Topps... You so lazy.

I love the shine of chrome cards. I hate the laziness of card companies. Like these two cards I found while perusing Ebay. Are you serious Topps? Does no one have to proof these things before they're sent off to have thousands and thousands printed?

Hell Day Part #1 - David Dejesus Contract

Well folks, today is the day I've been dreading. Tomorrow I go in for my second colonoscopy in the last two months. If you've had a colonoscopy before or know someone who has, you know that the day before is the worst. No food, just liquids and laxatives. LOTS of laxatives. Because of that, I have named today "Hell Day" because it's certainly a day straight from hell. Since I got that gross description out of the way, let me tell you about something better. I'll have quite a bit of time on my hands today, so why not talk about cards to keep my mind off things? Here's the first post of the day of probably several.

You may have seen one of these before, it's a signed contract from Topps. They sell these actual contracts on their Ebay store, which I guess is legal or something. This signed David Dejesus contract was mine for just $10. Dejesus was my favorite Royal during the mid-2000's as an above-average bat in a usually awful lineup. He also had decent defense and a very likable personality. Unfortunately an injury sucked the life out of him and KC threw him out.

The Lost Collection Find a Home

My friend, the Lost Collector (who doesn't collect memorabilia from the TV show "Lost") traded a "repack" with me and sent tons of great stuff! Here are some of my favorites. Thank you Lost Collector!

The quickest way to my heart is A) Alex Gordon cards and B) Stadium Shots. Thank GOD that stupid looking Brewers logo didn't last.

Pretty fly for a white guy.

I love this edition of Stadium Club for the embossed name plates, but hate it for the lack of Stadium Club style photography. At least from the cards I have from the set.

Literally pretty "fly" for a white guy. Get it? He's white and he's flying. Love the look of concentration.

"Durrr what the hell am I supposed to do with this?" - A question the younger Giambi frequently asked himself in the majors.

If not for injuries, Carlos Febles could have had a second career on Broadway.

Again, not a very Stadium Club style shot, but a sweet nameplate. 

I like to pretend Bret Saberhagen never left KC.

Sweet shot kind ruined by the ridiculous gold scribble on the left side of the card. Was he safe?

Little did Desi know that he would haunt Royals fans dreams in less than a decade by being the ultimate "spork". Capable of playing any position, but bad at all of them.

This is vintage Royals. Anything prior to 1975 is super vintage for Royals fans. 

The Online Bargain Bin - the Best Deals in Cards 9/21/13

I owe everyone here a huge thank you for the support you guys gave me after my last post. It was extremely overwhelming. Time heals all wounds and it's nice to know that my buddy is waiting for me in a better place.

I'm a real bargain hunter and I assume you are too. That or you're filthy rich and don't care. The only way to not go crazy in this hobby is to feel like you're getting a good deal, especially with the prices of boxes the way they are today. I subscribe to every email list I can to find the best deals on products and I figured I'd share the wealth with you! The following is a list of some of the great deals going on right now that I've found, PLEASE feel free to share any I've missed so I can add them in!

• The infamous Larry Fritsch Cards is running a Name Your Price promotion this weekend only! Simply find an item or more on their site, then email larry@fritschcards.com with the price you're willing to pay. They'll either accept on the spot or send you a counter.
  
• Blowout Cards has some sick deals in their weekend specials. The one that pops out immediately is the price on 2011 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects. This product is known as one of the most jam packed Bowman lines to roll of the shelf... ever. Featuring autographs from Bryce Harper, Archie Bradley, Dylan Bundy, George Springer, Javier Baez, Jose Fernandez, Kolten Wong, Sonny Gray, Trevor Bauer and many more. Plus Mike Trout RC's!
  
• Dave & Adam's has a couple nice Daily Deals (especially for Chromies) but their clearance aisle is where it's at. If you're just itching to rip something, you can grab retail boxes for pennies on the dollar.
  
• My go-to online store is Steel City Collectibles. They offer the best everyday prices and ALWAYS offer FREE SHIPPING on any order over... wait for it... $25. Seriously. To top it off, their customer service is outstanding and they process your shipment in incredible time. The selection isn't as large as some of the other stores, but it's more than adequate. The best value is a hobby box of 2013 USA Champions Baseball for just $39.99. You're guaranteed 5 hits and will almost certainly get 6.
  
• DCS Sports Cards has the best deal I've seen so far on 2013 Topps Heritage Minors, a product that was super popular last year.
  
• 2013 Topps Mini Baseball is back in stock at Shop Topps for $52.99.
  
• (Reserved for your suggestion)

In other news, I mailed out half of the Prizm break yesterday and the other half is packed and ready to ship on Monday. Just got to get down to the post office so I can mail out to my Canadian brethren!

I mentioned in my last post how I was screwed over in the 500 wax pack lot I purchased. After several attempts to contact the company I purchased from, they finally agreed to send me another lot with a better mix. We'll see what happens with that. Unfortunately that means some of you from the Prizm break will be getting '89 Topps and '88 Donruss. Maybe you'll find a PSA 10 Randy Johnson RC or something.

I received "repacks" from The Lost Collector and Play at the Plate! Both went above and beyond, and I'm excited to share my spoils with you guys in upcoming posts. Thanks for the read! Here's a picture of a dinosaur baseball card:

Losing a Friend

Yesterday was the first day in weeks without a post from me. I don't anticipate being an every day blogger, but the adrenaline really had me rolling. As happens too often, bad times sometimes get in the way of the good ones. Though 99% of this blog will be about cards, 1% of it may end up as a place for me to vent a bit. Tonight is one of those nights.

It's been a pretty rough week. Last week my computer died, but I can shake that off easily. Yesterday I finally received my wholesale order of 500 assorted packs, and this is what I got. 125 packs of 1988 Donruss, 125 of 1989 Topps, 125 of Phil Rizzuto's National Pastime and 125 of Leaf's Baseballs Greatest Grossouts... which aren't even baseball cards, they're a Garbage Pail Kids ripoff. To top if off, the wholesale company won't answer my emails and continues to give me the run around on the phone. I'll be dragging their name through the mud very soon if I don't get some answers by tomorrow. 

All of that is a drag, but today the worst happened. While taking one of my oldest dogs to the vet we found out that his brain tumor had pretty much taken over and was making him miserable. We had no choice but to put him to sleep. This dog is a really good dog, loving and funny. He's not the sharpest tool in the box, but he's the lovable goofy type. This was the first dog I've lost since I was a kid, meaning I had to be a "man" about it. I held it together until I had finished covering the grave I had dug in the backyard. After that I broke down like a baby. Now my other dog (the one who made a brief and terrified appearance during the group break) keeps wanting to go outside to lay on top of the grave. I'd take this all a little better if I had seen it coming, but today has hit me like a brick. 

I wish I had something funny or interesting to say, but I really can't muster it up tonight. Thank you all for taking the time to read my sob story, I promise I'll do the same for you someday. I'll leave you with the only card I could find that resembles him. 

Ultimate PC Pickup Quadstyle

There's been one card I've had my eye on this summer. The 2013 Topps Museum Collection Alex Gordon quad-patch. I grabbed a boring 4 gray swatch one earlier this year, but the one I really wanted had four stripe pieces from the sleeve cuff. One popped up on Ebay with a ridiculous asking price, and I had to pass. To my joy, the bad boy below was auction style. I ended up paying $35 for it, but it was well worth every penny to my broke ass. Plus... EBAY 1/1!!!

Repack Swap with Swing and a Pop Up

I hope you like scans of baseball cards. Thanks to a repack swap with Swing and a Pop Up, I've got tons to share. 

Ohhhhh! Oh! What does Ken Griffey Jr say!?!?!

No really, what does he say?

Vintage Busby!

After a helluva career, Helton is hanging up the cleats after this season. Does he belong in the HoF? The numbers say probably yes.

Now Appearing... Shannon "Aw Shucks" Stewart and mini squished face Shannon Stewart!

I like this card design.

I don't much like this card design, but Dante Bichette is and underrated ballplayer.

Sweet throwback! 

Goldfish alert!

Jim Eisenreich is a stud and a role model. If you get the time, Google him.

I have never held a 2004 Topps card in my hands. I freaking love the embossed foil figures in the bottom left corner.

Damn you coin cards, you'll never fit in my binder pages comfortably!

Is Kubel's bat broken here or is it just at a funny angle?

Lots of 1970's vintage tossed in, always a win!

This is what made Allen & Ginter so successful. Simplicity. No annoying borders, just a sweet looking picture. Less is more.

Keep sending me 2004 Topps, I REALLY like the bottom-left corner guy! Thanks Swing and a Pop-Up!

Best of the Break

Alright readers, I PROMISE this is the last post regarding the Prizm Group Break, but it's probably the best! Here are some of my favorite cards from the break. Cards are now separated and should be shipped early in the week.