Heartbreaking Cards of Staggering Genius

Interrupting An Afternoon's Reading

2012-02-18T14:42:00.000-06:00

The Kid

2012-02-18T12:07:00.002-06:00

I don't have any great Gary Carter memories and so I'll keep it brief. Simply put, here are some cards from my collection of The Kid.

2004 Donruss #WS-61 Gary Carter Bat Relic

2008 Topps Allen and Ginter World's Greatest Victories #8 Gary Carter and the '86 Mets

1976 Topps #441 Gary Carter

1986 Topps All-Star Set #23 Gary Carter

2011 Topps #T60-4 Gary Carter

1987 Kay Bee #8 Gary Carter

1988 Donruss All-Star Gary Carter Fold Out

A Short Term 2012 Topps Depression

2012-02-17T19:30:00.001-06:00

Rock On

2012-02-17T01:51:00.001-06:00

2012 Topps Mars Attacks 50th Anniversary Set Details

2012-02-16T09:59:00.000-06:00

For quite some time I had listed in my "Short Term Collecting Goals" on the right side of the blog "any 1962 Mars Attacks card." This was more of a reminder to do an eBay search every once in a while for card that fits my price range as copies of any of the cards in good condition are easily three figures and a very high graded copy can go for several hundred. I'm happy to say that I finally pulled the trigger on two cards, one of which has arrived.

So here is "Washington In Flames" which is card #5 in the series:

Not the greatest condition but I didn't care too much as this is personally one of my cards from the set as I am a huge political junkie. My favorite brief scene from the Tim Burton Mars Attacks! movie is relating to this card as well:

And all this was before Topps announced they are doing a 50th Anniversary of the Mars Attacks set. Due in July, the set will mainly be a re-print of the original 55 cards plus 25 more cards, bring the series to 80. At first I was a little more than frightened about those additional 25 cards given Topps reputation of not always playing things straight in terms of honoring the original subject. I'm thinking of a card with a martian getting a pie in the face by a Marine.

But it sounds like Topps is treating the set with a lot of respect. Ten of those 25 cards are actually based off sketches made from the original Mars Attacks artists that never made it into the set. The other 15 cards are new creations by John McCrea who will be the illustrator on the new Mars Attacks comic book series. I am also relieved that they are printing the cards on the same card stock as Heritage.

I'll post my next Mars Attacks card when it arrives.

Rock On

2012-02-16T01:33:00.000-06:00

Everything Is Better With Patches

2012-02-15T09:14:00.000-06:00

Everything card is better with a patch. This is indisputable. Take a relic card, add a patch, and things get better.

Preston Wilson card? Better with a patch!

2005 Donruss Zenith #ZB-23 Preston Wilson Patch Relic #050/150

Jason Schmidt relic? Better with a patch!

2005 Fleer Patchworks #PO-JS2 Jason Schmidt #09/99

Joe Nathan card? Waaayyyyy better with a patch! Especially if they are three-colored!

2008 Upper Deck SPX #WM-JN Joe Nathan Patch Relic #49/50

Luis Gonzalez relic? Much better with a patch especially when that patch feels so think it could stop a bullet.

2004 Topps Prestine #PP-LG Luis Gonzalez Patch Relic

Jim Thome relic? Well.....um....gee.....maybe everything ISN'T better with a patch.

2003 Upper Deck Patch Collection #124 Jim Thome Patch

Rock On

2012-02-15T01:45:00.000-06:00

2011 Bowman Chrome 2021 Futures Die Cut Needs List

2012-02-14T23:03:00.001-06:00

2011 Bowman Chrome 2021 Futures Die Cuts Needs List

Last Updated: 2-17-11

Bold = awaiting arrival/pending trade

~~1 Bryce Harper~~
2 Manny Machado
3 Jameson Taillon
4 Delino DeShields, Jr.
5 Grant Green
~~6 Devin Mesoraco~~
7 Anthony Ranaudo
8 Stetson Allie
9 Shelby Miller
10 Arodys Vizcaino
11 Manny Banuelos
12 Jonathan Singleton
13 Tyler Matzek
~~14 Gary Sanchez~~
15 Jean Segura
16 Peter Tago
17 Matt Dominguez
18 Miguel Sano
19 Jesus Montero
20 Josh Sale
21 Brett Jackson
22 Mike Montgomery
23 Chris Archer
24 Jacob Turner
25 Wil Myers

1962 Topps Mars Attacks Needs List

2012-02-14T22:41:00.000-06:00

1962 Topps Mars Attacks Needs List

Last updated = 2-14-12

Bold = Awaiting arrival/pending trade

1. The Invasion Begins
2. Martians Approaching
3. Attacking An Army Base
4. Saucers Blast Our Jets
~~5. Washington In Flames~~
6. Burning Navy Ships
7. Destroying The Bridge
8. Terror In Times Square
9. The Human Torch
10. The Skyscraper Tumbles
11. Destroy The City
12. Death In The Cockpit
13. Watching From Mars
14. Charred By Martians
15. Saucers Invade China
16. Panic In Parliament
17. Beast And The Beauty
18. A Soldier Fights Back
19. Burning Flesh
20. Crushed To Death
21. Prize Captive
22. Burning Cattle
23. The Frost Ray
24. The Shrinking Ray
25. Capturing A Martian
26. The Tidal Wave
27. The Giant Flies
28. Helpless Victim
29. Death In The Shelter
30. Trapped!!
31. The Monster Reaches In
32. Robot Terror
33. Removing The Victims
34. Terror In The Railroad
35. The Flame Throwers
36. Destroying A Dog
37. Creeping Menace
38. Victims Of The Bug
39. Army Of Giant Insects

40. High Voltage Execution
41. Horror In Paris
42. Hairy Fiend
43. Blasting The Bug
44. Battle In The Air
45. Fighting Giant Insects
46. Blast Off For Mars
47. Earth Bombs Mars
48. Earthmen Land On Mars
49. The Earthmen Charge
50. Smashing The Enemy
51. Crushing The Martians
52. Giant Robot
~~53. Martian City In Ruins~~
54. Mars Explodes
55. Checklist

Must Have Taken The TARDIS To Target

2012-02-14T09:37:00.000-06:00

I must have driven my TARDIS to Target instead of my car because when I came around the corner I was looking at myself 20 years ago.

Late Night Rock On

2012-02-14T03:32:00.000-06:00

Cornershop covering The Beatles...

The Hipster Collector Strikes Again: Is This Simply Just The Card Of The Year Or Is It Something More??

2012-02-13T09:30:00.000-06:00

A while ago when I wrote about collecting cards ironically and being a Hipster Collector. Well, another perfect hipster card has serviced and I've swooped in and picked it up for 99 cents + shipping on eBay. Can't imagine what it would feel like to have this be one of your three hits.

2011 Topps American Pie #APR-35 Carrot Top Relic

Late Night Rock On

2012-02-13T03:00:00.000-06:00

It's Been A Busy Fortnight On The Andy Pafko Front

2012-02-12T12:24:00.000-06:00

In this Pafko update I've added my first graded Pafko card, a new certified autograph, and a new relic card. I think that certainly qualifies as a hug Pafko collection upgrade. Beyond that Pafko MOJO, I also added two rarer cards from the 40's and 60's and two of the ever-expanding 1952 Topps #1 reprint collection.

We start today with this 1947 card put out by Bond Bread. This is a blank back cards and uses the famous photo of Pafko in his Cubs uniform getting ready to hit. This same photo is used on the Salutations cards from the '40s but with the background removed.

1947 Bond Bread Andy Pafko

Next we have my first graded Pafko card. Well, to call it a card isn't really accurate as the R423 set consists of small squares used in a baseball game. Andy's square would get you a single and features the same Cubs era photo as in the last card.

1950 R423 #82 Andy Pafko

The reverse is bright orange which is sort of surprising given the black and white front.

Next up we have one of the rare cards showing Andy as a coach. This card was collected by kids and redeemed to the nearest Lake To Lake Dairy for valuable prizes like a pencil set, cap, autographed baseball, or Braves tickets.

1960 Lake To Lake Dairy Andy Pafko

Here's the reverse side with the nearest Lake To Lake Dairy location. I assume that once the cards were redeemed someone punched the bottom left corner of the card so it couldn't be used again.

And here two reprints of the old White Whale, one from 1995 Archives and 2001 Chrome.

1995 Topps Archives #1

2001 Topps Chrome Through The Years Reprints #4 Andy Pafko

Last week I lost out an auction for this very card of a graded version which was 9.5 on the card and a 10 on the signature. I thought to myself that "every Pafko signature is a 10" but wouldn't you know it I found one that might not be. Check out where he started writing the "A" and you can see that his pen wasn't cooperating at first.

2001 Topps Golden Anniversary Great Autograph #GAA-AP

And last but not least we have a Milwaukee County Stadium seat relic. I already own one copy of this card [the 2nd card below] and as you can see it is of some unpainted wood and almost looks like a bat piece. My latest addition has a green painted piece of the seat. I actually went to a Brewers game in County Stadium back in 1992 and I remember the dark green painted seats...and the huge metal poles that kept the upper level up and created a lot of obstructed view seats.

2003 Topps Heritage Grandstand Glory #GG-AP Milwaukee County Stadium Seat Relic

Thus far no card company has made an Andy Pafko jersey or patch relic. Maybe I'll need to make a custom card of my own.

Forgot Financial Aid, Find These Cards

2012-02-11T13:26:00.000-06:00

Here's a nice little article on some cards that could pay for college. It should be noted that Cards 12-16 on the list would need to be graded 9 or 10 versions to get anywhere near the money listed in the article. So kids you might want to search your attic for those back issues of the Baltimore News to see if there are some loose Babe Ruth cards laying around!

Rock On

2012-02-10T22:51:00.001-06:00

Unbubbling #3: This Time With A Package From Thorzul and COMC! Plus, A Die Cut Is Freed!

2012-02-10T16:03:00.000-06:00

Woolly Mammoth? Yes, Please!

2012-02-10T10:31:00.000-06:00

Here is incontrovertible proof mammoths are still out there!

Besides changing the face of modern science forever, the biggest affect it might have is in the value of this card, which I WILL own someday:

Before There Was The Million Card Giveaway There Was This...

2012-02-07T22:49:00.000-06:00

A Box Of 1983 Topps Photo Cards

2012-02-07T10:00:00.000-06:00

2012 Topps Cards Up For Trade

2012-02-06T09:15:00.000-06:00

I'm not going to collect 2012 Topps except for the minis and so I'm looking to get rid of the cards I don't need. Leave a comment on what you need and send me something "interesting" in return. I'm not really concerned about a card for card trade.

2012 Topps Cards Up For Grabs

Updated 2-17-12

8, 12, 12, 15, 15, 20, 25, 32, 38, 39, 43, 48, 51, 56, 56, 57, 61, 71, 73, 78, 83, 86, 86, 88, 88, 89, 94, 99,

102, 116, 122, 132, 132, 141, 142, 143, 144, 148, 149, 153, 158, 162, 163, 166, 168, 168, 169, 176, 182, 189, 191, 193, 195, 196, 197, 199,

201, 203, 213, 221, 221, 228, 236, 242, 244, 244, 246, 249, 261, 262, 269, 269, 284, 284, 284, 286, 287, 288, 298, 299,

307, 314, 320, 323, 326, 327

Danny Woodhead!

2012-02-05T19:42:00.003-06:00

Reader Mike D. actually gets to cover the Super Bowl for his job [Lucky!] and he sent me this Danny Woodhead photo from Media Day. Thanks Mike!

I think my wife's disgust at seeing Danny's hair after catching the touchdown tonight is only matched at seeing Clay Matthews without a helmet during a game and seeing his sweaty mop of hair.

2012 Topps Minis Needs List

2012-02-05T15:29:00.000-06:00

2012 Topps Minis Needs List

Bold = awaiting arrival/pending trade

Last Updated 2-17-12

TM-1 Ryan Braun

TM-2 Mike Stanton

TM-3 Eric Hosmer

TM-4 Michael Young

TM-5 Howie Kendrick

~~TM-6 Dustin Ackley~~

TM-7 Joey Votto

TM-8 Ian Kinsler

TM-9 Jason Heyward

TM-10 Roy Halladay

~~TM-11 Ubaldo Jimenez~~

TM-12 Shin-Soo Choo

TM-13 Jayson Werth

~~TM-14 Ichiro~~

TM-15 Robinson Cano

TM-16 Derek Jeter

TM-17 Craig Kimbrel

TM-18 Michael Bourn

TM-19 Lance Berkman

TM-20 Evan Longoria

TM-21 Matt Holliday

TM-22 Brett Gardner

TM-23 Dustin Pedroia

TM-24 Dan Uggla

TM-25 Hanley Ramirez

TM-26 David Wright

TM-27 Ryan Howard

TM-28 Buster Posey

TM-29 Adam Jones

TM-30 Andre Ethier

TM-31 Brandon Phillips

TM-32 Tommy Hanson

TM-33 Adrian Gonzalez

TM-34 Josh Johnson

TM-35 Zack Greinke

~~TM-36 Mariano Rivera~~

TM-37 CC Sabathia

~~TM-38 Chase Utley~~

TM-39 Jay Bruce

TM-40 Andrew McCutchen

~~TM-41 James Shields~~

TM-42 Josh Hamilton

TM-43 Mat Latos

TM-44 Troy Tulowitzki

~~TM-45 Shane Victorino~~

TM-46 David Price

TM-47 Starlin Castro

TM-48 Paul Konerko

TM-49 Jered Weaver

TM-50 Curtis Granderson

It's Super Bowl Sunday So I Am Drowning My Sorrows With Packers Cards: Part 2

2012-02-05T14:41:00.000-06:00

Let's begin with Aaron Rodgers as our MVP. Couldn't be happier! Rodgers is the fifth Packer to win the award after some quarterback in the 90's and early 00's, Bart Star, Jim Taylor, and Paul Hornung. Plus, he did some NBC pre-game with Bob Costas today too.

2006 Fleer Hot Prospects #RE-AR Aaron Rodgers Jersey Relic

And here is the new Aaron Rodgers t-shirt in honor of his win:

It's Super Bowl Sunday So I Am Drowning My Sorrows With Packers Cards

2012-02-05T13:31:00.001-06:00

I picked these up from Jeff's Sport Cards yesterday as a form of retail therapy preparing for today...each of these are numbered and 75¢.

2008 Topps Stadium Club #175 Matt Flynn Rookie Card 0813/1799

2010 Score #103 AJ Hawk Scorecard #093/499

2011 Panini Prestige #71 Charles Woodson Extra Points 39/50

2008 Topps #211 Aaron Kampman Gold Version #0007/2008

2006 SPX #123 Ingle Martin 0600/1299

2008 Topps #229 Nick Barnett Gold Version #0385/2008

2010 Bowman Sterling #50 Sam Shields Rookie Card #075/299

2008 Topps #271 Atari Bigby Gold Version #0964/2008

2008 Topps #431 Patrick Lee Gold Version #1228/2008

2008 Topps #135 James Jones Gold Version #0208/2008

2010 Topps #367 Morgan Burnett Gold Version #1755/2010

2010 Topps #421 James Jones Gold Version #1626/2010

2008 Donruss Classics #MNH-16 Ryan Grant #0856/1000

Here's What The 2012 Commemorative Patches Look Like This Year

2012-02-04T17:26:00.000-06:00

I haven't purchased a blaster yet but I'm glad to see that the Commemorative Patches are back this year in the Topps blasters.

I have collected these for a few years now and I was excited to see what Topps has come up with this year for their patch ideas. 2012's patches have turned out to be a little different than in recent years. Gone are the All-Star and World Series patch reproductions. Gone are the team logo manu-patches. This year Topps went with patches highlighting the player's jersey number. Here are some of the better patches I've seen on eBay thus far with the Tom Seaver pin stripes patch as my favorite. I should probably note that all the patches are of retired players in this series.

There are also man-patches that highlight the player's names. Don't be confused, these aren't stitchings of the player's actual signature. These are just the player's last name in cursive text. Here is an example:

And here's Ryne's signature just for comparison:

Overall, with these Series 1 patches I don't think I'll be collecting very many of them. The player's numbers idea just isn't as nice as the reproductions from last year's set. Bring on Series 2!

Unbubbling #2: Packages From eBay and My Card Guy, Barry

2012-02-03T23:20:00.000-06:00

My First Packs Of 2012 Topps

2012-02-02T00:26:00.000-06:00

Juuuuust A Bit Outside

2012-01-23T21:26:00.000-06:00

I recently purchased my first Bob Uecker card:

1963 Topps #126 Bob Uecker

And upon turning it over I was pleasantly reminded that, like Hank Aaron, Bob started his career with the Eau Claire Bears in the Northern League based in my hometown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

The Last Of My Christmas Cards

2012-01-22T22:00:00.000-06:00

Here are the last of my Christmas cards: a blaster of 2008 Topps Series 2.

The Latest Additions To My Andy Pafko Collection

2012-01-18T21:40:00.000-06:00

Here are the latest additions to my Andy Pafko collection which include on upgraded original card, a whole bunch of "newer" Pafko reprints, and one custom 1-of-1 card. My Pafko collection lives in this green tin which held my $10 repackage with a complete set of Topps coins.

The tin is big enough to hold graded cards so it should be able to hold my collection for quite a while.

This first one is a great upgrade to the previous 1957 card that I had. I'm a Pafko hoarder so I'm not really concerned about condition. Once you realize that you probably are never going to own a really nice copy of the 1952 Topps #1 the importance of condition just isn't as crucial for the other cards in my Pafko collection.

1957 Topps #143 Andy Pafko

Next we have three cards from TCMA series of cards. I really like the first card from 1973 with it's magenta "Andy." It gives it a pop-art sort of feel.

At this point let me say that nearly all these cards are now in my collection due to expert card locating skills of reader Mike D. We are in a constant state of trading back and forth and he can seem to sniff out a Pafko card like a blood hound.

1974 TCMA 1952 Dodgers #48

1978 TCMA Milwaukee Braves Greats #48

1980 TCMA 1957 Braves #24

Next, we have a blue card with absolutely no identifiers as to who made the card and when exactly it was made. It honors the 1953 Milwaukee Braves and their move from Boston but without the Internet or finding an expert at a card show I'm not sure how you would ever know what this card was made by Fritsch Cards in 1983.

1983 Fritsch Co. 1953 Braves #48

And now for some reprints. This 1959 reprint is one of the few that isn't a reprint of the 1952 Topps #1. After the '59 reprint we have four new-to-me '52 reprints and they can be just as heard to identify as the blue Fritsch card is. Someday I'll do a video of the differences between the reprints.

2001 Topps Archives #112 [Reprint of 1959 Topps]

2001 Topps Archives Reserve Reprint #62

2001 Topps Through The Years Reprints #4

2002 Topps Chrome 1952 Reprint

2002 Topps Chrome 1952 Reprint Refractor

This is my first numbered Pafko card [1126/1957] believe it or not. The scan doesn't show this card's shinny-ness at all and I don't think I've seen that particular photo on any other card before.

2002 Topps Super Teams #36 Andy Pafko #1126/1957

These next two are cards from a set put out by the Wisconsin Historical Museum in 2007. The second card has my favorite PIC shot [Pafko In Action] shot. It looks to me that he might be planking on this card as well.

2007 Wisconsin Museum 1957 Braves #10

2007 Wisconsin Museum 1957 Braves #41

Last but not least, this is my second 1-of-1 Pafko sketch card. I received this from The Lost Collector as a part of my Card Blogger Secret Santa package.

Thank God I Stopped Posting The Live Blog On Sunday...

2012-01-17T19:59:00.000-06:00

...because it would have ended up sounding something like this:

Some Junk Wax + A Little Contest

2012-01-16T22:29:00.001-06:00

Packers vs. Giants LIVE BLOG

2012-01-15T16:41:00.000-06:00

4:39PM

4:09PM

Giants 10, Packers 3

Here's one of my favorite new Packer cards...a logo sticker:

4:04PM
Sorting Packers cards and so was only half watching as we dropped passes and over threw wide open receivers...it's tied 3-3.

3:55PM

Hopefully we'll get the ball back...

3:51PM
Giants get a field goal but I think we won that drive!

3:49PM
This drive is getting slightly disturbing...if only the Giants had to run on every play.

3:45PM
The way our playoffs went last year, I think Bishop would have pulled down that interception.

3:43PM
Eli Manning is looking a little more confused that normal...which is saying something.

3:41PM
The Packers get the ball to start the 2nd half...which they do nearly everytime...

3:38PM
In case you missed it...the Packers were hiring snow shovelers this week to move the snow that fell last week...

3:31PM
In honor of the game, we've cracked...what else?

Yes, that's Ellsworth, WI....home of the Cheese Curd Festival...June 21-24, 2012.

3:30PM
Everybody picks the Packers except Strahan...

3:27PM
I really enjoyed Greg Jennings explaining that he can't look into both of Pam Oliver's eyes.

3:15PM
It's funny to watch those clips of Giants fans being pessimistic...I can only imagine the calls the Packer post-game show got after we lost to the Chiefs this season. Packer fans have a despair that can rival any team even though we've had a lot of success.

3:09PM I'm sticking with the B.J. Raji Discount Double check commercial is the best...the Clay Matthews one is pretty good too.

3:06PM Terry had us all hoping he was retiring today for a second or two...no such luck...

3:04PM
Tim and Troy...At least it's not Tim and Tim...I wouldn't mind hearing Tim McCarver try a football game...

2:30PM
Here we go...I'm tired of waiting to start this...my local FOX station plays House repeats before the afternoon football games...Today's episode is about Wilson dating a woman just like House. And the patient is Sarah Silverman's sister....

Packers/Giants LIVE Blog In About A Half An Hour

2012-01-15T14:21:00.001-06:00

Unbubbling #1: Packages From The Cardboard Junkie, Night Owl, and eBay

2012-01-14T22:57:00.000-06:00

Clearance Allen & Ginter...with 100% more MOJO Action!

2012-01-13T16:53:00.000-06:00

The Ascent of Man

2012-01-12T22:34:00.001-06:00

Packers vs. Giants LIVE Blog This Sunday

2012-01-10T11:00:00.000-06:00

Where is Frank Zappa?

2012-01-09T21:07:00.001-06:00

I posted this over on A Pack To Be Named Later and I thought I would list it here as well. It's me opening three packs of American Pie and some thoughts on the absence of Frank Zappa cards.

My Secret Santa Package From The Lost Collector

2012-01-08T13:19:00.000-06:00

Thanks again AJ. You can find new daddy, The Lost Collector here.

3 Most Interesting Things Seen At The Field Of Dreams

2012-01-07T20:41:00.001-06:00

**See below for a correction to this post.**

Over my Christmas vacation I stopped by The Field of Dreams in the Mall of America. They are still riding the "Brett Favre as a Viking" memorabilia train and I've never seen so many photos of Christian Ponder in one place...well maybe, on Sports Cards Uncensored. Here are three things I found interesting during my stop.

This Monte Irvin "First Topps" card. It's not really his rookie card as he had a card in the 1951 Bowman set but I still covet it. After Andy Pafko's card #1, this is the '52 Topps card that I would want to track down the most. Monte could have been Jackie Robinson in that Branch Rickey contacted him to sign with the Dodgers but Monte declined because he felt he wasn't ready for the majors after being out of the game for military service during World War II.

I think it's pretty rare that an inscribed autograph can ruin a signed item. Typically that's always a bonus...except it seems when it comes to Pete Rose. These stupid inscription just ruin it for me. And whenever I see those boxes of Leaf's Pete Rose Legacy getting ripped and they pull an auto/bat relic and then the poor idiot has inscribed it "Western Hills High School Running Back" or "WWE Wrestling H.O.F." I would just scream.

Plus, on the sell sheet for the set on Leaf's web page they highlight a card that is the exact opposite of the inscribed ball.

Field of Dreams has a huge display of autographed balls...which I'm sure 80% are real...I kid....The most expensive autograph there was Mariano Rivera at nearly $600. I would feel a whole lot better at paying that much if that big fat /3602 wasn't staring back at me at the bottom of the ball. Even if it was /602 it would give me pause.

**Correction**

I blew it when I said Monte Irvin's '52 Topps cards was his first. He was included in the '51 set as one of the red backs. Here's the card and it can be your for only $25.00 on eBay currently.

Christmas Cards: A 2009 Topps Series 2 Cereal Box

2012-01-06T23:36:00.000-06:00

Thoughts On The Packers vs. Chiefs Game

2011-12-31T10:30:00.000-06:00

I've been working/avoiding this post for the better part of two weeks as it SUCKED SO MUCH to see them lose their perfect season to the hapless Chiefs with me in the stands. But I've finally pushed through and finished the post that I hope you will enjoy.

I've been looking forward to today since the 2011 Packer schedule was announced and I discovered the Packers played the Chiefs twice, once in the pre-season in Green Bay and then today in Kansas City. Just call it icing on the cake that the Packers would decide to not loose a game until today. My wife and I had some good seats for the shocking results of the Chiefs beating the Packers 19-14.

The game should have been something like 35-14 if the Chiefs had been able to finish the strong drives they had throughout the game. Plus, the Packers made some big mistakes. They missed two field goal attempts and went for it on a 4th and 8 on the Chiefs 45 when they should have punted and pinned the Chiefs down by their own goal line. I didn't learn until after the game about Mike McCarthy not challenging a Chiefs touchdown. That particular play didn't look questionable from where I was sitting but the replays show it could have gong differently.

But anyway, the game started off great with some tailgating in the Arrowhead parking lot. We went with my wife's friend who is a Chief's season ticket holder and the maker of the best Bloody Mary's I've ever had in the parking lot of Arrowhead Stadium!

You haven't really had a Blood Mary until you have it with a Slim Jim stir stick!

On our walk to the stadium we stumbled upon the Lone Hipster Chiefs Fan...football really is America's favorite past time.

And I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes but some guy was wearing a Mark Chmura jersey. I secretly think he must have been a Chiefs fan wearing it ironically.

As you can see from where I was sitting, the stadium was not quite 50% Packers fans but it was pretty close.

As far as player photos go I got all the important shots...

Clay Matthews drying off his hair...

Mason Crosby getting photo bombed by the Chief's Mr. Irrelevant. I say that but Ryan Succop just signed one of the highest kicker contracts.

I tried to get a good action photo of Randall Cobb returning a kick but he was just too fast.

KUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHHHNNNNNN!

This single photo summarizes the Packers game pretty nicely. Wallace Gilberry blocks Aaron Rodger's pass while John Kuhn is open and unseen.

Although this would be my fourth Chiefs game I had never noticed this sign when the Chiefs were on offense asking the crowd to please be quiet. Arrowhead is load but it wasn't anything unbearable so that a play couldn't be heard.

So that was the game...if the Packers win it all again I guess I'll have an interesting story to tell of how close they were to perfection.

My Best Of 2011: Favorite Vintage Card

2011-12-30T10:22:00.000-06:00

When it comes to Hank Aaron cards I have only a few from when he was an active player and those were from his playing days as a Brewer. So I've been trying to rectify that purchased this card at an obscenely low price from COMC. The '62 Topps version books at $60 but as you can see a child with a really, really, really, dull pair of scissors took to the cereal box and came out with this:

1962 Topps #149 Hank Aaron

You can see how badly they cut a square by turning the card over: That bottom right corner it pretty outstanding.

I also picked up the only manufactured nameplate cards that I would want to own...unless they happened to make an Andy Pafko....[they didn't].

2011 Topps Update Glove Namplate #HA

Traded And Then Purchased

2011-12-30T09:39:00.000-06:00

Does anyone else feel obligated to buy the cards that you trade away on the Diamond Giveaway?

I just bought this for a quarter after trading it for seven other 70's cards with maybe a Dave Roberts super collector?

Am I alone on this? I've done it a few times with the Diamond Die Cuts I've traded away too. Does anyone else feel the need to make up for what you have given up on the Diamond Giveaway?

UPDATE: Series 2 Diamond Giveaway Cards Are Now Valid Through June 30th, 2012

2011-12-17T13:11:00.000-06:00

UPDATE: As a couple of readers have mentioned, there is no such date as June 31st, 2012 so unless as a part of Topps exclusive contract with MLB they can now also create new days, they will need to fix that. I've sent a twitter message to @toppscards on Twitter to let them know as well.

I'm not exactly sure how new this information is but it looks like the time available to redeem codes and make trades on the Topps Diamond Giveaway has changed slightly. Along the left side of the site we have this message:

Thank you for your support to date unlocking codes and enjoying the Diamond Giveaway. The original plan communicated was to run the Diamond Giveaway until 1/31/2012 and then transition into our 2012 promotion, the site will now run until 6/31 but please note Diamond Giveaway codes in Topps Baseball Series 1 and Topps Update will expire on 1/31/2012 as stated and printed on cards, codes in 2011 Topps Baseball 2 will be the only cards active until 6/31/2012, all trading and shipping cards will be open to all until 6/31/2012. On June 31, 2012 at 11:59 pm The Topps Diamond Giveaway will be shut down. You must take delivery of your cards on or before this date.

I don't really understand the logic that Series 2 codes will continue to work while the Update cards won't but, nonetheless, you will have six more months to trade and expand/improve your collection on the Diamond Giveaway site.

Thome x 7

2011-12-15T08:00:00.000-06:00

I haven't been been posting too much but that doesn't mean I haven't been collecting...here are seven different versions of 2011 Topps #614 which highlights the Minnesota Twins Team Leaders as well as a Jim Thome walk off home run.

Thank you to reader Mike D. for sending some of these to me in a nice Christmas package as well as COMC's Black Friday shipping sale for some others.

2011 Topps #614 Minnesota Twins Team Leaders

2011 Topps #614 Minnesota Twins Team Leaders Diamond Anniversary Set

2011 Topps #614 Minnesota Twins Team Leaders Topps Retro Logo From Target

2011 Topps #614 Minnesota Twins Team Leaders Black Border

2011 Topps #614 Minnesota Twins Team Leaders Gold Version #1511/2011

2011 Topps #614 Minnesota Twins Team Leaders Diamond Border

2011 Topps #614 Minnesota Twins Team Leaders Cognac Border

And here are all my total copies of this card which is easily my favorite of 2011:

Genius Covers: Condorman #3

2011-12-01T22:12:00.000-06:00

I love life action covers for comic books and this shot is the best/most ridiculous part of this issue. This shot is from the 1981 Disney film Condorman and is the cover of Condorman #3 published by Whitman Comics in 1981.

Here's the poster from the movie. What could possibly go wrong when you make a movie that tries to appeal to everyone on the planet. As the poster says it's an "action adventure romantic comedy spy story."

Condorman is clearly an attempted rip off of DC comics great Hawkman. The problem being that Hawkman's wings were attached to his body while Condorman's wings were attached.

Which gives you shots like the one below. How is this costume practical at all even if it does let you fly/glide?

As far as the action goes in issue #3 the story line involves giving secrets to the Russians but of the 32 pages in the issue, Condorman is only in costume and in action from page 29-32. Stan Lee would just not let this happen is the comic was done by Marvel!

And when I say "in action" I mean as he is flying/gliding he runs into some seagulls which give him a lot of trouble.

So much trouble in fact that he falls from the sky and lands right on the bad guy who drops his gun.

Without the ridiculous cover this comic would not be worth it...but they did give me a graphic that I could possibly use for a new blog logo after a little photoshopping of the text..

Let's Make A Deal

2011-11-27T21:25:00.000-06:00

I'm going to take a page from Thorzul and try to move some relic/insert cards rather than using eBay or just letting them sit collecting dust in their white cardboard coffin. Each of the cards shown below are up for grabs and so if you are interested in any of them leave me a comment on this post [or send me an e-mail to heartbreakingcards@gmail.com] telling me which card(s) that you are interested in and what you would like to send me in a trade. I collect things beyond what I list on the side of my blog so don't be afraid to offer things that may not fit with my "what I'm collect" list.

I know a lot of these aren't worth much so I'm not looking to receive too much in return. I'm really just looking to turn these into cards I would want.

If you don't have anything to trade and instead want to make an cash offer you can do that too. I would charge $1.00 for shipping for single cards and $1.50 for two or more cards. I promise to not send your card in a plain white envelope.

Once I accept an offer I'll change the image and mark it as "Trade Accepted" so everyone will know that that particular card is off the market.

If we do reach a deal and I've never done a trade with you before, you'll need to send your half of the trade first before and then I'll send my part upon arrival.

If you've got questions, just shoot me an e-mail at heartbreakingcards@gmail.com.

2008 Topps Triple Treads #181 Brian Bannister Triple Relic Autograph #06/25

2007 Upper Deck Elements #CCE-BB Brian Bannister Jersey Autograph #043/350

2003 Upper Deck Game Face #GG-CB Carlos Beltran Dual Jersey

2005 Donruss Champions #56 Edgardo Alfonzo Bat Relic

2004 Bowman Heritage #258 Billy Buckner Autograph #57/99

2005 Fleer Patchworks #PO-LG Luis Gonzalez Jersey Relic #020/199

2007 Topps Allen and Ginter #AGR-RA Rich Aurilia Bat Relic

This lot of inserts will hopefully find a home all at once. Here are the cards:

Middle Row:
2010 Upper Deck #404 Evan Meek #98/99
2010 Topps Update #US-8 Fred Lewis #0111/2010

Bottom Row:
2011 Topps #107 Aubrey Huff Gold Version #0010/2011
2010 Topps #567 Mike Pelfrey Gold Version #1704/2010
2011 Topps Update #US105 Joel Hanrahan Gold Version #0755/2011

2008 Topps Chrome #234 Callix Crabbe Autograph

2007 Bowman Draft Picks #BDPP75 Luke Hochevar Jersey Relic

2006 Upper Deck #I-PA John Patterson Autograph

2006 Topps Update #AS-GM Gary Matthews All-Star Workout Jersey Relic

2001 Upper Deck SP Game Used Edition #JK Jeff Kent Jersey Relic

2005 Upper Deck Sweet Spot #MM-SK Scott Kazmir Jersey Relic

2003 Upper Deck Superstars #AD/PW-C Adam Dunn/Peter Warrick Dual Jersey Relic

2005 Upper Deck Portraits #57 Dontrelle Willis Jersey Relic #32/99

Eau Claire, WI Baseball Hall Of Fame

2011-11-26T13:05:00.001-06:00

The town I was born in, Eau Claire, WI, has a pretty interesting baseball history. Hank Aaron played his first professional baseball game in Eau Claire when the Milwaukee Braves had a farm team there in the 50's. The center of Eau Claire baseball is Carson Park, the baseball stadium located in the town's largest park in the middle of town. Back in March, I stopped by the park to get some photos of the old building and see the newly installed Eau Claire Baseball Hall of Fame.

Baseball as been played at Carson Park since 1935 and is currently home to the Eau Claire Express of the Northwoods League. There most notable former player is Washington Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann.

In 1994, the city built a statue to commemorate Hank's first professional game in Eau Claire. They went with the younger looking Hank as he would have been when he played in Eau Claire rather than the 755 home run hitting Hank that we all think of in our minds.

Along with Hammerin' Hank's statue, they also have a series of plaques that honor each of the region's baseball legends. Here are a few of my favorites.

First and foremost being my all-time favorite, Andy Pafko.

Tom Poquette played for the Royals and was included in Fred Lynn's 1975 rookie card. In the 1977 set, Topps even gave him the Topps All-Star Rookie Cup award.

Vic Johnson is another local player that made it to the majors with the Red Sox and Indians in the 40's. Unfortunately, he doesn't have any baseball cards that I could obsess over.

Harv Tomter was the long time coach of the Eau Claire Cavs which was only semi-professional team in Eau Claire for decades before the Express came along. I've got his autograph on my Cavs programs through the years.

Pardon My Chrome

2011-11-25T01:22:00.001-06:00

If you were to make a list of the recent product that deserve to be on the chopping block it would be 2010 Topps Chrome. As anyone who has opened it knows, the quality of the cards is one of the worst ever as the cards are warped and each card requires a top loader if you want to add it to your collection.

The only way a person could possibly pardon 2010 Chrome from execution is at a steep discount. And that's exactly what I found at Walmart during my late night Thanksgiving day visit: a 2010 Chrome blaster for $11.98. This bring the blaster to $1.50 per badly-warped-pack.

I''ll spare you the base cards and just get into the inserts. There were no autographs in the blaster and in total I pulled seven inserts breaking down into one purple refractor, three regular refractors, and three x-fractors. My purple refractor is of Jon Link who spent the 2011 pitching in AAA as a middle reliever. Last year he was considered the 30th best prospect in the Dodgers system.

#173 John Link RC Purple Refreactor 587/599

And my three refractors are of Joe Saunders, Tim Lincecum, and a rare Cliff Lee as a Mariner refractor. Since going 17-7 and 16-7 in 2008 and 2009 Joe has had two rough seasons with Angels and Diamondbacks.

And now we come to my personal favorite, the X-Fractors. It turned out all three cards were of players with health problems. Kendry Morales missed nearly all of the 2010 season with a broken leg and he missed all of 2011 due to problems with his rehabilitation of the 2010 injury.

#56 Kendry Morales X-Fractor

After missing the 2010 season with a torn medial collateral ligament Daniel Murphy had a great start to 2011. He was batting .320 over 109 games until he again injured his MCL and was out for the rest of the season.

#33 Daniel Murphy X-Fractor

Brennan finished fifth in the Rookie of the Year voting last year and was off to a great start to 2011 until he needed surgery on this thumb and had to miss the rest of the season.

#182 Brennan Boesch X-Fractor

Let's Pepper Spray Some Junk Wax

2011-11-22T18:45:00.001-06:00

As you've flipped around the interwebs these past few days I'm sure you've seen photos of the police response to the protesters at the University of California-Davis. They look something like this:

You may have also seen a really funny parody of these photos in which the pepper spraying cop is placed into famous settings. Here are a few of my favorites:

This brings a new meaning to "In Your Eyes."

So I took it the to the logical next step and made my own Pepper Spray Cop baseball cards:

Was Kevin Mitchel safe? Who cares, he can't breath!

Pepper Spray Cop was out at second but Cookie got a face full of the Ghost Chili.

Say what you will about Pepper Spray Cop, at least he doesn't like gimmick cards!

Antique Junk

2011-11-21T22:42:00.001-06:00

During a trip to New Mexico for my work I stopped off at an antique shop that I had driven by a few times in El Paso. You never know what card treasures will lie within and although I had hoped for your the best but as it often is, only disappointment awaited me.

We begin with three cans of Pinnacle at $20 each. Sure, Pudge Rodriguez is a future Hall of Famer but Ryan Klesko and Albert Belle for $20? You can find these for about $5 each on eBay with better players. I'm surprised that it looks like we haven't opened a can of these yet on A Pack To Be Named Later.

And now we come to the junk wax...all the usual suspects are here at a price tage of $3.00 a pack or at a 2 for $5.00 rate for those big spenders out there!

My Topps Commemorative Patch Collection

2011-11-20T21:52:00.001-06:00

Last time I highlighted my non-baseball patch collection....and today I'll give you my commemorative patch collection. Since 2009, Topps has been including these reproduced patches in blasters of their flagship product. I've always treated them as a nice little bonus in the two or three blasters I would buy a year but recently I've been buying a new one every few weeks. You can find these for a little as $3.00 a card or as much as $35-50 for a patch of a Yankee great, be it Mickey Mantle or Babe Ruth.

2010 Topps Series 1

2011 Topps Series 2

2010 Topps Series 1

2011 Topps Series 1

2009 Topps

2010 Topps Series 2

2011 Topps Series 1

2011 Topps Series 2

2010 Topps Series 1

2009 Topps

2010 Topps Series 1

2011 Topps Series 1

Some Highlights Of My Patch Collection

2011-11-11T18:16:00.001-06:00

Hopefully this post title sucked you in... I'm not taking baseball card patches...I'm just talking patches!

I've been collecting patches since my days in Boy Scouting. It all sprang from a conversation I had with a Scout at a jamboree who was a big time patch collector. I'm talking binders full with pages specifically designed for patch collecting. He told me that my Boy Scout council, the Chippewa Valley Council, has one of the most colorful council patches, with 11 separate colors, making it one of the most coveted Scouting patches out there.

Who knew right? So as I seemed to be sitting on a goldmine of patches I started trading any chance I got. My collection has expanded beyond Scouting patches and now I try to hit up the gift shop for one any time I stop any place interesting.

Here are a few of my favorite patches...The first are two old school Boy Scout patches featuring the "Be Prepared" motto:

This last one is of Robert Baden-Powell, founder of Scouting.

Next up we have a few of my favorite council patches. These are worn on the top of the left sleeve on the Boy Scout uniform and identify where the Scout is from:

The Blue Mountain Council is in southeast Washington and northeast Oregon. Nearly all my patches from the Washington area are from my uncle Tim who passed them down to me.

This is a variation patch of my home council, the Chippewa Valley Council. It honors the 50th anniversary of the Otyokwa Lodge which is the council's lodge of the Order of the Arrow.

Another patch from my Uncle celebrating Washington state's 100th anniversary as a state.

Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico is probably the best Scout camp in the world. I've never been been there myself but I was able to trade for this patch that you receive for completing five steps.

The next four are non-scouting patches. This Ice Age Trail patch is in memory of the worst camping trip I've ever been on. It was my first attempt at long distance hiking trip and about half way into the hike we discovered that a logging company had clear cut several acres of the area around the trail. There were sawed logs and trees all over and walking the trail with large backpacks was really difficult. After navigating that we had a rain storm that just made everything miserable. Every since, any mention of the "Ice Age Trail" in my family is met with a groan.

Only you can prevent forest fires!

The eagle has landed!

And last but not least lets end with a Packers patch. I'd like to make a custom cards with this bad boy in the center.

Throwback Patch Pack Video

2011-11-07T23:08:00.001-06:00

I bought a 2011 Topps Series 2 blaster and I made a little video of the best pack in the box: the single-card commemorative patch card.

Success! Here's a better look at the card:

2011 Topps Series 2 Commemorative Patch #TLMP-BF Bob Feller

De-Laminating The Die-Cuts!

2011-11-05T11:31:00.000-05:00

UPDATE: Josh D. of the Royals and Randoms blog gave us a much better name. We will now be "De-Laminating The Die-Cuts" when we rip off the plastic film and free them from their prison! Thanks Josh!

Dear dayf,

Have you seen one of the Diamond die-cut cards in person yet?

I received my first two today and was ecstatic to see each card has a plastic film on it...meaning we get to Free The Finest! Or I guess ~~Emancipate The Die-Cuts!~~ De-Laminate The Die-Cuts! [~~I couldn't find a synonym for "free" that really worked with "die-cut."~~ See UPDATE."] Anyway, can't wait to see your Chipper Diamond die-cut free one day.

Sincerely,

Matt F.

An Answer To Thorzul's Quest To Figure Out Ron Swanson's Baseball Card

2011-11-04T22:38:00.001-05:00

Well, to be fair, it is Andy and April's baseball card. Thorzul recently posted about a quick little scene in Parks & Recreation's Halloween episode in which Ron Swanson goes through the contents of Andy and April's tool box/plastic bag. One of the items is a baseball card which is quickly shown to the camera.

There has been much discussion on Thorzul Will Rule about which card it was that was shown and there have been several contenders that look like they could possibly be THE CARD. A leading candidate was Pedro Martinez's 2000 Topps #60.

Here's an extreme close up of Ron's card and as you can see the border is clearly blue rather than grey and so Pedro is out:

The blue border leads me to suspect the card in question was from the 2003 Topps set with it's bright blue design. I took a look at all the cards available on COMC and came up with the theory that the card in question was 2003 Topps #242 of Robert Person of the Phillies. Robert Person...Ron Swanson...there seems to be a similarity in the name doesn't there?

But my theory has some problems. On the card Ron is holding there seems to be a lot more in the upper left corner of the card other than the Topps logo. So I was back to square one and decided to go to the source.

The co-creator of Parks and Recreation is Michael Schur, who goes by the pen name Ken Tremendous on Twitter and when he wrote for Fire Joe Morgan. This evening I sent Ken Temendous a message asking if he could tell us which card was in the tool box?

Just a few moments later I received his reply and an answer:

"The image was constructed by our art department for rights reasons. The back was a 1989 Topps Walt Terrell."

And so the great Ron Swanson's Card Search of 2011 can come to an end...there is no full card for all of us to track down a copy of but we can dig out our Walt Terrell cards from 1989 and wonder what possible use a baseball card would have in a tool box.

My 1971 Topps Collection Takes A Giant Step Forward

2011-10-29T14:48:00.000-05:00

While at the National [it's hard to believe that was actually three months ago already] I hit the "90% Off Beckett" bins hard and took a lot of the big cards of my 1971 Topps Needs List from the "needem" to the "gottem" category. I'm now at 87.5% complete!

#580 Tony Perez

I was hoping to see a shot of Bob sitting in the stands during Game 7 last night but I never saw him.

#450 Bob Gibson

#640 Frank Robinson

I was most excited to find this card at a really great deal and as you can tell from the scan it is in by far the best condition of all the '71 Topps cards I bought at the National.

#550 Harmon Killebrew

In terms of scarcity, this seemed to be the hardest card to find of this group. As this was a Hall of Fame manager and also a short print it was also the card I spent the most on: $6.00.

#688 Sparky Anderson

With the addition of this card I now have cards 1-399 with card #400 being Hank Aaron.

#341 Steve Garvey

And here are a few non-star players that I picked up including two high-numbered short-prints.

#556 Jim McGlothlin

#710 Sonny Siebert

#639 Tom Haller

Four More Pafkos

2011-10-28T22:07:00.002-05:00

More and more my blog is becoming just a Personal Collection update more than the baseball card diary I've written for over three years. With that in mind here are some new additions to my Andy Pafko collection. The first three cards I received in trades, the forth from eBay, and the fifth...well, the fifth has become one of my favorite Andy Pafko cards in my collection and is the perfect place holder until I actually get my hands on a 1952 Topps #1.

This Andy Pafko from the 1989 Swell set came to me from Baseball Dad of All Tribe Baseball...Although this seems like a so-so card I've only seen it on eBay a couple of times and was ecstatic when BD let me know he had a copy.

1989 Swell #74 Andy Pafko

Here's the reverse with "Boyceville, WI" listed prominently.

I received these next two from reader and writer for A Pack To Be Named Later, jacobmrley. Pafko's 1952 Topps card is one of the most re-printed out there and I've got a long way to go to get all the different variations.

Left: 2001 Topps Archives #11 [1952 Topps #1 Andy Pafko Reprint]
Right: 2001 Topps Reprints #52R-4

Next, we have a Pafko stamp that is about half the size of a normal card. It is from the 1955 Gold Stamp set and has no printing on the reverse side. This was $2.00 on eBay.

And last but not least we have my first Andy Pafko sketch card from non-other than the Cardboard Junkie. You may have seen this card highlighted on his blog HERE, and he guessed correctly, I was holding this card back for this post. I love this card and it's almost as good as the other Andy Pafko gift he's ever sent me. Thanks Dayf!

My Little Cheesehead

2011-10-14T14:40:00.001-05:00

I haven't posted in about a month and I wish I had a good reason as to why...but I'm back and I do have two great reason why. First, let's start with this:

I'm calling her "My Little Cheesehead" and you get only one guess as to who sent it to me.

It wasn't just a drawing in the package though...along with My Little Cheesehead he also sent a current cheesehead:

2009 SAGE HIT #A69 B.J. Raji Autograph

This brings me to three B.J. autographs and all of them are in this Boston College jersey.

Thanks dayf for inspiring me to get back on the "blogging horse" so to speak.

Cards From Jeff's: Coins, Coins, Coins

2011-09-18T23:07:00.000-05:00

**In this series I highlight the cards purchased from Jeff's Sports Cards, the best card shop in Northeastern Kansas**

Jeff's had a nice new collection on display since the last time I was in the shop...a nice collection of 1964 Topps Coins.

There were 164 coins made for the set with 44 of them highlighting the All-Star Game selections. These were actually inserts into wax packs in the 1964 set and some of the higher valued coins include Pete Rose, Willie Mays, and Mickey Mantle. There are actually two versions of Mantle's coins, one with him batting righty and one lefty.

I purchased a Harmon Killebrew All-Star coin for $4.00 which seems to be pretty good from the listing I've seen.

1964 Topps #133 Harmon Killebrew

Add caption

Chain Of Screaming

2011-09-15T21:20:00.001-05:00

Taking A Little Time Off

2011-09-14T23:55:00.001-05:00

I'll be back on Monday...maybe during the weekend...who knows...until then, I'll give you this...all this My Little Pony talk reminded me of this...remember kids, "just do the heroin!"

Vic Power Card Of The Week: Heroe del beisbol Sticker

2011-09-13T09:30:00.000-05:00

**In this series, we strive to collect a master set of all of Vic Power's cards.**

I've been out of practice in giving you a Vic Power card a week but I'll try to make up for that. Today's card is actually a sticker honoring Puerto Rican "Heroes of Baseball" or "Heroe del beisbol" as the card reads. I'm not sure which year this is from but the sticker looks to be recently made. This one came to me through eBay for $5.00

The Difference Is In The Details

2011-09-12T15:29:00.000-05:00

I recently highlighted my Andy Pafko collection and I thought highlight the slight differences between two of my older Pafko cards. I'm speaking of my two "Salutations" cards. The first one was produced somewhere between 1939 and 1946 and features a "Yours Truly, Andy Pafko." These cards were one of the first series to use simulated signatures and they were available in vending machines.

1939-1946 Exhibits Salutation Andy Pafko

As you can see on the close up of Andy's baseball cap you can see the "C" on the cap for the Chicago Cubs.

Here's an even closer look:

And now we'll move onto nearly the exact same card but from a little later. This one was made somewhere between 1947 and 1966 and has the same salutation.

1947-1966 Exhibits Salutation Andy Pafko

But looking at Andy's cap you'll notice something is a little different. The "C" now seems to be an "O" or maybe a "D." One thing is for certain, the "C" that was once very clear has been modified.

Here's another extreme close-up:

This slight difference does play into the value of this particular card...the "C" version is worth slightly more than the later version.

Genius Covers: Web of Spider-Man #38

2011-09-12T08:33:00.000-05:00

Today's cover comes from the May 1988 issue of Web of Spider-Man, which is the forth best Spider-Man series after, The Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man, and The Spectacular Spider-Man. This issue was right in my wheel-house as a collector with its $1.00 price tag...meaning I could buy two issues with my $2.00 a week allowance. One time I tried to get my allowance twice in a weekend, once from my Dad and once from my Mom. It worked until I found out that, apparently, my parents talked about what happened during their day.

Fabian Nicieza wrote this issue which is mainly a big fight between Spider-Man and Hobgoblin. Spider-Man nearly looses after getting accidentally drunk when someone spikes the punch at a party that Peter Parker was attending. As you can see, this issue is also during the black suit/Venom period.

There weren't any great advertisements in this issue but here is the best single caption from the issue:

It reminds me to this great Ben Folds Five song with the lyric "Bass In Your Face!"

Dramatic Kent Hrbek

2011-09-11T16:46:00.001-05:00

On a day full of drama, what would be better than a little dramatic Kent Hrbek:

The 5 Best From A 2011 Score Value Pack

2011-09-11T14:15:00.000-05:00

In honor of the new season, lets open some Score 2011. This year's design has a sort of retro theme in my opinion that reminds me of the 90's designs...Here are the Top 5 cards of the 52 that I received in my jumbo pack for $4.98:

#1 -- I include Romo because he's from Wisconsin, like men, and he's my fantasy quarterback. If only he played for any other team than the Cowboys he would easily be my favorite non-Packer player.

#83 Tony Romo

#2 -- Pulling a Randy Moss as a Titan card is a weird experience. It would have been nice to see him in a Vikings uniform one last time. There are rumors now that he might end up with the Saints but after watching Thursday's game I'm not sure if the Saints needs another receiver as their offense looked pretty good, even in a loss.

#289 Randy Moss

#3 -- Ryan Grant made his return on Thursday and already has more rushing attempts than he did all of last season. Although he wasn't the leading rusher for the game [that would be James Starks who blossomed in the playoffs last year] it will be nice for the Pack to have a great 1-2 punch at running back.

#111 Ryan Grant

#4 -- Greg Jennings had a great start to his season with a touchdown and 89 yards receiving.

#107 Greg Jennings

#5 -- Success! I pulled the only rookie I was really looking for. Randall Cobb put his name towards the top of many football card collector's list after Thursday's game.

#377 Randall Cobb [Rookie Card]

Super Rare Vic Power Card On eBay

2011-09-10T11:29:00.000-05:00

As I was doing my weekly trolling for new Vic Power & Andy Pafko cards for the collection, I came upon this yellow beauty for an asking price of $600:

It is a part of a super rare set made by a company in Kansas City, Rodeo Meats, in 1955 featuring players of the Kansas City Athletics. There are 47-cards in the set and Vic's bright yellow background and "never takes a bad photo" smile makes it one of the most sought after cards from the set. Here's a great little article on the set written by PSA.

Recounting Of A Brutal Blaster Opening

2011-09-09T09:30:00.000-05:00

I've been putting this post off for quite some time. I would look at the pile of cards on my card sorting table and turn away quickly as if seeing something that was truly upsetting. Today, I am pulling myself together and summoning the strength to talk about my ripping of a blaster of Upper Deck's World Of Sports.

I'm not sure what I was thinking spending some of my income tax return on a full priced blaster to begin with. I think at the time [this would have have been mid-April] I was just so desperate for something new that I fell back into the warm embrace of Upper Deck no matter what product they were offering. I wasn't promised a jersey card on the box but an entire blaster of just base cards without inserts was dreadful. And I realize that whole generations opened packs that were just base cards but in today's collecting environment it's like going to a restaurant on the hottest summer's day and finding the restaurant doesn't have air conditioning.

In terms of getting some interesting base cards I did alright I guess. I was able to get the Tiger Woods base card but no Lebron. Along with Tiger, there were a few other cards of players just about anyone had heard of...including one infamous one highlighted at the end here.

#250 Tiger Woods

#304 Sidney Crosby

#62 Landon Donovan

#114 Hope Solo

#228 Nancy Kerrigan

But a huge majority of the set was of players and sports that you would never guess would be included. I guess I had hoped this set could be a set highlighting the champions of the world [like Allen & Ginter with photography]...I just didn't expect the top 15 lacrosse players or the top 10 female hockey players. What could have been.

As in the Field Level View review of the product, if you desire any of the cards in the set, buy singles and avoid packs.

What's Inside Five Packs Of 2009 Americana?

2011-09-08T14:00:00.000-05:00

Here's what I found in five packs of 2009 Donruss Americana [purchased for 99 cents each at Target].There was a lot of...

Who?

#94 Marton Csokas

A little of the ultraviolence...

#42 Malcolm McDowell

Brains! [Romero fans, please save your comments...I know his zombies don't have a taste for brains...they'll eat any part of a human...]

#52 George Romero

A Spencer Tracy relic! My first ever relic straight from an Americana pack.

Movie Posters #45 Boys Town/Spencer Tracy Clothing Relic #104/500

"and on his farm he shot some guys...badda boom badda bing bang boom."

#44 Stephen Baldwin

"You touch my sister again, I'll kill you."

#90 James Caan

And two packs later another relic! When I'm hot, I'm hot.

Movie Posters #50 Mrs. Miniver/Greer Garson/Teresa Wright Clothing Relic #325/500

My Andy Pafko Collection

2011-09-08T09:49:00.000-05:00

UPDATED: 1-19-12

Here is my Andy Pafko collection. Thus far I have 26 cards and one autographed baseball. Andy played from 1943-1959 and is often included in contemporary sets, especially re-prints of Andy's 1952 Topps #1 card.

For some of these cards I have duplicate copies. That doesn't mean I'm not looking for more. Any and all Andy Pafko cards will be given a good home here. My needs list of fairly commonly found cards can be found HERE.

The Playing Years

1939-1946

1939-1946 Exhibits Salutation Card [With Visible "C" on Cap]

1943

1944

1945

1946

1947

1947-1966

1947-66 Exhibits Salutation Card [Without Visible "C" on Cap]

1948

1949

1949 Leaf #125 Andy Pafko

2nd copy:

1949 Leaf #125 Andy Pafko

1950

1951

1951 Bowman #103 Andy Pafko

1952

1953

1953 Bowman Black and White #57 Andy Pafko

1954

1954 Bowman #112 Andy Pafko

1954 Red Man Tobacco #8 Andy Pafko [No Tab]

1954 Topps #79 Andy Pafko

1954 Topps #79 Andy Pafko [2nd Copy]

1955

1955 Bowman #12 Andy Pafko


1955 Gold Stamp Sticker Andy Pafko

1956

1956 Topps #312 Andy Pafko

1957

1957 Topps #143 Andy Pafko

1957 Topps #143 Andy Pafko [2nd Copy]

1957 Topps #143 Andy Pafko [3rd Copy]

1958

1958 Topps #223 Andy Pafko

1958 Topps #223 Andy Pafko [2nd Copy]

1959

1959 Topps #27 Andy Pafko

1959 Topps #27 Andy Pafko [2nd Copy]

After Retirement

1960

1960 Topps #464 Milwaukee Braves Coaches

1974

1974 TCMA 1952 Dodgers #48

1976

1976 HRT/RES #4 1947 Bowman Reprint

1978

1978 TCMA Milwaukee Braves Greats #48

1980

1980 TCMA 1957 Braves #24

1983

1983 Fritsch Co. 1953 Braves #48

1989

1989 Pacific Baseball Legends #123 Andy Pafko

1989 Pacific Baseball Legends #123 Andy Pafko TTM Autograph

1989 Swell #74 Andy Pafko

1994

1994 Topps Archives #79 Andy Pafko 1954 Reprint

2001

2001 Topps Archives Reserve Andy Pafko Autographed Baseball

2001 Topps Archives #112 [Reprint of 1959 Topps]

2001 Topps Archives #11

2001 Topps Archives Reserve #62

2001 Topps Through The Year Reprints #4

2002

2002 Topps 1952 Reprints #52R4

2002 Topps Chrome 1952 Reprints #52R4

2002 Topps Chrome 1952 Reprints Refractor #52R4

2002 Topps Super Teams #36 Andy Pafko #1126/1957

2002 Topps Super Teams #STA-AP Andy Pafko Autograph

2003

2003 Topps Heritage #GG-AP Andy Pafko/Milwaukee County Stadium Seat

2007

2007 Wisconsin Museum 1957 Braves #10

2007 Wisconsin Museum 1957 Braves #41

Andy Pafko Originals

Original Sketch Card Of A Andy Pafko Diamond Die Cut By The Lost Collector

Original Sketch Card Of 1952 Topps #1 Done By Dayf, The Cardboard Junkie

Andy Pafko Collection Needs List

2011-09-07T17:51:00.000-05:00

Missing Cards From My Andy Pafko Collection

Last updated: 1-18-12

Bold = awaiting arrival/pending trade

This is by no means a complete list of all the Andy Pafko cards out there...these are just some of the most common cards that I see on eBay every once in a while.

1946-47 Montiel Cuba Baseball #74
1947 D305 Bond Bread Andy Pafko
1949 Bowman #63
1950 Bowman #60
1951 Topps Blue Back #27
1952 Topps #1
1952 Bowman #204
1953 Bowman Black & White #57 [Upgraded copy]
1953 Red Man Tobacco #9 [With Tab]
1953 Johnston Cookies #24
1954 Red Man Tobacco #8 [With Tab]
1954-1956 Spic and Span Andy Pafko
1954 Wilson Franks #13
1960 Spic and Span
1985 TCMA Playball #9
1986 C.C.C. Reprint of 1951 Bowman

1952 Topps #1 Reprint Variations
2001 Topps Chrome Through The Years Reprints #4
2001 Topps Team Topps Legends Autograph #TT27R

Recently Acquired:
~~1957 Topps #143 [Upgraded copy]~~
~~1974 TCMA 1952 Dodgers~~
~~1978 Milwaukee Braves Greats #48~~
~~1980 TCMA 1957 Braves #24~~
~~1983 Fritsch Co. 1953 Braves~~
~~2001 Topps Through The Years Reprints #4~~
~~2001 Topps Archives #112 [Reprint of 1959 Topps]~~
~~2001 Topps Archives Reserve Reprint #62~~
~~2002 Topps Chrome 1952 Reprint #52R4~~
~~2002 Topps Chrome 1952 Reprint Refractor~~
~~2007 Wisconsin Museum 1957 Braves #10~~
~~2007 Wisconsin Museum 1957 Braves #41~~

And The Winners of The Super Bowl Sets Are...

2011-09-07T00:06:00.000-05:00

In total we had 22 people enter into the contest and so we shall run them through the randomizer three times and see what come out. The Packers won Super Bowls I & II so the first and second entrants listed win the sets...

Here are the brave 22:

Thorzul
Josh D.
The Dimwit
dawgbones
Play at the Plate
Captain Canuck
piratesfan731
Greg Zakwin
Chris Stufflestreet
Spankee
RoofGod
BA Benny
Mike
Sean Woods
--David
Spiegel83
dominicfdny
Porkkky
Kevin
Matt
Baseball Nut
daddyohoho

And so here is the 3rd randomization through random.org:

And so our winners are Spankee, of the My Cardboard Mistress blog...

and Thorzul of Thorzul Will Rule.

Congratulations to you both and I'll be in touch with you shortly!

Don't Forget About My Labor Day Weekend Contest

2011-09-05T15:24:00.001-05:00

Enter to win one of two unopened Pro Set Super Bowl XXV card sets...Just leave a comment on the original post HERE by the end of the day today. Winner will be announced some time on Tuesday.

Inspired By Ken: Bill Lee

2011-09-05T07:32:00.000-05:00

**The card purchases inspired by watching Ken Burn's 18.5 hour Baseball documentary over the course of a week in June 2011**

Through the last few innings of Baseball, every once in a while we'd get to hear Bill Lee's interpretation of baseball history all while wearing a CCCP baseball cap.

It's the kind of "making a statement" fashion choice that has Lee just begging for some to tell him how stupid it makes him look. It's one thing to support the idea of socialism or even communism, it's another thing to celebrate the Soviet Union. Or maybe I've got it all wrong and he's really just a fan of C.C.C.P. the German techno band.

My irritation in Lee didn't stop me from tracking down a few of his cards including his 1970 Topps rookie card.

1970 Topps #279 Bill Lee

1979 Topps #455 Bill Lee

1982 Topps #323 Bill Lee

When You're Hot You're Hot

2011-09-04T18:42:00.000-05:00

I watch nearly all of chri5874's video breaks but one of his latest was like nothing I've seen. He starts off small by guessing which rookie would be signing a redemption that was pulled. He then moves on to predicting the hit in the next box ripped. Now that's all well and good but then he just throws out that there would be an "Adrian Peterson autograph" for the last box of 2007 Premier and...well you'll just have to see for yourself:

Labor Day Weekend Contest: Win A Super Bowl XXV Set

2011-09-02T23:49:00.001-05:00

Part of the bunch of junk wax bonanza I recently received from Wisconsin were three complete sets of the Pro Set Super Bowl XXV commemorative set. I ripped one set to get the cards I was looking for which included this great nine piece "puzzle":

And, of course, the Packers players which numbered an impressive 10 cards...and this set was well before the Brett Favre-led championship season so they are all the 60's greats.

So long story short, I've got two sealed complete sets to give away...

This time to win we're just doing a random drawing. So just leave me a comment on this blog telling me who's going to win Super Bowl XLVI. Enter by the end of Labor Day on Monday 9/5 at 11:59 PM CT. The two winners will be announced on Tuesday.

Genius Covers: Batman #497

2011-09-02T07:45:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago the interwebs were all abuzz with the photos coming out of Pittsburgh showing a lot of what the new Batman movie would look like.

Batman battles the villains Bane and Catwoman in the new film...while we are all familiar with Catwoman [who will always be Michelle Pfieffer in my book] Bane is not that well known a villain.

He is probably best remembered by being the one who broke Batman's back in Batman #497 from July 1993. This was all in the lead-up to Batman #500 in which the Batman substitute Azrael defeats Bane. My issue below is from the second printing of issue which makes it effectively worthless.