My Hypothetical 2016 Hall of Fame Ballot

There are so many sacrifices I would make in order to have a Hall of Fame vote. In fact, I would go as far as to say that it would be my lifelong dream. Tomorrow, we will learn of the 2016 Hall of Fame class, and as usual I'm glued to any videos/articles I can find about who has the best chances of being immortalized in Cooperstown. It doesn't appear that there will be a mega-class comparable to the past two years. We will at least see one or two players inducted, with potential for more.

Here is what my ballot would like if the Hall of Fame was kind enough to lend me a vote:

*Bold = Predicted Induction

1. Ken Griffey Jr.

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The Kid will be a Hall of Famer by tomorrow. If there's one thing that can be assured, it's that. The more interesting question is whether he will obtain 100% of the vote. The Hall of Fame did knock out about 150 voters in a new rule that states the writers can only be eligible to vote if they covered the game within the previous decade. This most likely eliminated many of the pompous purist voters who have been stuck in the past. The most popular Hall of Fame inductee since Cal Ripken Jr. in 2007 should have a chance at the highest voting percentage ever recorded, but there's always "that guy" that finds a way to rain on the parade. Nobody revolutionized pop culture inside and outside of baseball like Griffey, and let's not forget how incredible of a talent he was. Just imagine what he would have done without his injury history.

2. Barry Bonds

3. Roger Clemens

If you've read my blog in the past, you know that I am among the growing voting population who believes that PED users should be recognized in the Hall. I don't condone use of steroids or any form of Performance Enhancing Drugs. I don't like Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens very much, and you can use the honor system against my case if you would like (I completely understand the opposing viewpoint). Major League Baseball turned their backs on the steroid debacle in the late 1990's and early 2000's to make money off of their famed sluggers. It helped them reestablish their value among the sports industry after an embarrassing strike cut short what would have been a memorable season in 1994. Eventually, they had no choice but to put an end to the fiasco; incriminating the players they applauded for the sake of the law.

There are too many different stories and controversies involving the Steroid Era that will never be told. Players may be inducted who have cheated but were never caught. The truth will most likely not be revealed any time in the near future, and I honestly feel like this museum should incorporate all of its history: the good and the bad. I can understand Pete Rose being held out for breaking the cardinal sin of baseball and not quite seeming to have ever understood what he did wrong. But I'm not on board with the wishy-washy decision making and denouncing of players who simply did what everyone else was doing.

Look at it from this perspective: if someone is running a daycare, and one child begins to misbehave; most of the others will more than likely join in the fun. If the person in charge of keeping the children in line doesn't make a valiant effort to try and stop it, the blame should be placed on them. It is their responsibility to control the situation. Baseball players are adults, but many have been raised differently than the average person. Before you take your next jab at players from this generation for cheating the game, just remember that they weren't enforced against it, and they weren't kept in line until drug testing was rampant throughout the sport.

So, can Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens make the Hall of Fame? Without question. Will they? Eventually, yes, but not for some time.

4. Mike Piazza

5. Jeff Bagwell

These two will forever be paired in infamy for being held out of the Hall of Fame based on suspicion alone. Bagwell was one of the most consistent all around hitters of the Steroid Era, while Piazza may just be the greatest offensive catcher there ever was. I do believe Piazza will get his due this year and barely make it in, while Bagwell remains on the brink for another year. Lest we forget, innocent until proven guilty. I don't see why either of these guys should have to wait any longer; cheaters or not.

6. Tim Raines

Supposedly, Rock Raines is off to a hot start with this year's election. He will be off the ballot after next year, and is the first borderline Hall of Famer whose totals will be affected by the Hall's eligibility year decrease from 15 years to 10. He may have overstayed his welcome a bit too long, but he was productive for a very long time. He's been held out because he isn't Rickey Henderson, if we're being honest. Even Rickey would see past his own reflection and realize how unfair that is.

I hope he makes it, but I suspect that he will fall just short and will look to make a final stand next year. Bert Blyleven made it in his second to last attempt, proving that a voter's opinion can (and should) change about given players over time. The common mantra "You don't know what you've got until it's gone" applies here. We may never see a leadoff hitter as explosive as Henderson or Raines. That is all the qualification a player needs to be inducted, to me.

7. Curt Schilling

8. Mike Mussina

Two pitchers who faced off against the largest players in recorded history their entire careers should be viewed as underdogs. In fact, most of them are. But players like Schilling and Mussina were able to overpower dominant hitters with dominant stuff for a lengthy period of time. Mussina notably pitched his entire career in the AL East, what was probably the most competitive division of that time. The Hall of Fame shouldn't judge a player by what would have happened if. These two pitchers were able to put up numbers comparable to many already enshrined during such a difficult period to pitch. I fully support both of their campaigns, though I'd much rather root for Moose over the often controversial Schilling.

9. Trevor Hoffman

Hoffman is to Mariano Rivera what Raines is to Rickey Henderson. Considering several other comparable closers are already enshrined, it should make sense to induct him as well. Give me one more year to decide on Billy Wagner though. I don't think Hoffman will make it this year but he should relatively early in his balloting years. The save statistic may be outdated in today's game, but 601 saves is quite the feat.

I only decided to place 9 players on my ballot this year, but could've chosen from either Alan Trammell, Edgar Martinez, or Fred McGriff for the 10th spot. My expectation is to see Griffey and Piazza make it, but I wouldn't be surprised if Raines and/or Bagwell do too. Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing what results.

Who is on your hypothetical ballot for this year, and how do you feel about PED's in the Hall of Fame? Leave your thoughts and comments below!

Ten for Tuesday - Best First Picks

Oh, the joy of having the first overall pick in an upcoming draft. Teams that have suffered for decades know just how critical it is to make picks count early on in the draft, yet there have been so many horrible mistakes. Brien Taylor, Greg Oden, and JaMarcus Russell come specifically to mind. Today, I decided to take a look at what teams got it right over the course of baseball, football, and basketball history.

Before I begin, I would like to emphasize that this is more than just simply ranking talent. Superstars such as Shaquille O'Neal and John Elway will not be featured on this list despite being chosen first overall in 1992 and 1983, respectively. Shaq only played four full seasons in Orlando, where he was chosen, before leaving for Los Angeles and becoming the Hall of Famer we all know and love. Meanwhile, Elway was chosen first by the Baltimore Colts, who ended up losing out on the west coast wonder who wasn't interested in playing for an organization as bad as theirs was at the time. 

This list will constitute the best picks made that have impacted not only each franchise involved but the rest of the sport as well. I don't want to pretend to know any more about hockey than I do, so I excluded guys like Mario Lemieux, Alexander Ovechkin, and Sidney Crosby.

10 Best #1 Overall Picks

Honorable Mentions: Allen Iverson (1996, Philadelphia 76ers), David Robinson (1987, San Antonio Spurs), Alex Rodriguez (1993, Seattle Mariners), O.J. Simpson (1969, Buffalo Bills), Bruce Smith (1985, Buffalo Bills), Shaquille O'Neal (1992, Orlando Magic), John Elway (1983, Baltimore Colts)

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That list of names should warrant just how difficult it was to craft this Top 10. Allen Iverson was the heart and soul of the Philadelphia 76ers, leading them out of obscurity to the NBA Finals and taking home an MVP Award. Although AI played for several teams towards the home stretch of his excellent career, it was Philadelphia that got the best out of his talent. "The Admiral", David Robinson, also is well-deserving of a mention. Robinson made 10 All Star teams and won Rookie of the Year and the 1995 NBA MVP. He will go down as one of the greatest big men in basketball history, and it was so tough to keep him off this ten.

10 - Terry Bradshaw, 1st Pick of the 1970 NFL Draft

Chosen By: Pittsburgh Steelers

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Terry Bradshaw was a very good Quarterback in the NFL. Some go as far to say that he was one of the best, and while I disagree with this, he does have the accolades to back it up. He is the golden child of the rule some analysts use to rate Quarterbacks: "The best quarterbacks should be ranked by how many Super Bowl rings they have, and not by performance". I absolutely hate the entire idea of this (more on this later). Bradshaw won 4 Super Bowls as the anchor of the famous Steel Curtain team of the 1970's, and he was one of the NFL's best without question. But would I take John Elway, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, etc; over Bradshaw? Probably.

Regardless of where he ranks, his impact is unprecedented. He played his entire 14 year career in Pittsburgh, and is beloved all throughout the Steel City. Iverson and Robinson may have been more dominant at their peak (hard to compare sports, obviously), but who knows if the Steelers would have the most Super Bowl titles if it weren't for Bradshaw's elite performance under high pressure circumstances.

9 - Chipper Jones, 1st Pick of the 1990 MLB Draft

Chosen By: Atlanta Braves

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Growing up in Florida, Larry Wayne Jones was not Atlanta's original choice, but they grew to love and embrace their switch hitting mainstay. Chipper played 19 seasons for the Braves, and stayed consistent throughout his tenure at the hot corner and outfield positions. When he was 36, he won the batting title with a .364 average; and while he fell shy of 500 career home runs (468), he still had the most of any switch hitter in National League history. On top of it all, he made 8 All Star teams, won the 1999 NL MVP, and won the World Series in 1995. The Braves didn't know they were buying into a franchise legend in 1990, and with that in mind he definitely earned a place as one of the best 1st overall picks ever.

8 - LeBron James, 1st Pick of the 2003 NBA Draft

Chosen By: Cleveland Cavaliers

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Woah, woah, woah. LeBron James at #8? Is this some kind of madness? 

No, and I'll tell you why the King doesn't hold the throne on this countdown. LeBron James may be the most talented athlete mentioned in this entire post, and when Cleveland chose him straight out of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School he became the biggest basketball prodigy since at least Kobe Bryant, if not "His Airness" himself, Michael Jordan. James played 7 seasons in Cleveland before his infamous ESPN special announced his departure to South Beach. Seven seasons should be more than enough to warrant a spot on this list, but had he not left and betrayed his Cleveland supporters in favor of winning championships with the Heat, he could have been towards the top.

Luckily for Cavs fans, LeBron hasn't completely forgotten his first fanbase, and returned to Cleveland prior to this past season to finish what he started. It may have resulted in an NBA Finals loss to the Golden State Warriors, but at least they made it there. If LeBron can finally fulfill his promise and bring home a title to Cleveland, his importance to the franchise will forever be remembered. 

7 - Kareem Abdul Jabbar, 1st Pick of the 1969 NBA Draft

Chosen By: Milwaukee Bucks

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Kareem Abdul Jabbar has been regarded by many as the best basketball player to ever walk the Earth. But everyone had to start somewhere, and before changing his name to Jabbar, he was Lew Alcindor of the Milwaukee Bucks. Alcindor was no slouch, but it wasn't until his days in Los Angeles when his legacy was completely set in stone. He only played 6 years in Milwaukee, but won 3 MVP's and made the All Star team in each of those years. The icing on the cake as to why he ranks above LeBron is that he did lead Milwaukee to a title in 1971. Alcindor was named the Finals MVP after leading the league in scoring that year. 

6 - Troy Aikman, 1st Pick of the 1989 NFL Draft

Chosen By: Dallas Cowboys 

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Much like Terry Bradshaw, Troy Aikman may be defined more for being a critical part of one of the best football teams of all time than for his own personal achievements. In sports, that really is what you shoot for. There have been better Quarterbacks than Aikman, but I wouldn't have a problem with him placing in any Top 10 Quarterbacks list (I may have to attack that down the line). The three time Super Bowl champion was joined by Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin to quite possibly form the best three headed monster the NFL has ever seen. 

Still, with 32,942 career passing yards and 165 touchdowns, along with serving America's Team for all 12 of his years, he was qualified to make the list as well.

5 - Hakeem Olajuwon, 1st Pick of the 1984 NBA Draft

Chosen By: Houston Rockets

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Is there a basketball player more underrated than Hakeem Olajuwon? If you try to view his accomplishments on Wikipedia, they take up most of your computer screen! Two time NBA Champion. Two time Finals MVP. 1994 NBA MVP. 12 All Star Games. 6 Time All NBA First Team. He's the Houston Rockets all time leading scorer, and nobody in history blocked more shots. Plus, he played 17 of his 18 years in Houston, and up until this point is their best player to grace the court. His importance to that team can only be paralleled by the four following #1 picks.

4 - Tim Duncan, 1st Pick of the 1997 NBA Draft

Chosen By: San Antonio Spurs

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Despite his counterparts Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, Tim Duncan is everything symbolic of the history of the San Antonio Spurs organization. For a player so consistently at the top of the game to still be disrespected as much as he has is sad. Duncan more than deserves be of the same breath as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and just about anyone else from this generation. With 5 NBA Championships under his belt (and counting), Duncan has solidified his legacy with the organization and with the NBA as a whole. In case you don't agree, I'll let some of his numbers do the talking: 15 All Star selections, 2 NBA MVP's, Rookie of the Year, 10 All NBA First Teams, and 8 All Defensive Team selections. He's led San Antonio in points scored, and not only has he been a part of great teams but he was the glue that kept them together. In three of his five NBA Finals wins, he won the MVP. Is there anything more that could possibly be said to keep Duncan from the respect he clearly deserves? 

3 - Peyton Manning, 1st Pick of the 1998 NFL Draft

Chosen By: Indianapolis Colts

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The fact that we haven't seen Peyton Manning 'man' Colts blue since the conclusion of the 2011 season and he still owns a spot this high on the list goes to prove just how impactful he was to their team. Luckily for Indianapolis, they seem to have a bright future still set in stone with their most recent #1 pick, Quarterback Andrew Luck, but he has some huge shoes to fill. Peyton only helped lead Indianapolis to one Super Bowl title, but their 2008 title was the shining moment of the entire organization's history. The elder Manning brother is larger than life, even if he has struggled in the postseason throughout most of his career. This does keep him from being considered the greatest QB of all time, but it certainly does not hurt his status as much as some say.

As I mentioned before, I don't agree to the argument that quarterbacks should be judged solely off of postseason accomplishments. It certainly helps for someone of Joe Montana's stature to have 4 titles of his own, but let's keep in mind that championships are won based off offensive and defensive team performance.

2 - Ken Griffey Jr., 1st Pick of the 1987 MLB Draft
Chosen By: Seattle Mariners

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Imagine if Ken Griffey Jr. was a little luckier. We can take out the fact that he is one of the most famous, rich athletes of all time, but if "The Kid" could have stayed healthy, we may have had a clean home run king. Griffey was a prolific five tool player among his years in Seattle, and was a quiet leader for an emerging team that always seemed to fall just short of winning it all. If the Mariners could have afforded to keep Alex Rodriguez, Randy Johnson, and Griffey together longer, I bet they could have won a World Series. Could have. In our collector universe, we glorify his 1989 Upper Deck rookie card, which may just be the best card printed within the past 30 years. He recently recreated that moment in Macklemore's new music video "Downtown", and while it made absolutely no sense, it was refreshing to see Griffey in the public eye again. Except, rather than crushing home runs with his trademark gorgeous swing or robbing home runs, he catches a fish and flashes a smile. 

1 - Earvin "Magic" Johnson, 1st Pick of the 1979 NBA Draft

Chosen By: Los Angeles Lakers

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You can not spell "Lakers" without "Magic". Technically you can, but there is no doubt that he should be the first face that pops up in your head when you think of one of the most storied organizations in sports history. Kobe Bryant has had a remarkable career, Kareem Abdul Jabbar contributed greatly, and Wilt Chamberlain may be the greatest basketball player ever, but Magic Johnson has been all about Hollywood ever since the day he was drafted first overall.

Magic compiled 3 MVP trophies and 5 Championship titles amidst a career that was threatened and shortened by his contraction of AIDS. He made the All Star team in all but his sophomore season. He was flashy and extravagant and always made his presence felt. In fact, he still does in Los Angeles through his work as part owner of the Dodgers. I had to shift the order of this list a few times, but he stayed at the top.

For now, that will do it for this week's Ten for Tuesday. In the future, we may see Bryce Harper, Andrew Luck, Anthony Davis, and others on this list.

See Ya!

Some Unexpected Amazing Pickups from Dad!

Hey guys, Drew back here! So, about last week, Dad found a few deals at an antique shop. He came home with 5 cards, and I'll let them do most of the talking, because well, they are some pretty darn good ones to have!

First was this 1988 Topps Willie Randolph autographed card! Of course, this is an IP autograph pickup, and I don't know how legitimate this one is, but it looks good and the autograph looks sweet on the card! I don't have too much of Randolph other than my signed baseball of his, so it's cool to add this one to the collection!

Second was this 2003 Topps "Blue Chips" Brandon Phillips rookie card autograph! Phillips was one of my most wanted autographs of MLB's current second basemen, only behind Rickie Weeks in terms of who I don't have yet. Phillips has definitely been one of the best second basemen in the league for a few years now, and last year he posted a .300 batting average with 18 home runs and 82 RBI. I would take that in a second baseman anyday, but fortunately enough my Yankees have even better with Robinson Cano!

Well, it started off good, which I means it could only go down! From 2007 Bowman Heritage, here's a Carl Crawford black parallel autograph numbered to only 52! Crawford sure did have a disappointing year in Boston, but boy was he good for my fantasy team two years ago when I went on to win the championship! I'll always have a bit of a soft spot for my 2010 2nd round fantasy pick, but I sure wish he never signed with Boston! Regardless of that this card is pretty sweet looking, and while I probably will end up hanging onto it, I'll certainly take offers for it in exchange for any Yankees autos you're willing to lose!

So now we're down to the final two. Let me tell you it sure was difficult to choose which one to write about first, but I guess I had to save the autograph I didn't have yet for last! Both cards book for close to $100 if not more, and are certainly huge additions to my overflowing population of cards in my basement! 

We start with the Ripken boys! Out of the 2005 Donruss Signature Series product, this dual autograph of Cal Ripken Jr. and Billy Ripken is a beautiful card, and it definitely made my day! Cal is one of my favorite players in the Hall of Fame, just because he's just so classy and memorable, and will always be perhaps the biggest class act to ever play the game. The fact that he stayed and signed an autograph for every fan after the Orioles' games was remarkable and unheard of in the sports world filled with money and greed. I do have Ripken's autograph in his children's book I picked up off of Barnes & Noble, but this one is just a really sweet card in general. I didn't have a Bill Ripken autograph, but I'll always know him for his awesome 1989 Fleer card, and not for his mediocre career as a player and analyst on MLB Network. 

The final card, is a very classy card as well, out of the 2006 Upper Deck Reflections product. It's a dual autograph of perhaps the best father-son combo in baseball history, Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr.! I have always wanted to pick up an autograph of Junior Griffey, as he's by far one of the greatest players of our generation. It was great getting to see him play, even though I wasn't really around much during the good times of his career. He retired with 630 home runs, all of which had not been surrounded by the questions of steroid use that majority of the players of his time used to get an edge. Sure, we may never know if or not Griffey did use the roids', but I highly doubt he did. Dad also recently got me an autograph of Griffey Sr. pictured in a Yankees uniform, so it's kind of cool to have one as a Red too. Upper Deck designed this card really well and it just is great looking in person, numbered only 26 of 99!

Thanks so much Dad, seriously I appreciate this so much. High school can really be a drag sometimes but its you and so many of my other great friends that know how to put a smile on my face!

See Ya!

Dad's Yard Sale Spectacular!

Hey guys, Drew back here, and I guess we have a new series. I'm sure you all know my awesome dad loves to shop for me and buy me all sorts of cool cards, and not only does he love card shopping, he loves yard sales. His famous quote is "One Man's Junk is Another Man's treasure!", and we always mess with him about his obsession with sales. Well, the first installment in the series is from a few days before the card show, where dad got me a bunch of cool cards! Check them out!

This was A-Rod day as he picked up a ton of nice inserts and stuff of his early years and during his short stint as a Ranger. The Sportflics ones are awesome, and the Metal Universe of course is different and cool looking. The one in the bottom left feels like a felt behind A-Rod, which is really sweet actually. Out of these first 8 I think I may have had the Power Up card (which are kinda ugly), and the Metal one I might have.

More A-Rods here, some really awesome ones, didn't have any previously. The Ripken and A-Rod card is hilarious, reading Superman comics together haha. The one on top is by far my favorite one in this group though, but wait, there's more!

2 A-Rod rookies! I must have like 4 or 5 of the Upper Deck Alumni one on the right by now, but I didn't have the left one, which is an awesome card! My best A-Rod rookie yet, which is great to have.

No more A-Rod's in this lot now, moving on, to some REALLY nice Jeters and a nice Pujols as well. The Musial is ok looking, don't get why they took a picture of his plaque for a card. The Griffey is my favorite here though, it looks amazing!!!!! It scanned beautifully and may be one of my top 5 favorite cards in this bunch!

Lastly, a bunch of nice rookies to add to the PC! Carlos Lee, Adam Dunn, and Carlos Zambrano are the 3 lowest BV out of these, but the Maddux is awesome (don't know if I already had one or not), and the Johan is amazing too! This is Johan's big rookie, which is nice to have, considering the great career he's endured so far in his career!

Thanks so much dad!!!! See Ya!

Check Out My Cards Purchase Part 2 & TTM Fail

Hey guys, Drew back here. I just got my report card, and I saw an instant replay of exactly what happened last quarter, I came .375 of 1 point short of Principal's List, which really should be rounded up and it's extremely ridiculous. Anyway, I got back from Upper Deck yesterday, and I'll have that posted soon, but for now, the last 5 cards in my Check Out My Cards purchase. Let's see what Drew bought shall we?

2007 Sweet Spot Classic Bo Jackson Jersey

This card is very nice. I got it for I think 2 or 3 dollars, and the baby blue jersey doesn't really fit Bo Jackson, which makes me laugh. I love the Sweet Spot relics, and I'm considering getting even more! I have an Al Oliver, Goose Gossage, Don Mattingly, Reggie Jackson, and I think Dave Parker too, so I admit I'm hooked to these!

2008 Sweet Spot Robinson Cano/Brian Roberts Dual Jersey

Now this is an awesome card! I like Brian Roberts and I also really like unique jerseys! This is a nice add to the Cano collection, and I gotta try to find the patch version.

2008-09 UD Radiance Devin Harris Sweet Shot Autograph

I'm not a basketball collector, but I do watch and love to play basketball. You may remember WAY back on this blog when I went to a Nets game, and from that day on, Devin Harris became my favorite basketball player, ahead of LeBron, Kobe, and Dwayne Wade. So, when I saw this auto at a cheap price on COMC, I rushed to buy it. It's really cool, similar to Sweet Spot.

2008 SP Authentic Dustin Keller Rookie Leatherheads Auto /150

One of the big 2 cards in this purchase was this one. I got it for $10, and I wanted it from the second I saw it. It's monster thick, about the thickness of the Sweet Spot autos, and I really liked the concept of the cards. Now, if they didn't have autographs I wouldn't have wanted it, and even though Keller will most likely be a candidate for the Worst Auto tournament, it adds more to the card and it looks really nice. Plus there are only 150 of them.

1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card

Even as a diehard Yankee fan, I love to expand my collection into some of my other favorites too. Some of my favorite non Yankees are Felix Hernandez, Justin Verlander, Tim Lincecum, Prince Fielder, Vladimir Guerrero, Albert Pujols, and definitely Griffey. I didn't get this card because I like Griffey, well, that is partly the reason, but the other part is that it is a monumental card. It's the only card in the BCHOF that I could afford so far, and I needed to try to get it. Now, 20 dollars later (a steal in my opinion), I now am holding possibly the most famous baseball card of all time (ok, second to Honus).

I think I made out well for $60 on Check Out My Cards, and after my good report card, I earned myself a trip to the next White Plains card show in May. That's what a 94.675 overall average (and 100 in Spanish) gets me! Anyway, I had a disappoint yesterday courtesy of The Man, Stan Musial. I sent him my custom card, and was hoping I wouldn't get one of those postcard things. So, I got it back yesterday, and not only was the custom sticking out of the side of the S.A.S.E, bent in half, and unsigned, but he included a post card. Take a look at it:

Nope, that isn't a signature. It's a biography with a picture. Yay. Now I can read about what I missed out on. I think either A) He'll give you a signed postcard if you include $, or B) he ran out of signed ones and wouldn't sign more. He is 90. This isn't as bad as the Whitey Ford disappointment but I'm mad about what happened here.

Aight I'm out, See Ya!

Hall of Fame Mailday

Hey guys, Drew back here, got a trade in from the Sports Card Forum. I make a ton of trades on that site, and it really pays off. Here is what I got for jersey cards of Hunter Pence and Craig Biggio:

2009 Topps Chrome X-Fractor Hideki Matsui
My 1st X-Fractor from 2009 Topps Chrome, and it's nice. It stinks to see Matsui as an Angel but at least he's not a Met or Red Sox player. I've always thought x-fractors had a cool design and although it's been a little overused I still find it pretty cool.


2009 Topps Unique Joba Chamberlain Red Parallel /1199
Another pretty nice card of a player whose cards are worth too much but isn't bad overall. Joba is young and his value is a little too high but I like him and I hope he does a good job wherever the Yankees put him. I see him as the Yankees next closer after Rivera, if they don't trade him, that is. This is a pretty cool card from one of the least popular releases of 2009, Topps Unique. The design is cool but the concept is stale. Aren't the same cards in Triple Threads?


2008 Topps Heritage Andy Pettitte Chrome Refractor /559
This is a really nice card, best out of the 3 shown so far. Pettitte has always been my favorite lefty and he has left a great legacy in New York. Although he admitted to using HGH, I forgive him and I think if he plays more years and gets up there in wins that people may talk about him as a Hall of Famer. Topps Heritage has done an amazing job the past few years with their sets, and this card does not disappoint.


2009 SPX Winning Materials Quad Jersey
Jermaine Dye/Jim Thome/Nick Swisher/Ken Griffey Jr.
Now this is one of my favorite Swisher relics in my PC, especially because of the men on the right side of the card. This is my 1st Griffey Jr. relic and I'm really happy to have 1, he's by far the greatest player of the 90's decade and one of the Top 5 in the 2000's as well. If only he avoided injuries, he may be the best of all time. Overall, the design is nice, and I think SPX was one of the best sets of the year in all honesty. I've opened many packs and pulled many hits!

See Ya!

BCHOF Induction Card #3

So, after a very successful voting process, we have our 3rd card in the Baseball Card Hall of Fame. Here you go:

1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card

Well, this one card got Upper Deck on the bandwagon! This is definitely a Hall of Fame player and card, the best UD ever (in my opinion). Since Upper Deck has lost the privilege to using MLB logos, most likely Upper Deck won't be able to produce an amazing card like this in the future. Sadly, I don't have this card, so if you have some doubles of it, maybe we could make a trade? Thanks.

So again, lets keep voting, what is the 4th best card of all time? We got Honus, Mickey, and Griffey, who's next? Maybe that 1915 Cracker Jack Shoeless Joe, or one of the 1933 Goudey Babe Ruths, or maybe even something of Hank Aaron or Willie Mays! Just some suggestions. See Ya!