Sunday, March 31, 2013

My Only Pack of 2013 Heritage

Welcome to the Unofficial Official Opening Day/Night Extravaganza!!! And what a better game to see open the 2013 season.

Everyone wants to see the Josh Hamilton-less Texas Rangers take on the Who's That Playing Shortstop Houston Astros.

What a barn-burner!

I am glad to see the Astros score more than just one run on Opening Night. No offense to Houston fans whatsoever. My Rockies will probably be in the cellar again this year right with ya.

Anyway, back to the original premise of this post.

I got frisky and bought a pack of Heritage just to see what I could get for my PCs. My only hit was one of my newest binder additions, Jon Jay.


I'm not a huge fan of the design. Then again, I'm not much on the vintage cards. To each his own, right?

Anyway, everything else from the pack is up for grabs.


I'd like to add to my Heritage PCs in a trade, but if you've dealt with me before, you know I'm not picky. Hit me up, and I'm sure we can work something out.

Happy Easter, everyone!!!


Saturday, March 30, 2013

That Didn't Take Long

It seemed like just a week ago I was batting a big O-fer on the Namesakes 2013 collection. Ok, it was just a week ago, but you get the point. I had none of this year's Todd Helton cardboard.

That all changed this week, however.

Say hello to number two!!!


In prior research I had compiled for my PCs for this year, there was no mention of Helton getting a Venezuelan back in this year's Heritage.

I was shocked and pleased to find this floating around on eBay. 

Two down, three to go. Still missing the Silver Slugger Patch, Heritage Booklet Bat Knob thingy, and Topps Sticker.

I think I can. I think I can...

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

My First 2013 Todd Helton


I picked this up along with Pomeranz, CarGo, Pacheco, Trumbo and Arencibia in a trade on Cardboard Connections.

I'm a fifth of the way to my 2013 Toddfather goal already. Seriously doubt I'll come across the Heritage Helton Bat Knob.

I'm still looking for the Silver Slugger Trophy Patch card. Please let me know if you have one to trade.


Monday, March 25, 2013

The Generosity of the the Good Doctor

As some of you may know, a couple weeks back Matt over at Doc Holoday announced his Spring Cleaning event. Like a team? He'll ship you what he has.


I was fortunate enough to get to Matt before he found a suitor for his Rockies stash.


So when I "signed up," I was expecting a few in a PWE or a small bubble mailer...


That was not the case, though.


You see. Doc packed a USPS Small Flat Rate Box with four team bag bricks. 


Each brick with its own treasure trove of Rocks for me to indulge myself in.


And what did he ask for in return? Nothing! 


I'm not sure if Doc has any more team vacancies, but it wouldn't hurt to drop him a line and find out.

Anyway, thank you, Matt for the generosity and the very pleasant surprise in my mailbox!!!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

So I Took a Trip to Target..

And of course I had to drop by the forbidden baseball card section before walking out of the Bulleye's doors. I stood contemplating. "Do I really need these?" The answer, my friends, was a simple, "YES!!!"

I found myself in another dilemma, though. Heritage, Opening Day, Stickers, or Repack? Sure, I'd get a nice assortment of cards from Heritage, but I'm not aiming for completion of that set. Just picking up for my PC. Sure, I'd get a lot of random cards with a Repack, but I'm sure I probably already have half of them (my luck). 

That left me with Opening Day, a set with I try, emphasis on the word "try" to complete each year. Or Stickers, which are only $.99 for a pack of eight.

Why not get one of each?!?!

So, that's what I did. A rack pack of Opening Day and a pack of Stickers.


About halfway through the pack of Opening Day these were awaiting my arrival. All of them pretty much one after another. I love when a plan comes together.

These were not the only nice cards in the 24-card pack.


Check out my star pulls. I finally got to watch Rizzo play in the WBC. Boy, is he something special! Machado was a bit of a suprise. J-Up looks good even in airbrushed Braves attire.


 Don'e forget the inserts. No one from my PCs, but nice cards nontheless.


The stickers were quite a disappointment! No one I want, and I'm not working on the set. All are for trade, preferably for someone I can use.

Oh, Target card section...Why must you beckon me with you're great deals!!!

Good stuff, though.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

You're Killing Me Smalls

Recently, I ran across The Sandlot ran by Mets fan Joe. In a post a couple weeks ago, Joe was advertising his 2013 Topps for trade, and he still has some left.

Anyway, I put in my request, found some Mets that I haven't already traded to the Clubhouse, and made a visit to the Post Office.

Upon arriving home from work on lunch break, these beauties were waiting in my mailbox.


Only 18 remain on my 2013 Flagship Series One. I'm digging Wade Davis' socks. Wonder if the Royals have anything like that for him to rock.


The Uggla Mini is going in the PC. The set can wait for ole Danny Boy. I also really like the Calling Card set. Different with a hint of A&G. I'm more interested in completing that one and the Chasing the Dream than the Minis.


Joe even threw in some Rocks for my collecting pleasure. FYI: Did you know the Rockies signed the losing pitcher from Puerto Rico in the WBC Championship Game...Giancarlo Alvarado. According to Costas or Kaat or Verducci (whichever it was), Alvarado was cut by the last place team in the Japanese Central League. I know the Japanese play good baseball, but if you're getting cut by the worst team in the league, you shouldn't be getting a deal with a Major League team, let alone start the championship game in the WBC...against the Dominican!!!

Rant over.

Thanks for the great cards, Joe. Looking forward to another deal soon.

Do You Know the Way to San Jose?

Two words started this trade: Jerricho Cotchery. Or was it Fathead Tradeable. Ok, so make that four words.

I was over at The Chronicles of Fuji and noticed he was trying to complete the 2009 Fathead Tradeables football set. It just so happens that I picked up a few boxes at Champs Sports a couple years ago for 99 cents hoping to flip them. Mr. Cotchery was the only one I had left that Fuji needed. I threw in a some Packer and Seahawk cards to sweeten the deal, too. 

(Note: I am trying to get rid of what few football cards I have except for former UT players. Hit me up with your team, and I'll see what I've got)


A couple emails later, I end up with these beauties.


I picked up the base version of this Ultra Team Players cards at the Flea Market I frequent last summer. Now, the Gold Medallion is mine as well.


You can really tell from the scan, but this '02 Diamond King Bronze of the Toddfather is framed by the white border. The scan does this card no justice whatsoever.


Last, but definitely not least, is one of the rainbow of 2008 UD Baseball Heroes. Beige numbered 199/299. Neat number to have. I think I just need pink, indigo, maroon, orange, plaid, and macaroni and cheese left in this set. Oh, and don't forget those colors with the patch, too.

Anyway, thanks for the trade Fuji and the wonderful additions to the Helton portfolio. 

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The World's Fastest Half Mile

As an East Tennessean and a sports fan, I get odd looks from people that ask me, "Have you ever watched a race at Bristol?" And I answer no...That was until Sunday.

You see, Ashley and I have a friend that works for the sponsor of the Sprint Cup race, and she was given four tickets. As you can predetermine, she asked us to tag along.

Free ticket...check. Free ride...check. Free parking...check. Coolers allowed in...check. PERFECT!!! I'm there.


(Yes, I'm cheap. So sue me. You wouldn't get much.)

Anyway, it was definitely an experience worth having...once.


Let me put it this way. If I had to pay for it, I would have been extremely disappointed. The race was actually pretty close until the final caution when Kasey Kahne left everyone in the dust.


There are a few things that I came away with, though:

1) The feeling of having the adult beverage can in your hand shake as the cars go by is unbelievable.


2) Standing on the track were some many legendary drivers have "burned rubber" blows my mind.


3) When during pre-race introductions the driver says, "I need no introduction," said driver has become my new favorite.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Another Run In with Rhubarb Runner

Not long after I posted the picture of the team trade bait I had available, I received an email from the notorious Twinkies fan, Rhubarb Runner, from over at e rayhahn, rayhahn. He was interest in striking up a deal, which is great because R.R. really hooked me up last time.

This time, however, someone else got the hook up. I'm sure you can guess who that was given the clues from above.


It's not often that Ms. Ashley gets any cards at all. This time, though, all but two of the cards went to her nice start up PC of one Joe Mauer. The UD All-Star Classics is probably my favorite from the bunch, but the Sweetspot was the one that caught her eye.


When Rhubarb Runner and I started the trade, I told him the shinier, the better for Ashley and her collection. And these two plus the Toppstown and Platinum from above show that R.R. is a great listener.

So on behalf of Ashley, thank you Rhubarb Runner for the great trade. I now have one happy camper...that's drooling on the cards as we speak. Hahaha!!!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Does Anyone Else Collect These?

When I began my collecting journey as a small child, my dad would take me to the local CVS (then-RevCo) to pick up a few packs after a good week in school. It all started with 1992 Score, a freaking huge set that I still haven't finished (hint, hint). Then a few '93 Topps, a lot of '94 Score, and then one of the oddest, coolest sets I've ever have the privilege of adding to my collection.


1994 FLEER EXTRA BASES!!!


Fleer Extra Bases is obviously an over-sized set which contains 400 base cards and 4 different insert sets. Each card measures 2 1/4 X 4 3/4. 


This set was just the beginning, in my humble opinion, of some great sets Fleer would produce in the mid- to late-1990s. We will leave those for another post, though.


Anyhow, I've been trying to track down boxes, packs, and singles from this set on and off for years. Since I will be investing a little less in most of the 2013 sets, I will have the funds to throw in this sets general direction. And with the discovery of Sportlots by my fellow bloggers, I now have the resources. (Note: Most I've found on eBay are way overpriced.)


I mean, really. Who in there right mind would want to have a set of these? Or in the least, that sweet Piazza in the center right there?


So, if you have any for trade, I will be glad to take those off your hands. If this is your first experience with the epic 1994 Fleer Extra Bases set, you're welcome. If it's not and you forgot about these, shame on you!

Oh and you're welcome, too. Haha!!!

Monday, March 11, 2013

Birthday Wishes

We here at the Home of the Toddfather would like to throw out a shout-out to my boy, Dan Uggla. Today, Dan is celebrating his 33rd birthday.


I first heard of Mr. Uggla when the Diamondbacks took over the affiliation for the hometown Tennessee Smokies, a Southern League Double-A team. In 2005, Dan's only year in Kodak, TN, Uggla played with the likes of Stephen Drew, Miguel Montero and one of my personal favorites Jamie D'Antona.

That year, Dan batted at a .297 clip with 21 diggers and 87 RBI. 


In 2006, the Marlins selected Dan in the Rule 5 Draft. Turns out it was a great move for Uggla as he finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting behind Ryan Zimmerman and then-teammate Hanley Ramirez.

Dan would also go on to be selected to two All Star Games and win a Silver Slugger award in his five seasons in Miami.


One of those ASG appearances could go down as one of the worst player-showing in the history of the midsummer classic. The 2008 game in New Yankee Stadium was a disaster for Uggla. Check this line:

0-4, 3 SO, 1 GIDP, 3 E


After the 2010 season, Dan was traded to the Braves for Omar Infante and Mike Dunne. Dream come true for yours truly. Not since '05 was I able to watch Uggla regularly. Now, every time I turn on the Braves game, there he is. 


Call me weird. Call me a dork. But we all have those players we watched "grow up before our eyes" and like to see do well in the majors. Dan was one of the few for me. So again, happy birthday, Mr. Uggla!!! Wherever you are...

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

It Sucks Being Broke!!!

I may have to resort to my old summer job at the ballpark.

Getcha Buttscratcher Here!!!
So I don't have any new cards to post about. Instead to get my fix, I've been going through my doubles looking for something I may have missed before...And I found it.

I'm sure a bazillion people have posted or written about this card, but I haven't so, yeah.


Jose Offerman was "Stone Cold" Steve Austin before Austin was Austin. Gotta love that sweet Lou Thesz Press.

Or maybe it had been a long time since Offerman had seen Vince Coleman, a.k.a. the Met getting a face full of Mr. Offerman. Bro Hug!!!

Or maybe Coleman had beef with Dodgers then-second baseman Jody Reed and Offerman was just trying to keep Reed from getting beat to a pulp.

Or maybe this was a fight over former Dodger and Met (and Marlin, and Padre, and A) Mike Piazza. Take that Jose. Spinebuster!!!

Double A Style

Ok, I'm done.