Impulse Buy #5 (Part I)

While waiting for the Topps T206 release to hit the stores I found myself itching to open some packs. I stopped by one of the Hobby stores I frequent occasionally because they have moved locations and I wanted to check out the new digs.

There is nothing like walking into a brand new freshly renovated store. Everything is bright and shiny and smells new. Another bonus is when the space that they move into is twice the size of their previous space things tend to be easier to find than they were before. Knowing I needed to "scratch the itch", so to speak, I was looking for something retro/vintage themed. Would it be a box of 2007 Goudy? Hmmmm....gotta reserve funds for the aforementioned T206. I chose to limit myself to some packs instead.

I have received a few of the cards from this set in trades and I like the look of the cards. There were six packs left in the dusty box so I decided to give them a good home. Today's impulse buy was..........


Pack #1

Mini Parallel - #163 David DeJesus


Prospects - #BHP94 Brad Furnish (Currently in AA Springfield for the Cards)
Prospects - #BHP53 Andrew Kown (Currently in AAA Syracuse for the Nats)
Rainbow Parallel - #272 Brandon Webb


Base Cards - #73 Johnny Estrada, #135 Curtis Granderson, #184 Juan Encarnacion, #215 Anthony Reyes (RC)


Checklist #3

Pack #2

Mini Parallel - #40 Alfonso Soriano


Prospects - #BHP63 Michael Ekstrom (On Padres 40-man roster, currently assigned to Portland)


Prospects - BHP35 John Bannister (Currently in AAA Oklahoma City for Texas)
Rainbow Parallel - #96 Mark Prior (Yay!! The first Cub)


White Parallel(maybe) - #12 Jermaine Dye

The reason I say "maybe" here is that it is kinda hard to tell. From what I understand the "white" parallel set is not serial numbered and therefore the only way to tell is to look carefully at the border and not see any of the grey-ish flecks that appear to be on the base cards. "Boooo!" on ya Topps for not making it a bit more obvious.

Base Cards - #62 Gary Matthews Jr., #162 J.D. Drew, #217 Yusmeiro Petit(RC)


Mini Parallel - #14 Michael Cuddyer


Prospects - #BHP93 Brooks Brown (Currently in AAA Toledo for the Tigers)
Prospects - #BHP94 Brad Furnish (A double already?? A double sub-set card even??)
Rainbow Parallel - #34 Doug Davis


Autograph Insert - #SG-MM Matt Maloney (On the Reds 40-man roster, currently cooling his heels in AA Carolina)

The fact that these autographs are directly on card is the biggest appeal to me. Definitely a fine looking card.

Base Cards - #40 Alfonso Soriano, #96 Mark Prior (Yay!! The second Cub, who was also the first.) #79 Mark Loretta


I have 3 more packs to rip but I will save that for another post. Right now, breakfast calls!!!

Cheers,

Impulse Buy #3 & #3a

On the eve of what is turning out to be one of the most highly anticipated days yet this year in the card blogging/collecting world I figured I would dial it back almost 365 days with another impulse buy.

I decided to add to the anticipation and grab 2 packs of;


I have collected a few singles from this set but never opened any packs until now. I am growing to like the design and overall idea of the set, maybe someday I will collect it but for right now I think I will ride out the wave and enjoy the ride vicariously through fellow bloggers.
Upon first impression I liked that all the packs in the box at the hobby store felt the same. What I mean to say is that I like how, it seems to me, that simple pack searching by bending would yield no clues as they were all fairly unbendable. I am a fan of dummy cards used to discourage dummys.

Okay, let's get to the packs.

Pack #1

The first card to see daylight is a confirmation that the card gods have a wicked sense of humor. This will be explained soon.

First out, the man who looks like he wears Depends under his uniform, Jorge Posada.


I cannot explain my dislike of Posada, all I know is that it exists. I cannot explain why I dislike lima beans, spinach or cauliflower either. Jorge Posada is kinda like that.

Next up are Scott Rolen, Jeremy Hermida and Jeff Clement;


The mini parallel belongs to Richie Sexson. I can see how it would be addicting to chase the mini cards, they're kinda fun and even though they are a parallel they look distinct enough to be their own card. Nice!


Next is the card that made this pack unbendable and therefore, IMHO, helps to discourage the quick pack searcher. I know somewhere out there that someone is collecting this set. If this is one you need, let me know and I will send it on its way. The great state of Nebraska is represented by Alex Gordon.


And finally pack #1 ends off with the non-baseball card of WNBA star Lisa Leslie. Damn, she netted over 5,000 points too!! Ya see, this is what I am discovering I like about A&G. I like cards that teach me a little something along the way.


Not a bad pack at all in my estimation. As I said, I have never cracked this stuff so I have no idea how it should be but I liked this pack. All except for Posada. BTW, Topps, if you noticed the card count there, it was 7. Pack says 8. Makes me think Jorge had something to do with it.


Pack #2

I mentioned earlier how I would explain that I knew the card gods had a wicked sense of humor. Well, here is the proof. The first card to see daylight from pack #2 is...................


YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YAY!!!!!!!!!!!YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!.....'nuff said.

This trio of cards includes a guy who used to be a staple on my Fantasy Baseball staff when I had a Fantasy Baseball staff, a player who is much loved in Calgary and one of the better baseball names going. Roy Oswalt, Brian McCann and Wily Mo Pena.

This pack's mini is of Jeff Francoeur. I used to like the Braves at one point, never enough to cheer for them but definitely enough to watch them and appreciate their talent. Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux were a great time. Now, not so much.


The unbendable card from this pack is another state representation card for Utah featuring Brandon Lyon with a mysterious divot on his right eye. Perhaps the oddest packaging dent I have ever seen.


The non-baseball card in this pack is my favorite of the pack. I mean seriously, come on, who would not get excited over a card featuring a Champion Bass Fisherman. Even Kareem would say this is a cool card. Kevin Van Dam.


And finally this pack comes to a close with the full 8 promised cards. Perhaps the diaper wearing catcher from The Bronx was too full to devour this card. Eugenio Velez in all his rookie glorinessity.


I hope you enjoyed this 2009 A&G's Eve refresher of last years crop. I am glad I could contribute to the anticipation and I will definitely be looking forward to the flurry of posts starting later this week. I am especially looking forward to how the Gint-A-Cuffs Melee over at Beardy's Baseball Blog is going to play out.

Stay tuned.................

Cheers,