P(WE)-Town Tom delivers

P-Town Tom of the blog Waiting Til Next Year is quickly becoming PWE-Town Tom. I think this is the third PWE he has sent me in the past month or so. I saw a card that Tom had won on Listia asking if it was for trade. Indeed it was. I shot him an email that said "PWE trade?" and he replied, "I already shipped it out in a PWE this morning, so yes." Classic.

Here is the card that started it. I love holograms, especially holograms of Yankees. They are such an early '90s Upper Deck thing. I would love to see them as in insert in a newer Topps release (like Opening Day??), but that would be a lot to ask, of course. You know, issuing cards that are fun.

Tom stuffed the PWE with four cards. The Yankee Stadium card is awesome. I've been using these types of cards for TTMs when I don't have a card of a player, like a prospect or a retired player from way back. I like it better than the generic "Signature" cards.

A cool oddball Mattingly from 1990 Statline.

 Miller Huggins! Maybe this will go in Joey's HOF binder. I like these cards a lot. Very nice cardstock and texture.

Lastly, Michael Kay! I actually have this card signed my Kay from a TTM I sent him, but I didn't have a second copy. Luckily, I do now.

Thanks, Tom!

TTM Success: Robert Refsnyder (Yankees Prospect)

In just 10 days, Yankees 2B prospect Robert Refsnyder returned this Panini USA Champions card signed. I actually pulled this card out of the lone pack I bought, so it's cool I was able to turn it into an autograph of a promising prospect. He was the Yankees 5th round draft choice in 2012. Refnsyder plays a great 2B, and can swing a big stick. He should steadily move up the ladder, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the bigs sometime in 2015.

Scoop-ing up a vintage Rizzuto

I’ve been staying far away from eBay recently. It’s too easy to spend money on things I don’t need. I’ve turned to Listia because it still gives me the same rush of bidding on and winning cards, and I don’t spend money (other than a few stamps on cards I "sell"). Sure, there aren’t many good cards nowadays and credits are jacked up, but for me I’ve found it’s just the addiction being fed…it doesn’t matter where it comes from. So might as well go to the most cost-effective place.

Anyhow, probably annoyed with the crap on Listia, I checked out eBay and scored this Phil Rizzuto for $2. I had never seen it or heard of the set. It’s from 1961 Nu-Card Baseball Scoops. No clue. But hey, a vintage Rizzuto is pretty cool regardless of the make.

From what I read, there were sets in 1960 (larger cards) and 1961. They weren’t fully appreciated and didn’t really compete with Topps and Fleer to a lesser extent. They were fine alternatives, but the set was a bit moring compared to the color photography of the other sets.

Do any of you have some sweet old Nu-Cards?

Repack remorse

A few days ago, the wifey and baby and I hit up Target. I decided to treat myself to some cards. I was hoping for either a Bowman or Archives blaster, but they had neither. Boo. I settled on a few of those repack boxes, figuring I could get 10-14 packs and still spend less than I had budgeted. Plus, I always read about nice scores from a lot of bloggers from repacks.

Well, these sucked. I was so disappointed. Most of the packs were from 2010-2012 Topps, which is fine, but we’ve all had our fill of those. I was hoping for a few more mid-00s Upper Deck or Fleer Ultra packs.

I still busted the packs of course, but really got nothing interesting. I won’t lie, here are the three best cards I got:

Do you ever buy a repack box, and then immediately regret it?

Part 2 of the Zippy Zappy package

Here is part two of the epic package sent by Zippy Zappy. There were a bunch of cards, and I figured this was a nice sampling:

I really like these mini Chrome Refractors. I’m not a huge fan of mini cards at all, but I’ve been all for these so far. I can’t wait for Hensley to get back on the mound next season. I expect big things from him.

 

 Hold the phones! I’m pretty sure this is a 2012 Bowman Chrome Blue Ice card. I expected the pattern to be the same as the Silver Ice, but they are definitely different. This reminds me of an old Upper Deck HoloGRFX card. Either way, a stop-in-your-tracks card.

Orange! I love Orange Refractors. Love them. I need to aggregate them all because I must be getting close to having at least one full team set. 

This card brings back a lot of memories. When we were five or six, my sister and I used to fight over this card. See, I had this version of the card, but Reggie was an Oakland A. She had the version with the Yankees. And she would never, ever let me have it. 

These cards always amused me because of the blue fabric. 

I really need to get Eduardo to sign this. It’s begging for his autograph.

 

My first 2013 Topps Pro Debut! Love these sets even though the logic behind “Pro Debut” is off.

Kenny, it’s all gold (or orange or blue ice). Thanks again, my friend.

TTM Success: Casey Stevenson (Yankees Prospect)

I got another 2103 Bowman card signed through the mail, this time from Yankees prospect Casey Stevenson. Currently in Double-A, Stevenson is one of those jack-of-all-trade players who can pretty much man any position on the diamond. He may eventually see time as a super utility guy on a major league club.

The signature smeared a little, but that's life.

My 1-year-old has better cards than me

Over the past few months, I’ve enjoyed trading cards and talking baseball with Kenny aka Zippy Zappy. For a long time, Kenny was a frequent commenter, but then we finally struck up a trade. Since then, Kenny has sent me a few generous packages without us having a trade in the works. Each one has been fantastic, but the last one was something really special.

I’ll highlight the package in two posts, because the first card I’m going to show is a card I never thought I’d own. Actually, check that, I still don’t own it. Zippy wrapped this card in paper and wrote “This is for Joey.” (Joey is my 19-month-old son who I’ve started a collection for). He also inscribed some sweet-looking Japanese inscription, which he later told me said “Joey-san”…you know, like Daniel-san.

 Out fell this card:

 In case you didn’t see it, here it is again: 

Yes, that’s the famous 1993 Upper Deck SP Derek Jeter RC. The most famous of all his RCs.

Once I picked up my jaw, I have to admit, I had doubts as to what it really was. I turned it over and squinted at the bottom, expecting it to be a reprint or something…like a 2008 Upper Deck Version of Cards Your Mom Threw Out. No, son, this is the real deal.

When I told Kenny he was crazy, he was nice enough to tell me that he had trouble moving it because of a dinged corner, and wanted it to go someplace where it was appreciated. I can’t tell you how appreciated it is, and how jealous I am of my 1-year-old for now owning this card. The dinged corner means nothing. The card is perfect. I may use it as a bargaining chip for the next 18 years. “If you don’t clean up your room, I’m taking your Jeter SP Rookie Card back, mister!”

I read a little more about it, as I wasn't sure if there was a difference between the regular version and the Foil version. I think the Foil is the only one that exists. Some eBay listings say Foil and some don't, but I think it's all the same. Can anyone confirm? I believe that's why the demand for this card in perfect condition is so great. The foil is very prone to chipping, scratching, and getting dinged along the edges/corners.

Kenny, I owe you, and will probably spend the next few years trying to make it up to you. Be warned.