Switching cards around in my frankenset

If I already had a card for a particular number in my Angels frankenset, I wasn't going to seek out a new card that I'd have to pick up, but there are random exceptions - I added a 2015 Topps Stadium Club Huston Street [card #4] for my project since the image used of the Angels closer coming into the dugout getting a fist bump from manager Mike Scioscia wasn't typical for a baseball card.

The card that the Street replaced was a 2005 Donruss Studio Stars Vladimir Guerrero insert [card #S-4] - while the clear cut Guerrero card is unique, it is otherwise bumped back down into the random collection of Angels inserts I'm trying to put together.

Another 2015 Topps Stadium Club I had to get into my frankenset was C.J. Wilson's [card #163] - the picture used is a candid image of Wilson going around Angel Stadium celebrating with fans after the Angels won the American League West in 2014.

The card that the Wilson replaced was a 2011 Topps Lineage Jered Weaver Diamond Anniversary parallel [card #163] - the Weaver is shinier but the picture is pretty boring, so it shares the same fate as the Guerrero card.

Card shop finds - 2013 Topps Triple Threads

#56 Albert Belle - Amethyst parallel serial #'d 266/650

#23 David Ortiz - 2013 World Series MVP

#62 Andrew McCutchen - a strong contender for the National League MVP award.

#73 C.J. Wilson - the Angels ace in 2013, he won 17 games.

#83 Jered Weaver - the Angels' ace when healthy.

2013 Topps Series II retail jumbo pack recap

The tip of the blue Sharpie I've used for autographing endeavors was getting fat and I lost the only ballpoint pen I've used to get baseballs signed - I was sort of in a rushed state so I tried to find if they had any of the pens I needed at a Walmart, but I couldn't immediately find the two types of pens I needed.

I ended up ended up with a retail jumbo pack for $4.98 of Topps Series II - it seems like card releases have been slow, so I wasn't really paying attention when Topps Series II came out on shelves.

Top section

#423 Miguel Gonzalez
#614 B.J. Upton

#630 Andy Dirks
#602 Anibal Sanchez
#610 Brandon Beachy
#621 Steve Cishek
#654 Brandon Barnes
#359 C.C. Sabathia
#551 Wellington Castillo

#418 Evan Gattis
#382 Jackie Bradley Jr.
#577 Matt Harvey
#609 Scott Baker
#409 Logan Morrison
#539 Phil Coke
#356 Greg Dobbs
#466 Jerome Williams

Bottom section
#559 Travis Snider
#547 Glen Perkins
#600 Mariano Rivera
#587 Matt Cain
#CH-87 Lance Lynn - Chasing History foil insert
#CH-80 Yu Darvish - Chasing History foil insert
#359 C.C. Sabathia - Walmart blue parallel

#387 Jean Segura - Walmart blue parallel
#475 Garrett Jones - Walmart blue parallel
#TM-64 David Price - 1972 Topps Mini insert
CH-75 Dustin Pedroia - Chasing History insert
#538 Phil Coke - Emerald Foil
#344 Kris Medlen - Gold parallel serial #'d 0200/2013
#WBC-8 Justin Morneau - World Baseball Classic insert
"2nd Chance" Vintage Card Giveaway info card
#393 Andres Torres
#463 Jason Hammel

#566 C.J. Wilson
#378 Joe Kelly
#554 R.A. Dickey

2013 Topps Turkey Red - two pack break recap

2013 Topps Turkey Red mini boxes [$19.99 each plus $9 s/h at Topps.com]

Pack one

#83 Craig Kimbrel
#10 Adam Jones
#33 Edwin Encarnacion
#82 Chris Sale
#17 Jose Reyes

#TRA-AC Andrew Carignan - sticker auto serial #'d 568/620
#94 Colby Rasmus

#59 Josh Hamilton
#42 Aroldis Chapman
#67 Mat Latos
#24 Joe Mauer

Pack two
#62 Ian Kinsler
#27 Yonder Alonso
#100 Stephen Strasburg
#87 Giancarlo Stanton
#43 Justin Upton

#TRA-SC Steve Cishek - sticker auto serial #'d 192/689; didn't I spell out the autographs I was going to pull with these breaks?
#34 Yasmani Grandal
#77 Anthony Rizzo
#92 Justin Verlander

#51 C.J. Wilson
#44 Joey Votto

Play at the Plate trade received

I received 2012 Topps Allen and Ginter's gold mini parallels of Erick Aybar and C.J. Wilson from Play at the Plate - in exchange for the two Texas Rangers ones I pulled out of a pack break.

Reading about the trade from his point of view, it sounds like he's made me out as a female - though I'm appreciative a trade was able to get done, just to avoid any possible confusion, I'd like to clarify that I'm actually a dude.

Featured autograph - C.J. Wilson

I hadn't gotten Angels starting pitcher C.J. Wilson's autograph at all in the 2012 MLB season but was finally able to catch him as he signed before a game during the Angels last homestand - Wilson was on the phone, apparently talking to a local high school pitcher named Kyle Twomey while signing autographs.

As Wilson took items to be signed - he told the fans waiting to congratulate Twomey for being drafted [by the Oakland Athletics].

Featured autograph - C.J. Wilson

I got this in-person autograph of C.J. Wilson in 2010 - he was a very good signer during his time with his old team and I've always been able to get what I've needed signed when the Rangers came to town.

I think I'll end up waiting for his first Angels cards or something Angels related before I try and get his autograph again in 2012 - I don't think he'll be any tougher than he was before and I hope this will be the case.

Thanks for the early birthday presents Angels!

Pack one
#15 Albert Pujols - we all are waiting to see where he'll end up [HE ENDED UP ON THE ANGELS ALONG WITH FREE AGENT PITCHER C.J. WILSON], how much he'll be getting paid [PROBABLY $250-$260 million] and for how many years [1O YEARS].

2010 American League Championship Series preview

The Texas Rangers enter the American League Championship Series with a good shot to get past the New York Yankees and get to the World Series for the first time in franchise history - thanks in part to a very good pitching staff and a lineup can bash and mash as one of the best in Major League Baseball.

Rangers No. 1 starter Cliff Lee needs no introduction as a legitimate ace - however C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis have performed as well as anyone could have guessed and expect competent pitching performances.

If the two non-Lee pitchers do falter a bit, it will be up to the hitters like Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Michael Young and other to make up for any deficits on the board - sadly it is going to be with the Rangers, but with a big series, 35-year old Vladimir Guerrero has an opportunity to make up for his postseason shortcomings over the past six years.

The New York Yankees are still the best team money can buy, but it boring talking about how great they are - any lineup they put out can match the Rangers hit for hit, run for run.

On the mound, C.C. Sabathia is money and so is Andy Pettitte - the spectre of Mariano Rivera looms in the late innings and the Rangers need to jump on the starters early and be able to hold the lead.

Where every play seems magnified, the Rangers' ability to play small-ball baseball helps them - bunt the ball over, hit the ball to the right side, don't get caught napping on the bases and not making any mental mistakes on the field. Riding the momentum of winning their first postseason series, manager Ron Washington needs to make sure his Rangers play without any jitters.

Ultimately, it would be no surprise to anyone if the Wild Card Yankees got to another World Series stage - but the Rangers are a team that can catch lightning in a bottle and 'upset' the Yankees to win the American League pennant.