A Couple more Rookies.. one future HOFer and one who knows?

I also was able to add a few more modern cards of rookies I wanted at the show. Paid basically fair prices. (25 for the Pujols, 20 for the Bryant) No crazy deal here but I didn't get ripped or anything. The Bryant enabled me to be done with 2015 Topps Chrome. I now have the 5 short print rookies and the Bryant Rookie. All I need is the Phillies team set but I'm not concerned about finding that. (Although no idea if some of you traded me some of them in 2015 I am not organized in my team sets for modern cards)

Without further introduction:

 

I believe this Pujols is considered the 'gold' one. Doesn't make a difference to me the card looks nice. His career has been quite remarkable. He should be a first ballot hall of famer.

I promise the Bryant isn't missing a edge. My scanner likes to crop sometimes. All the white specks on both scans are dust just ignore them. Bryant has had a real strong start to his career with an MVP and World Series ring. He's an exciting young player and I hope he keeps up the accolades and is one of the guys along with Harper, Machado, Trout that are the next generation of great players.

Thanks for reading!

The Franchise Rookie card!

According to Google that is his nickname! I was able to pick up this pretty cool rookie card at the show this past weekend. It adds to my other smaller PC of Hall of Fame Rookie cards!

 

I paid 70 dollars which I thought was a pretty decent deal already graded and authenticated.No real major flaws besides centering which is rather common in 1962 cards. No creases or anything like that. It will definitely look nice in my display case on the wall! This was actually my last purchase of the day. (Seller originally wanted 80 and we settled for 10 dollars less) I usually don't go crazy negotiating but usually if you ask or combine deals its easy to get 5 or 10 bucks off. If you do that for every deal that adds up to a free Lou Brock rookie card if you think about it! 

In his career he stole 938 bases and had 900 RBI's. That's an interesting stat anamoly. 

Also the Cubs traded him to the Cardinals 2 years into his career. What a mistake that was! Can't win them all.

Thanks for reading!

Some Rookie cards! (Rhys Hoskins!)

I have yet to open any 2018 Topps Series 1. Not sure I will this year but that's ok. I have no plans to complete the set or anything like that. I was able to grab some of cards of none other then Rhys Hoskins! He's the new power potential on the team and hopefully he lives up to it. I've listened to several radio interviews and he seems to have a good head on his shoulders. With the pitching staff I don't think anyone is expecting great things from the Phillies but maybe the lineup can hit a little bit with Hoskins, Santana, Kingery, Crawford, Odubel and Altherr. Lineup at least has potential!

Here is the base card (dealer was kind enough to throw it in after we made a deal for the other 2 cards)

A nice action shot

This is the Short Print variation photo that fall about 1 per box or so (from what I've been told)

This card really pops! It's super shiny in the light and numbered out of 50. I actually paid under ebay from the in person dealer and considering I was too lazy to look it up when I was standing there I'm pretty proud I judged the current market correctly. Even if Hoskins isn't great (knock on wood) this card is very visually appealing.

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more cool stuff!

Another Shiny card!!

I am officially one card away from completing the 1993 Topps Finest Refractor Phillies Team set. I am missing the most expensive one of course, Curt Schilling. I was able to snag this Daulton at a decent price. Maybe overpaid by a buck or 2 but no big deal. It's in nice shape and its shiny!

Check it out!

Went to the Philly show last weekend. It was a blast. Tons of cool things to look at and it was super crowded. Granted (if you didn't know) the Eagles won the super bowl and a lot of the players came out to sign autographs. It's always awesome to see so many sports fans and collectors in one spot. I just finished scanning what I got and some other stuff so I plan on posting in the coming days!

Thanks for reading!

A little shiny .. 1993 Finest Refractor!

I've been actively trying to complete my 1993 Topps Finest Phillies Team set. Sometimes the cards are hard to find at a fair price (that being the key) Sure always 1 or 2 on ebay at ridiculous buy it nows. Have to wait to find a reasonable buy it now or an auction. Without further introduction one of the most beloved Phillies John Kruk. I met him last year at the Phillies cook off that they did before a home game. It was a blast and all the players were super friendly. He was there along with Dickie Noles, Tommy Greene and even Schmidt made an appearance. Also, of course the Phillie Phanatic. JC Romero randomly showed up as well even though he technically wasn't involved in the event I think. They had a charity auction as well. I threw some tickets in but didn't win anything but thats ok.. I still got this card off ebay!

 

One step closer to completing a fairly rare team set. Opinions from the readers. One of mine was bought graded (Dykstra PSA 8) Should I bother to get the rest graded. I don't think I have any 10s cause they seem to be historically hard on these cards but maybe a 9 probably 8's to my untrained eye. Or should I just topload and display? What makes more sense to you?

Thanks for reading!

A Gaggle of Shortprints!

Nothing like a good word to start off the post. And Yes I do mean Gaggle! I recently decided I wanted some part of 2015 Topps Chrome. I figured the only cards worth paying for since boxes are outrageously priced because of Bryant are the Bryant Rookie and the 5 Short prints. There was no stated print run of course but based on my inexact science and research they fell 1 or 2 per case. I didn't feel like dealing with multiple sellers so I found someone with all of them for sale and just made an offer. Thankfully, no negotiation they took it! So based on that I probably overpaid a little haha! Oh well I got what I wanted. You know the ABC's of life..Always Be Collecting!

Check em out!

 

Obviously has started a bit slow in his career, but he has all the tools. I watched a good bit of Twins last year (mainly all of Ervin Santana's starts) and he really started to come in in the 2nd half. 

 

Can't say enough about this guy. Superstar in the making. 

 

Also, this guy if Correa is 1 he has to be 2 for budding young shortstops.

 

Gallo never saw a pitch he didn't like to swing at! But when he hits it it sure does go a long way. If he can learn to walk some I think he can be a solid regular in the Adam Dunn type mold. 

 

All the talent in the world when he's healthy. Had a nasty injury last year. Hopefully comes back strong, even though I'm a Phillies fan I never root for injuries.

Topps did a nice job picking the short print players. Not a true dud in there at the moment. All players in the majors and could all have good careers or even better!

Thanks for reading!

2017 Sapphire Team set

I not so recently picked up this Phillies team set off of ebay. I believe I paid 1 dollar a card including shipping. Considering the cost of the full set is roughly 1,500 dollars if I remember correctly. You are guaranteed 2 random superfractors and some other parallels. I don't know if people piecing out the sets ended up making money though. They are pretty cards though. I now have both the 2016 and 2017 Phillies team sets.

 I don't love the way Topps did color refractors last year, but the atomic look is always nice. I hope this year they do away with the swooping colors through the players. When opening packs I often overlooked the parallels cause I didn't think it was obvious. I do plan on cracking a case this year (gotta get in early with the pre sales since last year I waited too long) so I want Chrome to look good!

Thanks for reading and I highly recommend shopping around for your team set. Always deals to be had!