That's Patch-Tastic (number not sure but it's a good one!)

I recently received the item I alluded to in my previous post. It completed a set that I never honestly expected to complete. Just the fact all of the cards surfaced and I was able to negotiate for all 3 from three different people in a 2 year period.. I wasn't putting betting odds on that one.

Check out the newest edition!

A pretty awesome patch one of one!

Check out the one of one Triple Threads set!

They look so nice all together. Quite a nice addition to my Ryan Howard collection! 2012 was one of the better years for patches. The lower the card number the nicer they got.

Gint-A-Cuffs box has been received. Once the rules are posted the opening will commence! Oh the excitement!

Thanks for reading!

Some 2009 Rarities and other Musings!

Sticking with some Ryan Howard themes lately (shocking I know). Heard some rumors flying around that the Phils might release him. I wouldn't be thrilled about that. Really kinda stupid when the team isn't going anywhere this year and then decide to eat that much money and get nothing for it. I hope it doesn't happen. The farm system is barren so they really have no replacement. Ruf hasn't turned into the player that hit all those home runs in double A.

Onto happier things! Gint-a-Cuffs box is ordered! I took the suggestion for Steel City Collectibles and to get the free shipping grabbed another box that will be fun to open! (2001 Fleer Tradition).

Also, Topps Chrome case has been pre ordered! I saw the price drop a bit yesterday so I decided to pull the trigger! Glad I didn't get stuck with a higher pre-order! Purchased from another reliable source atlanta sports cards! (I do not have any affiliation with Steel City Collectibles or Atlanta sports cards).

Super excited to continue the series that started this blog (What's in a Case?!) Hope you guys enjoy following along my semi live blogging updates!

Onto the 2009 goodness!

 

Another Gold refractor! Guess I really like gold.. even though I really don't wear any jewelry. Howard looks like he's whacking a home run on that pitch. Head down looking at the ball, good form! 

This is the black parallel numbered out of 63 from base topps! I wasn't collecting back in 2009 so I figured I missed the boat on this parallel. Thankfully, it came up and I was able to snag it for super cheap! (1 dollar!) I'll never so no to this type of card for a buck! One day soon I should catalog my Ryan Howard serial numbered. I have them all separated out. We'll see how that goes! (If it goes!)

Anyways thanks for reading, have a wonderful day!

Some Howard Gold!

Received another card in the mail today! I will show that later, but it's pretty cool. Recently got a nice birthday present from my fiance! I was able to find a huge chase card on ebay and it completes a pretty sweet 'set'. It should be in later this week and I will show the cards together! Should be very aesthetically pleasing. In the mean time.. shiny is good!

A little bit of Topps Chrome and a little bit of Bowman Chrome. Gold seems to be a popular color and I'm not complaining I like it! If I had the time and resources I'd totally go after a gold set of Topps Chrome. That would really pop out in a binder. The Sepia set I have is pretty awesome to page through (still hard to top completing that beast of a set).

Thanks to those who gave me advice on where to buy the ginter box. Much appreciated! I will be purchasing later this week. Rules haven't been posted (so much anticipation!)

Thanks for reading!

A Museum and a Bear?!

I've been only slightly lazy with scanning lately. I have a couple new additions to scan but I have a couple more on the way so I may just wait to do it all at once. In this post I'm just showing off some 'new' cards that I scanned a little while ago. Once the rules hit for gint-a-cuffs I will order a box. Any suggestions on the cheapest place to buy one? I've been looking at the usual suspects and it seems to be anywhere from 95-100 dollars. Any suggestions is appreciated!

Check out the Museum!

 

This is from a previous year's Museum Collection. I was able to snag it cheap (under 10 bucks I'm sure) and it's numbered out of 35. Howard looks real serious in the picture though. Despite his batting average this year he's still up to 60 RBIs. 

This is a nice looking Bear Relic (but seriously I think its a jersey). He looks much happier in this picture then the one above. I don't see these or the auto version pop up too much (I have one of each so not like I'm actively looking) I like the frames as usual. Framed = good.

Today's a rest day for the Tour De France. I've only missed watching one stage so far. It's been quite an enjoyable race. 

Also, I made a fantasy baseball trade in my keeper league. I traded Pujols for Jose Fernandez and Zach Wheeler. Now for next year I'll have Wainwright, Fernandez, Cano and Beltre to keep. That's a solid top 4. Obviously, health for Fernandez is important but I have faith he'll come back strong.

Thanks for reading!

Some Panini Shine!

Personally, I do not actively collect the logo-less cards but if I stumble upon a visually pleasing design or pick them up in a trade that's cool with me. The Phillies continued their losing ways after the all star break. It's been a tough season, even local radio has moved onto the Eagles. Unless the Phillies make any big trades they will be largely ignored in the media. I plan on going to at least one more game this year (Roy Halladay bobble head doll!) and maybe a couple more since tickets will become very affordable. Always look on the bright side of life! (thanks Monty Python).

Check out the shininess!

The two blue refractors are the Jackie Robinson parallels numbered out of 42. The purple is out of 99. (Came as a package for 99 cents!) I like the colors and what not. One day I will own a 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson but today is not that day(always wanted to say that!) Anyways have a wonderful weekend!

Thanks for reading!

A Nice Auto Relic!

I haven't gotten one of these 'high' end cards in a while. Most of the time they sit as pretty high buy it now's that only if you really had to have it will be bought. Thankfully, this one went to open auction and I was able to snag it at a very reasonable price. Always happy to add a pretty card to the collection!

This card is numbered out of 10 from Topps Sterling. Sterling is obviously no longer produced but it seems that a lot of the cards out of it are quite nice. Wonder if Tribute or Museum Collection replaced it. It has a pretty nice multi colored relic thing going on at the bottom. The signature could only be improved if it was on card. Howard on cards can be tough to come by. I have a few but not nearly as many as stickers.

Big month coming up, gint-a-cuff's victory (still have to purchase the box) and then Topps Chrome comes out soon! Can't wait!

Thanks for reading!

2 More for the Chase!

You would think the title is a Chase Utley pun.. but I'm not that clever. Just a quick post to show my 2 recent relic pickups from Topps Series 2. I haven't actually bought any packs just these 2 cards.

The base relic is on top and the gold relic is on the bottom. The only difference in design is Howard's name is gold foil and its numbered out of 99 on the bottom left. The difference in price was about a dollar.

Seems like Ginter is extra interesting this year. I haven't busted any yet but most of the breaks seem to get one or two worthwhile cards. I have no plans to collect anything but the Phillies in it so after I post all the cards from the box we can make some trades (trading has been slow for me this year but thats because I have almost nothing new)

Thanks for reading have a great day!

A trade and a big pickup!

As many of you know I have been trying to get every parallel of Ryan Howard this year in 2014. I recently added Allen and Ginter to the list! (Already have the no number mini coming in but nothing else) I plan on getting one box of ginter this year for gint a cuffs so hopefully I'll at least hit the base card!

I completed a small and easy trade with reader Brandon. We've traded probably 10 times or something at this point (I should probably keep track of those things but I don't) Either way everytime we've traded its gone quick and easy!

Just a quick 2 for 2 swap!

Flyers auto Eric Weinrich and Phillies auto Mark Brownson. Nothing crazy but they both have decent sigs.

I mentioned the Ryan Howard chase on this post cause I was finally able to nab a real low numbered one!

I was getting consistently out bid on these by 2 guys who wanted to spend way more then me. I was more then happy to get this under 30 dollars! Considering a pack runs in the 40-50 range (I think) and I would be thrilled if this was my one promised hit, I did pretty well! Just searching for a few more of the low numbered stuff from Museum but at least I got one!

Go Phillies! Strasburg vs Hamels tonight!

Thanks for reading!

Phillies Win Again!

FOUR game winning streak! Not only that, it's against the currently in first place Brewers. The Phillies might be sucking me back in. It's been a semi painful season to watch and sports radio has been killing these guys for a couple months now. Everyone wants to trade everyone but no one trusts Ruben Amaro Jr to make any good deals. I agree though about the lack of him making good deals. He managed to trade for Hunter Pence by giving Astros 3 top prospects. When he traded Hunter Pence a year later (same guy actually did ok on the Phillies stats wise) he got literally nothing. A half year of Nate Schierholtz and a injured (unfortunately) Tommy Joseph. The one trade that drove me nuts personally, is when Cliff Lee was traded to Seattle. It made no sense. The Phillies had just traded for Roy Halladay (who was amazing when he was healthy) and had Lee at a reasonable 8-9 million for the year. They would have had an amazing rotation that year! The Phillies flipped Lee for basically nothing. Philipe Aumont, a light throwing reliever who may or may not get another cup of coffee in the majors, Tyson Gillies (out of baseball) and Juan Ramirez. Fire Amaro now, get someone competent to make some trades!

On a happy note, four game winning streak!

Check out this card too!

 

I snagged this card from ebay for under 10 bucks. It's pretty, but kinda odd that Howard had a plate going through his body. It's not in perfect shape but the price was right (come on dowwwn you're the next contestant...) Howard hit his 15th home run of the season this year. I hope he keeps it up and gets at least 30 this year. That will be nice to see! 

Thanks for reading!

My Obsession with Moments and Milestones!

I really like the black cards numbered out of 25. No I do not want to overspend for them, but if they're priced right or for trade odds are I will grab them!

Here's the latest haul...

I've honestly never looked at a checklist and have no idea how many duplicates I have. Either way, it's like Pokemon, gotta catch em all!

Also, does anyone enjoy the Tour De France? I am not a biker at all but I really enjoy the team aspects of the sport. It's quite interesting to me to watch how the racers help each other out and try and get their best guys forward before the end of each stage. 

Thanks for reading!

A Few Black Cards from 2011!

Everyday I search for Ryan Howard cards. I pick and choose deals of course (unless I hit the lottery then I will buy everything). If I find some low numbered parallels that don't pop up very often I will take a shot. I was able to snag these 2 nice cards from 2011.

 

The above card is from Topps Chrome! It's numbered out of 100 and a pretty nice parallel from that year. I believe I have the Sepia, Gold, Black, Purple and Blue. I'm not really chasing the rainbow (I'm sure the super is long gone) but if I get the rest I'm OK with it (the sacrifices I make!) 

 

This Howard is a bit rarer. It's out of base Topps and numbered out of 60. I was pleased to see this card available for a reasonable price after a few years. Usually if you miss out on these parallels early they take a while to pop back up and when they do they are way overpriced. Which is fine the seller can ask what they want.. I just won't pay ridiculous prices. 

On a happy note, crushed it playing poker last night, will be searching for a new TV this evening! 

Gint A Cuffs is coming soon! The only reason for me to buy A&G! (besides framed cards)

Thanks for reading!

A Little Late..

I haven't been opening much 2014 product this year. I always want to just don't have the funds to be purchasing box after box when it is much more prudent to just chase the one or two cards I want from each set. After getting back into collecting a couple years ago I was a bit aimless. I bought everything to see what I liked. Personally, Topps Chrome is my favorite, always a fun rip and can get some nice looking cards. I was never much for prospecting and playing the flipping game. High end stuff like Five Star and Museum, I definitely like, just too much risk versus reward. Right now I'm focusing on Ryan Howard/Frank Thomas and my Phillies Team sets. Dabbling in Vintage is fun, such history laced into the cards.

The reason this post is a little late.. This is a Topps Hanger/Blaster break from my fiance. (She was my girlfriend then). It was during the winter and I was super busy at work so they put us up at hotel rooms to make sure we could make it in the next day. She was kind enough to surprise me with some cards!

The Swisher has already been traded but it was a nice camo refractor! The Votto was from a blaster. It wasn't a bad break and it was nice to see the new cards at the time! Maybe I'll buy a case next year when its half price!

Thanks for reading!