Here are two new additions to my Fenway 100th collection. One of the first posthumous ones as well. Its becoming very clear that this project may be incredibly difficult to complete. But I try anyway.
The first is a Dennis Eckersley AU/GU. Eck is one of my all time faves.
Second is the late Johnny Pesky. People are hot and cold about the stamp autos…I dig em.
One of my favorite products from 2012 was Topps Archives so I figured it wouldn’t be a bad hobby box to break in the first week of MLB this year.
Each box yields two “fan favorites” autographs. There are also other goodies inserted randomly, including jersey cards, etc.
Here’s some of what I got.
Here are some of the parallels, inserts. The ones with the gold “Topps Archives” stamps are reprints.
Here are some more inserts and parallels, and one of the jersey cards…this one is Tim Lincecum. I’ve found jersey cards in about half of the boxes I’ve broken of this product.
Here are my two autos! Bud Harrelson was on the World Series Amazin’ Mets team, and Steve Balboni found success in the 80′s and 90′s and was known as “Bye Bye” Balboni for his tendency to hit home runs.
Now that opening day is upon us its time for me to start posting again! Tonight’s theme is going to highlight some of my favorite PC items representing the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers.
Starting things off is a nice Mitch Moreland AU. Mitch has become a stalwart of the Texas Rangers during their recent success.
Astro great Jim Wynn comes to us via 2012 Topps Archives. He was a three time All-Star during his tenure in Houston.
Rangers opening day starter Matt Harrison will try to pick up some of the slack in the rotation. He’s not QUITE an ace but I wouldn’t rule it out going forward.
Carlos Lee had some serious power…but he was one of those guys who sometimes seemed almost like a liability to have on an NL roster due to his crap fielding.
Rusty Greer is one of the great fan favorites in Rangers history. He never made an All-Star team but hit .305 for his career.
Finishing things up is Luis Gonzalez. Though he was best known for his time as a D-Back Luis did make an All-Star appearance in an Astros uniform.
When sending out TTM autograph requests there is always a good chance that card will never come back. Usually after a year or so one can assume it isn’t coming back. Every once in a while, however, a card gets returned many years later.
This one, which I received today, is a great example. I can’t even remember how long ago it was I sent this card out…according to my records (or lack thereof) it must be at least a year, maybe two. Either way its always a nice surprise.
First, allow me to apologize for my lack of recent posts!
Second, I sent out a TTM this past week. Something I haven’t done in a long time. And I already got it back! Check it out!
Good ol’ JR! Great signer.
After years of tension between Bruno Sammartino and the WWE, the fences have been mended so that Bruno can be inducted.
Imagine a Baseball HOF without Babe Ruth. Or a Hockey HOF without Gordie Howe. Thats what the WWE hall of fame was without Bruno. Whether or not you were alive or a wrestling fan during his run in the 60′s, 70′s, and 80′s, it is undeniable that Bruno’s 11 years as WWWF Champion is a record that speaks for itself.
I’m just happy Bruno is able to receive the honor while he is still living to accept it.
My buddy @CoachCubbiss cued me into this site. Its pretty funny, regardless of whether you are into baseball cards or not. Check it out.
Seriously?!
This year’s HOF ballot results came out today. No one was elected (the highest were Craig Biggio and Jack Morris, each with around 68%).
And once again, the royal snub goes to Edgar Martinez, the greatest DH of all time.
I’m not going to spend another post explaining to people why Edgar belongs in the HOF. A quick look at his accomplishments in the context of the time he played should be enough.
I do, seriously, want to know who voted for Aaron Sele.
Mike Piazza with less than 60% of the vote is a head-scratcher too. I don’t even like the guy…but its as if he didn’t get in because other people did steroids while he was playing. 12 all-star games…as a CATCHER… and a batting average over 300, and more than 400 home runs??! What do you want him to do, pitch relief too?
My bro got me an eBay gift card for Xmas. I bought a box of 2011 TNA Signature.
Although I don’t watch much TNA Wrestling (I’ll watch if Sting or Angle is on), the Tristar TNA card products are great for any wrestling fan. Mainly because they feature autos and relics of some of the all-time greatest wrestling legends. This set includes a chance at Hogan, Sting, Flair, Steiner, Angle, Hardys, and many others.
Each box features 3 autos (#’d to 99 or less), 1 of which is a multi-auto, 2 parallels, 1 memorabilia card, and 1 SP Ric Flair Card.
Here is my break.
Here is a base card of Dixie Carter. I’m not going to show all of the base cards but I figure this was a good one to show since…she’s super hot. For those of you who don’t know she is the President of TNA.
My two parallels are Ric Flair and Rob Van Dam. Ric Flair is of course one of the greatest of all time (21x World Champion) and Van Dam is a legend in his own right, and bodybuilding fans will know him as the inventor of the Van Dam lift.
Here is my Ric Flair SP.
And now, the “hits”…
I don’t really know who any of these people are but it’s a cool Quad Relic.
Here is Christy Hemme. She is the current ring announcer for TNA, I believe.
My dual auto is of Mickie James and Tara (WWE’s Victoria). These are two of the most talented female wrestlers of today…bested in WWE only by Beth Phoenix and Nattie Neidhart.
And finally…
Sting MOJO! Sting is one of my all time favorites…15x World Heavyweight Champion and the greatest in WCW history…I was him for Halloween back in 1999. Like most WWE fans who watched WCW in the 90′s, I hold my breath he will one day appear in a WWE ring, if for one match only.
Totally stoked about the Sting pull. Instant PC centerpiece.
Finally, another hobby box break of some baseball?
This year I received a box of 2012 SP Signature for XMas. I broke one of these earlier in the year and found a Red Sox Quad (Evans, Yaz, Rice, Lynn) and some other cool stuff. What kind of luck will I have today?
Each box has 3 packs, 3 autos/pack, 1 of which is a multi or patch auto.
I apologize for having photos instead of scans…I didn’t have access to a scanner.
First, the least exciting AU’s:
First, Tyler Stovall/Ryan Weber Dual, and a Michael Brantley.
Nolan Fontana, Wade Miley. Miley looks like he could turn into something pretty cool.
Casey Kelly/Donovan Tate dual.
A’s Quad…Hunter, Stassi, Tanner, Weeks.
Now we’re talking…Ryan Zimmerman. One of today’s best 3b.
Sox mojo in two consecutive boxes?!??! Here is one of my PC players, Luis Tiant.
And finally…
Late Hof’er Duke Snider.
Another great box of SP Sig. Enjoying this product thoroughly!