First Ever Case Break

I participated in my first ever break over at Cheap Fun Breaks. The price was great so it was hard to resist. Being a 99% baseball card collector, it was surprising to me that I would go for a football break. I am a football fan but football cards haven't achieved the same excitement that baseball cards have. Regardless, I was very excited and enjoyed the process (and results).

Much to my surprise, the random draft order placed me first. After seeing the break and all the hits and inserts first, we got to pick our team. That was pretty cool and I wasn't sure if that is how they usually go or if that was fitting for that situation. The Ravens were probably the pick to get, considering there were 3 hits and a healthy dose of inserts. I couldn't turn down Joe Montana though, and I chose the 49ers. It was worth it alone for that card. I guess it's time to see the card.

With more picks than participants, we got a second pick. Code cards were available but with me being first, I ended up last for the second pick. The last pick to be claimed were the poor ole Seattle Seahawks. I never turn down more cards!

Overall the process was fair and worthwhile. It was a lot of fun. The only hard part was watching someone else open the packs. That's half the fun!

The Times They Are a Changin'

The blog has gone through some color changing. I'm a Reds fan so I had the red and white in mind but for some reason, the pink has found its way on here. I can't seem to find out how to change it either. Bummer.

Also, I thought of some players and made up a PC list (after I figured out how to add a page). I will begin setting up the "want" and "trade" list, as well, and will begin letting go of cards. I'm not sure how that'll go but I'm definitely open to it.

I've recently participated in my first group breaks. One was for 2011 Topps Football (my first ever) and then 2011 Topps Lineage. Posts to come.

2008 Upper Deck Masterpieces - Blaster Box

My local Wal-Mart hardly ever has anything good marked down in the card "aisle". I wasn't biting on the 2010 Topps Chrome. Even at 40% off, I didn't feel like pulling bent cardboard. I was surprised to find a blaster of 2008 UD Masterpieces. I really enjoy these cards, so I didn't even think long on the decision.


These are the base cards and they are gorgeous. The set consists of 120 cards of artist paintings, printed on canvas-like paper.


The landscape view on the cards only increases the "wow" factor. I really want to get those Ultra-Pro sheets that are for cards oriented this way. These deserve to be seen in the best position to your eyes.


Veteran players are also included within the set. I like having a real chance at pulling a vet player within a set. Now if only we could do something about Pete Rose...


The Yankee Stadium Legacy cards are neat for what they do. I'm not a Yankee fan, though, so I don't get too excited when pulling these.

For a blaster that includes 7 packs + 1 bonus pack per box (why can't they just say 8 packs?!) and 4 cards per pack, you get 32 cards. I'm thinking next time I'll consider a hobby box and have a great time busting that box.

2003 Topps Bazooka - Hobby Box

After AutoZone didn't have the basic brake pads I needed, I grinded my way to the hobby shop. Trying to watch the spending so I got a couple packs of '99 Fleer Tradition, clear snap cases, and an unexpected hobby box of 2003 Bazooka (cheap sold me). I've never opened these before but judging by the card on the box, they looked pretty cool. Too bad that was only an insert on the front and not the base card design...oh well.


The base cards are pretty basic but I'm still ok with it. I've seen plenty worse and these are different from what I have, so it works.

The backs have nice info on the player with a bio and a "Bazooka Blast Stat of the Year". The stats, however, only give numbers for the previous year. A career total isn't even available.

There are variations of the base cards that have the Bazooka logo filled in with color. There is also a facsimile signature of the player on these cards.

First year player cards and a Bazooka Joe card. The Bazooka Joe cards are of different teams, all number 7, and stating the same info on the back about Bazooka.


Plenty of inserts. Thick gray base card variants (one in each pack), 4 stickers on a card (of base cards), a "mini" card (one in each pack), stand up cards, and Bazooka comics (I really like these, they're rather thin but very cool).


The hits. 3 per box. That's a lot of hits. I'm not really into having that many guaranteed hits per box but I'll never complain about them. The cards are cool and colorful and...hey! a pinstripe!

2011 Allen & Ginter 2-Hit Pack. Seriously.

I bought my first round of 2011 A&G, finally. I was in Wal-Mart getting some bandages and had to stop in the card aisle. I popped an o-ring when I saw A&G packs and blasters. There were only 3 blasters left and I took the one in the back.

I was very excited to get a hit in a blaster, but even more excited that I actually got two hits...in a single pack. I have pictured below, the two relic cards. I had already seperated the cards so I wasn't exactly sure which base cards were in there. I do know, that there were still 5 cards total, so the extra relic was counted as a regular card.

1950 Bowman = 1950 Art

While most people in the hobby are breaking boxes of 2011 Allen & Ginter, I throw a bunch of my cards in some old blaster and hobby boxes and pull my own great cards. I must pace myself so I'm holding steady with one single card. It's a 1950 Bowman and it's one of my favorite baseball card sets ever. Of course, I have nothing close to a set. More like a handful - I have five 1950 Bowman cards. It's a start.

Hank Borowy

The scanner made this card look very off-centered but it is actually quite nice on my end. Just sayin'...

A pitcher, Borowy went 15-4 his rookie year in 1942. In '43 he went 14-9 and then 17-12 in '44. His best season was in 1945 where he went 21-7. 67-32 after his first four seasons. Crazy. He ended his career with a 108-82 record. A lot of those losses added up after having shoulder problems and finger blisters. He is also the last Cubs pitcher to win a game in the World Series.

These cards are stunning. The artwork is amazing and the detail is incredible. I really like the clean front doing away with a name or sig. There are some great "shots" on these cards and I hope to acquire more. My favorites are definitely of the catchers. More to come, but until then, on with your Allen & Ginter madness!

1996 Upper Deck SPx

I wasn't sure what to expect from this pack. It only contains one card (1 HOLOVIEW perimeter die-cut card). Coming in at $2.50 a pop from the local shop, I was even more hesitant to drop that much for something I had no knowledge on whatsoever. In the end, I gave in, because that's what makes this hobby so exciting - the mystery with each pack.

Paul Wilson #41. One part of the "Generation K" trio. As a Reds fan, I remember Paul Wilson for his time in Cincinnati (2003-2005). The card is actually pretty cool with its odd shape and hologram effect. The quality is really good, too.

Even still, I don't think I'll be buying a "pack" again (at least not anytime soon). I can stetch $2.50 into something else.

2002 Fleer Focus: Jersey Edition - Hobby Pack

I wasn't sure about picking up this pack because I never was a fan of Fleer's base cards. The inserts were pretty cool though. I had a good time in '94 with Fleer Ultra, so maybe Fleer just needed a little something extra to be cool. How about "Focus"? How about 2002 Fleer Focus...Jersey Edition? I was in the mood for something new, so I took a swing.

Hideo Nomo #123

I really enjoy a baseball card that lists every year of stats in the majors. I'm not a fan of listing the previous year and career totals only, although I understand that sometimes that is the best thing (Bowman).

Jason Kendall #184 Jorge Posada #65

I love cards of catchers. I'm not a Yankee fan but the Posada shot is pretty slick. At first glance, it looks like a Cubbie because of the blue gear.

Pedro Martinez #20

I would really enjoy seeing Petey come back and pitch.

Rafael Palmeiro #109

I was beginning to think this was a pitcher and catcher hot pack...

Ben Petrick #215

Russ Ortiz #111
Win-Loss Record: 113-89

Manny Ramirez #190 Carlos Lee #188

Something I really like about these cards is the color washing in the background. The main color of the team is mixed into the backgrounds of each card. It's a nice touch that is subtle, yet effective (it actually took me a couple times looking at these cards to realize the effect).

Jose Ortiz 13 of 15 BC. A Blue Chip insert 1:6 odds.

There are game-used versions of these where the jersey piece occupies the team logo space. This card really reminds me of a credit card (cardboard instead of plastic). It is the standard baseball card size.

And so it begins. Again.

Throughout the late 1980s and early 90s, I was collecting cards. Somewhere along the way (around 1995), the hobby stopped or got clouded by other things in my life. A random moment in 2007 involved me buying a 2007 Topps Series 2 hobby box online. After opening the packs, the cards went back into the box (except the Jeter/Bush/Mantle) for the next three years.

Late 2010 marked the return of the hobby for me. I was eagerly anticipating the 2011 season of baseball to see if my favorite team could make another run and to see what Topps would bring me in the new year. The Cincinnati Reds are still in the hunt and my money continues to hunt for more baseball cards.

2010 Topps Heritage brought me back. I wish I had known about the Heritage line in 2001 but I'll take what I can get. I wasn't too excited for 2011 Heritage, at first, because of the 1962 design, but that has changed. I really enjoy the look and building the set (which I'll probably never finsih, which I'm ok with).