Tis the Season update and recapping 2013

So another year is in the books. Since everyone is going over their 2013 goals, as well as looking towards 2014, why should I be any different? First off, let's do a quick recap of 2013, starting with the most recent event - Tis the Season.

That, fans, it what's called the "to be shipped" boxes. yes, those are all the cards I planned to give away this season. The total signups for the Great Card Dump was 42 brave souls. The 5000 count box on the left, plus the two outside rows in the middle shoebox are the cards, by team, I will be sorting through, coordinating and mailing out. Please, cut me a little slack as I do my best to get some even distributions to everyone. I will make sure you all get something decent in your package, as I have plenty of gold serials, Target/Walmart borders, sparkles and the like I will throw into the envelopes and boxes. The boxes in the middle are the minis, A&G and Topps that were claimed. At the far right are more claimed dupes. I think that's everything. I just think of all the space I will gain for VINTAGE!!!

Ok, let's revisit my goals for 2013. And we shall grade like we are back in high school:

Trades - 26 for the year. I'll be honest, I lost track. But I am positive I am well over that number. I still have 2 or 3 trades to complete for 2013, but I guess would be that I hit about 40 trades. A-

White Sox - organized and cataloged. I did do the Big Sort during the year, and for the most part, have over 90% of my ChiSox organized. Have a couple recently received stacks I need to get sorted, but I have all the dupes pulled out. The cataloged online part was an epic fail. Just no time. So all in all, I am giving myself a low C.

Sets - 10 complete. Again, I did not track how I did, but I think I completed 3 or 4 sets. I have put a good effort into the others, but still fell short. However, I did knock off the very first set I added to my want list, and for that alone I am going high C+.

Purchases - $25 per week limit. I am giving myself a G, cuz an F- is still too high a grade. There's always 2014 to get on track, right?

Specific collections. I had trifecta goals for Petrick (done), Crede (2/3rds), Iguchi (2/3rds) and Beckham (1/3rd). So I'll say a B on that. Want lists online - going B on this, because even though I never really started the Iguchi, Crede or Beckham collections, I did get my Petrick, Pierce, double play and bunting collections up on Zistle. Going to get the throwback binder posted soon. Pierce Project - complete, so A++ on that.

Tomorrow, I'll touch on my pulls of 2013. Shouldn't be too long a post. Then Saturday, let's setup the goals for 2014. I will also do my best to contact those that will be receiving cards so you have an idea when they ship.

PWEs, viewed musically

So who has been fortunate enough to receive a PWE from John over at Johnny's Trading Spot? Yeah, yeah - the page shows the names as "My First Blog", but I think John is just so busy with his PWEs that he doesn't have the time to get into the blog settings and update the header. That's the reason, right John?

I'm not distracting you more, am I? Ooops.

If you have been graced by an envelope from John, you have experienced his unique shipping style.

Look close - that is a cut row from a 9 pocket page. John then stuffs 3 cards per slot, and sends one or two in a #10 envelope. DAMN - I wish I thought this up. Over the past few weeks, John has sent me a few envelopes of joy. I have two left to showcase - 2 sleeves per envelope - for a total of 36 cards. I am going to pick the best per slot, per row. So the best three cards in each sleeve. Then, as I am want to do (it's my blog - I set the rules), a little YouTube search to honor the best card of the three. It'll make sense when I start posting.

Need me to distract them some more while you figure this out?

No - that's okay future wife of mine. I can handle this. Alright, on with the scans.

Since you see the same Big Hurt, this is the sleeve from the top of the page. An all ChiSox sleeve. I always like seeing Kenny Williams as a player. I forget that about him when he GMs. Good old Dave Martinez. Ya know - the last guy to wear 14 before a certain potential HOFer. Dave wins the sleeve and the tune.

On to sleeve #2.

There's the #14 we know and love. More ChiSox in this sleeve, and mostly at the plate. Love seeing Valdez and best card winner Lee watching their moonshots.

Moving along to sleeve #3.

Something really simple about a "common checklist". Seems like really out of place wording. Great double play card of Bret Boone. Ultra had some great images. Including best card winner of Singleton tracking a ball in center. You can see him just about to pull it in.

And now, the final sleeve of twelve cards.

I know many bemoan '92 Fleer, and I will agree the design stinks. But that is a perfectly framed picture of Alex. He had a good career ahead of him but good ol' arm trouble changed that path. Another needed DP, this time from Counsell. And the best of the bunch is Ray searching for a pop up in the sun. Nice picture, and a great dirty jersey.

Thanks for playing and listening. And thank again to John for some great pieces of cardboard.

Tis the Season: Last chance!

If you have not yet signed up for the great card dump, I will be closing it out this Sunday, the 29th. Free cards - does it get any better than that? So far I have 31 people signed up. I've got over 5k in cards I am looking to send out. I quick glance at the responses - there are three teams that, to my eyes, have not been selected: the Diamondbacks, the Rockies and the Brewers. So let me tease a card from each team that will be going out to someone if they pick that team.

Can't promise you will get that card. I can promise those cards will be going out to someone randomly if they choose the team.

Sign up with the form: You can click these words to go to it.

Please use the form, for it will make my life far easier in the mailing. If you have commented on the post, get your tail over to the form. Don't make me hunt you down.

Imagine you're a blogger. You just uploaded a picture, you put your lips on a cool glass of water.....and BAM!!!

I'll do it.

 

Throwback Thursdays - 12.26.2013

Every Thursday, I post a card showing a ballplayer wearing a throwback uniform from my collection. Hopefully, he will be wearing it well, with proper pants blousing. I'll try not to duplicate a uniform. The picture may be from the front of the card, or the back. Enjoy the uniforms from years past.

Shin-Soo Choo - 2011 Topps Town - Cleveland Indians

Merry Christmas every one of us!

I'll be watching the blogroll to see all the cards everyone received this Christmas season. Me? Nadda. Nothing. No one in my family gave me any cards. And that's ok, cuz where they fail, the blogging community steps in a fills the void. I have three envelopes that qualify as gifts this year, so let's see what Internet Santa brought me.

Let's start with former trade partner Zippy Zappy:

ZZ sent a few Christmas envelopes out, all with this card. He claims it's my name and blog title in Japanese, but considering I don't know the difference between J-pop and K-pop, it's possible he is calling me an uneducated warthog. And frankly, he has every right. Yet, the envelope he sent was wonderful. Here's some quick highlights.

Two prospects from Panini Prizm. I am not big on the whole pre-rookie thing, but I am big on the White Sox thing, so these are great. And then it got even better.

Vintage Sox team cards? Oh yeah! All three are lacking in my collection, or I should really say "were" since I now have them. Thanks a ton, Zippy!

Next up, Jim from GCRL dropped a small envelope on me. Cool stuff like this was inside.

Man, the more I see the 2003 Donruss, the more I like. But the real highlight in the group was this:

 

I know there are a couple of these floating in the tubes of the net, and one finally showed up on the stoop of 2x3 Heroes. Basically, if you get this, you pay it forward by dropping something really nice on someone just cuz. The card also states the person in possession of the card on 12/31/13 has to get it back to Capt Kirk. I, however, already have a destination in mind, so the next person that gets the RAC card will be sending it to the Captain. So, how did GCRL show cardness?

BOOM!!! That is some mighty fine vintage. I have been contemplating the direction I will go when the Pierce Project is complete, and I am considering a Fox Project.

The last, and most amazing, gift came from Pat at Hot Corner Cards. We chat back and forth in Twitter DMs, and I think he was trying to get some idea from me about that very subject - the Pierce Project. He made sure that I will have to decide pretty quick what player is next.

COMPLETE!

Technically, there are 3 white whales out there of Billy. Being white whales, though, they were never considered part of the Pierce Project. Finding a Swift Meats, Robert Gould, or Salada Junket at a price I could afford make them pretty impossible. I left them off and as such, I have reached my goal. I cannot thank you enough, Pat, for these last two cards. Now I have to find some way to get you back.

Alright - to you and yours, readers, a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza or whatever you celebrate. And if you don't go any of those routes, I hope you have a safe time this part of the year and just help spread the fact that it's really about caring for your fellow man and woman. Show some love - that's really what it's all about.

Throwback Thursdays - 12.19.2013

Every Thursday, I post a card showing a ballplayer wearing a throwback uniform from my collection. Hopefully, he will be wearing it well, with proper pants blousing. I'll try not to duplicate a uniform. The picture may be from the front of the card, or the back. Enjoy the uniforms from years past.

John Burkett - 1992 Topps Stadium Club - New York Giants

Tis the Season: Take my dupes, please.

To this point in the 2nd annual Tis the Season giveaway, I have made you dust off your powers of ESP and try to guess the serial number on a given card. I can tell you - there will be no winning as easy as today. See this image:

Let me help you understand the lettering system:

UPDATE: And they are all claimed, folks!!!

A = 2010/11/12 Allen and Ginter base and inserts (Wilson)
B = 2006/07/08 Topps flagship (Michael Chase)
C = 2012/13 Panini Cooperstown (GCRL)
D = 2012/13 Topps Gypsy Queen (Geno)
E = 2013 Topps Flagship (Brian Conrad)
F = 2013 Topps Heritage (Swing and a Pop Up)
G = 2013 Panini Hometown Heroes (MetalAttorney)
H = 2013/14 Score Hockey (smallest stack of the bunch - maybe 120 cards or so) (Commishbob)

How simple is today's "contest"? Make a comment. Pick a stack (just ONE stack) and it's yours. First come/first served. When all 7 are picked then there are no more. Basically, these are dupes of stuff I bought or obtained during the year. You can see how much space I lose by keeping them all. If you are looking to complete a set, or get a good jump on one, here is your chance. Enjoy this type of giving, because I will be making a big cutback on retail in 2014 and hopefully focus on having a super duper tiny trade box. Until then....