What did I just do?

So I'm out shopping and I lay down the plastic to buy my gifts, including one for myself. It's a blaster of the brand new Topps American Pie. I'll have a full review tonight, but after seeing this card, let's just say I'm suffering from an extreme case of buyer's remorse. Uggghhh.

Kickstartin' the blogosphere

I think the offseason doldrums have set in and I've seen a couple people mention they are having a shortage of post ideas.

Is there anyone out there that wants to start a new Blog Bat Around? I've only participated once (or was it twice?) and don't really know the protocol for initiating such high minded endeavors.





Anyway, I've asked so many questions for contest posts, I don't have any good ideas.

Anyone want to throw one out there?

Anyone?

Bueller?

If you don't enter, don't blame me

The Diamond King is having a MEGA Contest and giving away some great cards. Don't believe me?

Go check it out for yourself. You'll be glad you did!

Not sure what it says about this blog

Last Friday I posted the results of the Americana blaster I opened with my mother-in-law.

That post got 11 comments. I've only had one other non-contest post get that many comments since August 20th. I'm really not sure what it says about my blog when a post about celebrity cards get more comments than most posts. Well, I actually have an idea what it says about this blog and I don't think I like it. I've been unfocused, my writing hasn't been all that good (not that it ever was) and it's the doldrums of the offseason.

Forget all that because my MIL brought over another blaster of Americana to open in her quest for a card of James Dean.

Before I show off the "highlights" of the blaster, I need to say it was a disappointment that most of the cards had a little corner ding. Nothing major, but not what you'd expect from a new box of cards. I told my MIL we could try to get Panini to replace the cards, but she didn't want to go to the trouble.

Let's get to it shall we?

The first pack revealed the first parallel.




I'm not real familiar with Tony Todd, but the back says he was in Platoon, Candyman, 24 and Psych. This is a silver proof #62/100.

I thought we had a hot box when these next two cards came back to back in pack two.




Stephen Baldwin, silver proof #5/100, should never be considered part of a hot anything.




Gloria Stuart of Titanic fame, is a gold proof #31/50. She passed away last year at the age of 100. RIP Gloria.

Packs 3 and 4 were uneventful and proved that I did not have a hot box. Pack 5 revealed a Prime Time Stars insert AND base card of Linda Evans. I remember her from Dynasty and more specifically the fight scene where she and Joan Collins ended up in the water.

Things started picking up again in pack 6 because I got this unknown actress.




Electra Avellan is the beautiful niece of director Robert Rodriguez and had a role, along with her twin sister, in his film Grindhouse.

Pack 6 revealed...well, it revealed this:



Meredith Salenger and her assets...I mean acting abilities. Honestly, Meredith is the same age as me and I remember her from the 1989 film, Dream a Little Dream. She's grown a bit since then and has acted sporadically for the last 20+ years.

I'm guessing the hits come one per blaster and ours was this:





A really nice Bright Eyes Movie Poster relic from Shirly Temple, #139/499. It's got very slight corner peeling (think 1971 Topps) on both bottom corners, but my MIL was happy with it. The swatch feels like some type of felt material and has flowers on it. She said she would put it next to the Bing Crosby we pulled last week.

We still didn't get a James Dean card and she said she probably wouldn't buy anymore, at least until after Christmas.

I think I know one gift I'll be buying her this year.

A good Rub-Down

Don't get all hot and bothered. It's not THAT kind of rub down.

Tom from The Angels, In Order recently found some 1984 Topps Rub-Down packs at an antique mall. At a buck a pack, he couldn't pass them up. Unfortunately, he didn't get any Angels, but he did get one Ranger.





Buddy Bell is sharing the spotlight with Lloyd Moseby and Ray Knight. I don't remember seeing any of these back in 1984. I seriously want to rub that Ray Knight right onto my co-worker's desk.

Tom also sent over a short stack of Rangers and I really appreciate it. This just goes to show you that an Angels fan and a Rangers fan CAN get along. We'll see how that goes once the Pujols show rolls through Arlington this season!

Thanks Tom!!

Extra Cheese Please

I recently claimed my second trade stack for Chris over at Nachos Grande. He was mixing Cardinals and Rangers and I held out until the stack got to 10.

I needed a couple of the Rangers, but the best card Chris sent wasn't even in the trade stack. It was from his recently completed 2001 Topps Gold Label box break.






This is a Class 1 Pudge Rodriguez and it's super shiny. I like shiny, but then again, I get distracted easily.

Thanks for the cards Chris!

You asked...

Ok, most of you didn't, but a couple blogger type friends emailed and asked how I felt about the Angels signing C.J. Wilson and Albert Pujols.

I'll tell you how I feel.



I think the Angels overpaid for C.J. He doesn't really have the track record to warrant that kind of money, but, and that's a very big but, lefty starters have been overpaid for years. It's amazing to me that anyone would, or could, pay that much money for what is probably their number 3 guy. I'll admit I was disappointed to see C.J. sign with the Angels, but mostly because of the divisional rivalry. I would much rather have seen him pitch for the Marlins. Of course, if the Rangers and Angels play an important game down the stretch and C.J. starts, I like the Rangers chances in that high pressure situation.

As for Pujols, I'm not surprised he came to the American League. His history of foot problems means he can play the field for a few more years and then switch over to DH and keep mashing. Again, I would have liked to see him sign into any other division, but what are you going to do? I guess it'll just be that much sweeter when the Rangers win the West next season. Hey, a guy can hope.

The other high profile situation this weekend was the positive test for Ryan Braun.





The MVP situation aside, I think it's a big blow to the whole game of baseball when one of your big stars takes a hit like this. Like many of you, I'll reserve judgement until all the facts are out, but I don't think it looks good at this point. I imagine a lot of you Braun collectors will be pretty devastated if the situation is as bad as it looks. It's hard for me to believe any big star would be that stupid, but people aren't known for their good judgement. That's people in general. Only time will tell.