tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42385345328648855182024-03-14T05:05:05.848-04:00Drew's Hot CornerDrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.comBlogger1328125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-24152836331825066562017-02-26T14:49:00.000-05:002018-02-23T15:05:14.325-05:00Topps Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hey everyone, Drew back here. So last season, Topps introduced "Topps Now", which basically recaps all of the big moments over the course of the season. Essentially, a MUCH better version of Upper Deck Documentary; if you remember that monstrosity back from 2008. However, there was definitely one flaw. Every card in the set costs $10 from Topps' website; which is a bit high for my liking.</div>
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Yet... I couldn't resist. I was working really hard last summer and making a lot of the money I spent abroad back, and I allowed myself to spend a certain amount of my weekly paychecks on cards in order to keep myself motivated to save up. While this was happening, the Baby Bombers came to town, and I had several opportunities to capture some of their most exciting moments on cardboard. I couldn't pass up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDSudB9Ul5TuppTlvO9sYcSFfloIr0GQWbdPdxJydQpagg8VJjeFVqf2aA7zD3OV-7VaKQyxlwRDaAZ8Z679foePxxzY4WQxBJ47kj1grBeMkb9njJ0MSn3yOpTZg1z7fh_b0qe_W3qeT/s1600/Scan+9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDSudB9Ul5TuppTlvO9sYcSFfloIr0GQWbdPdxJydQpagg8VJjeFVqf2aA7zD3OV-7VaKQyxlwRDaAZ8Z679foePxxzY4WQxBJ47kj1grBeMkb9njJ0MSn3yOpTZg1z7fh_b0qe_W3qeT/s400/Scan+9.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I resisted Topps Now all season. Until August 13th. Just after A-Rod played his final game, the kids got their chance to prove themselves. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfTfUAls2hYdgK5u4HUb98u6qaiqChpY4Nd_sVL2NSpwcNfvQXjS6uWX2ZqNRjTITqIjaZXEIvrEpTDjYzBbW3JyjgZCn67Ahq150L-AUmvtncPH7D-g131SHDwWxVg5fI8Op8TfoLb0n/s1600/Scan+8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfTfUAls2hYdgK5u4HUb98u6qaiqChpY4Nd_sVL2NSpwcNfvQXjS6uWX2ZqNRjTITqIjaZXEIvrEpTDjYzBbW3JyjgZCn67Ahq150L-AUmvtncPH7D-g131SHDwWxVg5fI8Op8TfoLb0n/s400/Scan+8.jpeg" width="285" /></a></div>
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Tyler Austin kicked off the festivities by hitting a home run in his first at bat just inside the right field foul pole. It probably wasn't a home run in any other stadium, but who cares?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKA2_3B3dd5z9RLcoY96TOWFFv9_a7RsshouPOLQDMWk_diHHiUaC8PI1xymtz0wWu1goTDL3OzrCDKiPWNz-MkOJuiNBYvvCF2PkFX6jP-Tz5Z1Rg9psL87Gt1CgFkKGcX5HYV_eFBKu/s1600/Scan+7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKA2_3B3dd5z9RLcoY96TOWFFv9_a7RsshouPOLQDMWk_diHHiUaC8PI1xymtz0wWu1goTDL3OzrCDKiPWNz-MkOJuiNBYvvCF2PkFX6jP-Tz5Z1Rg9psL87Gt1CgFkKGcX5HYV_eFBKu/s400/Scan+7.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Aaron Judge followed up with what would have been a home run in EVERY stadium, a center field blast that flew 457 feet and probably still hasn't landed yet. He hit 3 more home runs in 2016, but struck out in literally half of his at bats. Hopefully he can correct those issues, because his power is scary, as we saw Friday in the Yankees spring debut. Grant Brisbee <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2017/2/24/14729878/aaron-judge-baseball-murder-fugitive" target="_blank">put it best</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0u_N6JLMHPJtkEnf7Oc5GsnkSKGH7Fp7tsiltFIROnloc4z0n47aWQQY9LFlCCOZcccDtQylXgyr1prQPwwQiprIHZmQLn5tNij6_Kq_vYf4ssEW-CLZE-BoyvZzFWiivMaLz7K_S5vYy/s1600/Scan+4+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0u_N6JLMHPJtkEnf7Oc5GsnkSKGH7Fp7tsiltFIROnloc4z0n47aWQQY9LFlCCOZcccDtQylXgyr1prQPwwQiprIHZmQLn5tNij6_Kq_vYf4ssEW-CLZE-BoyvZzFWiivMaLz7K_S5vYy/s400/Scan+4+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Austin and Judge's moment was special, but Gary Sanchez stole the show shortly after for the remainder of the season. In fact, he was good enough to almost win the Rookie of the Year award despite only playing in 53 games! This card highlights his torrid 8 home run start in 19 games. Little did Topps know, there would be more to come.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBASJtjtscJRDqG7Rrts1HBQoqFUJf1FYyfnn6f8ACALcZaJs_vIcB7VJ-GOXMWfDf2fwpAWPx7IGW0CjNK9tzBIRQucDkDO9WieM5AhvyQUAXuI0VM_f0eTLHrwzhRiOl-xJXnWEnt4w2/s1600/Scan+4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBASJtjtscJRDqG7Rrts1HBQoqFUJf1FYyfnn6f8ACALcZaJs_vIcB7VJ-GOXMWfDf2fwpAWPx7IGW0CjNK9tzBIRQucDkDO9WieM5AhvyQUAXuI0VM_f0eTLHrwzhRiOl-xJXnWEnt4w2/s400/Scan+4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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On September 8th, the Rays and Yankees traded blasts all game, but Tyler Austin had the last laugh in the bottom of the 9th to win it! Austin has been through a lot of ups and downs on his way to the big leagues, so he's an easy guy to root for. Unfortunately, he was in line to be somewhat of a utility man this year but fractured his foot after fouling a ball off of it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKVl0JaYdAybb2P-TNaCaM483UZRYrZl4zEscbOGhi_HVBf_f5CrQTfC-fWr5UYHOdWWi3qT6VGTZjekzuzJ1B1uHW40FXeCsGgvZdwX7lJyym9H30wE8Bu09GgAlPRXCAALsOAk-xW1P/s1600/Scan+6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKVl0JaYdAybb2P-TNaCaM483UZRYrZl4zEscbOGhi_HVBf_f5CrQTfC-fWr5UYHOdWWi3qT6VGTZjekzuzJ1B1uHW40FXeCsGgvZdwX7lJyym9H30wE8Bu09GgAlPRXCAALsOAk-xW1P/s400/Scan+6.jpeg" width="278" /></a></div>
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But back to El Gary, because, <i>duh</i>. My last Topps Now from the season recognized Sanchez's record home run pace. No matter how good Gary turns out, I don't think he or frankly anyone will ever be able to replicate the start he had. I don't know if there was ever a time in the regular season that I was more excited to turn on a Yankees game than I was during Gary's tear last September. It was a great sign of things to come, that's for sure.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypXquERfzwFt79AuJCrHvD7wDV1LNq4zVFGlqNMgh8FusYlty6hDfJuxpShu_AERcxcY8228-0ZxRMqZVmYR_LKjesqX0y511h_57odFtmVf27tFXY19uMWeg8vgE8esvbfPy5tf5QMto/s1600/Scan+14.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypXquERfzwFt79AuJCrHvD7wDV1LNq4zVFGlqNMgh8FusYlty6hDfJuxpShu_AERcxcY8228-0ZxRMqZVmYR_LKjesqX0y511h_57odFtmVf27tFXY19uMWeg8vgE8esvbfPy5tf5QMto/s400/Scan+14.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But there was a surprise perk to spending as much money as I did from Topps. I; as well as others who bought into Topps Now, were sent a Christmas card from Topps that included a baseball card (front & back):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r6rcz3tvGgzvRC0rcvblegGv5y_cWf5ywrz8QjO3mvmtDCXtgFZXSxHCRiuv2fJ96subpxbdzMQlK5PAQ_G19GC0Yq_wOEewjZai4SrN4oW_PNVf2wI3pCoVkDxAlBWOYXp71LOL76Ke/s1600/Scan+14+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r6rcz3tvGgzvRC0rcvblegGv5y_cWf5ywrz8QjO3mvmtDCXtgFZXSxHCRiuv2fJ96subpxbdzMQlK5PAQ_G19GC0Yq_wOEewjZai4SrN4oW_PNVf2wI3pCoVkDxAlBWOYXp71LOL76Ke/s400/Scan+14+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1HlXwUGko9X91DDE2Xu-3GsGVQFvAUCj1FJl_j6cjyVTystqqxc-D4F_N0JupZe13beDoy7BGqh-IEnBYgyDalS37vfyY1g_oq4sradm2hCWRkmjO3m9j3MQy1LQgw60SXNLVtlnRnNY/s1600/Scan+15.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1HlXwUGko9X91DDE2Xu-3GsGVQFvAUCj1FJl_j6cjyVTystqqxc-D4F_N0JupZe13beDoy7BGqh-IEnBYgyDalS37vfyY1g_oq4sradm2hCWRkmjO3m9j3MQy1LQgw60SXNLVtlnRnNY/s400/Scan+15.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This card was quite the reminder of just how fun the 2016 season was for baseball fans. The Cubs won the World Series... does it get any better than that (besides a Yankees title)? Ichiro collected his 3,000th hit in this country, and Big Papi had a farewell tour after criticizing Jeter and Rivera for having farewell tours! Good times.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXgz9wU1Tji1nhiJdyyj_ID7Ow5hUfXzzaeGXJlL6r95-zLd4Cuk72mdtpxNMH7CDEl4NgaHCrMNIQWSKbPyIsd4yUqQkZl2xcpkhAN6-2Bi91R4zArurO7Jg00VZPoRZ3sXms2Kiwg4V/s1600/Scan+1+copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXgz9wU1Tji1nhiJdyyj_ID7Ow5hUfXzzaeGXJlL6r95-zLd4Cuk72mdtpxNMH7CDEl4NgaHCrMNIQWSKbPyIsd4yUqQkZl2xcpkhAN6-2Bi91R4zArurO7Jg00VZPoRZ3sXms2Kiwg4V/s400/Scan+1+copy.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sometime last week, Topps sent me yet another surprise celebrating the beginning of the 2017 baseball season!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyhjLFqCb7MB8gjpWjKG-pxiQDMVWWVQvy2mvhecodWYEoa9BnimE_P62gU4iS6Z44D25Dl4raLES6MCJnnvL9tq5T_SBFh90hlqBZVVCA1GYydkNUn_PuZWnj04O-Pav-FVkH9l1nTo9/s1600/Scan+1+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyhjLFqCb7MB8gjpWjKG-pxiQDMVWWVQvy2mvhecodWYEoa9BnimE_P62gU4iS6Z44D25Dl4raLES6MCJnnvL9tq5T_SBFh90hlqBZVVCA1GYydkNUn_PuZWnj04O-Pav-FVkH9l1nTo9/s400/Scan+1+copy+2.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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To be fair, this Mike Trout card is more of a promotion than anything else, but it was definitely cool to get a first look at the new design. I saw people receiving the Christmas card on Twitter before I got mine, but this time I didn't expect it at all. Trout is a special player, and his career statistical comparisons to Mickey Mantle really blow me away. We need to realize what we're watching now and enjoy it for what it is. Now if only we could find a way to get him in pinstripes...</div>
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So, I like Topps Now. It's a neat concept, and I think Topps executed it really well! Unfortunately, I probably can't keep spending money on them in 2017 if they're going to be $10 a card. Even for $5, I would consider buying more of them.</div>
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What do you think of Topps Now, and how much are you willing to pay for one? Leave their thoughts in the comment section below.</div>
Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-11221969383677685042017-02-19T12:40:00.000-05:002017-02-19T12:48:10.247-05:00Cracking Reggie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hey everyone, Drew back here! If you haven't already noticed, I've taken some strides over the past few months to upgrade my collection to something more high end. I've been talking about doing this for a long time, but over the past year I've made a significant effort to make more of less. I had a few certified Reggie Jackson autographs, but I didn't value any of them all that much. So I decided to flip them towards getting some cards I could value, and this was one of the results:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuyt6AjLO9Eq6asx4Knvb4BujOLJDll1FskaN1L3-19-90mTBTNcMXcqeXqmTdxDm0NfylHyjsrDv-46T5KEC2ihTFC94El9XvYeagIJbtqPPLmP2V1TAR5Fw2_iINcxtXxBFWXrRjWdR/s1600/Scan+1+copy+16.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuyt6AjLO9Eq6asx4Knvb4BujOLJDll1FskaN1L3-19-90mTBTNcMXcqeXqmTdxDm0NfylHyjsrDv-46T5KEC2ihTFC94El9XvYeagIJbtqPPLmP2V1TAR5Fw2_iINcxtXxBFWXrRjWdR/s400/Scan+1+copy+16.jpeg" width="250" /></a></div>
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As I hinted a few posts ago, I love the gold frames Topps has been using lately, particularly with Museum Collection. I mean, is there any way to make a player look <i>more</i> like baseball royalty? If anyone deserves a royal presentation in my collection, it would be Reggie. His personality was filled with bravado and swagger, and this card really seems to exploit that.</div>
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When I purchased the card, it was graded a BGS 9, which isn't much of a concern to me. In fact, what I've noticed is that anything below a 9.5 seems to almost sell for less than an ungraded card in good condition. I've taken advantage of this a few times now and have been able to add some nice cards in result. But if the scan didn't show it enough, I hated having this card slabbed. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhud3ID8MiTxVvf3P-vL_aLw1Ps9BItwv6f9szbW05nndAABoqYO610G6M-_omjzLbIjTuQ9lVNxvc7BIdZZt0u9_CzGjmcuKCoGOPzCBZk9RzVVfX2jnCR1zqPKNFmMXs3iM2aL1dfzLRD/s1600/Scan+18.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhud3ID8MiTxVvf3P-vL_aLw1Ps9BItwv6f9szbW05nndAABoqYO610G6M-_omjzLbIjTuQ9lVNxvc7BIdZZt0u9_CzGjmcuKCoGOPzCBZk9RzVVfX2jnCR1zqPKNFmMXs3iM2aL1dfzLRD/s400/Scan+18.jpeg" width="280" /></a></div>
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So I decided to crack it. This was the first time I ever cracked a card before, so I decided to make an event of it live on Instagram with some of my buddies. They laughed hysterically at my poor efforts using a hammer to free the card. Luckily, this card is practically a gold brick, so it was able to fully sustain any of my stupidity, and by the time it finally escaped the BGS prison, it was still in mint condition.<br />
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I'm a sucker for silver ink. It's my cardboard weakness, I won't lie. Everything about this card just made sense for my collection, and I have to admit it looks way better in a magnetic (especially with the gold magnet matching the frame color) than it ever did in that slab. I personally only really like seeing vintage/rookie cards in PSA slabs and Bowman/rookie autographs in BGS slabs. I'm picky, what can I say?<br />
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Did I make the right call? Let me know in the comments below how you like your graded cards.Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-41714077606513288752017-02-15T15:43:00.001-05:002017-02-15T15:52:51.572-05:00The Aroldis Chapman Conundrum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hey everyone! So pitchers and catchers have reported, and that is <i>awesome</i>. The worst part of the year is finally over. Ever since I was knocked out of my fantasy football playoffs and watched the Patriots perform miracles in the Super Bowl, I've been geared up for baseball season. While the Yankees are in the midst of a "don't call it a rebuild" rebuild period, I actually am anxious to get the season underway and see what the kids can do.</div>
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It was a pretty quiet offseason for Cashman and crew, if you consider spending over $100 million quiet. However, a bulk of that money was put towards our brand old southpaw closer, Aroldis Chapman. I've made it pretty clear that I don't support what Chapman has done (nobody should). But regardless, what's done is done and technology hasn't yet allowed for time travel to reverse mistakes.</div>
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I picked up one of Chapman's better cards on eBay before the signing, in anticipation that the card's price would rise when he inevitably became a Yankee again:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXhURs3WGAxeprw_O7joVC9B7_-egYaOVq_yLd-kvXecpA63EbJ78p6yY8u27sZI7kHuLBe4na1S3lC9_Lu5c3bvuwqdziavNcdwghl3XzbSBZM6ZTt9L_ReeseRyIaOBC7kRI9PqMW7z/s1600/Scan+1+copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXhURs3WGAxeprw_O7joVC9B7_-egYaOVq_yLd-kvXecpA63EbJ78p6yY8u27sZI7kHuLBe4na1S3lC9_Lu5c3bvuwqdziavNcdwghl3XzbSBZM6ZTt9L_ReeseRyIaOBC7kRI9PqMW7z/s400/Scan+1+copy.jpeg" width="281" /></a></div>
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The 2010 Bowman refractors scan awfully, I must say. Nevertheless, this is Chapman's rookie refractor autograph, a card I had always wanted but never been able to afford. In light of his domestic violence incident, his card prices have generally fallen as you would expect. I wouldn't consider the price I paid a victory because of the circumstances (much like how I was able to add the Jose Fernandez Bowman auto after his death), but I was satisfied with its cost.</div>
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Now that Chapman has a lot of guaranteed money to work with, we'll see his true colors. Of course, if he didn't behave in his contract year, he wouldn't have been awarded a record contract for closers. I get that. </div>
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But I've always been willing to give athletes second chances after coming to grips with what they had done, as long as they seemed to learn from it. Michael Vick is a prime example of this. My friend shared a video of Vick's career highlights recently on facebook, and I realized how great it was to be able to watch him do what he did best: play football. He paid the price for what he did, and he genuinely seems to want to make a difference off the field by speaking to kids constantly about how to treat animals. So now, when I watch old footage of Vick scrambling downfield, I can enjoy it without any feelings of guilt.</div>
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Because Chapman isn't a native of this country, it may be more difficult for him to express himself to the media and fans. But I hope over the next 3-5 years I'll be able to feel similarly about Chapman as I now do about Vick. If this is the case, I'll have this beautiful, shiny autographed card of his to enjoy.</div>
Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-89134764634447235212017-02-12T14:14:00.000-05:002017-02-12T14:14:03.654-05:00Christmas Gifts in February: Andrew's Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hey everyone, Drew back here. Alright, so maybe the comeback was a little bit of a tease. What more could you have expected from perhaps the most consistently inconsistent blogger in the community? </div>
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Anyway, I'm going to at least shoot for one post a week, and this week I'm going to start catching up on some of the mail I've received from some of my friends. We begin with a Christmas gift I received from Andrew, of the now pretty much extinct <a href="http://andrewsbaseballcards.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Everyday Holliday</a> blog. Andrew is finishing up high school now and; while he's still involved heavily through his Instagram (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/everyday_holliday7/" target="_blank">@everyday_holliday7</a>), he's seemed to move away from the blogs. If he ever does make his way back here like I did, he would most certainly be welcomed back.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKMew6inPntWHCneP-Fk17OaBOkfgKByEWSCjuCWAmo3LbONY4B6_MrNecaUQnNiLAxHCYrq6kBfWdlcsAYCDty5mBdkwfiPVfSV_SRGGl6iGCWODxnjvqwHlHpKt8zLB3aR4yKWKNyN4/s1600/filename-1+%25283%2529+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKMew6inPntWHCneP-Fk17OaBOkfgKByEWSCjuCWAmo3LbONY4B6_MrNecaUQnNiLAxHCYrq6kBfWdlcsAYCDty5mBdkwfiPVfSV_SRGGl6iGCWODxnjvqwHlHpKt8zLB3aR4yKWKNyN4/s400/filename-1+%25283%2529+copy.jpg" width="285" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDAvt2n0fgRnCyyhlnEF2LECelHrCvq3U5VWamTszUVgQMmrxs_S4OlWgEFMRXikAquDHvjfOTKTLshMHdc_2iZDNUmHQf37HVli8PjdbsDLT5Kk0lVYg5cwVNWowBcpEFEiFFffvnzLY/s1600/filename-1+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDAvt2n0fgRnCyyhlnEF2LECelHrCvq3U5VWamTszUVgQMmrxs_S4OlWgEFMRXikAquDHvjfOTKTLshMHdc_2iZDNUmHQf37HVli8PjdbsDLT5Kk0lVYg5cwVNWowBcpEFEiFFffvnzLY/s400/filename-1+%25283%2529.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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His package contained a bunch of various odds and ends I really didn't expect. To begin, here were a couple really nice parallels of some of the Yankees high end pitching prospects. </div>
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Domingo Acevedo put together a strong 2016 season and fits the mold of "tall Yankees right hander who throws gas" (a la Dellin Betances). It will be interesting to see if he can string together another excellent year; because if it weren't for the year Chance Adams had (not to mention all the new young acquisitions), he would be all the talk. </div>
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Speaking of which, Justus Sheffield was acquired from the Indians last July in the Andrew Miller deal. The lefty found success in his brief stint for the Yankees following the trade, and projects as our second best pitching prospect behind James Kaprielian.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8GDKhWPEPCJXJm5RjJR3riXJ99IdzcRVSdtOgDmS6CavMwpt97fsWjkNMA1_LYIjtrK9QRFjWnT7A4K7TbQqmNLn5WYMv-JqdY3-clnkL9rzvSSDqyNLi1_JMTwzLPUr_t5u1J8Ls8s-/s1600/filename-1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8GDKhWPEPCJXJm5RjJR3riXJ99IdzcRVSdtOgDmS6CavMwpt97fsWjkNMA1_LYIjtrK9QRFjWnT7A4K7TbQqmNLn5WYMv-JqdY3-clnkL9rzvSSDqyNLi1_JMTwzLPUr_t5u1J8Ls8s-/s400/filename-1+copy.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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Tyler Wade is going to have to work really hard if he wants to play for the Yankees going forward. Wade does a lot of things well, but nothing exceptionally. He currently ranks as our tenth best prospect according to <a href="http://riveraveblues.com/2017/02/2017-preseason-top-30-prospects-148456/#more-148456" target="_blank">River Ave Blues</a>, but with Didi Gregorius, Gleyber Torres, and Jorge Mateo also listed under shortstop on the organizational depth chart, he may need to find a new position. Last fall, he tried playing outfield in the Arizona Fall League, which could open up an opportunity for him to supplant Ronald Torreyes or Rob Refsnyder as the utility man in the long run.</div>
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Wade was certainly one of the top Yankees prospects I needed a refractor autograph of for my collection, and Andrew was able to knock him off my list as my main gift. However, he went overboard and spoiled me with some other stuff...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfiVy3iEsymMPIj8lqOcFTAJBpoq9EoR8bj0lari7l7-7wPMIl-YXA3NyjkGYn8QtCUltwOft25hg8Dpx_tE4IZfVr_Iu-FNFSlv09AaU5FyFsa9F7XNfJy_BVOOJpZKg5Uhdvb1Yu8aa/s1600/filename-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfiVy3iEsymMPIj8lqOcFTAJBpoq9EoR8bj0lari7l7-7wPMIl-YXA3NyjkGYn8QtCUltwOft25hg8Dpx_tE4IZfVr_Iu-FNFSlv09AaU5FyFsa9F7XNfJy_BVOOJpZKg5Uhdvb1Yu8aa/s400/filename-1.jpg" width="287" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5TmihLOoN7eHfef5NhG9GjuDEMU2XyEOndEfFfe0M6vWBsxPiLLUNt5xCpaJq5OGU7gHx9nssOw19Md7mY3vNmItW7CJeW_YbmN6-HmnXKam2-kWIg8jG41NpQ-3JXT_B970OFPbSSau/s1600/filename-1+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5TmihLOoN7eHfef5NhG9GjuDEMU2XyEOndEfFfe0M6vWBsxPiLLUNt5xCpaJq5OGU7gHx9nssOw19Md7mY3vNmItW7CJeW_YbmN6-HmnXKam2-kWIg8jG41NpQ-3JXT_B970OFPbSSau/s400/filename-1+%25282%2529.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
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Ah, arguably the Yankees two best pitchers, Masahiro Tanaka and Aroldis Chapman. You can definitely add Dellin Betances in this upper tier, but after that there are endless questions about the rest of the pitching staff. Can Michael Pineda be a <i>little</i> consistent? Can CC Sabathia repeat his bounceback year? And most importantly, is Luis Severino more of the 2015 or 2016 version? These questions are paramount to the team's success this year and to the future teams.</div>
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I absolutely love the Gypsy Queen relic of Tanaka. The card design just works for me. Also, the Chapman relic is an instance where a gray relic actually looks good aesthetically!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfIiKbn0GJCYHQNFqajQytXP8f74EFtbSSfL7wkFwr4Ce2pR9EybR0mlg4mzfmDHyQiPqbgcSWFSK92Hnh95Nu5nMFHEkyYu0MOzynvjv4jAVgnOkQxVs2wpAqYIlh-OnHgLUdU09VgKK/s1600/filename-1+%25282%2529+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfIiKbn0GJCYHQNFqajQytXP8f74EFtbSSfL7wkFwr4Ce2pR9EybR0mlg4mzfmDHyQiPqbgcSWFSK92Hnh95Nu5nMFHEkyYu0MOzynvjv4jAVgnOkQxVs2wpAqYIlh-OnHgLUdU09VgKK/s400/filename-1+%25282%2529+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Wait, wait, wait. Hold up. Why are there Matt Holliday cards in a package from "Everyday Holliday"? Well, Andrew is a Cardinals fan and had two PC's: Matt Holliday and Aroldis Chapman. And as of now, both of those players are now on the Yankees roster, which is not exactly something he was envisioning. So, he's decided to cut bait with some of the lower end cards of those collections (hence the Chapman above, as well as the next few Holliday's).</div>
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2008 Upper Deck A Piece of History was one of the first products I really got into when I took the next step in my early collecting years. Holliday was a heck of a player in his Rockies days.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gFgqIaf7rF6YODanGEY3MESqWIIeDDVZdjqt05WltRFcVLc9dCX3nihLyDBD2G3VgRVS9irAMUdSuJZe8HgWs30WZCglG77Y6-TKpBSAn-OLXYtw5lVPJSHI4iEmIr895MJMsSiZ0HA_/s1600/filename-1+%25281%2529+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gFgqIaf7rF6YODanGEY3MESqWIIeDDVZdjqt05WltRFcVLc9dCX3nihLyDBD2G3VgRVS9irAMUdSuJZe8HgWs30WZCglG77Y6-TKpBSAn-OLXYtw5lVPJSHI4iEmIr895MJMsSiZ0HA_/s400/filename-1+%25281%2529+copy.jpg" width="282" /></a><br />
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In a deal Andrew and I made early last summer, I sent him a parallel of this autograph from 2007 Bowman's Best. Now, I've got the base version of that card back in my collection. In 2007, Holliday batted .340 with 36 home runs and 137 RBI's. If he can do half of that pinstripes, I'd be satisfied.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ_37BJS0aa1keo3RDNXoG4A9qVT3Q_4vzsrdM4RZIb4F0NlDJo-nDIw7O9zVSi8IuVljbk8EalZ117dxEdjRSrDJWNKJTDTEqoWIQpAfPC-IZh-pBsyBG0GGq468BChvHC_iBhCiZzO_/s1600/filename-1+%25284%2529+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ_37BJS0aa1keo3RDNXoG4A9qVT3Q_4vzsrdM4RZIb4F0NlDJo-nDIw7O9zVSi8IuVljbk8EalZ117dxEdjRSrDJWNKJTDTEqoWIQpAfPC-IZh-pBsyBG0GGq468BChvHC_iBhCiZzO_/s400/filename-1+%25284%2529+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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I actually knew I was getting this card, because I bought it off of him before he mailed out my Christmas gift. I really am not a fan of sticker autographs at this point, but most of Holliday's affordable autographs are on sticker. He really doesn't sign much, actually. I love this card from 2008 Topps Triple Threads, one of the first high end products I remember watching box breaks for. This one is numbered 5/18.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLScj4rKq5T7-lKMMzhnNM22U-tVJOA7IS6CKdaDh4gMHOs7_8EPBw4cUKicfXVyJjww6hljRwz7V3Tsc4oWHrIA8D_XxNA6zSKAfgNxCFUW5BGaei9siOQrsgNOJTFeL0gF8kFr2Npj-u/s1600/filename-1+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLScj4rKq5T7-lKMMzhnNM22U-tVJOA7IS6CKdaDh4gMHOs7_8EPBw4cUKicfXVyJjww6hljRwz7V3Tsc4oWHrIA8D_XxNA6zSKAfgNxCFUW5BGaei9siOQrsgNOJTFeL0gF8kFr2Npj-u/s400/filename-1+%25281%2529.jpg" width="282" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1C01s5xmRZ1qQhkEIAGQrwAumwYoi42BzcP5Jt_RdJvUrvoCD22HhCAf0JQoRZLZ-S9w_MZ4NytgFbp6AjgbeHiTIm3gDeWDdgdsYqqW4gafptEP2T2fNbcD0HbnZK60uf3cMUq-UC4zV/s1600/filename-1+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1C01s5xmRZ1qQhkEIAGQrwAumwYoi42BzcP5Jt_RdJvUrvoCD22HhCAf0JQoRZLZ-S9w_MZ4NytgFbp6AjgbeHiTIm3gDeWDdgdsYqqW4gafptEP2T2fNbcD0HbnZK60uf3cMUq-UC4zV/s400/filename-1+%25284%2529.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
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Lastly, Andrew threw in an autograph of the aforementioned Severino and a really nice Joe Panik out of Topps High Tek numbered to 99. I probably am of the minority when it comes to Topps High Tek: I'm not really much of a fan in most cases. I think the clear acetate style cards are sort of a gimmick, and my opinion varies from a card to card basis. I won't even try to figure out what version the Panik is, but it is a good looking card and I appreciate the kind gesture!</div>
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Andrew is a heck of a good dude, and I think more people need to know that. If you have an Instagram, be sure to check out his if you haven't already. Thanks for the awesome stuff!</div>
Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-60126983828024913332017-02-05T12:19:00.000-05:002017-02-05T12:19:25.336-05:00America vs. The Patriots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Okay, so I took a couple days off, but don't worry I'm still here! It is Super Bowl Sunday, America's most widely celebrated holiday as far as I can tell. A year ago, I spent my Super Bowl at a bar in Florence explaining the rules of the game to a kid from South Korea. I was out until 4:30 in the morning because of the time difference, and had up to be up by 8:00 for class. Good times.</div>
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Since the topic of the day is football, I figured I would catch you up on a few really sweet Jets cards I've picked up in recent months. Now, I know, the words "sweet" and "Jets" shouldn't usually be used in the same sentence, but take my word for this please.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013 Topps Five Star Curtis Martin Auto 15/25</td></tr>
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First, I was able to finally add my all time favorite football player, Curtis Martin, to my autograph collection. Martin was the star of the first Jets team I payed any attention to, and I immediately gravitated towards him. Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, new Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson, the late Joe McKnight, Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell, and Matt Forte have since shared the backfield, but nobody has done it for me quite like Curtis did.<div>
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Last summer at a card show I debated whether to buy myself a full sized signed helmet of his, and ended up coming up just short on the funds necessary to do that. Several months later, I bought this beautiful card for a fraction of the price.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0FIZEzD7UsA3js2p1DjqP2Hi20ryMJPAo6zhkplza1YS1gOyobcI6K9rNMMB7MpF6Kpssis81U1DeOz9THlLkHYCsWk0ku2r4rBNgW77H4r-CoOvvogGzyXO2Voi4kwy7N9SEdVU9cMb/s1600/28202610145_6f1f4ca6b6_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0FIZEzD7UsA3js2p1DjqP2Hi20ryMJPAo6zhkplza1YS1gOyobcI6K9rNMMB7MpF6Kpssis81U1DeOz9THlLkHYCsWk0ku2r4rBNgW77H4r-CoOvvogGzyXO2Voi4kwy7N9SEdVU9cMb/s400/28202610145_6f1f4ca6b6_o.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015 Topps Chrome Leonard Williams Auto /99</td></tr>
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There was something really appealing about this camo parallel rookie autograph of our lone Pro Bowler, Leonard Williams. The "Big Cat" delivered on his 6th overall draft selection this year and picked up the slack left behind by Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson. The defense this year was so disappointing, with Williams being the only true exception.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZJwqKhWYZ26AyvwmZ7IPdsfZ1UTjmkfNSBvYXA4M7SgyhMno91HU66ddlPo7ui9ybb8bU9Qgc0qIzuL-wn2f9lI1pjZ0XcRuK8BqTVT5Rg_LxbfJkYA-OJgFv2QWKA3B9J3zdy0kYl18/s1600/29931312220_8aef55f953_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZJwqKhWYZ26AyvwmZ7IPdsfZ1UTjmkfNSBvYXA4M7SgyhMno91HU66ddlPo7ui9ybb8bU9Qgc0qIzuL-wn2f9lI1pjZ0XcRuK8BqTVT5Rg_LxbfJkYA-OJgFv2QWKA3B9J3zdy0kYl18/s400/29931312220_8aef55f953_o.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014 Panini Flawless Eric Decker Auto 14/25</td></tr>
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Ryan Fitzpatrick really missed Eric Decker this year. He only played in 3 games in 2016 before being placed on IR for hip and shoulder injuries that both required surgery. It sounds like he should be ready to go by the start of next season, which hopefully can help regain some of the magic he and Brandon Marshall shared the season prior.</div>
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Regardless of how the rest of his Jets career plays out, I'll never forget him for my all time favorite in person memory. Dad and I finally got to see a Jets vs. Patriots game in 2015, and Decker <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EHM9agzdV8" target="_blank">hauled in the game winning touchdown reception</a> in the corner of the end zone that kept us in the playoff hunt. While I don't like talking about what happened in Buffalo the next week, in that moment I was so proud to be a Jets fan.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmw4ei98MTMyBa6varmKV1LZJpFTFUadLcjR1_q9pR9gc8sUMDde3lI-w8Z2TipWNi9b8tvmRTkEOtDlzJcnMngwmZIYkaJ4IoP_IWEKNT5bZtmt8et5ny0pz2QcIRaXA3tSk3RvzUjsyq/s1600/31927071826_9014ff4a97_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmw4ei98MTMyBa6varmKV1LZJpFTFUadLcjR1_q9pR9gc8sUMDde3lI-w8Z2TipWNi9b8tvmRTkEOtDlzJcnMngwmZIYkaJ4IoP_IWEKNT5bZtmt8et5ny0pz2QcIRaXA3tSk3RvzUjsyq/s400/31927071826_9014ff4a97_o.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015 Panini Luxe Darrelle Revis Patch Auto 4/5</td></tr>
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We'll close this up with the man famous for shutting down this generation's best wide receivers in the game, Darrelle Revis. It was not a good year for "Revis Island". But, as a Jet fan I've gotten used to trying to find some form of a silver lining for everything so I keep from losing my sanity. We <i>only</i> have 3 more years to go!</div>
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Now I don't mean to sound like a downer, but man has this guy put us through a lot over the years. I feel like his entire career has been a contract negotiation. He left us and went to the Bucs, and then won a Super Bowl with the devil! It was extremely painful seeing him hoist the Lombardi Trophy with Tom Brady by his side, but I guess in a weird way I'm glad he got the chance to win after quite possibly being the greatest defensive player in franchise history.</div>
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So while he may continue to bug me for 3 more years as he gets old and wears down, he'll always be a Jet legend and down the road I'll be even happier to own this card. Also, I'm starting to grow very fond of these framed autographs. They're very aesthetically pleasing.</div>
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Alright, so that'll have it. No Joe Namath auto <i>yet</i>, apologies.</div>
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Go Falcons!</div>
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Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-10572234085310432292017-02-02T11:00:00.000-05:002017-02-02T11:00:16.180-05:00Massive Robinson Cano Collection Overhaul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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During my blog absence, I've made one thing especially clear to myself: stop wasting money on collecting unproven players. Sure, it's awesome to have a bunch of autographs of the next phenom player, but prospects can be so hit or miss that it usually doesn't work out in your favor.</div>
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Luis Severino was my main PC focus of 2016. He came off an electric 11 start stretch to begin his career at the end of the 2015 season, which was enough for me to drop all of my other collections and solely focus on the new Yankees "ace". But, as with most 22 year old pitchers, there isn't always a clear road to superstardom. Severino struggled immensely in the starting rotation in 2016, but at least showed flashes of brilliance in the bullpen. I'll be honest, I'm a little down on him compared to how I used to feel about him. Do I think he's going to be a bust? Absolutely not. At the very least, I think he's going to be a dominant bullpen arm if he can avoid the injury bug. At best, I think he can still be an ace (or close to it).</div>
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Meanwhile, Robinson Cano continued to age like a fine wine, and actually had his most powerful season to date in 2016 with the Mariners. He batted .298 with 39 home runs and 103 RBI, which he definitely needed to boost his future Hall of Fame case. I'm still a little sour that the Yankees couldn't come up with the funds necessary to keep him longterm, but could instead sign Ellsbury, McCann, Tanaka, and Beltran with relative ease. But after the trades for Starlin Castro and the now #3 prospect in baseball; Gleyber Torres, I don't feel <i>as</i> bad about it!</div>
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With that said, I arrived at the decision I mentioned above, <i>stop wasting money on collecting unproven players</i>. Instead, I sold a few of my lower end Severino and Cano autographs to make some serious Cano PC upgrades:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWVl4XHVSQML0gTGkwXjtK4zXKnGpAF3m6eRrZieAib_1JXxHvQOL7WUqgdfsFyqC-BNwdB9duDqxEJh8F2sx9dC3czsz1AylN_WPdnNU9WakJtOJz3KDRVNxfHuTOcJ-mhYwcmY9B9sW/s1600/filename-1+copy+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWVl4XHVSQML0gTGkwXjtK4zXKnGpAF3m6eRrZieAib_1JXxHvQOL7WUqgdfsFyqC-BNwdB9duDqxEJh8F2sx9dC3czsz1AylN_WPdnNU9WakJtOJz3KDRVNxfHuTOcJ-mhYwcmY9B9sW/s400/filename-1+copy+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>2013 Topps Five Star Autographed Patch 14/35</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIbciDc4kuOxdFhhUeZUAWA8Dvzmb4qCa0tOp6gJSMjIHdKs9EFIMm5-lzUKHW5y5vKL4rzR3exwyXsIzUMjEmGP8PFWlXESDKvxyz0AGNOVrKa-EvbOc94sPgPfSTVrUjureI-zNCjNh/s1600/filename-1+copy+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIbciDc4kuOxdFhhUeZUAWA8Dvzmb4qCa0tOp6gJSMjIHdKs9EFIMm5-lzUKHW5y5vKL4rzR3exwyXsIzUMjEmGP8PFWlXESDKvxyz0AGNOVrKa-EvbOc94sPgPfSTVrUjureI-zNCjNh/s400/filename-1+copy+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>2016 Topps Stadium Club Lone Star Signatures Autograph 15/25</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Yjj75ZJ-1tdUew3QRpRogw8iVYPXIkap8WoQe1Wi29aJLkdSHL8sqoxnOYhhskmHJawIrZ8qDyORaPaSkqNmMBicAajGJwz3qx9c3dqYpluKkkuHM0oOi0Cam-QvjXac4cR0fsAYYmom/s1600/Scan+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Yjj75ZJ-1tdUew3QRpRogw8iVYPXIkap8WoQe1Wi29aJLkdSHL8sqoxnOYhhskmHJawIrZ8qDyORaPaSkqNmMBicAajGJwz3qx9c3dqYpluKkkuHM0oOi0Cam-QvjXac4cR0fsAYYmom/s400/Scan+1.jpeg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>2006 Topps Allen & Ginter Framed Autograph</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8CNCOH7m-_QfM1ox9j0hbOoNBRLfJu1YpMYQQK1uZ1EyLechkMS3JRX0LwAzjUSZvooiaFzrltWxJ990Nxmd1Wzt7QTShXowON3IhW56zH25FgylDNP1erN7GnASIF0DxzXok_a8wq1p/s1600/Scan+1+copy+3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8CNCOH7m-_QfM1ox9j0hbOoNBRLfJu1YpMYQQK1uZ1EyLechkMS3JRX0LwAzjUSZvooiaFzrltWxJ990Nxmd1Wzt7QTShXowON3IhW56zH25FgylDNP1erN7GnASIF0DxzXok_a8wq1p/s400/Scan+1+copy+3.jpeg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>2016 Topps Tier One Jumbo Patch Autograph 5/5</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMmukjg3ViCgIGeA9L9PDc08Et3qKtYDsKuBV0RqOlTTB-PvBIro-L4TiGXG3Roo9A__EmaLWnQpPq47nz1bOayQvK09g4DAvypk8FK6icBCGGmCFXoj7w4-edj4TDGBrdKBI0yrrjxAG/s1600/Scan+1+copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMmukjg3ViCgIGeA9L9PDc08Et3qKtYDsKuBV0RqOlTTB-PvBIro-L4TiGXG3Roo9A__EmaLWnQpPq47nz1bOayQvK09g4DAvypk8FK6icBCGGmCFXoj7w4-edj4TDGBrdKBI0yrrjxAG/s400/Scan+1+copy.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>2016 Topps Triple Threads Relic Auto Combo w/Felix, Iwakuma 33/36</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeDY3itxU_6zJ7twzgV17hme00jvfGkUUXDNpsJaYSwdFFmz89MfKJJ90u4IUv0mdTy1P-6iwXAxMboa4NgHnDeit32yW1a7kj3EzC-7QySkXhRPuMii4X7bJp_zzYuvhVjHXp4KYEE0a/s1600/filename-1+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeDY3itxU_6zJ7twzgV17hme00jvfGkUUXDNpsJaYSwdFFmz89MfKJJ90u4IUv0mdTy1P-6iwXAxMboa4NgHnDeit32yW1a7kj3EzC-7QySkXhRPuMii4X7bJp_zzYuvhVjHXp4KYEE0a/s400/filename-1+copy+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>2016 Topps Triple Threads Relic Autograph Sapphire 3/3</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7881jjd8awPtYkXoA1lSmJK50IL9xV12VnZdK0v2CpmqkAQ625XOBkrybj54g5zPJA-iyOPb-cyryY2alfoumzDhMPgvhYw6tP37l-AxBkv0tl-sEF_sy5PRe8OAcxftMSaK4BxILmtx8/s1600/Scan+3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7881jjd8awPtYkXoA1lSmJK50IL9xV12VnZdK0v2CpmqkAQ625XOBkrybj54g5zPJA-iyOPb-cyryY2alfoumzDhMPgvhYw6tP37l-AxBkv0tl-sEF_sy5PRe8OAcxftMSaK4BxILmtx8/s400/Scan+3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>2016 Topps Dynasty Autograph Patch 3/10</b></td></tr>
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So, I think you all know who my sole PC is now. While I'll continue to sparsely collect some of my favorite Yankees and homegrown stud Joe Panik, I'm focused on making my Cano collection as good as I can. I'm done taking chances, and *knock on wood* Cano is about as safe a bet as there is.</div>
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And by the way, if you think I'm made of money suddenly, I'm not. All of these cards came my way through budgeting and selling other things! I'm in the process of turning my lower end portion of my collection into slightly more of a mid-high end range, and so far it's going really well. I've been able to add quite a few really nice autographs basically just for things I don't want as much.</div>
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PS: Thank you <a href="http://andrewsbaseballcards.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Andrew</a> for selling me the triple autograph, and to the Instagram user @atl_cards I bought the Dynasty autograph off of. </div>
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Alright, I'll talk to you guys tomorrow (hopefully)! (Leaving this at the end of each post to motivate myself not to be a bad blogger)Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-64644524836359693122017-02-01T11:00:00.000-05:002017-02-01T11:00:04.036-05:00Hall of Fame Signed Baseball - Willie McCovey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hey everyone! I know, you're probably shocked that I've posted three days in a row. And you probably also think that in a week I won't post again for another three months. If so, I totally get that, and there's definitely a likelihood that will be the case. For now, we're going to let the good times roll.</div>
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In order to properly put a bow on the Bronx Baseball Bonanza show I went to last Saturday, I have to show off my other new prize. At the show, my vendor friend Joe I mentioned in <a href="http://www.drewshotcorner.com/2017/01/2017-bronx-baseball-bonanza-signing.html" target="_blank">yesterday's post</a> was really helpful with some non-hobby related ventures of mine, and my Dad and I thought it would be best to buy something from him as a "thank you". And now that you're caught up, voila...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Wq2kq08RwmVUEh3hhi5MteV0rYBD6PIqAxymhyphenhyphen-XEZ5o7t9lu_VMANkt66i3Wk_Iiyc2MG0zSwEpQi-1Kh6p4PLR9zfisB7dZ6IuvkEbCFHZ169HqhMHkniXfzLAwuGvV16ohFJ48jVX/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1b14.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Wq2kq08RwmVUEh3hhi5MteV0rYBD6PIqAxymhyphenhyphen-XEZ5o7t9lu_VMANkt66i3Wk_Iiyc2MG0zSwEpQi-1Kh6p4PLR9zfisB7dZ6IuvkEbCFHZ169HqhMHkniXfzLAwuGvV16ohFJ48jVX/s640/fullsizeoutput_1b14.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My 24th Hall of Fame signed baseball is of Willie McCovey! This ball is in mint condition, and is certified by Steiner. When compared to the other McCovey balls he had, I felt as though this was the one to have because it appears that the signature had the best chance of lasting long-term. It wasn't cheap, but it was worth it. I've been wanting a ball of the Giants slugger for some time now, and have come to the conclusion that I probably won't ever get to meet him considering his declining health.<br />
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Ultimately, I think a big reason I don't often go after Hall of Fame signed baseballs is because I plan to try to meet as many of them as possible. But when I know the chances are slim, I'm more likely to pounce on one. Dad paid for a majority of the ball, so thank you so much for the great gift. This one is already in my Hall of Fame baseball display, and will stay there for the foreseeable future.<br />
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Alright, I'll talk to you guys tomorrow (hopefully)!Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-79812890746558164222017-01-31T11:00:00.000-05:002017-01-31T11:00:12.488-05:002017 Bronx Baseball Bonanza Signing Recap!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hey everyone, Drew back here for the first time in well, too long. I can't believe how long its been. I usually begin each post talking about how long its been, but this post gap crushes any of the previous ones. I've been around, as many of you have seen me on Twitter and Instagram amidst my absence. But to the rest of you, I hope you had a wonderful Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/etc., and New Year! </div>
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I have quite a bit to share with you all, and I really don't know how I'm going to do it. I haven't put time towards the blog in any way, but I decided to renew it anyway in January in hopes that I would end up posting again. Hopefully I can try to take the next few months to give you some sort of idea as to where I've been. Similar to Michael Jordan, I took some time to explore some new ventures, realized they weren't quite as appealing (not drugs, I swear), and returned to what I thoroughly enjoy. Yeah, I just compared myself to MJ, have at me.</div>
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First; however, I wish to share this past weekend's adventures in New Jersey. Dad and I made the trip for the third consecutive year to the Hilton Doubletree Hotel in Fort Lee, where MAB Celebrity organized another fantastic Yankees autograph show. The lineup was stacked as usual, with 12 players from the 1977 World Series team in attendance on Saturday (and <a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/5a/f9/b2/5af9b257e43afd961f34c5a9ae80b99f.jpg" target="_blank">Ralph Macchio</a>!). I used some of my Christmas funds to add some desperately needed names to my Mona Lisa; the Mickey Mantle 16x20 I've previously showed off.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeBHhMRFP3VUwY63VIG_8iqCxFqd2uiHWrWm9RqcgDwqEY12Grumrmck4x95zvoKRfQaIc0bJT9gBoaJipZgPY3mOjJKSAnLfPn4daMofYoU4-uev1F1Z5b1GiAm6j9OBZP9OdPD0knAT/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1af9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeBHhMRFP3VUwY63VIG_8iqCxFqd2uiHWrWm9RqcgDwqEY12Grumrmck4x95zvoKRfQaIc0bJT9gBoaJipZgPY3mOjJKSAnLfPn4daMofYoU4-uev1F1Z5b1GiAm6j9OBZP9OdPD0knAT/s640/fullsizeoutput_1af9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you've read this blog in the past, you may know about my affection for Roy White, former Yankees left fielder from 1965-1979. I met him at a local Holiday Inn card show when I was probably only 8 or 9, and he was the first player I ever met. I was probably the most excited kid in the world all throughout that day; knowing I had an autograph of a former big leaguer, and better yet, a Yankee. </div>
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I've since met him several other times over the years at various shows, and he's always been very soft spoken but kind and courteous. The last time I met him, he signed an 8x10 copy of the picture of he and I (<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezcsr7nKYUB-L8ffNO8cbzJXmU2rPPdVbuDWavJA4sf_MEmHhcNbGuoLh3Sgq9LoEA0c1X75PeYNIQ14fPrpw74S4RE5YML6w5Nl0PN7Nx3D92Vs4_rpdrKLNxsqq1WLaAGrGVbxB69k/s1600/scan0083.jpg" target="_blank">see here</a>). This time, I finally had him sign the project I've been working on for about 5 years now. Dad brought up that I have pictures with him that really show me growing up, and White seemed bummed that I didn't have them on me to show him. I certainly plan on meeting him once more just to show him those. He's as classy as they come.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB28IaAaokv2CE-oD_EG63sgthC1uVRozvwTiMlfc9yxnrl2l03ygW_y-k1p9RiZrL6TQ3yEWUMSxZ4dZS69EKo2ZTK_SL6XX1ty1r1ObhrHDV0OwXfluEorrSH2jC939uiO8ooDDKRfCa/s1600/IMG_4743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB28IaAaokv2CE-oD_EG63sgthC1uVRozvwTiMlfc9yxnrl2l03ygW_y-k1p9RiZrL6TQ3yEWUMSxZ4dZS69EKo2ZTK_SL6XX1ty1r1ObhrHDV0OwXfluEorrSH2jC939uiO8ooDDKRfCa/s640/IMG_4743.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next, we had an unexpectedly bizarre experience with "Louisiana Lightning" himself, Ron Guidry. Guidry is not a frequent signer in the Northeast. I believe he still lives in Louisiana, which is part of why I've never had the chance to meet him. </div>
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Anyway, before we went up to shake his hand, we stopped at our good vendor friend Joe's table to catch up. He wanted to enhance our moment with Guidry, so he pulled out an old check of Guidry's from a box for me to give to him. The check emerged inside a lot of memorabilia Joe had purchased in the past, and it contained Guidry's Social Security number on it. It probably wasn't a good thing that his check was floating around, although Joe wouldn't have done anything to harm Mr. Guidry or his family.</div>
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Dad and I eventually got through the crowd and up to Guidry, and I told him exactly what Joe wanted me to tell him. He took the check, glanced at it, and then turned to his son, befuddled by the odd surprise. His son looked at the writing on the back of the check, and noticed it was his mother's, and they both grew concerned that their personal information could've been in anyone's hands. They were both appreciative of us and of Joe for giving it back to him, and he awarded me with being able to fit his signature into a noticeable gap on my Mantle project. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkECmAcsVVL7C06EzzlMFO1cFgO8Kt8s8lsz3tau4rLIsAX1GK0G1Udqy-6hVT7LhE0CBUk4sl7iVAfsN7yJ3qHC38nAxa3M1Y7Cbf15JzeujD-3IK32h9ELsjy_Lkw6zPHiXUIojf5Ov/s1600/IMG_4734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkECmAcsVVL7C06EzzlMFO1cFgO8Kt8s8lsz3tau4rLIsAX1GK0G1Udqy-6hVT7LhE0CBUk4sl7iVAfsN7yJ3qHC38nAxa3M1Y7Cbf15JzeujD-3IK32h9ELsjy_Lkw6zPHiXUIojf5Ov/s640/IMG_4734.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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At that point, Dad and I wondered just how this could get any better. Several minutes later, we found out exactly how when we met one of the three perfect Yankees pitchers, David Cone! I've always been a big fan of Cone, especially because I've grown up listening to him contribute to a lot of YES Network content. I was a toddler during the 1990's dynasty run, but watching highlights of those teams certainly helped me become the baseball fan I am now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnVpT-DiSvrAnIppMPoRmvBnrHATrAG54BP5vUaxKhkZMmlRpit_oJopMuOuS1rGdjltEDjLlH0VBIiqIS9F9zjhEPNja5aIHFyhRqaq8GqgMzx1AxW-4ZcjtBRb8wkQg4c1T2kjpjoK9/s1600/IMG_4735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnVpT-DiSvrAnIppMPoRmvBnrHATrAG54BP5vUaxKhkZMmlRpit_oJopMuOuS1rGdjltEDjLlH0VBIiqIS9F9zjhEPNja5aIHFyhRqaq8GqgMzx1AxW-4ZcjtBRb8wkQg4c1T2kjpjoK9/s640/IMG_4735.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I passed my picture over for to Cone to sign, he said "wow, that's impressive, it looks like you've put a lot of effort into this". I thanked him for the compliment, and told him his signature would make it even better. He responded by saying he was honored to have his name on my picture, and thanked <i>me</i>. And when we gathered around the table for a picture, he picked up my project and showed it off for the shot, as you see above. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_WHbqEUomB7UYhMfiMVIchQrb9eX_0oixGOXDj6NyksI8WP5F-QDyT2GHEkOlMik0lG4VC3XUZ3CDi4CS-Do4_-XyZGmppXFW7bNp5q8eICaHObdmCA5-36Ua3OnOpnWU1qNSy7s34ny/s1600/IMG_4737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_WHbqEUomB7UYhMfiMVIchQrb9eX_0oixGOXDj6NyksI8WP5F-QDyT2GHEkOlMik0lG4VC3XUZ3CDi4CS-Do4_-XyZGmppXFW7bNp5q8eICaHObdmCA5-36Ua3OnOpnWU1qNSy7s34ny/s400/IMG_4737.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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The final player I had a ticket for was the best one, in my opinion, with no disrespect to the greats who came before. Don Mattingly, for the first time in a long time, was back to do a local signing. It hasn't been ideal for the former Yankee captain and MVP to make the journey north for signings considering he's been managing in Los Angeles and Miami since 2011. I actually met him once back in 2010 in White Plains when I was only 13, and I frankly don't remember much from it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbPNDF65p_rgeIO3rUZ4qCSboik9mB4K4INKXDOQQENCCgvwwpcO4sxYZCVUBs0bfxbUi8Jexb3rtKrScbs3uKsmNow6w8bFQVNbAVs1Pv1ym1ShiPVdaSRqeAlN5V24MS_aF-r1GaDEr/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1af5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbPNDF65p_rgeIO3rUZ4qCSboik9mB4K4INKXDOQQENCCgvwwpcO4sxYZCVUBs0bfxbUi8Jexb3rtKrScbs3uKsmNow6w8bFQVNbAVs1Pv1ym1ShiPVdaSRqeAlN5V24MS_aF-r1GaDEr/s640/fullsizeoutput_1af5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It wasn't an easy year for Mattingly, as he lost his ace, Jose Fernandez, in the tragic boating accident back in September. However, he was in good spirits on Saturday, and we really enjoyed getting to talk to him for a little while. I wished him good luck in Miami next year, and we gave our condolences to him for the tough loss. He really seemed to appreciate what we told him, which was a satisfying feeling for sure considering he's one of our all time favorite players.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtSheLKMyLwTH2N_6Fko2FmHPIL7PP-I5zf2hhJbZIZjq-3dLv_wKNvCofS2SFx0pgQzYlDULx7nDyDXFJ1YzdjCJSte7CSBOK7-A1rY9EC9r5jmeZrDSdzDwFWWwjVOQmRXJQFMlaSz9/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1b10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtSheLKMyLwTH2N_6Fko2FmHPIL7PP-I5zf2hhJbZIZjq-3dLv_wKNvCofS2SFx0pgQzYlDULx7nDyDXFJ1YzdjCJSte7CSBOK7-A1rY9EC9r5jmeZrDSdzDwFWWwjVOQmRXJQFMlaSz9/s640/fullsizeoutput_1b10.jpeg" width="574" /></a></div>
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Here is an update on my Mantle project as it currently stands. With the additions of White, Guidry, Cone, and Mattingly, I now have 62 total autographs gracing the photo. I won the picture in a door prize at a White Plains card show with 29 signatures already on it, and have since added 33 of my own. Four Yankees captains and 8 Hall of Famers (including Tim Raines, who <i>finally</i> got his call to the Hall) are among the many gathered around "The Mick". I don't believe I'll be able to fit many more signatures, but there are a few guys I've saved some room for.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwmXhtmxMWF6nMEtIGaHtzqaH4DYOSsHse8S0lCVWkgicbfaDbh0u4qwJBE__DbdkqRzVBcGubtBAZU0-qy-et_iDIKj80Yv9AsU41DdE8gGjln7wwjlJX6q4C4M6eMyEXI-08XTzsapR/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1b12.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwmXhtmxMWF6nMEtIGaHtzqaH4DYOSsHse8S0lCVWkgicbfaDbh0u4qwJBE__DbdkqRzVBcGubtBAZU0-qy-et_iDIKj80Yv9AsU41DdE8gGjln7wwjlJX6q4C4M6eMyEXI-08XTzsapR/s640/fullsizeoutput_1b12.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you look closely, you can see Mattingly's small autograph to the right and above Dave Winfield. I wanted to make sure the two former sluggers would be close to one another. You can also find Cone's signature right above Don Larsen. Because Mattingly signed so small, I have enough room to try and get David Wells too to complete the perfect game trio!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkzCBvgkZKbLt3GO3iBzi5yx2DPnciAlJlYm48Rb0h6xlkdcv_NT6Q5UzXCc66AJXWcRY1bnzTxknElPhl_PUUBga2qd1Izr9jBM8ovC6IfIjrEJPh28MEeeYEfy5S3qDZRaT_l24mdtW/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1b13.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkzCBvgkZKbLt3GO3iBzi5yx2DPnciAlJlYm48Rb0h6xlkdcv_NT6Q5UzXCc66AJXWcRY1bnzTxknElPhl_PUUBga2qd1Izr9jBM8ovC6IfIjrEJPh28MEeeYEfy5S3qDZRaT_l24mdtW/s640/fullsizeoutput_1b13.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On this picture, you can see White's signature to the right of Goose Gossage's and below Bucky Dent's. Also, you can see the small space Ron Guidry squeezed into between Rickey Henderson and Goose.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjayLsMP1nUbAVn2XDLQ9DXAMuuBZtPXqbNOgMEGOQ3B-NvSmQUIMkbrwirejMAC5MA_6G6L0VMJbnaL75auh4umJzxHH_urLm0Mp159QsRquRbNsNqqyhj19NLdpdrnNtZqCIU7oVz9h/s1600/IMG_4736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjayLsMP1nUbAVn2XDLQ9DXAMuuBZtPXqbNOgMEGOQ3B-NvSmQUIMkbrwirejMAC5MA_6G6L0VMJbnaL75auh4umJzxHH_urLm0Mp159QsRquRbNsNqqyhj19NLdpdrnNtZqCIU7oVz9h/s400/IMG_4736.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrXOP38CYh4SRZq3dFQmX_34rmPSN6vYnCqUJFrcTt3_csZCNZODpP1Rs5nlNzghTNATQYM38EhfW0Ki3SdJ1OIqhUwDl0aUzqWtXWsPxNm0x5Y0Y9h4Z4R2LpPIdiFZU62s3sRABaH3X/s1600/IMG_4741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrXOP38CYh4SRZq3dFQmX_34rmPSN6vYnCqUJFrcTt3_csZCNZODpP1Rs5nlNzghTNATQYM38EhfW0Ki3SdJ1OIqhUwDl0aUzqWtXWsPxNm0x5Y0Y9h4Z4R2LpPIdiFZU62s3sRABaH3X/s400/IMG_4741.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Once again, this show was a major hit for Dad and I. We've had some great experiences with Yankees past and present greats through MAB, but I do wish the room was bigger. There are multiple vendors inside the already small room, and people end up crushing each other trying to get towards the front of the pack to meet the people they bought tickets for. The show organizer kept telling people to make room for others, but the only way we could was by getting in the way of the vendors and their tables.<br />
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In addition, there was a point where Reggie Jackson, Don Mattingly, David Cone, Luis Severino, and Willie Randolph were all signing. If you're going to hold a show in such a tiny room for a large audience, I wouldn't suggest putting all the headliners at the same time. If they were spaced out, perhaps it wouldn't have felt so cluttered and uncomfortable. If I didn't have to go to this show, I probably wouldn't, but the lineups have been so good I can never resist. Luckily, the players made up for any of the issues and were as respectful and classy as can be.<br />
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I do have one more thing from this day to share with you guys, but I'll make a separate post of it. Don't worry, I won't be disappearing for 3 months again, at least for now I can assure you.<br />
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Thanks for reading, and have a great day! Spread the word baby, because...<br />
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<img height="299" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5509f0c469bedd4919ca3571/heres-the-perfect-2-word-statement-michael-jordan-sent-out-to-announce-his-return-to-the-nba-20-years-ago.jpg" style="user-select: none;" width="400" /></div>
Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-85275770441853327432017-01-30T21:51:00.000-05:002017-01-30T21:51:15.712-05:00Hey You<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Is there anybody <i>out there</i>?</div>
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You seriously thought I was finished?</div>
Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-33887538465339263022016-10-14T18:49:00.001-04:002016-10-14T19:06:04.072-04:002016 East Coast National High-End Pickups!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hey everyone! How's life? I know I can say nothing but positive things these days, as I've managed to get really involved on campus for the first time. College is actually enjoyable now that I've broken through some barriers and allowed myself the chance to branch out more. I've been working towards advertising some of our local school events, and have even gotten the privilege to meet broadcaster Ian Eagle and talk to him about working in sports. Also, I've been covering a lot of my school's football and soccer games for my Sports Reporting course. So yeah, no complaints at all here.</div>
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Because I've been interning so often on campus, I haven't had time to actually work and make money. I was on a roll with this hobby up until then, but I've got to get a jump start on my future career before I get back to spending a fortune. I have spent some of the money I saved from working literally every single day this summer at a few card shows, and I'll start catching you up by showing you what I got at the East Coast National in August! </div>
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At this show, I had the pleasure of meeting Kenny from <a href="http://cervinupcards.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Torren' Up Cards</a> (which <a href="http://www.drewshotcorner.com/2016/09/zippy-zapped-back-into-blogosphere.html" target="_blank">I talked about</a> a while back). Dad was unable to join me for this one, but he did come with me last weekend to the Fall Classic show that will more than likely be posted next year at this rate (that was a joke). But for now, here's some sweet certified goodness I've had the pleasure of calling my own.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSCGB0csu9pdCiTN36HEnox9tTwv_eim_mqWlZdm_m8-KbfAWATByV_0gG8dwYOgD70aYgfygjumDdyL3tN72L5WYwQ4hK8AJBxUE_5Lj4DaUisxJC5qfkGeqpJLfoP_K08-ctNZDuObd/s1600/filename-1+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSCGB0csu9pdCiTN36HEnox9tTwv_eim_mqWlZdm_m8-KbfAWATByV_0gG8dwYOgD70aYgfygjumDdyL3tN72L5WYwQ4hK8AJBxUE_5Lj4DaUisxJC5qfkGeqpJLfoP_K08-ctNZDuObd/s400/filename-1+%25284%2529.jpg" width="286" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkyJRWPt8vugl-hYDLVvhcilY4HYockNGZzD2RgqIsP2owyANFfEsbqX6iwZKom7BrC2XUtM6sUufmjN-Vv04Ye0QRo6Ajt775kAALWsOKo1tl5wHm9o9pFj29SrVgSyY-krFTwg9xuwI/s1600/filename-1+%25285%2529+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkyJRWPt8vugl-hYDLVvhcilY4HYockNGZzD2RgqIsP2owyANFfEsbqX6iwZKom7BrC2XUtM6sUufmjN-Vv04Ye0QRo6Ajt775kAALWsOKo1tl5wHm9o9pFj29SrVgSyY-krFTwg9xuwI/s400/filename-1+%25285%2529+copy.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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We kick things off with some refractor autographs of Yankees farmhands Domingo Acevedo and Ian Clarkin. I've been working on adding refractor autos of my team's top prospects, and these two were both affordable. I previously owned a graded 9.5 version of the Acevedo, but I accidentally purchased the base instead of the refractor. </div>
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Acevedo is ranked 8th among the Yankees prospects according to MLB.com's Prospect Pipeline. He is making a name for himself by averaging 96-100 mph consistently, and has even hit 103 mph during his time in the minors. At 6'7, he appears to have the prototype and build of a guy named Dellin Betances. I don't know if he'll ever get to that level, but the potential is there for sure.</div>
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Ian Clarkin was drafted 33rd overall and was taken with the supplemental pick the Yankees received when the Nationals signed Rafael Soriano in 2013. He has battled several injuries early on in his big league career, but did pitch to a 3.31 in 18 starts last season for the Tampa Yankees. He currently ranks as the Yankees 17th best prospect in their loaded farm system.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIQdIxKDvbu-R3KBCwd-tj_uaGmU3NFX1KwVKdirU7mh8eGVLazIt97S6TkJuA407g1ba-chXJt8lpnUIMkpA84mLuKgUfE2S7OjksMizNAuFXdbba2ez8EO1RxnWFCOPx-ugl1Sk-T7J/s1600/filename-1+%25284%2529+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIQdIxKDvbu-R3KBCwd-tj_uaGmU3NFX1KwVKdirU7mh8eGVLazIt97S6TkJuA407g1ba-chXJt8lpnUIMkpA84mLuKgUfE2S7OjksMizNAuFXdbba2ez8EO1RxnWFCOPx-ugl1Sk-T7J/s400/filename-1+%25284%2529+copy.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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I also took home this 2015 Bowman Chrome refractor auto of new Yankee Dillon Tate! Tate was the fourth overall selection by Texas in the 2015 Draft, and was dealt to New York in the Carlos Beltran trade this summer. He was originally compared to former Oakland A's hurler Dave Stewart, but hasn't quite lived up to the hype so far. However, since coming to New York his velocity has increased from the high 80's to low 90's in Texas to the mid 90's he was expected to throw. If the velocity can stick as he transitions out of his current bullpen role back to the rotation, he could have a future in pinstripes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkMoVSorjicQXgtDQAC7ixPLWQvgEPH2c6SsPeA68sDf7RXLt6Cynu81Kdpgl7BepcruY2v62ilaH3f1U2pe-3gizAwUepRs6SyGWQuGDhkxnGkfK2nbUTVmV01c_4IeImTY_2MIn0k_y/s1600/filename-1+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkMoVSorjicQXgtDQAC7ixPLWQvgEPH2c6SsPeA68sDf7RXLt6Cynu81Kdpgl7BepcruY2v62ilaH3f1U2pe-3gizAwUepRs6SyGWQuGDhkxnGkfK2nbUTVmV01c_4IeImTY_2MIn0k_y/s400/filename-1+%25282%2529.jpg" width="283" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAz4jW9wow48xtWeoyb3NvMSjsIU_kjHZDPMgH5GdaTTSx0Oe6uhREQJOHactxm9aKBMukSSvjG5SnSp3OVezNB2ayDnP0HNjM5qdoxRcg73G-jo59XjX6lkSL3TDl4PTAGCffNOIO2xt/s1600/filename-1+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAz4jW9wow48xtWeoyb3NvMSjsIU_kjHZDPMgH5GdaTTSx0Oe6uhREQJOHactxm9aKBMukSSvjG5SnSp3OVezNB2ayDnP0HNjM5qdoxRcg73G-jo59XjX6lkSL3TDl4PTAGCffNOIO2xt/s400/filename-1+%25281%2529.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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My basketball collection isn't all that large, but at this show I was able to add a couple big cards to my minuscule Knicks collection. I couldn't believe how cheap these two autographs above of legends Walt Frazier and Willis Reed were. Not only are they both gorgeous on card signatures from high end products, but they're also both extremely limited (Frazier numbered to 20 and Reed to 49). </div>
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Walt 'Clyde' Frazier was a great player in his day, but I know him more for his colorful personality, crazy fashion statements, and, of course; "swishin' and dishin'". He previously held a majority of the team's franchise records until Patrick Ewing eventually surpassed all but Frazier's assists mark. Willis Reed was a former MVP and two-time NBA Finals MVP who was named to the 1996 '50 Greatest Players in NBA History' list. He once played through a torn muscle in his thigh and helped the Knicks win their first of two championships; defeating the Lakers in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals. </div>
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Between the two, there were an awful lot of accolades. For the price I paid, I'd do it all over again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsp4EHQcZ7eumds9q6Qq02OWGiVQyYmayIySMExC1nNHw8CHKSkaQJ5oNffUsaVwt4ue4I9hBcknH_VbEdGBM4g578OJ__eOAL3uOG9Nlh59n3WyqkMEpPmGgmCTXqmiER-JfkeME0i02u/s1600/filename-1+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsp4EHQcZ7eumds9q6Qq02OWGiVQyYmayIySMExC1nNHw8CHKSkaQJ5oNffUsaVwt4ue4I9hBcknH_VbEdGBM4g578OJ__eOAL3uOG9Nlh59n3WyqkMEpPmGgmCTXqmiER-JfkeME0i02u/s400/filename-1+%25283%2529.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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I wasn't done. I had been shopping for a Carmelo Anthony for some time, but couldn't decide which card I preferred to add. This National Treasures beaut numbered to 25 caught my eye that day, and I was able to work the seller down on the price. 'Melo is one of my favorite players to watch in the NBA, and I love the fact that he uses his celebrity platform to try and make a difference in the world. When comparing generations, I can see him going down as this generation's edition of Charles Barkley: both great players who could never quite win it all. The three-color relic that coincides with the autograph on this card is actually really nice and adds to the card's appeal.<br />
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Going forward, I would like to add more Knicks greats to my collection, as well as a few of the stars from my childhood. I don't really follow the NBA as much as I used to, but it's still fun (when the Knicks are competitive).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcb9HcJQXUp40TzQ-ZJvw7siasqD5-Is02-mb6P6femysJJH5Gzi8wvygOWFbKpRHMtgnXixf5caCXq3tw6yxFAKZwDtsLPZsWPvpAX7-67CT-yAGYrDbUsyVaqw8MMxP5qrFXQaHUUyma/s1600/filename-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcb9HcJQXUp40TzQ-ZJvw7siasqD5-Is02-mb6P6femysJJH5Gzi8wvygOWFbKpRHMtgnXixf5caCXq3tw6yxFAKZwDtsLPZsWPvpAX7-67CT-yAGYrDbUsyVaqw8MMxP5qrFXQaHUUyma/s400/filename-1.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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The same seller I bought the Carmelo autograph off of had this Gregory Polanco refractor autograph for a pretty fair price as well. With the money I had remaining at the end of the day, I made an offer and got this for an absolute steal compared to what it sells for on eBay. Polanco is a talented young player who really came into his own in 2016, hitting 22 home runs while driving 86 runs and scoring 79 of his own. Pittsburgh has even talked about trading Andrew McCutchen due to the emergence of Polanco and Starling Marte, plus top prospect Austin Meadows on the cusp of the majors.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFcsfl-XHsAZ6-D0vr1SPj0fxpDbg4n3P_hb39Ki3ONV7Lk9EU2diB66NgucqZgtH3F6Ezid7AB2RyHN3ElNMxN2oRGe3WWZeC4gL9PxNPMG679X9qFDH2yKbC7ZXuuTODjewHTFEWwg2/s1600/filename-1+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFcsfl-XHsAZ6-D0vr1SPj0fxpDbg4n3P_hb39Ki3ONV7Lk9EU2diB66NgucqZgtH3F6Ezid7AB2RyHN3ElNMxN2oRGe3WWZeC4gL9PxNPMG679X9qFDH2yKbC7ZXuuTODjewHTFEWwg2/s400/filename-1+%25285%2529.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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The biggest card I bought that day was something a little out of the ordinary for me. I had been debating whether to invest in a top tier prospect the entire day, and eventually after talking to a major Alex Bregman collector I decided he was the one I would add. This 2016 Bowman Chrome refractor autograph is absolutely beautiful, and is currently being graded in a BGS group submission. I'm looking forward to getting it back and seeing if it can pull out a 9.5! I could've bought the card as a 9.5 for about $50 more, but I had confidence that this raw copy would be good enough to match the grade.<br />
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Bregman made his MLB Debut in 2016 after absolutely mashing the ball in the minor leagues. He batted .306 with 20 home runs and 61 RBI between AA and AAA before getting the call-up the day after my 20th birthday! He did not immediately translate to the big leagues in the way that Gary Sanchez did, but continued to progress until a hamstring injury ended his season midway through September.<br />
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I'm starting to really enjoy buying Bowman autographs of top prospects. It's really fun taking a gamble on player's futures and getting to root for them in the way I have for Bregman. It has been able to bring me even closer to the game than I knew was possible.<br />
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Until next time, See Ya!Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-58809373733458038922016-09-15T18:15:00.001-04:002016-09-15T23:53:02.608-04:00Last Month at Fenway...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Tonight, the Yankees open the most important series of their season in Boston. New York is below the Red Sox in the AL East standings by 4 games, but is only down 2 in the Wildcard race. Masahiro Tanaka takes the ball for the Bombers against Eduardo Rodriguez in a battle that has the potential to reinvigorate their dead rivalry.</div>
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A little over a month ago, the Yankees traveled to Boston with much lower stakes. They had just traded their best hitter and two best relief pitchers, and were working on building towards the future. Their biggest headline at the time was that Alex Rodriguez had just announced that the upcoming Friday night game in Yankee Stadium against Tampa Bay would be his last. In retrospect, that news feels ancient after the youth movement extravaganza that has taken place since.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8CbAXT-Q3WengiG0y087z8RcXjorjQMaLFHjYend7t2KyWH3tvtBdM0w-BjNMFoq8aAdqlYiccYNkrGHv4KJoQ6F57JOWl4ny5X1sjp98PKlVU9SKFbhPrSoLZgMsONN3maAhm3tgdqe/s1600/DSC07205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8CbAXT-Q3WengiG0y087z8RcXjorjQMaLFHjYend7t2KyWH3tvtBdM0w-BjNMFoq8aAdqlYiccYNkrGHv4KJoQ6F57JOWl4ny5X1sjp98PKlVU9SKFbhPrSoLZgMsONN3maAhm3tgdqe/s640/DSC07205.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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But leading up to that Fenway series, one Yankee fan was arguably more excited than the others (hint: me). My family had planned our annual summer vacation around this series and getting to go to Fenway Park for the first time! The trip consisted of two nights in Boston and the remaining 4 in Cape Cod before we eventually headed home. I had never been to Beantown in my life, so getting to explore parts of the city during those few days was really exciting. I might hate their teams with a fiery passion, but I have nothing against the city itself.</div>
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On Tuesday, August 9th, we began our Fenway Park experience by joining in one of the stadium tours. We had tried to sign up for the pre-game tour, but since that was already filled we instead opted for the hourly tour. While it was disappointing not to be able to go on the warning track, we were more than content with what we were given on this adventure. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_J1ylkDLBzcrO_nkmjLLJnDbpdvy6PFchNZfYR4yApA17D7AsCpGCuhe3YAVRr1FIey5x7Zc2ZNqFic1_0Gzz6-RxL9bqAyf5CF-kX450bEWXgY7pLQOHyDtyVnmXDENpXE5X5sR6vqGr/s1600/DSC07212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_J1ylkDLBzcrO_nkmjLLJnDbpdvy6PFchNZfYR4yApA17D7AsCpGCuhe3YAVRr1FIey5x7Zc2ZNqFic1_0Gzz6-RxL9bqAyf5CF-kX450bEWXgY7pLQOHyDtyVnmXDENpXE5X5sR6vqGr/s640/DSC07212.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As we strolled past all of the empty red seats, I could've sworn I traded glances with Red Sox president Dave Dombrowski. He probably didn't like that I was decked out in my road Yankees uniform, but I frankly couldn't care less. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU66wWs1WeB04HNoNyknzaXDM3IEF6Yg2mkacj_4eAXHSdQ_iDLfaUQefj9GsF_VrtHMR9S-XGB272xGekFwyXefDdnDSxuAZhThyIr5VUP_X1zrXVu8pkJxDm2tF8lJeGum7ikPnxraaG/s1600/DSC07224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU66wWs1WeB04HNoNyknzaXDM3IEF6Yg2mkacj_4eAXHSdQ_iDLfaUQefj9GsF_VrtHMR9S-XGB272xGekFwyXefDdnDSxuAZhThyIr5VUP_X1zrXVu8pkJxDm2tF8lJeGum7ikPnxraaG/s640/DSC07224.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had made it a life's goal to go to Fenway sporting nothing but blue and navy. I'm not even technically an adult yet, and that mission has been accomplished.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuchcNdNqbA2eSeIE9ezLpJ6iA2U3wKazdNpftFvEkWSiOk6B7uprA10jey7AGUXEpresx_uf6y4ajGFrwCn_aaR7oPRiF6LS9QfomyruV1LH8SCXhQOgJ4ubXcjTZjHgHkWm_dBJ-E8RB/s1600/DSC07220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuchcNdNqbA2eSeIE9ezLpJ6iA2U3wKazdNpftFvEkWSiOk6B7uprA10jey7AGUXEpresx_uf6y4ajGFrwCn_aaR7oPRiF6LS9QfomyruV1LH8SCXhQOgJ4ubXcjTZjHgHkWm_dBJ-E8RB/s640/DSC07220.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's a pretty neat shot I took of the famous seat marked red after Ted William's 502 foot home run in 1946. The tape measure shot was the longest ever recorded in Fenway's history, so it's only fair that every fan can clearly see where it landed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwHGo4yneY-04O_SuOJI4ZdMbqTd7xJ-MSm-e5yBzOnT1vITIzzRxVFy_KZLKoyUeGQq9wHyx1JSC7Ds0qNMrjwQni6-wVJ2xIcCRSgAa9e0Eke4gZ9rfY1ogd7RyQvuxkgPEgQFZ7zIl/s1600/IMG_3760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwHGo4yneY-04O_SuOJI4ZdMbqTd7xJ-MSm-e5yBzOnT1vITIzzRxVFy_KZLKoyUeGQq9wHyx1JSC7Ds0qNMrjwQni6-wVJ2xIcCRSgAa9e0Eke4gZ9rfY1ogd7RyQvuxkgPEgQFZ7zIl/s640/IMG_3760.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We also got to take in the view from the Green Monster. I can't say I ever really thought the view would be worth paying an exorbitant amount of money to sit atop the enormous left field wall, but I was surprised by how picturesque it was. The above picture is my attempt to share this with you.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBE6ZKPp7Pm3WY1V8kY2-573hsCephFld7yB3v7EzIKUlRNYics5goh0zCzIYSIvIVb40VSImgOT3eRKEHI9tP4qfR8gRKKTcKgHJMOiiH7OobtwTOK00wNeCAQgIYZJQYOEAKbJe4db8U/s1600/DSC07239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBE6ZKPp7Pm3WY1V8kY2-573hsCephFld7yB3v7EzIKUlRNYics5goh0zCzIYSIvIVb40VSImgOT3eRKEHI9tP4qfR8gRKKTcKgHJMOiiH7OobtwTOK00wNeCAQgIYZJQYOEAKbJe4db8U/s640/DSC07239.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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On the lower level, fans are greeted by this plaque and jersey honoring Boston after the horrific bombing at the Boston Marathon in 2013. You would be hard pressed to ever catch me rooting for anything Boston-related, but it was hard not to sympathize with their community after the tragedy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3_V7lBWCAKAY6g5LVPYSFX1pBj_Wh0R4uKjvUUXMq9ml0Zv7CRfYjnczsvrOOgC6vWq_KBRDroMcgqsUo2X0lW4oVTpuQyyTCtwmaubW_flFwAjfUa9D22plOzJom5_dbSnzeSQ-HcvK/s1600/DSC07240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3_V7lBWCAKAY6g5LVPYSFX1pBj_Wh0R4uKjvUUXMq9ml0Zv7CRfYjnczsvrOOgC6vWq_KBRDroMcgqsUo2X0lW4oVTpuQyyTCtwmaubW_flFwAjfUa9D22plOzJom5_dbSnzeSQ-HcvK/s640/DSC07240.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Before long, game-time was approaching and the teams started taking batting practice. In between the tour and the game, we had to leave and re-enter the stadium. We stayed for 2 nights at the Buckminster Hotel, which is less than a 5 minute walk from the stadium and is known for several historic events; mostly for being the building where the Black Sox scandal was originally organized in 1919.</div>
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The lines outside Fenway were crazy long, but we met a bunch of pleasant people during that time. A majority of them were wearing Red Sox apparel, but only a couple we talked to were actually <i>fans</i> of the team. It wasn't casual fans either. We even met Blue Jays fans wearing red and navy... I didn't get that.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6dxB9LiWwWcpMpBDn33oNCFfy9DnCzgsczZM-mkqNaAS8NNw9qeC4NG-Ij0LR3E4JHhVcrBpVP6OY41A7ORvK9E4kCk226UgzCsG3ZhH6wgtS7GENgJ2gK2O5w3Ke3uPCk3z-guL4_3T/s1600/DSC07257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6dxB9LiWwWcpMpBDn33oNCFfy9DnCzgsczZM-mkqNaAS8NNw9qeC4NG-Ij0LR3E4JHhVcrBpVP6OY41A7ORvK9E4kCk226UgzCsG3ZhH6wgtS7GENgJ2gK2O5w3Ke3uPCk3z-guL4_3T/s640/DSC07257.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A-Rod didn't play in our game, but I was glad we got to watch him take batting practice and some grounders at the hot corner. I've loved Rodriguez and hated him over the years, but in the end I felt bad for how he was pushed out. I think he's done a lot of good things in the clubhouse since his season long suspension, and a lot of the fanbase was beginning to see that. </div>
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The view from our seats was really phenomenal, outside of the big obstruction in the way. It didn't end up getting in the way of things that much, but it would've been nicer without it.</div>
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Boy, a lot has changed since this picture was taken of Larry Rothschild, Gary Sanchez, and Luis Severino. Sanchez had just been called up at this point and did not yet begin mashing like he eventually would. Luis Severino had just come off some excellent relief outings, and was set to return to the rotation.</div>
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It wasn't a good one for Sevy. Rick Porcello dominated Yankee bats for eight innings, but Severino couldn't outlast the 5th inning. He was tagged for 5 runs on 7 hits, and it was tough to watch. So tough, in fact, that I had to get up and get ice cream to relief the pain. </div>
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In the 9th inning, the Yankees were down 3 runs and were able to walk in a run against Craig Kimbrel with 2 outs. The score was 5-3 when Mark Teixeira struck out to end the game. The final was 5-3, Boston. I went to three Yankee games this season, and they lost all three. Next year.</div>
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Despite the loss and the tough performance from one of my favorite pitchers, it was so much fun getting to go to perhaps the most famous baseball stadium in the world. It was a change of pace from the modernistic Yankee Stadium. In Fenway, you can be uncomfortable with obstructions in your way and still find ways to have a great time. That's what baseball is all about.</div>
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With that said, go Yankees. Let's take this series and snatch up a Wild Card, once and for all.</div>
Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-4878653163185770552016-09-06T10:30:00.000-04:002016-09-06T10:30:11.363-04:00Zippy Zapped Back Into the Blogosphere!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdpPrQSe2npHCA7N3wWpJlxaWgQHqCrgwrHkZw3ztu6v5M3VR-dwHbbFPZc0pDd7zI-7sn8Gfqyge2mEkTRcm5dl9gScPcEdsdso27ovUEHTlwI71R4AWBeS-w9FJDz2534BtJ-c92M0Z/s1600/filename-1+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdpPrQSe2npHCA7N3wWpJlxaWgQHqCrgwrHkZw3ztu6v5M3VR-dwHbbFPZc0pDd7zI-7sn8Gfqyge2mEkTRcm5dl9gScPcEdsdso27ovUEHTlwI71R4AWBeS-w9FJDz2534BtJ-c92M0Z/s320/filename-1+%25286%2529.jpg" width="228" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuNzBxxqOUbwgoYpfH6xCWRKkp1RDrJUbMRJwbMrvkr2myiM0LGzsB95bLe1R8xv6CceCPed5iFi4SrbA755DKJvZsIuIRaz2ORhQVC-ucE-SeNJRqLL3W2usjj9wjzKbMZYRztduudfl/s1600/filename-1+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuNzBxxqOUbwgoYpfH6xCWRKkp1RDrJUbMRJwbMrvkr2myiM0LGzsB95bLe1R8xv6CceCPed5iFi4SrbA755DKJvZsIuIRaz2ORhQVC-ucE-SeNJRqLL3W2usjj9wjzKbMZYRztduudfl/s320/filename-1+%25287%2529.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
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In my blogging return last week, I cited the fact that school was underway and having less on my plate as the main reasons I've been able to come back. But I still lacked that final burst of energy to push me back into the blogosphere, until I met the <a href="http://cervinupcards.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Zippy-Zapper himself</a>. </div>
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Kenny has been "Cervin' Up Cards" for quite some time now, but I hadn't really gotten to know him until we started talking Yankee baseball on Twitter. In my time away from Blogger, I've been a part of collecting communities on Twitter and Instagram, and have gotten to know some great people in the process. Before leaving to go to the East Coast National (which you will hear about in due time), we made plans to meet up at some point throughout the day. </div>
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The storm had settled in Westchester's County Center as dealers began to start packing up, but we were able to meet and spend some time observing the tables and talking about all things baseball. I was fascinated by his wealth of knowledge towards the Yankees farm system and towards prospects in general. But what blew me away over anything else was the kindness and generosity in his heart. He unloaded his backpack filled with goodies for me, and I couldn't believe it. It was hard for me to accept it all at once, but he insisted upon it. I felt better knowing that I was prepared to get him back for his madness, and took a look at what was now mine.</div>
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The two Staten Island booklets feature team sets of the 2000 Low-A Champion Staten Island Yankees. I can't say I'm all that familiar with most of the players on the team, outside of Chien-Ming Wang. These cards have perforated edges so they can easily be separated, reminiscent to the days I was subscribed to Sports Illustrated Kids way back in the day. </div>
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Kenny also gave me 3 SI Yankees 'PlayBall Magazine' souvenir programs from 2014, 2015, and 2016! I have seen the Staten Island team play plenty in the past, but never actually at their home stadium. I am more familiar with Dutchess Stadium, where the Hudson Valley Renegades play; and have seen them play there in the past. We discussed having a future summer night spent at each stadium graphing, and I hope we can work that out next year.</div>
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These two Choice 2014 team sets were really neat toss-ins too. The set to the left features some of the best players from the New York-Penn League in 2014, which included Amed Rosario (Mets), A.J. Reed (Astros), Bradley Zimmer (Indians), and the god himself, <b><span style="color: orange;">Luis Torrens</span></b> (Yankees). After speaking to Kenny, <b><span style="color: orange;">I can now say I believe Torrens will be a combination of Ted Williams and Johnny Bench!</span> </b>Speaking of which, Torrens was also featured in the SI Yankees set. That set had some surprisingly intriguing names such as Jordan Montgomery, Jonathan Holder, Ty Hensley, and Thairo Estrada to go along with <b><span style="color: orange;">the heir apparent to Babe Ruth</span></b> (first time readers must be really confused).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Fh03BPJKujp3lRWhvaD49azVg1TL9s9HiXwxoisaFzM2JdWfAyXanaKogzXZzyXT4wfI3jtx_WmOHxoyziVhl7I5XdFHp__JPcYeudihRRbQF9-pjNMRIS1wu7kERpyUImHA8p572NVh/s1600/filename-1+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Fh03BPJKujp3lRWhvaD49azVg1TL9s9HiXwxoisaFzM2JdWfAyXanaKogzXZzyXT4wfI3jtx_WmOHxoyziVhl7I5XdFHp__JPcYeudihRRbQF9-pjNMRIS1wu7kERpyUImHA8p572NVh/s640/filename-1+%25289%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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He also threw in a bunch of cards of scrub Yankees (<span style="color: orange;"><b>in comparison to the future first ballot Hall of Famer</b></span>) Betances, Refsnyder, and numerous others. I'm starting to wonder how much longer Refsnyder will be a part of the team. It wouldn't shock me if he is an added piece in an offseason trade, because no matter what he does, it's never enough to earn a full time spot on the team.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2NvSc7RP6K8_sTTgcHbk8wPZ7T-PQDicJWrhe6AvTa9kEQL151yY65VhYqGcKkCF3xTyJDnoLMJNVBv0Q7KO3PZyAIoc9VFqURWY-nHMCYMpkKa-I6zegHx9dpaSaE4fiDMMajsE5qfz/s1600/filename-1+%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2NvSc7RP6K8_sTTgcHbk8wPZ7T-PQDicJWrhe6AvTa9kEQL151yY65VhYqGcKkCF3xTyJDnoLMJNVBv0Q7KO3PZyAIoc9VFqURWY-nHMCYMpkKa-I6zegHx9dpaSaE4fiDMMajsE5qfz/s400/filename-1+%252810%2529.jpg" width="280" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJS-UMBX7kvx7VpKf4VxJNh8a5PpTvtpwUfKLQpQHBaUerQkQ0_MFLWzhqLaADBioCvTlMp8koBN-SLd8KxgxWMdUs-9BTMR-QMTCPKgyg3Ev_dvuGxSSxu6_4EIgY5HyLeVKvJW6yK7m/s1600/filename-1+%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJS-UMBX7kvx7VpKf4VxJNh8a5PpTvtpwUfKLQpQHBaUerQkQ0_MFLWzhqLaADBioCvTlMp8koBN-SLd8KxgxWMdUs-9BTMR-QMTCPKgyg3Ev_dvuGxSSxu6_4EIgY5HyLeVKvJW6yK7m/s400/filename-1+%252814%2529.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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You can never go wrong with Luis Severino, unless of course you're Joe Girardi naming him as an upcoming starter. I have slowed down collecting Sevy ever since his downward spiral, even though his card prices have tanked. I've invested far too much money already to keep buying his stuff in good conscience. However, I didn't have any of the 3 cards above, and really love the autograph in particular! </div>
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I think it's sort of funny seeing Sano and Severino on the same card considering how mis-managed I believe they both have been thus far into their careers. Sano, to me, should not be in the field even though today's American League game tends not to employ full time DH's anymore. He can be an exception to that rule because he appears to have legit 40-50 home run pop in his bat. Meanwhile, Severino's poor performances in the starting rotation (while dominating in the late innings) have bounced him back and forth faster than you can say "Joba Chamberlain". Keep him in the bullpen for a prolonged period of time until he builds up enough confidence to be the starting pitcher we Yankee fans expected him to be. Rant over.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMGzr0wbJsQJUpJaD4CraP6UMZCX-RMSm2FJkO0ReE7pUWFTEAYP7QbtAqs7ge9qUHTYQDZ6-TRcyy2JYf9xxkQkbSeD93e1fpFRpPwBpweDyUfpR2uVGC-liS216YqqFasOUYKs5MKgn/s1600/filename-1+%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMGzr0wbJsQJUpJaD4CraP6UMZCX-RMSm2FJkO0ReE7pUWFTEAYP7QbtAqs7ge9qUHTYQDZ6-TRcyy2JYf9xxkQkbSeD93e1fpFRpPwBpweDyUfpR2uVGC-liS216YqqFasOUYKs5MKgn/s400/filename-1+%252811%2529.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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One of my favorite cards Kenny bestowed upon me is this 2014 Bowman Asia Exclusive Aaron Judge parallel. Judge hasn't quite followed up his explosive start to his career, and is striking out in over half of his at bats. We knew from the day he was drafted that plate discipline was going to be an issue, so this should be expected. He doesn't see fastballs often because he is known to crush them, so adjusting to major league caliber offspeed pitches will take time. Don't give up on this Baby Bomber though, because the future is still bright.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeoLnf_gcGLbL3ecowQaJqcM_5AgL3ecPYTGXl78Hxsi_b0zb-CXOMjXCMBwk3huARsCdZuZNEJDjbOCOSSHO45wU2m3H2XjALaknd3CzAw4FfVGKqnq-YZDIZLGI6z5Jx_LISPm_PfDk/s1600/Scan+3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeoLnf_gcGLbL3ecowQaJqcM_5AgL3ecPYTGXl78Hxsi_b0zb-CXOMjXCMBwk3huARsCdZuZNEJDjbOCOSSHO45wU2m3H2XjALaknd3CzAw4FfVGKqnq-YZDIZLGI6z5Jx_LISPm_PfDk/s400/Scan+3.jpeg" width="280" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XbkVS30dLsS3n4iky_xPSaXFT6DhAYk8rDbUY6eifpJkyTN29uSDcYHgFKPc2x0BfJE3uQ30xdbzikl5692M6BMRVvqN1_z7kZa9JTv6r7NFiTA9d3HYdwN2OgVON55m0UzCdbtppiD6/s1600/Scan+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XbkVS30dLsS3n4iky_xPSaXFT6DhAYk8rDbUY6eifpJkyTN29uSDcYHgFKPc2x0BfJE3uQ30xdbzikl5692M6BMRVvqN1_z7kZa9JTv6r7NFiTA9d3HYdwN2OgVON55m0UzCdbtppiD6/s320/Scan+1.jpeg" width="224" /></a></div>
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When it comes to Yankees prospects, Kenny knows more than most. I have seen these autographed cards before, but I don't know much about the players on them. Encinas is the only active player in 2016, pitching in High A for the Yankees. He has struggled mightily, but the former 6th rounder could get it together. Both Lewis and Stevenson were taken in the later rounds in the 2010 Draft, while Bautista appears to have been an International signing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzY8mY5IZhP5_46P7RrBX22n6ap_T0gF4sxTSJvxo6e8JfUMnoBQ5YQZotD8cha56bUjeCMBZMaCeRzZ25HZU_x-UgmpW3FCzhd7q9e5KWQZ5IB08_bc8hyphenhyphenxrSZs6h6f6oA4emL7w8-jP/s1600/filename-1+%252813%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzY8mY5IZhP5_46P7RrBX22n6ap_T0gF4sxTSJvxo6e8JfUMnoBQ5YQZotD8cha56bUjeCMBZMaCeRzZ25HZU_x-UgmpW3FCzhd7q9e5KWQZ5IB08_bc8hyphenhyphenxrSZs6h6f6oA4emL7w8-jP/s400/filename-1+%252813%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I never had much of Austin Romine, so this card is now my favorite of his. The Yankees have been able to churn out quality catchers for some time now, and he's just another example of a big league backstop. He handles his own, and probably will serve as a backup for years to come; whether he's with the Yankees still or not.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEcpXD5qjWYHEDz0bxv4EmWiICOeDQjbf89foxlSs66PEhXAefWERBLprb-K0P-mht87gGatblrNpABnoJOJV6x8ZEXE7OquikgkX5UWUL9FCcOb9gHKjIzOuk3fceddIH-Le4aoYX_3F/s1600/filename-1+%252814%2529+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEcpXD5qjWYHEDz0bxv4EmWiICOeDQjbf89foxlSs66PEhXAefWERBLprb-K0P-mht87gGatblrNpABnoJOJV6x8ZEXE7OquikgkX5UWUL9FCcOb9gHKjIzOuk3fceddIH-Le4aoYX_3F/s400/filename-1+%252814%2529+copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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Dellin has really stepped into the closer role well ever since the deadline deals of Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller. I can't say I'm all that surprised by this news, though. He has been so dominant for now three years, and his stuff would translate well in any bullpen role. I'm not an enormous fan of the Panini designs, but I'll take a spare autograph of his to pair with my Bowman Chrome auto any day.</div>
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Kenny, thank you so much for the much needed zippy-zappying. It was a pleasure meeting you, and here's to hoping my revenge package will come close to matching all of this.</div>
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If you haven't already, please go check out Kenny's blog, <a href="http://cervinupcards.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Torren' Up Cards</a>. If you have any cards of <b><span style="color: orange;">baseball jesus </span></b>(Luis Torrens, duh), be sure to hit him up!</div>
Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-45935599294590023652016-09-02T13:30:00.000-04:002016-09-02T13:30:11.845-04:00Three at Third for the Hot Corner!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hey everyone! This is my attempt at trying to get back into routine blogging. I've picked up a lot of higher end cards this summer, including a bunch of the Bowman Chrome refractor autographs you've <a href="http://www.drewshotcorner.com/2016/08/hard-work-pays-off.html" target="_blank">seen</a> <a href="http://www.drewshotcorner.com/2016/09/i-am-gary.html" target="_blank">lately</a>. Though I have fallen for the shine of the refractor, I've acquired some other big cards as well. And no card represents the Hot Corner more than this one...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013 Topps Triple Threads Wright/Longoria/Machado Triple Autograph Relic 11/36</td></tr>
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If you scroll back up to the top of my blog, you should come across two poorly Photoshopped photos of David Wright and Evan Longoria on the right side of the blog banner. Early on in high school, I learned to play third base and I tried to follow in both of their footsteps. Both had been proven leaders and strong players offensively <i>and</i> defensively at that time. </div>
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In 2016, Wright hardly played thanks to a nagging neck injury that eventually required surgery. It will be interesting to see if he can rebound, but if he doesn't I can see him retiring and being considered the Mets equivalent of Don Mattingly (both excellent players and leaders whose careers ended abruptly thanks to long term health issues). He is a lifetime .296 hitter with almost 1,800 hits and 250 home runs, and of course was named the 4th team captain in Mets history. </div>
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However, while Wright has taken some steps back; Evan Longoria is close to completing his best season since 2013, when he finished 6th in AL MVP voting. Despite his Rays playing last place baseball and hitting in one of the weakest lineups in the American League, Longo is batting .285 with 31 home runs and 83 RBI. He is on a similar career path as Wright's, but is 30 years old with no signs of slowing down. There were talks during the Trade Deadline that he could potentially be traded to a contender such as the Dodgers, and for his sake I sort of hope it happens. He may be a division rival and a lifetime Yankee killer, but it's hard to root against a guy that plays for such a miserable team.</div>
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Longoria has continued to build on a successful career, but another reason he does not get much attention is because of the recent changing of the guard at the third base position. Perhaps the finest of them all is Baltimore's Manny Machado. I have been a huge fan of Machado's ever since his call up, but especially after I acquired him as a throw in piece in a blockbuster trade in my main fantasy baseball league. The league is a keeper league, so I have been able to retain him this season and plan to for the foreseeable future as long as he keeps playing excellent baseball.</div>
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Third base is such a deep position these days. You could make a valid case for Machado, Josh Donaldson, Nolan Arenado, or Kris Bryant as the best in the game. If I had to have one, I'd take Manny in a slight edge over Arenado, but at that point it's really splitting hairs. This is my first autograph of the Orioles star, who I believe could one day suit up in pinstripes if he isn't awarded a record breaking contract extension before 2018. Fingers crossed.</div>
Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-44005489420346064572016-09-01T12:00:00.000-04:002016-09-01T12:19:30.732-04:00I Am Gary...Hey everyone, long time no talk, again. I'm going to quit making excuses for whenever I lack the motivation to blog. In all honesty, I've lost a lot of the drive I once had for writing posts and being especially involved in the blogging community. It's not you guys, it's me; I swear. Things have been busier than ever since I returned from Florence at the end of May, and the time I would usually spend writing posts is now allotted towards resting up for another day's work.<br />
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I've done a lot of things outside of work this summer though too. I went to 3 Yankees games, one of which was at Fenway Park against Boston. I saw Coldplay at Metlife Center and The Lumineers at a local festival. I added several new records to my growing vinyl collection, went to a card show, rode some rollercoasters at Six Flags, and spent a lot of quality time with friends and family. A good portion of this will be covered sooner or later.<br />
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On top of it all, I've watched a lot of baseball. The Yankees have been invigorated with energy ever since the Trade Deadline and the release of Alex Rodriguez, and it has almost become must-see TV. I normally keep tabs on most games while watching shows on Netflix religiously, but these past two months have gone the opposite direction. The difference maker, as most of you <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/2010-Bowman-Chrome-Orange-Refractor-Gary-Sanchez-24-25-BGS-9-10-Auto-1-1-Yankees-/322245095519?hash=item4b074df05f:g:3fQAAOSw5ClXxO8h" target="_blank">appear to know by now</a>; has been Gary Sánchez. "The Kraken", as famously dubbed by Brian Cashman; has been a lethal weapon of mass destruction since being called up for the third (and final) time on August 2nd.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2010 Bowman Gary Sanchez Refractor Auto /500</td></tr>
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Sánchez has been a Baby Bomber for seven years now, and was regarded as a Top 100 Prospect by Baseball America for five of those seven. He succeeded in the shadow of former top prospect Jesus Montero until the Michael Pineda trade officially made him the future of Yankee backstops.<br />
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I've been collecting all throughout that time, and I didn't own an autograph of Sánchez's... until August 6th, 4 days after the call up. A dealer had listed four or five of his Bowman refractor autographs to try and make a profit. He may have profited, but he has to be kicking himself after the tear "El Gary" has been on. This card currently sells between $250 and $300, but I had it for $40 shipped. Essentially, I played the long con for seven years and made one of the greatest eBay snipes of all time (yeah, I said it).<br />
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Sure, I hear all you nay-sayers who think this is all a hoax. Obviously, yes, the guy won't be hitting a Ted Williams-esque .400 for his entire career. But we as Yankee fans have every right and reason to be thrilled with the prospect of having an All Star caliber catcher for the first time since Jorge Posada was in his prime. Not only has his bat played a vocal part in this late bid for a Wild Card spot, but he already seems to be emerging as a leader in the clubhouse. He wants to win, and win now. And he is doing <a href="http://m.yankees.mlb.com/video/v1078803183" target="_blank">everything</a> <a href="http://m.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/video/v1092346883/nyysea-sanchez-launches-420foot-home-run/?player_id=596142" target="_blank">in his power</a> to help the team do just that.<br />
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New Yorkers never quit. Neither will we <a href="https://twitter.com/Yankees">@Yankees</a>. Please keep coming out to support. Thank you. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YankeesDontQuit?src=hash">#YankeesDontQuit</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IamGary?src=hash">#IamGary</a></div>
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— Gary Sanchez (@ElGarySanchez) <a href="https://twitter.com/ElGarySanchez/status/769364788686172160">August 27, 2016</a></div>
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I love it.<br />
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For once, you're right about something John Sterling. Gary <i>is </i>scary.<br />
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PS: This card just recently was sent out (along with a few others) as part of a BGS Group Submission. I will be sure to share the results when they come back, unless of course they all grade terribly. I don't want you all to think I'm as blind as a bat.Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-90314008460882238212016-08-04T20:35:00.001-04:002016-08-04T20:35:12.361-04:00Hard Work Pays Off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hey everyone, Drew back here. I can't remember the last time I've been this involved with the hobby while also being as uninvolved in the blogosphere. I really just haven't had the motivation to blog, despite having picked up some of the best cards in my collection. I'm currently watching the youth movement take over New York tonight in Game 3 of the Subway Series, so I feel as though it's a good time I show off my own personal card farm system. </div>
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I don't think there's ever really been a time I haven't liked Brian Cashman. Sure, I know I've questioned some of his high end signings in the past, but you really have to wonder how much the Steinbrenner's influenced those moves. Especially now, after a week where Cashman turned over a new leaf and brought the Yankees organization into the modern baseball world and temporarily gave up hopes of buying a championship. </div>
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Fans of the team are accustomed to winning, so it is awfully risky to sell off your best assets in an effort to rebuild at the trade deadline. Cashman is not a hero because he chose to sell, since he's one of the last current GM's to do so. He's a hero because he finally held his own and did what has needed to be done since 2013. He showed his rebellious side, took some risks, and from all accounts it just might pay off. All I can say is: I have <i>never</i> been more excited for the future of this team.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgBWvYJQ6ANm8CO_4OPY8qCLqwAv9QBPx0GArbxHHMSqwyabiYM6TwsT0myV2-WLKPt0jTxY6N2n9AV4NcEg5TjhsL1hVs2nZBrb-7_19lqllJmVeI3bDMEWDFhc0v5XZug4ow_BYTNeg/s1600/filename-1+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgBWvYJQ6ANm8CO_4OPY8qCLqwAv9QBPx0GArbxHHMSqwyabiYM6TwsT0myV2-WLKPt0jTxY6N2n9AV4NcEg5TjhsL1hVs2nZBrb-7_19lqllJmVeI3bDMEWDFhc0v5XZug4ow_BYTNeg/s400/filename-1+%25286%2529.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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The Yankees may boast a top notch farm system after last week's moves, but Aaron Judge still excites me over any of them. He could be an All Star, reminiscent of Dave Winfield in size and stature. He could be a bust. The risk is there, but it's worth taking. I cannot wait to see this guy don the pinstripes in a few weeks. I bought his Bowman Chrome refractor autograph (get used to reading that) for my birthday, and I may be preparing to send it in to BGS and see how it grades. But for now, it becomes one of the highlights of my card collection.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQlL770eue2a4aweYrV_frj27E8kbvsur5tHc_Ym5uc7tLXKu_518G4PJ5AVeA2iGnWoPqvT-S_t9Jp47V2OBiGvM6U-L80f6liQFyLkHa6qkF8pyd0YkI0xL1CYxCq9dHH6HfLjuh6F5/s1600/filename-1+%25281%2529+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQlL770eue2a4aweYrV_frj27E8kbvsur5tHc_Ym5uc7tLXKu_518G4PJ5AVeA2iGnWoPqvT-S_t9Jp47V2OBiGvM6U-L80f6liQFyLkHa6qkF8pyd0YkI0xL1CYxCq9dHH6HfLjuh6F5/s400/filename-1+%25281%2529+copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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In order to make a youth movement work, you need to have someone who can grind out games at whatever position needs to be filled. Rob Refsnyder appears to be the obvious pick for that utility-man role. He doesn't do anything fantastically, but he more than holds his own. I've been impressed with what I've seen from him in the majors this year, and I hope the team continues to reward him with proper playing time.</div>
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Everyone enjoys a comeback story, let's be real. Two years ago, Tyler Austin was considered a Top 100 prospect, but injuries halted his road to the show before he got the chance to make his MLB debut. In 2016, he's batting .311 with 13 home runs and 45 RBI in AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre, and rumor has it that he and Judge could see a call up by the beginning of September at the very latest.</div>
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Speaking of comebacks, we'll be hoping to see much more out of Greg Bird in 2017 than we've gotten this year. One of the biggest blows to this season came in February when out of nowhere it was announced that he would be undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and would be out for the season. After catching a glimpse of what he is capable of doing at the Major League level, it was tough news to swallow. Mark Teixeira appears to be dragging himself out of New York after what has so far been a horrendous final season of his 8 year deal, so the job could be Bird's to take as early as next spring.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2YDQ1-0NjWzJVBTux9RDI6Twg0RaMjIy1V5Zbkzwc1EqXDsKQ7kBJcBEneYv37SEuGLdlSb0JeweKSFtcp_NUpC4JIz1RM_bo8wiXeMUdnPUwI88N9ThDVwOS7zfH2DXd5M3Rdummczr/s1600/filename-1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2YDQ1-0NjWzJVBTux9RDI6Twg0RaMjIy1V5Zbkzwc1EqXDsKQ7kBJcBEneYv37SEuGLdlSb0JeweKSFtcp_NUpC4JIz1RM_bo8wiXeMUdnPUwI88N9ThDVwOS7zfH2DXd5M3Rdummczr/s400/filename-1+copy.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
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While it's good to have powerful bats in your lineup and guys capable of filling voids throughout the diamond, no team is complete without a sparkplug at the top of the lineup. Enter Jorge Mateo, who could be just that in 2-3 years when the Yankees are ready to bring him up (because if <a href="http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2016/07/yankees_slap_top_prospect_jorge_mateo_with_long_su.html" target="_blank">he had a say apparently</a>, he would be well past High-A by now). Last year, he led all professional players with 82 stolen bases, and has continued to display raw speed this season. Some say he may be the fastest player in the game. It's too early to think about positional logjams, but I'm interested to see how their middle infield plays out over the next few years. For now, the job has been earned by Didi Gregorius, our best current all around player.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSGoB4nMgNj5uRXKftkIzgsbVGbEn5nmyOInzzHR6CdMzwOPtzRZ-fcKCRbwyvBh0eBWI69iBs80oUXre78LQmuAqT-eAJ-9EuLlpMf51nib5lEvQWaAplRZaYsWWC_P0Vki5wEdP73Ae/s1600/Scan+4+copy+3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSGoB4nMgNj5uRXKftkIzgsbVGbEn5nmyOInzzHR6CdMzwOPtzRZ-fcKCRbwyvBh0eBWI69iBs80oUXre78LQmuAqT-eAJ-9EuLlpMf51nib5lEvQWaAplRZaYsWWC_P0Vki5wEdP73Ae/s400/Scan+4+copy+3.jpeg" width="281" /></a></div>
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We close things out for now with the man who will have the final say in a large part of the team's future wins and losses. Dellin Betances has been one of the most exciting relievers in the game over the past three seasons, and I feel like some Yankee fans take his talent for granted. He's been dominant, but fans keeping asking for another Andrew Miller or Aroldis Chapman caliber player to pair him with. Now, after two big trades; Betances has the closer job and I couldn't be happier for him. He was notably disappointed seeing his friends depart to Chicago and Cleveland, but now he has the opportunity to become the 9th inning man once and for all.</div>
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Brian Cashman and I have both been working hard this summer. He's been able to bring Yankee fans hope for the future, while I have been slowly working my way back from being totally broke post-Europe. Budgeting portions of my paychecks towards the hobby have given me something to look forward to despite consecutive days (or weeks) of work. And now, I'm almost ready for the future to take off and kick into gear.</div>
Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-86887580848723283242016-07-20T16:30:00.000-04:002016-07-20T16:30:02.513-04:00Fun, Easy Instagram Dealing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Hey guys, Drew back here! This month has been strictly business, which may explain why I haven't been around. The amount of wheeling and dealing with my collection has reached new heights this summer, thanks to eBay and Instagram in particular. I also have been working almost every day since I returned from Europe, so in order to keep me sane I've been putting part of my paychecks towards a card budget that has allowed me to expand and grow my collection.</div>
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Before I get into some of the higher end additions, I wanted to show off a fun trade package I got from Instagram user @ttm.autographs32. Luke and I were able to work out something simple and fun that we both benefitted from.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3JtNQlOt2KhEyB9SyGMKgYMJK2Pdew8RE2sff-3CvsKwNpJZizhKCzj2zHrMNX3eGGtXVWg9sabVQSqtoEThHoQGMhpqmtRY9zVA-LIKJqS4uVORWQFPrfYYWX1Nu4iJOb2g63oZM6UI/s1600/Scan+3+copy+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3JtNQlOt2KhEyB9SyGMKgYMJK2Pdew8RE2sff-3CvsKwNpJZizhKCzj2zHrMNX3eGGtXVWg9sabVQSqtoEThHoQGMhpqmtRY9zVA-LIKJqS4uVORWQFPrfYYWX1Nu4iJOb2g63oZM6UI/s640/Scan+3+copy+2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Andrew McCutchen is in the midst of his worst career season, which is worrisome for Pirates fans for sure. Luckily for them, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco have picked up Cutch's slack. I'm not collecting McCutchen as much as I once did, but I'll welcome any of his cards into my collection when offered. He is one of the best players and guys in the game today regardless of his slow season, and time will tell if he will emerge as the catalyst he's been in years past.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqK-8m7Ub8TOnVXZ8l3OQF7YK7j2SUgjkMS2jzDgCq4wdWGfBwp7VI6LhZ07PRA1Q8XHwJcC_AWrKRP4YCQircs3Ao5D2XL3bYBko-dk_t58E3eOmY10R9Zcw8vEf_KfPMI6-7jl4lzRz/s1600/Scan+4+copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqK-8m7Ub8TOnVXZ8l3OQF7YK7j2SUgjkMS2jzDgCq4wdWGfBwp7VI6LhZ07PRA1Q8XHwJcC_AWrKRP4YCQircs3Ao5D2XL3bYBko-dk_t58E3eOmY10R9Zcw8vEf_KfPMI6-7jl4lzRz/s640/Scan+4+copy.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The best part about collecting Derek Jeter is that there isn't a whole lot that could happen nowadays that would kill his value. I would never sell any of my Jeter cards, but it's nice knowing that his cards really could only increase in value with time. I surprisingly didn't have many of these cards yet, and this pushed me to a total of 236 unique cards in my Jeter PC.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrar-RH8uXNIPNXBqbdZTenKmdJsbExXNz8JFplOrS0HDYWjf7YDHT6qXAVKXWlr6FF12yVR5G_s-uH3MoOfdsmKAxEJlng6yaaUp6ZGRnFLRmRnKbgolANE2hgsuZGHRi5VfGrfo75sIf/s1600/Scan+5+copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrar-RH8uXNIPNXBqbdZTenKmdJsbExXNz8JFplOrS0HDYWjf7YDHT6qXAVKXWlr6FF12yVR5G_s-uH3MoOfdsmKAxEJlng6yaaUp6ZGRnFLRmRnKbgolANE2hgsuZGHRi5VfGrfo75sIf/s640/Scan+5+copy.jpeg" width="451" /></a></div>
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Unlike McCutchen, Robinson Cano is on his way back into relevancy as he has led the Mariners offense in 2016. The former Yankees All Star is currently batting .305 with 22 home runs and 60 RBI! I'm planning on slowing down on collecting Severino, Panik, and McCutchen and placing much of my focus on my former favorite player.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshIO7br_0YM6EjHjW7xOAB7Xg8tQLSSqs5j2EyFJOfZYn-R2kig45Nyu8qK23sCK0Yf_FAR9fZYNEvU-ySAYQKDOcsWJ-6TJV1CB1s6BGN62m0nOXR4d6o-9ubTJVXOH1u-IytA6nM4N4/s1600/Scan+6+copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshIO7br_0YM6EjHjW7xOAB7Xg8tQLSSqs5j2EyFJOfZYn-R2kig45Nyu8qK23sCK0Yf_FAR9fZYNEvU-ySAYQKDOcsWJ-6TJV1CB1s6BGN62m0nOXR4d6o-9ubTJVXOH1u-IytA6nM4N4/s640/Scan+6+copy.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's hard to resist collecting some of the Yankees top prospects. We don't have the best farm system in the game, but there are more significant names than I can ever remember being in the system. Jorge Mateo was in the news recently for some conduct issues, but homered today in return from his suspension. Aaron Judge has been a monster up until his recent knee injury has sidelined him. Hopefully we'll see our #1 prospect in the majors by season's end.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkj5jgcg7VzQ_YVM6SF1EU_HLBP7zqE1Ep_meVYizlXicu55sh1dBZIA27HTUUJZK3IVjSYFHepnyH0p6gmimD-D9VQMBFGOg0kFfYSo3PMOY006DrgTX8Bmkky5Uw4IjS_2dtgMX-RYld/s1600/Scan+7+copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkj5jgcg7VzQ_YVM6SF1EU_HLBP7zqE1Ep_meVYizlXicu55sh1dBZIA27HTUUJZK3IVjSYFHepnyH0p6gmimD-D9VQMBFGOg0kFfYSo3PMOY006DrgTX8Bmkky5Uw4IjS_2dtgMX-RYld/s400/Scan+7+copy.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Finally, the Yankees are giving Rob Refsnyder some fair playing time in result of the abysmal performances from Teixeira and A-Rod. This green bordered Gypsy Queen mini is numbered out of 99.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlwLmCFbb2Vvw7LWGMEQ4Ishir38nfioxZXd1ZrRBsC1mBPZR52HgKQ3mSu5BDeFXxCYkIK7U2m6w91Qv2HNJuNH6AIFgetzxhzZZjP-oqJXH0bRoxwdQqUUVz_2KLnh3FFzovuJcPqKT/s1600/Scan+8+copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlwLmCFbb2Vvw7LWGMEQ4Ishir38nfioxZXd1ZrRBsC1mBPZR52HgKQ3mSu5BDeFXxCYkIK7U2m6w91Qv2HNJuNH6AIFgetzxhzZZjP-oqJXH0bRoxwdQqUUVz_2KLnh3FFzovuJcPqKT/s640/Scan+8+copy.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Finally, I was given these 2 Topps Big Stix sticker pages of Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano! I recently took the time to put every single Cano card I own in top loaders in his own exclusive PC box, and I put these stickers on top to add some decoration to it.<br />
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Thanks Luke for the trade. Be ready to see some pretty great stuff on this site, despite my inconsistencies with posting.Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-57856379291125911592016-07-05T12:08:00.000-04:002016-07-05T12:08:00.799-04:00Harvey Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hey Mets fans, remember when "Harvey Day" was a thing? It's tragic, really. Sure, Matt Harvey is returning to form this year little by little, but the days where he electrified the Mets fanbase on every fifth day appear to be over. One of the flaws of the world today, in my opinion; is that topics become old news in light speed. Harvey has certainly fallen victim to this.</div>
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But don't worry "Dark Knight". I'm not a Mets fan, but I've seen enough of your starts to know that this is not the end. The Mets faithful may be more intrigued by Thor and his giant hammer or the legendary slugger that is Bartolo Colon, but Harvey is still my favorite of the All Star bunch.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uY43v8eseAdSZFrt-dZSk0UxMTNaH0BN4JIjsm9vrqi6NrreWTE1gFqlz22YXI3n9_sgSOkjNM79N7-m6rsRYHd2ZiYGTlBGJsgVZ_-tIdqbir_uc-zhRqQkB0I6RxZF8uRepLavPOAb/s1600/Scan+1+copy+10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uY43v8eseAdSZFrt-dZSk0UxMTNaH0BN4JIjsm9vrqi6NrreWTE1gFqlz22YXI3n9_sgSOkjNM79N7-m6rsRYHd2ZiYGTlBGJsgVZ_-tIdqbir_uc-zhRqQkB0I6RxZF8uRepLavPOAb/s400/Scan+1+copy+10.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011 Bowman Platinum Matt Harvey Autograph</td></tr>
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And with that, I decided to add one of his top prospect autographs to my collection. I've been working just about every day this summer, and will be continuing to do so for the next few months. I'm allowing myself a weekly budget to use to bolster my collection, because it will serve as excellent motivation to keep working hard and save up money towards a new car.<br />
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This has been a card I've wanted to add for a while now. I went some of the All Star Game events in 2013 when the Mets hosted, and the hype for Harvey (who started the game for the National League) was soaring almost as high as Strasburg-mania in 2010. After an atrocious April and May this season, Harvey pitched more like himself in June. Hopefully he can keep it going, and perhaps Harvey Day could return.Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-26393870693508237692016-06-25T10:53:00.002-04:002016-06-25T10:54:42.662-04:00Full Circle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last week, I made a pretty big trade on Instagram with user <span style="color: #e69138;">@ttmcollector25</span>. At first, I had planned to accept a trade I wasn't too high on. But, just before I pulled the trigger, I found this card scattered on his page and quickly countered:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3Kc25LEWcHICxv4ywHG1TIku9sWmWffc10AFUfamwf_l7oEERUcWsn_igJDsWT2BkltZQAYVSsEYfe4Pfzhx02R1JYb-r-9Zzt3eeuMgk1k1Gofonu6UcBeLakZZ3qlfAyzTkAFIIMnA/s1600/Scan+1+copy+6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3Kc25LEWcHICxv4ywHG1TIku9sWmWffc10AFUfamwf_l7oEERUcWsn_igJDsWT2BkltZQAYVSsEYfe4Pfzhx02R1JYb-r-9Zzt3eeuMgk1k1Gofonu6UcBeLakZZ3qlfAyzTkAFIIMnA/s640/Scan+1+copy+6.jpeg" width="406" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2000 Upper Deck Legends Reggie Jackson Auto Graded 8.5 w/ 10 Auto</td></tr>
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It took a little extra on my end, but it wasn't too difficult to come to an agreement. I haven't added an autograph of Reggie's since he <a href="http://www.drewshotcorner.com/2013/10/mr-october-at-fall-classic-its-deja-vu.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">screwed over my Mickey Mantle 16x20</span></a> and signed in the darkest spot intentionally. I haven't been his biggest fan since then, but this was too nice a card to pass up. And the most ironic part of it all is that it originally belonged to a fellow blogger in our community, <a href="http://allaboutbaseball27.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Frankie</span></a>!<br />
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It's crazy how some things come full circle like this. I think Frankie may have moved the card because of the somewhat disappointing grade. However, I've never really been one to critique (or have much interest in) graded cards, so I'm comfortable with the score this received.<br />
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So, thanks Frankie for giving this up so it eventually would join my collection!Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-29281436820731226772016-06-24T13:58:00.000-04:002016-06-24T13:58:33.614-04:00Instantly Hooked on InstagramFor a while, I didn't know how much I was into using Instagram for hobby related purposes. I didn't know how much I'd be able to trust users and besides, I hadn't done much trading in a considerably long time. I finally decided to give it a shot, and the longer I've had my new separate account (@drewshotcorner), I realized that a lot of my cards do indeed have a price tag and are not untouchable. Several trades later, I have to say I'm hooked. No offense to you guys, but the trading and selling is much more active there than it is on these sites from everything I've seen.<br />
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First, I made a trade with user <span style="color: orange;">@csgraphs</span> a few weeks ago. I dealt a few autographs I didn't have any connection to for these two beauties:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2016 Topps Museum Collection Nolan Arenado Quad Patch Relic /75</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013 Topps Five Star Justin Upton Auto /333</td></tr>
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Arenado is one of the top five all around position players in the game in my eyes, along with Trout, Harper, Machado, and Goldschmidt. He can do no wrong. This patch card I acquired more than likely will end up in <a href="http://allaboutbaseball27.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Frankie's</span></a> hands eventually, but for now I'm going to enjoy the dirt splattered relic chunks.</div>
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Meanwhile, it hasn't been the brightest start to Justin Upton's Tigers tenure. He is beginning to come on, which is encouraging and should have been expected. He is an example of an overhyped prospect that has come into his own over time. He was hyped to be much greater than he's been, but at least he's still an above average outfielder. I love Topps Five Star, and will struggle to unload this card because of how gorgeous his autograph looks.</div>
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Next, I worked out a trade with @cluelesscards that I didn't think I would end up doing, but lucked out with. He wanted one of my low end Troy Tulowitzki autographs, and I preferred to move the card only for a different autograph or relic. He then presented me with an alternative approach to the deal, as he had quite a few cards I needed of many of my PC guys.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tRqdqKRZEsQ6rqNR3BfL_V3TYx8ai7-xT6UYdz7tQodBEMCJLqmIJspaYQzfkPe4HAWQoycjKNHFjzSdaRQpS4wDZ6mWcXc0KiTziEUjxuLouKh3oJCFv_E_LRXX1sGmbg64rPsDUquV/s1600/Scan+15.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tRqdqKRZEsQ6rqNR3BfL_V3TYx8ai7-xT6UYdz7tQodBEMCJLqmIJspaYQzfkPe4HAWQoycjKNHFjzSdaRQpS4wDZ6mWcXc0KiTziEUjxuLouKh3oJCFv_E_LRXX1sGmbg64rPsDUquV/s640/Scan+15.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmA2UfJ0jtMHHB5hkaZ47xDR7pqocsGki9urrc068Q0MdTgNDy_Jodq36Ic0_BKiBQfLyDSS7sYp1EujTBZI9E3YWKDoNmOtFyP7sjQyvKgOFzJPrfNHIGVwrKg4GG3hQgNY_Sx-Sew48/s1600/Scan+16.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmA2UfJ0jtMHHB5hkaZ47xDR7pqocsGki9urrc068Q0MdTgNDy_Jodq36Ic0_BKiBQfLyDSS7sYp1EujTBZI9E3YWKDoNmOtFyP7sjQyvKgOFzJPrfNHIGVwrKg4GG3hQgNY_Sx-Sew48/s320/Scan+16.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Robinson Cano was the big winner once again, as I was able to add 10 new cards of his alone to my PC box. I'm starting to soften on his transition from New York to Seattle, and really have no issue with continuing to collect his stuff here and there. I think a lot of that has to do with the Yankees now having a major league caliber player at second base again in Starlin Castro; no longer having to deal with the black hole that was old Brian Roberts and Stephen Drew.</div>
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This trade also included my first Aroldis Chapman Yankees card. I've been pretty impressed with Chapman, but I must admit it's hard watching him pitch for such a non-competitive team. If he isn't moved by the trade deadline, I won't have much faith left in the organization. He has too much value to be left wasting away in this bullpen. Side note: how awful were those 2015 All Star Game hats?</div>
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Believe it or not, the Yankees boast a stronger young core than they've had in quite some time. Refsnyder has had some nice moments, Bird exceeded expectations last September, and Didi Gregorius may just be their second best hitter right now after the red hot Carlos Beltran. The Opening Day rookie card of Gary Sanchez is a total flop though. I don't think you can tell from the scan, but the photo is so pixelated. It looks like a custom card done horribly wrong. Sorry, Topps.</div>
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Because there is a Nick Swisher card included here, I guess this is the proper time to address that I have sold my 150+ card collection of his to Chris Olds, formerly of Beckett Baseball. He is a Swisher super collector, and as much as I enjoyed his stint in pinstripes it was all taking up too much space in my personal collection box. I might add a few of the cards back in time, because now I have just a few left, but I felt like it was the right thing to do and I did it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYGzdBKJLn_KpSBQefTlNj5mZ7NcpRXl1Vpu21r2Ce1jinjO8589J8QSO611I6cPH5ns3G1p4K6rIuNHCtUcAYXi7_7gnv6rWt3ZsCJ2_KJfdWIoylYPWrIQvF4yRXKGOmzDZJfheD6OJ/s1600/Scan+20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYGzdBKJLn_KpSBQefTlNj5mZ7NcpRXl1Vpu21r2Ce1jinjO8589J8QSO611I6cPH5ns3G1p4K6rIuNHCtUcAYXi7_7gnv6rWt3ZsCJ2_KJfdWIoylYPWrIQvF4yRXKGOmzDZJfheD6OJ/s400/Scan+20.jpeg" width="286" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1dkTBH0aA4uOxLEF-ZUz2BTDJL0yAY4EZX1ygHx8MSxThex87iAM2YEpV6ye68ZKEYomcnY85ViMShznQKGjxjWSotjCNceHMqHs7AjvookwuP4Sz1oJBQWUL3yDZbEebaNjEEI_zzod/s1600/Scan+21.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1dkTBH0aA4uOxLEF-ZUz2BTDJL0yAY4EZX1ygHx8MSxThex87iAM2YEpV6ye68ZKEYomcnY85ViMShznQKGjxjWSotjCNceHMqHs7AjvookwuP4Sz1oJBQWUL3yDZbEebaNjEEI_zzod/s400/Scan+21.jpeg" width="277" /></a></div>
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I really like this Gypsy Queen framed parallel of Andrew McCutchen. Cutch is off to the worst start of his magnificent career, and may be considered the worst of the Pirates super talented outfield. I would never count him out though. He is no longer one of my major PC focuses, but I wouldn't pass up his cards if I were offered them. This one will be staying with me.</div>
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This was a good trade for me, despite losing an autograph from my autograph count (which is declining substantially since I <a href="http://www.drewshotcorner.com/2016/06/the-autograph-counter.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">first posted about it</span></a>). </div>
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The final trade I'll be showcasing in this post was with <span style="color: #e69138;">@cbbaseballcards</span>. I gave up my Anthony Rizzo Tribute auto in exchange for these two Yankees autographs. Rizzo is one of my favorite players right now, but I want to find a card I like more than the one I had. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQwnTC1LVtRbTuomTQJ1iEiZS2lN87a-DXXgl7q_PyapVpoerCGh_5V44mgRP7a0uKAwnBHzw_EnZNOvcHFfdavpZbEwFeYlOrdCxRDLkSZCFK2VghPu2-yZD2GjIH_hCMexr0e3eS-2e/s1600/Scan+1+copy+7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQwnTC1LVtRbTuomTQJ1iEiZS2lN87a-DXXgl7q_PyapVpoerCGh_5V44mgRP7a0uKAwnBHzw_EnZNOvcHFfdavpZbEwFeYlOrdCxRDLkSZCFK2VghPu2-yZD2GjIH_hCMexr0e3eS-2e/s400/Scan+1+copy+7.jpeg" width="281" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFu5AwEDWVISf_fJiT7PMsJYsKy1lf7MXyof75YGPw3RWOxXtOY3zRTimJ5AWDEJ9OMSUkjLaKRe7L95pewaYTeS3cZjNBxbUe4WCrph8Zugd3cjgUojoXVPfQ86h3MhE3gkPofnF0uH2/s1600/Scan+1+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFu5AwEDWVISf_fJiT7PMsJYsKy1lf7MXyof75YGPw3RWOxXtOY3zRTimJ5AWDEJ9OMSUkjLaKRe7L95pewaYTeS3cZjNBxbUe4WCrph8Zugd3cjgUojoXVPfQ86h3MhE3gkPofnF0uH2/s400/Scan+1+copy+2.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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Aaron Judge and Greg Bird could work out in several ways. One could pan out, one might not. Perhaps both will fly to superstardom and bat 3-4 in the Yankees order for years to come. Or both of these cards will one day be found in the dollar bin. Autograph collecting is such a gamble, and I think that is part of why it is so addicting for collectors like myself. Judge has been on a tear lately in AAA, and I hope the Yankees give him a fair chance in the majors this season after they trade Carlos Beltran for more quality prospects (which again, as much as I like Carlos; needs to happen for the good of the future).<br />
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This is just the beginning of my summer collection overhaul. I just got a new job that pays pretty well, and while most of the money I make will be allotted to recovering my abysmal bank account post-study abroad, I will have some money to put towards this hobby too. I already have a few ideas up my sleeve.Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-53736224133524842782016-06-21T15:21:00.000-04:002016-06-21T15:23:45.292-04:00Didn't Ya Know I Still Love Cano?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While I was gallivanting throughout Europe, I really didn't put in the time or effort to keep up with the hobby. The best part about collecting is that you're not on a set schedule; you can come back to it whenever you feel like it! I think a majority of us collectors are too passionate to ever quit this hobby altogether as long as we are financially stable enough to carry on. </div>
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Sure enough, when I landed home I quickly rushed back to my collection and have been more active with trading and selling than I have been in several years. And the first deal I made was with my good friend Andrew, of <a href="http://andrewsbaseballcards.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Everyday Holliday</a> fame. Andrew ended up with something I really wanted, but couldn't commit to trading for until I got home. And now, after a little wheeling and dealing, it is in my possession.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQDv1Kh6u4vHemXsy2YrkYE7f4-88fJReCpn7FxMr1uc7VS80ctxT7UOmFyT0gz0oGyxo04xH383Ceb6vx8ICMYM_pgDFsltcgB4qUwRPaCeQrAPoeEy_Fm7gdwMCP2x473p62I30nCkQ/s1600/Scan+1+copy+4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQDv1Kh6u4vHemXsy2YrkYE7f4-88fJReCpn7FxMr1uc7VS80ctxT7UOmFyT0gz0oGyxo04xH383Ceb6vx8ICMYM_pgDFsltcgB4qUwRPaCeQrAPoeEy_Fm7gdwMCP2x473p62I30nCkQ/s640/Scan+1+copy+4.jpeg" width="449" /></a></div>
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But first, no trade with Andrew seems to come without some extras. The Stars & Stripes Peter O'Brien feels really appropriate with the Fourth of July right around the corner. The Bowman green parallel of Dermis Garcia is numbered to 99, which was a pleasant surprise too.</div>
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Here are two of the Yankees most heralded young stars, both of whom you know I am big fans of. Both Severino and Bird have been anointed as potential saviors of the team's youth movement, though if this is true, fans will likely have to wait until the end of the 2016 season at the earliest to see them become factors in their quest for a 28th World Series title.</div>
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I really didn't expect this as a bonus card. Legendary Cuts used to provide collectors with some of the best relics in the business, and this is no exception. Jorge Posada never quite was up to par with the Red Sox great Fisk, but he more than held his own. </div>
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Behold, the card(s) at the center of the deal; a 2015 Topps Supreme Scope tri-fold patch autograph of Robinson Cano numbered 6 of 10! Andrew got a really good deal on this card, and we were able to negotiate something fair for both sides that I have zero regrets over. Cano has returned to MVP caliber form in 2016 for the first time in a Mariners uniform, leading the team in all three major offensive categories. Despite leaving New York, I am still collecting the future Hall of Famer, though to a lesser extent than I did when he wore pinstripes.<br />
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This is my first tri-fold style card, and I have to say it's an interesting way to design a card. Topps seems to really enjoy its new laser engraving technology, but I think this is a case where the experimentation pays off. I have no idea how I'm going to display the card, because I believe it would need some sort of custom framing job. One of these days, I'll find a way to make it happen.<br />
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Andrew, thank you so much as always. You're a heck of a good guy, and I look forward to our next deal! If you don't know of <a href="http://andrewsbaseballcards.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Everyday Holliday</a>, please go give it a look. I promise you won't be disappointed if you're as passionate a collector as Andrew or myself!Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-6299257352960089592016-06-15T12:44:00.000-04:002016-06-15T12:44:36.109-04:00Luis Severino PC Additions: Spring 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hey everyone, Drew back here. I've been back in the US for almost a month now, and unless you keep tabs with my Twitter or Instagram accounts; you haven't seen any of my new Luis Severino PC additions. So with that, let's get you all up to date, shall we?</div>
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<b><span style="color: #e69138;">- 2014 Bowman Scout's Breakouts Insert</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e69138;">- 2014 Bowman Scout's Breakouts Die-Cut Insert</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqnl0gj9rPrpIP5sE4xjsgmH2UEy31twnmJ5qeWGmwLy2WznW9FKkATkC0dqQA7qdZW_Ooae7Q5vW3t-j6o84HP3RL5sGIJfQsavkAukN6K4kh3mrjjsxBlZxBtt8fsHLuGnoPD7djmBh/s1600/Scan+1+copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqnl0gj9rPrpIP5sE4xjsgmH2UEy31twnmJ5qeWGmwLy2WznW9FKkATkC0dqQA7qdZW_Ooae7Q5vW3t-j6o84HP3RL5sGIJfQsavkAukN6K4kh3mrjjsxBlZxBtt8fsHLuGnoPD7djmBh/s400/Scan+1+copy.jpeg" width="287" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXqCv-C4I9J0VO_cpNXzgcu4LwqCq12UoXjSwBhQNjmua3jYL0nXxRebvJiR8xxms1_NmQPgz0WWyvW6emxvb6xMLgR0XZF4-QuLBDARQAKKuE51rXqB-_e-yrmYFMK7nwNFUtN5Yn5WX/s1600/Scan+1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXqCv-C4I9J0VO_cpNXzgcu4LwqCq12UoXjSwBhQNjmua3jYL0nXxRebvJiR8xxms1_NmQPgz0WWyvW6emxvb6xMLgR0XZF4-QuLBDARQAKKuE51rXqB-_e-yrmYFMK7nwNFUtN5Yn5WX/s400/Scan+1+copy.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e69138;">- 2014 Bowman Scout's Breakouts Die-Cut X-Fractor 61/99</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #e69138;">- 2015 Bowman Chrome Prospects Black Refractor </span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9XW_fYMYT9LxgaO_wwTBY5paWkFwvspl4-uwmV-EIfninTCLcgIJZujfbgs4VCJX5Hr1QFYbNipErkaATFnIdrFF4pTJPuzAJGEEcHgn5EFcfw-JkOqb4Wif-ILfGsC75ox21_1rUgnE/s1600/Scan+2+copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9XW_fYMYT9LxgaO_wwTBY5paWkFwvspl4-uwmV-EIfninTCLcgIJZujfbgs4VCJX5Hr1QFYbNipErkaATFnIdrFF4pTJPuzAJGEEcHgn5EFcfw-JkOqb4Wif-ILfGsC75ox21_1rUgnE/s400/Scan+2+copy.jpeg" width="287" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1reCVci7F5q2aBcdgdqy_4pqDmWkaw5RORXCDje56R1gNSDxFu_-EvdEdHre_0avjE4SBCOqFZc1YR1g9e6g_nEZYVrD6al0uV1XOtoNPMzhkT3vmeP5JqGfM57tAMeG7eYJuJ0CTFiJ/s1600/Scan+2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1reCVci7F5q2aBcdgdqy_4pqDmWkaw5RORXCDje56R1gNSDxFu_-EvdEdHre_0avjE4SBCOqFZc1YR1g9e6g_nEZYVrD6al0uV1XOtoNPMzhkT3vmeP5JqGfM57tAMeG7eYJuJ0CTFiJ/s400/Scan+2+copy.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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I purchased these four cards off of <a href="http://www.comc.com/" target="_blank">Check Out My Collectibles</a> just before I fly off to Italy, and arrived home to find them waiting on my desk for me. I'm going to try to fill as many holes in his early Topps/Bowman rainbow checklists as I can without breaking the bank, and I believe these all came to me for less than $10 shipped.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #e69138;">- 2016 Topps #265 Rookie Card (x17)</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQy1-g1iskwV1lPKHg0QnnoiCbsV2EQno9U0H8tlAYoDWfunrjBAShgGOd26MPk1B3E_h_98QitK9ScblDg4qYM_pTjjgwi8DHFgTwkHWcrFqmvrEFuAF0oVBvcOcSa_tCUoLpQ-6843bM/s1600/Scan+1+copy+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQy1-g1iskwV1lPKHg0QnnoiCbsV2EQno9U0H8tlAYoDWfunrjBAShgGOd26MPk1B3E_h_98QitK9ScblDg4qYM_pTjjgwi8DHFgTwkHWcrFqmvrEFuAF0oVBvcOcSa_tCUoLpQ-6843bM/s640/Scan+1+copy+2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not one, not two, but seventeen. It's safe to say I won't be needing any more copies of Severino's official Topps rookie card. They really put together a solid debut card of his, more than likely thanks in part to him being represented by them.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #e69138;">- 2016 Bowman Chrome Rookie Autograph Refractor 177/499</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOGfSTQH5ko9O_gFMiHmT-7RmL99ZDpl-uIjmUSjEahVNnsY-FVvONFoHyf5vig5iD4WrxC57UwYNhaA7Aehs2Biwu8-jrqr7yxcuPlC4d9fP6u2HNx5Rc6wLKTmteiwYw1c8qXeGZqIP/s1600/Scan+1+copy+3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOGfSTQH5ko9O_gFMiHmT-7RmL99ZDpl-uIjmUSjEahVNnsY-FVvONFoHyf5vig5iD4WrxC57UwYNhaA7Aehs2Biwu8-jrqr7yxcuPlC4d9fP6u2HNx5Rc6wLKTmteiwYw1c8qXeGZqIP/s400/Scan+1+copy+3.jpeg" width="283" /></a></div>
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When I initially started collecting Severino, I told myself I would only focus on his prospect years and his rookie year, and only went after his Topps/Bowman releases. I didn't think it would be much. I was wrong. His autograph is featured multiple times in every single Topps release this year, which I can only imagine is part of why they hardly sell for over $10 a pop (though, in fairness to Topps; his performance in 2016 has left much to be desired). I want to at least have one autograph from each set he's been included in, but as for completing the rookie year rainbows.... we'll see.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #e69138;">- 2016 Topps Museum Collection Signature Series Triple Relic Auto 95/99</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnMbn_mTNVV72jOg7KPeOHHKEsRirO9z1UpzzV5-cQou6-vTP7PTRSfzCJZzkC1cBiUh4T4mJloZbflPaurdsu_YEidfwyB_8QIK7XH_2w1GgS59SE_53Cn9v7Ge4_-pOr2vw-4jmoKxX/s1600/Scan+11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnMbn_mTNVV72jOg7KPeOHHKEsRirO9z1UpzzV5-cQou6-vTP7PTRSfzCJZzkC1cBiUh4T4mJloZbflPaurdsu_YEidfwyB_8QIK7XH_2w1GgS59SE_53Cn9v7Ge4_-pOr2vw-4jmoKxX/s400/Scan+11.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Museum Collection has produced some of Topps' finest quality since its birth in 2012. This year, I feel like it may have taken a bit of a step back. Don't get me wrong, I'll take a card like this any day; but it does feel a little <i>busy</i>. Regardless, there are a few other Severino inclusions in this year's release that I'll be trying to add sooner or later.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #e69138;">- 2016 Topps Archives 1969 Super Auto 70/75</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitllfcsdtTAPa6Q55e3gbemoxupk44sNvopxpIPTV77kP7fzbCENImJvecRtTONh2KAsuQcyGPOx0XOybl9B4cX9YDr-n-UGzxrSyfcgUzC-HMPYVBJE75be3AYyqQXGEUgdV9MVto4cOs/s1600/Scan+22.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitllfcsdtTAPa6Q55e3gbemoxupk44sNvopxpIPTV77kP7fzbCENImJvecRtTONh2KAsuQcyGPOx0XOybl9B4cX9YDr-n-UGzxrSyfcgUzC-HMPYVBJE75be3AYyqQXGEUgdV9MVto4cOs/s400/Scan+22.jpeg" width="278" /></a></div>
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When I first saw these cards appearing out of this year's Topps Archives, I was so pumped. I quickly made an offer on a Severino autographed version on eBay and it was accepted. The card came in yesterday, and it is undoubtedly one of my favorites in my growing collection of the future Yankees ace.</div>
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And yes, I said ace. Because I still believe in the kid, and so should you.</div>
Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-23266111393846396982016-06-07T10:39:00.000-04:002016-06-07T10:40:26.855-04:00Walk the Walk & Talk the Talk: A Tribute to Muhammad Ali<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggP9e1a045Ht21wrPOVvkSsZvdz09ygHOCFjlEni6uHjXQ0j9wP8mSsabPo7Ysxek5fpuaH_0lXCkDblVrFI7HySjvNF23wZazJ1Q5Hz2cjpI23rC3jn_80NNuiwMX52-dg_SS1dbyJqnR/s1600/Awesome-Muhammad-Ali-Wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggP9e1a045Ht21wrPOVvkSsZvdz09ygHOCFjlEni6uHjXQ0j9wP8mSsabPo7Ysxek5fpuaH_0lXCkDblVrFI7HySjvNF23wZazJ1Q5Hz2cjpI23rC3jn_80NNuiwMX52-dg_SS1dbyJqnR/s640/Awesome-Muhammad-Ali-Wallpaper.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Arrogance has always been one of my least favorite qualities a person can have. In most cases, I feel that it's a tool used by weak personalities to hide insecurities. In this world we live in today, it is relatively easy to transform into someone you're not; especially after the birth and rise of the Internet. While we now have freedoms we're still working out the kinks to, it is tougher than ever before to remain genuine and honest with others in a world so deeply rooted in boastful lies.<br />
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But in the rare case, arrogance is permitted in my book of what is tolerable and what isn't. And no, if you're excited thinking I'm referring to Donald Trump, you probably have the wrong idea and should go consult Fox News. I'm talking about Muhammad Ali, the self-proclaimed "Greatest of All Time". Ali, of course; <a href="http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/15939933/muhammad-ali-dies-74" target="_blank">left us too soon on Friday night</a> after battling Parkinson's Disease for over thirty years. His impact has been reflected upon every second of this past weekend by friends, family, athletes, and fans; as it rightfully should have. After all, no other modern athlete has left behind the global legacy he had.<br />
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Muhammad Ali once said that he called himself the greatest before he even knew he was. His ego was unprecedented and challenging to an American society that was still rampant with racial tension. The man even refused entry into the Vietnam War because he felt it wasn't fair for him to defend a country that wouldn't defend him. Whether you agree with his decision or not, the man made a hell of a point. He lost some of his fanbase by choosing punishment over war, but it was hard to root against him once he stepped back into the ring.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ieTYKq39ccW6D5mdQDM2PmWFJFU9e5BS5SpDCxjDKzKdW2C0vfP2-YI-onp7h7N1SDutrUQIXpdFVbxCcZXVyF843giz8bbVHbihKo10_K7Xpz1CgJN3L18b5eK1y0IDB-crq2oNca8B/s1600/muhammadali-cropped_1rz283rmkx4yb18os8hj0f3zi3+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ieTYKq39ccW6D5mdQDM2PmWFJFU9e5BS5SpDCxjDKzKdW2C0vfP2-YI-onp7h7N1SDutrUQIXpdFVbxCcZXVyF843giz8bbVHbihKo10_K7Xpz1CgJN3L18b5eK1y0IDB-crq2oNca8B/s640/muhammadali-cropped_1rz283rmkx4yb18os8hj0f3zi3+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.boxinginsider.com/columns/muhammad-ali-one-kind/" target="_blank">Image Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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For his career, Ali won 56 of his 61 fights; 37 by KO. He entertained my parents' generation by trash talking his opponents while transcending boxing with phantom punches and the rope a dope. At the same time, he pushed boundaries for African Americans and took pride in his Muslim faith. He used the platform he was given to spread love and make a difference in the world, while also being the most ferocious fighter we may ever see. If that doesn't make him the greatest, I don't know what else would.<br />
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Like the famous idiom says, if you can walk the walk, you can talk the talk. Ali was confident in his abilities and proved himself time and time again. In the end, he succumbed to the illness brought upon by what made him great. But we all know that he died a bigger winner than any one of us.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6imJU_GMBjlR4HuNFHDzPXwOtfLConLkNvD0DRFPumfybRu3LLHP-TDANkcMOTjTYkeVs3QY9KmflGOQQ8JynL6O8k7CpjKEEA8FxVKhYX49jTwMa-_n1d9beiXaB0fv0A6lxdvEqhFN/s1600/Ali%252Bpresidential%252Bmedal%252Bof%252Bfreedom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6imJU_GMBjlR4HuNFHDzPXwOtfLConLkNvD0DRFPumfybRu3LLHP-TDANkcMOTjTYkeVs3QY9KmflGOQQ8JynL6O8k7CpjKEEA8FxVKhYX49jTwMa-_n1d9beiXaB0fv0A6lxdvEqhFN/s640/Ali%252Bpresidential%252Bmedal%252Bof%252Bfreedom.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bdnews24.com/sport/2016/06/04/boxing-great-muhammad-ali-dead-at-age-74" target="_blank">Ali being awarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom</a> </td></tr>
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Rest in Peace, Champ.Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-2227972944143438162016-06-01T11:25:00.000-04:002016-06-01T11:37:00.345-04:00The Autograph CounterHey everyone, Drew back here. So before I left for Italy, I organized more of my collection than I had in years. It was such a nice relief coming home to not <i>too much</i> of a disaster in my man-cave. While cleaning up, I decided to count every single signature I own. As long as I could identify the subject, it was added to my spreadsheet. The spreadsheet was designed to accommodate for all future autograph pickups, so I was able to add to it with the few TTM's and eBay pickups from when I was away.<br />
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As of today, I own<span style="color: #e69138;"> <b>896</b></span> total autographs, and here is how it all breaks down:<br />
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Active Players -</b> </span>296/896 (33%)<br />
<b><span style="color: #e69138;">Deceased Players -</span></b> 48/896 (5%)<br />
<b><span style="color: #e69138;">Hall of Famers -</span></b> 110/896 (13%)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMOHurmeQpXIRwmQH35FGkcRskufHk5_8LTLSOKPdvEl1li3TM_JEuJvSAOmkk1NBHmkYYMG5Kc8BSYXpWddTjJoUjmQbkKnL-yf2wj99kIxnhyphenhypheniIVJccPMO_X7ALLsYagM1U79Sdji6x/s1600/meta-chart.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMOHurmeQpXIRwmQH35FGkcRskufHk5_8LTLSOKPdvEl1li3TM_JEuJvSAOmkk1NBHmkYYMG5Kc8BSYXpWddTjJoUjmQbkKnL-yf2wj99kIxnhyphenhypheniIVJccPMO_X7ALLsYagM1U79Sdji6x/s640/meta-chart.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e69138;">Yankees -</span></b> 287/896 (32%) of Total, 287/777 (37%) of Baseball<br />
<b><span style="color: #e69138;">Jets -</span></b> 54/896 (6%) of Total, 54/74 (73%) of Football<br />
<b><span style="color: #e69138;">Knicks -</span></b> 7/896 (0.8%) of Total, 7/14 (50%) of Basketball<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQ2XlM-W42EPfoQ8h6C2RHFFAg4zKSCs_IE42xdxArFDGXmRU7nH4QChWdTLNyDs-lwe5epoj9vtt8uA0cHNDgw_tVuIl_vrjMVHYvKqGcLm_0lHhnJHmq9z-RgWvUXqn37FS6AN2KJRE/s1600/chart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQ2XlM-W42EPfoQ8h6C2RHFFAg4zKSCs_IE42xdxArFDGXmRU7nH4QChWdTLNyDs-lwe5epoj9vtt8uA0cHNDgw_tVuIl_vrjMVHYvKqGcLm_0lHhnJHmq9z-RgWvUXqn37FS6AN2KJRE/s640/chart.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I also have a spreadsheet that tracks how many autographs I have of individual players. Here's the current top 20 on that list:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWt9Cq4YCa0MnJNkn1o0KDx20oQ1uMk9DpNIsbaWR2FpCZ6IOoZORTv0S5ZRjFVaxXaDkTwSZCyVDEpElHJMJ9LgqdgOa9v2m8nTdYAp30_Fs5k_hZjp4woRchXC-shPUkn2Xr2SByUBdd/s1600/16266082832_13ea2071e6_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWt9Cq4YCa0MnJNkn1o0KDx20oQ1uMk9DpNIsbaWR2FpCZ6IOoZORTv0S5ZRjFVaxXaDkTwSZCyVDEpElHJMJ9LgqdgOa9v2m8nTdYAp30_Fs5k_hZjp4woRchXC-shPUkn2Xr2SByUBdd/s320/16266082832_13ea2071e6_o.jpg" width="229" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpwDKZsYnTzgiRZv96od8Ld9Z92lVdxDii9cimBWQ9KQu1MWMhxaoEu5HBVKg8r-KVbshaWdmJl21C85HcKi3rubkemaCFbdPZyTeliY0DYiM1OhibhYfBKSp5CpFdIp7FuQd2wj8YLkY/s1600/23202555574_97cdcd6d9f_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpwDKZsYnTzgiRZv96od8Ld9Z92lVdxDii9cimBWQ9KQu1MWMhxaoEu5HBVKg8r-KVbshaWdmJl21C85HcKi3rubkemaCFbdPZyTeliY0DYiM1OhibhYfBKSp5CpFdIp7FuQd2wj8YLkY/s320/23202555574_97cdcd6d9f_o.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e69138;">1.</span></b> Nick Swisher (12)<br />
<b><span style="color: #e69138;">2.</span> </b>Luis Severino (11)<br />
<b><span style="color: #e69138;">3.</span> </b>Joe Panik (10)<br />
<b><span style="color: #e69138;">4.</span></b> Robinson Cano (9)<br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><b>5.</b> </span>Don Larsen (7)<br />
<b><span style="color: #e69138;">6.</span></b> Yogi Berra (6)<br />
Wade Boggs (6)<br />
Virgil Trucks (6)<br />
Sparky Lyle (6)<br />
Roy White (6)<br />
Josh Hamilton (6)<br />
Pat Neshek (6)<br />
Goose Gossage (6)<br />
Bobby Doerr (6)<br />
Bob Feller (6)<br />
<b><span style="color: #e69138;">16.</span></b> Ty Hensley (5)<br />
Lee Smith (5)<br />
Don Mattingly (5)<br />
C.C. Sabathia (5)<br />
Bobby Shantz (5)<br />
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This was a grueling project, but I'm really glad I did it in retrospect. Now I can shoot for specific autograph goals in the beginning of the year, without changing my collecting habits of course. I'm going to add a counter on my sidebar indicating what my total is up to as my quest for 1,000 marches on.<br />
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I challenge you guys to see how many autographs you have in your collection! It might be more than you think!Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-64737251948268574912016-05-29T16:24:00.001-04:002016-06-01T11:25:58.110-04:00Prospect Pickups: James Kaprielian<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hey everyone, Drew back here! I hope you all are enjoying a nice, relaxing Memorial Day Weekend with your loved ones. But, if you have a few minutes to scour the blogosphere, allow me to show off a lot of James Kaprielian cards I purchased off of eBay while I was studying abroad!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMcpr2Zg324Uz3aGOM-FMpANNhScwyfqwHC2GgAmvJQTYhxLV_mPkCEQlFmSLrwGL_ABJN8DIdTWBDo7bV_5kZvV9mrFBdrWSbzxPTgQXGrgwC1YN-57WAJrHwPu0dwstGY9ybQ_aLEXp/s1600/Scan+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMcpr2Zg324Uz3aGOM-FMpANNhScwyfqwHC2GgAmvJQTYhxLV_mPkCEQlFmSLrwGL_ABJN8DIdTWBDo7bV_5kZvV9mrFBdrWSbzxPTgQXGrgwC1YN-57WAJrHwPu0dwstGY9ybQ_aLEXp/s640/Scan+1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Kaprielian is the Yankees current top pitching prospect by a considerable margin now that Luis Severino has graduated to big league status (for now). The former UCLA standout was drafted as the 16th overall pick in the 2015 Draft, and is estimated to make his debut in the big leagues in 2017. He's only started three games in 2016, and is currently on the disabled list with elbow inflammation. Luckily, it doesn't appear to be anything more than that.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicf7yjosSdQWqBlCqKkxN-0pzL3nT3913gN0i2dnDfA09_Rm_f7Iic-Cym0Fo_3IFVhEFUAeVubGCuSTb9Tgxlw72X70TaJbMi1-BqCUV8iNHlmWYNtOAg4jTyIm6jNFwfciF9KyO2j_gI/s1600/Scan+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicf7yjosSdQWqBlCqKkxN-0pzL3nT3913gN0i2dnDfA09_Rm_f7Iic-Cym0Fo_3IFVhEFUAeVubGCuSTb9Tgxlw72X70TaJbMi1-BqCUV8iNHlmWYNtOAg4jTyIm6jNFwfciF9KyO2j_gI/s640/Scan+2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This lot included 8 copies of his 2015 Bowman rookie card and 5 of his "Draft/Dividends" inserts, which shows how much your draft stock can improve by going to college. Kaprielian was drafted in 2012 in the 40th round by the Mariners, but his decision to go to UCLA helped him grow into a first round talent.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSxwODDG84VYi_4jy71FjkPTDJLeg1S3_O8oEgsqwsbewe7-ZuL3SO-hP5tb2Y4ZlEciSkXNdU6Q4kS5uaKXJZ3SdVxUjVH1psa8-vvhrUnvGmZs6o8OLeE8Yh1_l4e4fpkomK2HGxnIW/s1600/Scan+4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSxwODDG84VYi_4jy71FjkPTDJLeg1S3_O8oEgsqwsbewe7-ZuL3SO-hP5tb2Y4ZlEciSkXNdU6Q4kS5uaKXJZ3SdVxUjVH1psa8-vvhrUnvGmZs6o8OLeE8Yh1_l4e4fpkomK2HGxnIW/s400/Scan+4.jpeg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015 Bowman DPP Refractor Autograph</td></tr>
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The centerpiece of the lot was this gorgeous Bowman rookie refractor autograph! In my honest opinion, there is no better card to own of a player than one of these. Bowman offers several rarer color parallels, but the basic refractors are often relatively affordable while also being aesthetically pleasing.<br />
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Over the summer, I'm going to be looking to add Bowman refractor autographs of several of the other Yankees top prospects. The major targets will be Aaron Judge, Jorge Mateo, and Gary Sanchez. Unfortunately, this mini project will probably have to wait a little while because I'm a little short on money at the moment.<br />
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Which product do you think offers the best, most memorable autographed cards?Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238534532864885518.post-61621458034876801702016-05-26T14:09:00.000-04:002016-05-26T14:09:43.057-04:00Spring 2016 TTM MailbagHey everyone, Drew back here! While I was away, I used this site as a platform for blog posts required for a Multimedia course I took. I don't know how many of you chose to read those, but I hope you enjoyed seeing some different material than usual.<br />
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After a few months away from our blogging community, I think it's about time I catch you all up on my collection. Now that I'm back in the states, I plan to reignite my interest in the hobby, while working with the smallest budget I've ever had. I did arrive home to six TTM successes, which happened to be six more than I initially expected to find.<br />
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<b>Josh Hamilton:</b> 1/1 (c/o Texas Rangers)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiik9JI26Wg1edabTrU6K0g69ZpsBYgWNUy8AGmyR8bWHX9kjX8xcByQCaUJpj3MSFdboff2m9_k6NOrWU58GGPwtKTVwU_R_3lTqgHz_ozS6Ze_53KhP6J6yj1yRKyCzWxQFoUByL59ZNd/s1600/Scan+10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiik9JI26Wg1edabTrU6K0g69ZpsBYgWNUy8AGmyR8bWHX9kjX8xcByQCaUJpj3MSFdboff2m9_k6NOrWU58GGPwtKTVwU_R_3lTqgHz_ozS6Ze_53KhP6J6yj1yRKyCzWxQFoUByL59ZNd/s640/Scan+10.jpeg" width="514" /></a></div>
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Every year, the Josh Hamilton story grows increasingly distant from my memory. I've always been a huge fan of his, but it's felt like forever since he was a productive baseball player. Hamilton received his second left knee operation last offseason that initially slated him to return about midway through the 2016 season. However, there was still meniscus and cartilage damage remaining that will now be operated on; thus concluding his 2016 campaign before he even took the field once. He's now 35, and while he may plan on returning next season he may not draw interest from any clubs. It's safe to say his days as an MVP and Home Run Derby champion have come to a close.</div>
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Hamilton has been one of the most consistent TTM signers in today's game over the past few years. He usually will sign during the winter and return all of his fanmail from the prior season, and it appears as though he's done it again. My glossy 8x10 copy of his Sports Illustrated cover came out awesome. Maybe next year I'll finally get him on a ball.</div>
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My Dad was able to open my TTM's for me while I was gone and send me pictures of the successes; which certainly helped me feel close to home. On the same day, I received the following two autographs from some of the game's better young prospects.</div>
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<b>Brandon Nimmo:</b> 1/1 (c/o Binghamton Mets)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2jBGLJwxJ8PVRSOuRYOZ3MIq1gYhVU6H5dHB2CaI64R-HJfWr9pbUt9hjAHSIj1S1iB_KH5K7DqVtGcDJjYTVmETcYYfPBfzg5CNDqiGNduYjbmugqnLbiLwLKoxrOw_I3JGkZ5uUtCS/s1600/Scan+5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2jBGLJwxJ8PVRSOuRYOZ3MIq1gYhVU6H5dHB2CaI64R-HJfWr9pbUt9hjAHSIj1S1iB_KH5K7DqVtGcDJjYTVmETcYYfPBfzg5CNDqiGNduYjbmugqnLbiLwLKoxrOw_I3JGkZ5uUtCS/s400/Scan+5.jpeg" width="281" /></a></div>
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Nimmo was the Mets 1st round draft selection in 2011, and currently ranks as their 4th overall prospect <a href="http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2016?list=nym" target="_blank">according to MLB.com</a>. He profiles as a well rounded player that particularly exceeds at hitting for contact, and currently plays for their Triple-A affiliate Las Vegas 51s. In 40 games this season, he's batted an even .300 with a home run, 20 RBI, and 22 runs scored. It shouldn't be much longer before he gets an opportunity to shine in blue and orange.</div>
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He personalized my 2014 Bowman card and signed it cleanly in blue sharpie.</div>
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<b>Robert Stephenson:</b> 1/1 (c/o Pensacola Blue Wahoos)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeyDDevTcT5aKbbl-0wvdT73gSDhk3ORgYkjx0HZbwk-5-ELdc63QDb0Kw2dCb_wOjv6_TrmjBEljJ21nQMyt9ViEdtJAd7k-rwfXeZJLERYj3EAiBP6vr5TRjW3kyeVuZu7OOOzNmgzC/s1600/Scan+7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeyDDevTcT5aKbbl-0wvdT73gSDhk3ORgYkjx0HZbwk-5-ELdc63QDb0Kw2dCb_wOjv6_TrmjBEljJ21nQMyt9ViEdtJAd7k-rwfXeZJLERYj3EAiBP6vr5TRjW3kyeVuZu7OOOzNmgzC/s400/Scan+7.jpeg" width="282" /></a></div>
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The Cincinnati Reds are the National League's second worst team in 2016; only better than the historically bad Atlanta Braves. Over the past year, they've lost Aroldis Chapman, Johnny Cueto, and Todd Frazier while attempting a rebuild phase. This 6'2 hurler appears to be at the forefront of this movement, and has the potential to one day be the ace of the staff. Stephenson was also a 1st round pick in 2011, but has developed relatively slowly ever since. He made his MLB debut early this season and made two quality starts for the Reds before they sent him down to work on his ability to throw strikes and account for service time. We should see more of him on a big league mound later on this year.</div>
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Stephenson also signed a 2014 Bowman for my collection nicely in blue sharpie.</div>
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<b>Shane Greene:</b> 1/1 (c/o Detroit Tigers)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEird2pfV-NTQicosTPeQx_F0uu79ynvTwwOJB6R30LVSHATQn44BCUb9LxfR-AbzzphTEQYuqEhNSgTtBsso0jwsBqqGa3yLS_CQYnGhHYnZqBN8xsANwgdO62lYHTgaPlP8Ig3JoYVSaQW/s1600/Scan+6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEird2pfV-NTQicosTPeQx_F0uu79ynvTwwOJB6R30LVSHATQn44BCUb9LxfR-AbzzphTEQYuqEhNSgTtBsso0jwsBqqGa3yLS_CQYnGhHYnZqBN8xsANwgdO62lYHTgaPlP8Ig3JoYVSaQW/s400/Scan+6.jpeg" width="281" /></a></div>
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It's been an inconsistent journey for Shane Greene since he was sent to Detroit in the three team deal that landed New York their current shortstop, Didi Gregorius. Greene broke out with the Yankees in 2014, recording a 5-4 record and a 3.78 ERA in 78.2 IP. He started off strong last season with the Tigers before he struggled immensely and found himself in Triple-A. At the end of the season, he was falsely diagnosed with an aneurysm in his throwing hand but then also underwent shoulder surgery. He's currently rehabbing and working his way back up to the Tigers 25 man roster. Needless to say, I would do that trade again every time if I could.</div>
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<b>Mark Wahlberg:</b> 1/3 (c/o Leverage Management)</div>
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Marky Mark. Yeah, that's the one. I also forgot I sent this out, and I wish I had some way of knowing when I initially sent the request. Wahlberg has rebounded well from his mediocre rap career with "The Funky Bunch"; starring in several blockbuster films such as "Boogie Nights", "The Departed", "Ted", and one of my all time favorite movies: "The Fighter". I believe I included a 4x6 glossy shot similar to this "Other Guys" photo of the boxing classic (and "Ted" now that I think of it), but I'm not 100% sure. "The Other Guys" remains as one of my favorite Will Ferrell comedies, despite having seen it more than my fair share of times. </div>
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Wahlberg signed this photo nicely in black sharpie. It would be cool if I could add Will Ferrell on it eventually, but I won't be upset if I don't.</div>
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<b>Clayton Kershaw:</b> 1/1 (c/o Los Angeles Dodgers)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T0JmfkXKVrddT4Get32Cxym5GYbwPBm9sBuuUp61Kt3EkPXqYSizr0z1Z6oo99UY_heTR7d8_778EKaNebKzUy8DYzTDqSk28YxThyQEMqpJZ20Td_M5N9k3gI0l8Lap5lp33aZEqNa6/s1600/Scan+8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T0JmfkXKVrddT4Get32Cxym5GYbwPBm9sBuuUp61Kt3EkPXqYSizr0z1Z6oo99UY_heTR7d8_778EKaNebKzUy8DYzTDqSk28YxThyQEMqpJZ20Td_M5N9k3gI0l8Lap5lp33aZEqNa6/s400/Scan+8.jpeg" width="285" /></a></div>
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We wrap my comeback post up with a success from <strike>Sandy Koufax</strike> Clayton Kershaw! Just when you thought Jake Arrieta and several of baseball's rising stars would begin to compete for the "Best Pitcher in Baseball" moniker, this guy started doing things even he hasn't yet done. This month, he's thrown 3 complete game shutouts (no typo), bringing his current line to 7-1 with a 1.95 ERA and 95 strikeouts. I've seen Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, and Greg Maddux pitch before, but since they weren't in their prime at that point of their careers I can definitely say that Kershaw is the best I've ever seen.<br />
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Kershaw, like Hamilton; is a top notch TTM signer. He signs usually every February if you send to the Dodgers stadium address. I would take advantage of this opportunity while you can, because at this rate we won't be able to afford his John Hancock for much longer. He also included a note about <a href="http://www.kershawschallenge.com/" target="_blank">"Kershaw's Challenge"</a>, his organization that encourages people to use their faith to make a difference in the world. There isn't a single bad thing I can say about this guy; he's as classy as they come.<br />
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I hope you all enjoyed my return to form, and I would please like to encourage you all to spread the word about this site. I don't know if everyone has caught on to my new stomping grounds here at "The Hot Corner", but now that I'll be getting back to posting regular content I would like for those of you in the community to at least have the opportunity to read my material.<br />
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Thank you so much to every one of you for helping make this site possible. Ciao!Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17224880509770382577noreply@blogger.com2