Gint-a-Cuffs #1 Box Topper + Packs #1-4

I am probably the card blogger with the least amount of love for Allen & Ginter.  That being said, Gint-a-Cuffs is a community project that I did not want to miss.  The Commish has put together a nice set of rules (Dick Vitale +1 really?) and I have had a lot of fun doing the points.  A lot more than I would have without.  In all probability I would not have purchased this box, from my trading buddy Jon at Community Gum, without it.  As you will soon see over the next week, I didn't get a bad box at all and I should be in the top 5 or so overall.  I am not going to be collecting this set (exceptions: all Rockies and the Ascent of Man inserts), so everything mentioned will be available for trade, unless otherwise noted.

AND NOW ITS TIME TO RELEASE MCCRACKEN

Sorry Mark, a Rockies fan had to make that joke.

Box Topper

CB10   Lyndon Johnson / John E. Raker Redwood National Park (+8 pts cabinet card)

Pack total - 8 pts

Running total - 8 pts

This cool box topper is being swapped with Brian at Play at the Plate for his Ubaldo Jimenez N43 topper.

Pack 1:                                   

147      George W. Bush (0 pts)

106      Jonathan Broxton (0 pts)      

137      Carlos Beltran (0 pts)

1          Carlos Gonzalez (+1 pt Rockies)      

bhs-12 Armando Galarraga Highlight Sketches (+3 pts HS insert)  

343      Drew Stubbs SP (+2 pts SP)

316      Manny Ramirez Mini Black Border SP (+14 pts mini BB SP)

hh80    Cliff Lee Hometown Heroes (+1 HH insert)

Pack total - 21 pts

Running total - 29 pts

What a great first pack (George W. Bush notwithstanding)!  Let's ESPN this thing...If the box ended today by extrapolating at 21 pts per pack I AM ON PACE TO end up with 504 pts (512 counting the topper).  Man, those guys sure do suck.

 

Pack 2:                                   

209      Guy Fieri (0 pts)

96        Daniel Boulud (0 pts)           

260      Alex Rodriguez (-1 pt) DAMN Yankees     

240      Matt Holliday (0 pts)

186      Yunel Escobar (0 pts)

311      Ian Stewart SP (+1 pt Rockies, +2 pts SP) (+3 total) WOOHOO

338      Lance Berkman mini SP (+2 fave player, +3 mini SP) (+5 total)

hh56    Brett Anderson Hometown Heroes (+1 HH insert)

Pack total - 8 pts

Running total - 37 pts

Guy Fieri?  Really?  No, Really?  Why is he not worth at least -1 point Commish?  The upside is I knocked out a Rockies short print and a 2nd straight pack with a short print mini. 

Pack 3:                                   

164      Heather Mitts (0 pts)

212      Aramis Ramirez (0 pts)

114      Brandon Phillips (0 pts)

189      Dexter Fowler (+1 pt Rockies)

100      Albert Pujols  (0 pts)

aom26 Homo Sapiens Sapiens Ascent of Man (+1 AOM insert)      

ap8      Blue Whale Animals in Peril mini (+3 AIP mini)

hh20    David Price Hometown Heroes (+1 HH insert)

Pack total - 6 pts

Running total - 43 pts

3 packs, 3 Rockies...this is fantastic.  The way my luck goes with boxes, I expected 3 Rockies total in the box.  The Ascent of Man really works for me as well, because one of my bachelor's degrees is in anthropology (the other is history).  I am also debating collecting the Animals in Peril.  It is the only other insert set that appeals to me even a little.

Pack 4:                                   

31        Jimmy Rollins (0 pts)

10        Miguel Cabrera (0 pts)

214      Elvis Andrus  (0 pts)

116      Josh Beckett   (0 pts)

91        Joel Pineiro (0 pts)

340      Ryan Zimmerman SP (+2 pts SP)

ug3      Waverly Hills Sanatorium Uninvited Guests mini (+3 pts UG mini)

ff20     USS Pennsylvania Floating Fortresses (+2 pts FF insert)

Pack total - 7 pts

Running total - 50 pts

Well after 20% of the box, I am at 50 points and still have all three relics to go.  Will I maintain the breakneck pace or will reality set in in the next group of five?  Tune in tomorrow for the next fifth of this box.