The Christmas Break

Well, my friends, it is time for the Second Toddfather Group Break, better known as the Christmas Break. The first break consisted of all this year's Topps products. The second break will be all Upper Deck. Don't worry, folks. No 2008 Documentary or X or the base sets from 2006-2010. Let's break it down, shall we?

First, 2002 UD MVP. I, personally, love the black cards on the set. Sure, they show dings more, but they are very nice. 24 packs of 8 eights. The set is chalk-full of Ichiro inserts. No huge rookies to speak of, but many great players in this 300-card set. 

I honestly don't know much about this 2002 UD Rookie Debut box, which was one the reasons I chose to add them to the break. Numbered cards, autographs, game-used, and inserts were another. 24 packs of 5 cards. Pretty excited about this box.

Finally, I really, really love these cards. There is an aura to the base set that has drawn me to adding this box to the break. Yeah, it's a facsimile signature on the base, but I don't care. 24 packs of 6 cards, plus one guaranteed auto. Feel free to check the links or search the sets on beckett.com. It will be $5 per team, and only $7 for two. Shipping is included with both prices. Great cards for a low price.

You can leave comment or email me at roxfantn17 at yahoo dot com with your choices. Once you team choice(s) have been confirmed by me, a payment should be sent via Paypal Gift Payment to the email address mentioned earlier. I will accept cash, checks, or money orders if you have no Paypal account. Paypal is preferred, though. International buyers, please add $1.50 extra for shipping.

The same rules apply from the first break. Multiple players from different teams on one card will go to the person who has the team of which the first player is listed. Any team that goes without hits will get the hits of the teams not claimed if any exist. The same will hold true if there are any cards with non-baseball players on them (other athletes, celebrities, etc.). Finally, here is the list of teams.

A's - Colbey H.

Angels - Tom T.

Astros - Sean P.

Blue Jays - Doug C.

Braves - Tim B.

Brewers

Cardinals - Weston D.

Cubs - Jeff L.

Diamondbacks - Jason P.

Dodgers - Ryan H.

Expos

Giants - Adam S.

Indians - Ryan H.

Mariners - Doug C.

Marlins

Mets - Steve D.

Orioles - Ryan H.

Padres - Rod R.

Phillies - Sean P.

Pirates - Rod R.

Rangers- Tom T.

Rays

Red Sox

Reds

Rockies - Tim B.

Royals - Ryan H.

Tigers

Twins - Jason P.

White Sox - Jeff L.

Yankees - Steve D.

A Trip to the Dollar Store

The trade market is pretty slow in the MLB Winter Meetings and at the Home of the Toddfather. Never fear, Doug is here. Doug from Sportscards from the Dollar Store, that is. After some communication after the First Ever Toddfather Group Break, Doug and I were able to strike up a pretty big deal. Well, I got my package today with all the goodies. Don't worry, Doug. Yours is on the way. Lets break it down.

As with many trade packages sent to me, the Rockies are well represented. Dexter Fowler had a great 2012, especially compared to his 2011 in which he was demoted to Triple-A after a terrible start. This Futures Game Jersey card of a young Fowler is pretty sweet. Doug also added this National Chicle Card and Darryl Kile (RIP).

The 2012 Topps has given me a really hard time to finish, and Doug has come to the rescue with 15 cards highlighted by Longo, Giambino, and NL MVP Runner-Up Chase Headley.

Finally, with all my wrestling references, Doug decided to throw in some 1991 WWF Classic cards, 54 to be exact. Check out this haul. The Hulkster, the Warrior, Jake "the Snake", Macho King, just to name a few. Doug has come through for me. Rockies, baseball, and wrestling. A great trade indeed. So thank you, Doug.

I'm Definitely Not the Home of the Five Star

I've read numerous reviews of the 2012 Topps Five Star, and I normally like to stay out of the line of fire on these sort of things, but I'm not a fan. This "high end" set seems to be the result of Topps executives getting together and discussing what kind of cards they would spend there exorbitant amount of cash on. Who in their right minds would want to drop over $400 for a box of maybe 20 cards? Granted they are all numbered, but I'd rather spend $30 on two boxes of 1992 Donruss than $400 on these cards. I did purchase one of the "base" cards on eBay just to see what I'm proudly missing. 

I paid $4.49 for this Jose Bautista. Probably a waste of money, but it could make for a nice trade bait item down the road.

Anyway, back to these "high ends." 32 "different" kinds of cards in the set with inserts and parallels. Nine one-of-ones. Base cards numbered lower than active and retired player autos. Retired player autos that include John Kruk, Albert Belle, Dave Kingman, Ken Griffey, Sr., and Robin Ventura. Active autos that include Mike Napoli and Anthony Rizzo. 

My apologies to those who collect these players, but if this is a "high end" set, how about some "high end" players? Don't get me wrong. They have some all-time greats. John Kurk? Really???

I don't want Five Star. I don't want Tier One. I don't even want Triple Threads. That is unless my blog's namesake is in the set. So while even though the Series One, Series Two, Update, Allen & Ginter, and Lineage/Archive may be all gimmicked-up, I'd rather drop my money in those barrels than put my whole paycheck in one box of any of these "high end" crud.

How About Some Fleas?

Ok, so maybe I want or have fleas, but I did make a trip to the Flea Market and scored some great cards for dirt cheap. You guys really have to see these. Only one of these will not be up of trade. I'll let you guys figure that one out on your own.

I picked up this Nick Punto auto for a whopping $1. You'd expect it to look like total crap. Bent corners, creases, the whole shebang. This card is crisp. Really nice. Oh and it books for $10.

This card met various criteria to make it to my collection. Unique, numbered, Rockies, and most of all Todd Helton! I've never seen a back-to-back dual jersey. Numbered 51/125. Two of the most successful Rockies in franchise history. And one was, of course, the Toddfather himself.

The find of the day was this 1999 UD Ionix Cyber Mike Piazza. The seller told me this card booked for $30 when I inquired on the price. My initial reaction was "yeah, right," but after I bought the card and got it home, I was very surprised. Purchased the cardboard masterpiece for $1, and the man wasn't off by much. The Pizza Man books for $25. I love this Flea Market, and now you can see why. Call me a cheap, and I'll say, "So."

A Little Bit of This, a Little Bit of That

Even though I've not been very active on here, I have been very active in purchasing new stuff to bolster my trade bait and show off. What I've started to do is broaden my scope when shopping on eBay...literally. Instead of searching for a certain player or set, I'll simply search "baseball cards" from lowest to highest and have found some great stuff. Four cards I'm particular that I've received so far are pretty awesome. First is this '12 Topps Update Black Paul Maholm numbered 51/61. Great pickup for the Braves down the stretch. Even better card, in my opinion. Started at a penny...only card I spent more than $2 on ($2.75).

This Eric Hosmer N43 from 2012 A&G is in great condition. I've never owned one of these, and I know you're thinking, "Tim, you say that about a lot of things." And you're right. I've just started delving deeper into collecting outside of Todd Helton. I like Hosmer, and I really like this card. Started at a penny. Sold to me for $1.88.

Next, Michael Morse's '12 Archives Gold Foil has made it's way into my hands. I like to put together the parallels from Lineage and Archive when I have the chance, and Morse fell into my lap. Started at a penny. Probably overpaid for it at $1.50.

Last but not least is one Matt Kemp. Really nice card. I like Triple Threads a lot (just not enough to buy a box, let alone a pack). It was a no-brainier to pick this card up. Started at, you guessed it, a penny. Bought for only $.40.

Four great cards, two serial numbered, for just a combined $6.53. Not too shabby, my friends. Not too shabby, indeed.

Another One Bites the Dust

Like most bloggers, I have a certain list of cards that I would LOVE to add to my collection. So far my list has taken a couple big hit thanks to some birthday presents. This time I punch a huge hole in it!!! Check this out.

I have been trying for at least five years to cash in on one of these babies...and finally I GOT IT!!! This 1999 Stadium Club Auto is now the best autograph in my collection. Nice crisp signatures. Nice clean corners. Nice card in every aspect. I'm starting to feel all emotional inside...ok maybe not, but it is amazing. Definitely not the cheapest card I've ever bought, but the $16 was well worth it.

For the record, if anyone has or has an idea where I can find any of the remaining cards on my list, you will be handsomely rewarded.

A Rainbow and a Trio

With the release of the Bowman Chrome set, it's time for me to try to swoop in on the Heltons available. Seems that I've gotten a little help with that thanks to my awesome girlfriend. I was able to pick up the Refractor off of eBay, while Ashley grabbed the green, purple and blue Refractors. Hard to believe I'm not even half way through the rainbow.

Another great addition to the Toddfather collection is this Triple Threads Trio card featuring Tulo and Cargo. And it's numbered 2/36. Two words...HECK YEAH!!!!!! I fell in love with this card as soon as I pulled it from the bubble mailer. Please join me in welcoming these new additions to the. family.

Also, don't forget to stay tuned for the announcement of the Second Toddfather Group Break.