Write On Willie!

July has definitely been a slow month for me out at the flea market... which is probably a blessing in disguise, since my 2013 Archives Fan Favorite Autograph Set has been a constant drain on my cardboard budget.

But I haven't been completely shutout.  Two weekends ago, I picked up an "almost new" Sega Genesis for $5:

And on Sunday, I added this beautiful 1970 Topps Willie Mays to my "Cards with Character" collection for a dollar.  The guy didn't even charge me extra for the artwork.

Happy Tuesday and sayonara!

Domo Arigato: The Junior Junkie

Yesterday, I checked my mailbox and noticed a fat padded envelope waiting for me.  I didn't recognize the sender and figured it was probably an eBay purchase I had forgotten.

When I got inside, I threw the mail on the dining room table and grabbed something to eat.  When I went back to grab the bubble mailer, I saw this...

and I immediately knew who this was from.

Here's a look at what The Junior Junkie sent:

Four more Kurt Suzuki cards for my collection, including the 2013 Topps emerald for my rainbow.

He also threw in four Greg Maddux cards.  This might just be the push I needed to start my Topps regular issue base card project of Mad Dog.

Plus four more cards for my surfer pc... including two sweet Goodwin mini's.

And last, but not least... he sent a stack of cards for my Japanese player binder.  On a good month, I'm able to add three to five new cards to that binder.  The Junior Junkie sent me sixteen new cards for the binder.

Including this nice memorabilia card of former MLB all-star...

Thanks TJ!  I truly appreciate the generosity.  I'll try to put together a package for you in the next few weeks.

Happy Tuesday and sayonara!

Silver Hasn't Held Its Value

When was the last time you pulled a parallel numbered to 2,000 and got excited because of its scarcity?  If you're like me, it was probably during the 90's.  These days many collectors don't even blink when the pull something numbered to 500, let alone 2,000.

But back in mid 90's, I remember busting packs of Donruss baseball, football, and hockey products in search of their Press Proofs.  And every time I found one, it felt like I struck gold.  Or in the case of this particular card... it felt like I struck silver:

1997 Donruss Silver Press Proof #133

Back then, there's a chance that I didn't even know who Mariano Rivera was.  Looking back at his career, 1997 was his breakout season and the first year he made the all-star team.

But I can assure you, that this card was quickly pulled from the pack and inserted into a penny sleeve and top loader, due to its relative scarcity of being only 1 of 2,000.

Fast forward sixteen years and you have this not so rare parallel of the best closer to play the game.

Happy Sunday and sayonara!

Grabbed Me Some Bears

There are five movies that stand out from my early childhood:  The Wizard of Oz, Murder By Death, Pride of the Yankees, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, and The Bad News Bears.  I know there's no way it could be true, but it seems like I watched these movies over and over again on a weekly basis when I was a kid. 

That's why I was extremely excited to find out that Panini was going to produce cards featuring some of the main characters from The Bad News Bears.  And as soon as I saw fellow bloggers post their copies, I knew I'd have to track some down for my own collection.

But as you're probably aware... I'm not a huge fan of busting current wax boxes.  That's why I turned to Just Commons which offers free shipping if you spend over $10.

Base Set

Amanda Whurlizer, Ahmad Abdul-Rahim, and Kelly Leak

Toby Whitewood, Rudi Stein, and Mike Engelberg

I was able to purchase all six of the base set singles for $1.25.  Hopefully they'll eventually release cards of Buttermaker and two of my favorite Bears:  Timmy Lupus and Tanner Boyle.

American Caramel Blue Back Mini's

They also had five out of six of the American Caramel Blue Back mini's, so I grabbed them for an additional $3.15.  Now if I can only get my hands on card #148 which features Toby Whitewood.

Carolina Brights Green Back Mini

I actually have a mini of Whitewood, but it's part of a different set: Carolina Brights Green Back's.  I'm going to attempt to build this team set too.

Tip Top Bread Labels

And finally, the last card I grabbed was this Kelly Leak from the Tip Top Bread Label insert set.  Outside of the autographs and harder to find parallels, I think this is the only other insert featuring The Bad News Bears.  If I'm mistaken, feel free to comment below and I'll try to track them down too.

By the way, if anyone out there has any of the mini's I need for my set and is looking to trade them, please contact me.  Otherwise, I'll eventually pick up the ones I need on eBay, Sportlots, or Just Commons.

In the meantime...

Who's your favorite Bad News Bear character?

I was always a fan of Engelberg, because he was fat... but could hit.  Maybe he's the reason I collect Gwynn and Puckett.

Happy Friday and sayonara!

Honey Badger Don't Care!

I'm so bored!  Today's one of those rare moments when the stars are aligned in the sports world and none of the four major professional sports leagues (MLB, NBA, NFL, & NBA) are playing in the states.

So I figure, I'd show of one of my favorite non-sports cards to honor the occasion:

2012 Goodwin Champions Animal Kingdom Patches #AK118

You're probably scratching your head wondering, why would someone want a manufactured patch card of a honey badger.  Well check out this video and hopefully you'll understand my randomness:

The first time I watched this... I laughed so much, I snorted.  Seriously... it's one of things I turn to when I need a good laugh.

As for the card itself... they're surprisingly popular.  Recently, they finally dipped below the $10 mark.  But prior to that, they'd sell for $10 to $17 on a regular basis.  Not bad for a manufactured patch of the most vicious animal on the planet.

Okay... that's it.  I'm headed off to the golf course, since there's nothing for me to watch on the tube.

Happy Wednesday and sayonara!