Night Owl Cards

I might have given the impression that the Topps value boxes are instant gold. I had purchased two of them, and they had yielded two diamond diecut cards, a few other decent Diamond Giveaway redemptions, a 1-in-50 packs short-print, and a relic. But then I bought box three and it was a dud. I don't want anyone thinking that I'm doing free advertising for the boys downtown, so I'm documenting the ugliness here. First of all, almost half my inserts were dupes, including the David Price Kimball here. Secondly, the Heritage hobby packs produced a single short-print that I probably won't keep. Then we get to the ugliness of the code cards, the portion of the box that had delivered definite value two times already. The first code card uncover this: Andre, forgive me, but I don't like the '87 set, it's more plentiful than dirt, and there's no way I'm ever going to be able to trade you. The second code uncovered this: Annnnnnnd slowly backin...

I am not under any illusion that I am going to win Gint-a-Cuffs this year. Whatever hopeful feelings I had were dashed after seeing what Beardy pulled from one of his boxes -- rip card, printing plate, four hits in a box. How demoralizing. Still, I'll plod on with my happy little box of medocrity. But first, a couple of facts before revealing packs 2 through 4: I bought the box from Atlanta Sports Cards. It's kind of an A&G tradition around here. They're no muss, no fuss. I like that. Also, I paid just $84 for it, because I bought it the day that Steven Strasburg took a major league mound for the first time. Excellent timing -- and that is not a strong suit for me. OK. On with the pack-opening. I'm still a little stumped by at least one of the points rules, but I'm sure the commish will weigh in ... eventually. PACK 2 1. #236 - Shawn Johnson (0 points). How can anyone with so many muscles be such a little cutie? That deserves some points. 2. #275...

I have to say Friday was the highlight of the week for me. I received two autographed cards in the mail from my favorite player as a child, and I finally tracked down some 2009 Topps. A week after I first saw these things on other blogs, I knew exactly what to look for when I stepped into Target this evening. From 60 feet away I could spot that baby blue background behind you-know-who's head (apparently the qualification for being featured on a pack of 2009 cards this year was not getting into the playoffs). I reached into the double-wide feeders and came up with air. But fortunately, there were '09 packs scattered all around the '08 boxes still there. All of them were probably manhandled, but I didn't mind. I grabbed six and brought them home to daddy. And after opening them, I have to say what I suspected: Topps is a clear winner over Upper Deck this year. I have a natural preference for Topps, so I am a little bit biased, but when I compare everything as obje...