Having eBay on our smartphones can both be a blessing and a curse. I've used it to easily search for and buy cards when I otherwise wouldn't have been in front of a computer. In fact, I can't remember the last time I've actually been to eBay's website on my computer.
The problem is that it's a lot easier to screw up a bid. I recently did this for the Matt Sauer 2018 Bowman Chrome autograph pictured above. At the time, most were selling in the $2-$3 range. So I put in a very low bid of $1.75 to see if I'd win. However, my less than agile thumb hit the 7 twice. So my bid was actually $1,775. Oy!
Upon a google search, I saw that I could visit eBay's website and go through a process to retract my bid. But I don't like it when I've had people retract bids on me. Plus I didn't want to go to the website versus the app. I also knew that this card wasn't going to skyrocket, so I was pretty safe winning it for a decent prize. I let it ride out, and ended up winning the card for $7.50 plus shipping. It's more than I would have paid on it's own and I probably could have gotten one in the $4 range, but oh well. I'm happy to have it and it's a fun story.
Maybe the seller saw my bid and felt bad, as he tossed in 12 Bowman cards to protect the autograph. I haven't found any Bowman in stores, so I guess it's like I ended up with a pack that contained an autograph of a prospect on my favorite team.
And remember to double-check your bids before pressing "submit"!

I collected baseball cards from the late '80s through 2002. Then I went to college and when I came out, I was lost. There were too many brands, sets, choices, relics, autos, parallels, variations. It was a turn off. However, I slowly made my way back. So here is my attempt to venture back into the hobby. I'll buy a few packs of cards here and there, comment on some cards I have, send out some TTMs, and follow the progress of my Topps Yankees Project.
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Thrice as nice
The latest Topps NOW card in my possession arrived at a time when I'm feeling pretty good about the Yankees. They've won 17 of 18 games and have showed some serious resolve over that span. The winning streak has been against the best the AL has to offer, so that makes it all the more impressive.
This card is from the wee days of season, April 4 to be exact. Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez, and Aaron Judge each hit 2-run homers in that game.
While these guys hitting homers isn't particularly rare, I thought having a card featuring all three of them would be pretty cool, even if it leaves a bit to be desired since each player is squeezed into a third of the card. Although I shouldn't complain given the same tactic was used to jam 4 Dodgers pitchers in one card after their combined no-hitter.
Anyhow, the Yankees will endure some rough patches this year, no doubt. But for living in the NOW, I'm a happy fan.
This card is from the wee days of season, April 4 to be exact. Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez, and Aaron Judge each hit 2-run homers in that game.
While these guys hitting homers isn't particularly rare, I thought having a card featuring all three of them would be pretty cool, even if it leaves a bit to be desired since each player is squeezed into a third of the card. Although I shouldn't complain given the same tactic was used to jam 4 Dodgers pitchers in one card after their combined no-hitter.
Anyhow, the Yankees will endure some rough patches this year, no doubt. But for living in the NOW, I'm a happy fan.
Saturday, May 5, 2018
Prime numbers
5 is a prime number.
It's actually my favorite number. Growing up, I always tried to be #5 in sports. My older brother's # was 5, so I sort of inherited it. I was #5 on my high school baseball and soccer teams. I even wore a silver chain with a #5 pendant on it. I've since retired wearing that because I am old and don't view myself as cool any longer.
This card is also my fifth different 2005 Donruss Prime Patches card, one of the most confusing/frustrating sets in existence. It is a triple relic featuring two bat pieces and a jersey. I also have a single relic, quad relic, jumbo relic, and number patch. And there are still many, many more out there. I'll chase them down one by one, but will never have them all. Still, it's always cool to add another Tino Martinez to my collection.
This is #847, which is not a prime number. But that's ok. Next prime number in my Tino collection? 853. I'm six away!
It's actually my favorite number. Growing up, I always tried to be #5 in sports. My older brother's # was 5, so I sort of inherited it. I was #5 on my high school baseball and soccer teams. I even wore a silver chain with a #5 pendant on it. I've since retired wearing that because I am old and don't view myself as cool any longer.
This card is also my fifth different 2005 Donruss Prime Patches card, one of the most confusing/frustrating sets in existence. It is a triple relic featuring two bat pieces and a jersey. I also have a single relic, quad relic, jumbo relic, and number patch. And there are still many, many more out there. I'll chase them down one by one, but will never have them all. Still, it's always cool to add another Tino Martinez to my collection.
This is #847, which is not a prime number. But that's ok. Next prime number in my Tino collection? 853. I'm six away!
Friday, May 4, 2018
Sometimes, the simplest cards can elude you
It always makes me laugh when I think about simple cards
missing from my Tino Martinez collection. I always feel like there aren’t many
early 1990s cards I haven’t unearthed, but then all the sudden I’m like, “wait,
I don’t have the 1994 Donruss base card?”
This happened recently when all-around nice guy Kin reached
out with this 1993 Pacific.
I was sure I had it, but still checked my “have” list. Would
you look at that? It wasn’t there. Somehow, in my 20+ years of collecting Tino,
and in all the times when I’ve bought 100-card lots for the two I didn’t have,
this card wasn’t there.
Kin sent me two copies and apologized because each had a
little paper loss. That’s what happens to 25 year old cards. They stick
together! It doesn’t matter to me. I’m just happy to add it the 1993 section of
my Tino collection.
It’s Tino #23 for 1993 and #846 overall.
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Can't help myself
Have you ever seen one of those couponing shows? The ones where people go to the grocery store and buy 25 tubes of Aquafresh because the deal was too good to pass up?
I feel like that with cards sometimes.
Do I really need three Tino Martinez 1998 Donruss Crusades?
No, I don't. But in this instance, I saw one with a low minimum bid and somehow scooped it up.
I wouldn't do this for any card, but I do think this is one of the greatest insert sets of all time, and these cards are pretty rare. Still, do I need three of them?
Probably not.
Remind me of this post when I'm showing off my 10th Tino Crusade in the year 2025.
I feel like that with cards sometimes.
Do I really need three Tino Martinez 1998 Donruss Crusades?
No, I don't. But in this instance, I saw one with a low minimum bid and somehow scooped it up.
I wouldn't do this for any card, but I do think this is one of the greatest insert sets of all time, and these cards are pretty rare. Still, do I need three of them?
Probably not.
Remind me of this post when I'm showing off my 10th Tino Crusade in the year 2025.
Friday, April 27, 2018
TTM Success: Yankees 2017 First Round Pick
I've been seriously slacking with sending out TTM requests. I haven't sent one in over a month. Every time I have a few moments to myself, I haven't been motivated to spend the time to write a letter to a player. Usually I go in waves of being very motivated and not being motivated at all when it comes to TTMing. This is one of the times where I'm falling in the camp of the latter.
Still, with a lot of outstanding requests, it's always nice to come home to a surprise PWE with my hand-writing on it. In this instance, I was thrilled to open the envelope and find this:
A success from 2017 Yankees 1st Round Pick Clarke Schmidt! Cool!
Schmidt has yet to suit up for the Yankees organization as he recovers from Tommy John surgery that he had in college. Still, he projects very favorably, and the Yankees feel like they got a starter with a bulldog-type mentality for lower than that he would have gone had he been healthy at the time of the Draft. Hopefully the risk pays off!
I'm not sure if Schmidt will see time this season, but I look forward to him returning to the mound and moving quickly through the Yankees minor league system. I had a lot of hope that James Kaprielian would be that guy for the Yankees, but after he was traded, Schmidt is going to fill that void for me.
Thanks for the awesome signed cards, Mr. Schmidt!
Still, with a lot of outstanding requests, it's always nice to come home to a surprise PWE with my hand-writing on it. In this instance, I was thrilled to open the envelope and find this:
A success from 2017 Yankees 1st Round Pick Clarke Schmidt! Cool!
Schmidt has yet to suit up for the Yankees organization as he recovers from Tommy John surgery that he had in college. Still, he projects very favorably, and the Yankees feel like they got a starter with a bulldog-type mentality for lower than that he would have gone had he been healthy at the time of the Draft. Hopefully the risk pays off!
I'm not sure if Schmidt will see time this season, but I look forward to him returning to the mound and moving quickly through the Yankees minor league system. I had a lot of hope that James Kaprielian would be that guy for the Yankees, but after he was traded, Schmidt is going to fill that void for me.
Thanks for the awesome signed cards, Mr. Schmidt!
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Blog Bat Around: My All Autograph Team
Kudos to Zippy Zappy for a very fun and creative Blog Bat Around.
My all autograph team! Being a pretty big autograph collector, I felt like this was one I definitely wanted to think about pretty heavily.
ZZ gave a few guidelines, but I also imposed a restriction on myself: all autographs must have been obtained by me via TTM. I don't have a huge certified autograph collection, but that does remove a few players from consideration, like Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks. Sorry, guys.
Now that those parameters are in place, I decided to not only list out my starting line-up, but I blew it out a little more and created a full organization.
Catcher: Yogi Berra
1B: Tino Martinez
I have better statistical 1B I could have chosen. Mattingly. McGwire. Konerko. But I have to give the nod to my favorite all-time player as my starting 1B.
2B: Joe Morgan
This was a tough decision for me. Originally I penciled in Bobby Richardson, but this really isn't as close as I tried to make it, despite how annoying Morgan was on Sunday Night Baseball. Did you know he played for the Big Red Machine and that they would have beaten the '98 Yankees?
3B: Adrian Beltre
Graig Nettles would have been a strong contender for this spot, but he was mean to me when I met him in person. No place in my organization for that. So I'll go with a future HOFer in Beltre.
SS: Phil Rizzuto
Another HOFer at short. I wish it was Jeter or ARod, but not a bad consolation prize here.
LF: Tony Gwynn
Ok, so he only played 51 career games in LF. Good enough for a spot in my OF.
CF: Mike Trout
Iconic RC (not a reprint) of the best player in the game. Was lucky enough to get this c/o the Arizona Fall League a while back.
RF: Aaron Judge
I may have autographs of more accomplished young hitters, but Judge is turning into a terrific all-around hitter and outfielder. I need some power and OBP in my lineup, so he gets the start in right.
DH: Hideki Matsui
I was at the 2009 World Series Game 6 when Matsui had 6 RBIs, leading the Yankees to the clinching victory in their last WS. He brings the clutch gene to my lineup.
Here's my bench, consisting of a backup 1B, backup 3B (and knuckleballer), RH pinch-hitter/outfielder, and backup catcher.
Bench: Don Mattingly
Bench: Jorge Posada
Bench: Juan Gonzalez
Juan Gone provides the power as a pinch hitter.
Bench: Wade Boggs
SP1: Clayton Kershaw
While not the greatest signed card (still no idea how I got this one, as it wasn't the card I sent), it still counts. Kershaw gets the Opening Day nod, although maybe wouldn't start Game 1 of a playoff series. (bad joke, I know)
SP2: Ron Guidry
Lefties go back-to-back in this rotation.
SP3: Roger Clemens
You could slot any of these guys anywhere in the rotation. Clemens goes 3rd to split up lefties on each side.
SP4: Andy Pettitte
This was a tough call, but Pettitte is a warrior and shuts down opposing teams after any loss.
SP5: Whitey Ford
I guess this is W. Ford versus Whitey Ford. He is the fifth starter because of his cranky TTM response to me, and he's getting skipping in the rotation if we have any games postponed for rain. CHECK OUT THE CRANKY TTM RETURN HERE.
Spot Starter/Long-Man: CC Sabathia
Closer: Mariano Rivera
Reliever: Andrew Miller
Reliever: Dellin Betances
Reliever: David Robertson
Reliever: Rafael Soriano
Reliever: Lee Smith
SSPD/Inactive: Goose Gossage (suspended for season without pay for constant remarks detrimental to the organization)
Manager: Ralph Houk
Bench Coach: Joe Girardi
Pitching Coach: Larry Rothschild
Hitting Coach: Chris Chambliss
3B Coach: Phil Nevin
Did you know he's the current Yankees 3B coach?
1B Coach: Roy White
40-Man:
15 players yet to make their MLB debuts, or never made it to the show.
Front Office:
GM: Brian Cashman
Ass't GM: Bob Watson
Ass't GM: Al Rosen
Play-by-play TV: Harry Doyle
Color Commentator TV: Jerry Coleman
Play-by-play Radio : Michael Kay
Color Commentator Radio: Paul O'Neill
Celebrity Fan: Billy Crystal
There's my organization!
Instead of honorable mentions/just missed, I created an opposing team, because my squad needs someone to play, right?
Catcher: Sandy Alomar Jr.
1B: Mark McGwire
2B: Ryne Sandberg
3B: Eddie Mathews
SS: Gil McDougald
OF: Al Kaline
OF: Pete Rose
OF: Vladimir Guerrero
DH: Albert Belle
SP: Mike Mussina
Manager: Tony LaRussa
My all autograph team! Being a pretty big autograph collector, I felt like this was one I definitely wanted to think about pretty heavily.
ZZ gave a few guidelines, but I also imposed a restriction on myself: all autographs must have been obtained by me via TTM. I don't have a huge certified autograph collection, but that does remove a few players from consideration, like Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks. Sorry, guys.
Now that those parameters are in place, I decided to not only list out my starting line-up, but I blew it out a little more and created a full organization.
- Full 25-man roster, including: Starting lineup, Bench, Starting pitching staff, Relievers
- Major League Coaching Staff
- Suspended/Inactive
- 40-man roster: 15 Additional Players yet to make their MLB debut
- Front Office
- Play-by-play TV/radio teams
- Celebrity Fan
- Opposing Team
Catcher: Yogi Berra
1B: Tino Martinez
I have better statistical 1B I could have chosen. Mattingly. McGwire. Konerko. But I have to give the nod to my favorite all-time player as my starting 1B.
2B: Joe Morgan
This was a tough decision for me. Originally I penciled in Bobby Richardson, but this really isn't as close as I tried to make it, despite how annoying Morgan was on Sunday Night Baseball. Did you know he played for the Big Red Machine and that they would have beaten the '98 Yankees?
3B: Adrian Beltre
Graig Nettles would have been a strong contender for this spot, but he was mean to me when I met him in person. No place in my organization for that. So I'll go with a future HOFer in Beltre.
SS: Phil Rizzuto
LF: Tony Gwynn
Ok, so he only played 51 career games in LF. Good enough for a spot in my OF.
CF: Mike Trout
Iconic RC (not a reprint) of the best player in the game. Was lucky enough to get this c/o the Arizona Fall League a while back.
RF: Aaron Judge
I may have autographs of more accomplished young hitters, but Judge is turning into a terrific all-around hitter and outfielder. I need some power and OBP in my lineup, so he gets the start in right.
DH: Hideki Matsui
I was at the 2009 World Series Game 6 when Matsui had 6 RBIs, leading the Yankees to the clinching victory in their last WS. He brings the clutch gene to my lineup.
Here's my bench, consisting of a backup 1B, backup 3B (and knuckleballer), RH pinch-hitter/outfielder, and backup catcher.
Bench: Don Mattingly
Bench: Jorge Posada
Juan Gone provides the power as a pinch hitter.
Bench: Wade Boggs
SP1: Clayton Kershaw
While not the greatest signed card (still no idea how I got this one, as it wasn't the card I sent), it still counts. Kershaw gets the Opening Day nod, although maybe wouldn't start Game 1 of a playoff series. (bad joke, I know)
SP2: Ron Guidry
Lefties go back-to-back in this rotation.
SP3: Roger Clemens
You could slot any of these guys anywhere in the rotation. Clemens goes 3rd to split up lefties on each side.
SP4: Andy Pettitte
This was a tough call, but Pettitte is a warrior and shuts down opposing teams after any loss.
SP5: Whitey Ford
I guess this is W. Ford versus Whitey Ford. He is the fifth starter because of his cranky TTM response to me, and he's getting skipping in the rotation if we have any games postponed for rain. CHECK OUT THE CRANKY TTM RETURN HERE.
Spot Starter/Long-Man: CC Sabathia
Closer: Mariano Rivera
Reliever: Andrew Miller
Reliever: Dellin Betances
Reliever: David Robertson
Reliever: Rafael Soriano
Reliever: Lee Smith
SSPD/Inactive: Goose Gossage (suspended for season without pay for constant remarks detrimental to the organization)
Manager: Ralph Houk
Bench Coach: Joe Girardi
Pitching Coach: Larry Rothschild
Hitting Coach: Chris Chambliss
3B Coach: Phil Nevin
Did you know he's the current Yankees 3B coach?
1B Coach: Roy White
40-Man:
15 players yet to make their MLB debuts, or never made it to the show.
Front Office:
GM: Brian Cashman
Ass't GM: Bob Watson
Ass't GM: Al Rosen
Play-by-play TV: Harry Doyle
Color Commentator TV: Jerry Coleman
Play-by-play Radio : Michael Kay
Color Commentator Radio: Paul O'Neill
Celebrity Fan: Billy Crystal
There's my organization!
Instead of honorable mentions/just missed, I created an opposing team, because my squad needs someone to play, right?
Catcher: Sandy Alomar Jr.
1B: Mark McGwire
2B: Ryne Sandberg
3B: Eddie Mathews
SS: Gil McDougald
OF: Al Kaline
OF: Pete Rose
OF: Vladimir Guerrero
DH: Albert Belle
SP: Mike Mussina
Manager: Tony LaRussa
So here's how the lineups stack up.
Who you got?
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