Topps Diamond Giveaway Haul

On Christmas Eve, I received my Topps Diamond Giveaway haul. Overall, I shipped seven cards. First and foremost, here is the main attraction: a 2011 Diamond Die Cut of Mark Teixeira. I also have a Sabathia, so this brings my total to a whopping two.

I also grabbed two cards from the early ‘80s. I have this Nettles card, but it’s autographed, so I replaced that copy with this one. As for the Murcer, I actually think it’s my first card of him. I did have a 1978 Cubs one on the site, but I traded for this since he was in a Yanks uniform.

Lastly, here is my Roy White portion. Not sure why, but once I got two Whites I tried to get a few more. I was really happy to land the 1969 one. The worst conditioned one is probably the 1976, which is a little disappointing because it seems like those wouldn’t have been too hard to track down.

Overall, I’m pretty happy with my haul and had a lot of fun on the site.

Original Andy Pafko painted sketch card

I hope that Matt from Heartbreaking Cards of Staggering Genius doesn’t mind me showing off this card, as it’s now in his possession. You see, I was assigned Matt as my Secret Santa in Bad Wax’s Secret Santa/Hanukkah Harry idea. I received Matt’s wish list and I was able to knock a few cards off that. I wanted to send him a little something extra, so I took a spin around his blog and came to realize that he was an Andy Pafko collector, and that he also liked the 2011 Topps Diamond Die Cut cards.

Since Pafko wasn’t included in this set, I decided to make one for Matt. I found a picture of Pafko that I liked, and started drawing. He was actually featured in a Dodgers uniform, and I took the liberty to make him a Brave instead. I tried to copy the look of my CC Sabathia Diamond Die Cut. I even cut the edges so it was a true die-cut. It didn’t come out perfectly, but I was happy enough with it to begin painting.

I’m not convinced this is my strongest painting. I have an assorted pack of sketch cards with different card stock, and I don’t think I used the right one. It was a nice, thick card, but the paper wasn't perfect for this. The acrylic paint I used dried too fast and it was tough to blend colors for the sake of shading. I think the red background came out pretty well, as well as the diamond in the background.

Anyhow, Matt said very kind things about the card HERE. I’m glad he liked it and that it’ll be a positive addition to his Andy Pafko collection.

Shipped!

I just got the following email from Topps-

1969-BB-TS1-25-NA  Roy White                       1  12/20/11  SHIPPED
1973-BB-TS1-25-NA  Roy White                       1  12/20/11  SHIPPED
1975-BB-TS1-375-NA Roy White                       1  12/20/11  SHIPPED
1976-BB-TS1-225-NA Roy White                       1  12/20/11  SHIPPED
1981-BB-TS1-365-NA Graig Nettles DP                1  12/20/11  SHIPPED
1982-BB-TS1-208-NA Bobby Murcer                    1  12/20/11  SHIPPED
2011-BB-DDC-DDC-14 Mark Teixeira                   1  12/20/11  SHIPPED

Looking forward to receiving my haul. I'll post when they arrive, which should be by Christmas I would think.

The Diamond Giveaway got me thinking...

The Diamond Giveaway got me thinking…

In-pack gimmicks and promotions nowadays drive to websites, and rightfully so. It’s easier to track results and certainly cuts down on having to deal with envelopes and postage. I can’t imagine how much different some older gimmicks, such as Collector’s Choice You Crash the Game, would have been with a simple online hub.

I remember the first You Crash the Game I ever pulled was Barry Bonds (it was 1995), and the homerun date listed on his card was actually in the past by a few weeks. Do you know how I found out if that card was a winner? I called the sports editor’s number on the local paper and asked. He graciously answered my question (Bonds didn’t homer), although a few times after that I did the same thing and they started to get mad.

The few that did win, usually you had to sign the back of the card and then send it in with a check or money order for few bucks for shipping, and they’d (in this case Upper Deck) send you back your prize. Sometimes it was a special card of that player, other times it was a mini set. It was exciting to win and anxiously await your prize.

I’ve been wondering how a game like this would work in today’s collection environment. I’d assume there would either be a code on the card that you redeem on a website. I would personally love to see something like the old You Crash the Game cards with a date that a player must accomplish the feat listed, and if you win you redeemed it online for a prize. The collector could even have an online portfolio of prizes/cards that could be traded or shipped. Sounds like the Diamond Giveaway, actually, although your prize would be tied to a player’s performance as opposed to just a random code.

What do you think? What old promotion would you like to see brought back with today’s technology?

A little bit of Topps Update

I was able to locate and purchase a couple packs of Topps Update. I didn't get anything to write home about, but it was nice to open a few packs. I like this product and seeing players in their new uniforms. I actually didn't pull any Yankees in my pack, which I was bummed about. I want a big ol Bart Colon in a Yankee uniform card.

I pulled the of the Liquorfractors. I don't really understand them, but I don't hate them either. The Dee Gordon is already gone, but the Kohn and Barney are available. I clearly didn't do the Gordon card justice by turning it on its side and scanning it with these other cards. It's easily one of the best cards of 2011 right up there with the Casey Blake from Series One.

A few more inserts. That's an Al Kaline Diamond Anniversary card, a Big Puma Topps 60, a Kimball Champs Andre Dawson, and a Gold Cliff Lee All Star #'d to 2011. Does anyone have a Yankee legend Diamond Anniversary shiny to trade for the Kaline?

There are some great photos in Update. As aforementioned, the Dee Gordon is super cool. These three cards stuck out to me as well, although the Blanco was hard to tell who was who at first. He is obviously the catcher, but it's a little odd when the subject of the card isn't 100% of the focus. It's either a force out or a horrendous job of blocking the plate.

I also grabbed a Diamond Giveaway code and unlocked a 1955 Chuck White. I should have kept it instead of making dumb trades. I traded it for a Corey Hart Diamond Die Cut, and then traded that for an Aramis Ramirez which then turned into a Torii Hunter. I'm still trying to turn that into a Yankee. Maybe I should have been more patient with a 1955 card? Sigh.

One lucky diamond

Today as I was logging onto the Topps Diamond Giveaway site, I looked on the right hand side of the "recently unlocked" cards. Now, I have no idea how truthful this portion of the site is. It could be a looping list of 200 cards for all I know. I don't really believe in "runs" either - if you see a few old cards on that list that you'll get one too.

Regardless, I do usually look whenever I go to sign in, just for the fun of it. Today something caught my eye:

Upon closer view:

Now, I know next to nothing about this player. Michael Crotta. No idea. But still, how cool would it be to unlock this card or one like it? I can't even imagine the money some of these will fetch. All I know is that someone just got very lucky, and that someone was not me.

Diamond Giveaway Fakeout

Over the weekend I picked up a few packs of 2011 Topps Update. One of the packs contained a Diamond Giveaway code card, which I was actually pretty pumped about because I hadn't done a thing on the site in about three months since I had my Sabathia Diamond Die Cut shipped. I was left with no cards in my inventory, and thus, no reason to check the site.

So I unlocked my code, figuring I'd get a 1988 Topps common. Well, my heart nearly sank when I saw this card because at first glance I thought it was Hank Aaron, even though the Aaron from this set is a different color. Total fakeout...I thought I had struck gold! It was a quick first glance, you would have thought it too. Anyhow, a 1955 card! Not only is this an awesome set, but anytime I can grab vintage from that long ago I'm all for it. Maybe I can even get a comparable Yankee out of it in return.

I then used my dig to unlock a Brooklyn Dodgers ring, and then the site told me I also had received a free code to redeem! Nice! I was sure that this would be my 1988 Topps common. Nope! 1976 George Foster. Not bad at all!

So while the fakeout was a bummer, I consider this a very successful haul from one code.

Sabathia Diamond Die Cut arrives!

Last week, I mentioned that I had my CC Sabathia Diamond Die Cut shipped. I was tired of getting offers like a 1987 Tim Stoddard for it. It got tiring logging in every day and seeing the same offers from the same people, over and over. Maybe I should have been more patient, but I got annoyed and had the card shipped.

As most of have already said, the cards are really nice in hand. Thick cardstock, nice shine, and a cool effect on the diamond. The die cut looks great and it's one of the more attractive cards I've seen in awhile.

It is definitely a thick card. I tried to compare it to a regular 2011 Series One card.

Shipped!

I was going to hold off toward the end of the Diamond Giveaway and see if the offers improved as traders got more desperate, but I've heard the cards are really nice so I wanted to see what it's all about. I had the lone card in my account shipped to me today and anxiously await its arrival.

Did I jump the gun? I just got tired of the same traders trying to pry it away for crap...I declined the same offers from the same people over and over. I'm sure if I mentioned a few screen names you would recognize them as well. Since Series 2 came out I did notice an increased of trade proposals, and most were either junk for my card or a Diamond Die Cut one for one of a team I don't really care about. I got a lot of offers to trade mine for Billy Butler or Mark Reynolds. I figured no one was going to offer me a Rivera or Cano, so I'm happy to own the CC.

I now have zero cards in my account, which is a little sad.

Livian Hernandez? I thought it was Livan

I have noticed a ton of spelling errors and typos on the Topps Diamond Giveaway site. At least they finally changed "Ozzy" to "Ozzie." That was embarrassing. Here we have Livian Hernandez. Not Livan. In fairness, right below it does say "Livan." Either way, decline! Over and over.

Diamond Giveaway: Braves DDC for a Yankee DDC

A few weeks ago, I decided that any Diamond Die Cut that I acquired would help me eventually acquire a Yankee DDC. I traded a few cards from the 1970's for a Brian McCann. Over the weekend, someone accepted my offer and I turned the McCann into a CC Sabathia. Not sure if I'll sit tight or try to turn CC into Cano or Teixeira, but I'm pretty content for now,

Brian McCann Diamond Die Cut

In the Topps Diamond Giveaway, I've been trying with all my might to trade for a Yankee Diamond Die Cut. However, after weeks of offers, I still couldn't get my hands on one. I did manage a few small trades in the process, acquiring a few 1970's Yankee cards. So I figured I might as well try and trade for any Diamond Die Cut, as I felt that would increase my chances of eventually flipping it for a Yankee.

Well, yesterday I logged into my account, and lo and behold, found this in there and I've already received a few trade offers for it:

McCann is a nice player though I'm completely indifferent about him. However, I feel decent about my chances of flipping this for a Yankee. Perhaps Nick Swisher or maybe even Teixeira. Unless someone offers me a great lot, including some 1950's Yankee goodness, I'll probably start offering this card around in the next few days.

What did it take for me to acquire the McCann you ask?

1974 Tom McCraw
1976 Rick Dempsey
1978 Stan Bahnsen
1983 Steve Carlton Timeline
1988 Celio Guante
1991 Hensley Meulens

I'm not upset losing any of these cards. The Dempsey was most popular in terms of trade offers, but it was never for much. This new trade chip is much nicer.

Who is Ozzy Smith?

Nice work, Topps! Or should I say Tops? Poor Ozzie deserves better.

Another Diamond Giveaway Trade

A few days ago, I traded a 1974 Topps Jim Merritt for a 1975 Topps Rick Dempsey. After that, I started to get a few offers for the Dempsey. Is there something special about this card that I didn't know about? I checked eBay and there are plenty listed for around $2, so I don't really think so. Anyone know?

Anyhow, someone offered me a 1976 Dempsey (Yanks), a 1977 Fran Healy (Yanks), and a 1978 Stan Bahnsen (Expos) for my '75 Dempsey. Two Yanks and three cards overall from the '70s? Done deal. I only had four cards up to this point, and wouldn't mind grabbing some more trade bait, so I figured it was a smart deal on my end. I'm not up to six cards from the four codes I redeemed.

I got:

 

For my:

Diamond Giveaway - two trades made

I made my first two trades in the Topps Diamond Giveaway (unless you count rings as trades). The first trade was one that I offered:

I traded a 1974 Jim Merritt for a 1975 Rick Dempsey. No real method here, just figured a a Yankees card from the mid '70s was more valuable of a trade chip than the Merritt. If I can upgrade to an earlier 1970s card or late 1960's card, I'll be happy.

The second trade was offered to me and I accepted it, well because it was crap for crap. And I figure anyone who wanted my card must have really wanted it to even go as far as requesting it. I received a 1991 Topps Hensley Bam Bam Meulens for my 1988 Ivan Calderon.

Not big trades, but still fun to move two cards.

Diamond Giveaway targets: Diamond Die Cuts

I don't have any real goals in the Diamond Giveaway. There are no Topps cards that I need for my Tino Martinez collection. I'd love to add some older Yankee cards that I don't have, but the cards I've unlocked aren't sexy enough to land something from the 1950's or early 1960's.

I've actually set my sights on these two cards - 2011 Diamond Die Cuts. I think these are pretty cool, and there a bunch of Yanks...current players and HOFers. These are the two I'd like in particular:

Of course, I'd love the ARod or Mo or Mantle or Ruth, but these guys might be more realistic. I think I'll have to unlock a few more cards to give myself a better chance...as of now I only have two 1974's (Jim Merritt and Tom McCraw) and two 1988's. However, it's fun to actually have a target and something to pursue.

My Diamond Giveaway Ring Collection

I have only redeemed four codes, and now have four rings. I started with a Diamondbacks, Astros, Senators, and Colts rings, and now I have the four below. It was fun trying to get them, but not I don't have much left to accomplish. It's annoying though because now I log on to the site and I have 200 trade offers for these rings.

Diamond Giveaway rookie here - your thoughts and observations?

I wasn't around to participate in the MCG, so the Topps Diamond Giveaway if my first experience with unlocking cards and virtual trading. I just logged on for the first time since unlocking some cards a few months ago. I have two 1988's (which no one will want, trust me) and two 1974 cards. Neither is particularly good, but I do have some trade offers for both. Mostly, it's an 1980's common for one of my 1974's. I'll probably decline, but I wanted to ask your experiences and strategies. What worked best when offering or considering trades? Was it mostly a common for a common from sets around the same years? Did packaging cards together tend to work to land a better card? I don't expect anyone to share their personal strategies...mostly just observations on how it worked the first time around for those of us (or just me) who participated in the MCG.

I also have a four rings, and someone accepted my offer for a Yankees ring and a Reggie Jackson ring. The problem is now that I have a Yankees ring and I have 40 offers for it every time I long on...but I want to keep it. I'm a Yanks fan. Is there a way to make a ring (or card for that matter) off limits? I don't want to sort through hundreds of offers for my Yankee ring everyday.

Amazing trip to the local card shop!

I live in New York City. We don't have many card shops in Manhattan. I'm sure there are some in the Bronx and Queens and Brooklyn, but in Manhattan, it's slim pickings. It just so happens that I live only four blocks away from one of them - Alex's MVP Cards on East 89th Street. I'd never been there, so while I was out Saturday afternoon buying some over-priced dress shoes for work, I headed up to take a look.

I walked in, and it's pretty tiny is my first observation. It's on a side street, so I guess I wasn't expecting a huge space. But this was teeeny. The left side of the store has cards, the right side has comic books. Not my thing. There was a very nice older women behind the counter, and a grumpy man in an old mesh hat and sweat pants looking through 550-count boxes of cards. Sounds like a typical card shop, right? There were also two kids, probably 11 or 12 years old, buying a few packs and looking at singles. I could tell they didn't have a lot of money to spend and were thinkign very carefully about what they wanted to buy.

I ventured over to the singles box, hoping to find a quarter bin or 10 for a dollar type deal...the kinds of sales you see at other card shops. Now, things cost more in Manhattan in case you didn't know. The $1 menu at McDonald's is the $1.49 menu here. You get 20 McNuggets for $3.99? We get them for $4.99. Movie tickets cost you $11? $13.50 here. You get it. So why should these bins be different? The cheapest cards were $.50, and most were $2. All Yankee base cards were at least $2. The Mickey Mantle 2011 Topps base card (#7) was for sale for $5 (!!!!!). Wow. I laughed to myself because I knew I wasn't going to be buying any singles. So I went to the counter and bought two empty 550-count boxes for storage ($.75 each), and then I grabbed a pack of 2011 Topps hobby. The woman said, "we also have the jumbo packs for $12, and you have a better chance of an autograph or a relic." What the heck? I've never pulled a relic card, and only once gotten an auto in a pack. I grabbed a jumbo and put the other pack back.

The two kids were intrigued, and as I mentioned I could tell they didn't have much to spend. They were buying old packs, and deciding on what to spend their last dollar on - a pack of 1992 or 1993 Upper Deck. Barf. So I told them, "Guys, I'm going to have a lot of extra cards from this pack, so you can have whatever I don't want." They were pumped.

I spend $13.50 - $12 for the jumbo pack and $1.50 for the boxes, and I rip open the pack right at the counter. I can see it's full of inserts...I can see a shiny, as well as some Topps 60s and reprints. I slowly go through each card, and when I get to my first Topps 60, I couldn't believe what I saw:

Yep, a Robinson Cano Topps 60 Relic! I have never, ever pulled a relic of any kind, so to pull this Cano, a Yankee mind you...I was ecstatic! But I played it cool and I said to the woman, "I'm glad you sold me on the Jumbo, look at this." She was happier than I was. She said that most people don't open the packs in the store, so it was nice to see what I got. The kids didn't even know what a jersey card was, so they thought it was cool as well. I pulled out the inserts and other cards that were decent (Pujols, Mike Stanton, Votto league leaders), and gave 32 base cards to the kids, only after checking to make sure there was no hidden diamond SPs. They of course started to fight over the cards, so I had the lady divide them up evenly and randomly. One kid was happy because he was a Mets fan and got Ike Davis. The other kid couldn't believe I let him have a Jose Bautista for free. Seriously, it was awesome to see how happy they were.

Other cards I pulled in the pack (that I kept):
The $5 Mickey Mantle base card ;)
Votto Topps Town
David Price Kimball Mini (I have been pulling Rays cards at an alarming rate lately)
Musial 1957 Lost Card
Teixeira 2004 Reprint
Diamond Duo Hornsby/Holliday
Topps 60 Mat Latos
Shiny Julio Borbon - my SECOND Borbon shiny. The first is heading to Chris at Nachos Grande. Anyone else need this card for their set?
And for good measure, I pulled a Diamond Giveaway and unlocked a 1974 Jim Merritt. So far I have two 1974s and two 1988s. Interesting, and boring.

Anyways, the jumbo pack and the trip to the card store were well worth it. I'll definitely be going back...not to buy over-priced singles or packs, but hopefully for more good baseball card karma.

Diamond Giveaway: second card unlocked

Fail.