Grande Group Break Loot

When it comes to Dodger cards, my collection has some dead zones.  The dead zones are gaps in years where my binders are missing some potentially great Dodger cardboard.  I have a ton of 90s cards.  The 90s was the greatest era for everything including baseball cards.  One of the few problems for collectors of that era was that a million card companies released a million sets each year of the finest decade.  The number of sets that came out to the adoring public in the 90s has left some gaps in my collection.  This isn't too big of a problem for me since the explosion of set releases also led to some creativity among the card designers.  It is just an obstacle to overcome.

Another dead zone in my pursuit of Dodger baseball cards is the first half of the 2000s.  I wasn't a big collector in the early part of the 21st century.  I am probably missing out on some 2001 Topps Dodger cards.  The 2000-2006 era of baseball cards seems harder to track down for some reason.  In the rare case where I have a chance to pounce on some cards from the elusive early 2000s, I get in the ready position and leap towards the opportunity.

Chris from the blog Nachos Grande held a group break in which he was opening up boxes from my collection dead zones.  He offered up some 90s cards as well as some cards from the lost days of the early 2000s.

I have probably never seen this action shot of a leaping Adrian Beltre before.  2000 Skybox Dominion was not on my list of next purchases.  A group break with a sweet variety netted me this gem.

2004 Fleer is a set that I probably would have collected had I been interested in baseball cards in 2004.  It has a simple retro design lifted and slightly updated from an early 90s Fleer release.  This type of card stock is perfect for an autographed signature.  This group break may have gotten me most of the Dodgers I needed for this set.

The 2000 Topps Gold Label set is one that I have been digging for awhile now.  After seeing a box of it broken over at Nachos Grande, it is now on my purchase radar.  The base set is flashy with some decent photography.  The insert sets are really nice and well designed.  A box of these cards will be mine in the near future.

One of the benefits of joining a group break is being able to sample a little bit from a variety of sets.  It is a helpful way to acquire an abundance of cards for your collection and get a chance to discover something new from the collecting world.  I have bought boxes before after seeing them in a group break.  2000 Topps Gold Label is next up for me.

Furthermore, the '93 Upper Deck set was my jam back in the day.  The set had an awesome design with some world class sports photography.  Any group break that is going to open up some '93 Upper Deck is calling my name.

Even though, I have been around a lot of '93 Upper Deck cards, this Eric Karros may be new to me.  Karros cards are one of the leaders in my collection.  Hideo Nomo is in the lead but, Karros and his great hair aren't far behind.

This group break netted me some great cards for me collection.  The boxes opened at Nachos Grande even included a Zenith set that had 8x10 cards in them.  The 8x10s deserve their own post because they are picture frame worthy.  That post will be worth the wait.

Thanks for hosting a fun group break, Chris.

Just The Hits

I recently saw Greg Zakwin from Plaschke, Thy Sweater is Argyle at the Dodger Fan Fest last weekend.  We talked some baseball and about cards for a bit.  I actually handed him a couple cards that he had asked for a while back.  Zakwin and I had made a trade at Valley Sports Cards several weeks ago and these two cards completed that trade.

That trade involved me giving him a huge chunk of my Ryan Braun collection.  I only collect cheats that are Dodgers because they were at least risking their long term health for Doyer victories.  But, cheats on other teams steal MVPs from Matt Kemp.  Not cool, Ryan Braun.

Anyways, when I saw Zakwin at the fan fest, I mentioned that I still needed to post the cards that he gave me weeks ago.  He looked sad and disappointed.  He even cried a little and then that made me cry as well.  I felt that I let him down by my long awaited trade post.

The tears have went away now and I am ready to show off the goods from Zakwin.

I hate hybrid cards with a different team name as compared to the uniform Adrian Beltre is wearing.  My love for bat relics and Beltre power makes up for Upper Deck tackiness.

The Dodgers have been on an endless search for an above average third baseman since Beltre left after the 2004 season.  Casey Blake has been the best of the bunch.  That doesn't say much because guys like Juan Uribe and Mike Edwards have manned the hot corner since Beltre's departure.

In 2003, Chin-Feng Chen was known as a future phenom in some circles.  In 2012, Chin-Feng Chen isn't known as anything to anybody.

Chen was a big time power threat coming out of Taiwan.  He hit 31 home runs in his minor league debut season as a 21 year old in high-A ball.  He was a consistent 20-25 homer guy throughout his minor league career after his 31 homer season.

He only ended up with two hits in the majors in 25 plate appearances.  Chen never got much of a chance at the big league level.

Welcome to my collection of Dodger busts, Mr.Chen.

 
Another Andre Ethier to add to my collection.  Ethier is having a really nice season so far. At the beginning of the season, I was thinking that the Dodgers shouldn't resign him after the season.  His demands may be too high and he was coming off some injury plagued and sub par seasons.

So far, Ethier has been a beast in 2012.  He has hit lefties better and seems faster this year in the outfield and on the base paths.  I am now kind of hoping the new Dodger owners give him an extension.

 
This is a super flashy card of Kaz Ishii with a piece of white jersey.  The previous card of Andre Ethier has a piece of gray jersey.  Not much more color but, gray is better than a white piece of cloth.  Oddly, this Ishii card is numbered out of 25.  Leaf should have made the Ishii card with a piece of a number or letter.  Maybe a small piece?

Sorry for the delay on this post, Zakwin.  Next time we meet up, we'll swap some cardboard again.

Hot Autos From The Hot Corner

When I have some spare funds in my account, I scour Ebay for some of cards that will fit into my collection.  I type in some of my favorite players names and see what goods I could purchase.  Sadly, this doesn't happen too often because I rarely have much disposable income.

I got my federal tax return a couple weeks ago.  This gave me a little extra cash to spend on my cardboard addiction.  I decided to search Ebay and find one card that is a little pricier than I usually spend on one card.

I have been looking at posts from Zakwin from the Plaschke, Thy Sweater is Argyle blog.  Zakwin has been building up a nice Al Rosen collection. I was starting to get jealous and every time he would post an Al Rosen card, it made me search even harder for one of his cards.

Boom!  I found an auto featuring 1953 MVP Al Rosen and of ex-Doyer third baseman Adrian Beltre.  Oh yeah, and it is also serial numbered out of 99.

Zakwin also mentioned to me that he had bid on this same auction but, I beat him out!!  Sorry, Zakwin, your Al Rosen collection has already been started.  My Rosen collection is just beginning with a bang.

Beltre and Rosen are grouped together on this card because they are both third baseman and they are both power hitters.  Rosen hit 43 bombs in his MVP year of '53.  He also had a 10 year career with a career OPS+ of 136.

While, looking at this card, I am digging the wool jersey that Rosen is wearing.  I like the big patch of the Indians logo on his sleeve.  Do they make Al Rosen throwback jerseys?

I don't think I have seen one worn by a rapper in a music video.

"O" Yeah, Trade Post Time

I currently have stacks of cards on my bedside mantle.  The stacks have never been this big before.  This is a good and bad thing.  The good is that I have tons of baseball cards.  The bad is that I have to take the time to catalog and put them in there own resting place.

The stacks are separated by trade bait, computer catalog, and straight to binder cards.  I also have a growing stack of commons that I put in boxes based on year and set. 

I also have a bunch of trade packages that I have to sift through.  I have already opened all of them to see the awesome cardboard that people send me.  Now, I just need to write a post about them.

Posting about the trades is a fun project for me.  I don't view posting as a chore.  Sometimes I feel that actually putting my cards away is a chore.  I just wanted to inform you guys on the state of my collection.

Newly married Ryan "O" Another Orioles Blog, sent me a really grand trade package a few weeks ago.  I sent him a Cal Ripken Jr. GU and he sent me a slew of cards that fit my PC.  One of those cards that he sent me is a classic early 90s Upper Deck card of Fernando.  I love the triple photograph displaying Fernando's wind-up. 

Here is a 2005 Bowman Gold Kurt Suzuki card.  Suzuki is looking mean.  He is trying to intimidate me with this photo.  Suzuki is a mad dog just waiting to attack.  I must make sure that I keep this card safe or else he may jump out of this photo and smother me in my sleep.

These retro mini game used cards that came out in the 2011 Topps Lineage set, may be my favorite part of the 2011 collecting season so far.  They have a 70s coolness to them and they are mini!  Mini cards just look better to me.  This card also contains a piece of jersey worn by Ian Kinsler.

Kinsler is repping the Texas Rangers in the World Series that is currently being played.  Kinsler is one of the reasons that I am rooting for the Rangers to beat the Cardinals.  Despite my last statement, I hope the Cardinals win the next game because Game 7s are the golden game of sports.  I am pulling for a Game 7 Rangers victory because of the excitement that will bring to baseball.

Adrian Beltre is another reason why I'm rooting for the Rangers.  Beltre is probably the best fielding third baseman that I have ever seen.  I lived outside of Philly in the 90s so, I got to see a lot of Scott Rolen also.  I give the nod to Beltre because he fielded the hot corner in Doyer Blue.  I am biased.

This is the best Beltre GU that I have.  I love the low serial number and the enlarged jersey piece that Upper Deck crammed in there.

Ryan also sent along a card that fits into my faded Dodger prospects PC.  Joel Guzman was supposed to be a stud coming out of the Dominican Republic.  He did look like a ball player.  Guzman was tall and lean.  He had the body type that scouts probably said he has room to grow. 

Guzman never panned out in the big leagues.  Guzman was given a big bonus by the Dodgers back in the time when the Dodgers actually tried to sign top teens from the Dominican. 

This card has a piece of jersey from the Futures Game.  Ryan was nice enough to send this to me because I may be the only guy to appreciate a Joel Guzman card.  Except, maybe for Guzman's mother.

Thanks for the trade,Ryan! 

Minor PC Addition

As I try to get more trade partners, I am going to be adding or subtracting players listed under the section to the right called "Minor Collections."  Every now and then you will be able to see a new player or subject that I am currently collecting.  This will add new trade offers and more of a chance to trade with some of the many bloggers out there.

This addition is going to be of a former Dodger that I find myself still rooting for.  That player's name is Adrian Beltre.  He is a slick fielding third baseman with a strong arm and some pop in his bat.  Beltre is a player that I collect no matter what uniform he is wearing on his card. 

This is the only auto that I have of Beltre. I am on the lookout for some more.

This is the only bat relic that I have of Beltre.  I really dig this one because of the LA stamp on the piece of wood.  I think some collectors don't like an imprint put on a relic.  But, I like it because it adds some uniqueness to my collection.

See, I told you that I am seeking Beltre cards in any uniform.  This is a 2011 Topps Beltre GU jersey where he is pictured as a member of the Red Sox. 

Here is a blue piece of jersey.  This is a hybrid card where Beltre is photographed as a Doyer but is stated as being a Seattle Mariner.  I like getting some color on the jersey even if the card company can't pick a team for Beltre to represent.

I am mostly looking for autos or GUs of Beltre.  I would like to boast my small collection of his.  Please send me an email or comment and we'll work out a trade.