In Transit

Right now, I'm enduring a 5 hour car ride toward my usual August vacation destination, a sunny cabin on Lake George. I just figured it'd be a good opportunity to post this custom of Kole Calhoun and his mega-camera...as I'm likely going to be taking a ton of pictures this trip.

Yes, I'm gonna do a crap-ton of blogging this week, no less than usual. And given where I'll be headed sometime this week (my only hint was my last journey there was 3 years ago), I kind of HAVE to be blogging. It should be my god-given right.

But yeah, I'm on the lake for a week, I'm home for a week, and then I'm back at college. And the blog's gonna hopefully stay updated through all of this chaos.

But for now...enjoy a goofy custom that looks like it belongs in the '93 Stadium Club set.

Custom Card of the Day: Miley Edition

 

(Disclaimer: To any confused tweens, this post does not involve pop star Miley Cyrus. This is a blog about baseball cards. The writer appreciates the pageview, but he asks that you please go away before your bubblegum pops and your bff texts you simply to say "lol")

(2nd Disclaimer: The writer wishes to apologize to all adults/teens reading that last paragraph. Those who refer to it as sterotypical of teens must be reminded that the writer is, in fact, sixteen years of age, and that many of his friends actually act like that)

For those of you who don't know, forgot, or simply refused to remember, I took a cruise this summer, which was very nice. It was out of New Orleans, so I got a nice mix of Southern accents, and a heaping pile of LSU alums, who make up 70% of the city of New Orleans 

(3rd Disclaimer: The writer apologizes if any LSU alums are reading this post. If they are, the writer wishes them all good luck with the rest of the season takes his comments back)

 But still, the nice smorgasboard of Southerners made for a very interesting trip. We sat at a table with some very nice ladies from Arkansas. We spoke with Texans and New Orleans residents.

However, the most interesting part was when, after a midnight comedy show I surmise, we got into an elevator with some relatives of a major league baseball player.

I was wearing a Phillies shirt. Which, in itself, was genius, because it's always a nice conversation starter when you're on a boat with people whose conversations you can't understand most of the time.

(4th Disclaimer:--Tired of these yet? No? Okay. 

(4th Disclaimer- The writer apologizes for any jokes made at the expense of Southerners. The writer also wishes to add that the Rangers will likely win the World Series, albeit while snickering)

But still, the kind people in the elevator saw my Phillies shirt, and asked, obviously, if I was a Phillies fan, to start a conversation. They proceeded to tell me and my folks that a relative of theirs, a kid, pitched at Citizens Bank Park, against the Phils.

They asked if we'd ever heard of Wade Miley. Of course we had. He was an All Star, a great young pitcher, and he was one of the youngsters giving Arizona a small bit of attention this year. 

I just thought that was kinda cool, is all. Meeting a baseball player's relatives isn't something you do everyday. Whenever I see Wade pitch, I'll remember that.

Coming Tomorrow- Because the world demanded another one, a Cardinals custom. It's their closer. You can easily see how enthused I am about this.

Custom Card of the Day: Cuddyer Edition

 

I really don't have much to say about this guy. Matter of fact, I won't have much to say this week. Right now I'm on a plane headed for New Orleans, where I'll be taking a weeklong cruise. Therefore what you're reading now was written Thursday night.

How are things in the future? How did Friday go? Did the Phillies trade Victorino yet? If not, give it another week.

Either way, you'll be getting a heaping load of preplanned posts from now until next Sunday. Don't worry, because they'll be good preplanned posts. 

Coming Tomorrow- A rookie for Arizona whose name isn't Wade Miley or Trevor Bauer. Yeah, him. He's really good, and can hit really well. 

There are no card shops in Point Pleasant

Y'now...just wanted to, let you guys know.

Everything else is alright, I guess. Just that there's no cards except for Series 1 packs in the arcades. I kinda always get this luck, since the last card shop down here closed down...God knows when. As a last resort, I got lotto tickets, but we all know how they usually work out. Plus, as you can see from my lack of pulls, I have sucky luck. But it could happen.

Don't worry, I'll be back on Tuesday. I might be hitting the local card shop soon, so expect something cardish before the Philly Show at the end of the month.

Things I've learned when it was a little too late

Transformers 2 is exactly like Transformers 1

A weekend with your grandmother isn't exactly good to everyone

Raisins come with a small side effect

Same with broccoli

Making comics with action figures isn't as interesting as collecting baseball cards

If a Kennedy falls, and no one is around to hear it, yeah, it'll make a sound because he's a Kennedy (I'll still be missing Ted- I don't know why)

America's Funniest Home Videos really isn't funny once you get past the 1st ten nutshots

If you reboot a long loved product, there will still be a few flaws

and finally, Yes, there is WiFi in Point Pleasant. Which means I will be with you for the rest of my vacation. Now I know there is a god, because he loves me as he loved Jac- I mean, loves me.

(PS- Anyone who got that Lost reference, congratulations! You really shouldn't be reading a baseball card blog. (Only fooling, of course)

2009 Upper Deck X Pack Break

I'm back in my home state, thank god, and before my awful long drive back, one of my cousins gave me a pack of UDX, and I was a little mad. Of all the packs, he just had to choose UDX. Even Dayf hates it. After one card, this was his response-

"Bluh"

But nevertheless, I open the pack for you, my readers, and for you only.

70- Jimmy Rollins. Starting the pack with a Philly is always good.

26- Victor Martinez Die-Cut.

Carlos Beltran Ex-ponential. I like this insert set.

UD 20 Insert of Chase Utley's final at bat at the Vet.

19- Aramis Ramirez, either he's overrated, or underrated, I just think it's good to be rated in general

99- Koji Uehara Rookie.

Bluh. I may or may not be opening more of this stuff, but the Philly Show is coming soon, and cards may just so happen to fall into my hands.

Adironpacks Final Part

I caved

I went back to the card place you all hate. I bought 5 more packs. I'm about to open them using the formula from my rip yesterday

Pack 1-
The Headliners- 2006 Ultra Ryan Howard, 2004 SP Authentic Vladdie
The Hall of Famer- 2007 SP Legendary Cuts Dennis Eckerseley
The Astros- 2004 Donruss Elite Jeff Bagwell, 2007 Finest Lance Berkman
The Diamond King- 2004 Brett Myers
The Retired Stars- 2000 Prism Mo Vaughn, 2000 Skybox Larry Walker
The Obligatory Griffey- Fleer 1996
Etc- 2007 Allen&Ginter Craig Monroe, 2004 Topps Ryan Dempster, 2003 UD Game Face Vernon Wells, 2003 Victory Carl Crawford

Pack 2-
The Headliners- 1999 Finest Barry Bonds, 2006 Flair Showcase Vladdie
The Rookie- Hunter Pence UD Rookie of Month
The Retired Stars- Pacific 2000 Tim Salmon, 2001 Fleer Platinum Bernie, 2006 Flair Showcase Luis Gonzalez, Some UD Jay Buhner insert
The "Before they were traded" stars- 2007 SP Dontrelle Willis, 2003 Topps 205 K-Rod.
Etc- 2007 Turkey Red Brian Giles, 2006 Ovation Troy Glaus

Pack 3-
The Headliners- 2006 Fleer Tradition Jose Reyes, 2006 Turkey Red David Wright
The Yankee-2004 SP Authentic Mike Mussina
The Obligatory A-Rod- 1997 Score Insert
The Fatolo Colons- 2004 Bazooka, 2006 Ovation
The Freddy Sanchez'- 2006 Turkey Red Sketch Card, 2006 SP Authentic
The Hall of Famer- 2005 UD Classic Lou Bordeau
Etc- 2002 Fleer Tradition Troy Percival, 2007 Finest Carlos Lee

Pack 4-
The Headliners- 2004 Fleer Sweet Sigs Hideki Matsui, 2007 Turkey Red Ichiro
The Pudges- 2003 Skybox Limited Edition Die Cut(Wow), AND his 1992 Fleer Ultra Rookie! What a grab!
The HOF- 2003 SP Legendary Cuts Early Wynn
The Definite HOF- 2007 SP Randy Johnson
The Possible HOF- 2004 Donruss Fred McGriff
The Quick Outfielders- 2003 UD Patch Shannon Stewart, 2003 Ultra Juan Pierre, 2000 Fleer Tradition Jermaine Dye
The Exclusive- 2006 National Trading Card Day Miguel Cabrera
The Phillie- 2007 Turkey Red Cole Hamels
Etc- 2000 Vanguard Juan Gonzalez, 2004 Playoff Prestigue Edgar Renteria

Pack 5-
The Headliners- 2006 SPX Ryan Howard, 1998 Donruss Barry Bonds
The Berk-2003 Victory
The Randy- 2003 Topps 205
Etc- 2004 Playoff Prestige Paul LoDuca

Will be back in Joisey tomorrow

Cooperstown Haul

I'm back.

I have returned from Cooperstown (Yeah, I'm still stuck in the Adirondacks, though) and I have some sweet cards to share as usual.

I ended up falling pray to the wax in the gift shop. Yeah, I know. I bought 2 packs of Goudey and 1 pack of Allen and Ginter.

A&G-
69- James Loney.
263- Brian Duensing
39- Hanley Ramirez
309- KosFu
National Pride of Derek Jeter
Jeff Suppan mini

Goudey-
The Yankees- Phil Hughes, Mark Texiera Heads Up
The UD Insert- Jim Edmonds
The Tigers- Curtis Granderson, Carlos Guillen
The Young Stars- Edwin Encarnacion, Travis Snyder, Scott Kazmir
The Hitters- Jeff Francoeur, Carl Crawford, Rafael Furcal
The Aging Slugger- Jim Thome
Etc- Josh Willingham, Fausto Carmona

I also grabbed some late 90's early 00's swag I didn't have.

1998-
302- Barry Larkin
316- Will Clark
166- Gary Sheffield
304- Jason Kendall

1999-
398- Wade Boggs
243- Tom Glavine
150- Jeff Bagwell
180- Mike Mussina
330- Jeff Kent
360- Tim Salmon again

2000-
417- Rafael Palmiero
38- Bobby Abreu
140- Roberto Alomar
165- Kenny Lofton
40- Juan Gonzalez
186- Roy Halladay
116- Jermaine Dye
109- Adrian Beltre
392- Mike Lowell

2001-
122- Paul Konerko
64- Carlos Lee
527- David Wells
450- Todd Helton

Will be going back to the shop tomorrow, and then back home to Jersey

Greetings from Nowhere

I'm sutck in the middle of the Adirondacks with so many aunts and uncles yapping about dead bugs. I say to myself, welcome to hell.

Anyway, I just got here yesterday, and almost immediately I went into town and grabbed some cards. This guy had mix packs of all kinds of stuff. So I but and got 5 packs of crap. You could see the front and backs had a few good cards, like Jeter, Posada, Howard, Cal, Gwynn and even an All Time Fan Favorites Card.

Pack 1-
2000 Topps Derek Jeter. I love this set, and I'd love to complete it, so Jeter helps that cause.
2003 Donruss Champions Jorge Posada. I always hated this set. It was mire of a high end products with stripes and shapes. Then UD recreated it as UDX
2006 Allen and Ginter Brad Penny
1988 Donruss Tony Gwynn
1991 Donruss Tony Gwynn. GYWNN-JO!
2003 Stadium Club Hank Blalock. Wow, and actual Stadium Club set!
1991 Studio Mark McGwire. Great sets, and another McGwire.
2003 Studio Josh Beckett. The set's birth and the set's death all in one pack!
2001 SP Authentic Mike Hampton. Great, another mountain.
2003 Topps Chrome Rich Aurillia

Pack 2-
2006 National Baseball Card Day Albert Pujols. PU-JO!
2003 Donruss Cahmpions Torii Hunter. AGAIN WITH THE CHAMPIONS!
2000 Revolution Jermaine Dye. OOOOOH, Shiny!
2005 Leaf insert Ivan Rodriguez. PUDGE-JO!
2002 Topps Ryan Dempster
2003 Stadium Club Carlos Delgado
2007 Turkey Red Dan Uggla
1998 Leaf Rookies and Stars Andres Galarraga. Cat would fall under the latter
2005 SP John Smoltz
2007 SP Hanley Ramirez. SP-MANIA
2007 Ultra Carlos Zambrano Gold.
2002 Bowman CC Sabathia. WOOOOO! CC!
2002 Fleer Eric Gagne, back when he wasn't getting released.
1995 Studio Garret Anderson Credit Card. I don't get this insert set.
2007 Allen and Ginter Dick Perez sketch card Ryan Howard. Can't get enough Perez!

Pack 3-
2003 All Time Fan Favorites Mike Schmidt. I LOVE THIS SET! IT'S SO COOL!
2007 SP Authentic Insert Garret Atkins. Card of the guy who's always smiling on his Topps Cards
2004 Fleer Authenix Bernie Williams. Another great set.
2003 Donruss Classic Barry Larkin. Somehow, I keep getting the Larkins and Dan doesn't.
2002 Fleer Omar Vizquel
1999 Fleer Tradition Insert Troy Glaus. Wow, I get cards of the guys I got game useds of last week
1998 Leaf Rookies and Stars John Smoltz. Smoltzie is a star.
2007 SP Chris Carpenter.
2001 Fleer Triple Crown Mike Sweeney. What happened to this guy?
2002 Bowman Roy Oswalt.
2004 Playoff Miguel Cabrera. PLAYOFF? PLAYOFF? PLAYOFF? HE CAN'T EVEN WIN A GAME!
1998 UD Mo Vaughn
2007 Topps Finest Ryan Howard.

Pack 4-
2005 Donruss Champions Derek Jeter. AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!
2001 Donruss Pedro Martinez. What a comeback.
2002 Fleer Ramo Hernandez. On the A's
2005 Fleer Tradition Jon Garland.
1998 Fleer Tradition Mike Piazza Checklist.
2002 Fleer Tradition Ben Sheets. This guy disappeared too.
2003 Fleer Focus Paul Konerko
2006 Turkey Red Jorge Posada.

Pack 5-
2007 SP Legendary Cuts Tony Gwynn.
2003 Donruss Classics Roy Oswalt.
2004 SP Authentic Ivan Rodriguez. Everyone so far I have gotten already in this pack.
2001 Fleer Futures Jacque Jones. Sacre Bleu! A new player I haven't seen before?
2003 Fleer Focus Lance Berkman. I have been getting too many Berkmans
2007 SP Trevor Hoffman
2007 SP Legendary Cuts Roy Campanella. My grandma saw this one and loved it.
1997 Topps Finest Cal Ripken Jr. CAL-JO!

Overall, it was okay, the highlights being Schmidt, Campanella and Ripken. Will be going to cooperstown soon so stay tuned for that.

What's up with the Custom Cards

So many of you are wondering why I put up a Jeter 81 card last night. Well, turns out, my Photoshopping skills need to be put to the test. Awhile back I said I'd be doing a lot more retro cards with current players, and now I'm going to finally take a crack at it. As you can see by my Texiera up here, they are okay, but I've been following Bad Wax's How to. I seem to be getting the hang of it, and I wanted to share with you guys, and girls.

I might be leaving the 81 design behind and going after other classic designs. Also, non Yankees might be getting the custom card treatment (I'm doing this since barely anyone else likes the Bombers in the blogosphere).

BTW- I may or may not get a pack or two before Saturday. On Saturday, I will be leaving for vacation to Lake George NY. During my time there, I'll also be going to the Hall of Fame, which definitely means cards.

Mariano Rivera

Trevor Hoffman

Mariano Rivera

Both members of the 500 club!

They are both definitely going to the HOF

WOO

BTW- I will be going on vacation until Friday- where I'm going has no WiFi, so no posts until then.