Catching Up

One of the best things about the blogosphere is the interaction among people who share a common interest: collecting cards.  If I didn't start reading card blogs and writing my own posts, I never would have had the opportunity to hang out and talk shop with fellow bloggers like Rod, Ryan, Brady, Dan, Greg, and Jim over at cards as i see them.

Two weeks ago, Jim and I met up again at an In-N-Out about a mile from my place, grabbed some burgers, and caught up on cards, blogs, and baseball.  Good times.

 

He also handed me a care package that had some really cool PC items along with some set help.  Let's get the ball rolling with this on-card autograph of Joe Rudi:

2001 Topps Archives Autograph #119

Tonight Rudi is getting inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions to this team:

2020 Topps Update Decades' Best #DB-27

Outside of the New York Yankees, the 70's Oakland A's are the only other team to win three consecutive World Series titles.  Yup.  As an A's fan, sometimes I gotta celebrate stuff from half a century ago when I was only an infant.

Next up is a card that was sitting on my sports card most wanted list for several years:

1997 Bowman's Best Preview International Refractor #5

Jim and I actually talked about this card when we hung out.  He mentioned how he found two reasonably priced copies on COMC, so he grabbed one for his collection and the other for mine.

I think the last time I updated this list was about five years ago, because there were two other cards on it that I had already acquired.  Thanks to Jim, it's been completely updated.

Are game-used jersey cards still popular among most collectors?  Personally, I'm still an avid collector of them.

2002 Fleer Authentix Jersey Authentix Ripped #JA-EC

I actually already have a copy of this card for my collection.  However my co-worker's son happens to also be an A's fan, so I'll pass this along to him.

Moving along to the set builds, Jim got me two steps closer to completing my 2024 Topps set:

2024 Topps Series 1 #1

2024 Topps Update #US228

And eight steps closer to completing my 2011 Topps Update set:

Thank you Jim for the generous package and for plugging me into your busy schedule.  One of these days, I hope to make it out to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, so we can hit up a card show or Twins game.

As for all of the other bloggers out there, if you're ever in the Bay Area... reach out to me.  I'd love to hang out, grab eats, and talk about our favorite hobby.  Consider this an open invitation.

Happy Wednesday and sayonara!

Extra Innings

Figured this would be the perfect time to catch up and share two recently received PWE's from two more bloggers who offered to help me with my 2011 Topps Update set.

Tom over at The Angels, In Order got me twelve steps closer to completing my set:

If you're wondering why there are only ten cards scanned, that's because there were two that Jim also had in his care package.

And AJ over at The Lost Collector sent over six more set needs:

Here's a look at all of the numbers these three bloggers crossed off:

Thank you Tom and AJ!  Two other bloggers have offered to help me out.  After that... I'm going to turn it over to Sportlots to finish it off.

Supporting the Hobby

It's hard to imagine what my life would be like without the love and support from Mama Fuji.  There are so many ways she made an impact on who I am as a person... and as a card collector.

When I was four years old, she was buying me packs of cards... albeit Star Wars cards.

1981 Donruss #550

1981 Topps #630

A few years later, she was buying me packs of 1981 Donruss and Topps baseball.

1981 Fleer #574

That same year, my parents also bought me my first complete baseball card set (1981 Fleer).

1987 Topps #40

When the Costco in my area started carrying baseball cards, she'd bought me my first box (1987 Topps w/Righetti featured on the top).

Lego #21047

And even when I grew up and my parents retired 500 miles away to sunny Las Vegas... she continued to support my interest in cards.  Every trip I'd take down to Sin City... we set aside a few hours to drive around and hit up local card shops and Targets in search of cards for her baby boy.

Thank you Mom.  I love you.  I miss you.  But I know you're looking over me and the rest of our family.

Happy Mother's Day and sayonara!

Sports Card Quickie

It's the end of the school year.  After today... there are five weeks left.  On one hand, it's a good thing.  Summer break is right around the corner.  On the other hand, my schedule has been a little hectic with state testing and end of the year activities.  To top it off... I have started helping my niece with her fifth grade math homework.

I'm not complaining.  I have set aside some time to walk around the flea market and organize cards.  However this weekend's schedule is pretty busy with family time.  Hanging with my brother tomorrow... and spending Mother's Day with my friend and her mom.  In other words, I probably won't be able to write a post this weekend, so today I'm going to hammer out a quickie (inspired by Johnny's Trading Spot).

Three weeks ago, I received a large care package from Woody... a collector I met on CCW and Sports Card Forum years ago.  But since I'm short on time, I'm going to show off the highlights and make it quick...

2001 Topps #201

The first thing I noticed was a stack of Nomo cards.  This one stood out, because I don't have many that feature him with the Detroit Tigers.

2002 Stadium Club #51

Here's a second year Ichiro with a well-cropped action shot.  This is just how I like them.

2024 Topps Chrome X-Fractor #150

Woody always sends me stacks of Raiders, 49ers, Giants, and Warriors for my students.  Usually there are a handful of cards I keep for myself.  This shiny Bo is one of them.

2024 Score #298

I really liked this Jerry Rice, but this one will be passed on to a student.

2023-24 Panini Phoenix Paragon #2

I don't have a copy of this Curry... so it's a keeper.  He actually sent me two, so the other went to school.

2024 Topps Update 1989 Topps Baseball #89US-14

He also sent me two copies of this Chapman.  Even though he's featured with the Giants... I kept one for my A's PC.

2019-20 Donruss Optic Winner Stays #15

Woody also sent me a bunch of cards for my team collections.  There was a time when I was a huge Lakers fan.  I don't really follow basketball anymore... but I still enjoy collecting their cards.

2024 Topps Chrome 1974 Topps Football Lazer Refractor #74TF-17

Gotta give props to Topps for this product.  These cards might be logoless... but their selection of photos helped cover up that fact.

2023 Panini Contenders #91

Right after I opened up this care package, Lockett signed with the Tennessee Titans.  That sucks, because he was one of my favorite Seahawks in recent years.

2024 Topps Holliday #H84

Shota rookies are cool.  Shota holiday variation rookie cards are even cooler.

2023 Topps World Baseball Classic Stars #WBC-56

Yamamoto was rolling (until he allowed 5 earned runs last night against Arizona).  Even though he's representing the Dodgers... I'm pulling for him to win the NL Cy Young Award this season.

2022 Stadium Club Chrome X-Fractor #159

On the other hand, Darvish is still injured... but should be coming back very soon.  At his age... I'm just hoping he can be a solid 3rd or 4th starter for them this season.

2024 Topps Update Silver Foilboard #US210

And finally... I'll wrap up this post with this gorgeous Jackson Merrill rookie card.  I'm super stoked that this guy is back on the field and so far... he hasn't suffered from a sophomore slump (knock on wood).

Thank you Woody!  I appreciate all of these additions to my collection... and for donating stacks of cards to my students.  And thank you John for inspiring this post... although it didn't turn out to be as quick as I thought it would be.

Happy Friday and sayonara!

Apologize in Advance

Back on May 25th, 1977... the Minnesota Twins played a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway.

1977 Topps #120

Rod Carew went 5 for 6 with 2 RBI's in the first game and 2 for 5 with another RBI in the second game as the Twins took both games on the road.

That same day, Star Wars: A New Hope came out in theaters.  I realize May 25th is three weeks away, but due to a play on words.... Star Wars Day is celebrated on May the 4th.

I'll go ahead and apologize in advance.  95% of you have zero interest in Star Wars... that's why I lured you here with the Carew.  My next post will definitely be sports related.

However today, I'm celebrating the media franchise about a galaxy far, far away.  

Let's start with the creator himself:

1977 Topps Star Wars Sticker #53

I've mentioned this a few times over the years, but it's worth saying again.  1977 Topps Star Wars was the first product I can remember opening and collecting as a kid.  I purchased this card a few years ago off of eBay, but there's a chance I pulled a copy from a pack back forty-eight years ago.

Lego #75301

I usually celebrate May the 4th by building a Lego set.  However things have been a little busy and I didn't have time to start the X-Wing Fighter.  If I end up completing it today, I'll add a photo of it to this post.

In the meantime, here are some Star Wars cards I have received from fellow bloggers.

First up is a Japanese CCG card of Kylo Ren from Kenny over at Torren' Up Cards:

2022 Weiss Schwarz Star Wars #S49-054

It's a good thing that I didn't know about this product back in 2022, because I feel like I would have went all in on it.  I'm not even a fan of this character, but I love collecting Star Wars cards, Japanese cards, and gaming cards.  Combine all three and this is something I could have been obsessed about.

By the way... this was only one piece of Kenny's care package.  He hooked me up with a ton of cards from Japan that I'm very excited to share in the near future.

Next up are a pair of sets that John over at Johnny's Trading Spot sent me last year:

2019 Topps Star Wars: Resistance Foil Characters Set

He opened up a case of this product last summer and sent me both insert sets and a complete base set.  I didn't have the patience to scan the entire 100 card base set, but John did.  If you want to check it out, click here.

Here's the other Star Wars Resistance insert set he sent me:

2019 Topps Star Wars: Resistance Pop Up Set

If you're not familiar with this show, it was a cartoon released by Disney back in 2018 and took place right around the start of the sequel trilogy.  I only watched about ten episodes of the first season.  If I get around to building that X-Wing, maybe I'll put this on and watch it from the beginning.

Thank you Kenny and John!  And May the 4th be with all of you!

Happy Sunday and sayonara!