A Wood like card!

This isn't quite the Trout wood mini (no longer in my possession) but this card does fit into get every card I can possibly get of the Phillies for semi reasonable prices. After some negotiating we came to a fair agreement and I was able to pick up this card.

None other then Bobby Abreu Triple Threads wood variation 1 of 1. The grade is kind of remarkable on these super thick cards. The auto grade isn't grade because it runs off the sticker but its still a bold auto without streaks so that doesn't really bother me. To put it into perspective the only other Triple Threads graded card I have didn't go so well.. (please note I did not pay for the grading fee on either card they were purchased that way)

Really awesome card.. but 6.5 ouch. Better off just admiring it in its natural form.

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An Ebay steal and a completed team set!

I was able to pick up the last card I needed for my 1993 Finest Refractor Phillies team set. I would check about three times a week if the Schilling would pop up at a reasonable price or for an open auction. I had bid hard on one but got sniped back in February. I bid 100 with 3 seconds left and it ended up at 118. Since then no new auctions hit until this one. The picture on this auction wasn't great. There was only 1 and you couldn't tell that the card had that refractor shine so you just had to trust the label. I stuck it on the ole watch list but was undecided on bidding. Near the end I decided to go for it and figured if it wasn't a refractor I'd just return it. I ended up winning it for 38 dollars! Massive discount from the last one.

Lo and Behold the shine!

Definitely a refractor! It's off center or whatever but the card looks great.

Here's the rest of the team set.

Pretty awesome to complete this. Never thought I'd own a single refractor of this set now I have 8! (the Phillies plus Frank Thomas). I've toyed around with going for the set but that would cost thousands and I just don't want to abandon my other pursuits for this one. I'll be content with getting all the Phils. Also 1993 was a fantastic year for the Phillies.

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Some older cards!

I recently acquired one new old card and one old old card. I may have made up those distinctions. The new old card is new since it's new to me and new to my collection. The old old card is also technically new to me but it's a double but hey can't beat the price (free!!)

We'll start with the old old card:

Some of you may have heard of Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett. He had quite a good career but it was cut short due to eye issues. One of my mom's friends knows I collect cards and found a stack (about 100 cards) of 1985 Topps and just gave them to me. No McGwire or Clemens but the Puckett was hidden inside the stack!

I believe I spent 5 dollars for this card at the card show. I wanted a Dale Murphy rookie. He had quite a good career too just tailed off at the end. I personally think he is Hall of Fame worthy instead of the Hall of Very Good he is currently stuck in.

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A few more for the PC!

I was able to snag a few more autos for the Ryan Howard PC! Pretty happy with these none of them are doubles and they look good.

They are all from 2004 and all numbered out of 100. The 2nd one really pops with the red background and the Phillies colors. I was looking at purchasing Phillies tickets today for some games and you can get outfield seats in the 8 to 10 dollar range. A beer at the park costs more and parking for that matter. Could be the weather it has not been particularly warm this April. I'm going to a couple games in the next few weeks. Always fun. I went to the Flyers playoff game with my wife. Had a good time at the game despite them losing. They played real well in the first period then got kinda housed by the Penguins the rest of the game.

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A couple of old cards!

These cards were also picked up at the most recent Philly card show. Always a good time had by all (I do not truly know this but I want to believe it!) I was lucky enough to get a free autograph ticket for Bobby Shantz. I didn't have a card on me so I figured I'd find a decent card to get signed during the show.

I think I did well..

I chose to go with black cause I thought it would pop more. Mr. Shantz was super nice and personable to every single person. When I went up I asked if he remembered that year. He said 'Oh yes I remember it well, they spelled my name wrong on this card'. All in all a super positive experience.

Also grabbed this card of some HOF guy...

Since I finished my Topps 50s run, I decided to start going after the Bowman Phillies team sets (already have 1955). This will be a longer term project since the cards aren't cheap even for some of the commons. This copy of the card is super nice very clean.

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Who wants "Rare" authenticated Dirt?!

Apparently I do! I actually really like the design of these cards and apparently they are pretty tough pulls in 2018 Topps Opening day. One in 1,772 packs according to cardboard connection. That's quite a tough pull. For 20 bucks I snagged this card off ebay.

It's authentic Game-used ballpark dirt. Doesn't say from which part of the Diamond or if some players slid into it at home plate. Or maybe its from the mound and some pitchers threw near it. Still a cool card as much as I poke fun at it.

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2 Cards from Bob Walk the Plank!

Many of you read and trade with our friend Matt over at Bob Walk the Plank! He writes an entertaining blog and actually posts regularly.. unlike some people. (alluding to myself) I have plenty of content just work is tiring. He was kind enough to add to my Ryan Howard collection out of the blue. I have a return package ready to go just need to get to the post office to send it off.

 

This patch is really nice. I never open Panini products so I wouldn't get one without purchasing or trading for it. Howard looks to be excited to be catching the ball in this picture.

  

This is obviously from Immaculate. One of Panini's high end boxes. They run roughly 200+ dollars a box. Kinda pricey! 

Thanks for the cards and I hope you like the return package once I send it!

Thanks for reading!

2 New Ryan Howard autos!

Recently there was a seller on ebay unloading a few rare and not so rare Ryan Howard autos. I think I went after all of them but unfortunately didn't win them all (no idea what the total price tag would've been if I won them all..) These 2 were my top 2 targets. Not sure if I overpaid but don't truly care because I wanted them for the PC. At last count including Balls and Bats and the like I now own over 50 Ryan Howard autographs. Pretty cool for us baseball card nerds!

 

As you can see the SP authentic numbered out of 10. This is the only one I've ever seen in ebay or in person and now it resides in my PC!

 

Really like the look of this Topps Finest auto. It's on card numbered out of 25 and the Red really works with the Phillies colors. Very pleased with the presentation. 

I'd prefer not to talk about Kapler attempting to bring someone in without anyone warming up. Just bad. 

Thanks for reading!