chad.

Hong is a fixture in the Dodger's bullpen and as far as I can tell is pretty lights out.

Really nice card.

Great cards all around. 2 autos and 2 dual auto. All pretty low numbered. All look great. All cards that I wouldn't have gotten of my own accord (except maybe the Hafner if I ran across it on the Bay) out of a product that the idea of busting myself is some sort of future dream.

Thanks for the opportunity Jeff. Good times.

Check out the blog here (as if there's a chance you haven't been there before).

Get in on the group break action. It really is the best blog for group breaks and there's usually something either in the works or just around the corner.

2008 Bowman Chrome Box

Next in line for busting in my effort to make it look like I have less cards so my wife will buy me more when she goes to Target is a box of 2008 Bowman Chrome.

Bowman Chrome is fun. It's all shiny and Chromey. It's just like Topps Chrome, except it's Bowman.

They should put that on the box next year. "It's just like Topps Chrome except it's Bowman instead." Yeah. That's catchy. Maybe they'll send me a few free boxes for my wonderful contribution.

Or maybe they'll just send me my 2009 Finest Redemptions.

Whatever they decide, here's the result.

Not much to report. A bunch of Chromey base cards. A few Chromey Refractors. And, one Crappy Auto.

I mean Chromey auto (did I say crappy?).

Oh well. Same difference. You'll see.

Nick Markakis

I just figured that this was as good a card as any to show. I already know just which pile this one is going into.


Carlos Rivera Draft Chrome

Carlos is a 21 year old short stop in AA who OPSed around 650 this year, so , you know, he's right on track. Actually that's not fair. He's young and for all I know he's a wizard with the glove. Time will tell.


Greg Maddux Refractor

Some people think that the refractor cards look just like the base cards. Not me. There is a huge difference.

For example: Take this Maddux card. If you look at the back in the upper right hand corner under the card number it says "refractor". The base card probably doesn't say that.

See what I mean? Huge difference.

And Finally:
Ryan Zink Auto

Ryan is a 24 year old right hander who has already made it all the way to High A ball where he's sporting an ERA over 5.00 this year. Yeah, I'd say he's probably on the fast track considering that he's doing it all against guys that are probably only 3-4 years younger than him.

So yeah...sweet pull. And a Yankee too. Yippee. Maybe he can go bowling with Sean Henn.

Actually no. Beardy informed me that Henn is now in the Orioles bulpen. So there's hope for him yet.

Stats:
4 Checklists
1 Refractor Auto
6 Refractors
35 Prospects
30 Base

Sucky box. Not much to say. No complaints for how cheap it was, though. Probably around $40.

Workin' In Shifts: Random Tribecards Pack 5

Just when you thought that there couldn't be any more good stuff from Tribecards!

IT'S PACK 5!!

Yup, we have arrived at another brilliant installment of the "Workin' in Shifts" review series that has been diligently pouring over David's generosity for the past 6 years. I know it's been a few weeks since the last WIS post, but time ceases to exist in my house lately.

I'm not sure if it's because of summer ending, or going into a week long funk after watching another gutwrenching loss by my Buckeyes, just general laziness (likely), or what.

Let's just say I was bowling with this guy. Yeah, that sounds best to me.

On to the cards:

Gary Roenicke - 1985 Topps

After staring at Gary's baseball reference page for a good 5 minutes, I still have no idea whether the guy was any good. So I looked up Lefty Gomez instead (because the back of Gary's card says that Lefty got the first RBI in All Star competition) in the hopes that Lefty was a righty. No such luck.

However, I did find that his name is actually Vernon Louis Gomez and his nickname was Goofy. Goofy Gomez.

Wait...I thought his nickname was Lefty.

Yankees are stupid.


Taryn Manning

Even though I have no idea who she is, Taryn Manning is "a renaissance woman and a true brand." I'm sure that means something to somebody. She's also the lead singer for her band Boomkat. Great. I've always said that what the world needs more of is actresses trying to break into the music biz.


Jay Payton - 2001 Fleer Triple Crown

I just like the look of this card. Jay Payton is cool too. He's from Zanesville.

True story, I was in a wedding in Zanesville. The reception was in the hotel ballroom that we were all staying. I highly recommend that. When people don't have to drive the party doesn't really end, it just moves. Good times. I've been told numerous times what a great time I had. You will not hear from me anything about the groom's father falling asleep in a chair and the groom actually tea-bagging his own dad. I will never admit to witnessing something this disturbing. As far as I know there are no photos of this anywhere. I'm not confirming anything. In fact, I'm a little bit confused as to why you brought it up in the first place.


Albie Lopez - 1995 Score

Somewhere in the back of my mind I still think that Albie Lopez is going to be a phenominal pitcher. I still get a little tingle when I see one of his cards.

Albie Lopez made over $10 mil in his career. I just thought you should know.


Sal Fasano - 1995 Upper Deck

Make that former Indian Sal Fasano. Look at young, vigerous 1995 Top Prospect Sal Fasano. So full of piss and vinegar. That is not the dude that I watched last year in the Tribe uni. I still liked watching him.

For a short time last year, Rob Neyer (who is not a fan of the Chief Wahoo caricature) took to calling the Indians the "Cleveland Fasanos" until such time as they change their mascot. It didn't last but I got a huge kick out of it while it did. I wish Rob would throw out a Clevand Fasanos reference occasionally just to keep people on their toes and reward loyal readers.


Bill Bonham - 1979 Topps

I will not look it up because right now this could still be John's brother. As far as I know.


BJ Surhoff - 1992 Studio

Am I the only one who for years thought BJ's name was "Shuroff"? I still have trouble not pronouncing it with the "sh" sound at the beginning.

Unfortunately, all of the info on the back of this card is boring. I won't bore you with it. I'm doing a good enough job at that without any help.


Manny Ramirez - 1995 Score Hitters Inc

What the hell is going on here? What is the point of the whole eye thing at the top? That's just creepy, man. That's creepy.

The back reminds us that Manny was second in the '94 ROY voting. It makes no mention of the fact that he lost out to Bob Hamelin. I wonder if the writers would like that one back?


Mookie Wilson - 1984 Topps

I can't look at a 1984 Topps card without thinking of Don Mattingly.

I like guys named Mookie. Quick, give me one guy named Mookie who people hate.


Randy Johnson - 1993 Flair

I just scanned this because it's one of the best looking cards ever. I have to get more from this set.


Rey Quinones - 1989 Fleer

I have very little tolerance for guys named Ray who spell their name "Rey". This guy's going to have to work pretty hard to get out of my doghouse. That mustache doesn't hurt his cause.


Sandy Alomar Jr - 1999 Upper Deck 10th Anniversary team

This is a fantastic looking card. Obviously it's the 1989 set with just the right amount of touch ups in cool gold foil. I like it a lot.

Believe it or not, there is still more to come. I have to keep at it because I've gotten myself way behind in the last few weeks and I have a lot of stuff that needs posting.

Thanks again David.

2006 Legendary Cuts Break

I'm slowly working my way through the impressive stash of wax that I've built up. The other day my wife was going to the store and asked me if I needed anything. "Baseball cards" I said. She said "Don't you have enough baseball cards?"

Well, as anyone reading this knows...no, I do not have enough baseball cards. That's utterly ridiculous.

Good luck convincing my wife. So, I have to go to work opening and organizing a lot of my unopened wax; most of it worthless, some of it not. No...I am not looking for sympathy. This will be sweet.

The first box opened is a box of 2006 Legendary Cuts that has been patiently waiting it's turn for untold months. Let's see what we got.

The royal we.

First, the Indians:





4 of the all time greats. Great players all, definitely legends. I think they made the older players in black and white so they wouldn't have to show Feller's red ass (I'm pretty sure I've made that joke before and I don't care. It won't be the last time either)

I have a question. My son's name is Grady. If I have another son and I want to name him Nap, do I have to actually name him Napoleon? Or, is Nap good enough?

3 really cool cards of cool dudes:




First, are we sure that Eddie Gaedel was a dwarf? I'm not saying that he wasn't small. I'm saying he looks like a 9 year old boy. All of the other dwarfs I've seen look like what they are: men who are small. Nobody would confuse Peter Dinklage with a 9 year old boy.

*I went to school with a guy (a very strange guy) who kept what he called a "midget log." It is exactly what it sounds like. He had one of those small spiral notebooks where he wrote down where he was, what he was doing, how he felt, etc. whenever he saw a little person. This is absolutely 100% true. I am neither approving nor condoning a midget log. I'm just presenting this as an anecdote. Take from it what you will.

Every Bo Jackson card ever made kicks ass.

Tony Lazzeri 141/550


Why they decided to number the Tony Lazzeri cards is beyond me. However, he is a Yankee and we all know how hard it is to pull Yankees. So there's that.

Yogi Berra - When It Was A Game - 050/550


It's apparently as tough to pull this as Tony Lazzeri. I'd rather have the Yogi. Even if he was a Yankee, who doesn't like Yogi Berra?

Not sure why they thought it would be a good idea to make a "When It Was A Game" subset. As far as I know it's still a game. They still use sticks and balls and stuff anyway.

Willie Stargell - Baseball Chronology - 21/99


This is a cool looking card that fakes you into thinking that it may be some kind of relic. There is a window cut out where a relic might be. It's filled with silver tin foil, though. How come people don't wrap their lunch sandwiches in tin foil anymore? Plastic baggies are just too convenient I guess.

Not that that has anything to do with anything.

Frank Robinson - Baseball Chronology Relic


This is an actual relic. The box with the material is legit. No antique lunch sandwich wrapping material on this card. No sir. This has a piece of something that was actually used in an actual game. Possibly even by Frank Robinson (although more likely Jerry Hairston Jr.). It's all very exciting.

I even know a dude who may be interested in this.

And lastly:

Nolan Ryan - Legendary Materials - 130/199

Now that's a pretty cool card. Think I'll hang on to that one for a while. I always liked Ryan...and those Astros unis. I was a great breakout player.

I guess it wasn't a really good box. No cut autos. No autos at all actually. I don't know if that's typical or not.

But it's tough to complain when you walk away with Ryan and Robinson relics. A lot of shiny tinfoily looking stuff too.

Feeling Uninspired

Think I'll start a fire. (I love STP but a lot of their lyrics are kind of dumb.)

I've not been around for a while. I got hit with the Blog Malaise that seems to come back on me every few months. I apologize to all of my loyal readers who have no doubt had to seek counseling to cope with the loss of the hilarity that goes on here. I know it's tough to take when you aren't getting your ACB fix regularly.

I like to compare my blog to chrystal meth because I seem to have trapped the same 5 readers who just can't quit me, and they probably get dumber every time they come here. I have no way of knowing if their hygiene has been affected.

My comments have also slowed to a trickle. Work has been fairly busy and I don't have as much time as I used to to skim.

I promise to get back to posting directly. I will start right away. After I do some other stuff.

And read Posnanski's blog.

Maybe take a nap too.

Until then here is a little something to brighten your day:

Updating the TBL Card Fest

A few weeks ago Punk Rock Paint and Beardy made another push in the storied history that is the Big Lebowski Card Fest. Thanks to Beardy, who has contributed well over half of the set, we now have the series 2 checklist completed with painstaking detail by our own beloved Punk Rock Paint.

Be sure to check out their blogs. If you already have, well, do it again. What the hell is wrong with you anyway?

These 8 cards bring us up to date, only 2 weeks after they were originally submitted. The fact that it took 2 weeks suprises absolutely nobody.


TBL087 Nihilists #04 2008 Beardy Original
Beardy



TBL088 Checklist 02 1968 Topps
Punk Rock Paint



TBL089 Dude #13 2008 Masterpieces
Beardy



TBL090 Brandt #02 2008 Masterpieces
Beardy



TBL091 Jesus #08 2008 Masterpieces
Beardy



TBL092 Creep Can Roll #01 2008 Masterpieces
Beardy



TBL093 Oat Soda #01 2008 Masterpieces
Beardy



TBL094 Mark It Zero #01 2008 Masterpieces
Beardy


I think that it is very appropriate that most if these are called masterpieces, because that's exactly what they are. How Beardy creates these effects is beyond me. But it is awesome.

Thanks fellas.

Oh, and Beardy, I wasn't sure if these were based on 07 or 08 Masterpieces, or what. And I was too lazy to figure it out. If I need to change them just let me know and I will do it tout suite.

Major League 4: Back To The Minaya

Thumper says you wanted to see me?



Yeah, Dave, C’mon in. Have a seat.

Dave, I’m not gonna beat around the bush here. You got a great melon, it’s one of the biggest I’ve ever seen. But your power hasn’t come around like we hoped it would. Now a lot of batters started off wild, and after they worked it out in the minors for a while they went on to great careers. Take McGwire there.



What about him?



Never mind McGwire.

Sit still while I throw baseballs at your head. You can't feel it, can you?


Next Scene



Yo man, it looks nice. I had a helmet just like it.



Well, after the game I wanna pick out a helmet that’s more me.


Good Luck.



It looks good. Besides, your melon’s the most important thing son.



I don’t think it’s that important.


Fuuuuuuck.


Ooooooooohhhhh.



Matlack, what the hell are you doing here?