I Appreciate 2011 Topps Series II

Ok, the title is a little kooky but there is a reason. My company instituted a program to recognize its people for working hard. Each week employees are nominated by their peers/subordinates and a winner selected. Well, one of my employees "Appreciates Me". My company parlayed her appreciation into a Target gift card. An embarrassing mass email about how I am appreciated was all I had to endure. I then turned that gift card into baseball cards of course.

With the scanner still being broken and wifey not working weekends this post will only be a list of what I pulled. Don't worry, the Diamond Giveaways supplied photos.

I bought three blisters, guaranteeing the same number of Diamond Giveaway Redemption codes. I pulled another so was able to redeem four of those bad boys.

First was this one:
Rusty Greer 1999 Topps #220

UGH! Not how I wanted to start.

Carlton Fisk 1986 Topps #719

That's more like it.

Fred Lynn 1982 Topps #252

Very nice. Would have preferred him to be in Oriole orange and black but what are you gonna do. I do find it funny that the "In Action" subset has Freddy taking a lead, during Spring Training. Not very actiony for my tastes.

Then came this guy:

Bruce Bochte 1977 Topps #68

Do not confuse him with Bruce Bochy, ex-skipper, like I did. Bochte is an interesting cat, just ask his wikipedia page.

And then my best of all:

Bob Lemon 1971 Topps #91

I would have rathered a card during his playing days but he only had five of those and they are difficult to come by. This is now my oldest card in my virtual collection.

For those keeping count, you are correct, that was five cards, not four. I hit my first virtual milestone and was able to unlock another card. Go me.

Here is what I pulled from the packs and all are available for trade.

2011 Topps 60 T60-57 Sandy Koufax Dodgers
2011 Topps 60 T60-90 Greg Maddux Braves
2011 Topps 60 T60-93 Carlos Gonzalez Rockies
2011 Topps 60 Years of Topps 60YOT-113 Billy Butler Royals
2011 Topps 60 Years of Topps 60YOT-74 Roger Maris Yankees
2011 Topps 60 Years of Topps 60YOT-93 Andre Dawson Expos
2011 Topps 60 Years of Topps 60YOT-95 Ozzie Smith Cardinals
2011 Topps Before There Was Topps BTT-3 American Tobacco 1911: T201
2011 Topps Diamond Anniversary 349 Drew Stubbs Reds
2011 Topps Diamond Anniversary 395 Tyler Flowers White Sox
2011 Topps Diamond Anniversary 438 Ryan Theriot Cardinals
2011 Topps Diamond Anniversary 591 John Axford Brewers
2011 Topps Diamond Duos DD-12 Troy Tulowitzki Hanley Ramirez Rockies/Marlins
2011 Topps Diamond Duos DD-17 Buster Posey Neftali Feliz Giants/Rangers
2011 Topps Diamond Duos DD-18 Roy Halladay Felix Hernandez Phillies/Mariners
2011 Topps Diamond Stars DS-24 Ryan Braun Brewers
2011 Topps Gold 342 Jorge De la Rosa Rockies
2011 Topps Kimball Champions Minis KC-57 Tom Seaver Mets
2011 Topps Kimball Champions Minis KC-65 Bob Gibson Cardinals
2011 Topps Kimball Champions Minis KC-72 Ernie Banks Cubs
2011 Topps Toppstown Series 2 TT2-1 Tim Lincecum Giants
2011 Topps Toppstown Series 2 TT2-31 Jon Lester Red Sox
2011 Topps Toppstown Series 2 TT2-36 Hunter Pence Astros
2011 Topps Toppstown Series 2 TT2-43 Chris Carpenter Cardinals

Base Cards:
333,334,336,337,340,341,345,346,350,351,359,361,363,364,366,367,369,370,373,379,382
384,386,389,394,397,398,400,402,405,410.414,415,423,425,432,436,439,440,444,449,452
463,465,468,471,472,473,476,482,493,497,501,503,505,506,507,510,512,516,517,522,523
525,529,533,535,539,540,544,546,548,555,560,562,564,574,576,580,585,586,587,593,594
597,598,599,600,605,607,609,611,612,613,617,628,633,639,644,648,652,653,655,657

As alwyas I am looking for Orioles cards I need to get signed, signed cards from my wish list and vintage Birds. LMK

A 50/50 Upgrade

over at SportsGraphing I reached out to a minor league grapher for some help. In April. The Collecting Queen does a lot of graphing in the Florida State League. Jim Dwyer's name caught my eye so I jumped in on a 50/50.

Jim Dwyer 1991 Orioles Crown #119


Whenever I see a 50/50 list I first look at Orioles, then anyone else I have cards of. That is were Denny Martinez comes in. I sent a cool Topps Laser card for the Queen and I kept this one for myself.

Dennis Martinez 1996 Pacific Prism #96


The Martinez is up for trade, along with a 1983 Fleer Dwyer that had resided in my collection.

Costing Myself Money

Every few weeks I check out SportsCollectors.net to see if TTM signing habits have changed. Most times it is just the continued successes of good signers and dismissals of those who don't. A few weeks ago I saw a success for Eddie Robinson who I needed to add to my collection. In the notes it referenced a $10 donation for the autograph.

I grabbed some paper and a pen to draft a letter but an eBay alert grabbed my attention. An Eddie Robinson 1991 Orioles Crown auto was up for sale from a reputable collector. I did some research and eventually bid on the autograph, total price $11 (including shipping).

I know I jobbed myself 12 cents if I had sent the TTM request with donation but my luck recently TTM has been awful. I had to take the sure thing. Here is my sure thing:
Eddie Robinson 1991 Orioles Crown #387

Eddie was a 4-time All-Star in the 40's and 50's, playing for nine teams over a 15 year span. The Orioles were his last stop in 1957, playing in just four games with four plate appearances.

Eddie played in two World Series', 1948 and 1955. His first appearance gave him a ring with the Indians, also their last ring. In the 1955 Series as a member of the Yankees, he lost to the Brooklyn Dodgers in their first and only championship. Just a little randomness to brighten up your day.

Legal Pimping

An interesting contest at Number 5 Type Collection. It gives a little perspective and insight on others in the blogosphere.

Check it out.

The Elrod Hendricks Experience

Elrod was loved in Baltimore and must have liked it here. He made his debut in 1968 becoming the starting backstop the following season. His abilities behind the plate made him a favorite of the staff and he remained in Baltimore until 1972.

He was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Tommy Davis. He was dealt for the Cubs to make a run, they did not. Following the 1972 season he was traded back to Baltimore for Frank Estrada. His second tour of duty in town had him splitting time behind the plate until he was dealt to the Yankees in 1976 as part of a 9 player deal.

He must not have liked New York, can't say I blame him, as he signed back with the Birds after his contract expired. His final two seasons only saw him in 14 games but his retirement marked the start of his second career.

Many of my generation knew Elrod as the Orioles bullpen coach, a position he held for 27 seasons. Ellie would always engage the fans, answering baseball questions and routinely signing autographs from the pen.

He doesn't hold any on field records but he does have the distincion of being the longest serving coach and longest combination of player and coach. All told, Ellie was in Baltimore for 38 seasons until his death in 2005. Although his #44 has not been officially retired, no player/coach has worn it since his passing. I think they should retire it, what say you Orioles fans?

I started with this:
Elrod Hendricks 1976 Topps #371


Then got this:
Elrod Hendricks 1987 Orioles Postcards


But I will keep this:
1991 Orioles Crown #193

New Stanley Cup Champions

I don't care about the Bruins, but playoff hockey may be the most amazing thing in sports. Admittedly though, I tuned out when the Capitals couldn't get it done, again.

But as an homage to our newly crowned champions in Bean-town and my Washington Capitals I give you:

Joe Juneau 1998-99 SP Authentic Sign of the Times #JJ

Not an awesome signature but I love the posed sports figure cards. It just looks so natural doesn't it. And what a sweet head of hair. Juneau has surpassed the mullett in this one, time for a haircut. Besides just hockey there is a connection here as well. Juneau was drafted by the Bruins before coming to the Caps and becoming my favorite player.

What a Dimwit

I just received my package from my first ever group break. The Dimwit of aptly named blog, The Daily Dimwit held a 2006 Upper Deck Ovation Baseball case break. Cost was great, only $30 for two teams, one chosen and one random.

I looked over the checklist for this product and the Orioles were boring but one team caught my eye, the Yankees. They had a lot of potential in this set, so I logged on and typed in the dreaded words "I hate to do it but it's an investment. I feel a Yankee pay day. I will take the Yankee Pinstripes". But as I hit enter, I saw a new comment, same exact time, just 15 seconds sooner "Eh, the Yanks. Why not?". Seriously, mere seconds.

Oh well, I couldn't back out now, I took the Cardinals and got the Nationals randomly. With the small base set the break decided to put together complete sets as opposed to have 15 duplicates of your eight players, good decision.

So now I have a complete set (1-84) of 2006 Upper Deck Ovation if anyone is interested. If not, eBay here we come. Also have two Albert Pujols base doubles available. Now on with the fun cards.

Rookie Short Prints #'d /999
Skip Schumaker SP #114

Adam Wainwright SP #115


Inserts
Chris Carpenter Superstar Theatre #CC

Yadier Molina Superstar Theatre #YM

Albert Pujols Superstar Theatre #AP

Scott Rolen Gold Parallel #21 /499

Yadier Molina Curtain Calls #YM

Yoandy Garlobo Ovation Nation Cuba #YG

Albert Pujols Ovation Nation Dominican #AP

Albert Pujols Center Stage #AP

Hits
Scott Rolen Ovation Apparel #SR

And now for what made it worthwhile:
Albert Pujols Ovation Apparel #AP

This was a great case for the Cardinals and any fan would be ecstatic. I am not a Cardinals collector but am very very pleased. I got both short prints, 6 of the 9 inserts and 2 of the 3 jerseys. I did miss out on the autographs or printing plates but I can't complain.

Anyone notice the absence of the Nationals? The only pure inserts they have in the product are of Toma Ohka, glad I missed out.

How did the Yankees do you ask? They produce a Chien-Ming Wang auto, I hate the Yankees.

All are available for trade.

Plugging In

Apparently it is that time of year, contest time. Another contest over with Fuji. I just started following his blog but have seen a lot of his work on other blogs. Gotta love the 2008 Topps version of himself.

Why Do I Love Cal Ripken?

I have been looking at information about the 2011 National Convention and was struck by one thing, players have a lot of rules.

Robin Yount $99- will not inscribe "The Kid" or "Rockin' Robin"

Bo Jackson $79- will not sign Tampa Bay Buc items. He will NOT inscribe "Bo Knows" or "Bo Don't Know Didley"

Roberto Alomar $69- will NOT sign any items from the spitting incident.
OK, this one makes sense.

Jim Taylor $99- will not sign Packer lithographs, artwork or limited edtion prints. Jim reserves the right to reject any item at his discretion. Photo Opportunity not available for Jim Taylor.

John Riggins $109- will not sign original artwork or limited edition prints

Randy Johnson $179- Randy will not sign a jersey unless there are 5 or more signatures already on the jersey

Reggie Jackson $99- Reggie will NOT sign Reginald Martinez Jackson

Rickey Henderson $109- Rickey will not sign any size or type of base including home plate

Ted Hendricks $49- will NOT sign jerseys or jersey numbers

Cal Ripken and Kerry Wood are the only players with something positive added as a note. Wood is appearing for his charitable foundation and Cal is about the fans.

Cal's note- Bring your own camera as Cal will take a photo with each person who purchases an autograph at no extra charge!

That is simply awesome. A man who gets it. He appreciates the fans, the people who shell out their hard earned cash for 10 seconds of ink. And that's why I love Cal Ripken.

Sucker For Free Stuff

A few of my blogger friends were hyping a contest at This Card Is Cool so I became a fan. Now I am shamelessly plugging his contest and will post shortly to maximize my opportunites to win free schwag.

What's the Point?

I know people are going crazy digging up prizes on Topps but after unlocking my card, the rings seem dumb. I know I can probably research it a little but I like bloggers better than Topps. What's the deal with the gold rings? Are they worth more than just silver ones? Are they just gold for gold's sake?

I still have the Lou Gehrig ring that I don't know what to do with. Hopefully I will have some posts of merit in the near future once I get some more scanning done.

Pimpage

Check out a cool contest over at Autographed Cards. We shall see how well wifey did picking schools for me. She has no idea why she just picked 8 colleges, if she knew it could net me some baseball cards, she may have faked like she was asleep.