Friday, January 30, 2015

2014 Stadium Club Mini Box Pack 2

Back with Pack 2.



Above is a killer shot that my camera doesn't do justice to.





The above "Luminescent" Triumvirate lands 1:12 miniboxes 1:72 packs. It doesn't even look like Miggy though.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

2014 Stadium Club Mini Box Pack 1

There's been a lot of talk about 2014 Stadium Club, most of it good (in the blogosphere). A common argument is that it's a great product for the price it sits at now (~$50) but a dud at the original price of $100. Hey Topps... DUH!

Stadium Club appeals to people who appreciate cards. In my experience that includes set builders and those who can't afford to waste their money on anything but the best value. Selling a product with 18 packs for $100 doesn't appeal to that demographic in any way. Cut the autographs down, give us 24 packs, and mark it at $70 next year. Common effing business sense. 

I waited for prices to fall below $50 before hopping on a box. So far it's been fantastic. I'll share the last mini box with you all over the next week. Without further adieu...

Pack 1




Did anyone see where the MLB Network named Hanley Ramirez the best leftfielder in baseball? What a joke! The best batter who will play leftfield in 2015? Perhaps. That's entirely different though.




RAINBOW FOIL YAY



My biggest complaint about 2014 Stadium Club is that once again Topps went overboard with the HDR effect. If you aren't familiar with what that is, think Gypsy Queen. It gives greater detail to light and dark coloring, making Matt Holiday's arms look shiny and shadowy above. It's nice when done well, but annoying otherwise. 

Monday, January 26, 2015

Cardboard Soup

Cardboard Soup... sounds delicious, eh? It's not a new recipe, it's the working title for my new life project, a book.



I'm 100% serious. In today's society it's easier than ever to get published (which is good and bad), so why not give it a shot? It's been a dream of mine to write a book for a long time and this is the inspiration I needed. So far I've received overwhelming support and I'm ecstatic to get this ball rolling.

Here's the thing, I can't do it alone. Cardboard Soup will be a compilation of stories from card-enthusiasts of all walks of life. The relationships I've made with fellow collectors have inspired me to share my story and I have to believe I'm not the only one with a story to tell. It could be how you started collecting, a project you've worked on, collecting with a friend, anything. This hobby is filled with fantastic memories that deserve to be printed.

Guess what! I want to share YOUR story! Don't be shy and don't be humble. No matter how bland you think you are, I'll prove to you that you're not. Begin to think of who you are as a collector and how the hobby has shaped you as a person. That's what I want to share. Filling 3-10 pages of a book with your memories will be a cinch. All I need is your permission and together we'll pull that story out of you. If you can write out your whole story, so be it. If you can only muster a sentence or two, that's just fine. An ETBNL (Editor to be Named Later) and I can give form to your memories, all that's needed is a spark of inspiration.

The theme of this book will be positive. I want the happy sappy stuff. The memory that lifts you up when you're feeling down.

Much more on this project will come in the future, but for now I could really use your support. Whether by contributing or supporting in any way, it'll mean a ton to me. Please consider spreading the news on your blog and through social media. The more the merrier! If you're interested in helping out, please leave a comment with your email address or email me directly at chrisross4444@gmail.com. Thanks everyone!

 - Chris

Thursday, January 22, 2015

An Interesting Pack of '94 Fleer Ultra Series II

In an effort to get my lazy butt off 140 Character Land and back where it belongs, I decided to bring one of my favorite Twitivities to the blog. The concept is simple. I open a pack of cards and try to find at least one interesting fact about the player featured on each card. Today's pack is from '94 Fleer Ultra Series II. 


If you're not familiar with '94 Fleer Ultra, it's probably because you're poor and can't afford high-end wax with gold-trimmed edges.



Brian McRae is a bright spot in an era of PED's. As his career was winding down he had to choose between his health and his wallet. He made the noble choice.


Who know what kind of career Brian Harper could have had if given the chance. He debuted at 19 but spent the next decade bouncing around and backing up guys like Brian Downing, Tony Pena, Tom Nieto, Lance Parrish and Terry Steinbach. The Twins finally gave him a shot as a #1 catcher in his age 29 season and he rewarded them by batting .325/.353/.449.


Phil never made it as a Phillie. In fact, he never made the majors period. For whatever reason he pitched in a AAA game for the Mets affiliate in 1998. It wasn't just a couple outs, he pitched 2.2 innings and gave up 6 runs (2 earned). 


Derrick May hit 52 HR in 797 MLB games. He hit 59 HR in 298 NPB games for the Chiba Lotte Marines.


White pitched for 11 of the 30 MLB franchises. Despite starting just 5 games in 1994, he was hit by a pitch 6 times.


Otis Nixon looks rough. Nixon has fought demons but claimed sobriety as recently as 2010. In 2013 he was arrested for possession of crack cocaine. I can't find anymore updates, but here's hoping he's back on the wagon and in a better place.


James Baldwin had a 5.10 ERA in 1999 and a 4.65 ERA in 2000 but still made the 2000 AL All-Star Team. It was a different time.


Dunston started at least 11 games at every position over his career except pitcher and catcher.


Marvin Freeman finished 4th in the 1994 AL Cy Young voting despite starting just 18 games. 


Mariano Duncan stole 48 bases in 1986 for the Dodgers. He stole more than 20 only once more over the next 11 seasons.


John Burkett is now a professional bowler. He won 22 games in 1993 and 166 over his career, making him the 198th winning-est pitcher in baseball history.


Wes Weger is not related to Jim Carey, despite the similarities. He never debuted in the MLB, but was well on his way to it before a horrific injury. During '94 Spring Training a Rockies player lost control of his bat during a swing and sent it flying into the Brewers dugout. The barrel struck Weger on the left ankle and obliterated his tendons. He missed all of '94 and never returned to full form.


Mulholland also pitched for 11 of 30 MLB clubs. He defeated every team in the majors at least once during his career. Terry was 43 when he retired in 2006. 



José Rijo may well have been on his way to Cooperstown had he not missed five seasons ('96-'00) with an elbow injury. Rijo made a remarkable return to baseball in 2001 with the Reds as a relief pitcher, giving up only 4 ER over 17 IP. He's best remembered in Cincinnati for his dominating '90 World Series performance, starting two games and giving up one run over 15.1 innings, earning Rijo the World Series MVP award. No clue what kind of tobacco he kept in his back left pocket.