Cracking Reggie

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:

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 more 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.

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. 

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.

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?

Did I make the right call? Let me know in the comments below how you like your graded cards.

The Aroldis Chapman Conundrum

Hey everyone! So pitchers and catchers have reported, and that is awesome. 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.

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.

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:

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.

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. 

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.

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.

America vs. The Patriots

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.

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.

2013 Topps Five Star Curtis Martin Auto 15/25

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.

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.

2015 Topps Chrome Leonard Williams Auto /99

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.

2014 Panini Flawless Eric Decker Auto 14/25

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.

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 hauled in the game winning touchdown reception 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.

2015 Panini Luxe Darrelle Revis Patch Auto 4/5

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 only have 3 more years to go!

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.

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.

Alright, so that'll have it. No Joe Namath auto yet, apologies.

Go Falcons!

2016 East Coast National High-End Pickups!

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.

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! 

At this show, I had the pleasure of meeting Kenny from Torren' Up Cards (which I talked about 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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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). 

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.

Between the two, there were an awful lot of accolades. For the price I paid, I'd do it all over again.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

Until next time, See Ya!

Three at Third for the Hot Corner!

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 seen lately. 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...

2013 Topps Triple Threads Wright/Longoria/Machado Triple Autograph Relic 11/36

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 and defensively at that time. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

I 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.

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.

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 appear to know by now; 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.

2010 Bowman Gary Sanchez Refractor Auto /500

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.

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).

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 everything in his power to help the team do just that.

New Yorkers never quit. Neither will we @Yankees. Please keep coming out to support. Thank you. #YankeesDontQuit #IamGary

— Gary Sanchez (@ElGarySanchez) August 27, 2016

I love it.

For once, you're right about something John Sterling. Gary is scary.

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.

Hard Work Pays Off

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. 

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. 

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 never been more excited for the future of this team.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 he had a say apparently, 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.

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.

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.

Harvey Day

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.

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.

2011 Bowman Platinum Matt Harvey Autograph

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.

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.

Full Circle

Last week, I made a pretty big trade on Instagram with user @ttmcollector25. 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:

2000 Upper Deck Legends Reggie Jackson Auto Graded 8.5 w/ 10 Auto

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 screwed over my Mickey Mantle 16x20 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, Frankie!

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.

So, thanks Frankie for giving this up so it eventually would join my collection!

Instantly Hooked on Instagram

For 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.

First, I made a trade with user @csgraphs a few weeks ago. I dealt a few autographs I didn't have any connection to for these two beauties:

2016 Topps Museum Collection Nolan Arenado Quad Patch Relic /75

2013 Topps Five Star Justin Upton Auto /333

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 Frankie's hands eventually, but for now I'm going to enjoy the dirt splattered relic chunks.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

This was a good trade for me, despite losing an autograph from my autograph count (which is declining substantially since I first posted about it). 

The final trade I'll be showcasing in this post was with @cbbaseballcards. 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. 

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).

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.

Didn't Ya Know I Still Love Cano?

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. 

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 Everyday Holliday 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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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 Everyday Holliday, please go give it a look. I promise you won't be disappointed if you're as passionate a collector as Andrew or myself!

The Autograph Counter

Hey 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 too much 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.

As of today, I own 896 total autographs, and here is how it all breaks down:

Active Players - 296/896 (33%)
Deceased Players - 48/896 (5%)
Hall of Famers - 110/896 (13%)

Yankees - 287/896 (32%) of Total, 287/777 (37%) of Baseball
Jets - 54/896 (6%) of Total, 54/74 (73%) of Football
Knicks - 7/896 (0.8%) of Total, 7/14 (50%) of Basketball

I also have a spreadsheet that tracks how many autographs I have of individual players. Here's the current top 20 on that list:

1. Nick Swisher (12)
2. Luis Severino (11)
3. Joe Panik (10)
4. Robinson Cano (9)
5. Don Larsen (7)
6. Yogi Berra (6)
Wade Boggs (6)
Virgil Trucks (6)
Sparky Lyle (6)
Roy White (6)
Josh Hamilton (6)
Pat Neshek (6)
Goose Gossage (6)
Bobby Doerr (6)
Bob Feller (6)
16. Ty Hensley (5)
Lee Smith (5)
Don Mattingly (5)
C.C. Sabathia (5)
Bobby Shantz (5)

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.

I challenge you guys to see how many autographs you have in your collection! It might be more than you think!

Prospect Pickups: James Kaprielian

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!

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.

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.

2015 Bowman DPP Refractor Autograph

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.

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.

Which product do you think offers the best, most memorable autographed cards?

Spring 2016 TTM Mailbag

Hey 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.

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.

Josh Hamilton: 1/1 (c/o Texas Rangers)

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.

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.

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.

Brandon Nimmo: 1/1 (c/o Binghamton Mets)

Nimmo was the Mets 1st round draft selection in 2011, and currently ranks as their 4th overall prospect according to MLB.com. 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.

He personalized my 2014 Bowman card and signed it cleanly in blue sharpie.

Robert Stephenson: 1/1 (c/o Pensacola Blue Wahoos)

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.

Stephenson also signed a 2014 Bowman for my collection nicely in blue sharpie.

Shane Greene: 1/1 (c/o Detroit Tigers)

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.

Mark Wahlberg: 1/3 (c/o Leverage Management)

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. 

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.

Clayton Kershaw: 1/1 (c/o Los Angeles Dodgers)

We wrap my comeback post up with a success from Sandy Koufax 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.

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 "Kershaw's Challenge", 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.

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.

Thank you so much to every one of you for helping make this site possible. Ciao!