What Will They Come Up With Next: Introducing MLB Interview Hats

Hey, after browsing some of the new MLB uniforms, I came across something interesting.  MLB announced that for the upcoming 2013 season, there will authentic interview hats.  Aparently they have these in the NHL too, but nobody wears them.  So far, the only design leaked was the New York Mets.

I don't know why we need interview caps, and based on this design not a huge fan.  I would think players could wear their normal hats during interviews, but I geuss not.  With so many types of official MLB hats already, what's one more?  Hopefully the Red Sox version looks better than this.

-20youksox

And the Topps SP Gimmick of the Year Is...

As we all know, every issue of Series 1 comes with some sort of SP gimmick.  Years past have included the diamond sparkles, pie in the face, celebrations, and squirels, but this year it "out of bounds" SP variations.  I don't know if this is the offical name of them, but that's what everyone else is calling them.

This year's SP theme is players making amazing catches.  In my opinion, this is their best SP set yet because with the theme comes the chance to include some cool photography.  As you can see in the example above, Topps really seized this opportunity to include some really cool pictures.  In my opinion, these are a lot better than pie and squirels.

-20youksox

Silver Slate Wrapper Redemption Program

This year's wrapper redemption will be Silver Slate.  Basically, you send in 50 hobby/retail packs or 10 HTA jumbo packs and get 1 wrapper redemtion pack with five "silver slate" border cards.  Also, there will be autographs although they are most likely rare.  Everybody in the base set will be available in the wrapper redemtion packs.

Topps has set a limit of 10 packs per household.  Packs sent in before Wednesday will not be accepted.  Wrappers should be sent to...

Silver Slate Wrapper Redemption
PO Box 2008
Duryea, PA 18642

Good luck to anyone ripping Series One, and to those who get wrapper redemtion packs!

-20youksox

SAVE YOUR WRAPPERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As 2013 Topps starts hitting the selves, I just wanted to put up a quick reminder to save all of your wrappers.  Save retail and hobby wrappers as Topps is going to announce a wrapper redemption program tommorow.  More details to come...

-20youksox

2012 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Over-Delivers

With this year's release of 2012 Donruss Elite Extra Edition, collectors are finding more than expected in their hobby boxes.  This added bonus is coming in the form of extra autographs.  This year's edition was slated to have 6 autographs per box with hot boxes including 10.  However, collectors ripping into packs are finding 7-8 autographs per box on average with hot boxes including as many as 12 autos.

At only $100 per box, Elite Extra Edition is becoming a very popular product.  Its not to often we see that many extra autos and usually we have the opposite problem, a shortage.  The set also includes serveral of the "hottest" prospects such as Mike Zuzino and Albert Almora.  This product could be a contender in this year's product of the year.

-20youksox

2013 Topps Chrome Preview Images

Hey everyone, just posting the preview images Topps released for this year's edition of Topps Chrome.  They have the usual autographs and refractors, but new this year are relic cards, red hot rookie autographs, and 1972 chrome autographs.
















I think it looks nice this year.  Always a fan of jumbo patches and die cuts.  Also glad they brought back Red Hot Rookies and this time with autographs.  Looks like its going to be a strong product again this year.

-20youksox

Bye Bye MAPP!!!

Hey everyone.  Panini just announced they they will be getting rid of MAPP pricing.  The minimum advertised price program was originally designed to help out card stores with a storefront location.  Basically what it ended up doing was making prices higher and making it more difficult for internet dealers.





The program will officially end after National Treasures Baseball is released.  Look for prices to drop with supply and demand back controlling the market.  I know MAPP was designed with good intentions, but in my eyes it just made everything worse.  I'm glad to see prices going down especially with Panini releasing more baseball products every year.

-20youksox

Random PC Card of the Week

Back with another PC card of the week segment.  This week I have a 2008 Topps Stadium Club Stadium Slices Babe Ruth game used stadium bunting.  This card has been in my PC since 2009ish when I pulled it from a box of stadium club.

This is the photographer's proof blue parellel numbered 34/99.  This card is in my PC because it is BABE RUTH, and it is nice to see somthing other than a white jersey swatch even if it is from Yankee Stadium.  Its hard to tell from the scan, but there is a little dirt on the swatch.  This set also features outfield wall relics and dugout bench relics.  I wish they had a Red Sox/ Fenway version of this set.

-20youksox

25%

Like I said before, my COMC mailday had a lot of milestones.  The last milestone I reached was a bigger one.  Now, I own 25% of all Kevin Youkilis cards including 1/1s.  That is 1 out of 4 Youk cards.  Here is the card that pushed me over, a 2009 Topps Sterling base /250.

It is an eBay 1/1 because his current number is and rookie number was #36.  This is probably the nicest base card I've ever seen.  The picture has a refractor/ foil like coating and is then framed.  Of course, I would expect that from a set as expensive as Sterling though.  Not the highest end card, but I like it for my PC and am happy to reach the 25% milestone.  I do have another milestone I hope to acheive in the next couple of weeks which will be 500 unique cards.

-20youksox

Mailday Continued

Hey everyone, just posting the next two cards from my COMC mailday.  These are just a couple of jersey cards, but I got them for a steal.  They cost about $1.50 each, and for PC jersey cards, thats a great deal.  They are both from 2008 Upper Deck SPX, which happens to be one of my all time favorite products.

Both numbered out of 99, and feature a plain white jersey swatch.  I love that there are a large variety of die cuts in the set.  I have a couple more of his SPX jerseys with other die cuts.  Speaking of other jersey cards, I now own 50 (51) Kevin Youkilis jersey cards, yet another milestone to come out of this mailday.  There is an even bigger milestone coming up though from the same package!

-20youksox

Inscribed Auto Mailday

Hey everyone.  Just got a package from COMC in the mail, and here is the first card.  This auto is from 2005 Donruss Team Heroes.  It is suposedly short printed, which I can believe since this is the only one I've ever seen.  The reason why I bought it was because it had an insription, "YOUK".

This is my fourth Youkilis auto with an insription.  This is also a small milestone for my PC, being my 30th Youk autograph card.  You can see the others here.  This is a nice card, and I find it interesting that he actually has hair in this old picture.  I'll post the rest of the cards later this week.

-20youksox

Die Cut Trade

Hey, a few posts ago I mentioned I was trying to trade for a Pedroia die cut on the golden giveaway site.  Well, someone accepted my offer and I'm going to get it shipped along with the Lester.


I personally think these die cuts better than last year's version.  However, I'm a little sad that Youk did not make the checklist.  Oh well, at least I got some nice Red Sox die cuts.  Not bad for the very small amount of codes I entered.

-20youksox

Old Mailday

Hey, this mailday is from a few months ago and I kinda forgot I had these.  I saw them today and thought I would post it.  The story is, I won a contest on a forum and got these as a prize.  The Mantle is numbered out of 2010 and the others are not numbered.

Nice cards for free.  I don't know much about Goeddel, but he was a first round draft pick.  If anyone needs them, they are available for trade.  Should have some new mail coming in from COMC.

-20youksox

Random PC Card of the Week

Hey everyone.  I am going to try out a new weekly segment called PC card of the week.  If people like it I'll continue it, and if not I'll trash it.  I would like to use this segment to show off PC cards that haven't been showcased on here before, and some of my non Youk PC cards.  First up is a Youk card, but I don't think I've shown it on here before.

This card is from 2009 Topps Triple Threads and features patches from his 2008 All Star Game jersey.  This is the 1/1 platinum version, and it cost me only $35ish.  I think it was a steal when I bought it.  The patches are from the front team name patch.  I also have the version 9/9 that I think I've posted on here before.  That one has patches that peice together with these patches.  Will this segment be a hit?  I don't know, but I hope everyone enjoys it.

-20youksox

Golden Giveaway Reminder and My Results

Hey, everyone, just wanted to remind everyone that Topps Golden Giveaway is ending at the end of the month.  On January 31st, all trading and code entering must be done.  However, cards can be shipped until March 1st.  This year's Golden Giveaway was not as popular as previous encarnations such as Million Card Giveaway and Diamond Giveaway.  Collectors seemed to be unhappy with getting virtual coins instead of actual cards.  This year I entered around 30 codes and pulled two die cuts.  After trading, I currently have the following two die cuts in my gallery.




I'm trying to trade the Kershaw for a Pedroia, and I plan on keeping the Lester.  The die cuts look nice this year, and my only complaint is that they are so hard to get.  If anyone has a Pedroia they are willing to trade for my Kershaw, please comment below and I will gladly trade (on the site, cards not in hand).

-20youksox

Orange Refractor Mailday

Hey guys.  A couple posts down I mentioned that I'm working on the 2012 Topps Tribute Kevin Youkilis jersey rainbow.  Well, the orange refractor /25 arrived in the mail today.

Great looking card, and it cost just over $10.  With this card in hand, all I need is the blue /50 which I hope to acquire in the coming week.  This will be my first "challenging" rainbow, with 6 cards in it.  I really like this set and can't wait to get the blue.  I'm headed to the Worcester Sharks AHL hockey game tonight, so I may have a cool souvenir to post tommorow.  Glad to have NHL hockey back too.

-20youksox

Triple Auto Mailday

Hey everyone.  Just got in a sweet triple auto card from 2012 Upper Deck Authentic Signatures baseball.  This product was basically a sticker dump, but there were some nice cards in the product.  This card comes from the Compatriot subset, which features players born in the same country.  While this is very broad, it can produce some interesting combinations you wouldn't normally see like Kevin Youkilis, Joe Mauer, and Shane Victorino.  The card looks nice, and it is my first auto of Mauer and Victorino.  Its pretty cool to with the World Baseball Classic coming up.  I don't know if any of them will be on team USA this year, but they have in the past.

I especially like that it is hand numbered.  I don't know why, but I have always loved hand numbered cards.  I think it looks nice for a card without pictures.  More maildays to come.

-20youksox

Rainbow Progress Mailday

Hey, I don't know if I posted already, but I am working on the 2012 Topps Tribute Kevin Youkilis jersey/ patch rainbow.  As seen in previous posts, I currently have the purple /1, red /10, and regular /99.  Well now I have the gold 13/15.

This card looks much better in person, and it is a great looking rainbow.  Now, I just need the orange /25 which is incoming, and the blue /50.  I will scan them all together when I finish it.  More maildays coming up.

-20youksox

Mailday: THE HOLY GRAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, just posting another card from my last batch of maildays.  This card is the Holy Grail of Kevin Youkilis cards though.  It is comparable to a new player's superfractor auto.  Back in 2003, they didn't have superfractors, just regular refractors, x-fractors, and the rarest of the four gold refractors.  Here we have a 2003 Bowman Chrome Kevin Youkilis gold refactor rookie autograph.

 

 





This card is the crowning jewel on my collection.  It is in great shape and is just a gorgeous card.  And, this means I am really close to completeing another rainbow.  To complete it, I just need the refractor version which is quite common.  Stay tuned for more maildays!

-20youksox

New Additions to 2013 Topps Allen and Ginter Baseball

After an initial release of this year's base design, Topps has now released more information on the always popular product.  New to this year will be non-framed relics in adition to the normal framed relics.  Here are what they look like.  According to Topps, each box will contain different designs.

 

Also new this year are "double rip cards".  These cards can be ripped from both sides and will contain two mini cards.  They will be numbered to ten and have some cards not available in the regular rip cards.



The last big addition to Allen and Ginter is Arachnology cards wich are basically Topps' version of Entomology cards.  These cards will feature different types of spiders instead of different kinds of bugs, but based on the popularity of entomology cards these new spider cards should sell pretty well.



This year's Allen and Ginter looks pretty nice with these new additions plus the usual stuff.  I'm not a huge fan of the non-framed relics, but they do look pretty nice.  I can't wait for this new product to come out.

-20youksox

Lot Mailday Part 3 of 3

The last part of this lot doesn't really have a category, so I just kind of lumped these two cards together in a hodge-podge kind of post.  The first card is a manufactured relic.  I am not really a fan of these in general, but the hat patches look nice.  I think these book pretty well too.  This card is numbered to 99.

 

 

The final card in the lot was my favorite, as well as the best card.  My 33 Youkilis 1/1 came in the form of a black printing plate.  This plate shows signs of usage, but you can see the picture pretty well.  Its a nice looking card in person.

 



Now that this lot is done, I will post some of the other maildays I have recieved in the meantime.  These include high end autos, rainbow progress, and hockey memorabelia.

-20youksox

Lot Mailday Part 2

 

The next part of this lot will be the autograph.  This auto is on card and features peices of game used bat and jersey.  One of the coolest thing about this card is that the picture of Kevin Youkilis is actually on a clear plastic which I beleive is generally called an acetate card.  Its hard to see in the scan, but in person it is pretty cool.

 

I will post the third and final part of this lot tommorow.  That will be followed by some more maildays, and maybe a couple more product previews.

-20youksox

Lot Mailday Part 1 of 3

Hey guys, just got a mailday in from a lot I bought on Blowout Cards.  I am splitting it up into three parts to build up the suspense and because it will be easier than doing one gigantic post.  For part one, I will be showing the game used cards.  First up is a 2009 Topps Unique dual jersey card of Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz.  This nice looking card is numbered 35/99.

Next up is a 2008 Upper Deck Heroes Black Jersey numbered to 125.  Another sweet card plus I have the purple version /5 with a 3 color patch.

 

 

Last but not least is my favorite of the relics, a 2012 Topps Tribute Jersey /99.  Not only is this card gorgeous, but it also goes with a rainbow I am working on.  I just need two more versions to complete the rainbow.  The only thing that bugs me is that someone took it out of the factory sealed case.  I would have taken it out anyways because the 1/1 version came unslabbed, but I wish it came sealed.

 

 

 

Part one was nice, but I am saving the better cards for last.  I also have a couple other maildays to share after this segment is done with some nice cards as well.  Can't wait for spring training to start!!!

 

-20youksox



 

2013 Allen and Ginter Preview Image

Earlier, Topps teased collectors with a preview image of the 2013 Allen and Ginter base design.  In previous years, Allen and Ginter has sold from $65-$90ish and contained three hits per box.  Topps has not announced any changes to this structure, but you never know.  Allen and Ginter is known for its non sports cards as well as the famous rip cards.

This year's design is similar to the designs of the past, with the name centered on the bottom and some kind of border.  I personally think this is an improvement over last year, but these cards look nice every year.  This will be the eighth year Topps has produced Allen and Ginter and they show no signs of stopping any time soon.  Rivaled only by Gypsy Queen, Allen and Ginter is always one of Topps' most popular products.  Check back tommorow for a couple maildays.

-20youksox

2012 Panini National Treasures BASEBALL Preview Images (WOW!!!)

Earlier this week, Panini announced their newest baseball product, 2012 Panini National Treasures.  National Treasures is usually a football product, but this year Panini will be making a baseball edition.  I am geussing this is in response to Topps crossing over 5 Star into the baseball market.  Here are the preview images they released.





















As you can see, these are some very high end cards.  For the most part I do think the set is well designed, and I like the variety of memorabelia used.  This product will feature the first relic cards ever of Wee Willie Keler, Goose Goslin as well as six other players.  Each box will feature a combination of 8 autograph and relic cards.  Included in those eight cards, each box is guarenteed to have a booklet card.  The Panini MAPP price is $400 and the product is scheduled to be released February 13, the day before Valentine's Day.  So will National Treasures be your Valentine?  Please comment below with your opinions of this new product.

-20youksox

Best. Pull. Ever. (200-250$ SMV!)

I was at the Newbury Comics at my local mall the other day, which by the way is the same store from which I bought the pack which I pulled my first printing plate from, and I bought a Hobby Pack of 2012 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects with the intention of finding some hot-market RC's or some Will Middlebrooks cards. What I pulled was even better...

 

An 2012 Bowman DP&P Albert Almora Blue Refractor Autograph!

This is scan from one of only a handfull of current eBay listings, as my printer is currently not working.

 

This GEM is numbered 97/150, and is selling on ebay as a BIN between 200-250! Here are a few listings below! I havent seen any sell below $125.

1. http://bit.ly/136ookW

2. This one sold yesterday at a bid for $150 http://bit.ly/VKA6f6

3. This sold in Late December for $190.50 http://bit.ly/UNobPY

4. This one is a BIN for $300 http://bit.ly/136ookW

 

The funny thing is this past summer at our town "fair" I bought his 2010 Bowman Team USA Autograph, albeit a faded version, for $5. If this 2012 1st Round DP and Team USA 2011 Athlete of the Year + U-18 standout pans out like the Cubs hope, his cards could skyrocket in value. On the contrary, if he ends up being a bust after a productive first minor league season the value could take a steep drop.

Although the decision rests with me, some input as to if I should keep this card and sell it later, keep it altogether, or sell it now would be a nice idea. Anyone feel free to tell me what you think in the comment section below!

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Cap Controversy (Opinions Wanted)

Recently the Atlanta Braves released images of a new batting practice hat.  This new hat brings a back a retro logo that they started using while they were still the Milwalkee Braves.  However, this hat is causing a comotion because of the offensive logo.  The screaming Indian logo had been pushed off to the side to over 20 years, and that may have been for the better.  Here is the image released by the Braves.

 

 

 

Being of the younger generation my opinion is probably in the minority, but I don't really see how this logo is offensive.  Honestly, I think the hat looks nice.  That doesn't mean I agree with using a logo that may offend someone, but I just like the way it looks.  Another thing is, if this is offensive, does that make the Cleveland Indians logo offensive?  It is basically the same thing only more cartoonish (if that's a word).  Just saying...  And, would it be racist to wear this hat?  So, are you offended by this logo?  Please share your opinions below.

-20youksox