The Christmas loot

Part of the fun of Christmas is the following days reading everyone's blogs and seeing all the cool cards and gizmos everyone got. Sooz loved her present, which made me happy since I debated a few different things (I also debated on getting myself the same card because I liked it that much).

My family is fairly well trained in what to buy me, and they did pretty well for themselves as far as cards go. I got other things that no one here would care about like gym sneakers, slippers, some bling, etc. But you are all here waiting to see my loot. So here we go, starting with Sooz's presents:

2004 Leaf Limited Albert Pujols game used jersey serial #47/50

2008 UD Premier Albert Pujols triple game used jersey serial #59/75

2008 SPx Albert Pujols game used PATCH (My first patch card!!!!) serial #19/50

I love serial numbered cards, and when they have a game used piece on them, even better. I have wanted a Pujols patch card for some time now so the patch card was super awesome.

My parents got me some packs, a hobby box, and a single card.

4 2009 T206 retail packs, and 2 2009 SP Authentic Hobby packs.

2009 Topps Ticket to Stardom hobby box

Oh... and this card...

2005 Sweet Spot Albert Pujols Autographed Glove Leather serial #04/15 (!!!!!)
I saw this card at a card show over the summer, talked to the seller of the card and walked away because clearly I can't afford one of these. My mom went back and played "let's make a deal", and well here it is. Freakin' sweet card that I am VERY happy with.

My brother got me some cool loot, also. He got me a cool framed picture of Albert serial numbered to 1,000 copies, with 2 gold commemorative coins from the Highland Mint, a Robbie Cano card to complete my 2009 Triple Threads quest to have one of each of his cards, and cash to buy myself an auto of Pujols when I find one I like.


2009 Triple Threads Robbie Cano auto/gu serial #1/9

I did pretty well for myself as far as cards go this year, and I think this was more fun than last year opening a bunch of boxes and not getting any cards I really wanted. This year was all about single cards that would enhance my collection and make me happy. I'm very thankful to have gotten so much nice stuff, and having a terrific family that took the time to think of the awesome gifts in this blog post.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your families and friends, and I look forward to reading some of your blogs about your loot.

Birthday Loot: 2009 Triple Threads Robinson Cano and more!

Last night Sooz drove allllllllll the way up to my house to take me to dinner for my birthday which was awesome because the food was really good and we had a good time. I also got my present!!! No brownies, but she's off the hook because the present rocked and I don't have any other friends that would go almost 3 hours out of their way to come have dinner.

I've said a thousand times that I could give a million reasons why Sooz is my best friend, but right now I will stick with 3 good reasons.

1. 2006 Bowman Sterling Robinson Cano game used bat

2. 2008 Topps Co-Signers Robinson Cano/Assdribble Cabrera, err Asdrubal Cabrera dual auto

3. 2009 Topps Triple Threads Robinson Cano dual gu/auto 05/18

The Triple Threads card actually has a funny story. I had been trying to win one of these cards since I saw the first one on eBay. I missed 2 of them by like 50 cents and was steaming mad, then saw this one. I bid on it, got outbid, re-bid, etc. I reached my threshold for money on it with like a minute left to bid and gave up VERY angrily. I was bitching and complaining and so mad that I gave up and didn't put one more bid in since there aren't many of these. First I complained feverishly to Flash, and then to Sooz. She then asked me what the final price was and I told her. She called me immediately to yell at me. You might want to know why she yelled at me, but by now you know. She yelled at me for buying things for myself so close to my birthday, and for making her spend more money on the card that was eventually to be for me anyway. I laughed and felt kinda foolish. I was also greatly relieved and felt like I could relax, and bring my blood pressure back down to a normal rate. My adrenaline was pumping so well that night until she gave me the news.

So there you have it, we may not fight over men but we can sure duke it out good over an eBay auction. Sooz is the best.

Hitting the Philly card show

(Editor's note: All the pics are taken from my camera phone since I am at my parent's home and hate scanning cards anyway.)

The only big card show I ever attended was in White Plains. I've hit some mall shows before and find better deals at those. However, that doesn't mean I don't like the big shows. It has its benefits such as having a huge selection and finding more high-end cards.

I only bought five cards at the Philly card show and one them was for Marie. I also got two hobby boxes that I suckered my mom into getting me for Christmas, so this year I will be getting presents under the tree from someone other than Marie.

The first place I ended up searching was in a monster box of low-end game-used and autographs. This is where I looked for Kouzmanoff because on the east coast, no one other than me collects him. However, every Kouz card I found I already had and got for cheaper on eBay. They were asking at least $5 for autos.

I ended up with these three cards. The Adam Lind is for Marie.

2003 Playoff Prestige Connections Materials Derek Jeter/Alfonso Soriano GU base card /400
2009 Upper Deck Ballpark Collection #116 Jorge Posada/Michael Young GU jersey /400
2009 SP Authentic Signatures Adam Lind SP












I picked up two other Jeter GU cards for solid prices.

2003 UD Reserve base combo Ken Griffey Jr./Derek Jeter (This is the one my sister is giving to me for Christmas)
2008 Ballpark Collections quad swatch memorabilia Derek Jeter/Jason Giambi/Melvin Mora/Brian Roberts










After I finished scanning the single cards, I went to the hobby boxes. Topps 206 hasn't had a good receiving by the blogosphere, but I like these cards. I already own all of the Kouzmanoff cards from the set, except for the Carolina Brights 1/1 (and likely won't own). I have a Jeter base and a Francisco Cervelli base and mini Piedmont.

But I still wanted to open a hobby box.

For those that follow Card Bandits on Twitter knew I was going to the card show in a low-cut top hoping to score some kind of discount. And, here, it worked for a couple of bucks.

I saw a wax seller that I normally buy from in White Plains and mentioned to him that I normally see him in White Plains with my other female friend. However, we normally wear Yankee gear.

He said, well why aren't you wearing it today, not that I mind the way you are dressed now.
Me: Well, honestly, I was hoping to get a deal with this shirt.
Him: And, it's a shirt I like. How's this? $72 for 206.
Me: Sold.

Again, it's only a couple of bucks off, but I'll take it.

I also bought a tin of 2007 Sweet Spot.

I enjoyed the card show. Hopefully, next time I can come away with a bigger haul.

Love,
Sooz

I need to make time for baseball cards

Sometimes life just gets in the way of the hobby. You have to work and deal with family. I’ve neglected many things recently concerning the hobby because of so many outside factors.

I need to make time for baseball cards. This doesn’t mean going out and buying cards or organizing (because that is NEVER fun).

However, I feel a bubble mailer withdrawal coming on. There is one sitting on my living room table from Marie. We hadn’t planned to see each other this week, so she sent me some cards. I’m not opening it for some time.

I need to hold on to it until I am about to crack.

I do spend a little money on cards recently. In light of the news Upper Deck didn’t get the MLB license, I went out and bought what could be my last pack of Upper Deck with the MLB license.

I came across a pack of 2008 Sweet Spot, and while not as fun as its 2007 counterpart, I splurged anyway. It was the blaster version of Sweet Spot- $20 for a pack with a guaranteed game-used card or auto.

I won’t tell you what I got, but I didn’t wait to get to open it.

Sooz will post more. I promise.

Maybe someone wants to call her boss and try to get her some time off. ;)

Latest article on Cardboard Connection: Jesus Montero

I recently interviews Yankees prospect Jesus Montero for an article I did on the Cardboard Connection.

Nice kid. He's only 19 and has a world of talent.

Here's the article I did on him.

Me getting his auto and the interview were two seperate occasions. The interview came first.

It's good to be a fan

The reasons we wanted to be a sports reporter sometimes gets lost in the daily grind. We deal with daily deadlines that must be met. It doesn’t matter if your computer crashes or your phone doesn’t work. You find a way to get the story in. Some athletes are tough to deal with. They find sports reporters to be intrusive (and we can be) and try not to deal with us even though we still have a job to do.

It’s not always fresh roses as the fantasy paints it.

However, that’s not saying you’re not allowed to have fun.

One of the reasons I collect baseball cards is because it allows me to remain a fan even when stuck at an extra-inning game that already had a 97-minute rain delay. Collecting baseball cards allows me to enjoy the parts of the game I loved as a kid and made me want to pursue this vocation.

Once you stop being a fan, you become those crotchety old men who only know how to complain and forget that you write about a game for a living.

This past week I was on vacation and told myself I was just going to be a fan. I went to the Eastern League All-Star Game on Wednesday night. I got there around 3:15 p.m., for the autograph session and came away with just one signature.


It was Yankees prospect Jesus Montero, who is playing extremely well in double-A. (He hit a grand slam on Saturday.) It was the only thing I wanted.

I almost didn’t get the autograph because there were literally two minutes left until the session was over - after standing on line for 40 minutes – and about seven or eight people in front of me. I looked at Montero, waved the ball to him, he reached out, grabbed the ball and signed it.

I felt a little strange doing this considering just two weeks ago I interviewed Montero for a little piece I did for The Cardboard Connection. I hoped he didn’t recognize me, but I wore my glasses that day. That disguise always worked for Superman.

On Thursday, I went to Lakewood to watch the Phillies single-A club. It was Cole Hamels bobblehead night and I got nice bobbing head doll of Hamels holding the World Series MVP trophy. Bowling Green won 14-11, but was up 9-1 at one point.

I saw a little bit of everything in that game, including an inside-the-park home run.
It was good to be a fan this week. Now, I get back to vacation feeling refreshed.

Kouz's Big Stick

As Marie delightfully pointed out last Saturday, it was my birthday. Despite coming from a large family, I got an underwhelming amount of gifts for my - ugh - 29th birthday. We had a little party at my brother's house that including red velvet cake Marie bought for me and plenty of food.

Mind you, I asked for the party at my brother's house in New York, which is two hours away from where I live.

My boyfriend bought me gifts, which I could never complain about. My parents gave me money. However, I am going to show off the gifts Marie got me because, well, they're awesome.

First in the gift bag was this Kouzmanoff t-shirt. I've wanted for a while, but I figured since my family and friends know me so well, someone would eventually buy it for me for a birthday or Christmas.

Marie got it.

This was the biggie present. I knew what the object was when I saw the box. You kind of don't have a choice, but I didn't know exactly what it was.

My first guess was that it was a Louisville Slugger with my own name on it. That's a pretty cool gift and do those kind of things.

However, I was much happier with what was actually in the box.

It's a Kevin Kouzmanoff signed game-used bat. Marie got me Kouz's Big Stick for my birthday. I couldn't be happier.

I think my boyfriend is getting sick of Marie's presents.

Extras from work: Interview tidbits with Andrew Bailey

Here's an article I wrote about Andrew Bailey for work.

This is the blog post I wrote at work about him. I like the part about baseball cards. I also confessed to him that I collect baseball cards and he didn't laugh over the fun. So, it was fun.

----

New Jersey native Andrew Bailey made it to the MLB All-Star Game. He's 4-1 with a 2.03 ERA and nine saves. Bailey was born in Voorhees and grew up in Medford. He has family scattered throughout southern New Jersey, including grandparents in Brigantine.

You can't get everything into a story, so here are a few highlights from the interview that won't make it into Friday's story on the Paul VI High School graduate:

Premise: Oakland just played the Boston Red Sox, where Nomar Garciaparra made a name for himself. Garciaparra spent parts of nine seasons with the Red Sox and made his return to Boston on Monday. Garciaparra received an amazing ovation from the crowd, showing their appreciation. He never won a World Series with Boston, but was on the team for the start of 2004.

What was this weekend like in Boston with Nomar Garciaparra? "That's something I will never forget. Nomar was huge to the Red Sox and for them to embrace him the way they did was amazing. He had a couple of tears in his eyes at the plate. I don't know how he kept his focus. It was something I was proud to be a part of."

Premise: Bailey grew up a Phillies fan, went to many games, and watched them on television as much as possible.

When do you stop being a fan and realize that it becomes work? "Last year when the Phillies won the World Series, I was jumping up and down celebrating. I was in the Arizona Fall League watching it on TV. At heart, I'm still a Phillies fan, but if we ever play against the Phillies, I'm going to do my job. I would consider myself a Phillies fan, but I pitch for the A's. You do lose a little fan in you."

Premise: Like many children, Bailey collected baseball cards of his favorite players and team. Children are doing the same with him.

How does it feel seeing yourself on a baseball card? "It was crazy the first time I saw myself on a baseball card. A kid asked for an auto and gave me a card. I asked him where did he get it and he gave me one. That was my first card of myself. I try to get at least one card of me that comes out. I think it would make for a cool collection."

Premise: Bailey's family has been with him through the whole experience and they travel as often as they can to watch him.

How differently do you feel when your parents are in the stands? "I remember when they came out to Anaheim. I was excited for them. They had this dream for me as well to play. When you're sitting in the bullpen, you look out in the stands and you see them. The first game they saw my pitch, I looked at them and I saw they had tears in their eyes. It gets easier down the road as you get more and more confidence."

Is it difficult playing on the West Coast away from your family? "No, I've been playing on the West Coast for a while. It's good for my family and friends now because they can just watch the games. They don't have to listen to it on the computer. MLB Extra Innings must love it though because they got a boost in sales."

Besides your parents, sister and girlfriend are there any others going to the All-Star Game for you? "I think seven friends from college are flying out. I told them I don't know if I have time to see them. They understand and said to do what I have to do and enjoy it. They just want to be there to hear my name called in the All-Star Game. I still can't believe they are going to call my name."

I've added two new players to my collection

I already collect three guys (one more than the others), but I've decided to throw two more names into my collection hat.

I only collect guys when I feel something resonate with them. With Derek Jeter, he was part of my youth. I watched help being the Yankees their first World Series championship in 18 years. It was the first of my lifetime. There isn't a single Yankees fan out there who can say they don't like guy. In fact, there are many Yankees fans who like the team solely because of him.

I started collecting Kevin Kouzmanoff based on his heritage. He's comes from Macedonian descent and there aren't many people from that background playing in Major League Baseball.

Gabe Kapler is just hot.

The two guys to my life are Jesus Montero and Francisco Cervelli. They are both catchers in the Yankees system and I adore them both.

I was fortunate enough to interview Montero last week. He won me over despite me thinking he said "Minnesota" and not "Venezuela" when I asked where he was from. Montero told me the greatest day he ever had was getting to play at Yankee Stadium last year with his family in attendance. He always told his dad growing up (the kid is just 19) he would see him playing on TV one day. He got one better and saw him live in one of the most historic sports complexes.



So he wins a place in my collection.

When it comes to Cervelli, I just enjoy the way he plays. He was sent to triple-A on Wednesday to make room for Jose Molina, who came off the DL after a two months. Cervelli did well replacing Molina and Posada, for a time. I truly enjoy his game





We all know where this goes. If anyone has any Montero or Cervelli cards and are looking for a trade. Hit me up at yanxchick at gmail.

Yours truly,
Sooz

P.S. I also love catchers.

Latest article on Cardboard Connection

Visited with a few Phillies prospects and was able to talk with outfielder Michael Taylor about collecting baseball cards and signing.

Great guy to talk to. He was a lot of fun. Here's the Q&A I did with him on the Cardboard Connection.

From Indy Ball to the Padres

Here is an article I wrote for my newspaper today The Press of Atlantic City. Padres reliever Greg Burke played the Atlantic City Surf in 2005 when it was part of the Atlantic League.

I hope you enjoy it.

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Megan Burke was sleeping on her grandmother's couch when the house phone rang around 1 a.m. Her husband didn't normally call at that time, knowing she had to wake for work in three hours.

Greg Burke was in Oklahoma City. She was in Bellmawr, Camden County.

"I thought he was calling to tell me good news, but he acted normal," Megan said. "Finally, I was getting off the phone to go to bed when he told me."

So what was the good news? It was actually the best.

Greg, who pitched for the Atlantic City Surf in 2005, had been called up to the San Diego Padres.

"(Megan) was freaking out," the pitcher said.

She remembers him being "excited as a 5-year-old."

The two Gloucester Catholic High School graduates have been together since they were teenagers. They endured a long road to fulfill Greg's Major League dream.

They've had to make sacrifices because a big salary doesn't come until you're in the big leagues. The minimum for a triple-A player is $2,150 a month. The minimum salary in the majors is $400,000 for a whole season.

Burke, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound right-hander, made his debut in the majors against Cincinnati on May 16, one day after being called up from the minors. In eight appearances out of the bullpen, he has given up three hits, one run (1.35 ERA) and struck out four. In three of his appearances, Burke pitched the seventh inning with a one-run lead, helping pave the way for closer Heath Bell.

San Diego takes on the visiting Philadelphia Phillies starting tonight in a three-game series. Burke's boyhood team.

* * *

Burke, 26, graduated from Duke in 2005 and took a blow to his baseball ego. He wasn't drafted in Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft, despite being having already been drafted once, out of high school in 2000 (by the New York Mets in the 42nd round).

He considered an office job but wasn't ready to give up on his dream. He worked his way back from Tommy John elbow surgery as a sophomore in college, so this wouldn't deter him either.

He signed in 2005 with the Surf, the now-defunct local team that was then playing in the independent Atlantic League, which is where San Diego noticed him. With the Surf, he was 1-2 with a 3.70 ERA in 25 games. He made one start.

"(The Surf) gave me a chance to keep pitching," Burke said.

Like it had with so many players before him, the Atlantic League gave Burke an opportunity to be scouted. However, he didn't take the Padres' first tryout offer.

According to his wife, one of his Atlantic City teammates told him it would be a mistake. But when the Padres offered him a second chance, Burke didn't wait. He signed, and the Padres sent him to Class-A Lake Elsinore in California.

However, signing as a free agent from an independent league only provided an opportunity. He was still far from making it to the majors. He also didn't get a signing bonus that many drafted players get.

"It was a struggle," Burke said. "I have a college education, but I wasn't making much money. Put that on top of being away from family and being on the road for so long. All you have is your teammates. I've been through some long phone calls to make up for it."

Megan and Greg have probably been apart more than they have been together. That's often the life of a couple in baseball's minor leagues.

Megan needed to be supportive, understanding and willing to make her own sacrifices.

There were cold nights she wore sweatpants and a sweatshirt to bed rather than turn on the heat.

She bought a Philly Pretzel Factory franchise in Wilmington, Del., to support herself. She lived in Maryland but recently moved in with her grandmother in Bellmawr.

"It's like a weight has been lifted off our shoulders," she said. "It's been so hard. I'm 27, own a business and working 70 hours a week. When we were 17 and thought what would life be like, this wasn't it."

* * *

Media outlets in the San Diego area called for Burke's promotion. They compared his statistics to those pitchers already with the club. One publication even called him the next Trevor Hoffman. In 13 appearances with triple-A Portland this spring, he was 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA and seven saves.

His numbers were good, and better than those others who were pitching in front of Bell.

San Diego was in the midst of losing 20 of 24 games and made a change. The front office shook up the clubhouse - ever so slightly - by calling up two minor-leaguers for the bullpen.

"I saw (pitcher) Joe Thatcher go into the office before me, so I thought there was no way they were sending two of us up," Burke said. "But when he told me I got called up, I was just at a loss for words. That feeling was indescribable."

Upon his arrival, San Diego became the hottest team in baseball. The Padres won 10 straight but have since lost three of five. They are tied for second in the National League West behind the Los Angeles Dodgers (nine games back). The Padres are four back in the wild-card standings.

"I haven't had the experience of losing any games here," said Burke, whose locker is next to those of pitchers Kevin Correia and Edgar Gonzalez. "When I got up here, everyone was in a good mood. I was in spring training with these guys, so I didn't come here not knowing anyone."

* * *

The Burkes, who married in January, met at Gloucester Catholic. They dated through college even though he was at Duke and she was at Saint Joseph's.

Being far away was nothing new.

"When we're together, there's no fighting or yelling," Megan said. "We make the most out of every moment together."

Even thought Megan visited him in Portland, Ore., she was going to San Diego anyway. They had never seen each other on back-to-back weekends during the season, but they had to be together for one of the greatest moments of his life.

Greg's agent and friend Jim Ulrich of Margate booked a flight for Megan.

When she woke up in a plush hotel room, it was hard to imagine it was real.

"I woke up and there was food everywhere," she said. "I wish I could write it all down and remember it forever."

This could become her life soon enough. They will consider where to make their permanent residence in six months, once Megan's business is settled.

* * *

July 23 will be a big day for the Burke clan. San Diego visits Philadelphia for a make-up game.

Megan has called the Phillies to reserve a section. Apparently, the guest list could reach more than 100.

While in San Diego, Megan asked her husband if he thought this day would finally come.

"I never thought it would go one way or the other," he told her. "I just kept going for it."

The white envelope shippers

Nothing irks me more than getting a card from eBay in a white envelope when I pay $3 or more for shipping. If I pay less than that, it's understandable because I paid for the cost it would take for a stamp and envelope. $2.50 in a white envelope even bothers me a little. It's borderline.

However, yesterday I got a white envelope with three cards in top loaders. It was mailed with a .42 cent stamp and I paid $3.75 for shipping for the lot.

I'm tired of the excuses of "eBay fees are too much. I have to recoup my money somehow." We sell on eBay too. We know about the fees. We know it sucks, but we don't rip people off. Don't try telling me that you lowered the price of the item, so you had to jack up the price of shipping only to send me cards in a white envelope.

So here is the post. Marie and I buy enough on eBay that I'm going to start the white envelope shippers list.

After talking to a seller and they refuse to give a partial refund on shipping (I don't want it all, just what is fair), their eBay name will make it to the list below.

Update: The seller emailed back and refunded some of the shipping without any arguments. He said he refunded because he cares. That was sweet of him. So, he doesn't make the list.

But let this be a warning to you sellers out there. I got this list and I am willing to use it!!!!!!!

1. Mikegrove7

Start with the Cardboard Connection

I'm sure there aren't many of out there who do not know about the Cardboard Connection. Just in case, it's a site that offers news, reviews and much more about trading cards and memorabilia. It connects people in the hobby world without the attitude.

Maybe I just like it because they've decided to take me on as one of their contributors. I'm excited about this opportunity because even though I get to write about sports in my real life, I don't get to write about sports cards.

So, here in my fake life on the blogosphere, I write about baseball cards whenever I want.

My first article went up on the Cardboard Connection today. You can find the article here. It's a little grim, but nevertheless true. I was feeling a little down the day I wrote it.

I hope to contribute to the site once a week and will try not to overlap on anything you can find here at A Cardboard Problem. However, if I tough on a topic here, I may expand on it over at Cardboard Connection

Enjoy.

-Sooz

I got the card I wanted

Remember way back to last week when I wanted a card so badly, but I didn't say which card it was.

You know that feeling. You see a card on eBay or on someone's blog and you think to yourself, "Man, I just have to have it. Just gotta get it."

That's how many story begins. I was looking around eBay late last week and all the new baseball cards I wasn't going to get my hands on. I thought about all the ways my money should be spent until I stumbled upon the card. This isn't a white elephant type of card. It was just a card I wanted to put into my collection and stare at for a little while.

So, I bid on the first card.

FAIL.

I bid on the second card I saw.

FAIL.

I do have limits. And even though I wanted this card, I wasn't going to go crazy.

But on the third attempt, I thought to myself that if this doesn't work I'll probably give up because the card will be out of my price range.

So, I bid. Left the computer and tried not to think about it.

I WIN!!!

Without further jibber jabber, here's the card I won:

This brightened my mood a bit. I was disappointed that I was too late in getting Derek Jeter in Mario's directory. This helped heal the mood.

-Sooz