It's good I didn't have to wait 365 days.

Six days.

144 hours.

8640 minutes.

For those of us that are not rooting for a team playing in October, that is all the time we have left for the 2013 season. For some, like the Rangers, Yankees or Nationals, they wish the season had another week or so left. For others, like the Astros, Marlins or my Sox, it cannot end soon enough. 2013 is a season I want to forget. Come February, though, we all we be ready for the 2014 season with high hopes.

P-town Tom knows this all too well. Hell - he even named his blog over the motto of the Chicago Cubs - Waiting 'til Next Year. Normally, I would rip on the north side counterparts to my Sox here, but I know when I have no leg to stand on. But crappy teams aside, as a fan, Tom knows how to send a trade package. 

MIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNIIIIIIIIIIISSSSS!!!! Tom was able to knock a total of 9 from my needs list for Kimball (not pictured: the Big Hurt). Still need a far amount to go, so dig through your boxes.

Oh boy. MIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSS!!! Tom also had a far amount of '13 Topps minis he needed to unload. Why sure I will take them. But that is not the last of the unloading. Tom asked if he could dump some ChiSox my way. The dumping included....

Unknown Sox.

Shiny Sox (love that Crede).

Oddball Sox. Thigpen with a beard? I don't remember that! That is my 2nd Laser cut card.

Then the package got amazing with stuff like....

Topps HD. I have never had one of these in my hands. Now I have two. The scans do them no justice. But the amazing didn't stop there. How about these cards, which started the trade emails.

Tom also got these with the 2013 Topps mini break he was in. My 2nd pink min, 12/25, and a nice swatch of Danks. Normally, that would be the end of the post. Best for last, right? Believe or not, there was a card in the package that I think trumps these two.

1962 Exhibits. I have seen these on eBay in my Pierce searches but never really spent the time to determine just what they are. When I pulled this out, it gave me the incentive to learn more about them. Basically, they are post card sized cards produced by Chicago based Exhibit Supply Company. The cards were purchased from vending machines. Just read this and learn more. Here's what I know - I need the Exhibits of Billy Pierce more than ever. 

Thanks a ton for the amazing trade, Tom. Until next year, when I can make fun of the Cubs again.

Repack wars: FREE bonus item!

Here's something I haven't done for a while - ripped a repack box and post the best card of each pack. I think the reason for the lack is two fold: 1) I am not liking the Target repack boxes. There are just too much really junky packs in those, and 2) I haven't seen a 20 pack repack box at Walmart in a while. The best is a 13 pack box and those are loaded with 2012 Topps. Pass.

So I visited my local Meijer and found a 16 pack repack with a bonus inside. For $20. Can it ever be a bad thing if you get a bonus with your purchase?
 

 

Er....

Purchased! Let's crack it open and see how it goes. And to not hold you in suspense, I'm showing the bonus first.

Soriano jersey hit as my bonus. I have to figure the bonuses for other boxes are similar. I guess I could have done far worse for a pull. Now we start a-rippin'....

Four packs of junk wax - 25% of the box - about the same odds as in the Target repacks. But I did pretty well as you will see. '89 Donruss with Danny P rocking the stirrups for my boys.

BOOM!!!! Everytime I see a pack of '89 Fleer, I hope to pull Ripken F%^& face card, and have never lucked out. I don't think I will complain that I failed the odds yet again.

Another pack of '89 Donruss, and we snag a Schilling rookie card (I believe). Dig that stash. And the look in his eyes. Deep, creepy, uncomfortable look in his eyes. Let's move on.

Last junk wax pack was the oversized '89 Donruss. I did pull a Chisox card of Thigpen, plus an ad card showing a '49 Satchel Paige, but the full on stoner look on Juan Bell's face is priceless.

2004 Fleer Ultra Update. Sure, it's a die cut insert, but forget that about this card. It's a great shot. Kneeling in the ondeck circle, high cuffed, weighted bat in hand, nice view of a memorial patch (you need this one, GCRL?) - winner on so many levels.

'04 Fleer Tradition. This was the first card from the pack. Do I need to explain this selection?

2007 UD First Edition. I did not know they made an even uglier version of this set with the gold borders. Amazed this crap came out a year before their gorgeous 2008 set. Anyway, this action shot is nice, even if the framing is poor.

2008 Topps Opening Day. Making the cards red does not improve the look. It just makes them harder to stare at. Nice derp face on Francoeur, which gets the pick over the rest of a bland pack.

Never pulled a pack of Fleer Genuine from a repack. Hell - it's the first pack of any year of this set I have ripped. Decent set, though the open space is a little too much. Kevin Brown, however, is balanced well on the cardboard.

'07 Topps series 2. A boring pack for sure, so I picked the shiniest card of the pack, even though it scanned really poorly.

 

2008 UD First Edition. Compare this card to the Damon Hollins. Night and day. Oh, and a double play card trumps everything in the pack. Just saying.

Another pack of '08 Opening Day. Most boring pack of the box. Going to give the win to this puzzle piece of Josh Beckett. 

'04 Fleer Platinum. It's a throwback. See Fleer Tradition above.

Second pack of '07 Topps. This is a set I need to complete. Feel free to offer me these cards so I can complete it. Also, the Streak Before the Streak cards, too.

I know that feeling, Chris. I hate 2007 UD too. 

Well how about that? Two hits in a repack box. Better odds than most regular boxes. This came from a pack of 2007 Topps Update. Soooooooooo orange-y.

Overall, it was a decent repack. Pulled a fair amount of cards I wanted/needed, and a good amount for PWEs. Either relic is available to trade should you be interested. 

Throwback Thursdays - 09.19.2013

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.

Norm Charlton - 1992 Donruss - Cincinnati Reds

Trying to get back in the groove

I am envious of many of those in my blogroll, on my follower list, and other places. Not only am I envious of the sheer awesomeness of their collections, but of their writing abilities. I'm decent with words - my spelling is accurate and I am confident my grammar is proper.

It's your breath that's the problem, buddy.

If I struggle with anything, it's the concept. That's a ton of irony for those that know me, cuz when it comes to ideas, wacky thoughts and general "WTFs", I'm that guy. I'm the one with the snappy one liners, or I pick up the the obscure part of a comment, make some pop culture reference and send discussions on tangents never conceived.

Lately, it's been the idea. What to write about? Might I bore my reader? DO I bore my reader? It's the lack of idea why I don't write some days - I don't want to mail it in or half ass a post. You deserve better. And frankly, there is better on the web. I don't need to link you to them - just look in the side bar. I have a few ideas in my head for detailed posts, but they are going to take time and effort - two items in short supply at this moment. However, I don't want cobwebs forming on my blog, and I do have a desk loaded with cards I should thank people for, so let's get a few into the binders where they belong.

John of My First Blog (that's not really the name, is it John?) signed up for Club PWE. He was nice enough to steal the return address and drop me a few cards in return, that you see above. For those thinking about Club PWE - you are not required to send me anything in return. Ever! I just want a place to send cards from time to time, so if you haven't ever traded with me, sign up. No return package required. That being said, thanks John for ignoring the rule. I do not have any of these cards in my throwback binder, and never saw that Philly A's uniform before. Dig those high cuffs!

Chris and Kyle from Old Foul Cardboard sent me a nice stack of ChiSox. These two beauts were in there. I was a little upset with Chris over sending such nice cards, until he told me the price he snagged them for. I wish I could find cards priced that low. A huge hunk of wood on Albert's card. I wonder if the bat that came from was stolen out of the ump's locker room. Also, my scanner is not broke - you are seeing a green pinstripe on that Peavy card. Halfway to St. Patrick's Day is a yearly promo at New Comiskey. I would do a "tracking the relic" on that card, but if that swatch is from 2011, it's the Sept 9th game. Thirty second Google search.

Alright, here's hoping the writer's block ends soon. At least let me find a rocking video to post....

Oh crap.

Throwback Thursdays - 09.12.2013

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.

J.J. Putz - 2013 Topps - Arizona Diamondbacks

Listia, eBay and trades....oh my

Let's take some time and clear some cards received recently off my desk...

With fire?

Ummm no. I am going to take some time to scan the cards and show them to people...

 While they are on fire?

What? No, I have no plans to add fire to this post. I have simply had quite a few envelopes show up from Listia, eBay and trades that I feel like showing off to the readers...

 Are the readers on fire?

Why are you here? I'm not lighting up the cards or my readers. This is a post about the mail carrier delivering paper envelopes and boxes that had rectangular pieces of cardboard within. Ohhh.....

I like fire.

Moving on. I picked up these five vintage beauties from Listia for just over 1000 credits - $3.

Only needed the White Sox cards. However, I know where the other cards are going in PWEs. On eBay, I picked up these two cards in two separate transactions.

That quad Museum card is limited to 99 copies. And it has 3 blue swatches from the throwbacks I have talked about before. The Daniel mini leaves me just the Job short of completing 2012's People of the Bible. Who's got my back? Under $5 with shipping for both. Lastly, let's start with this picture.

That is a stack of A&G regular, minis and a few GQ courtesy of Matt at Cardboard Conundrum. He saw the Kenny Stills relic I pulled from my LCS' pack wars and made an ask. He said he could help me out with a few of my lists. Holy smoke - that's a beat down.

Someone say 'smoke'?

 Quick look at the highlights of that stack

Just three 2012 Gyspy Queen - the last three I needed!!!! Set complete.

Lovely minis. That Lord of Olympus? Last one I needed!!! Set complete. 

The best of the regular sized, over the years. Many, many thanks to you Matt for the stack. My A&G want list thanks you. Take care, folks. If you got 'em, smoke 'em.

Throwback Thursdays - 09.05.2013

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.

Mike Felder - 1992 Topps - New York Giants