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

July 18, 2008

2008 DHL All-Star Fan Fest

This year the All Star Fan Fest was held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, and it was a great event for the city and more over for the card collectors in the area. The event ran for about a week, and had all kinds of events for kinds and adults alike. There were speed toss booths, virtual batting cages, timed base running, clinics with former baseball player and Hall of Famer, Cal Ripken Jr. and various exhibits you could walk through. Many people stopped to take pictures with the World Series trophy, probably because in New York its been a while since we have seen one around here.

The entire 4th floor of the convention center was packed with baseball cards, sports memorabilia, and the former players on hand signing autographs. Topps was sponsoring a redemption where for every 3 packs purchased and opened you could pick one exclusive All Star card. Upper Deck ran a similar program, where you had to purchase and open 5 packs and redeem the wrappers for an All Star exclusive 4 pack of cards featuring Yankee greats both past and present. Upper Deck was also giving away promotional un-cut sheets of their Yankee Stadium Legacy series, as far as I can tell there were 2 variations to this.

You might ask what I left with, or what I purchased. The answer is everything. It started out as a few packs to get the stuff I wanted to redeem, then it steamrolled into more packs, then into a box break. We bought a box of UD Piece of History just to have some fun, and to get some free packs to sell in our store, and for ourselves. We also picked up some Topps packs to get some All Star exclusive cards, and in one of my Moments & Milestones packs I pulled an A-Rod wall relic card.

All in all, the Fanfest was a great place to be this week in New York City. It was a great event for baseball fans of all ages, and a great event for Manhattan as well.

July 10, 2008

2008 UD Piece of History Box Break

HOLY COW!!!

I haven't really broken a box that I have actually been excited about in quite some time. I was bouncing off the walls opening this one. This box has restored my faith in my luck with baseball cards. At least for tonight, tomorrow when I spend more money and end up with nothing, I'll be disappointed again. But, I am riding this high for the night, and enjoying my hits. Take a look at the break.

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Here are a few added bonuses, not including 2 Yankee Stadium Legacy cards as well.

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I got the box on an eBay steal, and made out like a bandit. A Card Bandit.

July 7, 2008

A Fun Article from Beckett

While searching for some info on a Michael Jordan RC, I stumbled upon this interesting little blurb that made me laugh. It's from Beckett Grading, in 2006.

Top 10 Signs You May Have a Card Problem

Have cards taken over your life? Does your family fear for your well-being? We probably have all been accused of being a card geek but just how bad is it? Here are 10 signs that you may have a real card problem.

10. You have planned a vacation around a card show
9. Your 10 "best friends" are people you trade with on-line that you have never met.
8. You can make furniture out of the 5,000 ct. boxes stacked in your living room.
7. You are on a first name basis with not only your mail carrier but also your UPS driver… and his replacement on sick days.
6. Your eye doctor asks you if you spend an abnormal amount of time looking at objects through a magnifying lens.
5. While in the checkout line you see the packs of cards and think to yourself that there is an actual chance you could pay for all of your groceries with just one good pull.
4. You have pictures of your biggest pulls on your desk at work.
3. When printing out a map for travel out of town, you plot the card shops along the route.
2. You know somewhere right now, there is a yard sale where a 94 year old lady is selling a "cigar box of old picture cards" for a nickel and you could have been there but your job keeps getting in the way of your card collection.
1. You still buy packs of cards.

If any of these apply to you, you do in fact have a problem. There is no cure and it only gets worse. One pack turns into a few packs that turn into a box that turns into several boxes. Embrace your geek and enjoy your hobby.

July 4, 2008

baseballcardbandits.com....

is our new website. It is currently under construction and will take some time, but it will eventually be fully functional. Stop by if you want and bookmark it, but it's not fancy. Yet.