2 UD Masterpieces Blasters

On Sunday Sooz and I opened the Buy One Get One blasters I picked up from KMart, and we were both bored to tears. After opening a case of these neither one of us could really care less about these blasters. We opened the first one in about 1 minute, and there was nothing other than 2 Yankee Stadium Legacy cards. The second blaster had 2 Yankee Stadium Legacy cards, a Captured on Canvas Josh Beckett GU Jersey card, and 2 SP's, 101 Ripken Jr., and 103 Morris. The GU Beckett card is really annoying because he is pictured in a Marlins uniform, and the uniform in the card is clearly a Marlins one, and it has been years since he has been there. The card does state Red Sox, but why do it this way? Sometimes Upper Deck really makes me angry.

I am seriously done with Masterpieces this year, these blasters were a fluke of a sale that I couldn't not pick them up.

The Big Masterpieces Pull

So, I've been holding out. Can't blame C.I.W. on this one because I've been procrastinating. We broke the Masterpieces case a couple of weeks ago and we put all the cards we got out of it, except for one.

That card didn't end on eBay either. Rather it ended in my personal collection because, well, I wanted it. I didn't open the pack through. C.I.W. did and laughed as she handed the card to me. These are the kind of friends we all need.

This is the card.

I don't have many (what I refer to as spicey cards) GU or autos. This is just my second Jeter auto, although, my collection is over 700 unique cards.

The first was my Christmas present last year from C.I.W. She got me a Jeter auto/game-used jersey numbered to 199 (I think) from Upper Deck Elements. Then, she handed this one to me not too long ago.

This adds a lot of spice to my collection. I haven't updated the collection into my log yet, but it's going to happen soon. When I finally do, I am sure that will become it's own blog.

I won't say I touched the jersey of either card, but I won't say that didn't either.

2008 UD Masterpieces & K-Mart

Today me and K-Mart are best friends. I go there to look for 2 Christmas gifts, and well I didn't get them. However, I did search the baseball card area, and hit the jackpot. It seems as though they were trying to get rid of some 2007 blasters, 2007 Rookies & Stars and 2007 UD Masterpieces and had them bundled as 2 blasters for $19.99. Only problem was, whoever bundled them accidentally bundled 2 2008 UD Masterpieces boxes for $19.99 and I snatched them up. It didn't dawn on me that those were the only ones until I was walking around thinking about getting other blasters, and when I went back I decided to cut my losses with this steal.

I haven't opened them yet because earlier in the day I went to Target. I picked up 5 packs of Timeline (yes, 5 - I normally do not purchase things in an add amount, but I thought I had 6) and opened those today. I got 1 YSL card, and TWO ALBERT PUJOLS!!! Wahoo!! Jackpot for me, thanks Target and thanks to $1.99 retail packs. I still need 1 of the Pujols cards from this set, if anyone has #142 let me know so we can work out a trade.

Tomorrow I will break one or both blasters. I am trying to hold off on opening them so I don't go out and spend more tomorrow. OK, I know what you're thinking so.... shush.

2008 UD Masterpieces Case Autographs

OK, now that you have all seen the game used cards, I'm sure you're interested in what autographs were pulled. I am still leaving something out because I'm banking on Sooz telling you about it. I didn't include the dual GU/Auto cards since they were posted in the previous blog. Here goes:

2008 UD Masterpieces Game Used Cards

This is the breakdown of Game Used cards that we pulled from the case, we ended up with 2 Freddy Sanchez and 2 Khalil Greene. The "holy grail" of Game Used cards, and well the case will be posted by Sooz, hopefully later tonight. Probably one of the best cards we'll ever pull. I'm going to do a blog of all the auto's later tonight or tomorrow so everyone can see them. Everything is in the store.

2008 Masterpieces Albert Pujols & Derek Jeter

Well, short print is an understatement to say the least about these two guys. 16 box case yielded 2 of each Pujols and Jeter. Pujols did not appear until 5 boxes into the case, if you were wondering how long I was tortured for. I have to say it's rather aggravating how the two players we collect religiously are always so damn hard to pull, I won't even get into the expense.

We do have plenty of complete base sets of cards 1-90, and can probably put together a team set or two of each team if anyone is interested. Complete sets are for sale on eBay, and the team sets right now will be by request. I am still working on listing individual cards, which I will hopefully finish tomorrow.

2008 Masterpieces Victor Martinez Patch

This was another sweet looking patch card we pulled from the case. I also scanned the black bordered parallel, which we ended up with two of if anyone is looking for one.

So far, I scanned and listed all of the blue, brown, green, red, and black parallels, as well as all the SP's, auto's and game used cards. Stop by the store if you are looking for the player you collect.

2008 UD Masterpieces Dan Uggla PATCH!

Slowly going to reveal the goods... We just got done breaking the rest of the case, and I have been listing like a machine so I am going to give you a sneak peek at one of the more interesting players we pulled 2 good cards of.

Mr. Dan Uggla


Stay tuned for cool players and cards today! And as always, if you can't wait get on over to our eBay store and check it all out!! Baseball cards make great holiday gifts, at least we like getting them.

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!!

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.

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.

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.)

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.