2010 Ginter blaster, Errors and Mayhem

The other day I went out on a limb and got another 2010 Allen and Ginter Blaster box. It seems that the blasters usually have a hit or something good, so I wanted to see what I could get. My son was with me so I let him pick the box, he has never steered me wrong yet. When it was all said and done, his record remains intact.

Looking at the numbers, the following is what I should expect from 8 packs.

4 Short Print (1:2)
0-1 Sketch card (1:10)
0-1 Mini Short Print (1:13)
1-2 Ginter Back Mini (1:5)
0-1 Black-Bordered Mini (1:10)
0-1 "Worlds biggest" Mini (1:12)
0-1 "Lords of Olympus" Mini (1:12)
0-1 "Monsters of the Mesozoic" Mini (1:12)
1 "National Animals" Mini (1:8)

I completely blew the odds away with the following haul

10 Short Prints (better than 1:1)
2 Sketch cards (1:4 box odds)
1 Mini Short Print (1:8 box odds)
2 Ginter Back Mini (1:4 box odds)
1 Black-Bordered Mini (1:8 box odds)
1 Olympus mini (1:8 box odds)
1 Monsters Mini (1:8 box odds)
1 Animals Mini (1:8 box odds)

Plus a Relic. It was an Ichiro. No, not a Jersey, it was a bat card.




Why is this notable? Because after a search online, I found out Topps didn't make an Ichiro Bat card. I checked the card again, and it does say that is a Jersey card, but the relic is obviously a bat.



I called Topps (I had some time on my hands) to check it out, and they were not much help. I can't expect the customer service representative to have a vast knowledge on what was or was not released, but their answer was that the print was the error. They said that it simply should have said "Bat" not "Jersey". This doesn't sound correct to me, since the vast amount of 2010 Allen & Ginter Ichiro Relic cards on the web are Jerseys it seems to me the error is the wood. Why does this matter to me? One it is interesting. Two, Who's bat is it? Oh, and of course the last question, how rare is this or does this happen a lot?

Other notable cards I got in the box were:

Black-border mini Jason Heyward Rookie
Protarchaeopteryx Mini
Poseidon Mini

Oh and the last thing about the box, the cards in the packs didn't hold the same order I have noticed in the regular retail packs. Usually, I find that the first three cards are base. The fourth card is a short print 50% of the time. That is followed by a mini and a "This day in history" card.

The short prints were not in this order. They were found in almost every place in the card order. In fact, one pack had a duplicate short print. The first card in the pack was #348 Betancourt, and the fourth card in the pack was also #348 Betancourt. The blaster actually yielded three Betancourt "short print" cards.

I am not complaining, I will take these odds any day of the week. Like I said before, just very interesting.

Another Custom Set

I don't know where this is coming from, but I have been zoned in on creating custom cards as of late. I am not sure if it is the "Blogger Edition" cards, or Beardy's cards. All I can say for sure is it is very enjoyable.

Like I mentioned when I introduced the idea for the "Blogger Edition" sub set, I really wanted to also create a set for TTM that honored our Military heroes. Ultimately I would like to honor current men and women, but I am not really sure how to find subjects. If anyone knows a serviceman or servicewoman who is or has served overseas that we can add to this set, let me know. Any theater, any time, and any country.

Bob Feller - 2008 Allen & Ginter "Heroes Edition" - #1

The first card to launch this set is of Bob Feller. Mr. Feller served in world war 2 as a navy gunner. He made the rank of Chief Petty Officer and actually was in a combat roll (his decision). I am not sure how many athletes that served in that time actually served in a combat roll, but anecdotally I want to say that it was more common for them not too.

Mr. Feller gave 4 years, and enlisted after pearl harbor. He had already played 4 years in the majors and had a no-hitter under his belt before he join the Navy. Thank Mr. Feller.

Please check out Baseball in Wartime. The article on Feller is found here.

Third "Blogger Edition" Card

I slipped this card into my last post, but it needs the same respect as the other Blogger Edition cards. Night Owl of Night Owl Cards owns the third spot in this custom sub set. If you have not read his blog yet, do your self a favor and check it out. Night Owl bring to the table a wealth of knowledge and personal experiences, both with Baseball and Baseball cards. He always has unique, well thought out, and substantial articles to post. Unlike my weak attempt at the English language, Night Owl produces easy to read entertaining and informative posts.

Night Owl- 2008 Allen & Ginter "Blogger Edition" - #3

Sending Cards 2010 round 4

I have been on a kick lately sending out cards. Yesterday I sent out a request to both Will Clark and Kevin Mitchell. I had sent to Mr. Clark before but I have yet to hear back. This time I am using the address from the book I just bought.

Last Friday I sent some cards but I didn't post them because I didn't want a blog full of "sending card" posts. I can probably get away with one now.

Last Friday I sent out:

Clayton Kershaw

I sent an attempt to Mr. Kershaw in spring training, but still no response. The overall success on the web shows that he is a quick signer, so I am going to try again.

Juan Pierre

Juan Pierre would be a great addition, not that they all are not. He fun to watch, and seems to be a pretty good guy.

Paul Konerko

Mr. Konerko also seems to be a good TTM signer. The response time varies, but always remains very reasonable.

Tomorrow I will try to get these cards printed and sent out.

The first one is another Blogger Edition card.

Night Owl

The famed Night Owl! This will be a great return. Being a nocturnal creature, in-person signings are said to be rare. I hope to be the first to receive a TTM success from this legendary blogger. Wish me luck. I will be using a Giants, and Yankees free envelope so that should help.

The last card I was going to send to a biographer, but I had a better idea.

Albert Einstein

The better idea that I had was to send this attempt to Jim Parsons, the actor who brilliantly brings Dr. Sheldon Cooper to life on The Big Bang Theory. Being the huge nerd/geek that I am, this show was made for me. I often catch myself wishing I could hang with the guys on that show. I then realize that even if they were real, I would not be smart enough.

I did realize too, that if I were lucky enough to get a response from Mr. Parsons, that I should get more than just an Einstein card signed. As AWESOME as that would be, I would have to explain why I don't have a Sheldon Cooper item signed instead. So I will also be sending the following custom card.

Dr. Sheldon Cooper

The Tenth TTM Success the Year

First response from the series of cards I have been sending out lately. Cardboardlegends had success sending to Mr. Barton through the Newark Bears. My success also came from there. Great response time of 11 days.

Thanks Brian.

Baseball conundrum.

To start off with, I feel obligated to mention that this question is not an issue I find pressing. It was something that I contemplated a lot this weekend, but on the serious-o-meter it is far from high ranking.

What is more important to pass down: Baseball or Fan-hood?

I planed a trip with my parents to see a baseball game with me and my son. We planned on seeing the Angels and Orioles next week. Although, after scheduling conflicts on both sides, we move the trip up a week. The week we were now planning on had the Angels out of town in Minnesota, and The Dodgers had a home stand against the Reds.



After I had purchased the tickets for the Dodger game, I started to think about planning out all of the logistics. With a four year old you have to think about all emergency averting necessities. I looked up Dodger stadiums rules for what I can carry in. I got routes and parking information. I prepped everyone on the time and date. I planned on leaving home 2 hours early.



Then I got to planning what I would dress him with. I scratched the baseball glove off the list, although it is essential that a child bring a glove to the park, I figured since he can't catch yet that it served no purpose. Then I thought about what hat he should wear. The three options were: Arizona Diamondbacks, Pixar's Cars, and Los Angeles Dodgers (it was a hand me down from is Cousin). The Arizona hat was cut, no reason to bring it. Then came the conundrum, do I put him in the hometown cap even though I despise the team? I couldn't care less about the Reds, and there is no team in the Majors that I hate more than the Dodgers. I asked around, and the same answer always came back. "Let him decide."



The day of the game I swallowed hard and entered his room with both hats (Cars and Dodgers) behind my back. It could easily go both ways I thought, Cars is his favorite hat, but the Dodgers hat is new to him. I showed him the pile of close on his bed and told him that he could dress himself (I usually do it, but he is getting better and better at it) and then I said, "..and which hat do you want to wear?" His choice, Dodger blue.



The game went really well. We all had a blast. My son downed two Dodger Dogs, and we got him a foam finger.

The question is something I pondered for a long while even after the game. When passing down the Joys of Baseball to your sons and/or daughters, what is more important? The game of baseball and the experiences that go with it, or your team?

Dodger fans out there, if you lived or were in San Fransisco and you took your little one to a Giants game where the visiting team meant nothing to you; would you bring them in a Giants hat (assuming it was available as in my case)?

Giants fans, Dodger caps. Yankees fans, Red Sox caps. Red Sox, Yankees, Braves, Mets. The list goes on, what would you do in my situation.

Ultimately I had a blast. I have never had a greater Baseball experience than when I go with my little one and share with him America's past time.

*Notes about my Dodger hatred*

I don't want to offend anyone. My strong dislike of the Dodgers is not is bad as it sounds. It is a very weird emotion that I fully do not understand but let me clarify.

• I was a Dodger/Giants fan growing up 1987 - 1992 ish
• My favorite players as a kid: Will Clark, and Orel Hershiser
• My favorite historical player: Jackie Robinson

so where does this negativity come in?

It comes mainly from people I have known from college and on that have been Dodger fans. That and the Dodgers always seem to give the Diamondbacks the most trouble. So I don't hate the organization as a whole, or players individually, but just the incarnation from 1998 on. If you don't follow me, don't worry neither do I.

Breaking number 42

In case any of you missed this piece over at Vin Scully is my Homeboy, I will pass this along to you.



Brian Birrer of New Jersey spent 900 hours creating a six foot tall wood statue of Jackie Robinson. The Hand-carved statue weighs 273 pounds and took nearly a year to complete. "Brian started working on this statue December, 2008 and finished October, 2009." (Vin Scully is My Homeboy, Aug 2010).





Brian Birrer's blog has more details on the painstaking work that went into creating such a beautiful piece.


On April 16, 2010 the statue had an appearance at the Washington Nationals Stadium. Mr. Birrer transported the statue from New Jersey at his own expense to make the "Jackie Robinson Day" showing.



At the end of the day the statue went home in pieces. Apparently the statue had been tackled, Mr. Birrer estimates the damages in the thousands. What was the Nationals response? They offered him a T-Shirt.



In an E-Mail to the Vin Scully is My Home Boy blog, Mr. Birrer recalled the event and aftermath

"The Nationals couldn't hustle me out the door fast enough!~ The Nationals official who turned up kept saying, "...people are taking pictures, get him out of here!" They offered me a t-shirt for my trouble of driving the statue down from NJ at my own expense and having several thousand dollars worth of damage done to it!

When I tried to contact their legal department about their blanket insurance policy possibly covering my damage, I was totally ignored, until I contacted Marla Lerner-Tannenbaum, who had to lean on her legal people to at least call me back. I've since given up trying to get them to do anything for me because they've made it painfully obvious that I will get nothing but the run-around. Needless to say, I will NEVER work with the Nationals again for any reason.

I would LOVE to have this statue get out to Chavez Ravine for the next Jackie Robinson Day! I was there in 2005 and saw Don Newcombe and Rachel Robinson do the ceremony and I would consider it just an amazing honor to have my statue somehow involved in the Dodger ceremony!"

After reading this story, I felt like it should be shared and passed on. I hope this artist gets his wish, and Jackie Robinson does get to visit Chavez Ravine.

Sending Cards 2010, and New Blog Design (Please Vote)

Most of the office has been out of town this week due to a Vegas fashion show, and it got really quiet. This caused my mind to wander, leading me to spend most of the day tweaking the blogs design. I added a poll on the sidebar, please vote and let me know how you feel about the new look.

I also have been reading a lot of TTM Message boards in my week of bliss. Mark Buehrle's name keeps coming up as a great TTM signer. Most successes are reporting under 10 days. Also, Ty Wigginton is showing some success of recent days as well. So out those two go.

Mark Buehrle

I think the best thing to say about Mr. Buehrle is that he is one of a select few to have ever pitched a perfect game. On the 23rd of July, 2009 Mark took the mound and pitched the 18th Perfect game in Major League history. It took him 116 pitches, and the Tampa Bay Rays lost 5 - 0 thanks to Josh Fields' grand slam, an RBI double by Alexei Ramírez.

Ty Wigginton

Mr Wigginton has bounced around 5 different teams in his time in the big leagues. Currently he is with the Baltimore Orioles. 2010 was an all-star year for Mr. Wigginton, like the Diamondback's Chris Young, this was Ty's first All-Star nod.

More EBay Goodness - Montero

This is the last of the incoming EBay cards. Picked these up from the same seller for .99 each. Combine the shipping and I say I got a deal.

Miguel Montero 2007 Topps Moments and Milestones RC Auto

Miguel Montero 2007 Topps Co-Signers Bronze RC Auto

Call me crazy but I have been on a kick of getting these sticker autos. Maybe it is the shininess of it. Who knows.

Suprise from the Troll

I came home the other day with a small cubed shaped box waiting for me on the table. The moment I saw it I knew what it was. I had ordered a Conor Jackson (yep, him again) Autographed baseball on ebay. I gave my boys a big hug, washed my hands and quickly cracked it open.

I was wrong. You see I didn't look at the return address. Hand written on the package was the name "Troll". Then my TTM attempt to the man came to mind. But looking at the postmark shows that he sent this package out the day I sent the request. This was simply Troll being Troll.

There was WAY too many cards to scan them all. A quick summary (that does not to the package justice) is that it was a lot of Angel baseball cards and most were O-Pee-Chee brand. There were also a small percentage of Diamondback cards. I don't have many O-Pee-Chee cards in my collection, well prior to this, so I really enjoyed this aspect of the package. Also, there were a number of 1984 and 1985 cards, making them some of the oldest cards I have, and the only cards from that year.

Ok, here are the scans.

J.T. Snow 1993 UD Stars of Tomorrow RC

Tim Salmon 1994 UD Collector's Choice

Joe Magrane 1994 UD Collector's Choice Silver Signature

Jim Abbott 1992 O-Pee-Chee Premier

Jim Abbott 1992 Topps All-Star

Don Sutton 1987 O-Pee-Chee

Ray Chadwick 1987 Donruss

Gary Lucas 1987 Donruss

Tommy John 1985 O-Pee-Chee

Rod Carew 1985 O-Pee-Chee

Reggie Jackson 1985 O-Pee-Chee

Rod Carew 1984 O-Pee-Chee

Reggie Jackson 1984 O-Pee-Chee

Stephen Drew 2008 UD Goodwin Champions

Jeff Salazar 2007 Topps '52 Rookie

Dan Haren 2010 Topps Heritage

Clay Zavada 2009 Topps Heritage

Unopened Pack of 1991 Topps

1989 Topps Big 2nd Series Unopened pack

Um..Not sure what this pack is. My guess is it is a Fleer pack that is celebrating National Trading Card Day. I am not sure where I got this idea though

Brandon Webb Upper Deck Legendary Cuts Relic

Thank you so much Troll. These are awesome!

Sending cards 2010 Week 3

I recently purchased the Baseball address list by Harvey Meiselman. It came in the mail a couple days ago, I have read a lot of good things so lets see how it works. Below are the first candidates using the address provided.

Luke Scott

In 2006, Mr. Scott became the first rookie Astro to hit for the cycle. The best thing about this was that even though it was against the Diamondbacks, the Astro's still did not win the 8 - 7 extra inning contest.

Scott Rolen

I love hearing about the different athletes that have foundations set up to provide one thing or another to the community. Mr. Rolen set up the Enis Furley Foundations.

"The Enis Furley Foundation is a non-profit organization created by Scott Rolen , of the Cincinnati Reds, and named after his eldest dog Enis. In 1999 Scott had a vision to brighten the lives of children and their families who struggle with an illness, hardship, or other special needs." (from the foundation's website).

Josh Willingham

I don't know much about Mr. Willingham, but that is nothing new for this blog. I did find out through research that Josh has the bragging rights of hitting two grand slams in one game. It was last July, he hit a grand slam in consecutive innings against the Brew Crew.

Rick Ankiel

I find it amazing that Rick Ankiel was able to reinvent himself and make it back to the Bigs the way he did. It is an incredible feat to make it to the highest level of your career, but to be able to do it twice in such different capacities is such an accomplishment.

I also used the list to resend a "return to sender" failure of Craig Biggio.