The Philly Show- Yo Mammas and Chicle galore

Today was yet another Philly Show in Valley Forge...which ultimately means my schedule was booked for a few hours to go to the show. What I found was a bunch of rookies and hits, but here were the highlights-

The Free Signer was Former Philly closer Ricky Bottalico. Unfortunately, I had no Bottalico cards from the 90's (that I could find), so I just bought a picture at the show, and he signed it. Nice guy.

I scored a bunch of National Chicle from a particular dealer. Here it is (sorted by artist)

Felix- Gavin Floy, Phil Rizzuto
Farr- Big Poopi, Michael Brantley
Henderson- Jose Lopez, Andrew Bailey
Higgins- Jake Peavy, Carlos Pena
Lempa- Colby Rasmus, Aramis Ramirez, Josh Johnson, Luis Durango
Sheldon- Brian McCann, Ken Griffey, Chipper Jones, Jimmy Foxx
Kong- Troy Tulowitski, Joe Mauer, Carlton Fisk, Reggie Jackson, Nick Swisher
Davies- Justin Verlander, Johnny Mize, Juan Fransisco, Lou Gehrig, Ian Desmond
Branch- Alex Gordon, Robinson Cano, Brad Hawpe, James Loney, Jair Jurjens, Edinson Volquez, Stephen Drew
Zachowski- Gordon Beckham, Andy Pettite, Ted Lilly, Ryan Zimmerman, Evan Longoria, Tobi Stoner, Dan Uggla
Hoebrecht- Josh Beckett, David Wright, Hunter Pence, Kosuke Fukudome, Joey Votto, Josh Thole, Mel Ott
Kupka- Ernie Banks, Willie McCovey, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Walter Johnson, Pee-Wee Reese, Jose Reyes, Jason Bartlett, Joel Piniero, Alex Rios

I also got a bunch of CYMTO, and they're all Series 2.

1952 Phil Rizzuto
1955 Yogi Berra
1958 Duke Snider
1959 Warren Spahn
1960 Willie McCovey
1971 Frank Robinson
1972 Juan Marichal
1973 Reggie Jackson
1974 Willie McCovey
1983 Tony Gwynn
1990 Frank Thomas no name
1993 Ozzie Smith
2005 Andre Ethier

And the biggest part was the 2 game useds I got. I got one 2009 Sweet Spot Dave Winfield, and a Phil Niekro on the Yankees that I can't remember the set.

All in all, great show.

Chicle Crazy, or, I still haven't finished it yet!

I am 108 cards short of finishing up National Chicle (Most of the cards are Rookies, Legends and Short Prints, but so what). I snagged a few Target packs today, let's see what they hold.

106- Todd Helton. Have it.
66- Johan Santana. NEED IT!
26- Rick Porcello. NEED IT!
30- Michael Cuddyer. Have it.
245- Whitey Ford. NEED IT, AND IT'S A YANKEE!!!
198- Michael Saunders. Have it.

191- Chase Utley. NEED IT!
146- Scott Feldman. Have it.
101- Torii Hunter. Have it.
61- Gordon Beckham. Have it.
225- Mike Schmidt. NEED IT, AND IT'S SCHMMMIDDDTY!
213- Paul Molitor. Got it.

252- Duke Snider. Have it.
237- Thurman Munso. Have it.
240- Cy Young- NEED IT!
286- George Sisler on the Cardinals- NEED IT!
208- Luis Aparicio
243- Stan Musial.

I will spare you the details of Pack 4, since it was all doubles. I'll be posting a Chicle wantlist sooner or later, so I won't give up this quest.

National Treasures, or what I blew $40 on at the National

I have returned from a day in Baltimore. The show was nice. It was a lot bigger than I expected, but it didn't overwhelm me. After a while, I forgot which aisles I'd been down, and which aisles I hadn't. But it was still a good show, and I got some cool cards out of it.

I got a bunch of Chicle. I'll show you my findings organized by artist-

Branch- Nate McLouth, Kevin Kouzmanoff, David DeJesus, Luis Castillo, Stephen Drew
Felix- Andre Ethier, Zach Duke
Zachowski-Rick Ankiel, Mark Rzep...Rzep...Mark Spellcheck, Kurt Suzuki
Kong- Neftali Feliz, Dan Haren, Clay Kershaw
Kupka- Robin Yount, Erick Aybar, Matt Cain
Farr- Adam Lind, Carlos Lee, Ryan Ludwick
Lempa- Eddie Matthews, Eddie Murray, Ozzie Smith, Luis Durango, Bobby Abreu, Nelson Cruz
Hobrecht- Michael Saunders, Rich Harden, Victor Martinez, Carl Crawford, Aaron Hill, Russell Martin, Johnny Damon
Henderson- Luis Aparicio, Jholys Chacin, Michael Bowden, Miguel Tejada, Jason Kubel, Scott Feldman
Higgins- Richie Ashburn, Mat Gamel, Ian Stewart, Eric Young Jr, Jorge Cantu, Jacoby Ellisbury, Jason Bay, Kendry Morales
Sheldon- Ryne Sandberg, Stan Musial, Rogers Hornsby, Juan Marischal, Orlando Cepeda, Chad Billingsley, John Maine
Davies- Joe Morgan, Dennis Eckersley, Billy Butler, Jonathan Papelbon, Chris Young, Matt Kemp.

I came across a dealer with assorted canvas-type sets (Diamond Kings, Masterpieces)-

2002 Diamond Kings-Craig Biggio, Rickey Henderson, Barry Zito, Paul LoDuca, Roberto Alomar, Pat Burrell, Bobby Abreu, Rafael Palmiero, Pedro Martinez
2003 Diamond Kings- Edgar Martinez, Mark Buherle, Derek Jeter, Roger Clemens.
2004 Diamon Kings- Jim Edmonds, Hideo Nomo, Edgar Martinez, Carlos Beltran
2007 Bowman Heritage Chrome- Mike Piazza
2008 Masterpieces- Eric Chavez, Randy Johnson, Carlos Beltran, Harmon Killebrew
Rookies- 2004 Topps Zach Grienke, 20o5 Topps Felix Hernandez

And one dealer had some assorted vintage-

1970- Juan Marichal
1974- Gaylord Perry
1975- Gaylord Perry, Don Sutton
1976- Johnny Bench, Gaylord Perry, Tony Perez
1977- Brooks Robinson, Steve Carton, Phil Niekro
1978- Jim Palmer, Lou Brock, Robin Yount
1979- Eddi Murray
1980- George Brett
1981- Harold Baines Rookie
1982- Lee Smith Rookie
1983- Nolan Ryan

I didn't get much, mainly because the Chicle was so pricy. Still, pretty damn impressive show.

Topps and National Chicle (?) Blaster Rip

I'm in San Diego right now, anxiously awaiting a trip to Comic Con preview night tonight. Before I left LA (Or Monrovia if you ant to be specific) this morning, I saw a Target nearby and felt the urge to rip. I saw boxes and boxes of Series 2, but I also saw, in the back of the aisle, a lone box of National Chicle. Chicle may in fcat be one of my favorite sets of the year. So I picked up the box, along with a box of Topps (I've got Yo Mamma fever!), and am ready to rip.

National Chicle-

Pack 1-
The Legends- Hank Greenberg, Christy Matthewson.
The Double- Wandy Rodriguez
The Rest- Chris Carpenter, Felix Pie, Brett Anderson

Pack 2-
The Legend- Al Kaline. I believe he's in a modern uniform.
The Yankee-Derek Jeter.
The Doubles- Nolan Reimold (Chicle Back), Carlos Quentin
The Rest- Miguel Cabrera, Jonathan Sanchez

Pack 3-
The Yankee- Curtis Granderson
The Doubles- CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Nolan Ryan
The Rest- Kevin Richardson, Marco Scutaro

Pack 4-
The Rookie Flashback- Juan Fransisco as Eric Davis 85
The OTHER Reds rookie- Drew Stubbs
Th Doubles- Melky Cabrera, YOOOOUK (Aw, Crap), Russell Branyan
The Rest- Derek Lowe

Pack 5-
The Legend- Babe Ruth Bazooka Back
The Doubles- Will Venable, Duke Snider, Tom Seaver
The Rest- Justin Morneau, Brian Roberts

Pack 6-
The Legends- Jim Palmer, Warren Spahn
The Ex-Phillie accquired in the Cliff Lee deal- Carlos Carrasco
The Double- Jonathan Broxton
The Rest- John Danks, Kyle Blanks (Hey, that rhymes!)

Pack 7-
The Guy that I saw play twice in one state- Buster Posey rookie
The Awesome Looking Cards- Assdribble Cabrera, Derrek Lee
The Doubles- Vladdie, Andrew MacCutchen
The Rest- Michael Bourn

Pack 8-
The Legends- Roy Campanella, Modern Cy Young (Nice Stache!)
The Filthy Red Sock- Dustin Pedroia
The Doubles- Jermaine Dye, Josh Hamilton, Scott Kazmir.

And now the Topps-

(I will give the highlights of what I don't have-

Hiroki Kuroda
Rick Porcello Yo Mamma
Darryl Strawberry 88 Yo Mamma Original Back
Ozzie Smith Peak
Luke Hochevar
Joba Chaimberlan
Chippah Jones
Killebrew and Morneau Lineage
Kung Fu Panda 2020
Jacoby Eliisbury
Carlos Pena
Joey Votto Turkey Red
AJ Pierzinski
J-Rol
Carlos Guillen Gold
Cal Ripken 92 Yo Mamma (I have it)
Babe Ruth Vintage Legends
Gerardo Parra
Ronny Paulino
Jeter and Rizzuto Lineage
Chippah 2000 Yo Mamma
Whtey Ford World Series
Prince ad Foxx Lineage
Another Cal 92 Yo Mamma
Rickey 81 Yo Mamma...ORIGINAL BACK
Tom Seaver Turkey Red

Good rip overall. If you want any of the Chicle doubles, or if you really need that Cal 93 Yo Mamma, set up a trade. I'd be more than happy to give away my doubles.

And if you have any Cards Your Mother Threw out that you don't need, set up a trade. What I HAVE is on the sidebar.

Last Tastes- Series 1 and National Chuckle

Since Series 2 and Allen and Ginter are coming soon, I thought it would be nice to get some packs of products that need a final sendoff. Actually, I couldn't find any series 2, so I just got some Chicle and Series 1, cause I like those.

Chicle 1-
61- Gordon Beckham
21- JA Happ
186- Alfonso Soriano
80- Jermaine Dye
39- Michael Young Player Back
259- Henry Rodriguez

Pack 2-
126- Melky Cabrera
46- OH SH*())**&(*T IT'S YOOOOOOOOUK!
11-CC Sabathia!
201- AND AJ BURNETT...IN THE SAME PACK!
115- BERK!
79- Russell Branyan

Pack 3-
196- Will Venable
166- Duke Snider
185- Travis Snyder
94- Nyjer Morgan Player Back
313- Madison Bumgarner...1961 Gaylord Perry Ripoff...PLAYER BACK!
246- Tom Seaver

And since you all have seen the base cards, here's what I didn't have from the Series 1

HISTORY- Baseball Invented
218- Fernando Martinez
212- Jair Jurrjens
Not 1 bust 2 code cards- My Results:
1. 1968 Ken Suarez Rookie
2. 1976 Fred Scherman. Nothing to call home about
Yo Mamma Card of 1987 Bo Jackson. Well, I have that one and- OH MY GOD, IT'S THE ORIGINAL BACK!
23- Shane Victorino
Turkey Red Gordon Beckham
Lineage- Joe Mauer and Tony Gywnn
HOLY CRAP, A GOLD CARD....OF ANDY PETTITE!!! WOOOOOOOO!

All in all, a good rip. But seriously- my local Targets have to stock up on Series 2

Box O'Chicle

I went to Target today, and the baseball selection was HORRIBLE! All the baseball they had was Heritage, and I didn't want that. So I went to my other local Target, and they had the exact opposite- tons of cards, especially a box of Chicle, which I merrily purchased. Now here's the results.

Pack 1-
155- Vernon Wells
OHHH NOOOOOOOOOO!
IT'S A GAME USED OF DAVID FRICKIN ORTIZ!!!!
GYAAAAAAAAAAHHHH! WHYYYYYYYY?!?!?
184- Phil Hughes. Yeah, way to go Topps. Just to soften the wound, you give me the current Yankee ace. That's better.
49- AAAAAADDRRIAAAANNNNNN...In a 70's uniform.

Pack 2-
252- Duke Snider
237- Thurman Munson
100- Adam Dunn
175- Dexter Fowler- Player Back!!!
159- Kenshin Kawakami
194- Tim Lincecum

Pack 3-
37- Ryan Howard. WOOOOOO!
92- Cole Hamels. WOOOOOOOOOO!
147- Jon Lester. CRAAAAAAAPP
105- Mark Reynolds
64- A-ROD!!! YEAAAAHHHHH!
104- Justin Upton

Pack 4-
217- Frank Robinson. Okay, here's a burning question for you topps. Why is Frankie constantly shown in a Reds uniform, while he is most remembered as an Oriole. (And also, in my subscriber bank, the Oriole Red ratio is 3:1 Orioles).
262- Reid Gorecki
180- Freddy Sanchez
287- Ty Cobb in the modern Tiger uniform. Yeah...even you can't help Detroit this year, Ty.
269- Tommy Manzella
19- Jay Bruce. Again, what's with all the Reds?

Pack 5-
102- Adam Wainwright
157- Jimmy Rollins WOOOOOOOO1
60- JJ Hardy
312- Oooh, the much maligned Tyler Flowers/ Frank Thomas card. Ooh.
204- Carlos Gonzalez
234- Tris Speaker

Pack 6-
192- JD Droooooooooooo!
222- Lou Brock
47- Brandon Inge
10- Man Ram
54- Yunel Escobar
84- Hanley Ramirez

Pack 7-
22- Tim Wakefield Eating A Ball
137- Zack Grienke
95- Ryan Braun
196- Will Venable Player back
129- Nolan Reimold
169- Denard Span

Pack 8-
107- Mark Teixiera
187- Joe Saunders
235- Jackie Robinson
59- WANDY...Bazooka Back
199- Trevor Crowe
3- ICHIRO!!!

Well, even though I got a red sox game used, I'm still satisfied. The fact that the game used isn't why I love this product is one of the reasons. The design, the short prints, the legends. It's great.

AT LAST, SOME CHICLE (Heritage Too)

I finally got some Chicle today (4 packs was all they had, but still), and I also got some Heritage, which we'll start with

Pack 1-
11- Adam Wainwright
374- Brad Hawpe
90- Ex Philadelphia Prospect Gavin Floyd
Leaders
Holy Crap...it's a chrome #to 1961...of Brian McCann. And this photo kinda makes him look like dayf
Flashbacks- 23rd amendment
194-Joey Votto
WSMVP 2005 Jermaine Dye

Pack 2-
166- Ramon Hernandez
87- Juan Uribe
215- Derek Jeter!!!
322- Michael Dunn
Flashbacks- Frank Robinson
370- Mark Reynolds
269- Edgar Renteria
Mantle Thing

Chicle Pack 1-
Honus Wagner Regular
Juan Pierre
Carlos Beltran
Javier Vazquez. The one Yankee I get, and it's F%^%&*^&* VAZQUEZ???
Tris Speaker Modern...he actually looks cool on the Indians.
Josh Hamilton

Pack 2-
Luke Scott
The David Price is wrong, bitch!
Adam Jones
Michael Cuddyer
Michael Cuddyer Bazooka back!!! The regular and the short print!
Jono Broxton

Pack 3-
Hey, Waddaya know, it's Albert Pujols
George Sisler regular
Brent... Dlughjdfljadkj
Jed Lowrie
Bob Gibson...Bazooka back!
Denard Span

Pack 4-
Johnny Bench
Madison Bum
RAAAAUUUUUUUL
Adam Moore
Hey, it's Thurman on the modern Yanks.
Carlos Quentin

I like this set- a lot of cool pictures and fun short prints. I gotta get more!

Retro Sets- What's your take

The buzz this week has mostly been about how awesome National Chicle looks. Seriously- with all the coverage over at Dayf's blog, and all the people saying if they like it or not, my eagerness to get a friggin pack of the stuff is slowly growing. And yes, loyal readers, you will see some packs of this on the blog soon. But the thing is that lately, there has been a sudden rush of retro sets.

Let's compare how it was in 2001 to how it was last year with retro products-

2001-
Bowman Heritage
Fleer Tradition
Topps Archives
Topps Heritage
Upper Deck Vintage

That's 5 retro products. Here's how it was last year-
O-pee-chee
Topps 206
Topps Allen and Ginter
Topps Heritage
Topps Heritage High Number (Thanks Dayf!)
Tristar Obak
Upper Deck Goodwin Champions
Upper Deck Goudey

Right there, that 7 of them. And so far in 2010, we have

Topps Heritage
Topps Heritage High Number
Topps National Chicle
Topps Allen and Ginter
Topps 206
Tristar Obak (I mean, it's bound to happen)

So far, we have 2 retros so far, and 3 coming soon. There might even be some more out there, but that would only prove my point.

So what's your take on the retro sets? Too much? Too little?

Now Playing for the Angels...Robin Roberts

Ohhhh, man. Such a great Philadelphia pitcher. So sad to see him go. Robin, you will be missed.

NOW WHERE'S MY CHICLE!

Where's my stinkin Chicle?

National Chicle seems like it will be one of the better stes this year. It has great artistry, awesome looking short prints and just looks like a contender for the best set of the year.

Now why hasn't my local Targets gotten any?

Seriously, why can't they give the people what they want! We want Chicle, not 47,000 packs of Updates from last year!

(This has been a message from a blogger who hasn't found anything to post about)

They're bringing Football Back (Word is still out on Sexy)

Topps announced today that their Football license has been...lesse, since it's not revoked...then it's been voked.

Ah, screw it. Topps Football is BACK, BABY!

With Drew Brees as their cover boy, Topps released an image of their new (and probably awesome) football product, and it looks to be pretty cool...actually, once again, it's the same as the Baseball Base set. They better have a Football version of the Yo Mamma cards...which would be great, since she did indeed throw all the football ones out

And Chicle...I know it's out, I just have to get some. And if I get one of those Chipper Ruths or Pilot Ichiros, You'll be the second to know...

you know...cause I'll be the first...

This time it's personal

Remember a few days back, when I said there was nothing wrong with National Chicle?

Right
down
the
CRAPPAH!!!

Look, I will never picture Lou Gehrig again without seeing that f'in soul patch. Compared to this, the Babe Ruth thing is a masterpiece.

The 2010 Topps National Chuckle

I have seen the previews on Beckett

I have seen the negative feedback (Dayf, Sooz, Chris)

Here is my opinion on this years new throwback product, National Chicle:
I think it's okay

I know, all of you out there are thinking "WHAAAAAAT? Jordan, what are you saying. This opinion may cause a sudden eruption from the Beckett offices!" Well, maybe not that. But I think it's an okay product. I mean, for one thing, it's a retro product that actually has a pretty good design in the first place.

For another thing, the thought of putting new players in old uniforms, and old players in new uniforms, isn't the worst one. I've been waiting for a picture of Ichiro in an old uni for years now. I mean, i't s concept that boggles the mind, eh?

Anyway you look at it, whether you love it or hate it, Topps is certainly drawing a lot of attention to their independence. Whether this is the right idea or not may affect their single-ness after all.

Or not.