Topps Lineage blaster break

Just gonna show off the inserts to 2011 Topps Lineage. I enjoy the inserts a lot. I am not a fan of the base cards so much, I received about 45 or so of those.

There is one relic card in each blaster of Topps Lineage. I actually pulled Kevin Youklis, but the good BF traded it for me a former Yankee. I felt much better after getting rid of the Youk card.

The Austin Jackson in a plain white swatch and the Youklis was a plain gray swatch. I like the look of the relics, but the relic itself just needs some work.

A 1975 mini insert. These might be my favorite inserts of the set, but I have not seen a 3-D in person yet. So I am waiting on those to pass full judgement.

Just to get an idea of exactly how mini we are talking, I have a Buster Posey scanned next to a George Sisler diamond platinum card from Lineage. They "minis" aren't Allen and Ginter minis, just a slightly smaller version of the base cards. 

Interestingly enough, my two chrome, refractor-type cards are of Walter Johnson and Stephen Strasburg. Both of Washington baseball fame.

These cards can be a little tricky to notice. If you don't check the back closely enough, you may miss the Venezuelan inserts where the backs are in Spanish. I initially thought I did not get an insert in that pack, but remembered these and sure enough found a Starlin Castro.

2011 star rookies - J.P. Arencicia

My little stand up card is of Hunter Pence. I wonder if I could sit him on my desk and look at his high socks all day.

Wrapper redemptions at the NSCC

Wrapper redemptions can be a fun thing, if one of your players or teams is involved. Last year, was one of the craziest in recent memory because Topps had the redemption for a limited amount of Stephen Strasburg Heritage exclusive cards.

I had the idea that I was going to resell this card and become crazy rich! Well, at least make a few bucks back on the card. Instead, I got it graded - it came out a 9.5 with 9.5 sub-grades - and held on to it. Then, Strasburg broke himself and we're waiting on his return to MLB.

I don't see this year's wrapper redemptions being as exciting, but simply because there isn't much baseball other than Topps. I'm a baseball card collector and feel like I am missing out on something.

Upper Deck does actually have two baseball cards it's giving away in packs, including a Matt Szczur autographs, which I would really like to have. But there are only 35 of them and I think I would have a better chance of waiting for one of them to pop up on eBay instead of taking the wrapper redemption gamble.

Here's a breakdown from each company on what they're doing with their wrapper redemption programs.

Any of these interest you?

Panini America details on wrapper redemption
Upper Deck unveils its plans
Topps rookie Heritage redemptions
Obak cards

Let's look at something nice

It's only fair to show off a nice card after Fail Horn Friday kicked off this afternoon.

Last year was known for its impressive (and hyped up) rookies. Topps Tribute, which has looked slightly better than in the past, has put out a really great card commemorating these rookies in a way.

Topps put out this 10-player, autographed, game-used jersey cardwith Carlos Santana, Stephen Strasburg, Mike Stanton, Buster Posey, Danny Valencia, Starlin Castro, Domonic Brown, Austin Jackson, Jason Heyward and Aroldis Chapman.

This auction is actually for a redemption card because could you imagine how the card would have been in the pack. Pack searchers would have had a field day with this card.

What do you think about the card? Who do you think are the driving forces behind this card? The auction is already going crazy.

2010 Topps T-206 Strasburgs

I wanted to let everyone involved know that the 3 Strasburg RC's have been listed on eBay. Here are the links so that you may all watch them.

2010 Topps T206 Stephen Strasburg Mini American Caramel RC

>2010 Topps T206 Stephen Strasburg RC

>2010 Topps T206 Stephen Strasburg RC

I also need the guy that has the Twins to e-mail me his address. Everyone else's cards have been mailed today.

Strasburg and our Case Break

Let me start by saying there was no need to rush this kid into the big leagues. If the Nationals were EVER a contender to win something, then MAYBE I would understand the logic. I know that doesn't make it right or wrong, but if they were in first place it would be easier to comprehend the rush. When baseball players get drafted they tend to spend more than one game in each level of the minors. I feel bad for the kid to be honest. I also hope that he is able to come back just as strong and doesn't let this get him down.

With all that being said, our case of 2010 Topps T-206 is set to arrive on Wednesday. I posted an earlier blog asking for a preference of when to break it so if you could scroll down and reply there and let me know. Now, this post is going to require a different type of response...

Update: Check out the hits from the case here. 

Something extra with Razor Rookie Retro

There was some news that came out about Razor Rookie Retro on Tuesday. Razor Rookie Retro, which is supposed to be the last Razor product Brian Gray is involved with, will have a little something extra inside.

Every pack will contain a 2010 baseball prospect autograph along with the graded rookie card. These aren’t basic autos either. There will be Metal prismatic autographs, Metal base and colored parallel autos, Gray wrote on Freedom Cardboard.

The Razor Rookie Retro checklist should be released sometime today and I will have that posted as soon as possible. However, Gray also said it could come as late of Thursday. Since the product ships out next week, collectors are anxiously awaiting to see it.

The reason the checklist is not available yet is because there is still tweaking being done to it. As market values change on cards, different cards are being included in the product while others are being taken out.

One of the cards we know that could show up is the 2010 Bowman Chrome Stephen Strasburg Superfractor. Gray paid $21K for the card to include specifically in this set.

Update: View the checklist here.

Sunday Question

Stephen Strasburg is the hottest card since 2001 when Albert Pujols and Ichiro Suzuki were on everyone's mind. Strasburg has had a bit of a rough time lately, though.

Last night, he left his start in the fifth inning when he threw a 90 mile per hour changeup to Domonic Brown. He winced, grabbed his arm and the Nationals quickly took him out of the game.

If Strasburg ends up on the disabled list again this season - because he was already there once - he should be shut down for the rest of the year. Topps has invested a lot of money on this pitcher. They have signed him to an exclusive and have probably given him plenty of money to sign all the autographs that he has done.

If Strasburg is injured seriously and is shut down the rest of the year, how is the value of his cards going to change?

It only take one person to ruin the fun

First, I would like to start by saying I do not condone this video. I do not want people following what this guy does. I'm extremely disappointed that people would do this, however, not even a little bit surprised.

In the end, you, sir, are a douche.

Apparently, in the Wal-Mart value boxes, it's easy to find out which of the chrome refractors you will be getting because these cards are loose in the box. And, of course, there are people out there to exploit this fact.

Topps pimping out Strasburg

Several collectors have stumbled upon a Wal-Mart exclusive Stephen Strasburg (ebay auctions) card while card hunting recently. The card is a chrome refractor that Topps has putting retail boxes over the last couple of years.

The cards were found in a Topps value box ($14.98) where you get one 2010 Allen and Ginter pack and six Topps Series 2 packs.

There are three guys found in this mini-set. The other two are Cal Ripken Jr., and Babe Ruth. The cards fall one per box.

Good to know where Strasburg stands in place of baseball history.

Topps picture: Bowman Chrome Strasburg Auto

Topps released a picture today on their blog of the Bowman Chrome Stephen Strasburg auto.

I took this picture - or someone fan did. Anyone out there want to claim a photo credit?

This actually looks like a card Upper Deck would do. There's barely any team logo visibly on the card, just the 'W' on the shirt. It's a pretty odd card to put in a set as one of your premier players.

It's Aug. 12, but I am really hoping this is some kind of joke and Topps is going to come out with a cooler (night) card.

What do you guys think?

Topps showing a lil Thread

Yesterday, Topps threw up a blog on Stephen Strasburg cards. He's the hottest thing the company has going right now and they are going to milk him for everything he is worth.

First of note, there are 500 autographs in Topps Tribute. That's the print run. It's great to know they are releasing that info because some companies do not.

What was most interesting on the blog, though, were the photos of some of the Triple Threads cards of Strasburg.

I actually like these cards. They look different than Triple threads in the past, which has been OK, but still sold because many collectors enjoyed the uniqueness of the cards.

Triple Threads has not been very pretty in year's past, however, I feel these cards are a step in the right direction. I love the cutout of the team logo as well. More cutouts that make sense and less HR440BB because it often takes me a while to understand what the cards mean.

What's even better?

On-card autos. See how much on-card autos makes everything look nicer.

I hope Strasburg throws a no-hitter tonight

I'm completely greedy in this situation. I want to see Stephen Strasburg throw an absolute gem tonight against the Florida Marlins. The other games he pitched, I watched just for the curiosity. Now, I want him to do well for money.

Strasburg is making his first start since July 21. He was on he DL with right shoulder stiffness.

He is limited by his pitches tonight though.

While at the National, I picked up a 2010 Topps Heritage Stephen Strasburg. I had it graded and that sucker came back a 9.5 Gem.

Now, it's on eBay.

- Speaking of Strasburg, the autographed Topps Million Card Giveaway rookie cards have shipped. If you remember, those who unlocked the card could pay $350 to get it signed by Strasburg.

There were some who certainly took Topps up on their offer. The cards are numbered to /299 and this specific card, which shows his first MLB pitch, can only be found on the MCG site.

Guest article on Beckett

I did a guest article on Beckett this weekend from the National. There were be some more.

The first article is on Stephen Strasburg and the frenzy of his Heritage redemption card (link).

Day 1 National Report

The National is one biiiiiig card show. Here are the highlights from the first day of the show.

1. Brian Gray has launched a new endeavor. He is bringing back the Leaf brand and acquired all the non-baseball brands from Razor.

2. The Strasburg Heritage will be very difficult to get. We got to the show around 5 p.m. and the line was already more than 100 people long. Only 100 were given out on the first day. However, a bit disappointing is the centering was not good on many of these cards. We saw one and the centering was off and after speaking to some folks, they all said the same thing.

Dave and Adam’s has a sign saying they will pay $80 for any Strasburg redemption.

3. There is so much vintage here. I don’t like it. There are many people who collect vintage and there should be vintage at the show, but the number of vintage is way more than the number of modern cards. This is not a good thing for someone like me. I’m looking for Derek Jeter and Kevin Kouzmanoff cards.

4. Here’s a crazy story: A person many of us are friends with on Twitter had a large shipment of 2010 Bowman cards off the get graded and got lost in the mail. This person had somewhere between 40-50 cards in that order and some very low-numbered cards including a superfractor.

Two members who are volunteering for FCB walked passed a booth with lots of 2010 Bowman and, amazingly, sitting in the case were two of these cards, including said superfractor.

The guys called out the dealer and told them exactly what happened and how this person lost their cards in the mail. He said he bought it off eBay, but eventually gave in and handed two cards over, a superfractor and red refractor.

Craziness.

Now, there is only 998 of them!

I've been in kind of a blah mood lately and have chosen to ignore lots of things to keep my sanity. For the most part, this auction was one of them.

Card #1 of the Stephen Strasburg National exclusive Heritage cards is up for auction on eBayauction on eBay where the money where be donated to charity. I saw this first on Beckett. The auction ends in four days and as of this posting is over $700.

While I normally get cranky about things like this, selling items before they are available (or something like that - my brain isn't working), I like that they are using this to give 100 percent of the proceeds to Juvenile Diabetes.

Topps releases Strasburg exclusive for the National

Topps announced an exclusive Stephen Strasburg card at the National.

Here's their release:

Collectors opening 10 packs of 2010 Topps/Bowman branded baseball cards (except Topps Attax, Topps Opening Day and the .99 cent Topps Cello Pack) at the Topps booth will receive Stephen Strasburg’s 2010 Topps Heritage card (# NCC1). The card, which will be sequentially numbered to 999, will be available in designated quantities and at designated times from Wednesday, August 4th to Sunday August 8th. The card will be limited to one copy per person per day.

Letter from Topps regarding the Holy Grail

My local card shop sent me a letter they received from Topps about the 2010 Allen & Ginter Strasburg odds, and where to find them. I will paste that letter here in case you haven't heard or don't use Twitter.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONFIRMATION OF STRASBURG’S ALLEN & GINTER CARD

Topps is confirming that Stephen Strasburg’s Allen & Ginter base mini card (# 401) falls at the same rate as any one base mini card in the product. The difference between Strasburg and the other subjects in the base mini set is that Strasburg’s card does not have any parallels (Allen & Ginter Back, Black Bordered, No Number, Bazooka Back, Silk, Wood and Printing Plate).

In addition, there are a limited number of Strasburg autographed cards available in the product. They can be found via redemption and one (along with a copy of every other autograph in 2010 Allen & Ginter) will be given to the person who cracks this year’s Ginter Code.

Strasburg’s base mini card and autographed card can be found in both hobby and retail boxes.

Strasburg Finest redemption #6

So, now that the news is trickling that Stephen Strasburg is Finest redemption #6, I'm sure eBay is going crazy.

Let's take a look together (link).

The Finest gold redemption is quickly escalating in price.

The Strasburg phenomena is becoming very interesting to me. He's drawing in casual and non-collectors to the scene, nevermind the ones who have never left.

The question I have though, are people collecting the cards for future investment (I don't see how you can profit on getting these cards) or do people just want to own the best Strasburg collection out there?

Speaking of Strasburg ...

Where are the Allen & Ginter minis? When Stephen Strasburg made his debut Topps announced the Washington Nationals rookie would be included in Allen and Ginter with a mini and an auto redemption only.

That was enough for collectors who wanted his card or were looking to flip anything with his name on it.

Two auctions for the mini were on eBay Tuesday night with the same stock photo that has been around the Internet for the last 24 hours. Wednesday morning, both auctions were taken down.

Chris Olds had an interesting piece this morning on Beckett's blog. Strasburg minis have yet to be found said the folks he has spoken with.

Let's take a look a stroll around the Internet to see what others are saying:

On Twitter, Brent Williams (@brentandbecca) wrote: "@toppscards Where are the Strasburg mini cards & auto redemptions. I opened 25 cases! between 2 other guys 28 cases & boards full of others"

Let's take a look at the case breaks at Blowout's forums ... hang on as I rummage through posts and scans. Ah, no Strasburg here. 

Let's check Freedom Cardboard ... wait, oh no, nevermind. There aren't any there either. 

This is a huge PR problem for Topps. Allen and Ginter is always a popular product for them and didn't really need the hype of Strasburg to make it any better, but considered he was a late addition to the set he could be in later cases and not the early ones. 

If that's the case, this will hurt brick and mortar shops and those who always buy early because they would have gotten the cases shipped to them first. Does this help retail since they tend to get their product later than hobby shops.


When the first REAL Strasburg mini shows up, I want to see a scan of the back of the card.