2011 Topps Triple Threads review

Product: 2011 Topps Triple Threads!!
Box Price: 180-220$
Distribution: 2 packs/mini-boxes per box, 6 cards per pack/mini-box.
Hits: 4 per box (1 unity single game used, 1 unity auto/game used, 1 multi relic card, 1 multi-relic auto)

My Grade:   B+    I ran into a pretty good box but the 2 extra hits they included this year are NOT that impressive.

This was a product that I was very excited to open this year with the prospects of pulling beautiful cards that are low serial numbered and completely unique to this set. Topps even put 2 EXTRA hits per box this year. I guess that is supposed to make the buyer feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I guess my cynicism towards this bonus included in the box comes from the mediocre players that make up the Unity game used card checklist. you'll see what I mean when the pics start flowin'!! even though there are a couple things that I am skeptical about in the hits I love the overall makeup of the set. There is a great mixture of current stars and legends in the base set. The base cards and parallels that come in the packs are high quality and designed very well. each base card and parallel are serial numbered to at least 1500 and the parallels are serial numbered lower than that. enough words. PICS!
First up: base cards Walter Johnson (left) and Jose Reyes (right) both of which are serial #'d /1500.

Second up: Parallel cards of Honus Wagner(left) and Carlos Gonzalez(right) both serial #'d /625.

Low #'d Parallels: Rogers Hornsby #'d /249(left) Andre Ethier #'d /99!! (right)

Here come the Hits. Pictured below are the Bonus hits or as Threads calls them Unity relic cards. pictured on the left is the Ryan Zimmerman Unity Game Used Jersey card #'d /36 which I was pretty happy with because I collect him. Pictured on the right is the real GEM of the box which is a Unity single jersey/autograph of Marlins Chris Coghlan... WOW!! thank you for the EXTRA hit that I noticed selling on eBay during this products release week for $2.49... :( that gets a double frowny face :(:( because my girlfriend even frowned when she witnessed this pull. Alas, this box does have a couple redeeming pulls that came from it....

Pictured below is the multi relic hit that I pulled out of the same pack as the infamous Coghlan atrocity. This card really is a beautiful card that must be seen in person to see the great Jersey coloring and the crisp coloring and edges on the card. This card is serial #'d /27. I still have a smile on my face thanks to this next pull.





Pictured below is a card the likes of which are only seen 1 in every 18 box case of Triple Threads boxes. Depicted on the card is Orioles superstar outfielder Adam Jones and the game used patches spell out 'Orioles'. The card is autographed as well and to top that off it is serial #'d 1/1... That's right this is the only one of its kind. Even though its not a player on the card that I really collect I was and still am (a week later) excited to have pulled a card like this. Without further ado her she is.... drum roll maybe? OK fine!! here it is.

My overall impression of the 2011 Topps Triple Threads product is a good one. The Unity cards that are new this year to this set are unnecessary but if you can pull a player that you collect its a nice little bonus. beware however of the Chris Coghlans and the like. For all of you high end baseball product buyers out there, this is a great set and the hits are unique and well done. For the average collector however it may be a better idea to just buy the singles that you want from the set separate. I appreciate you reading my latest installment. As always, Peace and Baseball cards!!

2011 Topps Update review

Product: 2011 Topps Update
Box Price: 60-70$
Distribution: Hobby: 36 packs per box 10 cards per pack.
                     Jumbo: 10 packs per box 50 cards per pack.
Hits: Hobby: 1 relic or auto per box
         Jumbo: 2 relic 1 auto per box.

My Grade: A.  The base set from Topps just keeps getting better!!

OOOOHHHHHH TOPPS! you've done it again. The design of the Update base set is the same as series 1 and 2 and many of the inserts are the same sets, but just numerical continuations of them. what makes the update set better than the 1st 2 series you ask? well, the addition of the cognac diamond sparkle variation cards is pretty awesome as well and short printed game used cards and such. the base set include many stud rookies and great All-Star game cards. I will not be including a picture of the base cards because they are the same as series 1 and 2 from this year. Lets get the pics goin!!
Pictured below are the gold variations of the base cards all of which are serial #'d out of /2011.

pictured below are a few of the 'cognac diamond sparkle' cards. this picture does them no justice as they are great looking when they are in your hand.

pictured below is a grouping of 5 of the standard platinum diamond sparkle cards. awesome looking as well.

here are a couple pictures of a few of the inserts that are available in the Topps set this year. all of which are continuation sets through all 3 series of cards this year.

lastly, every year the Topps update set is known for its 'Allstar Stitches' set of game used cards featuring swatches from all star jerseys of today's best players. pictured below is an example of one. The card pictured below is the Diamond Sparkle variation of the card featuring 'King' Felix Hernandez. This is a GREAT looking card.

Overall this is a fantastic set that is a MUST buy for all collectors. I thank you again for reading my latest installment and as always, Peace and Baseball cards.

Ray 'Flippin' Lankford

There is an evolution that has happened throughout my baseball card collecting life, and a rather amusing one at that. I have found that as I look through my cards and take note of the positions they are photographed in and couple them with other cards and make conversations between them. Maybe I didn't have friends as a kid... SO WHAT?!? Don't judge me! Here we go.

A baseball field is the home of these professional athletes for 162 nights of the spring, summer, and fall. Sometimes these overpaid gunslingers get a bit rambunctious. Manager Pete tries his best to thwart the disrespectful efforts of these 'ungrateful kids' before they act out. However there isnt much he can do about one wild card. Yes, that wild card is Ray Flippin Lankford. It doesn't help that Ray will do ANYTHING he is dared to by his teammates. Just the others day...

HEY, RAY!
Hey Ron, nice haircut.
Thanks... I think.
Yeah, the curls compliment your pale albino-like skin a your lack of eyebrows...
........... Anyways Ray, me and the guys were thinkin, it would be sooooo rad if you could do a back flip during an at bat today.
I dunno Ron last time you told me to do something rad coach got really REALLY mad.
no way, he wasn't mad. he was just having a bad day.
no I specifically remember him telling me that he was really REALLY m....
we DARE you to do a back flip Ray.
.... Alright.

OH MAN, HE DID IT! RAY DID THE FLIP.

COACH!!! COACH!!! RAY'S DOIN IT AGAIN!!! LOOK HE JUST FLIPPIN FLIPPED OUT OF THE BOX!
MAN, YOU SUCK GREG! YOU ARE SUCH A TATTLE TAIL!

DAD GUMMIT RAY!! What is the blue blazes do you think this is a jungle gym?!?! You must be outside your mind to think that th...

OH SHOOT!! He's mad again. I'M OUTTA HERE.

ARRRRGHHH!!! RAY!! What am I gonna do with that kid. I swear he is driving me to my own prison without bars. Eck! ECK!! when Ray gets back, its on you to figure out whats wrong with him because I swear the boy ain't right.

oh Ray. You've done it again.

Thanks for reading my latest installment and check back soon for a review of the new 2011 Topps Triple Threads. As always Peace and Baseball cards.

2011 Topps Chrome Review

2011 Topps Chrome
Box Price: 80-100$
Distribution: 24 packs per box 4 cards per pack
Hits: 2 RC on card autos per box

My grade:  B   The parallels and inserts make this set.

    Topps follows up their base sets with another loaded set and attractive card design. The regular Topps set was an excellent set for collecting and was relatively affordable, but the Chrome set uses the same base card design and solidifies the card with a gloss finish and numerous parallel refractors and inserts that truly catch the eye of the collector. One thing that chrome has always done that is a bit upsetting is they only include 4 cards per pack. if you are buying retail packs it is a bit more affordable to buy. but hobby at 5-6$ a pack for hobby packs only getting 4 cards can ultimately be a disappointment if the pack does not yield a superstar or high profile RC/parallel. Lets get to it!! here are some of the pulls from 1 $20 blaster and one jumbo pack.
Base cards:
you can see the basecards have the exact same design as the regular Topps set with the exception of a few players who have different poses. still a pretty card. There are some centering issues still with this set. Some cards are cut off center and really look poor but a majority are well done.

Inserts:
Left: Topps Chrome Heritage RC's all of which are serial #'d /1962. There are some refractor versions of these as well that are more scarce but look better.
Center and Right: vintage chrome inserts (based on the 1996 topps chrome design) of Miguel Cabrera and Buster Posey.

Refractors:
Left: Evan Longoria chrome X-Fractor. really cool looking! picture does it no justice.
Right: Josh Beckett standard Topps Chrome Refractor.

Left: Hector Noesi RC Purple Refractor. Nice card and all of them are serial #'d /499.
Right: Adam Jones Orange Refractor. The Orange Refractors are only available through retail packs and are not serial #'d but are awesome looking cards none-the-less.

 Overall the 2011 Topps Chrome is a buy! I love the look of the set and its parallels and refractors. The price is a bit off-putting because you only get 4 cards in each pack so building the set may take a lot of money to do but if you are looking for certain players or RC's you should for sure check out this set. Thank you for reading my latest installment and as always... Peace and Baseball cards.

Ron 'Danger' Washington

Card Show Day!! It was fleeting but it was great while it was here. After finishing my rainsoaked, and eventually cancelled due to lightning, round of golf I made the trek to Jon's house and then together continued towards our destiny. Woodland Mall in Grand Rapids was the location of the card show. it was a small show (20-25 tables) but the vendors had the goods I just did not have the resources (aka Money). however, I was able to acquire a pretty awesome card. I have been scoping out these 'logoman patches' from last years' Topps ever since they came out. it was the right price and it was towards the end of our tour around the tables so I splurged and snatched it up for 10 bucks. My observations from watching them on ebay is they dont sell for less than 30-40 bucks, so I had to pick it up.
Check it out:
2010 Topps Logoman Patch Dan Haren #LM-100 Serial #'d 16/50. The MLB logo is just like the one on the back of the collar of all MLB jerseys. one of the coolest cards I now have. I just wish it was of a player that I actually collect. Thanks random vendor wearing a Mike Schmidt jersey for selling me this card.

On a great note lifetime Texas Ranger Michael Young acheived the 2000 hits mark this month. He is an underappreciated and super talented at whatever position he is placed. Gold Glove SS, who was booted over to 3B because of a young stud SS (who has greater range than Young but offensively challenged at times) and then in the offseason the Rangers managment goes and signs Adrian Beltre to play 3rd base.
       'thanks Michael Young for being amazing but we want to alienate you and leave you without        defensive position'- sincerely Texas Rangers management.
2008 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes Michael Young blue variation serial #'d /200

Well done Michael in thwarting the efforts of your bosses to derail your productivity, you are the toast of the town this month.
Recent Gems
DANGER!!! Danger on the field and in the dugout. That danger has a name...

 AND THAT NAME IS RON WASHINGTON!! Avery your eyes from the intense, steely gaze of Ron 'Danger' Washington, he holds to power to make the poor man rich and...

Pat I said AVERT YOUR EYES!! Pat never listens. He thinks just because he wears the tools of ignorance he can look wherever he wants. You have Got to be careful when you play against A Danger Washington team he does not play fair.
as I was saying, Ron Washington's gaze the power to cure illness and his hair holds the stuff that legends are made...
BOB ZUPCIC LOOK OUT!!!

 WOW! That was close. why are these guys not listening to me?!? Why do you think the Rangers have been untouchable in the west the last couple years? yeah, thats right there is Danger on the field and in the dugout. I fear that if I continue to talk about him these mid-1990's players wont make it off the field in one piece. They will need to avoid the lazer rocket-splosion eyes of Ron 'Danger' Washington. if they wish to return home to their wife and kids.
Heed this warning. Do not make eye contact with Ron Washington!! Don't even look in the dugout when he is present. Well its time to stop the Danger discussion before something worse happens. just look at Pat and Bob if you need the evidence of his destructive powers.
Thank you for checking out my latest installment and as always...
Peace and Baseball Cards.

I have a problem... stacks of a problem

I sat at my desk tonight surrounded by stacks of Baseball cards that are in wait to be placed on EBay and on one step closer to their new home. The allure of selling my cards on EBay is great. Its a valuable resource for me to be able to make a little bit of money off of cards that I may not necessarily be interested in keeping because they are not a player that I collect or I just don't like the card itself. The problem that I run into... I love the ALLLLLLLL. just like Goldmember in Austin Powers says 'I LOVE gooOOLLLLDD' I say, "I love CARDDDDDS". Even the Luis Castillo cards I have acquired thanks to Jon thinking its hilarious. I feel like I need to explain myself to each card that leaves my possession after an EBay sale. 'I am truly sorry Adrian Gonzalez game used jersey card. I really don't want to let you go to Mr. Giggly McGiggleton but if I sell you I may be able get a player that I collect... I know, I know you might win the MVP this year and the value may go up, but now is the time to sell.' These conversations dont actually happen out loud... most of the time... but I grow attached to to each card that I pull out of a pack.
This is my problem. Pictured below is my desk that once had space for me to complete assignments for classes and do my writing. It is now my 'EBay/progress station'. dont let the phone in the picture fool you, I rarely answer when I am sorting or working with my cards. 

This hobby of mine has done a great job of keeping me occupied through boring times and keeps my mind sharp and constantly on the lookout for hte next great acquisition. The realization tonight however is it is time to cut the fat of my collection. I really dont care about the cards of a prospect from the single A affiliate of the Arizona Diamond backs who I will never see in 'The Show'. I will still always be a collector but maybe just not of ALL cards that have a baseball player on it, maybe just focus my energy to my favorite players and cards that are ultimately unique. Though it will be tough to part with the Luis Castillo game used cards and Paul Molitor cards of my collection I will be so much happier with the better/new stuff I can acquire.
Is it weird that while there are actual troubles in the world like Stock Market crashes, and wars on foreign soil that I am troubled by the thousands of pieces of cardboard in my collection???
eh, oh well if it isn't. well lets end this one on a good note! Its time for everyones FAVORITE section of my blog. its time forrrrr...
GEMS OF THE DAY!!!
Oh my goodness!!! check out the current Detroit Tigers 1st base coach Tommy Brookens in the card on the left. Tommy! what is that on your lip? he looks like someone you might see on one of those lawyer commercials, 'I called Sam. and my settlement from the trucker who ran over my iguana was 1 million dollars' all said with a southern drawl.
Mike Loynd is just happy to be here between two AMAZING cards.
Jerry Reuss... I didn't realize Shady Acres Retirement Complex had a professional team.

With cards like these you might understand a little better now why I love ALL cards. these are classic keepers are they not? well thanks for checking out my latest installment and check back again a little later for another, and as always...
Peace and Baseball Cards!!

2011 Topps Lineage Review

Product: Topps Lineage 2011
Box price: 90$+
Distribution: 24 packs, 8 packs per box
Hits: 2 autos and 1 game used in every box

My Grade:  B-    The inserts in this set saved it from completely failing in my mind.

Topps has just released a new set called Topps Lineage. The set is a pretty affordable set with hobby boxes right around 80-100$ and you can pick up retail rack/jumbo packs for 5$ at your local super market. I just bought a couple of packs to get a feel for how the set will look and the types of insert cards that it would feature. Let me start by saying this set is not a baseball card addicts dream. The base cards are average looking and damage easily. I found a couple cards in each pack that I bought that had manufacturer's defects on the edges/corners and surfaces. For the Standard game used insert set they chose possibly the ugliest year of Topps they could have chosen (pictured below). Those were pretty much the extent of the complaints that I have with the set that really is a pretty affordable venture for the casual collector and provides the chance to get some unique inserts and game used or autographed cards. My favorite feature of this set is the mixture of legendary players mixed in with the current stars and rookies. in a pack you can get cards of players like Jackie Robinson and Mickey Mantle along with a Michael Pineda rookie card and your favorite active superstar like Ryan Braun. This set provides a good mix of these former and active players and is not loaded one way or the other. Lets get to it!! heres what I got!!
Check out the Base cards: The names and positions of the players are metallic and set on a dark name bar that makes it a little tough to read the names, but a simple design overall.
Top: on the left you can see the Jackie Robinson Base card #42, and on the right is the Mickey Mantle base card #7.
Bottom: on the left is the Tigers Great Ty Cobb base card #105, and on the right is the base rookie card of Mariners young pitcher Michael Pineda #139.

Inserts: Just a couple of samples of the inserts here. There are a lot more to see in the set.
Left: Cloth Sticker insert of Ty Cobb. This is my favorite insert of the set. I love the old sticker cards and its not super valuable or anything so you dont need to feel bad about peeling it and sticking it to your box of cards just like when you were a kid.
Right: This is a Topps Diamond Anniversary card of Stan Musial with a refractor like finish on it. the design is just like the base card but has a different metallic logo in the top left corner and a rainbow finish on the card. beautiful looking if the corner would have been crisp. The card came out of the pack with a flaw.

Game Used:
Left: Game used jersey card of Houston Astros outfielder Carlos (el Caballo) Lee. The jersey piece in this card has a great pinstripe running right trough the center of it.
Right: was a great pull for me. Game used jersey card of Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

The overall impression of this set, for me, was a rushed organization by topps and an overly simplistic design for the basecards. However, this set is affordable and Provides some REALLy cool inserts and its pretty easy to get your hands on a game used card for the collector looking for the 'hits'. Well thanks again for reading my newest installment, and as always...
Peace and Baseball Cards!!!