What a Wonderful Weekend!

I had a very awesome baseball filled weekend. On Friday, I took my mom and my future wife to the Phillies game and fireworks afterwards. The Phillies unfortunately lost (in an entertaining game) but the fireworks display was quite impressive.

Also, at the Phillies game about 10 rows up I got to witness some fans go at it. That was interesting. The people all got booted by like 30 security people. A few innings after that, about 5 rows up from us a guy proposed to his girlfriend on the jumobtron (she said yes). It was fun to watch the Phillies but we got so much more then just a ball game!

On Saturday, 4 of us went down to Baltimore for a game! It was also a ton of fun. We stopped at the Lexington Market to get some Faidley's crabcakes for lunch. (Also, it was just like The Wire Season 1) Then we went to the game and got free T Shirts! Got a free poster and a bag for signing up for some sweepstakes! The Orioles lost to Tampa 5-4 but at least they made a good comeback. After the game my friend suggested we go to Korean BBQ for dinner! I couldn't say yes fast enough! Delicious!

All in all a fabulous weekend so far! Today we're entertaining some more people and it should be a good time. I'm going to need a vacation from my vacation!

And since this is a baseball card blog.. here's a cool card!

A pretty sweet Bowman Chrome card numbered out of 25. I like the action shot! I'm assuming Howard was safe on the play.

Thanks for reading and hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

A "Rare" Auto and a Trade!

I haven't posted much this month! Just been busy! Still love baseball and collecting cards! Excited for gint-a-cuffs! (waiting for the rules patiently!) I recently received a pretty sweet Ryan Howard auto in the mail. It was one I haven't seen up for bid before so once it came up I had to take a shot.

Here it is!

 

 A 2011 Topps Gypsy Queen Ryan Howard auto! It's a sticker but I'm pretty sure its short printed. Also, packs of 2011 are crazy expensive so no chance I would be opening them. I already have the master set including short prints so it's nice to add a autograph!

 

Also, as the title of this post indicates, I completed a trade with Fantastic Catch! He inquired about a Cardinals card he wanted and we quickly came to an agreement (that's usually how it works around here)

 

He threw in a nice mix of Phillies. The Kenny Giles card is my first of him. He's the Phillies new fireball reliever who throws 100 MPH. I hope he develops into a power arm and sticks around for a while. It'd be nice to have our own version of Chapman at the back of the bullpen. The McGraw is a card I needed for my slow progress on collecting Phillies sets. Always nice to delete something from the ole want list!

The centerpiece of this trade is this nice on-card auto of Jon Pettibone. He's not exactly an ace but I didn't have an auto of his so there's that. I hope the Phillies can turn it around this year. Never know! That's why we play the games.

Happy Fireworks games everyone (they are today and tomorrow at Citizens Bank Park, I will be attending tomorrow)

Thanks for reading!

A Trade with a reader!

I recently completed another great trade with blog reader Scott! We've completed several trades now and they've all been real easy and quick. He decided to help me out with one of my main PC guys! Much appreciated!

 

A whole lot of Frank Thomas! The etch a sketch card is pretty cool.  Also, Tom Selleck with The Big Hurt in the background is interesting.

Always appreciated to add some new cards to the collection. All the Frank's are in the same place just not 100% organized. We shall work on that in the future. Thanks for the trade!

Thanks for reading!

Topps Redemption Mailday!

I've had good and bad experiences with Topps regarding redemptions. I've never asked for a replacement because of all the crappy ones I've seen. I've stayed patient despite ridiculous wait times. I waited 2 years for a Bryce Harper Topps Chrome auto. (which is awesome!) I waited a few weeks when I redeemed the Xfractor sheets (currently hanging on the wall behind me). I wasn't sure what I was doing when after I cracked the Topps Chrome case last year and got a few redemptions. I was tempted to sell a couple (I didn't) or trade them (traded one or two) but ultimately after I saw a lot of them going live, I took the risk. I redeemed them and within 2 WEEKS, I receive them from Topps. All individually sleeved and top loaded, so this was a good experience.

Check em out!

The Fernandez is the refactor version. He was doing quite good this year til his elbow got hurt. Hope he recovers and we see the same type of pitcher. Even though he plays for the Marlins it's neat to see a guy so young be that good. The Cingrani is black out of 100 he's been decent this year. Nick Franklin needs to get his act together some and start hitting to get called back up the majors. The Gyorko is nice to see because I traded the other auto I had of him about a month ago!

Thanks for reading!

A Big PC Card! -- Pee Wee Reese!

I recently was able to acquire my first Pee Wee Reese card! I had been searching diligently for a copy that I was happy with displaying and wouldn't break the bank. I was able to find it graded already so that was nice.

Check it out Dodgers fans!

Obviously, the card isn't perfect but it looks great to me! I like modern cards as much as the next person but a really nice vintage card is more then welcome!

Thanks to everyone for the congratulations, it is much appreciated!

Thanks for reading!

Happy Days!

I had a very eventful weekend! On Saturday, I proposed to my girlfriend and she said Yes! So now I am engaged! That's exciting! On Sunday I went to the Phillies game with my Dad for Father's Day! That was a lot of fun! (even though they lost)

For those of you that are curious here is the ring..

That's actually a replica of the Phillies Championship Ring of Ryan Howard, but how cool would that have been if I could've used that!

Here's a nice diamond for everyone...

A Diamond Die cut! I was able to pick this up on ebay for one penny plus a couple bucks shipping! Patience paid off on that one. 

I am still behind on scanning but I will catch up eventually.

Thanks for reading!

Nothing's Finer then eating in your Diner!

The title of this post is a blatant Seinfeld reference. I'm a fan, I've seen every episode and enjoy it. I've personally only seem him do stand up once, when I was a wee lad in college. It was good, clean humor. It's really impressive when you can laugh the whole time and the comedian didn't say anything crude the entire time. (Although I can enjoy both types of jokes!)

It was also a poor attempt to link the title to baseball.. Nothings finer then Topps Finest!

I snagged one of the inserts for a couple bucks off ebay. I want the one numbered out of 25 but it has flown out of my price range. No way I'm paying 60 bucks for the same card just serial numbered.

I was planning on scanning this week, but that didn't happen. On a happy note my Volleyball team is undefeated! (3 matches in).

I'm currently watching the hockey finals. The last game was pretty exciting and now this one is headed to overtime! We'll see what happens, should be good either way. The Stanley Cup Finals is the only finals for any major sport I've ever been too. I went to Game 5 in Chicago for the Blackhawks Vs Flyers. I lived out there at the time and had to go. Went by myself (couldn't afford 2 tickets) and had a blast even though they lost and I wore my Flyers jersey.

I realize this post is literally all over the place... so to continue with the randomness...

TEBOW!

Short Story.. My girlfriend recommended a place for dinner. Anthony's Coal Fire Pizza, so we look up how to get there. On the front page they have pictures on a slideshow and the first one is Tim Tebow with some employee. My girlfriend asks me if thats Anthony.. I love you dear! (She reads this blog)

Thanks for reading if you made it this far!

Trade with Reader Edgar!

I'm sitting in my living room watching American Ninja Warrior... dreaming of being a Ninja. Found out today that Steven Seagel is a 7 degree black belt. Impressive! Also, I completed a trade with reader Edgar! (if you have a blog let me know and I will link!)

I sent him a bunch of set needs that I was able to find and he hit up my want list!

Check em out!

 

Took a nice chunk of my 80s want lists away! And the cards he sent were in really nice condition! I have a wide range of condition vintage Phillies and its always nice to get some sharp pictures to add to the binders. (Currently the 80s are not in binders but one day they will be.) 

I didn't scan all the cards, but he was also nice enough to give me an entire team set of Limited Edition Diamond Anniversary cards from 2011! I asked him what these were from because I had just started back collecting that year. Apparently it was from the Diamond Cards Giveaway, you needed 45 rings and Topps sent you a set. Very happy to knock out the whole team set in one go!

Thanks for the trade and Thanks for reading!

A Couple of Classics!

This week's been kinda busy so I haven't had the time to post. But don't fret, I am still here and quite active. Went to a Comedy Club on Friday to see Steve Rannazzisi (for those who don't know he is Kevin in FX's "The League") The show was great! Been busy with other life stuff but all good.

I've gotten some good stuff in the mail (a trade, a big PC card!) Once I get those scanned they will be this week posts! (It's like a movie trailer)

Here's the first 'classic!'

 

This is Will Clark's 1986 Topps Traded Rookie Card! It was probably worth a mortgage payment in the 80s! I was able to snag it for about a dollar! I gave it to my brother in law who doesn't really collect cards but he's a big Giants fan (We forgave him for that since he grew up in California) 

The 2nd classic hails from 1996 Leaf Signature. It is a pretty nice looking Curt Schilling autograph. Also, my only autograph of his. I liked him when he was on the Phillies, he always pitched well despite the team around him. This Signature set was a revolutionary because it was one auto per pack! It was also way out of my price range cause I was 11 years old at the time. Now a days hit per pack products are pretty common, or even just all hit products like Tier one.

Also don't forget to sign up for Gint a Cuffs! I personally have no attachment to A&G but I will buy a box to participate cause of the enjoyment! (and then I'll happily trade everything but the Phillies)

Thanks for reading!

A Surprise PWE!

I received in the mail last week a complete surprise PWE from Too Many Verlanders! This community of bloggers really knows how to make a day better. I will def be on the lookout for something nice to return (even if it takes me a bit).

Check it out!

My two main PC collections, Frank Thomas and Ryan Howard. The Thomas card is pretty neat, where the face is, is completely acetate. Acetate cards are one of Topps better inventions. The Seasons Crowns from Fleer Ultra come to mind as one of the earlier inserts that had that type of look. And this year's Topps look really good too. Keep up the good work! The Howard is simply larger then life. He's bigger then a stadium! 

Thanks for the cards! and Thanks for reading!

A Shiny Moment!

I recently received this card in the mail. It's kinda rare and very nice looking despite the sticker auto.

Howard's been very hot and cold this year. He's up to 11 home runs because of his recent streak but hasn't been hitting much for average. The Phillies desperately need a bullpen and some more timely hitting. It seems to be either 2 runs a game or 10+. It'd be nice to get 5-7 every night and give the starters a chance to win. Thankfully the NL East is not so great this year so the Phillies have a chance. They just need to stop losing in extra innings to the Mets.

Happy June everyone!