Baseball cards... and surfers??

On my way back from a test out in Grand Rapids yesterday I figured I would rest my fatigued mind with a quick stop at my favorite Card Store. as mentioned before All-Star Sportscards, Apparel & Memorabilia Located in grand Rapids. Being that it was a weekend the owner Dan was not working but I figured it would a respite from the traffic and the 2 and a half hour test I had just completed. As usual I purchased a couple of grab bags which always provide a laugh because of the late 1980's and early 90's cards that are tossed in with a mix of current premium cards (some of these classics can be seen in my 'Cards of the Day' section located below), Its always a treasure hunt searching for a game used jersey/bat card or autograph of that favorite player. I got some real laughers this go round which I will address when i get to that point.
There are a couple aspects of card collecting that have reignited the fire of collecting for me. One of them is selling the cards that I don't necessarily want to keep on Ebay. I dont make enough money to retire on but what it does for me is allows me to continue to collect cards even though I dont have a job because I am not spending money out of my own pocket to buy the cards. It is the cards that are paying for themselves.
The other aspect that keeps me collecting is having another friend that is in to collecting cards as much as I am. The ability to go to shows and shops together makes it a fun hobby and a way for both of us to continue our hobby. we are always looking out for cards of players that each collects and then everytime we see each other the reaction is normally, "I have cards for you" and everytime either one of us hears that our heart jumps just a little with curiosity of what those cards may be. Without a fellow collector I may not even be into collecting anymore. Anyways enough with the mushy stuff. Lets get down to the real reason for this blog showcasing the cards and a checking out the new product.
Recent Gems:
while at the card shop yesterday I purchased 2 packs of the new 2011 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions and 3 packs of 2008 Upper Deck Goudey. I pulled 2 autographs from these 5 packs. which are pictured here.
Left: 2008 Upper Deck Goudey Graphs Brandon Phillips. Great pull because I am currently collecting this set
Right: 2011 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions Autograph of Surfer Layne Beachley... Really a surfer autograph in a sportscard set??? I was not too thrilled when I saw this auto but I guess its better than buying a pack that did not have anything good. The set overall is a pretty good looking set with a lot of different people from different sports. 

On Ebay in the midst of all of my wheeling and dealing that I do. I purchased a lot of 3 'Hot packs' from 2010 Topps Update. a hot pack is a pack that is guaranteed by the seller to have a game used jersey card or an autographed card in it. so I was just hoping to get a player that I collect. (which I did not) but what I did pull out of one of those packs was this:
2010 Topps Update All-Star Stitches Game Used Jersey/Autograph of A's star closer Andrew Bailey. This card is serial #'d 24/25!! and the odds of pulling this card is like 1 in every 2,000+ packs! I was pretty happy to see this come out of that pack even though it was not a favorite player of mine.

Now that I have boasted a little bit about how my collection is growing a little bit. lets check out some of the REAL goodies that I got yesterday out of these grab bags. Its time for everybody's favorite part of the Blog. the CARDS OF THE DAY!!!!

Mustaches and a rec-specs!!! The looks of the Faces of Tony and Guillermo are those of determination and thoughtfulness about the task at hand. but check out Ken Phelps. WOW! you really caught him at a bad time or just surprised him after filming another Farmers insurance commercial. Love these Pictures. 

oh and ummm here is another priceless set. These are just mustaches but don't these guys look like someone you would find in a slowpitch softball tournament? Check out current Texas Rangers Manager Ron Washington with Jerry curl and mustache. the only card in the bunch that actually looks anything like an actual player.

well thanks again for reading my newest adventures in collecting and as always Peace and Baseball cards!!!