The Incredible Edible X

I got a box of 2008 Upper Deck X to bust. "Why" you say? Why not, I say. Other than nobody seems to like it very much. But, it was cheap, and it had 2 autos (on average) so I got a box. What the hell, right?

The following is what transpired


Here's the box. It's all black and whatnot with a big silver X on the front. But I don't need to tell you. You can see that for yourself. I'm not going back to erase it though. We're already past it. Just move on, dudes.

Base: Grady Sizemore
Was there any doubt as to who I would choose to represent the base cards?

Die Cut: Evan Longoria
This is exactly like the base cards but they are cut out into the shape of an 'X'. They used either some guy with a very steady hand, or a machine. Maybe they used a laser machine. I'm sure most of you know how they do it. I just never thought about it before, and I'm not about to look it up now.

And, no, I don't really think that they might have used some dude with a sharp pair of scissors or an exacto knife. you're not dealing with morons here.

Xponential: Ryan Zimmerman
I love Ryan Zimmerman. That's why I got him on my fantasy team...last year. When he kind of sucked.

Xponential 2: Jeff Kent
I figured I would be remiss if I didn't try to include Beardy's favorite player.

Xponential 3: Ichiro and Jeter

I got 2 of these cards. It seems that the higher the number you get the harder the pull. 3 is pretty high, therefore I only got 2 of them. It fits right in there between 2 and 4. Like I said, you're not dealing with morons.

Xponential 4: Ryan Howard
This is the only Xp 4 in the box. All of the Xponential variation cards are pretty shiny. They're all pretty much the same too. I'm having trouble figuring out what the hell the difference is between everything. They are only baseball cards in the academic sense; shiny and X shaped, and they had once been made of cardboard.

I'm also not sure why Upper Deck picked the letter 'X' to focus on. Not that there's anything wrong with 'X'. Why not 'Q', or 'F' or something? I guess it's so they could make "Xponential" variations, although I think Qponential is more fun to say, even if it doesn't really mean anything.

But let's get to the good stuff. What everyone has been patiently waiting for through my nonsensical ramblings. The 2 autograph cards.

Brian Bass
This dude is a Baltimore reliever now, although he was with the Twins for the purposes of this card. I'm not sure it really matters. Brian Bass isn't the type of pull that makes you want to run over to Freedom Cardboard and yell mojo all over the damn place.

But, we know the next one will be better. The hit of the box.

STEVE HOLT!!!!!
Oh wait..

Steve HolmDamn, I was excited there for a second. I thought I pulled a Steve Holt auto. That would have been awesome.

Instead I got another guy who I haven't heard of. Oh well. Pujols doesn't hit a home run every time either.

I figure I'll show my kid the die cuts. Then I'll give him some of those round tipped scissors and the base cards and see what he can do. I'm pretty sure he'll just end up trying to eat everything though, which I doubt will hurt the value very much.

It was a fun break, though. It always is.


Oh yeah, I got 4 of those dumb ass Yankee Stadium Legacy cards too.

Box Break 2008 Razor Signature Series

Here it is! What you've all been waiting for! 2008 Razor Signature Series!

OK, I know you're not excited because everybody and their Grandma has already opened some of this stuff. But hey, after a week of bombarding you with Big Lebowski cards maybe you are all ready for a change.

I don't break much stuff on here. Most of what I have to open is junk wax. But I got 2 boxes of this for Christmas and I have been patiently waiting to become smart enough to be able to videotape the break and download it onto the blog. Well, I haven't gotten any smarter and I'm sick of waiting.

I was actually pretty excited to get these boxes at Christmas. Like a lot of people I was disappointed at the thought of exclusive contracts. I don't want to be limited in what products I can get my favorite players in. But, it's ridiculous to get mad at Razor for it. They're just trying to make a good product and make money.

I had listened to Brian Gray on the card podcast multiple times and seemed like a guy who genuinely wanted to make a good product; a product that would appeal to a lot of collectors. He seemed like a pretty straightforward guy. Then he went to Beckett to bust some boxes. We all know what happened there.

The way I see it is one of two things happened:

1. Beckett got the same boxes that everyone gets and was extremely lucky...again.

2. Beckett got loaded boxes. If this is the case then I just hope that Brian realizes that it was a mistake and it doesn't happen again.

Either way, I'm willing to give Brian and his company the benefit of the doubt. I guess you could say he won me over on those podcasts.

So, let's bust one of my boxes and see what I got. Hopefully it comes closer to what Beckett got and isn't too much like what Dave at Fielder's Choice got.



Base Lonnie Chisenhall
Black Parallel Ross Seaton /200

I'm showing the Lonnie because he was the Tribe's 1st round draft pick. The Seaton ended up being the one and only parallel in the entire box.



Ethan Martin Exclusive Signature
Justin Smoak Authentic Signature /699

Razor has made a distinction between the regular autos and the exclusives. I guess the exclusives are considered part of a different set than the other 200 cards.

Justin Smoak is a nice pull. A first rounder, although I don't recall who picked him.


Brett Wallace /499
Casper Wells Exclusive

Brett Wallace is another nice pull. That's the second first rounder. I don't know when Wells was drafted but you kind of have to pull for a dude named Casper, right?


Trey Haley /1499
Robbie Grossman / 1499

Don't know either of these guys. A 6th and and 11th rounder. Hey, Reggie Jackson didn't hit a home run EVERY time.


Casper Wells Exclusive
Brett Hunter /1499

Hey wait a minute! I got a feakin' double of Casper Wells? That kind of sucks. I mean, it's not as bad as getting 24 Todd Burns's like Night Owl did, but I paid more than $1 for this box (My wife did, anyway).

Brett is a 7th rounder.


Jake Jefferies /1199
Aaron Crow Exclusive

Jake is a 3rd Rounder. For some reason I have a good feeling about this kid. Probably the same reason that I still get a twinge of excitement when I look at one of my Greg Jeffries cards. I guess the name Jefferies (or Jeffries) is just beaten into my subconscious as a good card to have. That will probably never change.

Final analysis:

I don't think I have much to complain about. 2 first rounders is better than a lot of people did on this stuff. I like the look of the cards and I like that the autos are on card. I also like that it looks like most of the players took enough time to make a descent auto.

In the base set I like that the cards have what round the players were drafted in and the back has the organization. In fact I like the look of the back of the base cards a lot. Nice and simple and clean.

There were a few things I was disappointed in. I wish all of the autos had something on the card signifying the draft position and the organization, just like the base cards. I was mostly disappointed in my lack of parallels either in the base or the autos. A parallel auto sure would have been nice. Since this product is all about the hits I would have been more excited to pull something numbered a little lower than 200. However, I have no idea how often those turn up in boxes so maybe I got exactly what I should have expected. I was also disappointed that I got a double of the Casper Wells auto, but I guess that stuff happens, and I know I wouldn't be complaining if it was a double of Beckham.

The last thing I would say is I would change the back of the autos a little. What they have written on there now: "...Not only does Razor bring you authentic signatures, we bring you exclusive signatures. Look for the "exclusive" tag and Happy prospecting!" reads a little too much like a commercial. I don't really need a commercial on the back of my autos.

Overall, I'm happy.

I know Brian reads Blogs like Wax Heaven. If he somehow found his way over to this post I'd be curious to hear what he thought about this box and if there would normally be more parallels.

Christmas List

I'm a 34 year old married father of 1 who has a bachelors degree in molecular biology (not as impressive as it sounds) and a doctorate. I write this hoping that in contrast it will illustrate how completely ridiculous it is that my mother still insists on a Christmas list. I thought that the Christmas list request would have disappeared 2 years ago when I graduated from the kids table to the big time. (Truth be told, I love the kids table. I'd eat there for eternity if I could and the younger generation accepted me.) Didn't happen. I have to admit, though, that a 34 year old man making mommy and daddy a Christmas list is probably no more ridiculous than a 34 year old man collecting baseball cards and writing about them on his computer machine.

Nevertheless, my mother has asked for a Christmas list. And, when someone's mother asks for a Christmas list, she better damn well get one. It's been a long time since my parents have bought me any baseball cards. In the late 80's I would basically get the factory sets of most of the major brands. I am no longer interested in factory sets. They just sit there in their factory produced cardboard boxes never to be unwrapped lest the book value moves from$15 to $12, a completely unnecessary loss. There's also no way my mom is going to try to track down any singles. Anyway, I think the last time she did that she paid about $80 for the Billy Ripken card (have I mentioned how awesome my mom is?).

That leaves hobby boxes, which is good because that's what I'd probably like above all else anyway. It would be easy to give her a list of sets and years and the address for blowout cards, Dacardworld, and hookedoncardswholesale.

That's where you guys come in. I want help with the list. I want to know a few boxes that anyone out there reading this post would want. Right now I like just about everything, so I need some way to trim it down a little. What's quirky? What's interesting? What has a good checklist? What has cool rookies?

Please leave, if you don't mind, a few things that would be fun to open in the comments section. After Christmas, we'll see what I got, if anything, and bust it up for all the world to see in a blog post trapped in the ether for all eternity. See, this could be very important.

What boxes would you bust?

2008 Donruss Threads Break

I had recently put a self imposed moratorium on opening any new baseball cards until I got my current collection organized and cataloged. I still was buying stuff to open, I just wasn’t opening any of it. Well, I’m glad to say that I now have everything organized and am free to bust all the wax my little old heart (pending the approval of my wife and wallet) desires.

Two of the boxes that I had been waiting to open were 2008 Donruss Threads. I was in on the Group Break on SCU and was inspired to get a few boxes of my own. Those of you who saw that break or, God forbid, were involved probably think I’m out of my mind. Well, I can’t argue with that. That break was brutal. Messed up cards. Doubles. Shorted hits. There was absolutely nothing redeeming about those boxes at all.

But I did like the looks of the cards. Also, I figured that there must be bizarro boxes out there that are the opposite of what we got. Mainly I wanted to see if I could add to the amount of Johnny Pesky cards I got from that break, which was 4. I’m crappin’ you negative. I got 4 Johnny Pesky base cards in that 2 box SCU break. My motto (one of then anyway) is “You can never have enough 2008 Donruss Threads Johnny Pesky Base cards.” I’ve lived it for my entire life and it has served me well.

This is box 1. Let’s see how I did. There are 4 hits in each box (on average)

SUCCESS!!!! Johnny Freakin’ Pesky. Man, It’s like those guys over at Donruss are packing boxes just for me. That’s number 5 and counting.

Harmon Killebrew – I wanted to include a few scans of some base cards before I got to the auto’s and the inserts. I figured we could do a lot worse than the Fat Kid, am I right?

Nick Weglarz – I wanted to get someone from the Tribe in there. How a kid who hasn’t managed to rise above Single A ball in 4 years gets a card in this set is beyond me.

Kirk Gibson – College Greats. Did you know that Gibson went to Michigan State? I didn’t. Says here that he was an All-American in football too. How the hell didn’t I know this?

Mike Schmidt 11/50 – This is some sort of refractor or something. It’s definitely shinier than the regular base cards. And, it’s numbered to 50, so it’s got that going for it. Which is nice.

Juan Silverio – 188/250 – This is a green refractor, or something. They probably call it emerald to try to make it sound more special. I have no idea who this guy is.

Jess Todd – Diamond Kings 071/250 – This is a pretty sweet Diamond Kings 1/1. Don’t think it’s a 1/1? Check the rules smart ass.

Man, Jess sure is throwing the hell out of that thing, isn’t he?

Hit #1

Omar Poveda Auto 628/999 – The card I’ve been waiting my whole life for. And to think I was worried about how to pay for Grady’s college! Problem solved.

Hit #2

Jack Egbert Auto 001/999 – OK, this time it’s for real. An actual 1/1. Seriously, check the rules. I didn’t make ‘em. (too many times with the same joke?) I’m glad I got this auto. I just get a good feeling about this kid, like he might be the next Scott Elarton or something. Besides, how do you not like a dude named Egbert?

Hit #3

Ryan Patterson Auto 518.750 – Why is this one numbered to 750 instead of 999 you ask? Good question.

I don’t know

Lets take a break before we reveal the last hit to pay homage to Hammerin’ Hank.

Hank Aaron Baseball Americana 395/500 – Cool card. I’d still rather have one of his regular cards from when he was playing but I’ll take it. This is the first time I’ve ever pulled an Aaron card from a pack. I’ve got to say, it was a pretty sweet feeling.

OK back to the hits: Hit #4

Madison Bumgarner Diamond Kings Jersey 112/125 – I think this is probably supposed to be the best hit. I like the patch and it’s numbered pretty low. When I pulled it I tried to think of how I remembered this kid. Then it hit me. That’s the dude who’s dad tried to reach through the computer and slap Mario. That was pretty funny. I am happy to see that Mario hasn’t shamed Madison into changing his pitching motion.

The Coop Da Grass! HIT #5 Holy Schnikees!

Don Mattingly Jersey 042/150

How about that Kids? After 3 “hits” of players I’ve never heard of and 1 “hit “ of a player I only know because his dad is a little to touchy, I get and extra hit, AND IT”S DON FREAKIN’ MATTINGLY! Coolest Mattingly card I’ve ever pulled from a pack.

Box stats

Base cards: 99/100

Doubles: 10

Autos: 3

Jerseys: 2

Numbered: 9

College Greats: 2 (Gibson, Larkin)

Century Legends: 1 (Duke Snider)

Century Stars: 1 (Carlton)

Diamond Kings: 3 (Drew Stubbs, Todd, Bumgarner)

No other inserts or parallels pulled

Final Thoughts:

Not too bad I guess. I had fun opening them. And I got the whole base set. The only one missing out of this box was Cartlon Fisk and I already had that from the SCU break. I don’t know what the hell to do with my other box now. It really isn’t worth opening for the hits and I already have the base set.

I should show some initiation and sell it or something, but I’m way too lazy. I’ll end up busting it eventually. Hey, I can think of a lot worse ways to spend a few hours on a weekend.

2008 Topps Chrome Box Break

Welcome to my 2008 Topps Chrome box break. I'm very excited. This is the first set I've decided to try to put together since my glorious return to the hobby. The reasons are these: I like the look of the cards. There is a good checklist with a good mix of stars and rookies. There are some pretty cool inserts and parallels. The price is reasonable. The set is manageable in size. And, there are some of my favorite Indians to get excited about.

I got my box just around the corner from my house at a warehouse card shop that I never knew was there. I found it just by luck on the Topps website. Tom's place is really just a warehouse that deals mostly in boxes and sets. He sells mostly over the interwebs and to other dealers. He won't have many singles, which is OK with me as there isn't much in the way of singles that you can't get on ebay anyway. He seems like a good guy and he has a great selection. His website is Hookedoncardswholesale.com. I really recommend you check him out if you are in the market for boxes or cases.

So here is a breakdown of what is in the 2008 Chrome set:

Base - 170 veterans
50 rookies (allegedly)
35 rookie autos

Heritage Chrome - numbered to 1959
Black - numbered to 59
Refractor - numbered to 599

Inserts - Baseball Card History
All Rookie Team
Mickey Mantle Story
Mickey Mantle Home Run History
Inserts available in:
Super-fractor - 1/1
Red - /25
Copper - /100
Refractor - /500

Parallels - All base cards have to same parallels as the inserts (Super-fractor, Red, Copper, Ref)
Auto rookies also have a blue refractor numbered to 200

There are 2 autos in each box.

OK lets see what we got!


Pack#1 : 205 Brian Bocock (Giants)
37 Tim Hudson (Braves)
C159 Tadihito Iguchi (Padres) Heritage 0038/1959
43 Aaron Hill (Blue Jays)
Call me cynical but I'm not too excited about my Iguchi heritage card. Underwhelming start.

Pack#2 : 130 Bobby Abreu (Yankees)
6 Dice - K (Red Sox)
C144 Chin-Lung Hu (Dodgers) Heritage Rookie 0473/1959
100 Lance Berkman (Astros)
Hu card is kind of cool looking I guess.

Pack#3 : 33 Jeremy Hermida (Marlins)
9 Joe Mauer (Twins)
C176 Ted Lilly (Cubs) Heritage 0158/1959
151 Curtis Granderson (Tigers)
Ted's heritage is pink. Iguchi's is yellow. I have no idea if this means anything. Probably not.

Pack#4 : 217 Kazuo Fulcumori (Rangers)
MHRC450 Mickey Mantle Home Run History
ARC10 Albert Pujols (Cards) - All Star Rookie
171 Luis Castillo (Mets)
I like these cards. They are kind of Old Timey and New at the same time, if that makes any sense.

Pack#5 : 45 Carlos Zambrano (Cubs)
MHRC440 Mickey Mantle Home Run History
3 Scott Kazmir (Rays)
188 Noah Lowry (Giants)
I don't really get all of these Mantle cards. I like the Mick. Obviously one of the all time greats. It seems like Topps is trying to make everyone hate him. I'm all ready getting sick of Mantle and I've only been at this for about a month.

Pack#6 : 2 Barry Zito (Giants)
224 Kevin Hart (Cubs) Rookie auto Blue refractor 100/200
TCHC20 Grady Sizemore (Indians)- Trading Card History
132 Chipper Jones (Braves)
I guess this is supposed to be the big pull of the box. I like the blue and everything, but, I just can't get too excited about Kevin Hart. I looked him up and found out that he's somewhat of a comedian. Looks different in this video, though.

The Sizemore card is awesome, by the way.

Pack#7 : 97 Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies)
229 Clay Buchholz (Red Sox) Rookie Auto
TCH29 Ivan Rodriguez (Tigers) - Trading Card History
87 Mark Teixeira (Braves)
The 2nd rookie auto. I guess if you Get Buchholz you've got no complaints. What the hell is that signature supposed to be? Who the hell does this guy think he is?

Pack#8 : 5 Miguel Cabrera (Tigers)
41 Brandon Webb (D-backs)
32 Johan Santana (Mets)
127 Tom Gorzelanny (Pirates) Webb is having a pretty nice year.

Pack#9 : 113 Ryan Braun (Brewers)
203 Gregor Blanco (Braves)
MMSC47 Mickey Mantle Story
164 Eric Chavez (Athletics)

Thank God...I hadn't pulled a Mantle inset in 3 whole packs. I was starting to get worried I might never get a Mantle Card again. There aren't too many of them out there.

I wondered why Braun's card would have him bunting of all things. This is what I came up with. Braun might never bunt again in his entire career. They got a photo of him bunting and decided it was too rare of an opportunity to pass up. This may end up being the only card ever made with him bunting.

There is no "off" position on the genius switch.

Pack#10 : 161 Asdrubal Cabrera (Indians)

C139 Melky Cabrera (Yankees) - Heritage Refractor 535/599

46 Ben Sheets (Brewers)

63 Roy Oswalt (Astros)

Sorry accidentally deleted Melky's card and don't know how to get it back. No great loss really.

Also, the first Indian base card I pull is now in AAA. Fantastic.

Pack#11 : 162 Gary Sheffield (Tigers)

90 David Ortiz (Red Sox)

29 Ryan Howard (Phillies)

136 Jeff Francis (Rockies)

Anyone calls me Francis...I'll kill ya.

Settle Down Francis

Pack#12 : 89 Brian Roberts (Orioles)

129 Geovany Soto (Cubs)

107 Alex Gordon (Royals)

147 Josh Beckett (RedSox)

I picked Gordon's card to scan because he has an awsome swing. I still think he will be a star. Also, it wa either him or Josh Beckett. And fuck Josh Beckett.

Pack#13 : 61 Gil Meche (Royals)

121 Derek Jeter (Yankees)

111 Hanley Ramirez (Marlins)

3 Scott Kazmir (Rays)

Fuck Jeter too

Pack#14 : 210 Randor Bierd (Orioles)

146 Curt Schilling (Red Sox)

TCHC19 Ichiro (Mariners) - Trading Card History

28 John Lackey (Angels)

I think this Ichiro card is my favorite so far. I just like the look of it and the colors. The Japanese writing makes it look unique and special. (To me anyway)

Pack#15 : 117 Pedro Martinez (Mets)

13 Dontrelle Willis (Tigers)

TCHC28 Chase Utley (Phillies) - Trading Card History

168 Frank Thomas (Blue Jays, sort of)

Is Utley doing anything this year? I haven't heard.

Pack#16 : 169 Aaron Rowand (Giants)

65 Hunter Pence (Astros)

34 Anrew Jones (Dodgers)

91 Derrek Lee (Cubs)

Boring Pack

Pack#17 : 25 Alex Rios (Blue Jays)

MMSC51 Mickey Mantle Story

18 Chris Young (Padres)

111 Hanley Ramirez (Marlins)

Take my word for it...keep your eye on this Ramirez kid. He might turn out to be half way decent. No really. You heard it here first.

Pack#18 : 126 Rocco Baldelli (Rays)

MMSC52 Mickey Mantle Story

ARC5 - Chipper Jones (Braves) - All Star Rookie

8 Jimmy Rollins (Phillies)

Bad news. I think my Baldelli card may have to go on the 15 day disabled list. To bad. That card has a lot of potential.

Pack#19 : 93 Fausto Carmona (Indians)

125 Freddie Sanchez (Pirates)

ARC9 Jimmy Rollins (Phillies) - All Star Rookie

140 Raul Ibanez (Mariners)

It's about time I got another Indian. Faust too. Good Times. Here's hoping he can make it back soon and pick up where he left off last season.

Is there any way that Freddie Sanchez's nickname isn't "dirty"? I say no way.

Pack#20 : 196 Joey Votto (Reds)

153 Kazuo Matsui (Astros)

TCHC30 Josh Beckett (Red Sox) - Trading Card History

31 Justin Moneau (Twins)

Nice! Joey Votto. Good Times! Here's hoping that In a few seasons Joey changes his name to Albert. You know, for old time sake.

Pack#21 : 209 Fernando Hernandez (Athletics)

105 Travis Hafner (Indians)

TCHC27 Manny Ramirez (Red Sox) Trading Card History

175 Richie Weeks (Brewers)

Travis! My Man! I haven't given up on you dude.

Pack#22 : 82 Carlos Delgado (Mets)

219 Denard Span (Twins)

197 Josh Beckett (Red Sox) Copper Refractor 005/599

184 Adam Laroche (Pirates)

Nice Refractor card. I guess the baseball card gods have decided that I'm a big Josh Beckett fan. I did not know that.

Pack#23 : 197 Nick Blackburn (Twins)

149 Ronnie Belliard (Nationals)

29 Ryan Howard (Phillies) Copper Refractor 335/599

64 Mark Buehrle (White Sox)

Two Copper Refractor's in a row. It's all commin' together. Plus Ronnie Belliard! So there's that too!

Pack#24 : 157 Carlos Beltran (Mets)

109 Nick Swisher (White Sox)

C108 Kei Igawa (Yankees) - Heritage 1819/1959

71 Dan Haren (D-backs) Anytime I pull a Buckeye he gets scanned. This list consists of Nick Swisher (that I know of)

OK, that about does it. Wraps her all up. Things seem to have worked out pretty well for the dude. Made me laugh to beat the band. Parts anyway.

Let's look at the stats:

base cards: 71/220 32%

rookie auto: 2/35 (although there are only 19 according to the checklist. I don't really understand that)

Heritage: 5

Trading Card History: 5

All Rookie Team: 3

Mickey Mantle Inserts: 5 (Seems like 5,000)

Indians: 4

I figure 3 more boxes will give me most of the base set leaving only a few to fill in.Maybe in one of them I can pull one of those fancy-schmancy superduper-fractors.

Sorry, for some reason the blogger is jamming everything together in the 2nd half of this post. I don't know why and I don't know what to do about it. Oh well.