Sunday's Afternoon Blaster - 2008 SP Authentic

Well I went through the local Wally World this morning planning to buy my first 2011 Topps cards.  Surprise, they STILL don't have them out.  I am not really surprised seeing as I am about the only person in my entire city that collects baseball cards, but damn it's been a while now. 

Since I am a lemonade out of lemons type of person, I decided to make a new feature, Sunday's Afternoon Blaster.  I did this a couple of weeks ago with no real intention of making it a regular thing, but I figured why not.  No mail on Sundays and I always have the day off, I will treat myself (and hopefully you) to some cards that may or may not be memorable.

Today's blaster will be 2008 SP Authentic.  7 five card packs and 1 five card rookie exclusives pack.

On with the show.

Pack one

49 Cole Hamels - Phillies

Yankee Stadium Legacy 6418 - Hideki Matsui

64 Mariano Rivera - Yankees

15 Greg Maddux - Padres

27 Chase Utley - Phillies

Pack two
65 Josh Beckett - Red Sox
56 Roy Halladay - Blue Jays

4 Ichiro - Mariners

35 Victor Martinez - Indians
AA12 - Daisuke Matsuzaka - Red Sox Authentic Achievements

Pack three
94 Jason Bay - Pirates
66 Erik Bedard - Mariners
19 Aramis Ramirez - Cubs
24 Prince Fielder - Brewers
91 Jonathan Papelbon - Red Sox

Pack four
58 Ben Sheets - Brewers
36 Grady Sizemore - Indians
81 Nick Markakis - Orioles
50 Carlos Zambrano - Cubs

MM15 - Marquee Matchups Felix Hernandez / Justin Morneau

Pack five
89 Dan Haren - Diamondbacks

Yankee Stadium Legacy 6393 - Alex Rodriguez

63 Johnny Damon - Yankees
31 Brian McCann - Braves
60 Pedro Martinez - Mets

Pack six
78 Dan Uggla - Marlins
46 Carl Crawford - Rays
90 Chien-Ming Wang - Yankees
6 Vladimir Guerrero - Angels
13 B.J. Upton - Rays

Pack seven
61 Nick Swisher - White Sox
95 Matt Holliday - Rockies
30 Mark Teixeira - Braves
18 Derrek Lee - Cubs
MM24 - Marquee Matchups Randy Johnson / Ken Griffey Jr.

Bonus Rookie Exclusive Pack (meh)
RE-BI Brian Bixler - Pirates
RE-BA Brian Barton - Cardinals
RE-BH Brad Harman - Phillies

RE-CW Cory Wade - Dodgers

RE-EB Emmanuel Burriss - Giants

IMPRESSIONS
Design:  C-
Simple design.  The uniform numbers in the lower right were either barely readable (like the Holliday above) or obscured the player photo (like the one footed Hamels above).  Backs were nothing special, they basically looked like most recent Upper Deck backs.

Inserts / Hits: C
I pulled 3 inserts (well 5 counting the useless collectible for BABenny YSL cards).  The marquee matchups are good in theory, but they seem to be so random it doesn't make sense.  They are the best looking of the cards though.  The Authentic Achievements is exactly like base card with gold instead of silver foil.  Nothing too special.

Value: C+
This blaster was 40% off regular price at $11.98.  Not a horrible value, but nothing to great here.  Grade would be higher if I got at least decent Rookie Exclusive or one of the three Rockie rookies.  Nothing was guaranteed so I wasn't surprised to not see a jersey or auto here.

Rox in the Box: 1
Well the one totally redeeming quality of this blaster is the Matt Holliday I got.  It completed my team set.  There are only 2 Rockies in the base set and I had the Troy Tulowitzki from a prior trade.


Will I Collect This Set: D+
Since I have a decent start on the base set from this blaster, I will probably very passively collect them.  That being said if you are interested in any of these cards other than the Holliday, they are available.

Overall: C
Nothing horrible, but really just an overall meh product.  At regular price this blaster would get an F-, but at 40% off I am not upset.  I will probably not buy this set again.

Christian Friedrich Want List

My main player super collection is of Rockies prospect Christian Friedrich.  I went to college with him and saw him pitch at Eastern Kentucky University about 20 times.  I hope this is easy enough to read, any questions just feel free to ask.

My collection currently stands at 97/177 (including 1/1s)....94/147 (excluding 1/1s)

red = pending arrival

2008 Bowman Draft Prospects Red BDPP31

2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Orange Refractors BDPP31

2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Red Refractors BDPP31

2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects SuperFractors BDPP31

2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects X Fractors BDPP31

2008 Donruss Elite Extra Edition 112

2008 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Status Gold 112

2008 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Signature Aspirations 112

2008 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Signature Status 112

2008 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Signature Status Black 112

2008 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Signature Status Gold 112

2008 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket 68

2008 Playoff Prime Cuts 120

2008 Playoff Prime Cuts Century Silver 120

2008 Playoff Prime Cuts Century Gold 120

2008 Playoff Prime Cuts Century Platinum 120

2008 Razor Signature Series Blue 25

2008 Razor Signature Series Double Black 125

2008 Razor Letterman CFE
2008 Razor Letterman 1 CFF

2008 Razor Letterman 1 CFR1

2008 Razor Letterman 1 CFE

2008 Razor Letterman 1 CFR2

2008 Razor Letterman 1 CFI2

2008 Razor Letterman 1 CFC

2008 Razor Letterman 1 CFH

2008 Razor Letterman 5 CFI1

2008 Razor Letterman 5 CFD

2008 Razor Letterman 5 CFR2

2008 Razor Letterman 5 CFI2

2008 Razor Letterman 5 CFC

2008 Razor Letterman 5 CFH

2008 Razor Letterman 20 CFR1

2008 Razor Letterman 20 CFI1

2008 Razor Letterman 20 CFC

2008 Donruss Threads 183

2008 TRISTAR Prospects Plus Yellow 26

2008 TRISTAR Prospects Plus Orange 26

2008 TRISTAR Prospects Plus Purple 26

2008 TRISTAR Prospects Plus PROminent Die Cut Yellow 26

2008 TRISTAR Prospects Plus PROminent Die Cut Orange 26

2008 TRISTAR Prospects Plus PROminent Die Cut Purple 26

2008 TRISTAR Prospects Plus Farm Hands Autographs Orange FHCF

2008 TRISTAR Prospects Plus Farm Hands Autographs Purple FHCF

2008 TRISTAR Prospects Plus PROtential Game Used Yellow PCF

2008 TRISTAR Prospects Plus PROtential Game Used Orange PCF

2008 TRISTAR Prospects Plus PROtential Game Used Purple PCF

2008 Tri-Cities Dust Devils Grandstand 10

2009 Asheville Tourists DAV 10

2009 Asheville Tourists Grandstand 9

2009 Modesto Nuts Grandstand 12

2009 South Atlantic League Top Prospects Multi Ad 12

2009 TRISTAR PROjections Orange 38

2009 TRISTAR PROjections Autographs Green 38

2009 TRISTAR PROjections Autographs Yellow 38

2009 TRISTAR PROjections Autographs Orange 38

2009 TRISTAR PROjections Autographs Purple 38

2009 TRISTAR PROjections Tailor Made Orange TM13

2009 TRISTAR PROjections Tailor Made Purple TM13

2009 TRISTAR PROjections Tailor Made Autographs TM13

2009 TRISTAR PROjections Tailor Made Autographs Purple TM13

2010 Bowman Chrome Top 100 Prospects Gold Refractors TP28

2010 Bowman Chrome Top 100 Prospects Superfractor TP28

2010 Texas League Prospects Grandstand 7

2010 Topps Pro Debut Futures Game Jersey Gold Series 2 CF

2010 Topps Pro Debut Futures Game Patch Series 2 CF

2010 Topps Pro Debut Futures Game Flag Patch Series 2 CF

2010 Tulsa Drillers DAV 8

2010 Tulsa Drillers Grandstand 9

2011 Texas League Prospects Grandstand 7

2012 Bowman Chrome Orange Refractor 207

2012 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor 207

2012 Bowman Chrome Superfractor 207

2012 Bowman/Draft Purple Ice 46

2012 Bowman/Draft Red 46

2012 Bowman/Draft Chrome X Fractor 46

2012 Bowman/Draft Chrome Red Refractor 46

2012 Bowman/Draft Chrome Superfractor 46

2012 Pacific Coast League Top Prospects Multi Ad 3

2012 Topps Update Platinum 20

2012 Topps Update Wood 20

2013 Topps/Sega Card Gen 257

2013 Topps/Update Platinum 102

RTP #11 - Special Guest Justin from Justin's World

Welcome to the 11th episode of The Rockie Trading Post.  Tonight's Special Guest is Justin from the eponymous blog Justin's World.  If you haven't traded with him yet, Justin collects Cubs cards along with TTM and other autographed cards.  He also has a knack for creating custom cards and is making his own set for 2011.  I traded him a couple of Cubs gold cards along with a handful of other inserts and a bonus that I hope he liked.  In return I got some Rockies (surprise!).  Here the highlights of my newest Rockies.

Two of the new "Big Three" in Colorado with the god awful rookie card logo on them.  I do like the fact that the 2008 Topps Tulo and 2008 Topps Chrome Tulo use different pictures.

OK, let's play a new game, it's called Rockie or Not a Rockie.  Our two contestants are shown above.  The Fleer Justin Hampson is wearing a Rockies uniform, but listed with the Padres logo.  The Upper Deck Jose Mesa is shown in a Pirates uniform, but listed as a Rockie.  Let me first say I hate when uniforms and listing do not match up on cards, the NBA was/is particularly awful with this.  But back to the game, I personally consider the Hampson a Padre card and the Mesa a Rockie card, with a caveat.  I know there are a couple of Justin Hampson cards that match up Rockie logos and unis, if there weren't any others this card would go in my Rockie binder.

Funny picture time.  The First Edition Kaz Matsui is just hilarious to me.  It looks like he is auditioning for the Rockettes (a good name for Rockies cheerleaders if we ever get them).  The 1993 Upper Deck Jeff Parrett is just great on so many levels.  The full color palette on the card plus the fact that Parrett apparently was just told the best knock-knock joke ever.  Either that or he shot himself in the foot with a nail gun.

A trio of Rockie pitchers that had varying degrees of success in Denver.  First up the (short print?) 2007 Heritage Brian Fuentes All Star.  Rarely do you see a pitcher get worse numbers upon leaving Coors, but it happened with Fuentes.  1994 Fleer Mo Sanford, most people don't like backs shown on cards, but I am okay with it as long as you get to see the full back of the uniform like this.  The 2005 Morales is a first year card (which I guess differs from a Rookie Card).  I really hope he pitches well this year.

Finally, we come to the classic Rockies.  As stated several times before, it's not an episode of The Rockie Trading Post without at least one new Todd Helton card.  Today's entry is a 2005 Upper Deck All Star Classics with the familiar gloves in the back pocket pose.  Lastly, is a 2002 Flair Larry Walker.  I love most Flair sets, they are beautifully made for the most part.  The 2002 set really does nothing for me, just kind of blah.


Thanks again Justin for the trade and hopefully we can do it again.  Make sure you visit his blog as well, it is an interesting read.  I am slowly but surely catching up on these Trading Posts.  Join us next time, for another entertaining episode of The Rockie Trading Post.  Until then, we are officially signed off.

Recent buys from eBay

Since I don't have a card shop anywhere near me (closest is about 40 miles away), internet buying is my main source of purchasing.  I just thought I would show off a recent acquisitions from eBay. 

A couple of new cards for my Jamal Mashburn collection.  I got both of these surprisingly cheap.  Combined for under $3.00 total shipped in two separate auctions.  I think I paid $5 for the Topps Pristine base card around a year ago on Sportslots, so I was thrilled getting the jersey for $1.35 shipped.

A card that would've been right at home in The Budget eBay Collector.  A 2001 Topps Reserve Jeff Cirillo for 12 cents shipped.  I picked the Neifi Perez in a trade with someone, so that leave me only Todd Helton from having this team set complete.  Yeah only 3 Rockies make a team set, but for some sets it's only Todd Helton, so at least we got three here.

 

 These cards are 2004 Topps Chrome Presidential Pastime refractors.  I actually bought these for a trade with a fellow blogger, but for the life of me I can't remember which one.  I only remember seeing the set on his/her wantlists.  If you or any anyone you know of are collecting the PP refractors, I have James Madison and James Monroe up for trade.

 Finally, I picked up this 2010 Topps Peak Performance bat relic of Troy Tulowitzki.  Price = $4.99.  But that's not all I got for the $4.99, I also got these two.

 2008 Topps Update Angel Berroa (Dodgers) bat relic and a THICK 2001 Playoff Absolute Memorabilia Elpidio Guzman (Angels) bat relic serially numbered 523/700.  It is about the thickness of three normal relic cards.  (Cheesy announcer voice):  But wait, that's not all you get.
*UPDATE* Both bat cards are now with new owners.  I hope they enjoy them as much as I do the Tulo.

 The seller also threw in these two as a bonus to the lot of 3 bat cards.  A 1996 Score Ken Griffey Jr. and a 1997 Donruss Mark McGwire.  Not bad at all.  The Dodgers and Angels bat relics are up for trade (does anyone know of any Angels collectors?) as well as the Griffey and McGwire. 

Trade Bait - 1990s Topps Gold AL Edition

It's been a little while since I have posted some trade bait.  I figured since the last one was gold parallels of the 2000s, why not go for 1990s Topps gold now.  I have a BIG stack of these, so I will have just American League teams first.

red = claimed
All are Topps gold (unless noted) so I will just put year card # and name

Angels
1993 467 Lee Stevens
1994 236 Mike Butcher
1994 322 Chris Turner
1994 381 Chuck Finley
1994 397 Tim Salmon Rookie Cup
1994 634 Torey Lovullo

Athletics
1993 602 Henry Mercedes
1993 766 Todd Revenig
1994 46 Craig Paquette
1994 160 Scott Lydy
1994 188 Mike Bordick

1994 340 Mark McGwire

1994 363 Eric Helfand Future Star
1994 652 Roger Smithberg

Blue Jays
1993 75 Juan Guzman
1994 155 Todd Stottlemyre
1994 219 Pat Borders
1994 304 Pat Hentgen
1994 333 Mike Timlin
1994 776 Domingo Cedeno / Paul Spoljaric Coming Attractions

Brewers (Yeah they are NL now, but were AL then)
1993 1 Robin Yount
1994 210 Kelly Wunsch Draft Pick
1994 225 Greg Vaughn
1994 367 Ricky Bones
1994 492 Jesse Orosco
1994 558 Tom Lampkin

Indians
none, sorry

Mariners
1993 431 Rich Amaral
1994 24 Jeff Nelson
1994 111 Greg Litton
1994 262 Marc Newfield
1994 319 Ted Power
1994 376 Roger Salkeld
1994 659 Bret Boone

Orioles
1993 82 David Segui
1993 164 Leo Gomez
1994 242 David Segui
1994 355 Harold Reynolds
1994 370 Mark McLemore
1994 477 Arthur Rhodes
1994 598 Mike Mussina
1994 636 Ben McDonald
1994 745 Jay Powell Draft Pick

Rangers
1993 223 Roger Pavlik
1993 785 Kevin Brown
1994 80 Jose Canseco
1994 136 Dean Palmer
1994 260 Julio Franco
1994 629 Matt Whiteside

Red Sox
1993 51 Mo Vaughn
1994 169 Scott Fletcher
1994 264 Ken Ryan

Royals
1993 76 Kevin Appier
1993 130 Jeff Montgomery
1993 186 Mike Magnante
1994 9 Chris Haney
1994 701 Kevin Appier
1994 731 Chris Gwynn

Tigers
1993 26 Skeeter Barnes
1993 80 Cecil Fielder
1993 189 Tony Phillips
1993 272 Kurt Knudsen
1993 626 Danny Gladden
1993 713 John Doherty
1994 313 Justin Thompson Future Star
1994 523 Mike Moore
1994 588 Rich Rowland
1994 Black Gold 5 Cecil Fielder

Twins
1993 9 Kent Hrbek
1993 119 Pedro Munoz
1993 336 Mike Pagliarulo
1993 747 Carl Willis

1994 100 Kirby Puckett

1994 280 Rick Aguilera
1994 308 Mike Trombley
1994 459 Pedro Munoz
1994 771 Denny Hocking / Oscar Munoz Coming Attractions

White Sox

1993 230 Carlton Fisk

1993 259 Craig Grebeck

1994 270 Frank Thomas

1994 478 Joey Cora
1994 766 James Baldwin / Rod Bolton Coming Attractions

Yankees

1993 249 Tim Burke

1993 549 Hensley Meulens

1993 686 Russ Springer

1994 144 Bobby Munoz

1994 212 Domingo Jean Future Star

1994 269 Mark Hutton

1994 637 Steve Howe

1994 772 Russ Davis / Brien Taylor Coming Attractions

As always, if interested in any of these, comment below or email me at hiflew(at)yahoo(dot)com.