Vintage Cards from Pop Popps

Hey guys, Drew back here. It's been a long week so far, and considering I need to do 9 hours of community service this weekend (no, I'm not in trouble!), I won't be around much. It kinda sucks because I need to post 3 box breaks, some mail, more Christmas stuff, and all my other random posts (like yesterdays). I'm going to the White Plains show the following Saturday, saved up a good amount of money to meet Don Mattingly and spend some cash on packs/singles. I can't wait for that, but for now, it's school and community service. Yay! Well, continuing my Christmas loot, I got some vintage cards from Pop Popps, and boy there were some sweet ones. I didn't scan them all, at least I don't think I did, but if I didn't then I also got quite a few 1975 Topps. Come to think of it, I think I did scan them all, wow! I don't think my head is on straight, while I try fixing it back you watch this little video full of awesome vintage cards. Thanks Pop Popps!

3 Cheers for the Hawk! And 3 Jeers for Hibachi!

Hey guys, Drew back, and I haven't covered much in sports lately so I guess I should sorta recap a ton of stuff that just happened in the sporting world, and although I almost never post anything basketball related, I need to address my opinion on what the heck happened in the Gilbert Arenas situation.

All I can say is Wow. Wow applies to both me and to Gilbert Arenas, me because I thought nobody can EVER do ANYTHING as stupid as what he did (shame on me), and him because he did the STUPIDEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD OF... well... since Plaxico at least. This one was up there too. If you haven't heard what happened, I'll fill you in. So Gilbert was gambling with Javaris Crittenton, and he didn't want to pay him back after losing, so he pointed an un-loaded gun at Crittenton as a joke. Joke? WTF! How in the world is pointing a gun at someone a joke??? In any way, shape, or form, pointing a gun for fun is ridiculous! He said afterward that he learned not to do that again, how have you not learned that already? Wow, that is plain pathetic. And now he is suspended indefinitely. This story is almost as brutal as my New Jersey Nets!!!

Congrats to Andre Dawson for finally making the Hall of Fame! It took him 9 years, but he is finally in, which makes many of our bloggers happy. I didn't watch him play, but he certainly seemed to be a big threat back when he played. The only person I want to see make the Hall on the ballot right now is Don Mattingly (and can I wish for Billy Martin?) but I assume his stats aren't good enough to make it in, but boy do I wish. So, again congrats to the Hawk!

Randy Johnson finally hung up his cleats yesterday, after a very long and fantastic career. He is most definitely a first ballot hall of famer and although he didn't fare well in New York, he sure did do phenomonal on his other teams. And boy, I love the mullet!

and he also should be a hunter, cuz he is good at killing birds!

Lastly, I need to cover my boys from New York... er... New Jersey? Go Jets! I can't believe they made it, and in style too! Even though we're halfway through the week already, I must say that was a complete blowout and hopefully we can do it again next week, isn't that right Mr. Chad Johnson/Ocho Cinco/Hachi Go/Get scared of the Jets and "get hurt" before the game starts after talking smack ALL week long. Thank you Darrelle Revis, YOU OWN!!

Also in sports, Matt Holliday signed with the Cardinals for 7 years, Tom Brady is comeback player of the year, and Rex Ryan says we're gonna the Super Bowl. And I'm going to get the luxury suit tonight. (commercial joke)

Oh yeah, change in votes, somebody else win Tom Brady is caught cross dressing! Take it from hum please! See Ya!

Christmas Packs & Packs from the shop

Hey guys, Drew back here. For Christmas along with 3 boxes, I got vintage cards from Pop Popps, a lot of Yanks from Dad, a Topps football cereal box from my grandpa and grandma and a few packs. There were 2 seperate trips, dad got me a pack of 09 Sweet Spot (hobby), 08 Stadium Club (hobby) and a Goodwin Champions (hobby). I went to the card shop a few days later, and I figured since both were pack breaks I'd combine the video and post. I got a pack of 206, a pack of Unique, and a pack of SPX, plus one of those random 100 card lots that I got for 2 bucks. I know I should be saving money for the show but I wanted to get some 206 and Unique, and my airsoft gun has a crack in one spot and my dad wanted to see how to fix it while there. My card shop sells paintball, airsoft, and sports cards. Awesome. Anyway, here's a video recap of the cards, plus a picture of my new airsoft gun.

Here are the packs that are in this video:

- 1 Pack 09 Sweet Spot (hobby)
- 1 Pack 08 Stadium Club (hobby)
- 1 Pack 09 Goodwin Champions (hobby)
- 1 Pack 09 SP Authentic (retail)
- 1 Pack 09 Topps Updates & Highlights (retail)
- 1 Pack 09 Topps 206 (hobby)
- 1 Pack 09 Topps Unique (hobby)
- 1 Pack 09 UD SPX (hobby)
- 1 Cereal Box (50 Cards + 5 National Chicles) 09 Topps football
- 1 Lot of 100 Mixed Cards
- 1 Guarenteed Memorabilia Card Target Thing

Here we go! (it's in no particular order)

Trifecta Collections

Hey guys, Drew back here. If you read one of my posts a while back you know about the trifecta of a player. I think it is the easiest way to start off a PC, or the easiest way to know that you are the owner of 3 big parts of a player's card inventory, the rookie card, the game used, and the autograph. Whether the game used is bat, jersey, helmet, ball, batting glove, it is considered a game used. Whether it is through the mail, in person, certified on card, or certified sticker (:p), it is still an autograph.

A new task in my card collecting life is to pursuit all 3 parts of the trifecta for as many players as possible. I've always loved rookie cards, and most definitely the autograph. Game used can be fun to own, but I do get bored of the boring white jersey. There are a few rules in my book for the trifecta though:

1. It can be an entire baseball, bat, or anything else that is signed, or maybe even a full game used jersey or bat, they all count because they fit under the category.
2. They need to be 3 seperate cards, you can't have a rookie jersey autograph of Evan Longoria and say you have the trifecta, although technically you do, "tri" means three and is short for triple, so it needs to be 3 cards.
3. The jersey can not be from an event outside of All Star Games and Pro Bowls (no Rookie Premiere jerseys here!)

This is where I'm going to track who I have it of and picture evidence, I will write if any is for trade but most likely I'm keeping them all for PC. So, here is the ones I have the trifecta for now:

COMPLETED TRIFECTAS

Robinson Cano

2003 Bowman Heritage Rookie Card- Picked this up at a card show at a local Holiday Inn a few years ago, I want to upgrade to the regular Bowman RC though.

2009 Topps Allen & Ginter Short Printed Bat Relic- Although I have many more Cano relics from all you generous guys here, this is the one that is the most rare, it's one of the short printed ones and is a beautiful card. Picked it up on eBay recently for $15 shipped.

2007 Topps Co-Signers Solo Sigs Autograph- This card is now mine thanks to a old trade with William, from foul bunt. Although it's a sticker auto, I went against using Triple Threads for this picture because I just wanted the single autograph.

Nick Swisher

2004 Upper Deck Star Rookies- I do need an upgrade on this one, especially since it's one of my PC's, and this isn't a true RC, but it will do for now. I pulled it out of a pack long before Swisher became a Yankee, out of one of those boxes of mixed packs from Toys R Us. I was addicted to those things!

2007 Fleer Ultra Hitting Machine Relic- There are a few reasons I chose this one for my relic. First of all, my good buddy Mr. Scott practically gave the thing to me (but is getting something very soon), second of all the design is awesome, and third of all the relic is green! Awesome! No white or gray swatches in this house!

2009 Topps Ticket to Stardom Jersey Auto- Again, from a fellow blogmate, Derek from "Hey, That's Mine!". We made a trade for this a little while ago, and even though I have the Goudey on card auto I decided to choose one that was not obtained through buying, instead from a blogging buddy! The relic on this card is from an undershirt I believe too.

Melky Cabrera

2006 Topps Turkey Red RC- I have the Topps rookie card from 2005 too, so that may be a better one to show off, but I like this card better. I got it in a trade at some point, forgot who it was but it sure is nice! I really like the look of the card!

2007 Bowman Sterling Bat Relic- I just recently got this in a trade with someone on the Blowout Cards Forum, and it sure is nice. Unfortunately Melky is a Brave now, but I really like the bat relic.

2007 Topps Co-Signers Dual Autograph Nick Markakis/Melky Cabrera- I could soon get the Markakis trifecta but I'm not sure when. This card was nice, and I got it off eBay for I think $15 a while back. It has a simple design, and it looks nice, other than the dreaded stickers!

Troy Tulowitzki

2007 Topps Rookie Card- The most original you can get, the Topps RC. I have a few other Tulo RC's, but decided to choose the basic one. I'm assuming I pulled it out of a pack at some point.

2008 Topps Allen & Ginter Jersey Relic- Again, not a white or gray jersey swatch! I pulled this out of a blaster sometime last year, and I really didn't want to trade it. He's turned out to be a good player, and he was on my fantasy team last year!

2009 Topps Allen & Ginter Autograph- Yay! On Card, yet encapsulated inside some plastic that I don't think tobacco companies used back then! I got this sweet card from again, William, foul bunt. He has a nice auto and I sure have a heck of a card! Thanks again dude!

Chipper Jones

1992 Topps Top Prospects Rookie Card- I might look for the 1991 Topps one at the card show. I have like 4 of these cards, thanks to my dad because he got me a couple big lots of old (80's and 90's) cards from Craigslist. Pretty cool card though.

2008 UD Goudey Jersey Card- Darnit, the streak of non white/gray jersey cards has ended at 3. I have 2 different Chipper jersey cards, one is from 2008 Piece of History too. Pulled this in a pack from Target.

2008 UD Baseball Heroes Patch Autograph #ed/15- I remember pulling this card like it was just yesterday. It is possibly my most valuable card in my collection so you never could go wrong with something this sweet! He should be a first ballot hall of famer and is probably the second greatest Brave of all time, to Hank Aaron. I love having this trifecta complete, definitely one I'm gonna keep.

Don Mattingly

1984 Topps Rookie Card- Look at Donnie Baseball! Such a cool card and I'm glad to own it. My dad got this one for me a little while back, along with a 63 Topps Maris Postseason Highlights and a Strawberry RC. Dad loves giving me cards and I am happy to have a great dad like him.

2007 UD Sweet Spot Classic Jersey- Gray jersey but what are you gonna do? I have 3 game used cards of Mattingly and I certainly have some awesome ones. I bought this one at the card show in August in White Plains. These relics are really nicely designed.

2008 Donruss Threads Baseball Americana Autograph /25- Well, I gave it away. You guys I'm hoping were dying to see my big pull out of Threads, and this is it! I sorta wanted to wait for the review but I couldn't, it's not possible to keep a card this awesome from you guys. My dad opened the pack and he said to me, "Drew, I think you might like this one". We have this on video too actually, just on the PC. When I looked at the card my jaw dropped. Well, I'm still gonna spend the 70 bucks at the show to meet him, unfortunately it's a sticker auto. I wanna get an 8 x 10 signed so that's why, maybe I can get him to sign a card too, you never know.

Dave Parker

1974 Topps Rookie Card- I got this card and a few other copies of it from Pop Popps, my grandpa. He gives me so many nice cards that my collection is intensely growing every day. I have another version of this card autographed when I met Dave at one of those White Plains shows. I really like the card and I like Dave too.

2007 SP Legendary Cuts Jersey Card /199- I got this in a Blowout Cards Forum trade, and it's nice. I'm not a fan of the 3 blank relic spots on the card though, but it's ok. I'm thinking about looking for a Sweet Spot Classic relic of him. Kinda boring with the gray jersey, but still, he wore it and that's all that matters.

1978 Topps In Person Autograph- I didn't say much to Dave when we met him, but he was cool. I got 2 cards signed, and 1 was his rookie card. I didn't want to choose the same card twice for the trifecta so I decided on including the other one he signed. It's a pretty nice old school card and it looks great with a signature on it!

Kevin Kouzmanoff

2007 Topps Rookie Card- Again, very original, but it's all I have of the guy. I don't open products before 2007 but if I opened a box of Bowman when he was in the set I'd probably pull a super fractor 1/1 autograph. The guy stalks me! He's an ok player at least.

2008 UD Baseball Heroes Relic /200- Well, the boring things about this card are hmmm.... the fact that Heroes has way better players in the checklist... that this is the highest numbered out of any relic parallel in the set, oh yeah, and it's a white jersey!!! Pulled this in a box and I have no clue how they can count this as a hit. Again, I don't want this guys cards but they all just come to me!!!

2007 Bowman's Best Rookie Autograph- This card is lucky because it's in Bowman's Best. Since there are very few good rookie autos in the set, he is considered one of the better autos. But he is not good enough to get game used cards yet, so Upper Deck, just stop it. But Bowman did a good job with this set (it'd be better on card). I pulled this in a box of it that I opened, the most high end I've ever been.

Mike Mussina

1991 Upper Deck Rookie Card- A very cool rookie card of the Moose, I do have his more popular rookie card and it's signed, but for display I'd rather have 3 different cards. Very cool card with the minor league uniform, awesome!

2003 Playoff Piece of the Game Jersey Relic- We got a pinstripe on this one! I love getting pinstriped cards, not when they aren't Yankees though. No other team should be wearing pinstripes. None. Anyway, I bought this one on eBay right after he retired, I love how on the back it shows a picture of the jersey it was cut from.

2006 Topps TTM Autograph- I sent out to Mike in the past year and he signed a few cards for me, and I was psyched to get them! I won another one in a 30 Year Old Cardboard contest, along with a John Kruk auto and a Bobby Bonilla auto. He has a sweet signature, and although I have 3 of his autos already I may send out more, and I'd sure love to meet him. He seems like a great guy!

ALMOST COMPLETED TRIFECTAS- NEEDS

Here are a few cards I need of seperate players to complete their trifectas:

- 1976 Topps Ron Guidry RC
- 1997 David Ortiz RC (would love if it had the Arias last name on it, any set though is fine)
- 1969 Topps Al Oliver RC (it has two players, him and Rich Hebner)
- Any Ramiro Pena Game Used
- Any Shonn Greene Autograph

I'll try to find a few more soon. Thanks for looking, and I'll see you all later!

Awards Recap & Mailday

Hey guys, Drew back here, last night was a long one but it seems that everyone is happy with the outcome of our awards. We didn't get that many votes, so that part wasn't great, but for the most part everything went well. Thanks to all who voted and made it (somewhat) possible, and thanks to all the nominees for providing an awesome source of entertainment in my life. I think the awards went to some of the best in the business, even though they don't wanna admit it. So, thanks for everything guys, and now it is time to move on!

What better way to move on than posting some mail I got quite a while ago, from reader John. I've seen his name in trades a few times now, and he certainly impressed me! Due to all the holidays and awards I will have yours shipped Monday if you're reading. Also, I got 3 packages in from the Blowout Forum and Sports Card Forum. I made a mistake on the video saying only 2 from those sites but it's really 3, sorry about that. I've now made 5 trades on Blowout and 6 on SCF. Not bad. Check them out!