Random Cardboard:1996 Pinnacle Tony Gwynn

Summer Of Wes Card #73

Summer Of Wes Card #89

Blocked In

*sits down with a freshly brewed cup from the Keurig, was it because his coffee maker was broken? Nope. It's blocked in right now and since life can't go on without coffee, so goes to the second best route*

Why is my coffee maker blocked in? Well, that's because my wife and I have been on a canning spree.

(there's the ole coffee maker in the back)

Between the amount of pickles, dilly beans and salsa we have made so far and haven't had the chance to put away yet, there's no counter space for my beloved best friend Mr. Black+Decker. He's the one friend I can usually rely on throughout my day. Always has my back and my fills my soul.

But, it's creeping in on Fall and this is the kind of stuff we do when it is around the corner. Well except buy a bunch of Pumpkin spice stuff, more on that another time. For now, I will enjoy the smells that all of this brings.

I always miss summer with the sun and warm temperatures around this time of year as it starts to get a tad cooler, but there also comes that time where I am ready for it to cool down. It's been one of the hottest summers on record here so I don't mind moving into the next phase. That's what great about having four seasons unlike a lot of places where it's summer all of the time. I wouldn't survive and need the variety in my life.

*takes another sip of coffee, gets ready for the cards portion of this post*

In the hobby, I have also been blocked in by my want list for years. There is so much I want in the cardosphere that I want to keep expanding my list on but I don't. I have been blocked in by whats already on there and don't feel like I should keep adding to it until I knock more down. Occasionally I am able to knock down a card or two, but there are still so many big ones on there that I may never get to accomplish it or be able to add to it.

Or will I?

In my latest trade with Dions Autograph Collection, I really made some headway on a few of those wants. Especially when it comes to my baseball want list.

First up, we will take a look at some football cards I traded for that were not on my want list but were cards I wanted. Yes, there is a difference in that.

Cards On The Want List:Usually dream cards you hope to own

Cards You Want:Spur of the moment, fits your collection cards.

Here they are,

Three more Daniel Jones rookies for the PC. I really need to do a complete number update on my Jones collection.

Prizm Jones rookie. This was technically on my want list as I wanted a second one for my PC. Just in case he breaks out and I don't get another. So I will partially count this as a want knocked down despite already owning one. We will get to the real knockdowns soon.

I crossed off a much wanted Drew Lock Prizm rookie a few weeks ago, but, when you see another in a trade you grab it. This time though, its a Red White and Blue version. Prizm sure is pretty. Just like our canning jar of goods.

 

*another sip of coffee. Looks at his hand of remaining cards and smiles knowing what's remaining to show off*

 

And now onto the big part of the trade for my want lists. These were actually cards I thought I would never own of Hall Of Famers but finally do now.

I do own a rookie of Gwynn with the O-Pee-Chee version, but to me it's a knock off to the Topps one and really wanted the real brand. Now I have it. Yes, the centering on it isn't beautiful, but that's not what I am about. I just wanted the rookie card.

Second card, George Brett rookie. I know many don't care for this design, but I do. I like the color schemes and to me it's one of the iconic Topps designs.

And lastly, a Rickey Henderson rookie! Holy Topps Rickey Henderson Batman! This one I never thought I would have in hand.

*takes another sip, realizes one more item was stuck behind the Henderson. I guess you can say that Henderson had it blocked in....*

 

This one wasn't on my want list for basketball, but it's such a cool piece I added it,

Also in this trade was a 1988 Fleer Michael Jordan sticker. Great centerpiece for my MJ collection.

*few more sips to finish up this post. Trying to decide what breakfast will be*

Three big milestones in this trade knocked down and now my want list needs an update. I will have to look at my baseball want list again to see if there is room to expand or will I still be blocked in by what remains.

I just hope my coffee maker won't be blocked in much longer by an ever expanding canning operation. Will be doing some spaghetti sauce today for the first time but also will be purchasing a shelf hopefully to store this stuff on. I can't go another day without my coffee maker in sight.

Stars Of Today For Stars Of Yesterday

In today's hobby, there is a lot of hustle and bustle when it comes to collecting the next big thing.

Everyone wants that next big prospect money return. Some buy low, sell high. Others will pour their life savings into one prospect they feel could be the next Mike Trout. Even though that sometimes works out, probably only 10-20% of the time (I am looking at you Baker Mayfield and Shohei Ohtani collectors in 2018 and 2019), it's a huge risk to take.

One I am not willing to.

For me, collecting is fun and nostalgic. I don't rip and flip. I don't buy all in on one player, unless it's a guy on my team but that's not prospecting. I don't buy just to sell. I collect plain and simple.

So if I happen to land one of those big name prospects, I usually trade it off for what I consider an upgrade.

When looking for an upgrade, I look for players who are in the Hall Of Fame and ones that I have had a history somewhat with.

Being a huge fan of the 90's, I saw a lot of Hall Of Fame players play in that era spread across all sports, so those are the guys I am typically drawn to getting autographed cards of.

I have already picked up autos of guys such as Ken Griffey Jr, Kobe Bryant, Steve Young, Dan Marino, and many others and have been weaning my search down as I go. My recent prospect trade off took two more off from my list of needs.

 

Tony was atop my baseball list needs that includes guys like Mariano Rivera still to get.  Gwynn played 20 seasons all for the SD Padres. He won 8 batting titles and is one of the most consistent. hitters in MLB history He also was an 15 time All Star, seven time Silver Slugger award winner and five gold gloves as well. Solid player who has a place in my collection. When I saw also this was a 90's autograph I was acquiring it made it an even more beautiful sight.

 

The Big Hurt stars in commericals now, but when he was on the baseball field he put a hurt ont all baseballs. He was an MVP, Five time All Star, AL Comeback Player Of The Year and won a World Series. Not quite the list of accomplishments as Gwynn, but one heck of a player no matter. If only injuries hadn't take a toll on him throughout his career we may be talking more about him.

Usually I don't like unlicensed baseball cards like this, but I have been needing an autograph of Thomas so this fits the bill.

I still have many more needs across multiple sports to acquire so when I hit that next big prospect or if I already have, I will turn that into players who are more established careers. That's just the way I roll.

Another Griffey Jr Centerpiece

It's been a few months, but @Jake1725 and I just pulled off another big trade. This time the centerpiece was worked around a card we almost pulled off the last time which was delayed from someone else wanting to trade for it. Well, they never pulled off the deal so their loss is my gain. Stay tuned at the bottom for that beauty.

If you don't know @Jake1725 he runs the A Very Simple Idea blog which focuses on his main project of collecting the Topps/Bowman Inception autograph sets. Go check him out if you haven't done so yet.

Our trade focused around helping him acquire more cards for his project and for me, adding more cards to my PC.

 

Up first, here are some freebies he tossed into the trade. Oversized Donruss '84 baseball cards.

 

Including a new Pops I didn't have. He looks pretty good in pinstripes. I always wished Jr had gone that route to. Would have gotten him a ring he so deserved.

 

Cool oversized Finest cards I haven't seen before. One of Gwynn and one of Larry Walker.

 

Speaking of oversized cards that are cool, here is one of Jr I didn't have. I always liked the photo on this one.

 

A Ginter Fielder relic. I dig these mini relics.

 

Luis Ortiz auto rookie

 

Christian Vazquez auto. I have found this one a new home already in a big trade I am still working on.

 

I have always seen Post Cereal cards, but not ones that are unfolded and look like this. Awesome. Also a new Jr.

 

Don't Judge me for wanting some Judge. This is a foil parallel. I am sure this card like all of his others is on fire.

 

And we have finally reached our destination, the centerpiece of this trade. There's not much to say other than just drooling over it. Also check out the numbering. Seems like someone wore 24 once...

 

 

This makes Griffey auto card number three in my PC. I know that's not much compared to some, but it's all I can do for now.

 

A big thanks goes out to @Jake1725 for the trade and for considering me next in line for the Griffey auto. I am so thankful that we were able to work out a trade in the best of both of our interests. This card has found it's final home and I look forward to our next trade.

If you are not following him or have not checked him out yet for helping him with his project, please do so. He is overall a really good guy as well.

Random Card On My Desk:1995 Fleer All-Stars Ken Griffey Jr/Tony Gwynn

1997 Upper Deck UD3 Baseball Pack # 7

You see me unwrapping.... this package... you know it going to be...shiny and chromie..going to be shiny and chromie...going to be shiny and chromie..

So alright, my lyrics don't work that well. But, shiny and chromie is what I found once again in Pack # 7.

I also found Tony Gwynn a player I loved watching growing up and Alex Rodriguez, another player I was fond of until he became a greedy steroid user. Sorry for the harshness of him, but I lose all respect for players who cheated the game. Even if they play for the Yanks.

 

Overall, three more new players towards my set. 21/60 now. Creeping in on completion at this rate.

Pack number 8 coming at ya tomorrow!

Breakin Wax:2015 Donruss Baseball Hobby Box

Last years edition of Donruss baseball, especially Series 2, was by far my favorite baseball card bust of the year. Yup, I said it and would say it again with full confidence. NO OTHER PRODUCT IN 2014 TOUCHED 2014 DONRUSS SERIES 2!!!

 

In every box of 2015 Donruss Baseball is 24 packs per box with 8 cards per pack. Each box will run you just under $70 and you will find three hits per box. There will also be more than 50 INSERTS!!

BASE CARDS

The design of this years Donruss baseball base cards is a bit overtaken by border in my standards. It's always so hard for me to look at baseball cards without the MLB team on the helmet or hat. There are some great shots of individual players, not much in terms of action shots here, but my eyes immediately jump on the missing logos. I hope MLB wakes up soon and realizes that they need more than one licensee.

I must also make note that I do like the Donruss throwback symbol a lot.

There are 150 cards in this years base set consisting of veterans

and Retired players such as Frank Thomas and Pete Rose.

One thing I didn't read about anywhere that caught me off guard was these black/white parallels. Same number, different photo and color.

 

It also appears just like in my basketball review of Donruss yesterday, that Panini Sp'd the rookie cards in this product. I only pulled 4 (sorry one wasn't shown). This means these fall at an alarming rate of 1:6 packs. This adds value to the rookies and makes if fun to have a chase for the set collectors out there. I was glad to see Pederson in my box.

INSERTS

Every box should have the following amount of inserts, four 1981's, four Diamond Kings, 12 Donruss Preferred, one Elite Series, one Dominator, one Longball Leader, one USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, one All-Time Diamond Kings, two The Rookies, two Stat Line and one Press Proof.

The base set all have parallels from Stat Lines to Press Proofs. All of which are numbered.

  

Panini went old school with including 1981 Donruss design as one of the inserts. These as well have parallels.

See!

In every pack of Donruss, you get one of these Elite inserts. I really like the design of them. I was happy to find Kris Bryant who I only have one rookie of.

Panini also added more nostalgic feel with Dominator and Elite Series two fine looking inserts. Can't forget about...

The Rookies nostalgia too!

We continue the nostalgia with Diamond Kings and All-Time Diamond Kings. These are just like the originals. Except for the really high gloss.

(parallels too)

These are very cool Completely die-cut.

Even more nostalgic adds, sorry for the blurry pics, these are Production Lines.

And then Panini took a classic product and added a "new times" touch to Donruss Preferred. I wonder if this is a sneak peek at a future full line product....

A die cut low numbered parallel.

THE HITS!
So far this product has been built on nostalgia and throwbacks. I think this theme carries over to the hits as they have a retro feel to them. Not much to show here in terms of big hits, but there are some to find. Panini has inserted original autograph buyback cards from names like Frank Thomas to Cal Ripken Jr to Derek Jeter. So there are bigger hits waiting to happen. Just not in my particular box.

The Jersey Kings look nice and I like that they used a crown die cut around the jersey swatch. Just adds more to the card especially because they are single-color swatches.

Here is my autographed hit. If you know me by now you know I am totally digging this rainbow foil auto.

 

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Donruss has a great price point for the value you find and the hits you could get. I cannot argue with that. I will say that this years version fell just short of last years full excitement but still was a fun bust. The inserts are bold, colorful and nostalgic.If you have been a collector for awhile and remember these classic designs and throwback product names, you will rather enjoy opening up some. I think even newer collectors can appreciate what Panini is doing here.

Once again, the biggest catch for me is the fact that they don't have logos. But, that's just my thing and others may not be bothered by that. Overall, a very underrated product that has plenty of potential and is worth the risk.

Grady Strikes Again!

In what was a crazy two weeks full of mail, two of the packages in those two weeks were from the one and only Grady M. I revealed for a week what the first one came with. This one was smaller, but still packed a good punch as you will soon see. I am always left speechless by this guys generosity.

Now onto the mail day goodies.

Some new Yankee adds including a couple new Mattingly's

A new NY Ranger PC add from NHCD

Though from one of my most hated teams, I am still a fan of shiny things

I really wanted a piece of the Panini Prizm World Cup action but never got around to getting any. This is my first card which looks quite impressive. It may lead me to buying a few packs.

A much needed Tony Gwynn rookie, another card off my want list. The cards centering isn't great, but mint condition otherwise and still the HOFer's rookie. Just excited to keep crossing off rookies from the 80's off my list. I still have a few more to go, but, hopefully will get those done as well in the near future.

Now onto the finale of this mail day, some Griffey's for that PC. Between the end of last year and the beginning of this one, I have picked up almost thirty new Griffey's. Something I haven't done since 1999-2000. It's been awhile, but I am starting to add some more. It's not too hard to add when I don't have much between the years of 2002-now.

I like the Ginter add, but the Spectrum looks sweet. I always forget about his short stint with the White Sox.

It doesn't look it on here, but this is a Topps mini add. Love the throwback appeal on both the card and picture.

LOOK AT THAT SWING! THE BEST EVER!

Numbered Die-Cut from USA Champions Elite. Really like this card.

In the end, Grady sent another nice package. My card collection is starting to finally get nice pieces added to it all because of his generosity. Thanks again Grady! You are an amazing person!