250 card Fairfield baseball cube

By picking this up instead of two of those 100 card hanger repacks - I got 50 more loose cards along with two random [junk] packs as well as a plastic box I can reuse.

The cube wasn't sealed by a clear plastic sticker / tape - like previous cubes, just shrink wrapped.

2012 Topps Gypsy Queen
#64 Jason Kipnis
#169 Melvin Upton
#88 Erick Aybar
#SS-EA Elvis Andrus - Sliding Stars insert
#200 Felix Hernandez - mini
#GS-DV Endy Chavez - Glove Stories insert

2013 Topps Update Series
#US 256 Luke Scott
#US 95 Eric Chavez
#US 158 Erasmo Ramirez
#US 127 David Phelps
#US 205 Prince Fielder
#US 33 Garrett Richards
#TM-45Stephen Strasburg - 1971 Topps Minis insert
#US-125 J.J. Hardy
#US-226 Michael Cuddyer
#US-56 Kyuji Fujikawa
#US-255 Alex Wood
#US-16 Alex Gordon

2011 Topps Gregory Infante #223
2007 Upper Deck Kevin Cameron #513
2011 Bowman Draft Chrome D.J. Lemahieu #56
1990 Fleer Pat Sheridan #71
1988 Donruss Roger McDowell #651
1986 Topps Alfredo Griffin #566
2004 Topps Jeff Kent #140
1992 Fleer Ultra Todd Hundley #233
1992 Fleer Dante Bichette #173
1990 Upper Deck Jeff King #557
1980 Topps Jack Morris #371
1990 Score Charles Nagy #611
1991 Topps Greg Brock #663
1992 Donruss Scott Livingstone #675
1986 O-Pee-Chee Larry McWilliams #204
1983 Donruss Bruce Bochte #127
1989 Donruss Brian Meyer #640
1989 Donruss Bill Schroeder #644
1993 Topps Jose Uribe #201
2007 Topps Jermaine Dye #FF-11 - Flashback Fridays
1982 Topps Joe Pettini #568
1987 Topps Jim Leyland #93
1988 Score Kevin Romine #644
1990 Score Rookie/Traded Jeff Reardon #17T
1982 Topps Kent Tekulve #485
1993 Donruss Anthony Telford #789
1990 Topps Mike Jackson #761
1987 Topps Jim Pankovitz #249
1991 Topps Matt Sinatro #709
1989 Fleer Update Ken Hill #U-119
1986 Donruss Zane Smith #565
1989 Upper Deck Julio Franco #186
1994 Upper Deck Collector's Choice Derek Lilliquist #175
1994 Topps Greg Harris #738
1992 Donruss Joe Slusarski #626
1989 Topps John Tudor #35
1987 Topps Jeff Dedmon #373
1988 Fleer Dave Meads #453
1989 Topps Jose Lind #273
1990 Topps Henry Cotto #31
1988 Topps Wally Backman #333
1990 Fleer Danny Darwin #227
1989 Donruss MVP Darryl Strawberry #BC-6
1990 Leaf John Candelaria #492
1983 Fleer Paul Householder #592
1991 Leaf Gary Varsho #500
1989 Donruss MVP Andy Van Slyke #BC-10
1986 Fleer Famous Feats Red Rolfe #18 of 22 - the card doubles as a team logo sticker, but that was peeled off...
1990 Score Tom Foley #32
1985 Topps Tony Fernandez #48
1978 Topps Tim Blackwell #449

1999 Skybox Autographics Damion Easley - autographed insert
2011 Topps Ruben Tejada #625
2011 Topps Ryan Sweeney #493
2011 Topps Fernando Rodney #581
2011 Topps John Buck #296
2011 Topps Evan Meek #125
2011 Topps Jason Motte #538
2011 Topps Gaby Sanchez #312
2011 Topps Chris Volstad #127
2011 Topps Seattle Mariners team card feat. Felix and Ichiro #589
2011 Topps Matt Lindstrom #222
1994 Score Rod Correia #594
1991 Score Greg Swindell #110
2010 Upper Deck Gold Reserve Paul Konerko #111
1992 Donruss Bill Sampen #571
1997 Circa97 Trevor Hoffman #287
1989 Donruss Traded Chris Brown #T-9
1999 Topps Tim Wakefield #333
1994 Upper Deck Collector's Choice Julian Tavarez #274
1987 Topps Dave Smith #50
1999 Skybox Metal Universe Chuck Knoblauch #76
1999 Upper Deck MVP Scott Brosius #142
1992 Leaf Harold Reynolds #38
1997 New Pinnacle Reggie Sanders #22
1986 Sportsflics Bert Blyleven / Jerry Koosman / John Denny #64 - Tri-Stars subset
1993 Donruss Jay Buhner #111
1987 Topps Ed Olwine #159
1985 Topps Bruce Kison #544
1996 Score Chris Gomez #142
1993 Leaf Pat Borders #157
1992 Pinnacle Carlton Fisk #361
1993 Donruss Frank Tanana #599
1998 Pinnacle Paramount Bobby Estalella #211
1986 Topps Tony Pena #260
1990 Score Glenallen Hill #601
1988 Topps Jay Aldrich #616
1991 Fleer Ultra Brent Mayne #150
1992 Classic Four Sport Michael Tucker #232
1990 Score Maurice Vaughn #675
1993 Donruss Andy Ashby #743
1995 Upper Deck Greg Vaughn #300
1987 Topps Randy Bush #364
1988 Topps Jim Acker #678
1989 Fleer Nelson Liriano #239
1993 Leaf Bill Krueger #348
1989 Score Gary Pettis #26
1994 Fleer Ultra Eric Young #190
1990 Score Albert Belle #508
1991 Fleer Mackey Sasser #160
1990 Fleer Ramon Martinez #402
1982 Donruss Ron Reed #399
2008 Upper Deck SP Authentic Dontrelle Willis #77
1991 Upper Deck Don Carman #288
1988 Score Zane Smith #410
1992 Fleer Ultra Dan Plesac #388
1988 Donruss Cal Ripken Jr. #26
1988 Topps Jose Lind #767
1992 Topps Ryne Sandberg #387
2006 Topps Bobby Madritsch #113
1988 Topps Mike Marshall #249
1989 Donruss Tim Crews #486
1988 Donruss Dale Murphy #78
1980 Topps Larry Christensen #161
1989 Donruss Jose Lind #290
1990 Topps Phil Stephenson #584
1991 Topps Jeff Huson #756
1989 Donruss Orel Hershiser #197
1992 Donruss Randy Johnson #207
2007 Upper Deck Jose Garcia #517
1987 Topps Bryn Smith #505
1996 Score Jason Bere #409
1994 Donruss Troy Neel #520
1988 Donruss Will Clark #21 - x2
1991 Upper Deck Cecil Fielder #83
1999 Topps Ryan Minor #293
1988 Score Marc Sullivan #271
1987 Topps Paul Zuvella #102
1989 Donruss MVP Will Clark #BC-22
1989 Topps Jeff Pico #262
1991 Leaf Mike LaValliere #15
1988 Topps UK Joe Carter #12 - maybe a repack staple, cards aren't bad looking, but they are odd.
1986 Topps Leaders Bert Blyleven #23
1988 Topps UK Mike Dunne #21
1988 Topps UK Nolan Ryan #62
1988 Topps UK Eddie Murray #53
1988 Topps UK Dave Winfield #85 - x2
1988 Topps UK Will Clark #14
1988 Topps UK Dale Murphy #52
1988 Topps UK Pedro Guerrero #28
1986 Donruss Burt Hooton #300
1993 Upper Deck Luis Aquino #711
1993 Topps Guillermo Velasquez #724
1989 Topps Hipolito Pena #109
2013 Topps Update Series Brian Wilson #US 254
2008 Upper Deck Yankee Stadium Legacy box set Clete Boyer #40
2010 Topps New York Yankees Baseball 27 World Championships Red Rolfe #YC-8
2013 Topps AL Runs Batted in Leaders feat. Miguel Cabrera, Josh Hamilton and Edwin Encarnacion #194
2013 Topps Eric Hosmer #135 - Emerald Foil parallel
1989 Topps Cap'n Crunch Kirby Puckett #20
1991 Upper Deck "1917 Revisited" #617
1990 Upper Deck Bobby Rose #77
1991 Upper Deck D.J. Dozier #3
1993 Topps Traded Jim Converse #40T
1988 Donruss Dave Smith 3410
1992 Score Luis Mercedes #826
1993 Fleer Final Edition Rodney Bolton #F-193
1993 Fleer Final Edition John Cummings #F-268
1990 Donruss Eric Yelding #123
1991 Leaf Carmelo Martinez #160
1992 Fleer Mo Vaughn / Cecil Fielder #705
1993 Topps Larry Walker #95
1992 Upper Deck Doug Drabek / Craig Biggio / Jeff Bagwell #475
1991 Fleer Eric Yelding #520
1993 Topps Buck Showalter / Jim Fregosi #510
1990 Score Jose DeJesus #587
1993 Score Derek Bell #122
1986 Topps Cecil Fielder #386
1989 Donruss Eric King #535
1990 Score Pat Borders #288
1991 Topps John Olerud #168
1992 Fleer Ultra Jacob Brumfield #481
1990 Score Donald Harris #661
1991 Score Bobby Bonilla #315
1990 Score Gary Redus #14
1993 Topps Stadium Club Duane Ward #382
1988 Topps Mike Stanley #219
1988 Topps Bob Patterson #522
1992 Topps Ron Gant #391
1991 Topps Bill Swift #276
1992 Fleer Wilson Alvarez #74
2000 Topps Alex Gonzalez #201
1994 Pinnacle Bob Hamelin #404
1986 Donruss Mike Laga #578
1997 Bowman Chrome Fred McGriff #84
1997 Bowman Chrome Raul Mondesi #39
1997 Bowman Chrome Lance Johnson #80
2002 Topps Total Chad Fox #959
1988 Score Andy Hawkins #347
2008 Topps Updates and Highlights Dan Haren #298
1984 Topps Mike Proly #437
1990 Bowman Chuck Knoblauch #415
2000 Topps John Thomson #371
1987 Donruss B.J. Surhoff #28
1999 Upper Deck Greg Vaughn #347
1986 O-Pee-Chee Greg Harris #128
1997 Upper Deck Collector's Choice #79
1987 Topps Bill Almon #447
1994 Topps Stadium Club Chris Bosio #103
1992 Donruss Triple Play Bo Jackson #164
1994 Upper Deck Stan Javier #384
2001 Upper Deck Jesus Colome #298
1989 Topps Gary Carter #680
2008 Topps Braves Team Set Tom Glavine #ATL 1
1990 Topps Traded Ben McDonald #70T
1978 Topps Bobby Winkles #378
1992 Leaf Roger Mason #454
1993 Fleer Jack Morris #697
1993 Fleer Final Edition checklist #F-300
1989 Upper Deck Tim Burke #456
1993 Topps Stadium Club Alex Arias #741
1992 Upper Deck Chris Donnels #44
1992 Upper Deck Minors Joe Randa #325
1990 Upper Deck Jesse Barfield #476
1992 Upper Deck Roberto Alomar / Sandy Alomar Jr. #81
1995 Topps Mickey Morandini #2
1986 Topps Fernando Valenzuela #630
1990 Donruss MVP Mike Greenwell #BC-17

1991 Score Greg Harris #109
1992 Topps Leo Gomez #84
1991 Fleer Ellis Burks #89
1991 Upper Deck Ray Lankford #346
1988 Fleer Tony Gwynn / Vince Coleman #634 - x2
1987 Topps Traded Danny Tartabull #120T
1986 Topps Don Robinson #731
1993 Topps Traded Brent Gates #91T
1990 Bowman Travis Fryman #360
1987 Topps Marvell Wynne #37
1989 Upper Deck Les Straker #83
2013 Topps Update Series Torii Hunter #US 276
1992 Upper Deck Minors Marc Newfield #36
1992 Upper Deck Brian McRae #157
1993 Donruss Tim Costo #270
1999 Pacific Ricky Gutierrez #191
1992 Upper Deck Jose Canseco #649
1991 Score Ben McDonald #645
2013 Topps Update Series Corey Kluber #US 105
1993 Score Select Rookie/Traded Frank Tanana #127T
2010 Topps Allen and Ginter Mark Reynolds #213
2005 Topps Kazuo Matsui #225
2009 Topps Juan Castro #99
2009 Topps Nate McLouth #15
2009 Topps Brandon League #239
2010 Topps Update Series LaTroy Hawkins #US-246
2010 Upper Deck Matt Garza #492
2010 Upper Deck Ballparks Milwaukee #556
2010 Upper Deck Ryan Sweeney #356
2010 Topps 206 Koji Uehara #205
1990 Starline Long John Silver Tony Gwynn #29
1981 Topps 1980 Earned Run Avg Ldrs feat. Rudy May and Don Sutton #7
2004 Donruss Roberto Alomar #317
2010 Topps Joey Votto #48

2014 Bowman Platinum Value Pack recap

I picked up another pack of this to supplement another repack purchase at a Target - another repack bust will be posted, but I was also looking to mix something 'new' to what presumably will be an act of leafing through an assortment of older, discarded cardboard.

Three card retail purple refractor bonus pack
#BPCP 77 Marco Gonzales
#BPCP 93 Hak-Ju Lee
#BPCP 99 Nick Travieso

Pack one
#BPP 93 Hak-Ju Lee
#BCCP 48 Lucas Sims - X-Fractor parallel
#11 Manny Machado
#CES-YD Yu Darvish - Cutting Edge Stars insert
Arizona Fall League contest card

Pack two
#BPP 51 Rougned Odor
#BPP 47 Marcus Stroman
#41 Madison Bumgarner
#43 Jon Lester - Gold parallel?

Pack three
#BPP 73 Luis Heredia
#BPP 77 Marco Gonzalez
#34 C.C. Sabathia
#45 Hanley Ramirez
Arizona Fall League contest card

Jim Fregosi commemorative card

I don't think I've bought any new cards recently, but this odd sized card is sort of a new addition to be put away - a stadium giveaway by the Angels as part of the pregame tribute to one of the franchise's stars.

2014 Topps Finest - a quick glance

For 'pure card collectors' who still care about collecting base cards, building sets or just flipping through cards - opinions on this year's Topps Finest set will probably be polarizing since the base cards look like they were inspired by 1995 Fleer.

As is, I think the cards look pretty garish and funky looking - however when these is only one manufacturer of MLB licensed cards, designs tend to be conservative and consistent.

Even if the finished product doesn't look like it's something that is going to stand the test of time - perhaps a radical change is appreciated, rather than just going with a design that card collectors have sort of been conditioned to like otherwise.

So instead of perhaps dismissing the set as just another release, maybe the design makes collectors do a double take - perhaps younger collectors who seem to be enamored by anything new and shiny.

Featured autographs - Drew and Sal Butera

As a mini-collection idea, I thought about gathering cards of MLB players who came off the bench as back ups, defensive replacements, or pinch hitters - maybe I wanted recognize certain MLB players' roles as 'working actors' who provided bench strength as opposed to the better known starting players.

As is, maybe I just make mental notes of certain guys that fit this category, whenever I bust a pack of cards or go through loose cards - one of those players is the younger Butera, who has followed in the footsteps of his father Sal as a big league backup catcher.

The elder Butera played in 359 games in parts of nine seasons in the major leagues in the 1980's - he had two stints with the Minnesota Twins and was part of the 1987 Twins World Series champion team.

The younger Butera was drafted by the New York Mets, but started his MLB career with the Twins like his father - before getting traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013.

Unintentional cameos - 1991 Score Jack Howell #842 and 2014 Topps Jose Altuve #210

It was probably my friend who gave me this random Jack Howell card as an extra to get signed at a minor league game at least several years ago - current Angels third base coach Gary DiSarcina makes a cameo and only recently was I finally able to get DiSarcina to sign this particular card.

"That's not me," he said before he realized he was on the card. "Oh there I am."

For the most part, I prefer one autograph on one card of a player [regardless of any random cameos] unless it's a dual player card [where both players are listed on the card] - however, when I can pull it off, I like the novelty of having two players sign a card both make an appearance on.

I like anticipating the reaction of the player making a cameo, wondering if he would taking a harder look, seeing it's not really his card I'm having him autograph - I also wonder how the cameo player will be able to fit his autograph on the same card that has already been signed.

Wouldn't it just be something if I can get Jose Altuve's 2014 Topps card signed by him and the guy sliding into him - I don't think that is going to happen with the player making a cameo, though I'm tempted to try.

2014 Bowman Platinum Value Pack recap

I got $1 off from my Topps / Target coupon book, so that sort of knocks off the sales tax from my purchase - I'm looking for 'new' prospect cards and this break was kind of redundant since all of the prospects I pulled have appeared in various Topps / Bowman products over the last several years.

Three card retail purple refractor bonus pack
#BPCP 6 Gary Sanchez
#BPCP 35 Mike Foltynewicz
#BPCP 63 Chris Taylor

Pack one
#BPP 97 Courtney Hawkins
#BPCP 32 Justin Nicolino - refractor?
#94 Christian Bethancourt
#TP-LM Lance McCullers - Top Prospects die-cut insert

Pack two
#BPP 53 Rosell Herrera
#BPP 1 Francisco Lindor
#58 Francisco Liriano
#69 Prince Fielder - maybe a Gold parallel, hard to say though it looks just a little different than a base card.
Arizona Fall League contest card

Pack three
#BPP 50 Javier Baez
#BPP 64 Joey Gallo
#78 Billy Hamilton
#65 Edwin Encarnacion

Featured autograph - Kevin Brown

I ran into a long time collector who was selling some extra autograph cards and in his portfolio book, I spotted a Kevin Brown signed card - I saw the autograph was on a 2004 Topps Cracker Jack, so I relented to pick it up for $5.

I've been trying to get cards from the 2004 Topps Cracker Jack set signed in-person / through the mail for the past 10 years - as is, there are holes in the set I'll probably will never fill, but it's nice to add another random card to what I have signed already.

The Brown is signed in black but I'll take what I can get since in his day, Brown was surly in-person and not someone who would sign in-person most of the time - I know I got a signed card TTM either in 1997 or 1998 and got him once in-person back when he played with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Buyer beware II - a resolution

It pisses me off when I pick up something online and don't get the item within a certain, noted time - but I guess I can understand if a seller occasionally goofs up, as long as there doesn't seem to be any malicious intent on their part.

I thought I got skunked on a 2014 Allen and Ginter hand collated set purchase on eBay - in-between the 'dead period' where I didn't know what happened, I went and picked up another set from another seller just to have something, if I had to go fight for a refund.

I contacted the seller where I bought the first set from through eBay's Resolution Center last week - I was surprised to actually get a response a few days later.

The seller said he'd forgotten to ship my set and would do so using Priority shipping - there was finally a tracking number to indicate the set had been shipped and after a few days, my set finally was in-hand.

Dug into the quarter boxes at my LCS

1979 Topps Don Hood #667 - I like the perfectly coiffed stache.

1993 Pinnacle Luis Polonia #31 - I randomly leafed through some Angels cards and realized Polonia is wearing a retro uniform.

1995 Upper Deck SP Championship Series Chili Davis #133 - I like him grimacing as I could only imagine the pitch he thought was a ball, was actually called a strike.
2014 Topps Allen and Ginter Shelby Miller #29
2014 Topps Allen and Ginter Taijuan Walker #64
2014 Topps Allen and Ginter Matt Adams #79
2014 Topps Allen and Ginter Matt Carpenter #123
2014 Topps Allen and Ginter Mark McGwire #147
2014 Topps Allen and Ginter Bryce Harper #148
2014 Topps Allen and Ginter Julio Teheran #229
2014 Topps Allen and Ginter J.D. Martinez #236
2014 Topps Allen and Ginter Trevor Rosenthal #277
2014 Topps Allen and Ginter Adam Wainwright #324 - SP

2013-14 Upper Deck Hockey Steve Ott #61 - maybe captured in a subtle, candid moment, blowing a bubble.

2013-14 Upper Deck Hockey Evander Kane #143 - I'm not sure the sign is the most creative but it makes the card look more amusing than it should be.

2013-14 Upper Deck Hockey Ryan Smyth #163 - inking it up

Featured autograph - Huston Street

It's amazing how the Angels bullpen has been revamped from early in the season - it wasn't that long ago that duds like Ernesto Frieri, Nick Maronde, Yoslan Herrera, Rich Hill, Wade LeBlanc, Josh Wall, et al were trotted out to pitch in Angels games.

I don't expect the Angels' bullpen to be perfect for the rest of the year but they seem more competent right now - general manager Jerry Dipoto really did an about-face and tried to flush as many of the turds down the toilet to upgrade the Halos relief squad.

In addition to Joe Smith, the resurgence of Kevin Jepsen and the promotion of relief prospect Mike Morin - the acquisitions of Jason Grilli, Joe Thatcher and Street have made the Angels' bullpen a strength.

Buyer beware

I got skunked on a 2014 Allen and Ginter hand collated set purchase on eBay - the seller gave me positive feedback within 10 minutes after I hit the 'buy it now' and after a couple of weeks, there has been nothing to indicate the set has been shipped or on it's way.

I think I was a little desperate to pull the trigger, so I could get some new cards in-hand, so I didn't consider one or more of the following:

1.) Feedback - a seller with 1,000 positive feedbacks doesn't mean anything; does the seller have any recent negatives, things that particularly sticks out?

2.) What are the things a seller up for sale - I take a look at a seller's inventory and if see a seller doesn't have much of whatever it is I'm looking for [I maybe looking for a hand collated set for example, but the seller has mostly a bunch of singles listed instead or even non-card stuff], then it maybe a warning sign that they might not have the expertise to have something in-hand, ready to ship.

3.) Item description - the less there is said about something, the more I suspect that a seller might not be able to follow through.

I guess I want a seller to know what he or she is selling and if there is no basic description - it may mean I might not get the exact item.

4.) Buying from a list of trusted sellers - I have to pick up things from sellers that are basically strangers, but it may help to have a list of sellers on eBay that seem to be dependable, whether I'm going to be looking for singles, commons, hand collated sets, unopened boxes or other things.

Featured autograph - Mark Appel

Despite his struggles this season, Appel is still an in-person autograph 'get' and I got him to sign a photo and a 2014 Bowman oversized Silver Ice card when he was still with the Lancaster Jethawks - while I don't really like to get 'oddball sized' cards signed, the 5x7 card simply pops.

Because of his draft status, I assume that despite a lost season, he'll get to Houston eventually - for their investment, the Astros are going to have to figure out how to put him in a position where he might enjoy some success, even if it doesn't sit well with some of their players at the big league level.

According to his profile page on MILB.com, Appel has had a 2-5 record with an 9.74 ERA - after his best start of the year on July 24, where he pitched six innings and struck out seven and walked none, he was bumped up to Double-A.

Featured autograph - Chase Headley

Attending several San Diego Padres home games each year - it seemed like the newly acquired New York Yankees third baseman was always the first player to come out of the dugout and meander over to railing to sign for fans [before actually getting ready for the game].

Though I've neglected to go to the Padres' side in my last couple of times going to Padres games - I'd gotten another card signed by Headley in-person last weekend and while it lasted, it was great to see him take care of most fans without fail.

Chien-Ming Wang

I wouldn't have picked up the card of the former Yankees' pitcher but I like the replica New York Yankees game ticket [picturing Derek Jeter] built into the die-cut window - even though it is a 2003 Fleer Authentix card, it was part of the Rookie Updates insert from the 2003 Fleer Rookies & Greats set and is serial #'d 1044/1250.

Wang had a pretty good run in parts of five seasons with the Yankees back in the day, but it seems like injuries and ineffectiveness derailed his promising career - he's bounced around and it is fascinating how pitchers who've shown they can have success in the major leagues, can find themselves down and out sooner than expected.

Despite Wang's inability to have the same success like he did early in his MLB career, he is still plugging away - after opting out with his minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds, he has signed with the Chicago White Sox.

Efren Navarro

Kind of a career AAAA player, the Angels first baseman has impressed in his brief time in the major leagues - it would make sense to trade him as a guy who has nothing left to prove and is ready to play at first base for another big league team.

He may only get back a No. 3 or No. 4 starter or even a decent reliever - he's not going to hit for power, but it seems like he has a pure lefty swing and may hit near .300 with a decent on-base percentage.

2014 All-Star game - Derek Jeter and Mike Trout

I don't think the 40-year old embarrassed himself in his last All-Star game, collecting a couple of hits before being pulled after playing three innings - he could have been named the All-Star MVP, but much to the surprise of nobody, the star of the American League's 5-3 win was the Halos' Mike Trout.

It's good to be Angels fan when I can watch the best player in baseball on a regular basis and know he plays for my home team - Trout was 2-for-3 with a double and a triple with 2 RBI as he got himself a jazzy Corvette after the game.

Featured autograph - Kyle Schwarber

The No. 4 overall pick by the Chicago Cubs, Schwarber hit .408 through 28 games and 103 at-bats between two minor league affiliates in his pro debut - I got his autograph when this past college baseball season when he was playing for Indiana University, only knowing he was a player to get because I had his 2014 Panini Team USA card.

With his blistering start, Schwarber was promoted to Daytona, in the Florida State League - he looks to be part of a core of top prospects projected to be impact players in the next few seasons for the floundering Cubs.

Trade post with S.Mack Talk

Jimmy over at S.Mack Talk wanted some of my Topps yellow / Topps Target red parallels from my 2014 Topps breaks and contacted me about a trade early in the year - I held onto the cards he needed until we could finally meet in-person to complete the transaction.

I think the only card I originally wanted was a Mike Trout insert - but then Jimmy was able to round up some cards off my collecting topics wantlist, so at the very least I was able to pick up some cards for my mini-collections.

Awesome action
1993 Topps Stadium Club Juan Bell #157

Awesome outfield action
1993 Upper Deck Felix Jose #156
1995 Upper Deck Geronimo Berroa #29
2002 Fleer Ultra Shannon Stewart #99

Bonus babies
1995 Topps Glenn Parker #77 [football] - feat. Jim Kelly

Broken bat shots
1993 Upper Deck Wes Chamberlain #267
1993 Upper Deck Cecil Fielder #499
1993 Upper Deck Brian Hunter #582
1995 Upper Deck Joe Oliver #297

Inking it up
1995 Upper Deck Jeffrey Hammonds #129
1995 Upper Deck Hector Carrasco #166
1995 Upper Deck Marquis Grissom #290

Pitchers hitting
1995 Upper Deck Darryl Kile #22
1995 Upper Deck Robb Nen #114 - how often is a pitcher captured on a baseball card sliding to second base?
1995 Upper Deck Fernando Valenzuela #142
1995 Upper Deck Dave Nied #173
1995 Upper Deck Pat Rapp #256

Retro uniforms
1991 Donruss Greg Hibbard #159
1992 Upper Deck Mike Benjamin #268 - I the like befuddled look on his face as if to say, 'dudes actually played baseball with these gloves back in the day?'
1993 Topps Stadium Club Dennis Cook #153
1993 Upper Deck John Burkett #160
1993 Upper Deck Zane Smith #349
1994 Upper Deck Tyler Green #72 - x2
1995 Upper Deck Rod Beck #86
1995 Upper Deck Scott Erickson #428

Misc
1992 Upper Deck Von Hayes #707 - have it
1995 Upper Deck Larry Walker #82 - think I have it / broken bat or awesome action [on the back]
1995 Upper Deck Darren Lewis #87 - think I have it / awesome outfield action or bonus baby [on the back] feat. Barry Bonds
2013 Topps Update Craig Kimbrel #US 53
2013 Topps Update Joey Votto #US 268
2013 Topps Update Torii Hunter #US 276
2014 Topps Mike Trout #FN-20 - The Future is Now insert

Featured autograph - Yunesky Maya

I picked up a 2011 Topps Allen and Ginter in-person signed card of Maya and it was kind of a no brainer - it was another $2.50 auto from a group of autograph cards detailed in this previous post.

I can go ahead and put my original set card in my collection of foreign born players and not worry about needing him to sign something specific - it's not like Maya was a major want, but it's one autograph set card out of the way from a player that might be tough to track down.

A Cuban defector who was a free agent bust with the Washington Nationals, Maya was pitching in the Atlanta Braves' system this year before being sold to a baseball team in Korea - I just want to say that he's already 32 years old and while he's probably not permanently going back to Cuba, he is on the pro baseball journeyman path.

2014 Topps Allen and Ginter Value Pack recap

I wanted to tease myself with a blaster box - however the shelves at my Target apparently were not stocked with any blasters so I settled for one $9.49 Value Pack.

Three card mini bonus pack
Adrian Gonzalez
Mike Olt
Carlos Gomez

Pack one
#296 Joey Votto
#57 Carlos Beltran
#333 Stephen Strasburg - SP
#NW-08 Ha Long Bay - Natural Wonder insert
#269 Jose Abreu - mini
#45 Nomar Garciaparra

Pack two
#141 Starlin Castro
#289 Kyle Seager
#PP-YD Yu Darvish - Pastime's Pastimes insert

#243 Helen Keller - mini
#152 Vince Gilligan

#95 Austin Wierschke

Pack three
#115 Dustin Pedroia
#84 Francisco Liriano
#324 Adam Wainwright - SP
#NW-20 Punalu'u Beach - Natural Wonder insert
#125 Glen Waggoner - mini

#164 Jenny Dell 

Featured autograph - Odrisamer Despaigne

Featured autograph - Joe Thatcher

He denied me last Sunday as he finished up taking pictures and was heading back to the clubhouse at the Angels' season ticket holder photo day - however, I was able to get him to sign my card [albeit one picturing a current/former Angel in another MLB team's uniform] to add to my all-time Angels autograph collection.

Featured autographs - Chad Tracy

While not an immediate priority, I purchased these signed cards for $2.50 each, because they are parts of sets I'm trying to get signed bit-by-bit - Tracy was with the Angels in spring training, but didn't make the team and then retired as a player back in April.

The cards include a 2005 Topps Turkey Red, a 2006 Topps Allen and Ginter, and a 2007 Topps Allen and Ginter - while it costs a few bucks and there, knocking out three set cards without really spending the time to get them signed feels pretty good.

100 card blister repack

I haven't busted any sort of repacks in a while - the Albert Pujols card piqued my interest, even if I should have left the $3.99 blister at the card section.

Section 1 of the blister
2012 Topps Heritage Jayson Werth #HP 46 - retail black border parallel
1989 Topps Glossy All-Stars Rickey Henderson #7 of 22
2010 Topps Brandon Allen #303
1989 Upper Deck Jay Bell #489
1997 Topps Mel Nieves #304
1982 Topps Cleveland Indians Leaders #559 - feat. Mike Hargrove and Bert Blyleven
1982 Topps Barry Bonnell #99
2002 Fleer David Ortiz #109
1989 Upper Deck Ken Dayley #114
2002 Fleer Pokey Reese #281
1995 Donruss Ron Darling #13
1988 Topps Darrel Akerfelds #82
1981 Donruss Rance Mulliniks #504
1995 Donruss Kevin Appier #542
2003 Donruss Charles Johnson #288
1988 Topps Dave Dravecky #68
1982 Topps Jose Morales #648
2001 Topps Stan Javier #192
2008 Goudey Adam LaRoche #148
2008 Topps Allen and Ginter Ryan Garko #241
1990 Upper Deck Bill Swift #313
1991 O-Pee-Chee Premier Pete Incaviglia #67
1993 Upper Deck Craig Grebeck #738
1992 Upper Deck Harold Baines #158
2005 Bowman Chone Figgins #38
1994 Upper Deck Collector's Choice Tom Gordon #112
1981 Donruss Bob Davis #30
1981 Donruss Larry Cox #285
1981 Donruss Gary Thomasson #534
1981 Donruss Dennis Walling #144
1993 Topps Stadium Club Team Jose Guzman #19
1981 Donruss Bob Rodgers #327
1994 Upper Deck Kevin Tapani #439
1992 Fleer Carlton Fisk #79
1986 Topps Traded Darnell Coles #26T
1991 Upper Deck Jeff M. Robinson #796
1990 Score Ben McDonald #680
1993 Upper Deck Melvin Nieves #21
1993 Score Mel Nieves #248
1991 Upper Deck Royce Clayton #61
1992 Topps Stadium Club Ryan Braun #251
1991 Upper Deck Matt Williams #157
2010 Topps Clay Buchholz #572
2010 Topps Orlando Cabrera #11
2010 Topps Carlos Guillen #526
2010 Topps Nate Robertson #84
2010 Topps Seth Smith #429
2010 Topps Joba Chamberlain #363
1989 Topps Glossy All-Stars Bobby Doerr #11 of 22
2010 Topps Jake Peavy #518

Section 2 of the blister
2010 Topps Factory insert Albert Pujols #RS 5 - the bonus cards in yearly Topps factory sets are so mass produced that loose cards aren't worth much and included in repacks.
1989 Topps Glossy All-Stars Ryne Sandberg #14 of 22
1989 Topps Pat Perry #186
1991 Fleer Shane Mack #618
1989 Topps Scott Bankhead #79
1989 Topps Greg Brock #517
1992 Score Thomas Howard #293
1998 Score Rich Amaral #197
1989 Topps Tom Niedenfuer #651
1989 Topps Steve Peters #482
1994 Topps Stadium Club Gregg Olson #196
1987 Topps Wallace Johnson #588
1994 Pinnacle Luis Lopez #259
1989 Topps Craig McMurtry #779
1989 Topps Rance Mulliniks #618
1989 Topps German Gonzalez #746
1989 Donruss Luis Rivera #578
1987 Topps Rob Murphy #82
1992 Topps Steve Foster #528
1996 Topps Darryl Hamilton #365
1992 Leaf Doug Drabek #11
1993 Fleer Ultra Chad Curtis #159
1993 Leaf Chili Davis #254
1983 Topps Dave Bergman #32
1988 Donruss Mike Gallego #379
1987 Fleer Danny Cox #292
1989 Donruss Greg Harris #548
1992 Leaf Paul Miller #492
1992 Leaf Bruce Ruffin #414
1991 Leaf Tony Pena #33
1993 Score Bob Tewksbury #34
1993 Score Thomas Howard #426
1987 Topps Bo Diaz #41
1994 Score Gerald Perry #120
1987 Topps Otis Nixon #486
1988 Fleer Chris Speier #96
1988 Leaf Benito Santiago #3
1988 Leaf B.J. Surhoff #164
1992 Classic Draft Picks Todd Steverson #19
1984 Topps Dick Williams #742
1993 Classic Draft Picks Matt Williams #73
1992 Fleer Tom Pagnozzi #586
1990 Donruss Mike Kingery #601
2009 Upper Deck First Edition Jason Motte #387
2009 Upper Deck First Edition Cristian Guzman #300
2009 Upper Deck First Edition Orlando Cabrera #364
2009 Upper Deck First Edition Trevor Cahill #396
2009 Upper Deck First Edition Edgar Renteria #372
1989 Topps Glossy All-Stars Will Clark #13 of 22
1991 Pacific Nolan Ryan Ryan & Tanana #32

Featured autograph - Bill Singer

I picked this autograph through the SCN fs/trade section for $5 along with a group of 10 other in-person autographs I needed for specific card sets - I'm not really into buying autographs, but I'll pick up a few impulsively if I can sniff out a 'true' autograph collector [as opposed to someone who is kind of far removed from actually graphing in-person or even through the mail] and something catches my eye from whatever extras he or she is trying to get rid of.

The Singer goes into my all-time Angels autograph collection though I had to hit up baseballreference.com to see what Singer actually did in an Angels' uniform - admittedly, I only really remember him mentioned as trying to make small talk with 'long-time GM prospect' Kim Ng while mocking her ethnicity back in 2003.

Joe Thatcher

I had a couple of his cards one card in my San Diego Padres 'autograph book' until he was sent to the Arizona Diamondbacks at the trade deadline in 2013 - now part of the Angels after another trade that sent him to the Halos with outfielder Tony Campana, maybe an opportunity opens up to get him to sign my card.

Jason Grilli

I thought Grilli was a journeyman who was out of baseball years ago - but he's actually pitched with the Pittsburgh Pirates for parts of the last four seasons until being traded to the Angels.

An All-Star last year, he struck out out 164 batters in 108.2 innings combined in 2012 and 2013 - hopefully he still has some juice in his right arm to help the Angels in the later innings whether as a set-up man or a guy that can close out some games.

Random cards

During some down time 'at work,' I was hanging out next to some guys going through a discarded shoe box of cards - a person who didn't want the box of cards gave them to someone else who was going through the cards with three others to see if they could find any useful ones they needed [with the rest being given away to kids].

I wasn't privileged enough to go through the cards [mostly 2000's cards and with a number of minor leaguers from major brand sets who never quite made it] - but one of the guys let me keep a card or two that I liked when he would go through a stack.

2000 Topps Traded John McDonald #T27 - first Topps card, not a rookie though.
2001 Topps Stadium Club Jason Kendall #78 - slides back on a pick off attempt.
2002 Topps David Bacani #694 - I've been vaguely aware of this guy since he played high school baseball in the same league as my high school [the league has since been realigned]; now the baseball coach at Santa Margarita High School, Bacani was named CIF Division I Coach of the Year this past season.
2004 Topps Total Erick Aybar RC #866 - I thought his skills as a player were all tapped out but he's having an All-Star season and has been a little more dynamic than I've given him credit for.
2006 Upper Deck Dewon Brazelton #772 - maybe the most random of cards, but the pitching bust is shown trying to bunt, so I grabbed it for my collection since I wouldn't be looking for it otherwise.
2007 Upper Deck Kevin Youkilis #584 - inking it up
2008 Upper Deck Jake Peavy #627 - didn't need this one but I took it because it was offered.