Blog Bat Around

I remember when these were posted more often but Mr Nachos Grande posted a topic that seemed fun. Check it out:

http://fanofreds.blogspot.com/2017/03/blog-bat-around-whats-hardest-set-that.html

The topic being what is the hardest set that you personally completed or are working on. There's been some good responses regarding vintage sets which would be cool to complete now-a-days. My 'hardest' set is more of a modern flavor. I personally (with added help from the wife) completed a 2012 Topps Chrome Sepia Set. (on a side note Hobby Boxes are listed at 300 dollars a piece now! wow!) If you didn't know that year Sepia's are numbered out of 75. It's a 220 card set. It was difficult to track them all down and also kinda expensive. I pulled the Derek Jeter out of my case back in 2012 but not the Harper or Trout or some of the other big names.

Also, this topic gives me an excuse to post up my set!

Not the best photos. I should probably re-scan this set, but you guys get the idea. Not much 2012 Chrome gets busted at the insane price it is now. I might own the only set in the world!!! I've yet to see another one at least.

Thanks for reading!

A Minor League Frank!

I picked up this card a month or so ago. I just thought it was different and definitely one I did not have for the Big Hurt collection. The case is ridiculously huge though. Not sure why PSA decided to use such a huge case. It doesn't fit in my wall displays. I've yet to crack out anything from these cases cause I don't want to take a chance and ruin a card.

1988 Ballpark Cape Cod Frank Thomas! Also, Jeff Bagwell was on this team. Pretty stacked! On a side note I just passed the 800 mark on unique Frank Thomas cards! Pretty cool. Always looking for random stuff and appreciate all the cool cards people have sent me (all of my Frank's are in binders except the autos and relics and graded)

Thanks for reading!

Who wants 1990 Topps?!

Anyone? Anyone? Buehler? My wife decided she wanted the thrill of pulling a Frank Thomas No Name on Front. She purchased all 4 1990 Topps boxes from one dealer. (9 bucks a piece not a bad price). That's 36 packs in a box times 15 cards.. that's a lot of cards in 4 boxes. Unfortunately, no NNOF's to be found, but we did hit these...

Three Frank Thomas's, Five Ken Griffey Jr's, Three Sammy Sosa's and a Partridge in a pair-tree. All kidding aside, 3 Thomas's out of 4 boxes not bad! We now have 6 Regular ones, 1 NNOF and 1 Autographed (JSA Authenticated) from 1990 Topps.

If anyone is trying to complete a set or just wants a pile of them for some reason, let me know shoot me an address they can be had for the price of saying something! Also, if you're in the northeast stay warm! Spring was in February, so Winter is now in March, that's how it works.

Thanks for reading!

Card show fun!

This past weekend my wife and I went to the Philly Show in King of Prussia. We went on Saturday because I wasn't able to get an autograph ticket for Carson Wentz (sold out real fast). The crowd seemed to be pretty strong and some new vendors. Lots of super expensive vintage and a decent amount of modern and a couple wax dealers with a nice selection. Saw one real cool piece (forgot to snap a pic) a Abraham Lincoln cut auto. The guy was advertising it for a future auction. (estimated between 5-10K for that piece).

The big card I was able to snag was this one..

1963 Topps Willie Stargell rookie. I really bought it for the John Hernstein, but regardless its a nice high number from that year. Obviously not in mint condition but very presentable card which is what I strive for in my vintage collection.

Also grabbed some 1966's for my Phillies team sets.

Inching closer to completion. After getting this done I have to go back and catalog what I'm missing of the multi team cards. I have a few but I'm sure I'm not complete. The ridiculously expensive Grant Jackson card comes to mind.

Have some more cool stuff to show in the next post.

Thanks for reading!

Happy March!

We are already 2 months into the year! Time has flown by this year. The hot topic in this neck of the woods is how mad everyone is at the 76ers for lying to the fans and being general jerks in the process. Will Embiid ever be healthy and will Simmons turn into a superstar? Or will the 76ers be drafting top 5 for the next 15 years.. which seems more likely? There is almost no buzz around the Phillies.. tickets might be pretty cheap this year. I went to the home opener last year, not sure if I can make it this year though (it's 3 o clock on a Friday). My main PC Ryan Howard hasn't hooked on with a team yet. He may have to wait it out a bit and see if someone needs a DH slugger in the American League. I hope he gets to continue playing if he wants too. Probably not much fun being forced out of your chosen profession.

This relic is from 2013 Topps Gypsy Queen. This design is really sleek, just a plain piece of jersey but the rest of the card really pops.

I've made a list of people I owe cards too. I have about 12 packages to put together. Hoping to send some decent stuff since everyones been so generous. Also, have a large pile of cards next to me that I need to scan! Hope all is well with everyone.

Thanks for reading!

Baseball is coming back!

I listen to Sports Talk Radio on my ride to and from work everyday. They are starting to interview baseball people down in Clearwater. It's nice to hear about young pitchers. Phillies have Nola, Eickhoff, Eflin and Valesquez. If some of those guys hit their ceilings they could actually have a pretty good rotation. No comment on the lineup, but that's a work in progress. Need some discipline and power and who knows maybe get some more wins then expected this year.

Opened my first batch of 2017 Topps Series 1 yesterday. My lovely wife gave them to me a Valentine's day present. They were a fun rip. Nothing earth shattering but a few cool inserts and the design is neat.

I caught myself wondering the other day if Alex Rodriguez has any true friends. He basically lied to everyone with the whole steriod scandal. Does anyone like him as a person anymore or are they just in it for his large amount of money?

 

Here is a card of him form 1995 Fleer back when he probably had real friends (please note this is all speculation and I do not read TMZ so I really don't know) 

Wonder how the Hall of Fame voters are going to treat him in 5 years. Does he even get 5% of the vote? 

Thanks for reading!

I'm Slacking!

I haven't posted in too long. I appreciate the cards people have sent me. I am making a list of people I need to hit back. I don't have any of the new cards but plenty of other things to send! (I mean other cards not random household items like staplers) Not sure if you heard but the Patriots won the Super Bowl. They're decent, but I'm still an Eagles fan through and through. Spring Training starts up some time soon. I haven't seen any of the 2017 cards in person yet. Enjoying the breaks online though seems like most people are generally happy with the set.  The NFL also did their Hall of Fame voting. I'm surprised Terrell Davis got in since his career was so short. He was undoubtedly great before he tore his knee up but that was it. I guess that's the comparison to Gale Sayers but I didn't think he'd make it honestly. Terrell Owens and Brian Dawkins should get in sometime soon. As much as TO wasn't liked personally his football playing was more then Hall of Fame worthy. I've met both Owens and Dawkins at autograph signings. Owens was a bit of a diva but has a nice sig and Dawkins was beyond nice to every single person really makes you feel welcome.

 Speaking of In person autos here's a couple of former Phillies great Garry Maddox. Pretty cool. Big fan of 1985 Topps in general so it's neat to have this card signed.

Thanks for reading! Need to scan and post more!