I'm Violating My Own Moral Code of Baseball Cards

I find collecting enjoyable. I don't look at it as dollar signs and monetary value, I look at it as fun. See what I can get to expand my collection, while spending as little money as possible and selling off what I don't want. I don't like to look at cards as investments or money making devices. I feel it takes the fun out of collecting.

However, I have violated this "policy" as of today. Today, I learned that I am the highest bidder of a Matt Barnes autograph, from the recently released BDP&P. I have wanted to avoid having baseball cards as investments. But, I am currently very cash strapped. I'm making a little money here and there, but there is no sustained income. So, I have decided to start a Matt Barnes Stash (as they call it on FCB). Barnes, out of UConn, was selected 19th overall by the Red Sox and looks to have a promising future. Plus, his base autos average under 10 bucks right now. Now, this won't be a big stash, I don't have the budget to acquire 15 base autos, 10 refractor autos, 8 blues, 5 golds, 3 oranges, 2 purples (yes, they have purple refractor autos now), a red, and the superfractor. It will be something like a handful (3 or 4) of base autos and maybe a refractor. Hopefully it's enough to profit and be able to keep one.

I know, I'm violating my own moral code of baseball cards. BUT I NEEDZ TEH MONEYZ! Now excuse me while I return to school.

Bruins Tribute and Retail Packs

And, you know what, let's watch Game 7 with Dave Goucher and Bob Beers with the call.



Makes me feel good every time!

The Great Ryan Kalish Chase: Episode 1

Oh, it's on! The search for almost any card (within a reasonable price range) of this guy is on! I was looking for an auto of him, so I bought some boxes that might yield a Kalish auto.

First, a box of 2008 Tristar Projections, and not just any box of Tristar Projections...

No Kalish auto, but yes, 2 Kalish's out that 1 box!

IT'S RYAN FUCKING KALISH-JO!!!!!!!!!!

Next a box 2009 Bowman...a virtually impossible chance to pull a Kalish, but it was cheap. And, you know me, I love cheap wax!




So, no Kalish there. But wasn't expecting any in that box....sadly.

Good news: I gots me some more Kalish cards! Bad News: Still no autos...

On the next episode of The Great Ryan Kalish Chase, join us as we battle the jungles of eBay in search for the prized jem: the 2008 Bowman Chrome auto.

Blaster Breaking Frenzy!!!

What do you do when you have an itching for wax and $50 in Wal-Mart gift cards burning a hole in your pocket? Walk 40 minutes in the snow to the nearest Wal-Mart and buy 2 blasters of cards, obviously!

Topps Chrome:


BDP&P:


I seriously don't get how I couldn't pull a single Red Sox card out of either of these boxes...

8 Packs in Cooperstown

Cooperstown is a little village that is completely and utterly dedicated to baseball. So, what do I do when I make my return there (yes, my first visit was in 03)? I find a card shop. And, I went into 5 or 6 places before I could find a place that sold a decent amount of wax. There were places that sold retail packs of crap, but nothing worth buying by any means. I think it was called On Deck Circle, or something like that. But, they had plenty of wax, including packs from the early 2000s for which I am a complete sucker to. So, for 20 bucks, here's what I bought:

2009 Heritage
2002 Topps Series 2 (2)
2000 Topps (4)
2000 Bowman
A bag of crap (free)

2009 Heritage brought forth not a lot, except for a Papelbon base card and a flashback of Frank Robinson. The only notable card I pulled from 02 Series 2 was a Junior Griffey, other than that....not much. 2000 Bowman was confusing as hell, but I did pull a Berkman, a Bagwell, a Smoltz, and a Jayson Werth, which I'm pretty sure is a prospect card. The bag of crap was just that. 2000 Topps was definatly the highlight. Pulled a Big Mac, not saying much, but I still like it. So, I give you now, the semi mojo pack (no big hits, but hall of famers, sticking with the Cooperstown theme):

Bret Saberhagen (12)
Dave Martinez (161)
Mike Morgan (195)
Andy Sheets (149)
Cal Ripken (4)
David Justice (66)
John Smoltz (125)
Greg Vaughn (113)
Frank Thomas (55)
Felipe Lopez, Pablo Ozuna, Alfonso Soriano Prospects Card (203)
Garret Anderson (97)
A Checklist

20 Bucks worth of wax, completely worth it.

Note: Stay tuned for a Railfan Report tonight, whenever I feel like posting it.

Following Up Last Night's Strasburg Post...

Damn thing is at $4,150 right now with only 5 days and 10 hours left on eBay. Think it can make up about $12,000 in 5 days, I'd bet so.