A Mini Auto!

Officially almost 2 weeks of home ownership. Definitely more work then an apartment but a lot more space. The card room has been painted, just doing the baseboards now. Hopefully be all set up in there before New Year's. Still need to learn the back roads around here but that will come with time. As my grandma likes to say 'Can't get lost in America'.

I was able to pick this card up for under 5 dollars shipped. It ended at like 3 AM eastern time and no one sniped it. I was more then happy to grab it considering I have never opened the Topps Mini product.

It's a sticker auto, as the majority of Howard autos are, but none the less happy to add it to the PC. Hope everyone enjoyed Christmas time and spent some quality time with the people that you care about.

Also, just finished watching Season 1 of Jessica Jones. I like the whole superhero thing so I enjoyed it. It kept my interest the whole time.

Thanks for reading!

Cards from Brandon!!

My address works! I have traded with reader Brandon a few times in the past and he decided he wanted to send some things my way after my giveaway (returns not required but always appreciated). Whenever I get something interesting basketball hes the person to talk too.

My cards are still packed away but we are almost to the point that we can setup the card room. My wife and I (mostly her) painted the card room in Phillies Red and Blue. It looks awesome in my opinion. I'll be sure to share once its completely done. It's a large-ish room so there will be plenty of space for displays and picture hanging etc. Also, space to really organize the Phillies collection and spread out a bit. Things I really couldn't do in the apartment since we only had the one spare room.

Here's some of the cards..

 

I'll never say no to Frank Thomas cards. One of my PC's that I thoroughly enjoy. I can't afford some of the high end stuff he has but I enjoy all those 90s cards just the same. (That being said if someone wants to trade/sell me a Frank Thomas NNOF I will make a real strong offer). 

 

This card did not scan as well as it looks. Its acetate and has a real cool design. The player is Arnett Moultrie, unfortunately his career hasn't taken off stateside. He was the 27th overall pick and is now playing in Lebanon. Who knows, maybe he will make is way back to the NBA, happens all the time.

Thanks for the cards Brandon!

Thanks for reading!

Moved in!!

After two rather long days of driving back and forth and loading and unloading. We are officially in the new house. Internet was hooked up a few short hours ago and seems to be running smoothly. I cut the cable TV completely and decided to stream everything to save money. (Dropped my bill from 190 a month to about 55-60 a month!) I hope it goes well but if we ever miss certain TV we can just buy it again, no big deal.

The cards weighed about 6 million pounds. I was able to move them all thankfully. Thanks to you guys and gals for making it a bit lighter as well!

For everyone that e-mailed me requesting my new address, I will respond with it since I am now here. If you did want it and either don't get a response from me cause my email is unorganized or you just want it to update your info, no problem just leave a comment and I'll respond.

Also.. Gary Carter!

I had pulled a Gary Carter auto from 2012 Panini Cooperstown. A Gary Carter collector messaged me and offered me this way nicer Gary Carter auto for that one. Guess he was filling a hole in the PC, so no problem swapping some GC auto's! I'm not a huge Mets fan obviously but I do like logos more then non logos.

I am hoping to get the card room up and running in the next week or two. We plan on painting it Phillies colors first so once thats done we can re-setup the displays (and won't be so crammed anymore!)

Thanks for reading!

Superfractor!!!!!

I have personally never pulled a superfractor out of a pack (I would like to that'd be cool). I've hit some nice things that I've shared previously (most recently the Mike Trout wood mini 1/1) (still have it btw, might sell or trade later who knows?!)

I recently completed my 2nd trade on blowout cards. There's an Ichiro collector who inquired about the 2012 Topps Chrome variation. The variations that year were one every 900 packs or so. I happened to hit the Ichiro in my case and has it stashed away in my PC. He was willing to dip into his PC to make this a really good trade for both of us! He got the rare Ichiro and I got my 4th Ryan Howard superfractor!

 

2007 Topps Finest Moments! It was already graded, doesn't personally make a difference to me,but I don't mind it being heavily protected. Sure it is a sticker auto but it's not a card that would've popped up anytime soon. Very happy to add it to the Ryan Howard collection. Once the move is set one of the goals is to actually organize the Howard collection and get a real want list. So many people have sent me Howard's so I really have no idea what I'm missing. 

Thanks for the trade and Thanks for reading!

Got some cards recently!

The big move is on Monday/Tuesday! Most of the cards are packed up along with other less important things like clothes and pots. Priorities of course!

I received a trade from Plaschke Thy Sweater is Argyle! We've swapped Dodgers/Phillies a few times. This trade was a while in the making but we eventually got it done.

I did scan the autograph he sent over!

A really nice looking inception auto. These cards are cool, always like getting them in a trade. I've never busted a box of them. Biddle might have a shot at being a regular.  He has the tools just has to get it mentally together. He could be part of the new rotation featuring Aaron Nola and Mark Appel!

Lots of high picks in there!

Thanks for reading! The big card I was waiting for just arrived!

Welcome to December!

I know I'm about six days late on this post, but that's ok it's still December. Thanks for all the kind words on the giveaway, glad everyone enjoyed the cards!

The winter moves are heating up. How about Greinke, biggest average annual contract for any player! I know the DBack lineup last year was pretty solid, so who knows, getting an ace may put them in the race this year. I see Iwakuma just signed with the Dodgers. I think that's a good move, he was hurt last year for Seattle but he has been very solid in the past. He will fit in sliding behind Kershaw in the order. The Phillies have done more or less nothing. They may have 4 starting pitchers that either are rookies or 2nd year guys. I have faith in Nola and Eichel but beyond that it may get pretty ugly. Tickets should be cheap by May!

I'm behind on scanning but my big move is about a week away. Lots to do before that! Very exciting! If any of you have bought a house before, you understand the journey it can be. This one has been but I have a real good feeling about moving into this place and staying there for a long time. Most importantly.. already purchased a ping pong table for the basement!

I do have one big card coming in this week. I got the tracking number so just waiting for USPS to get it here. I will share that one! Pretty excited for it. (ooo foreshadowing)

Hope all is well!

Happy Hanukah!

Thanks for reading!

One of my favorite vintage cards!

It's the Offseason!

Apparently it's too cold for baseball, but cold enough for winter meetings and people presumably in suits to meet and talk baseball. The first big contract of the year was signed Jordan Zimmerman 5 years 110 million. The way contracts are now-a-days that's probably about right. I probably watched 100 Nationals games last year and he was a decent but not spectacular pitcher. I remember when the Phillies were after Cliff Lee a few years ago. That was a fun off-season to be a Phillies fan.

On a different note, I have officially joined blow out cards. I already completed one trade and agreed to another. Always enjoy talking shop with people so just another avenue to do that. I typically don't post a lot on message boards in general but I like having the option to buy or trade with people. I've basically been trading cards online for over 20 years now. Started out with Magic the Gathering and now onto Baseball!

I've gotten a few e-mails/comments from people that received the give away! I hope everyone enjoys the cards. I tried my best to tailor each package to what people wanted.

Here's a page from my 2012 Topps Chrome Sepia set. Wonder if anyone else put this one together. That was a lot of fun back then, one of the center pieces of my collection!

Thanks for reading!

Giveaway now closed!

I was not a procrastinator! I have all but 2 packages ready to go. I will do those 2 in the morning and send everything tomorrow. Also, unrelated note, I hit 100 followers! I'm practically facebook level now!

I'm going to list the zips just so if you e-mailed me and I somehow missed it, you can let me know. I don't think I missed any, but anything is possible.

People receiving cards:

76380
33511
27314
85255
76063
63368
28080
90703
55129
80020
60586
95076
45067
38583
19610
48005
23320
11572
91770
22405
26505
30350

Thanks everyone for participating! .. Remind me next time to put a longer timeline on sending out. I never put that many packages together at once, took me a while!

Obligatory Happy Picture:

One of my favorite Hall of Fame rookie cards!

Edit: Every package has been sent!! (2 trips to the post office later!)

Giveaway: Please come on in!

It has been way way too long since I have done a contest or a giveaway. In the next month I am moving to a house and cards are heavy. Please help spare my back by taking some into your collections! I can't guarantee anything crazy to give away but I'll try and include at least one auto or relic in every package.

All YOU have to do is leave a quick comment saying you want in and e-mail me your address at brauer144 at gmail dot com I know I've traded with many of you but I tend to not save many addresses so I probably don't have it handy. Assume I don't have yours and you get cards. In your e-mail pick a team or teams that you are interested in and I can slant the package to those teams.

I will be attempting to mail everything on Tuesday of this week so I will close the giveaway Monday night at 10 PM.

I am expecting nothing in return for these cards but I know how generous the blogosphere is. Please do not send cards back to the address on the return envelope. I will provide my new address after we move if you want it.

And most importantly, Have fun!

Go Temple!

Thanks for reading!

Obligatory Picture:

PWE from 2x3 Heroes!

I was lucky enough to receive a Plain White Envelope from 2 x 3 Heroes! He always manages to send something interesting. I feel like I'm behind on returning the favor. I have a ton of White Sox cards that I need to send back!

A smorgasbord of Howard's!

My main goal in the next few months in regards to organization is figure out how many Howard's I have and which ones I actually need. I've done a lot of blind trading the last couple years and have gotten many cards from you guys and girls... and I haven't kept any sort of checklist at all! If I can organize and catalog then I can actually provide direction on what I need. Quite a concept!

If you are planning on sending me a package in the next week or two please hold off, my address will be changing and although I will forward the mail better safe then sorry!

Thanks for reading!

Cards from Too Many Verlanders!

I received a nice package in the mail a few weeks ago from Too Many Verlanders! He knows what I collect and always does a nice job on sending some interesting things. Hopefully Verlander will recover from his injuries this past year and go back to being a dominant pitcher. Always enjoyed watching him.

 

Nothing like a reprint of Ryan Howard (I am currently wearing a Ryan Howard shirt) so good timing. I have the original of course but the blue tint adds a little something to the card. This is my first and only auto of Kyle Drabek. I had one in a Toronto Uniform in 2011 but I traded it. He was the centerpiece of the Roy Halladay deal. Unfortunately, he had Tommy John surgery and hasn't been the same pitcher since. Halladay had an amazing run with the Phillies and was a joy to watch. Nothing like going to 3 straight games and seeing Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Halladay pitch. Mets fans enjoy it while you have it. Syndergaard, Harvey and DeGrom are going to be tough to beat for a few years. 

Always appreciate getting those retail only patch cards. I hate spending money on them so trading is way better. The Bourn card is super thick with that helmet. It's pretty cool. He's put together a decent career for himself.

He also sent this..

Full disclosure.. I took the pic off of google images, but yes I now have a Frank Thomas can! Love all the odd ball stuff that exists. The 90s were a great time to be growing up in. Y2K and all! 

Thanks for reading!

Some more Chrome!

Hope everyone enjoyed my Gint A Cuffs winner's box. The Baez was pretty cool to hit. It's definitely my current largest autographed card. I know there was a comment asking for the JP Morgan Mini and for the McCutchen Printing plate. I'm sorry I have not responded specifically been behind on all things blog related. They are both set aside so we can trade or blind trade or whatever.

On another note I was able to get my 2nd Printing plate of this year's Chrome!

 Magenta! Looks pretty good!

Also Pink...

I've been haphazardly going after this rainbow as well. The lowest parallel besides the Printing Plates I've been able to acquire is the Orange out of 25. Still missing quite a few others though including the tough Red (out of 5) and of course the Superfractor. Which is always satisfying if it ever shows up. The hot stove is heating up. I think the Phillies will let Howard play out his contract but probably as a part time player. No one will take the contract and the Phillies are in re building mode and really have no young first base talent at the moment. I wonder if Howard has one more Topps Chrome in him.

Unrelated note, what a game last night! How about them Eagles! Jordan Mathews looked like a guy who can catch and catch well. Everything near him he was able to snag. Hopefully that bye week got his head on straight and its a sign of things to come!

Thanks for reading!

Gint A Cuffs Winners Box Final Part!

Only 6 Packs to go!

Currently sitting at 144.2

Pack 19:

Madison Bumgarner -- +2
David Cross
Marcel Ozuna
Josh Donaldson
Jacoby Ellsbury -- -1
Jonathan Singleton
Starting Points Jose Altuve -- +2
Magna Carta Mini -- +2

Pack Total: +5
Running Total: +149.2

Pack 20:

Juan Lagares
Justin Morneau
Glen Perkins
Appomattox Court House
Starting Points Jimmy Rollins -- +2
Victor Martinez No Number 10th anniversary Framed mini -- +4
Dee Gordon Regular Mini

Pack Total: +6
Running Total: +155.2

Pack 21:

Prince Fielder -- +2 FP
Daniel Norris
Steve Cishek
Kelia Moniz
Menagerie of the Mind Griffen -- +2
Aroldis Chapman Full Sized Relic -- +6
Jason Kipnis Regular Mini -- +3 FP

Pack Total: +13
Running Total: +168.2

Pack 22:

Devin Mesoraco
Brandon Belt -- +2 FP
Jonathan Schoop
Evan Longoria
Brett Gardner -- -1
Jeremy Roenick
Ancient Armory Quarterstaff -- +2
Alex Cobb Black Mini -- +3

Pack Total: +6
Running Total: +174.2

Pack 23:

Megan Kalmoe -- +2 FP
Kole Calhoun
Jorge Soler -- +1 FT
Hunter Strickland
Brody Stevens
Chris Tillman
Starting Points Chris Davis -- +2
Joe Nathan Regular Mini

Pack Total: +5
Running Total: +179.2

Final Pack!

David Freese
Jenry Mejia
Adam Lind
Brandon Finnegan
Yimi Garcia
Kendall Graveman
Ancient Armory Katana -- +2
Regular Mini Jered Weaver

Not an exciting last pack.

Pack Total: +2
Running Total: +181.2

Very solid box again! Very happy with my 2 foray's into Allen and Ginter this year. Definitely quitting while I'm ahead!

If this was my contest box I would've been in 3rd place behind myself and one other person. So technically second? Pretty good, either way!

Thanks for reading!

Gint A Cuffs Winner's Box Part 3

Currently sitting at 120.2 points. 2 Hits are gone, 1 to go!

Onto the packs!

Pack 13:

Paul Scheer -- -1
Marlon Byrd
Craig Kimbrel -- +2 FP
Sam Tuivailala
Manny Machado
Mookie Betts
Menagerie of the Mind Leprechaun -- +2
Magnates Barons and Tycoons JP Morgan -- +2

Pack Total: +5
Running Total: +125.2

Pack 14:

Lakey Peterson
Yasiel Puig
Mike Mills
Dallas Keuchel
Thunderlips
Cliff Lee
What Once was Believed Open Polar Sea -- +2
Mike Morse A&G Back -- +2

Pack Total: +4
Running Total: +129.2

Pack 15:

Andrelton Simmons
Carlos Beltran -- -1
Kenley Jansen
Angel Pagan
Grant Balfour
Yasmany Tomas
What Once Would Be Giant Airlines -- +2

Pack Total: +1
Running Total: +130.2

Pack 16:

Daniel Murphy
Kyle Lohse
Xander Bogearts
Troy Tulowitzki
Neftali Feliz
Kolten Wong
Starting Points Matt Kemp -- +2
Craig Kimbrel A&G Back -- +2 +2 FP

Pack Total: +6
Running Total: +136.2

Pack 17:

Ike Davis
Jung Ho Kang
Mitch Moreland
Buster Posey
Howie Kendrick
Starting Points Matt Adam -- +2
What's in a Name Willie Stargell 10th Anniversary Issue -- +2
Jon Jay regular mini

Pack Total: +4
Running Total: +140.2

Pack 18:

Nolan Arenado
Ryan Braun
Matt Kemp
Carl Crawford
Grant Miller
Brian Quinn
Starting Points Giancarlo Stanton -- +2
Kennys Vargas A&G Back Mini -- +2

Pack Total: +4
Running Total: +144.2

Only 6 packs to go. Going to need something huge to break my winning box of 193.6!

Thanks for reading!

Gint A Cuffs Winner's Box Part 2

Real solid start!

Running total is currently sitting at 85.2.

Here we go!

Pack 7:

Jake Arrieta -- +1
Huston Street
Robb Wolf
Andrew McCutchen
Gregory Polanco
Jason Kipnis -- +2
Starting Points David Wright -- +2 +2 FP
James Mccann Regular Mini

Pack Total: +7
Running Total: +92.2

Pack 8:

Nick Tropeano
Ryan Zimmerman
Ichiro
Starlin Castro -- +1
Marcus Siemen
Rubby De La Rosa
Menagerie of the Mind Chimera -- +2
Chris Tillman Black Mini -- +3

Pack Total: +6
Running Total: +98.2

Pack 9:

Bernie Williams -- +1
Hanley Ramirez
Buck Farmer
Steven Moya
Masahiro Tanaka -- -1
Didi Gregorious -- -1
Ancient Armory Chu Ko Nu -- +2
Mythological Menaces Eris -- +2

Blah 2 Yankees in one pack!

Pack Total: +3
Running Total: +101.2

Pack 10:

 

Bryce Harper

Jonathan Lucroy

Jayson Werth

Addison Reed

Rusney Castillo

Apollo Creed

Starting Points Jacob DeGrom -- +2

Hoist the Black Flag Charles Vane -- +2 

Pack Total: +4

Running Total: +105.2

Pack 11:

Justin Upton

Travis Ishikawa

Zach Lowe

Miguel Cabrera

Chris Coghlan -- +1

Eric Hosmer

Starting Points Yu Darvish -- +2

Devin Mesoraco regular mini  

Pack Total: +3

Running Total: +108.2

A bit slower then the beginning.. the ups and down of GAC!

Pack 12: 

Corey Dickseron

Paul Goldschmidt

Buster Olney

Brian Dozier

Ancient Armory Atlatl -- +2

First Ladies Nancy Reagen -- +2

Charlie Blackmon Framed Mini Relic -- +8

Pack Total: +12

Running Total: +120.2

Solid end to this part. A nice framed mini relic of a decent player. He had a bunch of steals this year and really filled up the stat sheet. 

Thanks for reading!

Gint A Cuffs Winner's Box Part 1 (Take a look Cubs fans!)

For those that don't know I won GAC this year! It was my third year participating (part of the reason why I wanted a blog, I knew of the legend of GAC before Brad's Blog came into existence) I was incredibly lucky to hit the Mike Trout wood mini one of one. It's a pretty card, I still own it and haven't decided whether to sell or hold onto it (leaning towards holding onto it to the surprise of no one)

In true Gint A Cuffs fashion I decided to score this box the same way! I have already opened all the packs so I know I didn't get another wood mini one of one but that's ok!

Let's start it off with the box topper

For the purposes of this game my favorite team is the Cubs and Favorite Player is Ryan Howard.

Right off the bat.. here's the boxtopper.

I knew it was a good one when I could see the signature through the package. Apparently these are one every 220 boxes! Pretty rare. A on-card auto numbered 10 out of 15 of Javier Baez!

Point Total: +30 * 1.2 = 36

Solid start!

Pack 1:

Maikel Franco
Trevor May
Chris Sale -- +2 FP
Mike Olt -- +1 FT
Tarvis D'arnoud
Billy Hamilton
What Once would Be Automated Kitchen -- +2
Michelle Beadle A&G Back Mini -- +2

Pack Total: +7
Running total: +43

Pack 2:

Dee Gordon
Melky Cabrera
Chris Davis
Alcides Escobar
Nori Aoki
Wilmer Flores
Starting Points Cole Hamels -- +2 +2 FP
Aroldis Chapman SP Mini (325) -- +3

Pack Total: +7
Running Total: +50

Pack 3:

RA Dickey
Incredibeard -- +1
Jon Lester -- +1 FT
Aaron Sanchez
Corey Kluber
Michael Taylor
Starting Points Ian Desmond -- +2
Dallas Keuchel Black Short Print Mini (320) -- +7 (one in 130 packs nice card!)

Pack Total: +11
Running Total: +61

Really awesome start, we'll see how it goes!

Pack 4:

Jose Abreu
Curtis Granderson
Adeiny Hechaverria
Shin Soo Choo
CC Sabathia -- -1
Starting Points Miguel Cabrera -- +2
Kelvim Escobar 10th Anniversary Issue -- +2
Joaquin Benoit Mini Short Print (323) -- +3

Pack Total: +6
Running Total: +67

Pack 5:

Adrian Gonzalez
Lance Lynn
Malcolm Gladwell
Denard Span
Edwin Escobar
Andrew Heaney
Menagerie of the Mind Dragon -- +2
Wei Yin Chen A&G Back -- + 2

Pack Total: +4
Running Total: +71

Pack 6:

Matt Adams
Joe Gatto
Gus Malzahn
Starling Marte
Jose Bautista Full Size Relic -- +6 * 1.7 = +10.2
Ancient Armory Gauntlet -- +2
Hoist the Black Flag Capt William Kidd -- +2

Pack Total: +14.2
Running Total: +85.2

One guaranteed hit has been found in the box! Real solid total through these packs. Just to put it in perspective through the boxtopper and first 6 packs of my other box I was at +38. Obviously the big boxtopper hit was a big driver of this strong start.

Thanks for following along!

A Two Year Search -- Rainbow Completed!!!

I hinted at a big card coming in the mail in my last post. It has arrived!

Without much introduction.. *drops the mic and lets the card come on stage*

Superfractor!!!

I now have the Rainbow including Super's from 2012, 2013 and 2014! It popped up on ebay the day before I was set to leave the country for a week on my honeymoon. I was able to e-mail the seller and work out a deal quickly and he was nice enough to delay shipping it until I got back! Win-win!

Here's the rainbow... in order!

I was able to get 2 of the Printing plates but I was not actively searching for them. I wouldn't be opposed to getting the other 2 but it's not an obsessive search (like finding the Super was!)

Here they are all together

Thanks for reading!

Gint-A-Cuffs winner's box is next!