My First JBJ Auto and 2014 Topps Blaster

I had been looking forward to 2014 Topps for awhile now.  I have not been buying packs lately because there are so few sets out there where I need a lot of Red Sox, so I had to look forward to the new sets.  I bought a blaster yesterday which went less than ideally:

1.  2013 Select Jackie Bradley Jr. RC AUTO.  I bought this off of Ebay.  It is my first autograph of JBJ.

2.  2014 Topps Super Veteran David Ortiz.  This was in the first pack, so I thought things were going to go well.  Nope.

3.  2014 Topps Junichi Tazawa.  My only base card from the set was one that I was excited about.  It's great to see Tazawa get some cards.  That was it for my Red Sox though.

Here's the tradebait.  Anyone want anything?  Anyone able to help me with my Wantlist?  Hit me up.

A Whole Bunch of JBJ Additions

I have been pretty bad about making posts lately and I apologize.  Mail has been barely trickling in most of the time.  I have not been buying much because I am waiting on the 2014 stuff to start coming out.  But I do have a bunch of new Jackie Bradley Jr. cards to show off:

1.  2013 Topps Chrome Xfractor Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.

2.  2013 Panini Prizm Red Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.

3.  2013 Panini Prizm Blue Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.

4.  2011 Playoff Contenders Prospect Ticket Jackie Bradley Jr.

5.  2013 Topps Chrome Blue Refractor Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  The first five cards all came from one seller.  The prices were reasonable, so I got a bunch of them.

6.  2013 America's Pastime Future Fabric Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  My first relic card of JBJ.  I have a relic/auto redemption I am waiting on.

7.  2013 Topps Chrome Sepia Refractor Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  One of my new favorites.

8.  2013 Bowman Chrome Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.

9.  2012 Bowman Prospects Purple Jackie Bradley Jr. FY.

10.  2013 Panini Prizm Green Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  Not many variations of this that I still need: just Blue Pulsar, Finite, and Gold.

A forum trade to show off:

11.  2013 Bowman Platinum Prospects Purple Allen Webster.

12.  2013 Panini Prizm Fearless Dustin Pedroia.  I like this card quite a bit.  Not sure why it did not make my want list.

13.  2013 Topps Chrome Purple Refractor Allen Webster RC.  Webster will be given a shot this year, if he does not make it, I can see him being trade bait.

Great Scott! (And Xander?)

Mark came through again with a single-card PWE that held this awesome card:

1.  1977 Hostess George Scott.  Yes that is a horrible airbrush job, but you can't go wrong with a vintage food-issue oddball of Boomer.  Sadly Scott died last year.

Thanks Mark!  I promise I will get something in the mail out to you soon.

After that I received a couple cards of sensation Xander Bogaerts:

2.  2013 Bowman Chrome Cream of the Crop Mini Refractor Xander Bogaerts.  This was the last card from this insert set I needed.

3.  2013 Bowman Top 100 Xander Bogaerts.

Weekend Updates

Is it baseball season yet?

1.  2013 Bowman Sterling Allen Webster RC.  Acquired in a minor forum trade.  Webster has good stuff but needs to learn control.

2.  2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks Blue Wave Refractor Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  I love that these are easier to get now than having to mail in for them.

3.  2013 Panini Prizm Orange Die Cut Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  Just an awesome-looking card.  Die cuts are cool.

The Hall of Fame Post

I am, as usual, late to the party.  I usually look forward to the Hall voting, but I have become a bit disillusioned with it in recent years.  Look, I understand that a lot of voters have different views on the whole PED thing than I do.  My view is that if it was not illegal in the game and so many others were doing them, then what is the point in keeping those players out of the Hall?  It was the way things were at the time.  Other than Rafael Palmeiro, none of those players tested positive or were suspended.  Does that make it okay?  No, but then we have some less-than-savory characters in the Hall of Fame already.  Paul Molitor had a major cocaine problem.  Tris Speaker was a member of the KKK.  Ty Cobb was a racist and possibly killed someone.  Obviously the difference is that none of this effected what those players did on the field.  But Gaylord Perry was a cheater, throwing a spitball for his entire career.  And he's in.  So I don't really get the indignation that voters have towards these players and I am starting to think the voting needs to be changed.

I saw someone comment in a post once about doing a special Steroid Era vote like they did with the Negro Leagues where a committee would get together and vote a number of players in and then not deal with the era again.  I kind of like that idea.  Maybe the plaques would say that these players were voted in by that committee.  I don't know.

So anyway, I think what really killed things for me this year was the Veterans' Committee ballot.  I was not as interested in the BBWAA ballot because I was already annoyed with the Veterans' Committee.  I firmly believe Dwight Evans should be a Hall of Famer.  He was a terrific player who dropped off the Hall ballot after three years.  But he was not even on the ballot this last year.  He was eligible under the new rules to be on.  He should have at least been on the ballot.  I am not bothered by the managers that got in, all three deserve it, but I think Evans deserves to be in.

So I was already annoyed and pessimistic before we got to the vote.  Boston did not have many players with a realistic shot.  But I had grown up watching all of the players on the ballot, so it was interesting enough for me.

MOISES ALOU
I was a huge Alou fan.  He is one of the many players from this ballot that I used to collect when I had a number of minor player collectors.  I mostly remember him from his days with the Expos, Marlins, and Astros.  He was a great hitter, but he is definitely a product of the era.  He is not a Hall of Famer.

JEFF BAGWELL
The fact that he is still not in is a travesty.  Bagwell was one of the greatest first-basemen of all time.  And all the voters have against him is some suspicion.  What a crock.

ARMANDO BENITEZ
I honestly do not understand why he even made it to the ballot.  I remember him as a frequently ineffective reliever with the Mets and Orioles.  He lead the league in saves once.  To be a Hall of Famer as a closer, you have to be among the very best for a long time, and Benitez does not come close to qualifying.  How the hell did he even get one vote?

CRAIG BIGGIO
Biggio was one of my favorite players growing up.  I can not believe he is not in either.  He fell two votes short.  How many players were impact players at catcher, second base, and center field over their career?  And he had over 3,000 hits.  Seriously, he should be in.

BARRY BONDS
I am not going to spend a lot of time here.  He was a Hall of Fame quality player before the steroid suspicions.  He is the all-time home run leader, and he won seven MVPs.  He should be in.

SEAN CASEY
Our first player with Red Sox ties.  A good contact hitter, but little else.  Again, I am surprised he was even on the ballot.

ROGER CLEMENS
Like Bonds, Clemens was a Hall of Famer before the steroid rumors started.  Clemens was perhaps the greatest pitcher of all time.  And he spent much of it with the Red Sox.  Clemens was one of my first favorite players (after Wade Boggs), so I want to see him in, and as a Red Sox.

RAY DURHAM
I remember Durham had a pretty good rookie season for the White Sox and had several decent seasons for Chicago.  His numbers look a little better than I thought they would, but he is not close to a Hall of Famer.

TOM GLAVINE
I always enjoyed watching Tom Glavine for the Braves.  He was my favorite of the Braves aces personally.  His case is all about 300 wins and longevity, otherwise he is not as strong as Mike Mussina and Curt Schilling, two pitchers who received very little support.

ERIC GAGNE
I suspect Gagne would not be on the ballot if it were not for his 2003 season.  He was the best closer in baseball for three seasons, but after that he went downhill quickly.  He spent an ill-fated part of 2007 with Boston.

LUIS GONZALEZ
Gonzo was absolutely terrific in 2001 with the Diamondbacks.  And he had a few other nice seasons as well, but like Alou, he was a product of the times.  Sure his numbers look great, but a lot of players id from this time period.

JACQUE JONES
Here's something else that bothers me, how did Jacque Jones get on the ballot, but Trot Nixon did not?  Jones played ten seasons and had a .277/.326/.448 line with 165 home runs.  Nixon played twelve years and had a .274/.364/.464 line with 137 home runs.  Neither are close to being Hall of Famers, but Nixon should have been on the ballot if Jones was.

TODD JONES
Another player with Red Sox ties, but he did not have any cards from his time with them.  Jones had a great 2000 season when he tied for the league lead in saves but not much else before or after that.

JEFF KENT
Kent should be in.  One of the greatest offensive second basemen of all time and an MVP in 2000.  His case will probably build over time.

PAUL LODUCA
I remember LoDuca having one good season with the Dodgers.  How did he even make the ballot?

GREG MADDUX
Surefire Hall of Famer.  No doubt about it.  He should have been unanimous.

EDGAR MARTINEZ
I always liked Edgar.  I think his case is hurt from the late start, the Mariners were dumb for not getting him in earlier.  He is also hurt by being a DH.  But he should be in.

DON MATTINGLY
Mattingly was already past his prime when I became a fan.  I never liked him, but then he played for the Yankees and seemed vastly overrated to me.  Perhaps because I did not see him at his best.

FRED MCGRIFF
It's amazing what the magic numbers mean.  If McGriff had hit just seven more home runs, he might be in already, maybe.  He was a great player for a long time, but maybe not quite a Hall of Famer.

MARK MCGWIRE
Another steroid case, but another player I believe should be in.

MIKE MUSSINA
I have come around on Mussina.  He was never a true ace with the Yankees, but he was with the Orioles.  He was a great pitcher for a long time.  His case should build over time.

JACK MORRIS
I remember him as a Twin and a Blue Jay.  Like Mattingly, I missed his prime.  But I have looked at the numbers and I do not see him as a Hall of Famer.  The ERA does not do it for me.

HIDEO NOMO
Loved him in 1995 and was a huge fan in 2001 with the Red Sox, but that is pretty much it for Nomo.  He was another player I collected.

RAFAEL PALMEIRO
Palmeiro is the poster boy for the steroids allegations.  Although with him they were not allegations.  He was suspended.  He also had 3,000 hits and 500 home runs.  And now he is off the ballot.

MIKE PIAZZA
The greatest offensive catcher of all time.  He should be in.  Despite what Murray Chass thinks.

TIM RAINES
Raines was another player whose prime I missed.  He was a good player with the White Sox when I became a fan and then became a part-timer for a few years with a bunch of other teams.  For a few years in the 1980's though, he was amazing.  I think he should be in.

KENNY ROGERS
If you look at the numbers, Rogers has as good a better case than you would think.  Still not a Hall of Famer.

CURT SCHILLING
I think it's his wins total that is keeping him out.  His vote total decreased dramatically but he has an excellent case.  He was 216-146 with a 3.46 ERA with 3,116 strikeouts.  He was runner-up for the Cy Young three times and was a terrific postseason pitcher.  He should be in.

RICHIE SEXSON
An all-or-nothing hitter.  Sexson was a big power threat for the Diamondbacks, Mariners, and Brewers.  He had 300 home runs, but was never one of the best players in the league.

LEE SMITH
Smith is a closer that I think should be in.  He was one of the best closers for a very long time and retired with the saves record.  He also spent some time with the Red Sox.

J.T. SNOW
Nice player, great defensive first-baseman.  Not a Hall of Famer.

SAMMY SOSA
600 home runs, one of the great home run races in history in 1998, three plus seasons of 60 home runs.  Should be in.  Steroids likely keeping him out.  Lots of run-on sentences.

FRANK THOMAS
Surefire Hall of Famer.  A massive force in the early 1990's.

MIKE TIMLIN
Middle relievers just don't make the Hall of Fame.  He was a very good one but definitely not Hall of Fame level.

ALAN TRAMMELL
I think Trammell should be in.  He was every bit as good as Cal Ripken and Ozzie Smith, his contemporaries in the 1980's at shortstop.  Another player whose prime I missed.

LARRY WALKER
Walker is interesting because his numbers are terrific.  But he played for the Rockies for a long time, so there is no telling whether his numbers were him, or the park.  It will be interesting to watch.

New Stuff With Some Vintage Oddballs

I have not been posting much lately.  Just not a ton of reason to do so.  I will probably have a post up about the Hall of Fame voting sometime soon.  I am happy for Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Frank Thomas, but disappointed about Roger Clemens, Curt Schilling, Craig Biggio, Mike Piazza, Jeff Bagwell, and others.

My ongoing Jackie Bradley fix was sated by a couple off Ebay:

1.  2013 Bowman Platinum Cracked Ice Sapphire Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  This one came on Friday.  I just need the red one now, I think.

2.  2013 Bowman Draft Picks Blue Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  And my final JBJ card of the day.

The next three came in a trade that finished off the 2013 Panini Prizm team set:

3.  2013 Panini Prizm Allen Webster RC.  I have no idea what uniform he is wearing in this shot.

4.  2013 Panini Prizm Nomar Garciaparra.  I am curious to see what happens when he makes the Hall of Fame ballot.  I maintain that his dominance from 1997 to 2003 should merit consideration, despite his big slide afterwards.

5.  2013 Panini Prizm Pedro Martinez.  On the other hand, Pedro should be a lock.

Finally, I received another nice package from Mark, who I did a trade with earlier.  He sent along some great vintage and oddballs:

6.  1975 Topps Mini Rick Wise.  Wise actually lead the Red Sox in wins in 1975.  This is my second mini from 1975 Topps.

7.  1966 Topps Rub-Offs Dick Radatz.  A great oddball of the Monster, one of the most intimidating relievers in history.

8.  1969 Globe Imprints Ken Harrelson.  The Hawk had a great 1968 season for Boston.  I can't stand him as the White Sox announcer though.

9.  1969 Milton Bradley Rico Petrocelli.  Petro had some great seasons in the late 1960's/early 1970's as a power-hitting shortstop.

10.  1960 Leaf Ted Wills.  Wills was a left-hander who only had a handful of games in any one season he played.  Still, this is my first 1960 Leaf card.  Pretty cool.

11.  1959 Fleer Ted Williams #79.  I love this set, though I only now have two from it.  I need to try get some more.

12.  1969 Topps Tony Conigliaro.  I am so happy about this card.  This makes two great vintage Tony C. cards in the last couple of weeks.

13.  1973 Topps Dwight Evans RC.  But this is the best card from the package.  Dewey's rookie card.  He really should have been on the Veterans' Committee ballot this year.  He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

14.  1959 Topps Frank Malzone.  A terrific third-baseman in the 50's and 60's.

Thanks Mark!  Or Harry!

Prizm Blaster

Two nights ago I had to run to town to get my wife some medicine.  Yes, I spent New Year's Eve driving to town to get medicine.  To cure the irritation at that, I decided to pick up a blaster.  Prizm had been somewhat kind to me and I still needed a few base cards to finish off the team set.  Well all I got was this:

1.  2013 Panini Prizm Alex Wilson RC.  This was one of the remaining base cards I needed and I managed to turn two of the pulls into the remaining cards on the forums, so it worked out well.  Wilson looked like a promising bullpen arm until an injury shortened his year.

Christmas Packages from Community Gum, Cardboard Habit, and More

My mail box was full of packages on Christmas Eve.  Since I do not expect any cards on Christmas, these were kind of like my presents:

Up first is a smaller trade that I worked out on the forums for some odds and ends:

1.  2012 Bowman Blue Kevin Youkilis.  Youkilis recently signed a contract with the Rakutan Golden Eagles of Japan.  I always liked Youk and this card has a good closeup of his unusual batting stance.

2.  2012 Bowman International David Ortiz.  What group of Red Sox cards is complete without Big Papi?  If he has another couple of good seasons in him, I think his Hall of Fame chances will increase dramatically.

3.  2013 Topps 1971 Mini Nomar Garciaparra.  It is probably not surprising that Nomar was my favorite player starting in 1997.  He was an incredible talent and could do just about anything on the field.  Unfortunately injuries decimated his career.  I still think he should be considered for the Hall of Fame, he was one of the best players in the game from 1997 to 2003.

4.  2013 Bowman Chrome Jacoby Ellsbury.  He's a Yankee now.  I still get his Red Sox cards, but I am disappointed he went to the Yankees of all teams.  I will always remember his 2011 season, his straight steal of home against the Yankees and his 70 stolen base season of 2009.

5.  2013 Bowman Chrome Sapphire Rookie Reprint Ted Williams.  Finally a Red Sox card from this ongoing insert set.  The art left something to be desired.  But hey, it's the Splendid Splinter, the greatest Redd Sox player of all time.

I have been picking up the occasional card off of Ebay lately still: 

6.  2013 Bowman Draft Picks Silver Ice Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  Most of my Ebay buys have been Jackie Bradley Jr.

Up next is my first trade with Community Gum.  He had a tradebait post awhile back and showed off a couple of Red Sox cards from the 2012 Topps Golden Giveaway Die Cut set.  These were only available through the online Golden Giveaway codes.  I used a lot of these codes, but only ever got the stupid online coins.  I always wanted one of the cards but never managed to get one.  Now I have two.  I traded a bunch of cards for his player collections for these:

7.  2012 Topps Golden Giveaway Die Cut Jon Lester.  Boston needs to lock him up for the long term.  His postseason numbers are incredible.

8.  2012 Topps Golden Giveaway Die Cut Dustin Pedroia.  If his career keeps going the way it has, he will be a Hall of Famer as well.

Thanks Jon!  You helped me knock off one of my big wants.

Next is another Ebay item:

9.  2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks Silver Wave Refractor Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  So far, the rarest card in my mini Bradley player collection, numbered out of 25.

Next is another terrific trade I made with Cardboard Habit.  I noticed on a tradebait post a couple of cards that I really wanted and set something up.  I still owe him some cards which will be sent out very soon:

10.  2013 Topps Allen & Ginter Autograph Felix Doubront.  This is the major card I wanted.  Doubront is one of my favorite current players and this is a great-looking card.

11.  2013 Topps Manufactured Reprint Ted Williams.  This is the 1956 card, I had the 1955.  Another great-looking Williams card to add to my collection.

12.  2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks Blue Refractor.  This one was unexpected, but I am thrilled that it is here.

Thanks Judson!  Your cards will be on the way soon.

Finally, another Ebay win:

13.  2013 Panini Prizm Red Pulsar Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  I actually like the 2013 Prizm set, mostly because of the color parallels.  I still wish they had an MLB license, but this looks pretty nice.  I actually got a lot of six of these, the Bradley is the one I bought it for.

Merry Christmas everyone!

A Big Mailday Post, and a Zippy Zapping

Monday morning saw my post office box overflowing.  And not all of that was letters from other attorneys, police reports for cases, or the other usual crap I get as an attorney.  It held several packages of baseball cards.  My favorite kind of mailday.

Up first is three packages full of Jackie Bradley Jr. cards:

1.  2013 Bowman Top 100 Jackie Bradley Jr.  This one spent a brief time on my Ten Most Wanted list before being picked up for cheap on Ebay.

The next two came in a forum trade in which I gave up some Red Sox doubles.

2.  2013 Pinnacle Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  This was the last card I needed to complete this team set.

3.  2013 Finest Refractor Jackie Bradley Jr. RC. 

The final two came in a lot on Ebay.

4.  2013 Bowman Chrome Refractor Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.

5.  2013 Bowman Chrome Xfractor Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.

The next package was a large trade package from Mark who has been commenting on here sporadically, chock full of vintage Red Sox.  Mark, I really appreciate the package.  I am working on some goodies for you to be sent out here soon.

1.  1989 Baseball Card Magazine Roger Clemens.  Heritage before Heritage.

2.  1990 Baseball Card Magazine Roger Clemens.  Same here.

3.  1984 Ralston/Purina Wade Boggs.  I love oddball cards.  Food issues are my favorites.  This one is pet food but it still qualifies.  The Milk Bone cards in 1992 were some other good ones.  Boggs looks kind of grumpy here.

4.  1975 Topps Mini Tommy Harper.  Hey my first 75 mini.  These are held in particularly high regard by Night Owl.  His fanaticism with them has lead me to want one.

5.  1975 Hostess Bill Lee.  Ah here we go with a food issue.  I would love to get the George Scott from 1977 as well.

6.  1975 Topps Tommy Harper.  Boston's single season stolen base record holder until Jacoby Ellsbury shattered it in 2009.

7.  1973 Topps Rogelio Moret.  An underrated arm for the Red Sox in the early 1970's.  He was 13-2 in 1973 and 14-3 in 1975.

8.  1973 Topps Marty Pattin. Pattin was another decent starter for the Red Sox in the early 1970's.  He was a 17 game winner in 1972.

9.  1972 Topps Sonny Siebert.  Siebert was Boston's leader in WAR in 1971.  Kind of an unusual stat, particularly on a team with Reggie Smith and Carl Yastrzemski.

10.  Unknown Mike Nagy card.  Any help identifying this would be appreciated.  Nagy was terrific in 1969 as a rookie, going 12-2 but struggled after that.

11.  1967 Topps Don McMahon.  Acquired in the trade that sent fan favorite Dick Radatz to Cleveland, McMahon was effective in a partial season in the back end of the Boston bullpen.

12.  1967 Topps Dave Morehead.  Morehead had his 15 minutes of fame in 1965 when he threw a no hitter.  Unfortunately his career never really got off the ground.

13.  1966 Topps Chuck Schilling.  No relation to Curt.  Chuck was a terrific defensive second baseman who could not hit to save his life.  He did have a little pop occasionally though.

14.  1965 Topps Chuck Schilling.

15.  1965 Topps Earl Wilson.  Wilson was the second African American to play for Boston.  He eventually became a reliable starter, throwing a no hitter in 1962.  He also had a lot of power for a pitcher, hitting 35 home runs in his career.

Thanks Mark!

I love the silk collection partial parallel.  I try to pick a few of these up once in awhile but they are in high demand, so it is difficult some times.  I managed to add one recently though:

16.  2010 Topps Silk Collection Victor Martinez.  Martinez was very successful as a Red Sox player in his brief year-and-a-half stint.  Unfortunately his future was not behind the plate so Boston did not keep him around.

Bowman Draft presents a quandary for me.  I love adding Red Sox cards, but I am kind of ambivalent towards adding a bunch of cards of players who will likely never make the Majors.  So I do not usually go out of my way to get cards.  But if I can get them in a trade without giving much up, it works for me:

17.  2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks Drake Britton RC.  I am okay with this one because Britton appeared for the Red Sox and had moderate success at times.  Nice tattoos.

18.  2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks Prospects Joseph Monge.  Just drafted this year out of high school.  He is likely a long way away.

19.  2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks Top Prospects Matt Barnes.  Barnes is no longer Boston's highest rated pitching prospect, which goes to show how deep Boston's minor league system has become.

20.  2013 Bowman Draft Picks Drake Britton RC.  Another Britton.  I am disappointed Brandon Workman did not make an appearance in this set.

21.  2013 Bowman Draft Picks Prospects Bryan Hudson.  Another draft pick from this year and another long shot to make it.

22.   2013 Bowman Draft Picks Top Prospects Matt Barnes.

23.  2013 Bowman Draft Picks Top Prospects Xander Bogaerts.  I am really excited to see Bogaerts in the Majors next season.  He performed well in the postseason.

24.  2013 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini Bill Buckner.  Nice Buckner card.  He appeared a lot this year for some reason.

Next is a trade I made for a card off my wantlist:

25.  2013 Topps Manufactured Rookie Patch Wade Boggs.  Oddly Boggs is listed as a first baseman on this card.  Carney Lansford was still on the team when Boggs came up and Boston wanted to get his bat in the lineup regularly.  I like this card a lot.

Finally, one of my favorite trade partners sent me an unsolicited package of cards with some great stuff included:

I have been Zippy Zapped.

26.  1970 Topps Tony Conigliaro.  Incredible.  I love this card.  Conigliaro is such a tragic story.  This card was issued after his successful comeback.  Unfortunately it would not last.

27.  2013 Panini Prizm Perennial Draft Picks Green Mookie Betts.  Remember this name.  Betts had an incredible season in the minors.  Unfortunately if he is to make it in Boston, he will have to find another position.

28.  1998 Topps Tek Pedro Martinez.  I need to go back and find one player to try for the entire spectrum of Tek patterns.

29.  2013 Bowman Draft Picks Breakouts Garin Cecchini.  Another young player to watch.  Cecchini could find himself the new third baseman if Middlebrooks continues to falter.

Thanks a ton Kenny!  I will have to pay you back some day soon.

One Card Mailday

But it's a good one:

2013 Bowman Chrome Green Refractor Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  I have been reading a lot of articles and comments about the Red Sox center field situation.  The front office seems content with Bradley, although there is consideration about adding a bench player in case he falters.  Most notably Boston has moved on from attempting to trade for Matt Kemp.  Good move, in my opinion.  Kemp is expensive and has had a lot of injury problems over the last couple of years, several of which could be nagging injuries.  Commenters are not as positive.  Many just look at the small sample size of his numbers last year at the major league level and would prefer he continue playing at Triple A until he is ready.  The problem with that theory is that players need to advance to continue honing their skills.  Bradley had a decent season in Pawtucket.  Not great, but certainly good enough.  He should be given the chance to play at the Major League level.  He is ready.

Still Going....

I know I have not been posting much.  I am currently set for a number of jury trials and finding the time to post is becoming difficult.  On top of that there is the usual holiday matters to attend to, which Christmas Party to go to, going shopping, decorating the house, blah blah blah.  So yeah, my time is limited lately.  

I figured I would show off the most recent additions to my collection quick.

1.  2013 Topps Heritage Clay Buchholz SP.  I am down to needing just one short print to complete the team set.  I still need Dustin Pedroia, if anyone has that.

2.  2013 Topps Camo Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  This is what I was referring to in the title.  I really wanted one of the camo parallels and came across this on sale with three other Bradley parallels.

3.  2013 Topps Orange Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  I didn't even know there were orange parallels.

4.  2013 Topps Black Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  And the last one is the rarest, though the camo is my favorite.

Slooooow Offseason

With the new season still several months away, and very few new sets coming out during the offseason, it is harder and harder to find new baseball cards.  My next batch all came from Ebay.

I don't care for the online only Topps sets.  For the second year in a row, Topps saw fit to release an updated Heritage set only available in complete set form and only online.  With just four Red Sox cards, I did not want to shell out the $100.00 for the set and take a chance at a decent autograph, particularly since none of the autos were Red Sox.

1.  2013 Topps Heritage High Number Allen Webster RC.  Webster looks like he should be able to help next year.  They need to get something out of the Punto trade.

2.  2013 Topps Pro Debut Allen Webster.  This was a throw-in.

3.  2013 Topps Heritage High Number Koji Uehara.  This is one of the reasons I picked up this team set.  Hopefully next year there will be some more cards of Koji.

4.  2013 Topps Heritage High Number Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  Another reason I wanted this lot.

5.  2013 Topps Heritage High Number Jose Iglesias.  I was surprised this card showed him in a Red Sox uniform.

6.  2013 Finest 93 Finest Jackie Bradley Jr.  Just an awesome-looking insert here.  The refractors are going for insane amounts.

7.  2013 Finest 93 Finest Mike Napoli.  A hit off of my Top 10 finally.

8.  2013 Pinnacle Museum Collection Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  The JBJ kick is still going...



In news, Boston picked up Edward Mujica from the Cardinals as a free agent.  Mujica is a live right-handed arm out of the bullpen, relatively young, with impeccable control.  A possible Uehara-type in the pen with closing experience.  I like this move.

Wheelings and Dealings

The Hot Stove Season is getting under way and there is some big news.

First the pro-Boston news:
Boston acquires Burke Badenhop from Brewers.  Badenhop is a right-handed reliever that the Brewers under-used for some strange reason last season.  He had some decent numbers but almost all of them came in low-leverage situations.  I am not sure how to feel about this one, but all they gave up was a minor leaguer named Luis Ortega who is quite a ways away.

Boston signs A.J. Pierzynski.  Well they needed a catcher I suppose.  Pierzynski has frequently been labelled a clubhouse cancer though, so I am not sure of this one.  He has some pop and is durable, but will he hurt the chemistry?  I guess we will find out.

Now the bad stuff:
Jarrod Saltalamacchia signs with Marlins.  Probably the prelude to a trade to the Mets next year.  I liked Salty but he was not getting three years in Boston.  Particularly with Christian Vazquez and Blake Swihart coming on strong.

Jacoby Ellsbury signs with Yankees.  Seriously?  I came to grips with the likelihood of Ellsbury leaving.  Jackie Bradley Jr. will be the new center fielder, but the Yankees?  Really?  Also, this looks like a pretty likely contract the Yankees will be regretting in a few years.  Seven years with an option for an eighth.  Wow.  And $150 million.  Seems like a recipe for disaster.

Recent Pickups

I have not had much time to post lately.  I have been very busy with work.  Add to that the fact that there have not been a lot of packages coming in lately have made writing posts a bit of a chore.

Nevertheless, here is what I have gotten in lately:

I have one trade package where I got the following two cards:
1.  2013 Topps Chrome Orange Refractor Mike Napoli.  Hopefully Napoli returns next year.  Boston needs him.

2.  2013 Topps Emerald Jackie Bradley Jr.  Still going strong.

And then each of the following came from Ebay:
3.  2013 Bowman Chrome Blue Refractor Jackie Bradley Jr.

4.  2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks Jackie Bradley Jr.

5.  2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks Refractor Jackie Bradley Jr.

6.  2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks Black Wave Refractor Jackie Bradley Jr.  I love this card.  Just a great-looking parallel.

And next is a value pack break of 2013 Bowman Chrome:

7.  2013 Bowman Chrome Purple Refractor Jon Lester.  Numbered out of 199, this is just a great pack pull.  It has been a good year for me getting cards in packs.  This is another good one.

8.  2013 Bowman Chrome Prospects Henry Owens.  Boston's top pitching prospect now.  Owens has the ability to become a number one starter.

Catch Up Post

I have been falling behind.  Work has been keeping me pretty busy.  I just recently settled a case that was set for jury trial next week.  So now that I have a moment, I thought I would show off some of my more recent pickups:

I won an Ebay auction that included two nice Jackie Bradley Jr. refractors:
1.  2013 Topps Chrome Refractor Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.

2.  2013 Topps Chrome Black Refractor Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.

Then I made a decent-sized trade that brought a bunch of Chrome and other cards:
3.  2013 Topps Chrome Refractor Shane Victorino.

4.  2013 Topps Chrome Mega Box Jake Peavy.

5.  2013 Finest Dustin Pedroia.

6.  2013 Finest Will Middlebrooks.

7.  2013 Finest Jacoby Ellsbury.

8.  2009 O-Pee-Chee Black Jon Lester.

9.  2013 Finest Xfractor Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.

Someone was selling a bunch of cards on the forums for a fraction of their normal cost and I picked up another really nice JBJ:
10.  2012 Bowman Sterling Prospects Refractor Jackie Bradley Jr.

And then another Ebay win:
11.  2013 Bowman Chrome Cream of the Crop Mini Blue Jackie Bradley Jr.

And finally I traded in a Yasiel Puig rookie and got this:
12.  2013 Finest Orange Refractor Jackie Bradley Jr.

As you can see, my Jackie Bradley Jr. kick is still going strong.

More Dime Box Goodness, Plus Some More

Nick recently pulled a Dustin Pedroia jersey card which he promptly offered up for trade.  Of course I jumped at it and threw together a package I thought he would enjoy.  In turn he sent me this:

1.  2011 Topps Gypsy Queen Mini Daniel Bard.  Bard is struggling greatly in the Winter League.  I am beginning to wonder if he will ever re-capture the talent that made him a rising star.  He is with the Cubs now.

2.  2009 UD Goodwin Champions Mini Kevin Youkilis.  My wife always hated watching Youkilis on TV.  She hated his batting stance.  I will admit it was a bit curious.

3.  2004 Bazooka Comics Manny Ramirez.  Certainly an interesting card.  I have a few of these now.

4.  2013 Panini Hometown Heroes Jason Varitek.  I am so happy that this card was included.  I was thrilled when I saw that Varitek made it into this checklist.  Thank you Nick.

5.  1990 King B Disc Wade Boggs.  I remember my older brother getting a lot of these when I was a kid.  He never got any Red Sox though.  He did get a Sandy Alomar Jr. that he gave to me, but I had to use ebay to get my first one.  This was my second.

6.  1997 Bowman's Best Refractor Donnie Sadler.  Sadler was expected to match up with Nomar Garciaparra around second base for years.  It just did not work out that way.

7.  1992 Classic Best Gar Finnvold.  I like minors cards of players who made the Majors.  Finnvold qualifies though he did not play long.

8.  2009 Upper Deck Goudey Jonathan Papelbon SP.  One of the Sport Royalty short prints.

9.  1990 Pacific Legends Mel Parnell.  The Red Sox all-time winningest left-hander, believe it or not.

10.  1990 Pacific Legends Pete Runnels.  Runnels won two batting championships for the Red Sox in 1960 and 1962.  Yet very few have really heard of him.

11.  1991 Swell Baseball Greats Mel Parnell.  Another nice card of the southpaw.

12.  1991 Swell Baseball Greats Dick Williams.  Hall of Famer Williams had his first managerial season in 1967 with Boston, the Impossible Dream season.

13.  2005 Topps Update Gold Tony Graffanino.  Graffanino was an unheralded hero for Boston in 2005 after being acquired in a trade with the Royals.

14.  2004 Topps Total Award Winners Manny Ramirez.  Celebrating his Silver Slugger in 2003.

15.  2013 Topps Chasing History Holofoil Gold Dustin Pedroia.  Nice Pedroia card here.  Pedroia looks like a future Hall of Famer.

16.  2013 Topps Update All Star Stitches Dustin Pedroia.  This is the card that started the trade.  Terrific looking Pedroia card.

17.  2007 Fleer In the Zone David Ortiz.  Nice Ortiz insert here.

18.  2009 Upper Deck X Xponential 2 Josh Beckett.  Beckett is one of those players I never totally warmed up to.  Maybe if he had been more consistent as a starter I would have.  Still though, I do enjoy getting cards of him.

Thanks for the trade Nick!

And after that trade, I got a few other packages in as well:

19.  2013 Panini Father's Day Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  These cards were only available in special Father's day packs of Panini available Father's Day weekend.  It is obviously photoshopped, but that's okay.  It makes a unique collectible.  I picked this up off Ebay.

20.  2013 Topps Chrome Purple Refractor Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  As you can tell, I am still into the Jackie Bradley phase.  This was acquired in a trade for a Topps Update insert.

The next cards all came in one trade:

21.  2013 Bowman Chrome Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  And once more today.

22.  2013 Bowman Chrome Prospects Pat Light.  Boston's supplemental round pick from 2012 has yet to really perform up to expectations.

23.  2013 Bowman Chrome Prospects Francellis Montas.  Montas was traded to the White Sox in the Jake Peavy trade.

24.  2013 Bowman Chrome Prospects Tzu-Wei Lin.  The next Jose Iglesias?  Lin can not hit but is excellent defensively.

25.  2013 Bowman Chrome Prospects Keury De La Cruz.  De La Cruz had a breakout 2012 but fell back down to Earth in 2013.

26.  2013 Bowman Chrome Prospects Ty Buttrey.  This is exactly the same shot as his 2012 card in Bowman Draft.  

A Sparkly Pack Break and Some Random Packages

Nothing beats the feeling of getting a great pull from a pack.  As a team collector, any time I can get an insert or a parallel, I consider it a good pull.  I love getting autographs and jerseys, sure, but that's not the only thing I look for.  Sometimes, a parallel is a great hit.  And today was one of those time:

1.  2013 Topps Sapphire Jonny Gomes.  I took a risk today by picking up a hanger pack of 2013 Topps Update from Wal-Mart.  I have all of the base cards.  I just wanted a parallel.  Well it worked out quite well because I got this fantastic parallel of Gomes numbered to just 25.  Definitely worth the risk.  The scan does not do this card justice at all.

2.  2013 Topps Update Wal Mart Blue Junichi Tazawa.  I also got this card, finally getting one of the parallels I was looking for.

3.  2013 Topps Gypsy Queen Ted Williams SP.  I received a few cards from trades as well.  This one and the Doerr came in a trade for a Jeter insert.

4.  2013 Topps Gypsy Queen Bobby Doerr SP.  This same picture appears on virtually very Bobby Doerr card.

5.  2013 Topps Chrome Postseason Heroes David Ortiz.  Definitely a worthy subject of that title, particularly after this year's terrific performance in the World Series.

6.  2013 Topps 1971 Mini David Ortiz.  These two Ortiz cards were picked up in exchange for a couple of Evan Longoria inserts.

A Jackie Bradley Jr.-Heavy Mailday

I have a strong suspicion that when the dust clears and the defending World Champion Red Sox take the field on Opening Day next season, Jackie Bradley Jr. will be patrolling center field.  With that in mind I have been focusing a bit more on Bradley and other young players I expect to be a major part of the Red Sox future, such as Xander Bogaerts, who was very impressive in the World Series, and Felix Doubront.

This trade got me three new Jackie Bradley Jr. cards, as well as a number of other nice cards.  

1.  2013 Finest Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  Just the base version.  I am working on the parallels.  I have the Xfractor coming in.

2.  2013 Topps Godl Joel Hanrahan.  I feel bad for Hanrahan.  He came into the season as the new closer, then was ineffective, then was out for the season.  Don't get me wrong, Koji Uehara was awesome when he took over as closer (plus he was on my fantasy team).  Hanrahan would have fit in well with the team.  Just look at that beard.  Now he is a free agent and not likely to come back.

3.  2013 Panini Prizm Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  I am warming up to the Panini brands.  I still wish they had an MLB license because they would look better with logos.  But I like the Prizm set quite a bit.

4.  2013 Bowman Platinum Cracked Ice Gold Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  The third new Bradley card brings me up to 16.  Not bad for a player with just 37 games under his belt in the big leagues.

5.  2013 Panini Prizm Carlton Fisk.  I am pretty sure he is actually wearing a White Sox uniform in this picture.  I don't have a lot of basis in believing this, he just looks older in it.

6.  2013 Panini Prizm Mike Napoli.  Napoli is the one free agent I expect will return next season.

7.  2013 Panini Prizm Jacoby Ellsbury.  I just do not feel Ellsbury really wants to come back.  I could be wrong.  But he has never seemed terribly happy in Boston.  Maybe he is just really introverted.  He definitely does not go out of his way to talk to the media like David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Shane Victorino, and others.

8.  2013 Panini Prizm Shane Victorino.  I thought Victorino would be really good in Boston this season.  I did not expect him to be as good as he was

9.  2013 Panini Prizm Dustin Pedroia.  A nice shot of Pedroia bunting.  Not something you see everyday.

If anyone has any nice Jackie Bradley Jr. cards, feel free to contact me.

Giant Mailday Post with Contributions from Night Owl and Zippy Zappy

It has been a pretty busy week this week with court appearances every day.  So I have not had a lot of time to get scans up.  I have been getting stuff in fairly regularly too, so there is a lot to show off right now.  I am still coming off of the high from the Red Sox winning the World Series.  Hopefully there will be a commemorative card set issued.  There were three in 2004 and one in 2007.  There was also Danbury Mint gold cards commemorating the victories.  I am hoping for at least one set.

Anyway, let's see some cards, shall we?

Up first is a small vintage buy:

1.  1959 Topps Team Card.  The 1959 team set is in my wantlist because it is a relatively inexpensive vintage set.  Team cards are always interesting, but I wish they would have the players pictured listed somewhere.

Next is a trade I engineered with everyone's favorite nocturnal bird of prey:

2.  2013 Topps Chrome Close Connections Dustin Pedroia.  This was the impetus for the trade.  He got this card as well as two other base cards in one pack of Chrome.  I commented and he sent them to me.  Soon after that I got the base cards in my group break, but I definitely still needed the die-cut.

3.  2013 Topps Chasing History Holofoil Dustin Pedroia.  A parallel of an insert and another nice card of the Red Sox second-baseman.

4.  2008 Upper Deck Timeline Jonathan Van Every RC.  This is the 1992 Minors Top Prospect subset card.  Van Every did not last long, but he was one of three position players to pitch for Boston in 2009, along with Dusty Brown and Nick Green.

5.  2008 Upper Deck Timeline Daisuke Matsuzaka.  From the 1994 All Time Heroes subset.  I still like getting Dice-K cards.

6.  2008 Upper Deck Timeline Daisuke Matsuzaka.  From the 2004 Timeless Teams subset.

7.  2008 Upper Deck Timeline David Ortiz.  Also from the 2004 Timeless Teams subset.  Ortiz was huge in the postseason.

Thanks Greg!  Hope you enjoy your cards.

The next card was sent to me for free, which was awesome.

8.  2013 Topps Chrome Dynamic Die Cut Mike Napoli.  Napoli suddenly has a lot of Red Sox cards out there.  Hopefully he will be back next season.

Up next is another package from Zippy Zappy.  I sent a bunch more Yankees to him in exchange for these:

9.  2011 Topps Chrome Clay Buchholz.  If he could just stay healthy, he could become great.

10.  1981 Topps Sticker Dave Stapleton.  Stapleton was on the 1986 World Series roster as a backup first-baseman to Bill Buckner and really should have been in the game in Game 6.

11.  2011 Topps Sticker Jacoby Ellsbury.  A nice little piece.  We shall soon see where he ends up.

12.  2013 Topps Chasing History Jackie Bradley Jr.  Jackie is hoping Ellsbury goes elsewhere I think, opening up the door to him taking over.

13.  2013 Topps Chasing History Nomar Garciaparra.  Nice to see Nomar cards this year.

14.  2013 Topps Mini Dustin Pedroia.  The minis are what started this trade.

15.  2013 Topps Mini Jonny Gomes.  We need a card of him in the army helmet right away.

16.  2013 Topps Mini Ryan Sweeney.  The mini set is weird because it has some players updated in their new uniforms.  Then there are players like Ryan Sweeney, still shown with their former team.

17.  2013 Topps Mini Vicente Padilla.  And others like Padilla who did not appear in the Majors at all this season.

18.  2013 Topps Mini Ryan Dempster.  Dempster was one of the few free agent signings from last year that did not work out really well.

19.  2013 Topps Mini Felix Doubront.  One of my current favorites.  What a World Series he had.

20.  2013 Topps Mini Mike Napoli.  Another Nap.

21.  2013 Topps Mini Jarrod Saltalamacchia.  Saltalamacchia was not given a qualifying offer.  It is possible Lavarnway will take over next year.

22.  2013 Topps Mini Jacoby Ellsbury.  Ellsbury did get a qualifying offer.

23.  2013 Topps Mini Daniel Nava.  Nava is coming off a great season and should see some more cards next year.

24.  2013 Topps Mini Jackie Bradley Jr. RC.  Another Bradley.

25.  2013 Topps Mini Alfredo Aceves.  I love this picture.

26.  1988 Topps U.K. Roger Clemens.  I was surprised I did not have this one.  I had the Boggs and Evans.

27.  2013 Topps Mini Chasing History Ted Williams.  Always excited to get Teddy Ballgame cards.

28.  2013 Topps Mini John Lackey.  Lackey has redeemed himself in the eyes of fans.

29.  1979 Topps Team Card.  Another team card, this one of the 1978 team that blew a huge lead in the division to the Yankees.

30.  1970 Topps Ray Jarvis.  A terrific vintage card of one of the players traded along with Tony Conigliaro to the Angels.

31.  1973 Topps Lew Krausse.  Pretty miscut, but still, another nice vintage card.

32.  2000 Topps Tek Pedro Martinez.  There was a time I wanted to complete one of the player sets from Topps Tek.  One of these days I may go back to that.

Thanks Kenny!  Hope you enjoyed your cards!

I had a Yasiel Puig refractor.  It was turned into this:

33.  2013 Topps Pink Daisuke Matsuzaka.  I really wanted one of the pink parallels.  I recently picked up two.  This was the first.

34.  2012 Topps Gold Dustin Pedroia.  This card was on my Top Ten Most Wanted list.

35.  2009 Upper Deck Ballpark Collection Jason Varitek.  So was this one.

36.  2011 Topps Allen & Ginter Rip Card Clay Buchholz.  My second rip card.  This was already ripped of course.

And this was a small trade that added some interesting cards:

37.  2008 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes Red Clay Buchholz RC.  Buchholz is climbing steadily in my collection.  I have close to 100 cards of him now.

38.  2005 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes Jimmie Foxx.  I am pretty sure Foxx could still hit a home run with that bat.  What is the deal with that?

39.  2005 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes Jimmie Foxx.  Another Foxx Red Sox card.  Few know that he wears a Red Sox cap on his Hall of Fame plaque.

40.  2011 Topps Gypsy Queen Framed Gold Adrian Gonzalez.  Still adding A-Gon cards.

41.  2009 Upper Deck Icons George Kottaras RC.  This was on my wantlist.

42.  2001 Fleer Futures Black Gold Trot Nixon.  One of the jerseys I own is a Trot Nixon from 2001 with a 100th Anniversary patch.

43.  2000 Finest Tomokazu Ohka.  I really wanted Ohka to turn into a star.  It just did not work out that way.

44.  2005 Donruss Elite Elite Teams Manny Ramirez/Pedro Martinez/David Ortiz.  Commemorating the 2004 team.

45.  2007 Upper Deck Goudey Head's Up Carlton Fisk.  This is my third card like this, joining Matsuzaka and Ortiz.

I turned a Michael Wacha parallel into this:

46.  2013 Topps Chasing History Ted Williams.  Another Splendid Splinter card.

47.  2013 Topps Making Their Mark Jackie Bradley Jr.  I really wanted this card.  Not sure why.

48.  2013 Topps Chasing History Pedro Martinez.  Pedro joins his longtime teammate in getting more cards this year.

49.  2013 Topps Update Gold Andrew Bailey.  Bailey will likely go elsewhere this offseason.  That trade did not work at all for Boston.

One of the things I really wanted from Update was one of the Boston Strong parallels.  Unfortunately I did not get one.  But I managed to work out a trade to add one.  I will still look for more, but here is my one so far:

50.  2013 Topps Update Boston Strong Ryan Lavarnway.  Not the player I most wanted, though I do love the action shot.  Lavarnway did not play a lot for Boston, but this is still a terrific card.

And finally I added a couple more Doubronts to my collection:

51.  2013 Topps Pink Felix Doubront.  My second pink card.

52.  2013 Topps Gold Felix Doubront.  Hopefully Boston does not trade Doubront, but he needs to work on his conditioning.