Green and Gold

This morning was all about red and now we're on to green and gold.  I should have saved these two posts for Christmas.  That would be a little too much of a delay even for me. 

If you've been reading my blog for very long you know I have pretty even hatred for three teams. 

1)  The Yankees because they demolished the Rangers in their first playoff appearances and because they're the Yankees.

2)  The Cardinals because they beat the Rangers in the 2011 World Series. 

3)  The Giants because they beat the Rangers in the 2010 World Series. 

Now, even though I despise those teams, I don't feel the same way about the bloggers that like them.  Case in point, Adam from ARPSmith's Sportscard Obsession.  He and I have made a couple of really nice trades and he answered the call when I offered up my 2013 Topps inserts for Rangers. 

Here's a little gold action for you.

How can this not be one of the Out of Bounds SPs from this years' Topps?  Whatever, I'm glad to have it since the golds are so hard to come by this year. 

Here's a slightly crooked Emerald Colby Lewis.  The green doesn't go to well with the Rangers uniform colors, but it does look pretty sweet for the A's. 

Emerald Wins leaders.  David Price-I want to sign him.  Jered Weaver-ugghh.  Matt Harrison-let's win another 18 Matty!

Emerald Batting Average Leaders.  Miguel Cabrera-MVP, DUI.  Mike Trout-really, only how old?  Adrian Beltre-don't touch my head man!

Emerald Mitch Moreland.  I think Mitch could be in for a breakout season.  I hope so for the Rangers sake. 

Adam, thanks for the colorful Rangers.  I hope you enjoyed your package as much as I enjoyed this one!

Seeing Red

I'm still upset the Rangers dumped Michael Young and the reasons they gave for doing it.  Turns out paying the bulk of his salary and THEN having to sign broken down Lance Berkman to play DH is going to end up costing them more money in the long run.  Never mind the fact that you dumped the FACE of the franchise to sign some grizzly old Astro/Cardinal. 

Speaking of Cardinals and red things, I got a great little package from my old bud Kerry at Cards on Cards.  Kerry and I are sort of in a "I send him a package every now and then, he sends me a package every now and then" kind of pattern.  It works out for both of us.

Ah, the Thrill.  (Just skip this part Night Owl.)  Look at all that Ranger red.  The name, the helmet, the fans in the background.  How about that sweet swing too.  Looks like he blasted a pop up to the pitcher.  Thats a 1997 Pinnacle card by the way.

Here we have the sorely missed (at least by me) Michael Young.  The 2005 Topps Finest has a nice red splash across the bottom. 

I don't shop at Target very often so I don't get many of their red parallels myself.  Kerry managed to get two I needed.  My favorite non-Ranger WAS Joe Mauer. 

My new favorite non-Ranger is Michael Young, although I don't think I'll be too excited to see him in a Phillies uniform.  I love the throw back uniform with the red border. 

I'm starting to get that baseball itch again.  Not the bad kind, I just want to see a game. 

Thanks for the sweet red Rangers (and Mauer) Kerry!

It takes a village

That title isn't accurate.  It really takes a Community.  As in Community Gum.  I've made a lot of friends amongst other bloggers and the CG Boys are no exception.  They've hooked me up more times than I can count. 

Back in November they busted two boxes of 2012 Topps Minis and I scored a whole mess of little Rangers.  I could show them all off, but I picked out my two favorites. 

What's better than a mini?  How about a mini play at the plate?  Sweet.  Speaking of play at the plate cards, I just saw that Gypsy Queen is featuring a "Collision at the Plate" series.  I'm already drooling. 

The CG Boys hit on one of the limited parallels.  This is Craig Gentry, #1/5.  That's an Ebay 1/1 baby!!!

Sorry about that Night Owl, I just had to do it.

If you haven't checked out Jon and Andy's blog, go to Community Gum and look over their wantlists.  They're good people.  Thanks guys!

Accepting applications for "Favorite Player"

Now that Michael Young is no longer a Ranger, the position of "My Favorite Ranger" is up for grabs.  It could have fallen to Josh Hamilton, but he had to go sign with the Angels and then say that those of us rooting for the Rangers "aren't really in a baseball town". 

Well Josh Hamilton, you can kiss my ass.  I was hoping you'd have a good season while the Angels fell on hard times and suffered numerous inexplicable losses, but now I hope you suck. 

Sorry, I got sidetracked by my new found disgust at Josh Hamilton for a second.   

I'm giving serious consideration to this guy:

David Murphy is going to get more regular playing time now that Hamilton is gone.  Last year he had 15 homers, 61 RBIs and hit .304 in 457 at bats.  He's never going to be a slugger, but he plays hard and takes advantage of what the pitchers give him.  He reminds me a bit of one of my former favorite Rangers, Rusty Greer. 

This card came to me recently from my good friend and trade partner Robert of $30 A Week Habit and the insanely titled Serial Numbered Insanity.  Thanks Robert. 

Flipping me the Byrd

Some people can be such crybabies.  That guy should just grow up and realize that he's suffering from a first world problem that's not really a problem at all. 

I hope you noticed that the great AdamE of Thoughts and Sox posted yesterday after a couple of months off.  He also sent me a stack of cards in exchange for some of the Sox I pulled in my 2013 Topps blasters. 

In addition to a bunch of catchers, he sent this card. 

Take a look at the eyebrows on Ben Davis!  He doesn't even need shades like Pudge.  This is a 1995 Bowmans Best card. 

Here is another nice Pudge card of the golden variety.  This was back in the glory days of real foil stamping on the back and it's #1009/2003.  Betcha can't guess what year it's from?  Smartypants. 

Adam flipped me this nice Marlon Byrd too.  It's a 2010 Upper Deck autograph.  It's a good thing Upper Deck didn't show the Rangers logo on this card.  They could have gotten in trouble. 

Adam, thanks for the card.  It was nice to see you back on the blogroll. 

The trouble with vintage

I'll apologize right from the top for not giving you any vintage to look at in this post.  I wish I had some "new" vintage to show off, but that leads to my problem with vintage.

I don't shop online for cards.  It's a choice based on the trouble I got into in the past.  I haven't been to a card show in over 10 years.  The only shop in my area doesn't have a dime box, a quarter box or even a dollar box.  He does have a Beckett and he follows it religiously.

Those three things severely limit my access to buying vintage cards.  Yesterday I asked you guys to tell me to stop buying 2013 blasters because I really don't need to waste the money.  I'd rather go buy $20 worth of vintage.  If I could find it. 

I've heard of a card shop in Arlington, Tx that's pretty good for boxes, but I'll have to check them out for vintage cards.  I just need to find an excuse to drive all the way over there. 

Bay Area Blaster

I returned a couple of things to Wally World for store credit and opted to buy yet another 2013 Topps blaster.  I think this one should have been sold out in the Bay Area. 

The patch belongs to the A's young phenom Yoenis Cespedes.  Wait, that implies that he owns the patch and he's never been within a 1000 miles of this thing. 

These gold parallels are harder to come by this year, but of course I pulled another Bay Area player.  It's a laugh "riot". 

How about a Bay Area SP?  It looks like Buster and that fan are about to get a little too frisky for a family blog like this one. I'm torn about this one.  Do I keep it for my catcher collection or send it to Arpsmith? 

It's not a Bay Area boy, but an Emerald Bryce Harper isn't too shabby.  I looked it up on Ebay and these are going anywhere from a couple of bucks to over $10. 

The blaster wasn't a total waste as I got two blue parallels I didn't already have.  Nathan was a decent add last season. 



Mike Olt better contribute this year.  Or else.  Or else I SAY!! 

Someone please tell me to stop wasting my money on this stuff.  Please. 

$57.55

All you young whipper snappers who are new to blogging take note.  If you save up all your trade packages to mail at one time, it costs a lot of freakin' money.  It's all money well spent I suppose because making trades is what it's all about. 

I scattered packages across the USA and the Great White North yesterday. 

We've got Alaska, Calgary and then places south of the Arctic Circle.  Barely.  Some of you live in some cold places.  Of course, I'll be wishing I was there in August when it's 110 at my house.   If you see your neck of the woods on the map, you might be getting a package by the weekend. 

I mailed 22 packages and my experience at the post office was funny.  I went well after lunch to avoid the crowd.   I went in and of course there was only one person working the counter.  The three people behind me were only buying stamps so I let the first two go ahead of me.  The lady working the counter said, you might as well come on up or you'll be waiting forever unless they send me some help.  I told her I had 22 packages and I would wait.  She looked crossways at me and went to the back.  A couple of minutes later, another person came out and helped me.  Was that so tough?  It worked out and I didn't have to feel the angry stares of everyone for holding up the line. 

Thanks for all the trades everyone!

Good Karma

I don't really believe in Karma.  I do know I've won a good number of blogosphere contests and I think it's because I hold, or held, a regular monthly contest.  The latest win comes via the great Jaybarkerfan's Junk.

Yay!  The Americanski has won the cards.  Go Amerika! 

Robert Twilightson...projectile vomit coming right up. 

Hey, let's eat turkey and spread our diseases to the Native Americans!  Winning!!

We the people...for the people...by the people.   I think politicians have forgotten this country is about THE PEOPLE, not the politicians. 

Projecting power on your ass. 

The Greatest Generation.  Enough said.

I love these history cards.  Thanks Wes!

When it rains, it pours

The first wave of 2013 Topps Rangers have come rolling in and it's time to show them off. 

What, you expected some long winded expository piece on what I got?  It's 2 in the morning so you'll have to forgive me, I just want to look at pictures.

First up is a trio of blue Wally World parallels from the first package to arrive.  These come courtesy of Brian over at 30 Year Old Cardboard. 

No words...it's Mark Lowe. 

Colby won't be back until mid-year, unless the rumors that he might be back in May are true. 

Love the old-school uniform.  Hate that he's a Phillie. 

The next batch come from The Daily Dimwit.  He sent over a mess of base Rangers plus a couple of inserts.

I don't get the Chasing History cards.  These things already happened so who's chasing what? 

Yu Chasing the Dream?  I don't know about Yu, but I'm chasing it. 

That's a scary look Yu is throwing down.  Enjoy it, because you'll be seeing it again in a minute. 

The third package to arrive was from Marcus at All the Way to the Backstop.  He did the 2013 Topps thing, plus some extras. 

I don't know that I've every seen any of these 1996 Fleer Excel cards.  Until now that is. 

Sweet Liquorfractor!  That is one sharp card.  Dipped in caramel. 

I warned you about this.  That's a pair of Yu minis. 

Last, but certainly not least in this show and tell, is the package from the one and only CG Boys.  That's Community Gum for the un-initiated. 

Topps somehow fit the larger than life persona of Nolan Ryan on a mini.  Crazy right?

The CG Boys sent over a quad-fecta of Target Red parallels including this Nifty Nefty. 

Hey look, it's a Darvish manu-patch!  Guess what?  I got another one in the mail today from another blogger!  Why can't I stop typing exclamation points!!?? 

Hey guys, thanks for the amazing Rangers.  I'll have yours in the mail on Friday.

It would be so cool to be on a baseball card. Or would it?

Anytime I see a bunch of fans in the background of a baseball card, I think how cool it would be to see myself on one of those cards. 

At least I did until I saw this card.

I pulled this Freddie Freeman SP from my first blaster of 2013 Topps.  The first thing I noticed was the guy in the background. 

He has to be a good 20 feet away from Freeman and that foul ball, but he looks like he's just seen a new exclusive license for Topps that gives them 3 more years of no competition.  I can only hope he sees this card at some point.   Or more importantly, someone in his family or a co-worker sees it and has it blown up to poster size. 

You want a winner? We've got a winner.

One of the things I've missed most during my blogging lull is holding monthly contests.  I don't think I'm back to doing them regularly, but it was nice to have one again. 

Here are the two patches I pulled in the MIL Blasters. 

P-Town Tom gets an entry in the randomizer for guessing Don Mattingly.

mmmrhubarb and Fuji get entries for guessing Chippah!  Poor Buddha would have had an entry too, but he got a little to specific and guessed the  Rookie Card patch.  Sorry Buddha! 

Here is your randomization...

Congrats Fuji!  I'll get your rack pack out to you this week.

Thanks again to everyone for entering. 

Contest and Mail update

I've got a winner for the contest.

You'll have to wait to find out until tomorrow so I can scan the two patches I pulled.  We had three people in the randomizer.  Almost a 4th, but he had to go and get all specific about which patch I pulled. 

Most of you who claimed some of my 2013 Topps cards will have packages going out this week.  Normally I recycle padded envelopes because I love the environment (I'm cheap), but I don't have enough small ones so I'll be making a supply run to get more.  Many of you will be receiving more than we agreed on just because I got more after we talked about a deal. 

As I sit here, I'm staring at 5 unopened packages so...thanks in advance!  I'll be showing some of them off later this week too. 

2013 Topps Rangers Have/Wantlist

Here’s what I have and I want any Rangers that aren’t listed. I also want the Will Clark Commemorative Patch. What I have is very thin after 4 blasters. Very, very thin.


Commemorative Patch:
Nolan Ryan
Yu Darvish
Will Clark

Black parallel:
194 A.L. RBI Leaders (Josh Hamilton) 7/62

Gold parallel:
11 Yu Darvish 1469/2013
30 Neftali Feliz 444/2013
87 Mike Olt 976/2013
184 Geovany Soto 373/2013
320 Michael Young 1877/2013

Emerald parallel:
18 Mitch Moreland
39 Scott Feldman
87 Mike Olt
95 A.L. Wins Leaders (Matt Harrison)
248 Colby Lewis
286 Jurickson Profar
294 A.L. Batting Average Leaders (Adrian Beltre)

Wal-Mart blue parallels:
18 Mitch Moreland
30 Neftali Feliz
57 Mark Lowe
87 Mike Olt
95 A.L. Wins Leaders
153 A.L. Home Run Leaders (Josh Hamilton)
184 Geovany Soto
194 A.L. RBI Leaders (Josh Hamilton)
236 Joe Nathan
248 Colby Lewis
294 A.L. Batting Average Leaders (Adrian Beltre)
320 Michael Young

Target red parallels
18 Mitch Moreland
29 Adrian Beltre
30 Neftali Feliz
39 Scott Feldman
95 A.L. Win Leaders (Matt Harrison)
107 Joe Mauer
153 Home Run Leaders (Josh Hamilton)
184 Geovany Soto
194 RBI Leaders (Josh Hamilton)
248 Colby Lewis
286 Jurickson Profar
320 Michael Young

Cut to the Chase Die Cuts:
CTC 11 Yu Darvish
CTC 16 Nelson Cruz
CTC 25 Josh Hamilton

1972 Minis:
TM 38 Adrian Beltre
TM 39 Yu Darvish
TM 44 Nolan Ryan

Chasing History:
3 Ian Kinsler
27 Nolan Ryan

Chasing History Silver

Chasing History Gold
27 Nolan Ryan

Chasing the Dream
19 Yu Darvish

It's about time we had a little contest around here

I'm under no illusion that I'm back at 100% when it comes to the blog, but I'm doing better and I thought I'd try another contest. A few days ago, the much maligned mother-in-law broke our agreement by showing up with two blasters of 2013 Topps. Being the good boy that I am, I told her politely to take them back. Or...maybe I thanked her profusely and tore them open like a kid on Christmas morning. I've already started doling out some of the stuff I pulled like the Matt Cain die cut. Now for the contest, which is why you're reading this post. Two blasters means two more manu-patches. All you have to do is correctly guess one of the ones I pulled. You can guess once each day over the weekend. That's three guesses. On the off chance that you accidentally guess more than once per day, I'll only count your first guess. I'll randomize all the correct guesses and send the winner a rack pack of 2013 Topps. Good luck and thanks for reading.

Perspective

I've gained a new perspective on collecting these last few months.  One of the things I realized was my all-or-nothing approach to the hobby wasn't working.  It seems that when I was really into collecting, I put other more important things on the back burner. 

I think I've learned that I can collect little pieces of cardboard and not let it consume me.  It'll be a lot more fun this way and I can just enjoy the cards. 

Speaking of perspective, how great is this Lance Johnson card?  I'm not a fan of pictures of baseball players' butts, but this is a great picture from an angle most fans never get to experience.  Stadium Club could always be counted on for some great pictures.  

Taste the Rainbow

I was going through the randomness that is my collection and I came across an 800 count box full of non-Rangers.  It has my address on it and I think it was sent over as a part of someone clearing stuff out of their collection.  I don't know why, but I have it and I was thinking of doing some sort of giveaway with it. First, I wanted to sort through it and see what kind of goodies it held.

I ran across a rainbow of printing errors, courtesy of Topps.

These 1989 Rookies cards came with a little bonus streak of colored foil.  Steve Wilson has a green strip across his chest.  

Gregg Olson has a blue strip across his name.  

This is what the Gregg Olson is supposed to look like.  See, no foil strip anywhere.  I don't know how those could have gotten on the cards accidentally. 



Last, but not least is Mr. Bob Milacki.  He has a pinkish/purple/red strip across his name.  I know printing errors are fairly common, but these cards aren't supposed to have any foil on them so I don't understand how this one happened. 

Any ideas?