Fan Packing Across the USA - El Paso Diablos

I have some good memories going to Diablos games. My father was stationed at Fort Bliss for 5 years back in the mid to late 80's.  We use to go to 2 or 3 Diablos games a year.  Back then the Diablos were a Brewers farm team.  A lot of the give aways had Brewers logos on them. And I got to see quite a few guys who would eventually make it up to the bigs.  Now the Diablos are part of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball League.  Meaning they are a farm for no one.

I sent the Diablos an email a few weeks ago asking if they did fan packs and a couple of days ago I got an envelope in the mail with a couple goodies inside.

A cool magnet schedule and of course....

pocket schedules!!!

I was happy to get anything at all from the team. Minor league teams are always hit or miss with fan packs.
So thanks to the Diablos organization.

TTM Success Michael Fiers (Milwaukee Brewers Rookie Pitcher)

I ended up ordering 2 team sets of Bowman Brewers cards this year. One because they were cheap from the guy I bought from with no additional shipping and two I wanted to send a few of the cards out for TTM's.  This is the first one I've gotten back so far.  I don't think Mike is going to get a Topps card till the Update series and I'll probably try him again with that one. I was a little worried about this card, because after I sent the request, to Nashville, he was called up and had a great first outing, first start, first win.

The autos a little smudged but it's nice to get this rookie before gets into the regular heavy rotation. And the postmark is from Nashville so I must have gotten him right before he was sent up.  Anywho.

TTM stats.
Date sent: 5/18/12
Date recieved 6/15/12
Address used
Michael Fiers
c/o Nashville Sounds

Herschel Greer Stadium
534 Chestnut Street
Nashville, TN 37203

Thanks Mike!

TTM Success Max Walla

I got to see Max at spring training this year.  And after rummaging through some old Bowman extras decided that it was time to send him a TTM. Max is currently playing with the Timber Rattlers in Appleton, Wisconsin. I figured he'd like a nice fan letter.  

I'm always a little worried about how the ink will hold on the chrome cards, but after seeing a couple other successes around the blogosphere I thought why the hell not. And Max did a great job not smearing the ink before it dried.  I don't know if Max is going to be able to break into the Majors in the outfield as that's the Brewers one area of depth all the way down the pipe, but a great success none the less.

TTM stats.

Date Sent: 5/18/12

Date Recieved 6/15/12

Address used

Max Walla

c/o Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

P.O. Box 7464

Appleton, WI  54912

Thanks Max.

2012 Topps Baseball Series 2 Jumbo Box Break

Actually it's a box break plus 4, so I could do the wrapper redemption.  Figure I'd get this in before I leave town again.  I've got a few other posts written and scheduled so it won't be 2 weeks of dead air like last time.

So here we go on my 14 Jumbo packs of Series 2.



There are 3 new inserts this series. Mound Dominance, Career Day and A Cut Above. And there are three continuing inserts: the 87 Mini's, Gold Standard, and Gold Futures.  I won't bore you with the inserts you've seen before.

I got six Mound Dominance cards.

Six Career Days. I don't know why but I really like the way this insert looks.

I got 8 A Cut Above. The one missing is the Ryan Braun. I'm a sucker for die cuts. Love'em.

Topps also has some ad cards in the mix advertising some new apps.

Not overly excited about it.
The Bunt cards have some cool art on them though.

I'm not quite sure what this is all about, but I really don't care either.

Now onto the hits.
I got one SP in my 14 Jumbo packs.

Verlanders No-No card.
I was also lucky enough to pull a hit from my 4 extra packs as well and it was a pretty good one.

I won't turn down a Pujols card even if it's a fake relic.

My one real relic card.

My guaranteed Auto.
And this guy...

Too bad Strasmania was two years ago.  But I really do like these ring cards.

That being said.  I'm leaving again for another 2 weeks or so for work. But I'd be open to trading just about everything here. Just realize that I'm probably not going to be the best trading partner for the next couple of months.

TTM Success Mike Hegan

Well I'm back. For a couple of days anyways.  And what's better than going out on a 2 week work trip then coming back to a new product release and 3 TTM returns? So I'll have a box break for Series 2 coming up and some other TTM success, but first one the ones I really wanted. Mike Hegan, former Brewers 1st baseman.
I sent Mike his 75 and 76 Topps cards back on April 11th and got them sometime before I got home. I believe the envelope was postmarked on the 7th.  I love how much his sig matches the 75's facsimile auto on the card. And this is my first 75 return. So Mike gets that place of honor in the TTM project.

TTM Stats
Date Sent: 4/11/12
Date Received: 6/15/12
Address used:

Mike Hegan
7 Wild Turkey Run
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926

Thanks Mike!

The return envelope for those who care.

Heading out again

Well guys and gal's it's that time of year again.  Time for me to saddle up and head on out into the field for a couple of months.  So you can expect posts to be few and far between unfortunately.  But rest assured knowing that I'm making the world a better place for salmon.

That being said I do still plan on picking up a box of Series 2 here in a couple of weeks and a couple boxes of A & G in July so I should have a few box breaks up during a few of my short breaks from work.

Carry on!  CB out.

Fan Packin' Across the USA - Battle of the M's - Minnesota Twins vs the Seattle Mariners

Got two more fan pack in the mail a few days ago. Let's put them head to head and see what happens.

We'll start big this time.

First we have two press releases. One with the opening day roster and an announcement about the Hrbek statue.

There were also two 8.5 x 11 computer printed photos.  A team photo and an opening day photo from last year.  There was also a piece of cardboard with these so keep them from getting bent.  Very classy.

Of course what would a fan pack be with out a pocket schedule.....

and a couple stickers?

There were also three player postcards.  Each one has a thank you on the back from the player featured.

Not too shabby there Twins.  OK lets see what the Mariners have.  I have a soft spot for the Mariners. I spent 3 years as a kid north of Seattle and living up here in Alaska the local ESPN radio station plays all the Mariners games.

First we have a games sheet here's what the outside looks like.  A nice sunny day in Seattle at Safeco.

Here's whats inside the trifold. Baseball Sudoku!!!

A nice sheet of stickers.

And of course a pocket schedule.

And a bi fold sheet with Ichiro on the front and 3 player cards on the other side!

Nice.

I'm going to have to call this one a draw.  The Twins had a few more things, but the Mariners really packed their little envelope full of goodness.  Both had stickers, player cards, pocket schedules and something else.
Our first tie of the season.