An Update Disappointment

I had to pick up a few things at Wally World today, so I decided to stop by the cards and pick up a pack of Update to help finish my base set. My thinking..."Surely I can get at least half the pack to fit my set. Plus I get two inserts." Well, I was half right. Two inserts. That's it. Ok maybe not it but close. Only Asdrubal Cabrera and Will Middlebrooks. The four cards are worth the $1.97 I paid, but my heart hurts a little that that is all the baseball card gods sent me. Oh we'll. Maybe next time I'll hold out for Triple Play at the old Dollar Tree.

Belated eBay Mail Call

Since I had no other posts during the First Ever Toddfather Group Break, I haven't gotten to show you guys my newest additions via eBay. Easily my most favorite would be this beauty.

This is the Online Exclusive Mini Silver numbered...1/5!!! Awesome right. I was super excited to win this card. Next...

I picked up my first 2011 Allen & Ginter Relic since the beginning of the year adding Rickie Weeks. I'm still trying to get my hands on one of each baseball player in the relic set. I'm inching closer and closer. Speaking getting closer to completing sets...

I won a lot of 32 2012 Chrome Purple Refractors. I also added singles of A-Rod and Cameron Maybin. Thanks to help from eBay and my fellow bloggers, my goal of completing the purple set is looking very attainable. The hardest card left is the dreaded Bryce Harper. So if you can help, check out my Want List. I'm always willing to trade.

Oh and while I've got a moment. I would like to thank all of you who recently complete trades with me. I did not post the trades not because I didn't enjoy or appreciate them. Rather I didn't post because I either forgot, got too excited and put the cards up, or forgot. All trades are appreciated, no matter how big or small.

Can We Get a Skipper, Please?

No, not this guy!!!

Ok, guys. Obviously everyone has heard that the Rockies and former manager Jim Tracy have parted ways. Tracy did a great job with the Rox in 2009 taking over for a fired, now Pirates skipper, Clint Hurdle. The Tracy-led Rockies made it to the playoffs for the second time in three years in '09 only to lose in the LCS to the eventual NL Champ Phillies. Let's take a look at the rumored potential replacements.

Sandy Alomar, Jr.

Indians Bench Coach and former Rockies first base coach Sandy Alomar, Jr. would be a great manager, I feel. Watching Alomar for most of my childhood, I noticed he was the grinding sort of player. We saw that in 1997 when he was the All-Star MVP and finished 14th in the AL MVP voting. I think Alomar would not be afraid to tell the players and upper management just what he thought.

Tim Wallach

Five-time All-Star, Montreal Expo and Los Angeles Dodger Great, and Dodger Coach Tim Wallach is considered another strong candidate for the job. Not sure about that. I don't really see the fit, but you never know. I would probably consider Wallach as a "Yes Man," but again I don't know enough about the guys coaching ability.

Brad Ausmus

A possibility that really intrigues me is former Astros backstop Brad Ausmus. I see Ausmus as the same kind of skipper as Mike Matheny of the Cardinals. They came up around the same time ('93 and '94 respectively), played the same way (tough and gritty), and have the same personally (dry and respectable). Seeing what Matheny was able to do in St. Louis makes me wonder if Ausmus could do the same in Colorado.

Jason Giambi

Jason Giambi is another head-scratcher for me. I never knew the Giambino wanted to get into coaching, and honestly I don't see it. While he may be respected in the clubhouse, I don't think Giambi is coaching material.  Not the right pick for the Rocks.

Ryne Sandberg

Finally, the most unrealistic, but most dream most Colorado fans don't want to give up. Ryno!!! The Phillies have granted Sandberg permission to talk to other organizations about potential openings. The 10-time All-Star and 1984 NL MVP has worked for the Phillies and Cubs as a minor league manager. He even managed for my hometown minor league team, the Tennessee Smokies (Cubs AA affiliate). Sandberg has all that a fan could want from a manager. Lots of on-field playing success. Minor league management success. And a huge name!

The Toddfather's Top 3 for Rockies Manager

1. Ryne Sandberg

2. Brad Ausmus

3. Sandy Alomar, Jr.

What are your thoughts?

The Break, Day 14 Packs 79-84

Well, this is it. This is the end of the First Ever Toddfather Group Break. I would like to, first of all, say thank you to all of you that participated and made this Group Break worth doing. You are all invited to any of my next breaks. Whether you are over seas, across the northern border, or here in the states, consider yourself a close "neighbor" of the Home of the Toddfather. Now let's begin the end.

Pack 79
Keenyn Walker - Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox)
Shelby Miller - Springfield Cardinals (Cardinals)
Matt Harvey - St. Lucie Mets (Mets)
Mike Olt MiLB All-Star - Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Rangers)
Dean Green - Connecticut Tigers (Tigers)
Samuel Meade - Asheville Tourists (Rockies)
Devin Shines - Ogden Raptors (Dodgers)
Justice French - AZL Reds (Reds)









Pack 80
Zach Cone - Spokane Indians (Rangers)
Jabari Blash - Clinton Lumber Kings (Mariners)
Blake Hassebrock - Burlington Bees (Angels)
Jonathan Galvez - Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres)
Jake Odorizzi - Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Royals)
Jonathon Berti - Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays)
Tanner Peters - Vermont Lake Monsters (A's)
Travis Taijeron - Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets)








Pack 81
Robbie Erlin - San Antonio Missions (Padres)
Christian Bethancourt - Lynchburg Hillcats (Braves)
Jake Marisnick - Lansing Lugnuts (Blue Jays)
Jean Segura - Inland Empire 66ers (Angels)
Brennan May - Dayton Dragons (Reds)
Jose Ramirez - AZL Indians (Indians)
Benjamin McMahan - Helena Brewers (Brewers)
Anthony Ranaudo - Greenville Drive (Red Sox)








Pack 82
Barret Loux - Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Rangers)
Kyle Waldrop - Billings Mustangs (Reds)
Cory Spangenberg - Fort Wayne Tin Cups (Padres)
Trayce Thompson - Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox)
Zeke DeVoss Gold 49/50 - Boise Hawks (Cubs)
Jamal Austin - Pulaski Mariners (Mariners)
Matthew Williams - Johnson City Cardinals (Cardinals)
Matthew Murray - Burlington Royals (Royals)








Pack 83
Daniel Corcino - Dayton Dragons (Reds)
James Payton - Clinton Lumber Kings (Mariners)
Joe Panik - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Giants)
Chad Bettis - Modesto Nuts (Rockies)
Heath Hembree MiLB All-Stars - Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants)
Kevin Patterson - Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays)
Scott Snodgress - Great Falls Voyagers (White Sox)
Bryson Myles - Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Indians)







Pack 84
Wilmer Flores - St. Lucie Mets (Mets)
Kyle Kubitza - Danville Braves (Braves)
Trevor May - Clearwater Threshers (Phillies)
Eddie Rosario - Elizabethton Twins (Twins)
Joe Panik Auto - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Giants)
Daniel Muno - Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets)
Rafael Lopez - Boise Hawks (Cubs)
Kyle Hallock - Tr-City Valley Cats (Astros)








So there you have it. We ended with an Panik Auto. This must have been the Mike Olt box, though. A base, an All-Star, and the Manu Hat Patch. Pretty nice, huh? Add in the Gold DeVoss numbered to 50 and the Hembree AS. It's a really great way to end the break.

So now that we're done, I will try to have everyone's package out by October 26. Thanks to everyone for participating. I hope you all enjoyed and are satisfied with your group of cards.

The Break, Day 13 Packs 73-78

Wow, guys. My allergies are really acting up from all the sweeping going on in Detroit. Yeah, that was pretty corny. but it works for me.  The Yankees have been ousted by the Triple Crown winner and a Cy Young/MVP. Oh, what a joyous day! Speaking of Yankees, the A-Rod to the Marlins trade rumor is interesting. How much will New York pay? Who will they get in return? So many questions and not enough good answers. I guess we shall see. Now, time to crack some packs.

Pack 73

Alfredo Sliverio - Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers)

Mike Olt Manu Hat Patch - Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Rangers)

Taylor Siemens - Missoula Osprey (Diamondbacks)

Pack 74

Guillermo Pimentel - Pulaski Mariners (Mariners)

Nick Franklin - Jackson Generals (Mariners)

Vincent Catricala - High Desert Mavericks (Mariners)

Jake Hager - Princeton Rays (Rays)

Brandon Pinder - Staten Island Yankees (Yankees)

Tyler Rahmatulla - Johnson City Cardinals (Cardinals)

J.R. Graham - Danville Braves (Braves)

Kelby Tomlinson - Augusta Green Jackets (Giants)

Pack 75

Chris Archer - Durham Bulls (Rays)

Noah Syndergaard - Bluefield Blue Jays (Blue Jays)

Manny Banuelos - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Yankees)

Taylor Thornburg MiLB All-Stars - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers)

D'Andre Toney - AZL Royals (Royals)

Ryan Jones - Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins)

Jiwan James - Reading Phillies (Phillies)

Paul Hoilman - Boise Hawks (Cubs)

Pack 76

Andrew Clark - Hickory Crawdads (Rangers)

Manny Machado - Frederick Keys (Orioles)

Marcell Ozuna - Greensboro Grasshoppers (Marlins)

Gary Sanchez - Charleston River Dogs (Yankees)

Jeremy Patton - Batavia Muckdogs (Marlins)

Martin Peguero - AZL Mariners (Mariners)

Tommy Joseph - San Jose Giants (Giants)

Chase Davidson - Greeneville Astros (Astros)

Pack 77

Christian Yelich - Greensboro Grasshoppers (Marlins)

Andrelton Simmons - Lynchburg Hillcats (Braves)

Didi Gregorius - Carolina Mudcats (Indians)

Mason Williams - Staten Island Yankees (Yankees)

Tyrell Jenkins - Johnson City Cardinals (Cardinals)

Kevan Smith - Bristol Sox (White Sox)

John Cornely - Danville Braves (Braves)

O'Koyea Dickson - Ogden Raptors (Dodgers)

Pack 78

Carlos Martinez - Palm Beach Cardinals (Cardinals)

Trevor Bauer - Mobile Bay Bears (Diamondbacks)

Michael Choice - Stockton Ports (A's)

Jedd Gyorko - San Antonio Missons (Padres)

Yazy Arbelo - South Bend River Hawks (Diamondbacks)

David Buchanan - Lakewood Blue Claws (Phillies)

Justin Nicolino - Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays)

A.J. Jimenez - Dunedin Blue Jays (Blue Jays)

An absolutely great day!!! The Olt Manu Hat Patch is one of the best looking cards I've ever pulled. Also, great base cards of guys who made an impact in the majors this season. Simmons, Machado, Bauer. And players who are "suppose to" make an impact soon. Thornburg, Hager, Gregorius. Just awesome! And did I mention...the Yankees got swept. Just saying.

The Break, Day 12 Packs 67-72

Rain, rain go away. Wanna watch the Yankees lose. Yeah, I went there. With no games to comment on tonight, I guess we'll just get started.

Pack 67
Edward Salcedo - Rome Braves (Braves)
Zach Wheeler - St. Lucie Mets (Mets)
Tyler Skaggs - Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks)
Jake Odorizzi - Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Royals)
Bryce Ortega - Auburn Doubledays (Nationals)
Phillips Castillo - AZL Mariners (Mariners)
Nick Ramirez - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers)
Gary Apelian - Johnson City Cardinals (Cardinals)








Pack 68
Starling Marte - Atoona Curve (Pirates)
Tim Wheeler - Tulsa Drillers (Rockies)
Dan Rosenbaum - Harrisburg Senators (Nationals)
Matt Den Dekker - St. Lucie Mets (Mets)
Jonathan Schoop MiLB All-Star - Delmarva Shorebirds (Orioles)
Jordan Swagerty - Springfield Cardinals (Cardinals)
C.J. Cron - Orem Owlz (Angels)
Gregory Pron - Kingsport Mets (Mets)








Pack 69
Sonny Gray - Midland Rock Hounds (Rangers)
Robbie Ray - Hagerstown Suns (Nationals)
Keyvius Sampson - Fort Wayne Tin Cups (Padres)
Danny Hultzen Jersey - Jackson Generals (Mariners)
Luis Jimenez - Arkansas Travelers (Angels)
Ajay Meyer - Bluefield Blue Jays (Blue Jays)





Pack 70
Sean Buckley - Billings Mustangs (Reds)
Henry Rodriguez - Carolina Mudcats (Indians)
Taijuan Walker - Clinton Lumber Kings (Mariners)
Jeurys Familia - Binghamton Mets (Mets)
Drew Vettleson - Princeton Rays (Rays)
Matthew Summers - Elizabethton Twins (Twins)
Jorge Vega-Rosado - GCL Blue Jays (Blue Jays)
Kevin Quackenbush - Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres)







Pack 71
Matt Adams - Springfield Cardinals (Cardinals)
Joe Terdoslavich - Lynchburg Hillcats (Braves)
Mike Montgomery - Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals)
Jonathan Schoop - Delmarva Shorebirds (Orioles)
Brett Krill - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Giants)
Tyler Collins - Connecticut Tigers (Tigers)
Gerrit Cole - Bradenton Marauders (Pirates)
Dante Bichette, Jr. - Staten Island Yankees (Yankees)








Pack 72
Xander Bogaerts - Greenville Drive (Red Sox)
Cheslar Cuthbert - Kane County Cougars (Cubs)
Julio Rodriguez - Clearwater Threshers (Phillies)
Telvin Nash - Lexington Legends (Royals)
Keyvius Sampson MiLB All-Star - Fort Wayne Tin Cups (Padres)
Grant Buckner - Bristol Sox (White Sox)
Kyle Hald - Johnson City Cardinals (Cardinals)
Richard Espy - Idaho Falls Chukars (Royals)








Another day has come and gone, and another six packs down. The Hultzen jersey is pretty sweet. Not the best jersey card I've ever seen, but a jersey nonetheless. Pretty good stuff tonight. I wouldn't mess with Mr. Sampson, though. Check out that mug.

The Break, Day 11 Packs 61-66

I want to start off this break post with a thanks to my man, Mark, a This Way to the Clubhouse for yet another awesome trade. The gifts will be posted soon. Great stuff as always. And if you haven't dealt with Mark yet, you, my friends, are missing out. Clink on the link above to visit Mark's World.

Tonight we start the final leg of the break with this year's Pro Debut. I had to do a little research on the affiliates, but it is done. I'm going to list the Minor League team name with Major League team in parenthesis. As for the picture, I don't know enough of these players to pretend who's good and who's not, so I'm going to pick the best looking card or the team with the coolest name. Let's get started.

Better Beer Face

Pack 61
Heath Hembree - Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants)
Deck McGuire - New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays)
John Hellweg - Inland Empire 66ers (Angels)
Travis d-Arnaud - New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays)
Trevor Story - Asheville Tourists (Rockies)
Justin Boudreaux - Ogden Raptors (Dodgers)
Nick Urbanus - AZL Rangers (Rangers)
Todd McInnis - Batavia Muckdogs (Marlins)









Pack 62
Robbie Grossman - Bradenton Marauders (Pirates )
Nestor Molina - New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays)
Tyler Thornburg - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers)
Jake Marisnick MiLB All-Star - Lansing Lugnuts (Blue Jays)
Juan Perez - Billings Mustangs (Reds)
Trey McNutt - Tennessee Smokies (Cubs)
Scooter Gennett - Bevard County Manatees (Brewers)
Zack Cox - Springfield Cardinals (Cardinals)








Pack 63
Cody Buckel - Hickory Crawdads (Rangers)
Miguel Santos - Elizabethton Twins (Twins)
Gary Brown - San Jose Giants (Giants)
Luis Jimenez Auto - Arkansas Travelers (Angels)
Jett Bandy - Inland Empire 66ers (Angels)
Josh Parr - Missoula Osrey (Diamondbacks)
Mark Haddow - Great Falls Voyagers (White Sox)
Matt Davidson - Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks)








Pack 64
Casey Crosby - Erie Sea Wolves (Tigers)
Taylor Lindsey - Orem Owlz (Angels)
Mike Olt - Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Rangers)
Alexi Amarista - Salt Lake Bees (Angels)
Bryce Harper - Syracuse Chiefs (Nationals)
Kevin Pillar - Bluefield Blue Jays (Blue Jays)
Tim Shibuya - Elizabethton Twins (Twins)
Ryan Brett - Princeton Rays (Rays)








Pack 65
Allen Webster - Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers)
Kole Calhoun - Inland Empire 66ers (Angels)
John Lamb - Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Royals)
Anthony Gose MiLB All-Star - New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays)
Taylor Motter - Princeton Rays (Rays)
Mike Murray - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Giants)
Nick Castellanos - West Michigan White Caps (Tigers)
Jonathan Griffin - Missoula Osprey (Diamondbacks)


Pack 66
Kevin Matthews - Spokane Indians (Rangers)
Wil Myers - Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Royals)
Javier Baez - Boise Hawks (Cubs)
Steven Proscia - High Desert Mavericks (Mariners)
James Allen - Billings Mustangs (Reds)
Nicholas Cuckovich - AZL Royals (Royals)
Nicholas Tropeano - Tri City Valley Cats (Astros)
Jace Peterson - Eugene Emeralds (Padres)








Nice start to breaking the young 'ens. For some reason, I've really liked this set since its inception in 2010. Just something different, I guess. What do you guys think?

Oh, and as a wrestling fan, I'd be remiss to point out the name of the third player in the break, John Hellweg. Although spelled different, the name automatically reminded me of Jim Hellwig. Who is Jim Hellwig you ask?

Recognize this Whack-job?

The Break, Day 10 Packs 55-60

I know that I've commenting on the playoffs during the break, but I will not be commenting on the NLCS in any of my posts from henceforth. I am not a Cardinal or Giants fan, nor will I ever claim to be. Therefore, I cannot bring myself to cheer for either. So...GO UMPIRES!!!

Now, let's get started.

Pack 55

Matt Cain - Giants

Jordan Pacheco RC - Rockies

Liam Hendricks RC - Twins

Kyle Seager - Mariners

Pack 56

Mike Moustakas - Royals

Ryan Braun - Brewers

Wei-Yin Chen RC Refractor - Orioles

Lance Berkman - Cardinals

Pack 57

Josh Beckett - Red Sox

Johnny Cueto - Reds

Alex Avila - Tigers

Prince Fielder - Tigers

Pack 58

Lucas Duda - Mets

Kyle Blanks - Padres

Tom Milone RC Red Refractor Auto 10/25 - A's

Adrian Gonzalez - Red Sox

Pack 59

Josh Johnson - Marlins

Mark Buehrle Blue Refractor 40/199 - Marlins

Brett Lawrie RC - Blue Jays

Kevin Youkilis - Red Sox

Pack 60

Craig Kimbrel Red Refractor 19/25 - Braves

Alex Rodriguez - Yankees

Matt Moore RC - Rays

Carlos Ruiz - Phillies

Wow! What a great end to the Chrome box! Great stuff. As an update, only one claimed team went through the chrome box without a "hit." That was the Astros. No worries, Anthony. You will be taken care of my friend. Also, I will start taking suggestions for the next group break. You can leave me a comment or light up the inbox. I'll go ahead and tell you. It will not include anything like Triple Threads or Playoff Prime Cuts. Something all of us can afford is the basic guideline.

The Break, Day 9 Packs 49-54

Glad to say after two games in the ALCS, the only team I can bring myself to cheer for left in the playoffs is actually winning. Great job by the Tigers and future AL MVP Miguel Cabrera and company to stun the Evil Empire with wins in the Bronx. Can you tell I'm not a Yankees fan?

Pack 49
Eric Surkamp RC - Giants
Justin Verlander - Tigers
Cliff Lee - Phillies
Billy Butler - Royals













Pack 50
Kirk Nieuwenhuis RC - Mets
Ian Kinsler - Rangers
Andrelton Simmons RC Refractor - Braves
Starlin Castro - Cubs











Pack 51
Alex Gordon - Royals
Aramis Ramirez - Brewers
Mike Trout X-fractor - Angels
Paul Konerko - White Sox








Pack 52
Alex Rodriguez - Yankees
Ryan Lavarnway Auto - Red Sox
Matt Moore RC - Rays
Robinson Cano - Yankees












Pack 53
Mark Trumbo - Angels
Gio Gonzalez Refractor - Nationals
Shane Victorino - Phillies
Matt Holliday - Cardinals












Pack 54
Cole Hamels - Phillies
Wilin Rosario RC Refractor - Rockies
Mark Buehrle - Marlins
Curtis Granderson - Yankees












I'm sure Tom is ecstatic right now. His first Trout yesterday. Now a Trout X-fractor today, and Trumbo in the next pack. Very nice, Tom. Bet it will never happen again.