Featured Pickups
I'm always looking to pick something nice and cheap at the card show, just so I can say I walked away with something decent [if only a $5-$10 card] besides the common cards I usually pick up for random autograph signings.

I looked through a $10 arrangement of cards and Tim Salmon patch/bat card [from 2004 Donruss Throwback Threads] caught my eye immediately. My mind raced, deciding whether I would be willing to pay $10 for a card of a minor-star at best. He's a freaking Angels' legend, you dolt! atch/bat combo serial numbered 16/25. The patch on the card isn't that big [because of the window], but it is distinct. The card is numbered 16/25 and was labeled 'prime' meaning that it was more than just a single swatched jersey/bat card variation.

I came back, flipped through the arrangement of cards again and finally picked the card up. $10 isn't a bad price for a 'semi-premium' card of a franchise star, even though it has been a decade or so, since he has been talked about in mainstream collecting circles. Still, I consider it a card you pick up for your personal collection that isn't going to make or break any collecting budget, unless of course you can get it for something like $6.27 shipped on Ebay [just being facetious there].

In the $10 arrangement, I didn't see much, but some real random cards that piqued my interest for whatever reason: a 2005 Fleer Sweet Sigs Vernon Wells, a random Allan Houston [NBA] patch card that was really nice and had eye-appeal, a random Jason Kidd autograph card [you can get his certified autograph cards for $10?] and an 2005 Donruss Timelines Andruw Jones patch card.

Another Salmon card I found was a 1995 Donruss Studio Gold insert. The faux credit card design gives it a certain aesthetic appeal, though the card is only worth what I paid for it, which is about a dime. I picked it up with a Barry Larkin from the same set for a quarter.

Scanned to show the image of the card, not the particular condition or actual size.

Mail Day
About a month ago, I bought a Kendry Morales autographed baseball blind [without an Ebay image] from Mr. Mem on EBay [$15.00 plus $5.00 s/h]. I paid for the item about two weeks ago and it arrived in the mail yesterday [8/24/06].

I figured it would be okay, since it was stated in the title that it came from a Just Minors product. Basically it is a 'low-end,' certified memorabilia item. It was also noted in the auction description that it came with the Just Minors COA and a hologram affixed.

My official line is that it is only worth what I paid for it, though I'm betting on Morales' potential to be a very good Major League player. With his potential, I was looking to get him on a single-signed baseball and I think I paid a reasonable price.



I open up the UPS Priority service box, my item was shipped in and see a nice Just Minors box. A COA was stuffed inside, along with the Morales baseball wrapped in tissue. The only thing I was worried about is whether or not Just Minors would be using a 'cheap, synthetic' baseball, an official minor-league baseball or some other 'junk' baseball.

I checked on the Just Minors website and it said that they'd used official Major League Baseballs for their signings:

All autographed baseballs are official Rawlings Major League Baseballs or:
FG - Indicates Futures Game Baseballs (individually serial-numbered to 120)
W.S. - Indicates World Series Baseball
A.S. - Indicates All Star Game Baseball
N.L. - Indicates National League Baseball



I examine the ball [still wrapped in tissue] just for a little bit and see the Major League Baseball logo. The hologram is there as well and the autograph looks clean, though Morales' autograph looks like chicken scratch.



I also got a 2006 Topps Allen and Ginter Vladimir Guerrero bat card [$3.00 plus $2.00 s/h on Ebay]. I don't want to care for common bat/jersey cards, though the novelty makes it okay sometimes. On the other hand, the bat used could be a Vladimir Guerrero store-model bat, used by Topps' employees at the park, which would defeat the purpose of having a game-used bat card featuring a favorite player.

Some loose pack breaks
Picked three hobby packs of 2006 Topps Allen and Ginter [$3.75 each/three for $11] at a show last Saturday and two more retail packs at Target [$2.99 each] to see what the buzz was all about. The only card I got of note from the hobby packs was a Ryan Langerhans short print [#151] and a Ervin Santana [#51].

The cards themselves are nice looking, though my five pack pick up seemed more like wanting to drink water because I was thirsty, but only getting a few random drops.

Regional collecting
I'm supposed to be a California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels' fan, but I've missed out on picking up some key cards of young players that have come up from the minor leagues and have helped the Angels' chances to stay afloat in the pennant race this season.

Maybe I've been lazy and ambivalent over baseball card collecting in general, but I still collect and read enough message boards featuring baseball cards, the Angels and prospects in general. I'm no stranger to websites like futureangels.com and baseballamerica.com.

I've got an account on Ebay, so I should have already had particular cards of particular players [from my team] in-hand before all the hype takes place. I kind of feel left out of the picture, though I probably had my reasons for my 'no-action' as far as not picking these guys' cards up.

Still, I have nothing to show for guys like a Jered Weaver [2003 USA auto issues and 2005 BDP auto varieties], Howie Kendrick [various 2004 rookie cards/parallels issued by Topps] and Joe Saunders [2002 Upper Deck PP auto and 2002 Bowman Draft auto varieties].


Now, is it worth my time going through the reasons or am I just SOL?
1.) I'm an uber cheap collector and perhaps the initial prices for some of the cards was already at relatively high levels. I realize that I'm not into flipping cards for a profit. Rather than follow the herd, I'm more apt to be conservative and want something for my personal collection. I have recently speculated on a couple cards [2005 Bowman Draft Chrome Ryan Zimmerman refractor autograph/2005 Upper Deck Signature Edition Kendry Morales update autograph], but didn't want to worry whether or not Weaver will turn out to be the next Mike Witt or Jeff Weaver, as I see myself looking for more position players.

2.) There is a competition factor among the die-hard team collectors and I don't want to feel like I'm some kind of poseur by jumping into the fray.

3.) I don't want to admit I missed the boat, but best time to pick up cards of these guys is definitely not now. I do realize that what comes up, must come down eventually.

4.) I'm more of an autograph collector [in-person/through the mail], than a card collector. I'd rather get Weaver and Kendrick's random signed autographs, than get their rookie cards/rookie year parallels. If I think they are good enough, then I try and get them on an official Major League baseball and I'm happy with that.

5.) Still, maybe I don't show enough confidence in your team's top prospects, both long-term and in the short-term run. I didn't care to realize the potential of a guy like Weaver, who was in some circles, pimped as the next Mark Prior. Maybe I just didn't see guys like Weaver or Kendrick coming up until some time next year.

In 2006, it seemed like a whole roster of first year players have come up and made immediate impacts. Weaver, Kendrick and Saunders are just three of those guys that have already impressed.

6.) Kendrick projects more as a guy who is a good all-around player, with the potential to win batting titles. Does anyone see him putting up Alfonso Soriano numbers? Maybe he is another Ray Durham or someone who puts up all-star numbers, but not superstar numbers.

7.) Saunders probably should have been my guy for much of the last two years. While I look for PC cards, he was injured and there were downpoints when his cards were dirt cheap. Unfortunately, it isn't like I've sought out his cards out at a show. He maybe the guy among the three who becomes decent, but is generally unspectacular over the course of his career.

Now, I think I'm going to be a little more proactive in seeking out rookie cards/rookie year issues of any Angels' prospect who may give the parent club its next productive player.

Baseball card collecting is not a warm-weather hobby
Who wants to be thumbing and sorting through cards, when it is so nice and sunny outside? Pity the fool who would rather be inside playing with his cards or has no other 'default' choice, other than to flip through his brick of useless commons.

I can't come up with a collecting theme that compels me to be focused [with time, effort and $$$]. All my cards and other stuff are 'housed' in my room and it is hard to be enthused with anything when your abode is a furnace for much of the late afternoon.

Mail Day
I got a 1965 Topps Clay Carroll rookie card/Phil Niekro [PSA graded 7] in the mail today.

I casually looked the card up in an ancient [circa 1996] Mo Vaughn Beckett magazine [that I have for reference] and I was dismayed that it was actually Niekro's second year card. I was bummed because I was thinking that this card was going to start my 'vintage' rookie card collection.

I think the fact that it isn't Niekro's actual rookie card shows how impulse bidding [on Ebay] bite you in the butt, especially when you don't do simple research such as checking whether or not a player has had a previous card issued - when you are .

It took me about two weeks to send finally payment about a week ago for the card [$26 plus $4 s/h] and while there is buyer's remorse, I think it is a nice looking card that is going to stay in my personal collection.

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.