K-Mart bargain blaster hit

In a blog from last week I told everyone that my local K-Mart had a big sale on 2008 products, and that I had picked up among other things a 2008 Goudey blaster for $10.99. Since my pillowcases and blanket are still in the dryer I decided to break it because I can't go to bed anyway. I decided to see if I could tell if any packs felt differently than others so if I did I could save that pack for last. They all felt exactly the same to me, what do I know.

Here is what I ended up with (just highlighting the better cards):

2 Yankee Stadium Legacy cards


Sport Royalty Magic Johnson (black back), Steve Carlton (black back), James K. Polk (black back), and Ichiro (green back)


Mini Sport Royalty Jack Nicklaus (Red back), Brooks Robinson mini (red back), Wayne Gretzky Hit Parade of Champions


and....... drumroll please.........

1934 Goudey Original Buyback of Baxter Jordan of the Boston Braves.



My expectations of this blaster were not very high, I figured maybe a GU card at most and bought it mostly for Yankee Stadium Legacy and the chance at an auto. Not in a million years would I have expected to pull a buyback that only came one per case (at least that's what I remember when we opened ours). I'm happy even though I have no idea who he is.

I'm not really sure what I plan on doing with all these base cards since I don't need any of them. I was thinking of sending them out for TTM's when I decide to actual follow through on sending any, or maybe I'll trade some for cards I want.

I do know that I now desperately want to go back to K-Mart, but lightning doesn't strike the same place twice which is why the last Heritage blaster I bought was the one with the Mat Gamel auto /60.

K-Mart blowout sale

Today I went to the local K-Mart to kill some time before heading to the gym and much to my surprise and delight they were trying to give away 2008 baseball cards. I don't really need any cards from 2008 that they were selling, but the blasters were either $9.99 or $10.99 down from $19.99. Oddly, the only 2008 blaster that was not half price was the Stadium Club but I opened enough of those at $2.99 that I won't complain.

Masterpieces, UD X, UD Series 2 and USA were $9.99 and Goudey was $10.99. I only saw one 2009 blaster and it was Spectrum, so that was an easy choice not to buy. The 2008 Upper Deck Series 1&2 Combo, as well as the 2008 UD Rookie Edition rack packs were both $1.99. They also had blister packs of 2008 Artifacts and Spectrum for $1.49 each (zzzz). I walked around the store holding the rack packs, and a Masterpieces blaster as well as a Goudey trying to decide which one to buy.

You all know I didn't need a single thing in the store. Not one. However, you also know I had to get something because it wouldn't be a 'Cardboard Problem' if I didn't have a problem. I picked 3 rack packs, and if you look at the pictures you will understand why I picked those 3 specific ones. (Jeter, A-Rod, and Pujols were each in different ones). I couldn't remember if I had the Pujols card or not so I figured better safe than sorry. Since I couldn't decide on a blaster it went to a vote. I asked my mom and my grandmother, each who know nothing but that they were cards, and they both picked the Goudey. I was half hoping they picked that blaster because there are more cards in the packs than Masterpieces.

So that is my heist for the day. A blaster and 3 rack packs all for less than the price of one regularly priced blaster. Now the problem is which one do I open first? I want to save the blaster for last I think.

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.

Baseballcardbandits.com

My host company must hate me. I have called them several times in the past 2 days to try and get things fixed and to ask questions. They may give me a refund and tell me to take a hike. At any rate, I did teach myself a little bit of the Dreamweaver program to make the site a little nicer than it was. I obviously have a lot to learn if you take a peek at it, but at least it no longer has all the cheesy ads and the background and layout look better.

We are working hard to try and fill the site with content that is relevant to the industry, as well as with products to purchase. This may not happen right away, but we are hopeful that within the next few months it will draw more traffic. If anyone has any ideas of cool things we should try and implement please, by all means let us know.

I went to Target yesterday and picked up 2 packs of 2008 Goudey (no, the case and Hobby boxes were not enough) and I pulled a Grady Sizemore GU Jersey, and a Roger Maris Yankee Stadium Legacy, win win. The day before I grabbed one pack and pulled a Trevor Hoffman GU Jersey (not a fan, but whatever).

2008 Upper Deck Goudey Preview

Here is a copy of the preview article printed and run on Beckett.com:

UD Previews 2008 Goudey Sport Royalty Autos
Jun 9 2008 3:48PM


Upper Deck created a monster last season with the debut of the Sport Royalty Autographs set within 2007 Goudey.

To no surprise, the company is bringing the landmark set back again in 2008 with $4.99 eight-card packs set to release in mid July.

Once again this season, the Sport Royalty Autographs will be on-card. Unlike last season, they'll be found in-pack, as opposed to last year's box-toppers, and will be seeded at two to three per case instead of the previously announced one per case.

Until mid July, this sneak peek will have to do:





Another sneak peek for all you loyal readers.... We have pre-ordered a case of the 2008 Upper Deck Goudey and are eagerly awaiting breaking it and posting the results.