Baseball: America's Obsession and What Makes the Game Great (A New Daily Segment)

Hey, everyone. I'm trying to start a writing portfolio for a possible sports writing careerin my future, and I'm trying to tie this in to the blog nicely. The backstory to this new segment is the look into endless fascination we have as Americans in this classic game of baseball and some of the aspects of it that make it great. Im working on the first piece for tomorrow.

Six Packs of Bowman Later...

No Harper...
Today, I went to a local mall and strolled into an Olympia sports; and what should I see but 6 packs of Bowman retail sitting untouched and waiting to be torn open. Earlier in the day, I had bought a repack of cards from f.y.e. without much of a positive result. I also got a blaster of 2008 Topps series 2 and pulled a Jonny Cueto Gold RC K-Mart Variation that books for 13.75. As for the bowman, I pulled an Aroldis Chapman RC in the first pack, as well as a Jose Iglesias Topps 100 for my PC. The next pack, an Orioles prospect blue parallel /500. The rest of the packs were duds. $4.00 * 6 packs = $24. Not one of my better investments...

Time To Pull Out Bullwinkle's Hat Gag!

My Player of The Week is...
Josh Reddick of the Boston Red Sox!

Reddick was recently called up to fill in for Carl Crawford while he is on the 15-Day DL with a hamstring strain. He has done this admirably. His stats so far this season with the big club are .409 with 7 RBI's and a couple of swiped bags. Reddick made his major league debut in 2009 with the Sox, and since then he has been up and down through the AAA club and the big league team. However, recently he seemed to have found his power swing, clubbing a montrous 14 HR's while drving in 36 while in the minors.

Fast Facts
Full name is William Joshua Reddick
6'2, 180 Lbs.
Born on February 19, 1987 in Savannah, Georgia
Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 17th round of the 2006 MLB June Amateur Draft

2009 Spx Rookie Sigs Redemption Auto

2011 Gypsy Queen, 2010 Topps Chrome, 2009 Legendary Cuts

I got 2 packs of Gypsy Queen, and 1 box each of Chrome And Legendary Cuts. Here are the hits. My scanner isn't working, but I will post scans when it does work.

Qypsy Queen:
Aroldis Chapman Auto
Josh Hamilton Framed Paper /999

Topps Chrome:
Luke Hughes Redemption Auto
Tommy Manzella Auto
Victor Marinez Red Refractor /25

Legendary Cuts:
Bo Jackson Jersey /125
Joe Carter Jersey /25
Joe Mauer Jersey
Carlos Delgado/ Eddie Murray Dual Jersey

Overall, I was pleased with the packs of Gypsy Queen with the auto which books for $80. The framed paper card looks really sharp. The Topps Chrome was okay, but the auto's were worthless, and I didn't get many of the key rookies. The only upside to it was the V-Mart, which, I didn't like at first, but everytime I look at it, it looks a little better. Also, I was shorted 2 refractors and my Joe Mauer refractor was so poorly cut that it doesn't have a border on the top. I was a little dissapointed with the redemption auto, especially when I found out it is not ready yet even though this was a 2010 product. I was not too happy with the Legendary cuts either because I was really hoping for a cut, or a nice old school jersey card. I really love the generations dual jersey cards, however I am not a fan of the one I pulled. Overall, I would give the break a B-, with the Chapman auto as the big hit.
-20youksox

Diamond Giveaway Update + Youkilis PC Update!

Here is my latest pickup for my Kevin Youkilis PC. It is the 2011 Topps Gypsy Queen Magenta plate. Why is this significant? First off, this is my first magenta plate, and also one of the cards I needed for a rainbow(still need one more!). But most importantly, this is my 250th different Youk card!!! I have over 300 if you include doubles. Now, the only card I need for the rainbow is the cyan plate, so let me know if you have it!



The Diamond Giveaway Challenge has been pretty easy so far. I put up a thread on Beckett, and got a big response, so I am now down to a 1961 Jim Gilliam. Even if I can't get any older, I would still be happy because I turned a junk wax card into a 1961 card. Also, stay tuned because I will have some boxes and pack to bust this afternoon!
-20youksox

Diamond Giveaway Challenge!

Here is my idea... I am starting out with a 1974 card. My qoal is to trade it for a card one year older, and then do the same thing over again. Eventually I will end up with a 1952 card, right? I will let you know my progress!
-20youksox

Mailday From the Cardboard Mistress

This is a sweet card! Make sure to check out The Cardboard Mistress' blog!

http://mycardboardmistress.blogspot.com/

-20youksox

Creepy Card

I logged into my Diamond Givaway account and saw this in the recently unlocked section. Is it just my or does this card creep you out a little bit?
-20youksox

2011 Topps Baseball Value Box

Hey, everyone. Today at my local Target, I picked up a 2011 Topps Value Box for $14.99. This hidden gem of a deal contains 2 Diamond Anneversary Giveaway Codes, 2 Hobby Packs of 2011 Topps Heritage, A Topps Collectors Guide, 5 Packs of 2011 Topps Series 1, and 1 of 3 possible exclusive chrome refractor cards (Jackie Robinson, Babe Ruth, or Mickey Mantle).

Highlights

Out of my packs of heritage, I got a couple nice pulls. The first is a Freddie Freeman RC, and the other is a Clay Buchholz base. (Not to mention several other high # sp's)

Out of the Series 1, I pulled another Topps DCG code card, and two shinys, the highlight of which was Brent Morel RC. I also got some Red Sox base (Varitek, Scutaro, Kalish). I also got several CMGR inserts (1911 T205 Ty Cobb and 1921 National Carmel of formentioned player). The refractor I pulled was of Mantle, and it's of relatively good quality in player and design. It almost reminds of me of an old Finest design.

I Love Topps Diamond Giveaway!!!

I have redeemed ten codes, and all I have gotten was junk wax, and 1 card from the 60's. Many of you are familiar with the diamond diecut cards, and I have been wanting the Kevin Youkilis one really bad. I kept putting out crappy trade offers for it, offering my whole collection for it, and I knew nobody was going to accept it. I have been trying this since the trading feature was up and running. I logged on tonight to send out another offer, but when I logged in, the only card in my collection was...



The Kevin Youkilis Diamond Die Cut! I almost wet myself. I don't know who accepted the trade, but whoever did, thank you so much.
-20youksox

2011 Topps Series 2

Topps Series 2 is out, and it is picking up right where Series 1 left off including more sparkles, diamond platinums, and the usual inserts and parellels. Some new things to look out for include "double sparkle" SP's, a new Diamond Stars insert, and a new redemption program, redeemed at your local card shop during certain weeks for Topps Prime cards, but I don't have too much information on that, so I will let you know when I learn more. It appears to have replaced the Red Hot rookies.
-20youksox