Getting Back to It

Admittedly, I've been slacking on my blog posting and reading since joining some cards forums around the internet. What can I say? It's easy to get on there and set up trades whether I'm on lunch from work or just lounging around the house allowing me to stray away from the blogosphere and my friends.

A package that I totally forgot about reminded me today what I was missing in the forums where I'd buried my head: the personal relationships formed through reading a person's heart pour out into the hobby they love, cherish, etc. It cannot be found while stirring up trades elsewhere.

So after going through a trade package I received from Brian over at Play at the Plate, I went straight to the blogs that I constantly found myself reading only a couple months prior. Then proceeded to write this.

Enough with the pouring of emotions. Wanna see my loot? Dumb question. Of course you do.

Let's start with some mini-rama.

The Trevor Story is my first foray into the Bowman Chrome Prospect Mini Refractors (or whatever they are). I really like it, but Topps may be overdoing it with all these minis. Not sure of everyone else's feelings. Let me just say, though, that this are done much better than some of the other attempts ('87 Minis).

We also have the pacesetter of the "mini world", the 2003 Fleer Double Header. Love these, but man, they are hard to find! FYI: Jason Jennings was the Rookie of the Year in 2002 beating the likes of Brad Wilkerson (2nd), Kaz Ishii (4th), and Mark Prior (T-7th).

Time to show of the regular-size goods.

Sliding Cuddy in Emerald, swinging Rosario in Gold, Top Prospect (and ROY contender) Arenado. Let us not overlook the Garrett Atkins UD X GU. Atkins was a very good, productive member of the Rockies. For the Orioles...not so much. Coors Field??? Maybe.

It's a Tulo Attack!!!

Two rookies + three 2013s = LOVE. How many of you knew that Tulo wore any number other than 2 in any major league season?

Let's take a look at my favorite card from the stack.

Anyone have a guess? Try the 2000 Pacific Aurora. The bottom of the card has a fence in it! A FENCE!!! How awesome is that?!?! I've never in my life seen one of these before, and now I couldn't imagine my life without it. One thing, though: Larry Walker should never wear a Fu Manchu. That is hideous.

Last, but not least. A trio of Helton GU!

Two purples and a purple stripe. Now, those are some patches of royalty. Couldn't get too much better than that...except the SPx is #ed 5/800! Sweet.

Brian, thank you so much for this awesome package! Just awesome!!!

In Honor of a Hero

As you've all heard, I'm sure, Todd Helton will be retiring come the end of the 2013 season, which will hopefully not end with Colorado in last place. Thankfully, I've seen Helton and his Rockies in person several times over the years and watched from afar as they stormed through the 2007 Postseason only to be swept by Boston. Through his awesome 2000 season (.372 BA, 216 H, 59 2B) and his abysmal 2012 campaign (69 G, .238 BA, 57 H), I've cheered on the Toddfather. 

There will be others (take a look at my PC page), but none with the loyalty, desire and drive as Helton. 

Thank you, Todd, for all the memories! You will be missed!

Wherever the Chipz May Fall

Yesterday, I talked about my lack of buying into quite a few 2013 sets. Yet I did not mention one of the cooler sets (personal opinion, of course) for the year. I'm talking of course of the 2013 Topps Chipz!

These are obviously not your standard cardboard. And I can understand the traditional collectors not liking the idea of combining poker chips and baseball cards. For me though, the appeal is all about the elusiveness of a similar set only eight years earlier. That set...2005 Topps Pack Wars.

The Todd Helton from this set has eluded for a long time. Not only that, but any of the chips I would want are way out of my price range. This years version is affordable and loaded with stars, parallels, relics and autos.

Here's the thing, though. I've opened four packs and have no plans on finishing. Just trying to the likes of Mark Trumbo, Eric Hosmer and Dan Uggla. So, I'd like to trade them off for any of my PC players.

Here's what I've got.

Base

Glow in the Dark?

Gold

The Hamels and Morse I've marked as Glow in the Dark may not be completely accurate, but the background on them is raise making it course. Really, I'm not sure what else they could be. If you can lend a helping hand with some info on these, it would be appreciate. The only chip that is possibly spoken for is the Alexi Ramirez.

If anyone is interested, you know how to get a-hold of me. Have a great night, everyone!!!

Who Needs 2013?

Don't get me wrong. 2013 has produced some killer sets in which I'd love to invest my time and money. The Allen & Ginter design is my favorite in the all the years of its existence. The Online Exclusive Minis and Gypsy Queen are kinda neat. Bowman Platinum is expensive. And I've already completed a set of Bowman that is very similar to this years design.

BUT...because of my reckless abandon deeper into the hobby in 2012, I have several incomplete sets, most of which I'm still working on. Dang you, Topps Chrome Purple!!!

Anyway, due to my near absence in 2013 sets (PC wants, Flagship and Archives excluded), I been able to do some wheelin' and dealin' with the same amount of money I do have. Several incredible people have made the dealin' part much easier.

Case in point, Brandon, CCW member and much-appreciated reader, hit me up after a desperate plea from yours truly for some "oddball" Todd Helton help. In return for my very first pack-pulled auto, Brandon provided me with these beauties.

Two lefty first basemen! Both numbered!! Both needed!!!

The Hosmer Gold is my second from this year's Archive. (The other, Jose Altuve. Anyone need it?) Eric has come around the second half of the season for the Royals and is a key part of KC's Wild Card run. In fact, I just read a very good article on Hosmer and the O's Chris Davis.

2002 was a good year for Upper Deck as it began to up its game to complete with Topps, Fleer and Donruss. Honestly, I'm a sucker for the different UD sets released from 2000-2008, and this Helton patch falls right in line. The best card is the AWESOME purple stripe!!! Doesn't hurt that its numbered. Have I said that already?

Thank you, Brandon, for these awesome cards and for reaching out. I hope you enjoyed the trade just as much as I did.

Have a great night everyone!!!

It's Your Birthday...And I'll Celebrate!

Ladies and gentlemen. I'm not quite sure all of you have heard, but today the Toddfather turns the big 4-0!!! And what better way to say happy birthday than showing off recent purchases of the Mr. Helton on the blog named after him.

Normally, I like to save my most awesome buys for last to build up the suspense, but this time I'm gonna have to break routine. 

When I started collecting Series One, I was unsure if Todd would make the cut, so I vowed to myself that I would try to pick up at least one Camo and one Pink parallel of any body from the set. A few months ago, I added a Miguel Montero Camo, and all I needed was a Pink. Well, I got it!!!

Numbered 35/50!!! I'm beyond stocked. Upon finding this beauty in my mailbox, I promptly messaged a picture to Ashley exclaiming my excitement. This card and the next came from a Sportlots order. (I love that site!) Check it out.

I went from zero to two parallels in the matter of two days. Now, I just need 120 more...I kid, just 23.

If you thought those were sweet, you're right! And so is this one.

Believe it or not, but this is my first "full-size" A&G Relic. It just happens to be the birthday boy. Throw in a purple pinstripe, and there, my friends, is a great way to celebrate the Toddfather's Over the Hill party. 

Although Todd went 0-4 with an error, I declare any day I can show off new Helton pick-ups a huge success!

Maybe I should celebrate all my PC birthdays this way? I'll get right on it.

A House-Sitting Surprise

If you house-sit for someone, you normally either get paid or they bring you back a surprise. There can be other surprises involved in house-sitting, especially if they have to small dogs that are confined for most of the day. That was the case as I house-sat for my parents as they took a trip with my aunt and uncle up to Chicago. (Note: My uncle, bless his sole, is a life-long Cubs fan. No offense, Tom.)

Anyway, my parents asked me to stay with their puppies as my little brother did the same for my aunt and uncle. While I did come home to some puppy surprises, the best gift was the one for sitting on the dogs and the house.

You see, my parents didn't only go to Wrigley. On their way home, the stopped at the Louisville Slugger factory and brought this back for me.

Awesome, right? Now, let's zoom in.

Even more AWESOME!!! But that's not all...

And zoom in...

Freaking sweet.

Finally, even though my mom is a big baseball fan, she cares nothing for the Cubs. It just so happens they went on a giveaway night. What did they get, you ask?

Even though we barely know him as a North-sider, Kyuji Fujikawa got his own Bobblehead Night. 

Personal opinion, of course, but I think the payment was definitely worth the Doggy Duty. Don't you?

2013 Topps Series 2 Needs

I'm a slow starter to the Series 2 game, friends, and have just now gotten just over half way done with the base.

The inserts...Hahahahaha!!! That's a whole other story.

As with Series 1, I will not be bothering with Chasing History and its many variations (unless its for one of my PCs). Nor will I attempt at the rest of the Cut to the Chase. I love the design, just not the price tag on them.

Finishing the '72 Minis and completing Making Their Mark and Chasing It Down are my goals. In case you are wondering, my needs are posted on my Wants page. I'll just save you the trip and post them here

Base
334, 337, 343, 345, 348, 352, 354, 355, 357, 362, 365, 366, 368, 373, 377, 381, 388, 394, 298, 401, 404, 405, 411, 414, 420, 426, 428, 435, 437, 439, 446, 447, 450, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 467, 468, 472, 473, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 485, 486, 491, 492, 498, 504, 506, 510, 512, 514, 516, 517, 519, 523, 529, 530, 534, 537, 538, 542, 543, 544, 551, 562, 563, 564, 567, 568, 570, 572, 573, 578, 580, 584, 588, 592, 593, 597, 599, 608, 609, 611, 613, 619, 623, 624, 625, 636, 638, 641, 646, 647, 648, 652, 654, 655, 656, 657, 658

'72 Minis
51, 54, 57, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 82, 84, 85, 87, 88, 91, 92, 94, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100

Chasing It Down
1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Making Their Mark
1, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25

I'm also still missing some inserts from Series 1 and base and SPs from Archives. If you can help, shoot me an email or comment on this posted. I'd love to work up a deal.