Last day to strike Gold!!!!!

Just a friendly reminder that if you have 2012 Topps Baseball Series 1 wrappers you need to have them in the mail and postmarked TODAY!!!
Send your wrappers to:

Gold Rush

PO Box 2008

Duryea, PA 18642


And have a great Leap Day!!

1963 Topps Baseball Project - Fernandez, Brown, and Rigney

#278  Humberto "Chico" Fernandez Perez..  Chico started his major league career with the Dodgers in Brooklyn, but with Pee Wee Reese at shortstop had no shot at being a regular starter. In 1957, he was traded to the Phillies for 5 players and a butt load of cash.  Chico became the Phillies regular shortstop for 2 seasons, until he was traded to the Tigers in 1959.  1963 would be Chico's last year as a Tiger as he was traded to Mets in May of that year.  He only played 58 games for the Mets till he was traded to the White Sox, but never ended up playing a game for the Sox.  He finished his career in Japan playing for the Hanshin Tigers.  Chico is still kicking at the ripe old age of 79.

#289 Hal "Skinny" Brown.  Hal broke into the Majors with the White Sox in 1951, moving to Boston in 1953, being traded to the Orioles in 1955, where he would play the bulk of his career.  1960 was his best year finishing 12-5 with 36 shut out innings. In 1962 he was traded to the Yankees, who's uniform he's featured in here in 1963, but his stay in New York was short and ended up being sold to Houston at the end of the 1962 season.  He would finish he's 14 year career with the Colt .45's in 1964.

Hal's still around at the age of 87.

#294 - Bill Rigney.  Bill had a 26 year career in the  Majors as both a player and a manager.  As a player Bill played his whole career with the New York Giants. Bill would go on to Manage the Giants from 1956 to 1960.  He then went on to manage the Angels from 1961 to 1969.  Bill was fired from the Angels in early 1969 and went to San Fransico to join the Giants broadcast team. In 1970 Bill was in Minnesota and would take the Twins to the AL West Chamionship.  We as replaced in 1972.  Bill went onto to scout for the Padres and Angels in 1973 and 1974 before returning for one final managial stint with the Giants in 1976.  In the 80's Bill was a front office consultant and TV and radio announcer for the Oakland A's.  Bill passed away in 2001 at the ripe old age of 83.

Contest Pimp vs Boba Fett, Boba wins....Barely.

VS.

There's another free contest going on in the blogosphere people, recognize!!  Head on over to The Writer's Journey to enter to win this cool Boba Fett flash drive.

To get an extra entry you have to do something creative so I took a few minutes a lunch to sketch the Fett himself for my bonus:

Just don't look at the hands, yikes, there's something I need to work on.

So get on over to the contest, or don't...it'll be easier for me to win if you don't.

How I Accidentally Became a Darrell Evans Supercollector

Well not really, but close.  I was walking around the Value Village near my house, checking out books and looking to see if they had any cheap lego base pieces I could use to display my growing Micro Figures collection when I spotted a bunch of baseball cards bagged hanging on a display hook.  Actually the baseball cards were spread out all over the store on random display hooks.  Most of the cards were 2011 Topps baseball or mid 90's junk wax I'm sure someone donated to get a tax deduction.  But one bag stuck out at me.  To be honest I didn't really even realize that Darrell Evans was on the front, but his 89 Donruss cards was right there on top, but when I flipped the bag over I noticed that the back card was a 1974 Topps. As a matter of fact half the bag looked like it was filled with 70's wax!  I also failed to notice whose 74 card was on the back at the time.  But it was Darrell Evans.  As a matter of fact all the cards in the bag were Evans.

Here's the card that got me to by the pack and at $1.99 I have no regrets.  The 74's distinct back could not be denied. I didn't pack search the cards, so I was a little surprised that all the cards in the bag were of Evans.  More than half of the cards were his '89 Donruss card.

1989 was Darrell's last year, he actually finished his career with the team he started with, the Braves. the rest of the cards were a nice collection of 70's and early 80's cards. Darrell did have cards issued in the 1990's with him in his Braves uniform again.

1977 was Darrell's scruffy phase.

Yikes that '85 Fleer didn't scan so good.

Not a bad little collection of cards for under 2 bucks.  I think I might have to send a couple of the 70's cards to Darrell and see if he'll sign them.  Since I started collecting back in the 80's I mainly remember Darrell as a Tiger, but I'm sure there are plenty of fans out there that remember him as a Brave and Giant.  Darrell retired after the 1989 season and went to coach for the Yankees. Darrell is now the Commissioner  and an instructor for the California Winter League.  

Author Bill James was quoted as saying that Evan's was "the most underrated player in baseball history, absolutely number one on the list."  

And for most of his career poor Darrell was overshadowed by another 3rd baseman, Mike Schmidt.

A big thank you.

I just finished finalizing my 10th trade of the year and the month of January.  Not too shabby for me. I just wanted to thank everybody who looked through their 2009 Upper Deck baseball and then through my need lists and set up a trade with me.  Ken your package is going out this afternoon, Captain your package will be going out no later than Friday, but I'm hoping tomorrow or Wednesday.  Everybody else your packages are on their way! 

Thanks again, 

Your cynical buddy in the North.

Comic Book Realm

I've featured this site a couple of times on the blog here. Mainly because I know how much overlap there is between card collectors and comic book collectors.  You can be one without the other and visa verse or just collect comic cards or non sports cards, but I know there are quite a few of you out there that collect both like myself.  I'll be honest my comic reading preferences have changed a lot since I started collecting comics in the mid 80's and I don't always have the time to read everything I want to or for that matter the funds to buy all I want to.

But if your a comic collector you should really check this site out.

Back when I first found this site it was called My Comic Pile, but soon after I started using it, the makers upgraded the site and truly made it a comic book realm.

The best part about the site is you can make a profile and enter all your comics into it and see how many you have, what you have, what they're worth, even use there great reports function to see holes in your collection, which comics are moving in price, what your most valuable comics are.

I love the graphic display you get on your profile page.  The graphs only update once a month but your pile updates whenever you add something.

Here's the report page.

They also have ton's of news, links to comic blogs, previews and new release lists, and you can buy and sell on their forums, plus they also list links to eBay for selling stuff.  The site is free, donations are graciously accepted.  By far the best comic collection site I've seen anywhere.  Pretty much a one stop shop for the comic book collector.

Check it out.

I'm in overload.

I don't have cable which is a good thing, at least I think so.  So I can't watch ESPN or any of the other sports channels, but I do listen to ESPN radio on the ride home and of course surf the web.  I just can't take it anymore right now.  I'm in Braun overload.  I just keep hearing the same old sound bites, with no corroborating evidence, no sources, and I'm tired of the word TECHNICALITY, I'm tired of the rumors, I'm tired of the haters that no explaination will satisfy, the fake screenshots of FedEx account pages, and I'm tired of not knowing the truth.  I've read the transcripts from Braun's interview today, I've read the opinions,  and I've not come to a conclusion, but I have my own opinion.  And I am incredibly bias as a Brewers fan. But it's going to have to wait.  I'm putting myself in the sensory deprivation tank for a while.

Oh and I'm mailing packages today for those of you I worked a trade out with.  Be on the lookout. Oh and Captain Canuck I have your package ready as well, just need you to send me an address.

cb out

Oh today is a good day.

Best post from Brew Crew Ball...

I'm interested to know more of the facts and less of the rumors, since that's all it seems I've been fed for the last two months.  But for a Brewers fan and Brewers fans everywhere today is a really good day.

Contest Pimp says, "If you don't like Duke Snider you're Dumb!!!"

It's contest time again.  Head on over to Cards Beyond Oceans for a chance at a sweet Sports Kings Duke Snider Relic!!!

pimp out.

1963 Topps Baseball Project - Terry, Hall, and Willey

Sounds like a law firm in the title.  Back with another three commons from the 1963 Topps set I'm slowly building.

First up # 315 Ralph Terry

1962 was by far Ralph's best year in baseball.  He won the World Series MVP title, the Babe Ruth award and was selected an All-Star.  Of course Ralph is also remembered for giving up the game winning home run to Bill Mazeroski in the 1960 World Series.  And in 1963 the Yankees got swept by the Dodgers.  But Ralph had a pretty good career.  After his final year in New York, 1964,  Ralph bounced around the league with the Indians, Athletics, and finished his career back in New York, but with the Mets.  After retiring from baseball Ralph went on to play professional golf into the late 1980's.  He's still around at the ripe old age of 76.

Next up a nice number for those of you who are into those things.  #526 Dick Hall.

Dick broke into the Major with the Pirates in the mid 50's but it was with the Orioles that he had his most success. Dick helped the Orioles take the 1966 and 1970 World Series'.  Dick ended his career as an Oriole but also made stops in Kansas City and Philadelphia.  He ended with a record of 93-75, with 741 strikeouts, and 68 saves.  Dick also got the distinction of being the oldest active player in the American League for both 1970 and 1971. Dick's still around too at the grand old age of 81.  

Another high number from one of my first lots I won, #528 Carl Willey.

Willey came up through the Braves minor league system and just missed getting in on the Braves 1957 World Series win being called up in 1958, but did pitch one inning in the 1958 rematch that the Yankees won. In 1963 Carl was traded to the Mets, it's nice that he didn't have a hat on so Topps didn't have to try and air brush the Mets logo on it, but from the photo you can tell he's in a Braves uniform.  After a few years with the Mets Willey retired in 1965.  After baseball he did some scouting for the Phillies and returned home to Cherryfield, Maine.  Willey passed away in 2009 from lung cancer.  

Winning.

I always try to get in on the free easy contests all you fellow bloggers hold from time to time.  Brian over at Play at the Plate had a contest awhile back.  I believe you had to guess what he pulled from packs or boxes or something, anyways I know I guess right twice, but only got one entry, but one was all I needed, cuz I won!!!

My prize was a blaster of 2012 Topps Series 1.  Brian asked if I'd mind he just send the cash as that would be a lot cheaper than shipping a whole blaster up to me.  And of course it didn't bother me at all.  He also sent along a sweet Yovani Gallardo relic he pulled too.

Well when I got home last night I had a nice package from Texas.  I had to take the dog for a walk, but after dinner I hightailed it right down to Target to get my blaster!  I had already bought one from Wal-Mart, so I figured I'd mix it up and see if I could pull a few Brewers red bordered cards, spoiler alert, I did not.

Here's my blaster.  I already pulled a Joe Morgan Historic Stitches card, I was hoping to get a Retire number patch card, spoiler, I did not.

Of course blaster packs come with 2 less cards

Another picture of Roy Halladay.

Here are the two Gold parallels.

I got two 87 Mini's both of which I didn't need for my set.

The funny thing about my two Gold Standard cards is not only did I need them for the set, but I also have player collections for both guys too.  

Paulie Mo in his Twins Jersey.

Reggie in his Angels.

Here are my Red parallel cards.  Colbey and Hiflew, I've put the Braves and Rockies in your respective trade piles already, so unless you don't want them they're yours.

I also got two Golden Giveaway code cards. Since I've been hemming and hawing whether or not I wanted to enter any codes this year or just sell them off, I decided to say what the hell and enter my two codes from the blaster, since it was free.  Here are my two coins.

I also got a small stack of all the other inserts, but seeing as I'm not a huge fan, I won't bore you with those either and just get to the good stuff.

Jackie!!!!!

Unfortunately there are some minor flaws with the Stitches card, you can't tell from the scan but the upper right hand corner where the patch meets the cardboard has a small crease and there's a small crease by the J in the low left.  I was hoping to pull a Reggie Jackson for my PC, but what can you do.  

Anything not already spoken for is up for trade. Let me know.  I have a few trade packages getting ready to head out to all you awesome people who helped me out with my 2009 Upper Deck set.  If I end up getting all the cards pledged I'm down to only 2 left!!!! 

Topps Wrapper Redemption - A Brief How To - plus bonus rant!

Since I posted about the 2012 Topps Gold Rush Wrapper Redemption I've had a couple of readers ask exactly how the redemption process works with the wrappers and while I don't consider myself the authority on anything really, I figure I'd make a quick post for those interested.

First, if you have wrappers you want to redeem... DO IT NOW!  The redemption window closes on Feb. 29th!!! And that date is fast approaching. 

You need 14 Jumbo wrappers or 50 regular wrappers to get a free pack of the Gold Rush cards.  I haven't heard if you could substitute a jumbo pack for a regular pack, but I'd say probably not.  You'd have to ask Topps that question.

So you have a stack of wrappers you want to send in.  Topps says they encourage you to send all your wrappers bundles at once.  The address to send them too is:

Gold Rush
PO Box 2008
Duryea, PA 18642

You have to send in the wrappers, this is totally different from their online redemption process for redemption cards you pull from products.

Second make sure you include your Name and mailing address with the wrappers. Printing it on a 3x5 index card works really well.  No need to include a letter, Topps knows why your sending the wrappers in, so a nice legible address is all you need. 

No need to worry about sending in a SASE either.  Topps will ship all packs in a bubble mailer and the package usually has delivery confirmation, at least all the fulfillment packs I've gotten from Topps have.  That way if you call in Topps they can look up where your package is. 

If your lucky you might get something like this.  But don't hold your breath.

All this being said it sucks that those that don't have access to a hobby shop couldn't participate, but I guess you always have the option of buying hobby boxes from online retailers.  Second it doubly sucks that Topps increased the number of packs you needed to submit.  Last year all you needed were the packs from either a Jumbo or a regular hobby box. This year you have to buy at least a box and a half to get in on this promotion.  I realize Topps is a business and this is a business move geared to get me to buy more packs, but this time it backfired.  I have for the past few years bought 2 jumbos and tried to complete two sets.  But since Topps decided to get greedy I only bought my one Jumbo and 4 more packs to get in the Gold Rush Wrapper Redemption.  In essence Topps and the hobby shop I buy from  lost out on about 60 extra dollars it would have got from me,

Will Topps have another wrapper redemption in Series 2 and Update?  Who knows?

But remember.... MAIL YOUR WRAPPERS NOW!!!!!  You only have a week left!!

cb out

I love Golddddddd! My wrapper redemption pack comes in.

So I post on Friday about packs being live and Saturday morning I find a bubble mailer from Duryea, Pennsylvania in my mail box.

Sadly I didn't get a autograph this year.  But they are nice cards.  Here are my five.

#2 Adrian Gonzalez

#19 King Felix

#26 Rickie Weeks' little brother.

#34 Andre Ethier

And #50 Hammerin' Hank.