September Group Break Videos!

Here we go! I'll update the links as the vids are finished over at Youtube.

Box 1

Box 2

Box 3

Box 4

Box 5

Edit: Problem with #3 is now fixed!

Catching up: CCs from Joe

There are a few posts I owe people as a consequence of my "non-absent absence." While Youtube is waiting to upload videos (longer than usual even!) I'll go ahead and get started.

Joe and I had traded once before and he'd sent me some great stuff. This time he contacted me about a DK CC auto /10 and, because it was the summer and I was bouncing around a bit, things were kind of off and on. I didn't have anything right in his wheelhouse but I sent him a bunch of relics and he sent me the agreed upon CCs. Or so I thought. Right after he sent the package he dropped me a line and told me "to be sitting down when I opened it up." Glad I did.

In addition to the agreed upon DK auto there was this Turkey Red Cabinet card (inset card is for size.) This thing is AWESOME. I hadn't realized until just now the background is slightly different from the regular-sized card, either. Where the regular one is CC in an abandoned ball field the larger version is "CC fighting zombies in a post-industrial apocalyptic wasteland." Very cool.

And then, of course, the CC DK. Here its with the two DK jerseys I have, both courtesy of Joe.

Great additions to the collection, and needless to say I owe you, Joe! Thanks again.

Have a good one everybody and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!

Puttin' on the hits: The Ghost of Jason Kubel Break

Video and the review will be up tomorrow, but in the meantime here are the hits.

As with the "Dodgers Box" Icons Break, this one will forever live in infamy as the "Ghost of Jason Kubel" Break.

The Relics:

Do the printing plates count as relics? If not then we got shorted 2 hits! Again, props to Sooz for advice in handling Topps customer service. Any more input is appreciated.

The Cycle Backs:

Two variations:

A month ago those Strasburgs were worth $15K. Now? Who knows?

And finally the autos:

That's right: not one, but TWO Kubel autos. The odds are astronomical. Plus, that makes THREE Koob hits in the last two breaks. Amazing. 

Boxes are Broken! Scans soon, video and such later; Advice needed

not to set the bar low here, but we are short at least one hit (from the last box). Also, I'm guessing printing plates count in the 2 guaranteed relics/autos per box, correct?

Any advice on how to go about getting in touch with Topps about how to get the missing hit(s) would be awesome. I've seen different folks have been successful working this out, so I'm hoping it goes well!

My Bob: The T206 has landed!

Break on Saturday afternoon or Sunday at the latest! Still have the A's, D-Backs, and Mariners available for $13.50 (full price on subsequent breaks). If I fail to pull the compa a Peña in this break I'm in deep *&^%.

A card I've wanted for a while (not THE card, that's coming) has been a 1950's Clemente. Well, thanks to a little paper loss this guy fell into my lap:

So yes, wtf was chewing on that upper right hand corner? Other than the the card is in really good shape. OK, depending on your perspective that might be overlooking a lot but it's more than good enough for me.

As for the card itself it's a great portrait of Clemente, odd positioning of the "autograph,"and it lists him as "Bob." I know that's short for Robert, and that you hear a lot of folks refer to him as "Bob," but did he ever really go by Bob? It's not listed on his BB Reference page so it makes you wonder. All in all a classic late-50s Topps-type card and a nice addition to the PC even if it might carry the plague.

Anyway, there's been some malaise around, some talk about uninspiring 2010 products and such, so I thought I'd put the 1959 Clemente out there. Cost? A little more than a discount blaster.

What are your Whales & Discount Teams

First up I got notice the 2010 T206 is on the way. Due date of 9/3 because I live up near the north pole. We've got 3 teams left, 13.50 for any of 3 four:  A's, Dbacks, Mariners. Leave a comment to claim the teams. PP to my email address (crawfordcards (at) gmail.com). This is a one-time deal, full price next month for the 2010 Bowman Chrome.

I've been chasing this one card for a while but a few weeks ago I hit "bid" with 2 seconds to go and landed it for a decent enough price. It's not a CC but a great vintage card. Before I roll it out I want to know: what cards are your whales? Not necessarily anything REALLY expensive like the Wagner or a 52 Mantle, but the cards you track on ebay and salivate over only to get outbid? 

I FINALLY landed one of mine and let me tell you, it feels pretty #@$* good.

September Group Break Sign Up: 2010 Topps 206

Here is the deal: we're doing 5 boxes of 2010 Topps 206.

 To keep things simple we'll be using Joe Collector's pricing structure, found here (thanks JC!).

(6)Any team newer than 1980 including the Nationals are in Tier 3 $13.75

(8)Any team newer than 1961 shall be in Tier 2 $16.75

(16) Any team older than 1961 shall be in Tier 1 $20.50

Here's a list of who has teams and has paid as of right now. If you are already in double-check this to make sure it is right! To claim a team leave a comment (I'll turn of moderation) and email me. Send PP to crawfordcards (at) gmail.com.

Open teams summary: A's: $20.50

D-Backs, Mariners: $16.75

Baltimore Orioles 1901 (Ryan---paid

Boston Red Sox 1901 (Stephane--paid

New York Yankees 1901 (Nick---paid

Chicago White Sox 1901 (Arfmax----paid

Cleveland Indians 1901 (Dan---paid

Detroit Tigers 1901 (Mike---paid

Minnesota Twins 1901 (Stéphane---confirmed

Oakland Athletics 1901 (Open

Atlanta Braves 1871 (Aaron & Dennis---paid

Philadelphia Phillies 1883 (ArfMax--paid

Chicago Cubs 1870 (Dean---paid

Cincinnati Reds 1890 (Dean---paid

Pittsburgh Pirates 1882 (Dean---paid

St. Louis Cardinals 1882 (Ike & Tony---paid

Los Angeles Dodgers 1890 (Dean---paid

San Francisco Giants 1883 (Brian---paid

Tampa Bay Rays 1998 (CarlCrawfordCards ~ Paid)

Toronto Blue Jays 1977 (D. Amos---paid

Kansas City Royals 1969 (Nick---paid

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1961 (Stephane

Seattle Mariners 1977 (Open

Texas Rangers 1961 (Brian---paid

Florida Marlins 1993 (Chuck/HamRam---paid

New York Mets 1962 (BA Benny---paid

Washington Nationals/Expos 1969 (Stéphane---confirmed

Houston Astros 1962 (Pair---paid

Milwaukee Brewers 1969 (Ed--paid

Arizona Diamondbacks 1998 (Open

Colorado Rockies 1993 (Ryan----paid

San Diego Padres 1969 (Rod---paid