window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'UA-12381093-3'); A Cardboard Problem: October 2008

October 30, 2008

Cole Hamels World Series MVP

Cole Hamels was named World Series MVP last night. He won Game 1 and pitched a heck of a game in the first half of Game 5. He was still up for the win, but when the Rays tied the game in the seventh inning, he got the no decision.

Hamels is a great young lefty who will be around for some time. He's media savvy and has a wife who appeared in Playboy.

Check out the baseball cards we have of him in our store. It's decent number of base cards a couple of inserts to start a collection.

October 29, 2008

Where have we been?

You might be asking yourself that question if you stop by on a regular basis, or if you were interested in the rest of our Masterpieces case. I am here to answer that question. I have been playing at the vending machine in Shoprite which has $1.00 packs of nothing, but are fun for 5 minutes. Sooz has been chained to the World Series, not playing with any cards.

Cheer for the Phillies to win tomorrow night so we can break the case, and have an hour of fun before it turns into eBay and work.

I want to also point out that I purchased a pack of 1993 Topps Stadium Club Series 2 Baseball from that vending machine and got a Members Choice Ken Griffey, Jr., Sammy Sosa, and Reggie Sanders... The rest of the pack played for about as long as it took you to read this blog so far. But there were 14 cards for a buck. I later came to realize there are some boxes of those cards selling on eBay for about the same price as the pack in the vending machine.

GO PHILLIES!!

October 23, 2008

2008 UD Masterpieces Short Prints

The complete set is 120 cards, with cards 91-120 being short prints. Of course Pujols and Jeter are short prints, cards 116 and 104 respectively.

We just listed all of the SP's from the first 4 boxes. Plenty of good cards, including both Cal Ripken Jr. cards, 92 and 101. These seem pretty hard to come by on eBay, as well as Nolan Ryan which we haven't got yet...

The regular base cards will be listed soon, if there are any you need to complete your set, e-mail us with what you need and we'll get back to you with a fair price on a lot of cards.

To check out all the Masterpieces cards in our store, click here.

October 22, 2008

Evan Longoria Article from Upper Deck

This article was taken from Upper Deck's website. I thought some readers might like to check this out, especially with the World Series coming up.



Evan Longoria Cements His Place as the Hobby’s Rookie of the Year

Baseball fans rush to add Upper Deck rookie cards of Tampa Bay’s third baseman to their collections

North Las Vegas, NV (October 20, 2008) – The Tampa Bay Rays do not have a long history of baseball success or memorable moments. They do however have a blossoming long-ball hitter who is helping to create certain history and deliver some special moments to the “Sunshine State.” Rookies are not supposed to help lead their team to the World Series, but that’s just what Evan Longoria has done for Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay has long been a football town, but ever since the Rays dropped the “Devil” from their name and pulled the tarp off the upper deck seats at Tropicana Field to accommodate bigger crowds, it’s clear: Evan Longoria is helping make it a baseball town. He’s the odds-on favorite to win the A.L. Rookie of the Year award, he’s shattering records in the postseason and he’s got the baseball makeup to be a perennial MVP candidate. Upper Deck is proud to deliver a wide array of rookie card offerings of Longoria to satisfy the needs of every level of collector.

“Although we are not at the level yet where people grew up cheering for the Rays, Evan Longoria is the type of player everyone can cheer for,” said Gabriel Garcia, Upper Deck’s Baseball associate brand manager. “The Upper Deck Baseball team has really enjoyed watching him this season so we put together the top ten rookie cards of Longoria for 2008. There are cards for every level of collector, but they are all in high demand because of his on-field performance. Pick them up today while you still can!”

#10 – 2008 Upper Deck X – Card #94 – Currently available in the market

Background – This card shows Longoria doing what he does best, watching one of his balls sail over the fence. This is a great rookie card of Longoria to own at a lower price.

#9 – 2008 Upper Deck Goudey – Card #200 – Currently available in the market

Background – There is actually an uncorrected error on the base version of this card where it indicates “Ken Griffey Jr. says…” instead of “Derek Jeter says…” On the more rare mini-versions of the card, the type is correct. The Goudey set has been very popular so this is a great card to start off your Longoria set with.


#8 – 2008 Upper Deck Masterpiece – Card #7 – Currently available in the market

Background – These cards are all produced on a canvas type paper stock and seem to have an insert card type feel to them. This is a great painted image of the slugger stretching out before an at bat. There are a variety of rare versions with different colored borders including the “Pinot Red” version which is limited to just one copy.


#7 – 2008 Upper Deck Timelines 2004 Timeless Teams Design – Card #303 – Available November 4, 2008

Background – The new Upper Deck Timelines brand is unique in that it features today’s players in some of the most popular designs from the past. This card is sure to be one that collectors will be looking for when it hits the market next month given the popularity of the Timeless Teams set.


#6 – 2008 SPx – Card #148 – Currently available in the market

Background – These cards were offered through the 2008 SPx Mystery Rookie Redemption Program. Evan was card RR3 in the program and collectors who found and registered that card will receive this special autographed rookie card.


#5 – 2008 Upper Deck Timelines 1993 SP Design – Card #311 – Available November 4, 2008

Background – The 1993 SP design is a favorite with collectors so it’s safe to speculate that this card will be on the “Must Have” list for plenty of them.


#4 – 2008 Upper Deck Sweet Spot – Card #121 – Available December 23, 2008

Background – The 2008 Sweet Spot product will be back with a lower price point this holiday season. The "Sweet Beginnings" rookie cards are always popular since they are not only very limited, but also autographed.


#3 – 2008 Upper Deck Ballpark Collection – Card #121 – Currently available in the market

Background – This higher-end rookie card has a classy look and also Evan’s signature. They are tougher to find, but they are certainly worth looking for.


#2 – 2008 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection – Card #101 – Available December 30, 2008

Background – The Ultimate Collection brand is very high-end and this rookie card proves it. This limited-edition card will have a huge jersey swatch that Evan Longoria will actually sign making it the type of card for the collector who has them all.


#1 – 2008 SP Authentic – Card #121 – Available in the market

Background – This is the first year 2008 SP Authentic rookie cards have included a jersey swatch. This limited-edition, autograph jersey card is definitely the Evan Longoria rookie card that every collector is hoping to add to their collection this year. SP Authentic rookie cards tend to be some of the most valuable and sought after cards each year and this one will be no different.

October 21, 2008

Tampa Bay Rays memorabilia

I am in the Tampa Bay area for the World Series. I am neither a fan of the Phillies nor the Rays. I am here for work. I got a cool job.

Anyway, walking around Tampa, Clearwater and St. Pete, you can't help but notice the sudden pride for the Rays. This was a team that finished 26th out of 30 teams in attendance and, suddenly -SUDDENLY- everyone is a fan. Well, not so much in the Clearwater area where the Phillies have had their spring training facility for 47 yearfs.

Just wanted to show everyone the media pin I got from the MLB today when I picked up my credential. (I'll post the pic when camera battery is charged).

Set Builder? Player Collector? Come on down!

Something for everyone around here, unless you are looking for an Albert Pujols 2008 UD Masterpieces card that is. You will have to fight me for it, if we get one.

The current dilemma is that I have had this box of 2007 Bowman Heritage hobby box laying around my house for quite some time. Opening it doesn't seem very appealing to me, but I figured I'd keep it around for a rainy day. Anyone have any motivation to get me to crack this? So far I can't think of a reason to be bothered.

Sooz decided to get on the case break bandwagon and wants to open them up when she gets back from the World Series. So stay tuned for the rest of the case. As for now, let me know who is interested in seeing what is inside that 2007 Heritage hobby box.

2008 UD Masterpieces Box 4

The saga continues... Box 4 and no Albert Pujols card. Big surprise, right?

At any rate, I'm not sure how I feel right now about opening any more of these alone. I am mad that I still have no Pujols card, and I feel terrible smashing the rest of these by myself just to try and find one. I also would feel terrible just smashing the rest of the case for the obvious reason of that we are partners on this stuff. Though I am pretty sure Sooz would rather have the money than listen to me deliberate opening vs. not opening.

To check out all the cards in our store, click here.

Now that I am done complaining and ranting, here are the highlights of box 4:
-Stroke of Genius Kelly Johnson Autograph


-Captured on Canvas Game Used Jersey card of Matt Cain


-Green Bordered Stan Musial serial numbered 47/75


-Red Bordered Ryan Howard


-Black Bordered Felix Hernandez


-Black Bordered Tim Lincecum


-Black Bordered Russell Martin



There were also 4 Yankee Stadium Legacy cards as usual. All of these cards with the exception of the YSL and Russell Martin are for sale in our eBay store.

Just so you all know, most of our prices include the option to make an offer, and we ship up to 20 cards for only $3.00. (Shameless store plug)

Perhaps tomorrow will be another break... or you will all wait about a week for the rest, lol. (I'm not sure which one I am cheering for honestly.)

October 20, 2008

2008 UD Masterpieces Box 3

Really, I knew I should have waited despite Sooz telling me to open them. It would have been way more fun opening this box together, though if we were together opening it, it would not have been me that found the big card. (For the record, still no Pujols card.)

To check out all the Masterpieces cards in our store, click here.

This is what we ended up with in this box:
- Yankee Stadium Legacy Memorabilia Roger Maris Game Used Jersey (case hit)


- Stroke of Genius Autograph of Gavin Floyd


- Captured on Canvas Game Used Jersey of Freddy Sanchez (yes, we got 2)


- Green Border Dave Winfield card serial numbered 53/75


- Red Border Carlton Fisk


- Black Border Reggie Jackson


- Black Border Jason Varitek


- Black Border Johan Santana


- Black Border Jose Reyes




If Sooz isn't terribly upset about me breaking a case hit alone, I will post another box break tomorrow. All are on eBay except for the Yankee Stadium Legacy cards. Perhaps box 4 will have a Pujols card, but I'm not holding my breath.

October 19, 2008

2008 UD Masterpieces Boxes 1 & 2

So despite the fact that Sooz is super busy with work we found a way to start cracking these bad boys open. We opened 2 boxes last night and they weren't too bad, however there was no Pujols base card in either box- not that I'm surprised.

Here is what we did get:
- Stroke of Genius Auto of Noah Lowry
- Captured on Canvas Dual GU Jersey & Auto of Chad Billingsley (wish we got that a week ago)
- Captured on Canvas GU Jersey of Ryan Braun
- Captured on Canvas GU Jersey of Freddy Sanchez
- Green Bordered Luke Hochevar RC sn 59/75
- Brown Bordered Alfonso Soriano sn 002/200
- Red Bordered Willie Stargell & Greg Maddux
- 8 Yankee Stadium Legacy cards (hooray)
- Plenty of Black Bordered cards as well.

Here are some scans:














I will post more breaks as we get through the case. If the Rays win, there will be box breaks tonight. If the Sox (curses, snarls, growls) win, there will be box breaks tomorrow. All of the inserts are on eBay right now, except the YSL cards.

October 17, 2008

2008 Upper Deck SP Authentic Baseball



Despite having no business purchasing anything right now, I felt like eBay needed a little spice in the category department so I picked up a couple of packs of the new SP Authentic. The box in BC was sealed and opened right in front of me so I figured I had a better shot now at getting something good. 24 packs per box, 5 cards per pack and 3 rows of 8 in the box. I picked the 4th pack from the top of each row yesterday, no auto's or game used cards, but I got 2 Yankee Stadium Legacy cards, 3 Marquee Matchups, and.... a Pujols base card. The cards themselves are not very appealing looking, they are quite boring actually. The Marquee Matchups are pretty cool, but they are the replacement to last years Authentic Speed/Power inserts. The pictures on the MM's are nice head shots with a short story on the back.

Today's trip to the store yielded the same results, 2 Yankee Stadium Legacy and 3 MM. I took the 3 bottom packs today, and the only packs missing were the 3 I got the day before. I'm sorry I didn't go second from the bottom because that was my first instinct.

Everything except the Yankee Stadium Legacy, Pujols, and Russ Martin are in the eBay store.

We still have the case of 2008 UD Piece of History to break, which I am hoping we get to soon to recoup some of the cash we spent. I'll keep you posted on that.

In the meantime, click on the link to the store, check out the new items and if you click through to the store and make a purchase be sure to tell us to get your free gift.

October 9, 2008

2008 UD Baseball Heroes Pack...

I was in a bad mood and went out for a little retail therapy. My first stop was Target, but all I got there were 2 packs of 2005 Topps Updates & Highlights for $1.59 a pack. I got a couple of first year cards, and a Gold Dan Johnson Prospect card /2005. I bought them because I am on a Russell Martin kick and that was his rookie year. I decided to wander down to Sports Authority despite them being grossly overpriced, and found nothing.
Next was the jackpot stop, Modells. There was only one box of cards in the whole store, and it was on the counter. I have "x-ray" vision, and knew which pack had the game used card in it, and only bought that one pack. With my Yankees season ticket holder discount card, the pack cost me $1.86, and it was the best spent buck eighty six ever. I have never pulled an Albert Pujols game used jersey card before, and today was my first one. That instantly put me in a better mood. It took me until this year to pull both a Pujols and a Jeter game used card. Hooray!
Next order of business will be the case of 2008 Upper Deck Masterpieces that are due to arrive at my door on the 10th. Hopefully we end up with some great stuff, we will post the break next week depending on Sooz's schedule with work.
I went through a bunch of cards this week and put up some Dodgers and Rays cards if anyone is looking for those guys. Plenty of play-off players available in our store, and if you don't see what you need, please ask.

October 4, 2008

We're Bad Bloggers

I know, I know... We hardly update this anymore. Neither of us have really made any great purchases lately, other than going to Target and picking up a couple of packs here and there. I have purchased more retail UD X packs than I care to admit, but what I am pleased with was the ratio of Yankee Stadium Legacy/packs. I got a good number of them, and I managed a Papal Visit card, as well as a Historical Moments one, ohhh and a Babe Ruth. Not bad for $1.99 per pack.

We are waiting on a case of 2008 UD Masterpieces, which should be here this week. I stopped in the local BC Sports, they had only got 2 boxes of those in, and were trying to charge $6.99 per pack. I turned around and left.

Things have been rather slow around here these days. Nothing much going on with buying or selling for that matter. Here's to hoping that a new President makes a difference in that.