What to do with all those extra cards? Make sports card art!

Greg Kline’s story begins the same as many collectors. As a boy, he grabbed cards of his favorite players – and anyone else he could get. He built collections that included guys such as Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris.

Then, life got in the way, well, more like girls. Cards became less of his focus until he had children of his own. During the 1980s and 1990s, he started collecting again, but now with his sons. They accumulated cards, building cards from what is commonly called as the “junk wax” era.

Now, imagine, having thousands, maybe even millions of cards piled up from this period. It’s easy to conceive since so many collected at the same time, but here is where Greg’s story takes a different path.

After Greg suffered from two heart attacks and other serious medical issues, he found himself sitting at home with a lot of times on his hands because he was unable to work. It was time to dig out that old collection.

“That’s when I decided to cut each player out and make collage art out of them,” Greg said. “I would take a full set and cut out every player, then start putting the puzzle together. My first piece I did was for my oldest son.”

Greg has created more than a dozen pieces of artwork from his cards (although nothing from before 1981) from small collages to life-size players. His most recent completed project was a full-size depiction of legendary baseball player Babe Ruth.

From afar, the likeness to Ruth is apparent with his broad shoulders, iconic swing and recognizable smile. But take a step closer and instead you see everything that has put the piece together with more than 2,000 micro Topps baseball cards from 1991-93 -- although not the Derek Jeter rookie-year card. He’s keeping that one for himself.

“Every day is different. Some better than others,” Greg said. “One day I can do a lot and the next, I just can’t seem to find one right card.”

Next up, Greg will work on another life-size player. Although he hasn’t decided which one just yet, it will be another legend of Jackie Robinson, Ted Williams or Lou Gehrig.

Here's a look at more of Greg's work:

A break from Allen and Ginter

As everyone goes into Allen and Ginter overload, I thought it would be nice to take a break from the madness and look at some cards that I will never be able to afford.

That's usually how my days work. I search eBay for cheap cards to add to my collection. Then, I looked at the grossly expensive cards that I know I will never own.

First up:
1968 O-Pee-Chee Nolan Ryan RC - Graded 9.5

This is the only 9.5 on Beckett's population report. The next best grade for this card is an 8.0, and just 25 of them have been graded in Beckett's population report. I don't have a subscription with PSA and can't look up there pop report.

Our second selection is a more recent development, but it takes on old-school values. :)
2011 SP Legendary Cuts 1927 Murderer's Row auto booklet

These are both great cards. Of course, I would take the Murderer's Row card over the Ryan, being that I am a Yankees fan. If I pulled that card, I do wonder if I would sell it. Considering I need a car, I am sure that card would go up for sale quickly.

My favorite card out of Topps T206

My favorite card out Topps T206 is not one that we pulled in our case break (check it out here), but it was one I found on eBay while searching for auctions.

How pretty is this card?

Where do you think the auction is going to end?

Something to lighten the mood

I've had a rough couple of days. My grandfather passed away on Sunday and I've spent the last couple of days with my family in New York doing what people do when someone dies. My grandfather was amazing. He was everyone's Baba (that's what we called him).

He had 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and four kids. However, only two of his kids are still around. My aunt and uncle both died within the last 10 years. My Baba had a tough life, but I never ever saw him without a smile on his face. He was strong for us all and always told us not to cry even when the moment called for it. When I saw him laying there on the wake, I kept thinking how he would be telling me right now to cry.

Honestly, I am not really sure why I am telling this story on here. I don't really talk about my personal life on the Internet, but I just felt compelled to tell everyone about him. Two paragraphs don't give him justice and I am sure two pages wouldn't either.

When I came home today after a 13-hour work day (and didn't care to talk to people about Robin Roberts dying because I'm being irrational today) I found a package waiting for me. Inside the box was another smaller box around cotton balls.

I almost felt like I was getting a gift for a baby boy with all the blue, but I knew something was better inside than a onesie.

Here's what put a smile on my face for the first time in about four days.

This picture does absolutely no justice for this card. It looks amazing in hand. I won this card from Topps Cards on Twitter in one of two - yes, two! - contests I won last week. I thought I would try my luck on Mega Millions, but I might have wasted all my luck on these two contests, though I am not complaining.

While the Babe isn't going to replace my Baba, this card did help take my mind off for a bit as I wiggled it in the light.

Thanks Topps.

That's my Gramps dancing at my cousin's wedding about three years ago. :)

2009 Razor Babe Ruth cut pulled

A tweet from Blowout Cards this morning informed me of the the best card from Razor was pulled and thrown up on the Bay.

2009 Razor Sports Icons Cut Auto 1/1

This is definitely a beautiful card. The eBay auction has a asking price of $8,000 right now. And, should I buy it for the BIN price, I would make $160 in eBay bucks. Great deal!

When a card like is pulled from a set, does it stop collectors from buying that set anymore? I haven't bought any Razor or thought about purchasing any Razor, so any feedback is appreciated.