A first for me

I'm growing weary of reading all these excellent blogs and not posting to my own blog just because I don't have a scanner. I have at least a baker's dozen trades to post and I will do that once the scanner issue is solved. I'll also do an overhaul on the look of the blog when I have images to add to the design. Having said that, I couldn't wait any longer to make my first post.

So what compels me to make my first post?

Is it a desire to finally and officially introduce myself to the blogosphere? No.

Could it be the fact that my Rangers, yes MY Rangers, are finally, unavoidably and mathematically eliminated from the playoff hunt? No, that isn't it, but bring on Spring Training in 2010!! I'll watch the playoffs because I love playoff baseball, but I'll be thinking of spring...

The impetus for my first post is a retail blaster of cards I wish I hadn't purchased. 2009 Topps Ticket To Stardom. We have all read the various comments, both positive and negative, regarding Ticket to Stardom. I commented on someone's blog about what I didn't like. The dual jersey swatches with two of the exact same jersey pieces. The funky, off kilter blue box around the single swatches. Personally, I'm not a big fan of this product. I want any and all Rangers from this set, but that's just the team collector in me. The rest of it I can do without. I know all the arguments about retail and hobby and that is a subject I will discuss another time. The collation on this box was very off-putting for the collector in me. Time for a little blaster breakdown.

The box had eight 8 card packs for a total of 64 cards. I don't know why the manufacturers feel it is necessary to give me seven packs + a BONUS PACK!! Let's just call it eight packs and be happy. I received all 64 cards as advertised and suprisingly no doubles. No doubles you say? How could you not be happy with the collation Mr. Play at the Plate? Maybe I have the terminology wrong, but what I don't like is the mix of teams in the box. No Rays and no Giants. Now I don't collect those, but how can I send them to people who want them if I don't get them. Sorry to Marck at the Collective Troll and Matt over at the Giant Blog. Only two Rangers in the box. Maybe there are only two Rangers in the set. I don't know because they don't list this brand in their releases on the Topps website. I know, because I JUST checked. I did manage to pull 10 Yankees!! That is right, 10/64 cards were Yankees. Isn't that awesome...for Drew over at Drewscards because that is where these are going. I managed one Dodger for Night Owl. A couple of Brewers for Roll Out the Barrel. Four Braves for Captain Canuck at Waxaholic. One Ankiel for Cards on Cards. Two Mariners for First Day Issue. One measly Red for Nachos Grande. I did get 6 whole cards for JDs Wild Cardz (5 Red Sox). That means nearly 25% (15/64) of my cards were Red Sox or Yankees. And you say there is no East Coast bias. HA!! Let's not forget those two O's for Ryanmemorabilia and three Indians for David over at Tribecards. Is that guy generous or what? Let's not leave out Nobie over at Hey That's Mine who will be getting 3 cards and last, but not least, the Core Contrarian who gets one Tiger if he wants it. Basically, I will not be collecting this set if you couldn't tell by the post. I did pull two "Ticket to Stardom" inserts (1:4 packs), one "Big Ticket" insert (1:8) and one "Seasoned Veterans" insert (1:12). All of those, except the Seasoned Vet will be going out in the mail. I also pulled a number of those little perforated edge cards which I guess are some sort of parallel.

So, there you have it. I don't like Ticket to Stardom enough to collect it. I will be looking for any Rangers that come up so keep me in mind if you have any of those. If those of you I mentioned want the cards then leave me a comment. If we have traded before, I'll have your address and send the cards out. If we have not traded, I'll need an address via email also.

By the way, thank you Texas Rangers for being relevant for so long in 2009 and making this a year we could look back on with fond memories. All most baseball fans can hope for is for their team to make a run deep into the season. A glimmer of hope lives on for 2010 and I for one look forward to my favorite team reporting to camp next season.