Box Breaks Team Style: Like Gum in eBay's Hair.

You can't look up "hobby box" and expect to go shopping for the best deal on wax anymore without scrolling past hundreds of recently-established "group breaks" available for purchase through ebay. I don't even have the patience to look inside one, but I assume they have some way of making the customer feel at ease about receiveing a few cards out of a box. how will any of these buyers (up to 30+seperate people?!) know what the other got? Mostly it bothers mw when shopping becasue there is no way to "exclude" these burrs from the browsing process.
I have got to stop shopping on eBay.

Cannibals!: Jameson Taillon Topps Pro Debut

Topps is so meta.

This is what Ihave to do. complain about retail wax. who the hell thought that I would be doing that someday? It all started with three straight bowman platinum blasters with autos in them, and it got out of control. I troll the aisle. I notice when things have been moved, I buy the 40% blasters when I want. When it comes to brand-new products...something is up.


I went to two wal-marts, I went to two targets, and what do I find?...one beaten up GQ value pack. "hidden" behind the 50% off basketball blasters.
Now I know someone is siphoning off the product. I literally never saw it hit the shelves, and now it has apparently gone, without my even knowing...and bring on the Bowman Blitz. That has likely come and gone as well.
I have got to stop reading box break forums.

I Named My Band Aid: 2004 Leaf Limited Monikers Paul "Dukie" Lo Duca

Frankly, I adore the simplicity of this card and the inclusion of a relic in the classic "Jersey number window treatment". but "Dukie 16" sounds more like a teenage WOW player or a Preakness winner than a player's "moniker". The straight-up lettering shows you that "dukie 16" is not real thrilled with having to write a nickname that he almost assuredly did not assign to himself, as the good ones never are, on 1000 or so stickers for Leaf.
I would get bored to Dukie.
plus the scan looks like a 10yr old wrote on their bandaid and stuck it on a GU card...

Duelling Autos: Ultimate Dual of Class

Regard two of the most consistently exceptional autographs of two charismatic, dominant pitchers (whom I both admire and covet other autographs of).


I have a new auto that really stands up, and can't wait to show it to you...

Hometown Hero: Justin Verlander and the Failed Card Sale

So I attended a street festival yesterday and brought some cards with me. Assorted GU, some random autos for a buck and a book full of refractors and #d cards from 03-now. I also had Glass Art marbles (which usually sell well for mother's day as I sold a few last year at the same event).

In summation, I sold one marble for 10 less than i paid 6 years ago, and gave away about 30 cards out of my "free cards" box. Nobody even picked up the binder...so I won't be doing that again.

The last card to be pulled was by a young man in bright sunglasses and a flat-brim celtics hat with a skinny build. He seemed interested enough so I told him to grab a few cards (as it was the only way to at least keep them at the table for a minute or two).

The card he picked last he came up saying "...and Justin Verlander, local Hero" (He's from about 10 min west in goochland)

well, when I got home to watch baseball tonight on tivo, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Justin has been continuing his ascention to the ranks of Nolan Ryan-like status. I know very well the comparison that I am making, and I know it may still be a stretch, but when I watch justin while he is ON...I can't help but think of the freight train-like dominance of Nolan on the mound.

I was just reminding my lady about watching him throw in the WS years ago in a lobby restaurant in an all-to-empty city of Wilmington, DE.

I was falling in love with my future wife...and Justin's fastball/change-up combo.

Great Job Sir. My hat is off to you once more.

Can you make it long enough to get 6?.....ok sorry I asked.

I Don't Give A .....:Too Lazy To Finish This Title

NO
Double NO

Little Love: Kimball's Champions Needs

So I will be buying no more 2011 topps for the forseeable future, and I love this set. I have damn near every other insert from the set, so if you need some, come and get it. I have topps 60, duos, lost cards, 75% of the anniversary reprint (CYMTOredux), and any base card you may need.

hit me up. I ruined my knee, and am posted up on the couch for the next few days.

1 Ubaldo

10 Ichiro

12 Hunter

13 Cobb

15 Price

16 Chapman

18 McCutchen

19 Morrow

20 Halladay

22 VMart

23 Latos

25 Vlad

27 Markakis

28 Stanton

33 Prado

34 Votto

35 Lester

37 Stras

45 Ortiz

46 Ott

48 Upton, J

50 Cabrera, drinky

Late Entries: Blaster of Unrivaled

I actually really like this stuff. It is topps using a proven Upper Deck Formula of claen lines, angles over 100degrees(SPA), wide-arcing design elements(exquisite) serial #d parallels(everything) and just-better-than-good photography(everything). I really like the look and feel of the Sidney rice jersey, decent-sized piece of jersey, verygood (not great) photo and the cool "shield" shape/foil of the window.

any are for trade for Packers...

I went back eventually and bought another one, and got nothing but ravens inserts...beardy's birthday is coming up whether he likes it or not. Season or no, the birds are coming your way.

I have a Platinum that says A.Dixom on it. I love the full Anthony. This is an absolute classic signature. Legible, upright and deliberate. Great job, Ant....but I really do want to know when, during your 50,000-toppsticker signing process you switched to your first initial? and kid...I freakin love your "n"s...Anthomy Dixom.

One For One Fun: Let's Trade

I wanted to propose trades to any/all of you. I have had all of these GU for so long, that I am sick of looking at them. That is to say my mind has already burned a picture into my head and I need something new to look at once in a while. I like little pieces of jersey, especially bat chips and jersey stripes...who doesn't to one degree or another?

2010 UD Game Jersey B.J. Upton

2010 Panini Rookie Gridiron Gems Dexter McCluster #50/50

2009 UD Game Day Gear Matt Forte

2009 UD Game Day Gear Dustin Keller

2009 UD Game Day Gear Eddie Royal

...so drop me a comment,

(or an email if we haven't traded before)

and offer me one of your GUs for one of my GUs

Some rules:

1.No Users...you know all the dudes I know.

2.HOFers will probably get you two

3. Come correct. some of these are cool despite the overall mediocraty of the selection

2004 Legendary Cuts George Foster

2006 Epic Materials #027/145

2005 UD SP Authentic Travis Hafner 42/99

2005 SPX Brandon Inge #65/99

2007 SP Rookie Threads Dual Patch Brady Quinn

2003 UD SP Authentic Stars Phil Nevin #50/100

2005 UD Classic Wally Joyner "Wally World 1986"

2005 Topps Pristine Ivan Rodriguez #461/500 2005 UD Heroes Chris Young #87/125

2005 UD Heroes Chien Ming Wang #44/50

2006 UD Special F/X Troy Glaus

2007 Fleer Ultra Feel The Game Chris Carpenter 2007 Fleer Ultra Strike Zone Justin Verlander

2005 Pros and Prospects Austin Kearns

2006 UD Game Materials Frank Thomas

2007 UD SPX Winning Materials Jon Lester #59/199

Peterson

Opening Day in Richmond: The Flying Squirrels

The diamond is looking sharp and was sold out so that meant only two things...stare down at the empty seats near the field after you get back from 2 innings-worth of waiting in the beer line.

The mid-week games are a little more laid back, but the people who don't live in the city itself freaking love the squirrels...tho the college kids were out in force on thirsdyThursday, the real beginning of the weekend if you are a binge drinker.

Squirrls gave up 4 runs in the first 3, but came back to win 6-5 at home. Great time. So much history for me at that spot on the boulevard. The roster has changed dramatically, as I suppose I should expect at the AA level. we'll see.

This last one is classic "Richmond Apocalyptica"...