Really?

I don't care that the Nationals gave Bryce Harper a $9.9 million contract.

I DO care that Harper Hype will lead to HYPErinflation for future card products.

I don't care if Harper becomes a megastar or a megabust. Sure, baseball needs superstars, but there will be superstars whether Harper is one or not.

I DO care that Scott Boras is terrible for baseball.

I don't care if Harper plays catcher or outfield, which various reports have different Nationals people saying one or the other.

I DO care that someone, somewhere, please, for the love of all that is right with baseball, put a stop to this...

It's time to grow up Bryce. You've been rushing to be a grown up for a long time. Now you've got the money, it's time to put away the makeup.

If I wanted to see that, I'd watch old tape of this guy.

I love discount blasters...especially loaded ones

As hard as it is to believe, I found myself on the card aisle at Wal-Mart on Friday. I'd been sick most of the week and found myself in need of a pack to open. Unfortunately, there was only 2010 A&G and Topps. I've told myself no more of those (we'll see how long that lasts). I was about to walk away disappointed when I turned around and was shocked! Three shelves (or maybe four) stocked with nothing but discount blasters. I wish I had made a list just to show how many there were, but I'm guessing there were around a hundred blasters of at least 12 different types and they were all $11.98. I pondered a bit...and finally decided on a blaster of something I don't think I've ever opened.

2007 Bowman Heritage.

Don't get all jealous and start hating on me because I found this little gem and you didn't. They had about 10 or 12 of them so you had your chance. Unless you live somewhere else I guess. This blaster had 8 packs. Or 7 PACKS PLUS 1 EXTRA PACK! if you believe in that bonus box hype.

I'm not going to bore you by showing every card I got. Mostly because I didn't want to scan every card. Honestly, I didn't even have the time or energy to scan one card from every pack. I will list the cards by pack. Just in case I got something one of you Super Duper Collectors can't live without.

Did I mention I got what you might call 3 hits in this little old blaster? No?

Well, I did.

Pack 1
Ivan Rodriguez
Felipe Lopez

Carl Crawford Signs of Greatness Auto—on card! These Group B autos fall 1:53 packs.
John Otness Prospect
Charles Lofgren Prospect
Checklist 3
Daisuke Matsuzaka
Paul Konerko
Ervin Santana

Pack 2
Jered Weaver
Jason Jennings
Brandon Morrow—Some type of shiny, thick Rookie
Daniel Mayora Prospect
Chance M. Douglass Prospect
Sean Henn
Michael Barrett
Andy Pettitte

Pack 3
James Shields
Jake Peavy

Paul Konerko Pieces of Greatness Jersey—These Group B relics fall 1:46 packs.
Mark Reynolds shiny thick Rookie, henceforth known as STRs for this break.
Isaiah Kala Ka’aihue Prospect
Andrew Fie Prospect
Mike Mussina
Hank Blalock

Pack 4
Jason Bay
Ryan Braun
Yunel Escobar STR
Brian Bocock Prospect
Ryan Adams Prospect
Andy LaRoche
Rick Vanden Hurk
Ramon Hernandez

Pack 5
Jermaine Dye
Jeremy Sowers
Andy Sonnanstine STR
Victor Buttler Prospect
Nels Brannan Prospect
Checklist 2
Brandon Morrow—Ok, this is the regular so the STR thing must be a parallel. Man, I am smart.
Jeremy Bonderman
Roy Halladay

Pack 6
David Eckstein
Dan Uggla




Hideki Okajima Black Parallel #1/52—The base black parallels fall 1:97 packs.

Here’s the back so you can see the fancy schmancy numbering.
Kory Casto STR
Thomas Fairchild Prospect
Michael Saunders Prospect
Billy Butler
Johnny Damon

Pack 7
Derek Jeter
David Wright
Joba Chamberlain
Matt Chico STR
Patrick Reilly Prospect
Juan Miranda Prospect
Paul Lo Duca
Gary Sheffield

That pack had 8 cards and 3 of them were Yankees and 2 were Mets. Not Good.

Pack 8
Eric Chavez
Troy Tulowitzki
Kevin Slowey STR—and a 7 inning no hitter yesterday.
Shane Benson Prospect
Matthew Sweeney Prospect
Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Ryan Braun
Jason Giambi

So that’s it. I may have to buy one more blaster of this and maybe even collect the set. Do I really need to collect another set? No. We’ll see. Three “hits” for a blaster isn’t too shabby though.

I missed out...

I was watching the Rangers-Red Sox game on television Friday evening. The one where Josh Hamilton solidified his grip on the A.L. MVP award.

That's right. I said it.

He made two very, very nice catches in center field. He hit a homer, was 4-5 and scored the tying run in the bottom of the 8th inning. From 2nd base. On an INFIELD SINGLE! He scored from second, on an infield single. I just had to type that twice for it to sink in. It was an amazing game.

I wish I had been there. Not just because of the game, but because of this...


During the broadcast, the Rangers' "man" in the stands, which is actually a woman, was talking to two former Negro League players. They were there in conjunction with the release of the Negro League Commemorative Stamps the USPS put out recently. Apparently several former Negro League players were at the game and signed autographs prior to the game. I didn't see any type of promotion for their appearance, but I definitely would have gone to the game for a chance at an auto from one of those guys. I didn't catch the names of any of the players and I couldn't find anything about their appearance on the intrasupernet highway.

I just wish I had know ahead of time.

*Sigh*

Everything is BIGGER in Texas: Part 2

This is another pack of 1989 Topps Big Baseball from the Troll. The first pack was from Series 1 and this one is from Series 2. Let's see how many guys named Schmidt we can pull from this pack.

1989 Topps Big Baseball Series 2 pack

Steve Buechele--former Ranger great and current minor league manager

Tim Flannery--yawn

Barry Larkin-19 years, all with the Reds

Tony Fernandez

Mike Schmidt-that's one guy named Schmidt and a great one at that

Dave Schmidt-back to back Schmidts!

Darryl Strawberry

Here is the colorful back of the card.

It was nice to pull a Ranger and nice to get Michael Jack Schmidt.

Thanks again Troll!

Everything is BIGGER in Texas

That may not be true for everything, but it is true for these cards the Troll sent me. This pack was part of the big box he sent me last week. These cards were made in three series, each with 110 cards for 330 total cards.

1989 Topps Big Baseball Series 1

Mike Maddux--current Rangers pitching coach


Jeff Branson-played 9 seasons with the Reds, Indians and Dodgers



Franklin Stubbs-played 10 years in the majors, 5 with the Dodgers

Mike Macfarlane-played 13 seasons, 10+ with the Royals

Mark McGwire-you might have heard of him

Albert Hall-9 seasons, 375 games total

Doug Robbins-drafted by the Orioles in 1988, played 5 seasons in the minors




Here is an example of the very cartoonish card back.

These were fun to open and I have a Series 2 on the way. Thanks Marck!

A Surprise from 3rd Base

That would be I Don't Know...3rd Base! He busted a blaster of Ginter a while back and I offered a trade for the World's Wordsmiths mini he pulled. He sent along the mini, a few '89 Bowman Rangers, one 2010 Topps Peak Performance and a nice little surprise.



Here is the A&G mini. I just finished my wantlist for 2010 Ginter and should have it up next week.

Here is the surprise. I wasn't expecting to find this 2006 UD Artifacts Michael Young jersey #246/325.

Thanks Roger! I hope you like the Tigers you got. I'll be looking for a Tigers relic for you!

The push

The Rangers are 65-48 and hold a 7.5 game lead on the Angels and an 8 game lead on the A's. Tonight they start a run of 20 games in 20 nights. Those 20 games include 10 against the Red Sox, Rays and Twins. The Rangers need a good showing against these teams to roll into September with some momentum and to prove to themselves they can compete with the big boys. The other 10 games are against the Orioles, A's and Royals. They need to beat those teams because those are the teams that playoff teams are able to beat. At least this season.

I'm hoping for a little payback against the O's for that 4 game sweep they put on the Rangers in Arlington just before the All-Star break. I've got tickets for one of the games against the Twins. It will be my first time to see Joe Mauer play in person.

Mauer is one of my favorite non-Rangers, but I hope he goes home thinking the Rangers are pretty good after the Twins get swept. Hey, I can hope right?