The National
Baseball card collecting runs hot and cold because everything seems like the same old cardboard, but the upcoming National in Anaheim gives me an opportunity to see why [or why I’m not collecting].

I want to go to the National and milk the $99/$100 pass for all that it is worth. I have philosophical problems with it though that didn't stop me from purchasing a pass. It is going to be my third National - all have been in Anaheim.

1.) The promos are likely going to be mass produced cards that you are going to put away in junk boxes. I don’t think any of the card companies participating in the National is really willing to put value in their [VIP package] promos by producing high-end versions [ particularly with autographs and/or GU materials]. You take what you can get, but you don’t want to be stuck with crap.

2.) Tiered VIP Packages – you aren’t really guaranteed to get one star, superstar, legend or icon in the $99 package. I don't even know if I'm getting the same one because I purchased my $99 VIP package from the official National website as opposed to Tristar. You get a bunch of loosely termed semistars from the Dodgers and the Angels, with perhaps some other guests, blah, blah, blah - seems like the same names a local promoter [naxcom.com] has been trotting out for the last six years to their autograph shows.

3.) Unless you are willing to pay $$$ - Tristar Productions or a company like Upper Deck is not likely to give you opportunities for casual meet and greets with a star, superstar, legend or icon at the National.

4.) The autograph guest lists has its share of heavy hitters, but any particular sports guy [for example: Magic Johnson, Jerry Rice and Joe Montana] has already done every imaginable show. Those are among the cream of the crop of athletes and there is just seems less elite sports icons [maybe Jim Brown perhaps] you really would pay for, while Johnson, Rice and Montana continue to pimp themselves down to Bob Feller levels [autographs signed, certainly not in fees].

5.) Tristar is known for locking down youngsters to sign autographs at their shows around the country. Where are the local rookies like Russ Martin, Andre Ethier, Mike Napoli or maybe a young, rising star like Ervin Santana? All I see is Matt Kemp and he was already sent down two weeks ago.

Hot
1.) Albert Pujols
2.) David Wright
3.) Jon Papelbon
4.) Justin Verlander
5.) Scott Kazmir
6.) Prince Fielder
7.) Hanley Ramirez
8.) Vernon Wells
9.) Alex Rios
10.) Russ Martin
11.) Andre Ethier
12.) Jim Thome

Not
1.) Jose Reyes
2.) Dallas McPherson
3.) Greg Maddux
4.) Felix Hernandez
5.) Alex Rodriguez
6.) Barry Bonds
7.) Delmon Young
8.) Randy Johnson
9.) Kerry Wood
10.) Mark Prior

Steady
1.) Alfonso Soriano
2.) Ichiro
3.) Derek Jeter
4.) Manny Ramirez
5.) Pedro Martinez
6.) Miguel Cabrera
7.) Michael Young
8.) Ryan Zimmerman

Mail Day
A 1989 Donruss Baseball's Best Ken Griffey Jr. [$9.95 BIN plus $3.95 s/h on Ebay] made its way onto my mailbox on Monday. This was a card that a childhood friend once had, but never had in my grasp. The rookie year card from a 'boxed set' represents a 'modern-era flashback' card for me.

Still, I'm disappointed - check out the centering on the back of the card. It doesn't seem that visually attractive, especially considering the fact that the card is given a 'BGS 9' grade.

Also arriving in the box on Monday was a 2005 Bowman Heritage Cesar Carrillo box topper variation [$1 plus $1 s/h off Ebay]. I was going to get the card signed at a card show last Saturday, but it didn't arrive in time. I ended up not going to the show, where 2005 top amateur draft prospects Carrillo, Ricky Romero and Ryan Braun were scheduled to sign for free.

Mail Day
A 2005 Topps Chrome Update Trevor Bell autograph [$5.99 BIN plus $2.25 s/h on Ebay] made its way onto my mailbox on Thursday. This card wasn't a bargain and he is a pitcher as opposed to a hitter, but I figure to pick this card up of Bell's status as the top draft pick of the Angels in 2005.

FYI: He is also Bozo the Clown's grandson - that has to count for something.

Mail Day
A 2003 Fleer Showcase Sweet Stitches Barry Bonds jersey card [$5.50 plus $2.00 s/h on Ebay] arrived today. It was more of an impulsive pick-up and another Bonds material card [x3] to 'denote' three [2002, 2003 and 2004] of his seven MVP seasons.

Also, a 2005 Topps Rookie Cup Chuck Knoblauch autograph [$4.99 BIN plus $2.00 s/h on Ebay] made its way onto my mailbox. I was looking for an Knoblauch autograph, since I sold the autographed card that was signed through a mail request back in the late '90s.

That autograph was on the card [a 1991 Upper Deck], this autograph is certified and on a holographic sticker affixed onto a card.

It ends up being another addition [or upgrade] to my award winners collection - 1991 American League Rookie of the Year style.

Mail Days
A 2005 Upper Deck Sweet Spot B.J. Upton autograph card [$7.99 plus $2.50 s/h on Ebay] arrived today while a 2005 Bowman Draft set [$12.00 BIN plus $3.00 s/h on Ebay] and a 2005 Topps Update Chris Young [not the 2005 Futures Game subset] gold card numbered to 2005 [$2.99 plus $1.50 s/h off Ebay] arrived on Thursday.

I remember last month, wanting to spend so much time later into the night, the early next morning [1/10/06] just looking for another certified Upton autograph that I had purchased. I ended up finding it in a random bubble mailer that I use for storing various cards.

I think he is going to be a star though and I wanted a Sweet Spot Signatures autograph insert of Upton. Unfortunately, the card I received was crammed into a semi-rigid card holder and it has a nicked corner with a little paper loss. I'm not sending this back to UD - I lost a 2004 Sweet Spot Signatures autograph insert of Delmon Young because I felt I needed to send it back to Upper Deck because it was damaged a little bit. So far, I have not received it back...

The image of the Upton is from the Ebay auction I won.

Picking up the 2005 Bowman Draft set ended up to be pretty good - shipping was only the price of a single card [$3] as opposed $5 or more [and the actual amount the set was shipped for was $5.33].

It came with a 2005 Bowman Draft AFLAC redemption and the seller also included bonus fillers cards consisting of 2005 Bowman Draft gold. Out of the blue, I was possibly looking for Andrew McCutchen, D.J. Houlton, Cesar Ramos and Travis Buck cards and all four were among the bonus filler cards...

Picking up a card of Young was pretty expensive [close to $5 shipped], but I think his Topps Update card was a rookie card and a rookie-year card [confused?] may be a 'prudent, low-end' purchase for the near future [if he develops into a star].

Mail Day
A 2004 Bowman Draft AFLAC redemption set came in the box today. I scanned the box for future reference [and because I was bored]. I'm thinking that I may try and get the cards signed one way or the other, since it is just a regular Bowman AFLAC set.

On the other hand, I may want to keep the set intact. It is my only AFLAC set and I did pay about $6 for the redemption card on Ebay - it isn't worth it for me to mail the cards out willy-nilly.

Note - I opened up the set and some of the cards [C.J. Henry, Andrew McCutchen] are definitely not mint. There are minor nicks and cuts that is especially noticeable with black bordered cards.

These cards are probably better off getting signed, just to salvage their 'collectibility' factor...

Mail Day Part II
A Hank Greenberg PSA/DNA slabbed Hall of Fame postcard [$99.99 plus $3.07 s/h and $2.20 'required' shipping insurance on Ebay] arrived in the box on Saturday.

One of my collection toppers that I figure to cross it off my list in the meantime, instead of waiting for a Satchel Paige PSA/DNA slabbed item or a Bill Russell certified autograph card to pop up on Ebay.

Mail Day Part I
A 2004 SP Top Prospects Mark Trumbo autographed rookie card [$17.50 plus $3.00 s/h on Ebay] arrived in the box on Saturday.

Trumbo maybe the next top prospect in the Angels' organization in the next couple of seasons.

While I wasn't particularly enamored by the card [not having it 'in-hand' before] and I don't think it was any bargain of sort - I felt compelled to pick it up for my personal collection because it is Trumbo's best rookie card [that isn't a rookie-year parallel].

The image is from the Ebay auction I won.

Mail Day
2005 Bowman Draft Chrome Ryan Zimmerman refractor autograph [$74.09 plus $2.50 s/h on Ebay] arrived in the box. It looks much better than his 2005 Upper Deck USA card, particularly the autograph [though maybe not so obvious, judging from this image - from the Ebay auction I won].

Zimmerman was on the fast track in 2005, hopefully he can establish himself as a star [hopefully in the mold of a David Wright or Scott Rolen].

Mail Day
Psuedo presents that I sent payments for before Christmas arrived in the mailbox yesterday: 2005 Bowman Draft Henry Sanchez Chrome refractor [$3.25 plus $3.00 s/h on Ebay], 2005 Prime Patches Miguel Tejada jumbo jersey #'d 193/330 [$1.75 plus $2.00 s/h on Ebay], 2005 Bowman Draft AFLAC Chrome redemption [$9.00 plus $1.50 s/h on Ebay] and another 2005 Bowman Draft AFLAC Chrome redemption [$9.99 plus $2.00 s/h on Ebay].

2004 Topps Traded break
I knew Topps didn't have any nice hits in their 'base brand' products like Topps Traded, but with some money, I bit the bullet this past Saturday and picked up a box for $50.

I was hoping to pull some Howie Kendrick cards [base, gold, chrome, refractor] but ended up with a 'pitiful' break.

Regular traded set - 180/221 [with one Kendrick]

Gold parallel - 12 random [one featuring Felix Hernandez]

Chrome - a handful of chrome FY/DP and veterans with the best one out of the FY/DP bunch a Homer Bailey.

Chrome refractors - Juan Uribe and Dustan Mohr

GU/auto - Ramon Nivar bat [puke]

Stuff I value

Contemporary Toppers [$150-$200] - certified autograph cards of icons, PSA/DNA certified autograph cuts of icons and other items.

Memorabilia - featuring single signed baseballs including Mike Schmidt, Johnny Bench, Bill Mazeroski, Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, Carl Yastrzemski, Bob Gibson, Johnny Bench, Frank Robinson, Lou Brock, George Brett, et al.

I’d like to pick up single signed baseballs for still living Baseball Hall of Famers (and probably those that will pass on the next five years). I want to prioritize guys I have not absolutely gotten or tough to wrestle an autograph from (high profile superstars, doesn’t sign memorabilia at golf tournaments). Otherwise I have to stick to what I have (8x10 flats, unofficial baseballs, scrap of paper) until I can upgrade to a single signed baseball.

Certified Autographs Cards - certified autographs of superstar players featuring single or multiple subjects (per card) and certified autograph cards that feature a patch or other material pieces.

'Traditional Rookie cards' - BGS/PSA graded [and some ungraded] rookie cards of players from the last 25 years and before.

Certified autographs cards - certified autographs of players consisting of non Hall of Fame players, award winners, and certified autograph cards from rising stars/prospects.

Rookie year parallels - looking for cards of better known top prospects, including refractor, serial numbered and autograph parallels.

Regional considerations:
California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels -
A.) Cards for autographs - varies; whenever available
B.) PSA/BGS graded rookie cards and rookie-year parallel cards of prominent stars past and present along with top prospects [position players].
C.) Cheaper premium cards - dual material, patch cards, certified autographs and selected rookie year parallels.
D.) High end premium cards - 1/1 button cards, super patch material cards, et al.
E.) Scrapbook collection - featuring common cards [base, numbered and other parallels, parallels] that I maybe able to display.

Turn back the clock sampler run - I’m planning to collect a run PSA graded Topps cards from 1952-1980. Ideally all cards will feature Hall of Famers, though that probably depends on condition [affordability] and availability.

Collecting topics - typically common cards categorized into of secondary classifications.

Material card bonanza - featuring a bat barrel or 'premium super patch' piece card of a superstar (Vladimir Guerrero) or an icon/legend; a popular HOFer and/or member of an exclusive statistical club.

Various material cards - patch cards, dual material pieces, et al.

Featured pack pull
2005 Bowman Chrome Draft Ricky Romero refractor [#'d to 500] autograph.

Mail Day
A 2005 Donruss Greats Roberto Clemente bat card [$12.50 plus $2.00 s/h on Ebay] arrived in the mail Monday.

Jersey and bat cards mean nothing in today's trading card collecting game.

Of course it looks like a Clemente bat card is a fairly common pull in 2005 Donruss/Playoff releases.

Still, this is Clemente and possessing a card with a sliver of a bat he used in a MLB game is just too cool.

Image is from the Ebay auction I won.

Mail Day
A 2005 Donruss Prime Patches Jim Edmonds 'jumbo' jersey card [$3.49 plus $2.50 s/h on Ebay] arrived in the mail Saturday.

There is something nice about having a card in your hand with a big swatch of a game-worn jersey - even though the material is only a one-color piece and not a patch of some sort.

Image is from the Ebay auction I won.

Dare to compare
1.) Hank Blalock - Mike Greenwell
2.) Nomar Garciaparra - Don Mattingly
3.) Adam Dunn - Reggie Jackson
4.) Pat Burrell - Jack Clark
5.) Prince Fielder - Mo Vaughn

Mail Day
A 2005 Upper Deck Portraits B.J. Upton certified autograph 8x10 card [$12.99 plus $3.00 s/h on Ebay] arrived in the mail.

Even the autograph is not on the oversized card itself, but on a sticker, the way the card looks is pretty darn good.

Image is from the Ebay auction I won.

Imromptu card show trip

Bought a Casey Kotchman unlicensed head shot 8x10 photo for a $1.50 each - I wasn't paying attention at all and I didn't realize it was kind of mangled up. I guess there goes my $1.50 in the trash...also bought a Paul Konerko 1998 Studio 8x10 card for $1.50 as well - I guess the Konerko was in a little better shape.

There was booth with a guy selling wax...Bought a pack of top-loaders for $1...I was biding my time, knowing that I kind of hate to spend [my own] money, but had to pay the piper every so often [even as I have other items I'd like]. I impulsively tried my luck, even though I think I'd rather buy random retail packs, than from a card show booth [no matter how well the booth's display looks].

2005 Topps Update [x3/$4.50 total] - a handful of base cards including those featuring young players that I can get an get signed if I so desired. Three of them included Ricky Romero [Toronto Blue Jays/CSUF], Andrew McCutchen [Pittsburgh Pirates] and Cliff Pennington [Oakland Athletics].

I also got a Barry Bonds home run insert [HR #571].

2005 Bowman Draft [x3/$9 total] - I was hoping for something decent, but not expecting much. I did get a 'dreaded' Signs of the Future auto [of Angel Guzman - Chicago Cubs].

Mail Day
Two cards arrived in the mail on Saturday:

2005 Prime Patches jumbo jersey card of Vladimir Guerrero [$22.61 plus $2.99 s/h on Ebay] - nice looking card for my personal collection, though the three color [blue, white and red] material is part of the color scheme of the patch piece as opposed to perhaps a true 'super patch' card, where the colors consist of discernible patch material. So, the card is basically a one color swatch that happens to feature three colors. [Does that make any sense?]



2005 Prime patches jumbo material card of Vernon Wells [$0.99 plus $2.50 s/h on Ebay] - I was surprised at how thick the card stock was - this is really nice looking card [though a default pull these days - single color jersey swatch - ugh...] with just enough space on the jersey material to get autographed perhaps.


Images are from the Ebay auctions I won.