Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Product Review- 2009 Upper Deck Signature Stars Baseball
You might be mistaken to think that a product titled Signature Stars, would be loaded with content that would include just that; star players, and autographs. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Promising to deliver (4) memorabilia or autographs per box, you are almost assured of the majority of those hits being non-MLB players. For prospectors who believe that regardless of the current rules defining a rookie card, this is definitely in your wheelhouse. For a current retail price of about $60 per box, it’s a relatively inexpensive gamble to chase autos from the likes of Bryce Harper, Michael Saunders, Chris Tillman, Josh Reddick, Mat Latos, Sean O'Sullivan and Chinese pitcher Fu-Te-Ni! Also find signed cards of Rick Porcello, Matt Laporta, and Matt Wieters. Adding a further element of chase, collectors should look for 2008 USA Baseball Buybacks including signed on memorabilia cards of Andy Laroche, Evan Longoria and Colby Rasmus.
With a pack-out configuration of 20 packs per box and only 5 cards per pack assembling the 100-card base set can be completed with a 2-box purchase as my box yielded 80% of the set. The base set breaks down as such:
Base Set 100 Cards
- Top Prospects-20 Cards
- Base Card High Series Signatures- 65 Cards
- Rookie Signatures- 25 Cards
While inserts and parallels exist in the product make-up they are too lacking to provide any additional element of fun to the pack-ripping experience.
- Base Set Blue Platinum parallel- numbered to 170
- Signature Skills-1:25
- Signed Sealed and Delivered-1:25
- Trophy Winners-1:50
With only one pack remaining in the break, I had already pulled the promised (4) hits. All of which were players from USA Baseball. I got lucky in the last pack with an extra hit. Lo and behold it was an autograph of an actual MLB player- Ramon Hernandez of the Cincinnati Reds. So while being grateful for the extra hit, I still wouldn’t say it made up for the other ‘hits”. So the box contents all told, revealed 92 cards। 80 of the 100-card base set, including 3 RC’s, 7 inserts, and the 5 hits with 0 doubles.
Rookies-
Gerardo Parra, Gordon Beckham, Brad Bergesen
Inserts-
Trophy Winners- Chipper Jones
Signed Sealed & Delivered- Cliff Lee
USA Star Prospects- AJ Vanegas, Christain Colon, Manny Machado, Tony Walters, Yasmani Grandal
Autograph- Ramon Hernandez (Reds)
Auto/Memorabilia- USA Future Watch Kolten Wong #772/799
Memorabilia- USA Star Prospects- Ladson Montgomery, Casey McGrew
Premier Materials- Gerrit Cole Cap Flag Patch #1/4
Come Play NCAA Bracketology!
2007 SP Legendary Cuts Case Break HURRY!!
Configuration: 16 boxes per case. 12 packs per box. 4 cards per pack.
* Two cut signatures per case, on average!
* Hobby First - Look for one Reel History card every 3 cases; the 1 of 1 cards will feature a frame from a vintage filmstrip starring baseball greats Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig!
* Find one numbered autograph or memorabilia card per box!
* Find cut signatures with memorabilia, dual and quad cut signatures, themed cuts, and historical cuts!
PRODUCT BREAKDOWN
Cut Signature Cards - Falling TWO per case, on average!
* Legendary Cuts - Varied numbering
* Inside the Numbers Cuts - Varied numbering
* Hall of Fame Cuts - Varied numbering
* Quotation Cuts - Varied numbering
* Legendary Team Cuts - #'d to 1
* Material Cuts - #'d to 5
* Material Signatures - #'d to 10
* Legendary Dual Cuts - #'d to 1
* Legendary Quad Cuts -#'d to 1
* Historical Cuts - #'d to 1
* Signature Cuts - #'d to 1
Memorabilia and Signature Cards - Combining to fall one per box, on average!
* Legendary Materials and Parallels - Numbered to 299 or less!
* When it Was a Game Memorabilia
* A Stitch in Time
* Masterful Material
* Legendary Signatures - #'d to 99 or less
Regular Card and Inserts
* Base Set(100)
* Legendary Lineage - #'d to 550
* Legendary Americana - #'d to 550
High End Chase
* Reel History - Authentic vintage film strips featuring Yankee legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Quick Hits and Random Thoughts from My Brilliantly Mad Mind
2) Upper Deck Signature Stars is a pretty weak and worthless product. With four hits per box, I don't mind one or two being Team USA inserts but all four?!?! No thanks. Even if one is a flag patch #'d to 4 and there was an extra auto of an actual MLB player, the lack of inserts, parallels and disproportionate amount of Team USA players as hits makes this product a bust in my book.
3) Court Kings looks impressive. While the price point might offend some collectors, I like the fact that this product is bringing Diamond Kings to the hardwood and relying on (primarily) on-card autographs, great design and artwork instead of memorabilia to justify its price point making it the anti-Exquisite.
4) If you have never watched hockey, you really need to. Period. Plain and simple. Speed, hard hitting checks, acrobatic-like play making, fast paced end-to-end action and the occasional fist-a-cuffs. What's not to like?
5) eBay has added a widget/gadget gallery for sellers. Has anyone tried them yet?
6) Indy car racing returns! The 2010 season opens on one of the most technically challenging courses on the circuit in beautiful Sao Paulo, Brazil. Take the vitrual lap through 11 corners reaching speeds in excess of 190 MPH.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Court Kings Makes Incredible First Impression
For more details, click here.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
eBay Trials and Tribulations
In the span of 1-day, I had two incidents occur that I thought were interesting. One much more of a hassle than the other.
First, after listing a 2010 Topps Ricky Henderson Peak Performance Game Used Bat Card, I was contacted by a potential buyer asking if I would accept a money order. Of course, was the obvious answer. Upon completion of the sale (for a whopping $1.80) he sent me this email:
"I will mail payment sometime next week. I will send $5 cash. The sales total was $4.65. Please send back 1 0r 2 quarters. (My sons can use them for laundry).
In addition, please do not tape the container. ( I am assuming he means top-loader) If you have to tape the container please put a piece of paper around the card first as I will be displaying the card in the container about arrival."
Fine, whatever. But first, why would I send you 2 quarters? I'll send you a quarter and a dime. Or hell, I'll send you 35 pennies if I want to. I am the one that accommodated you by taking what you said would be a money order.
Second, what is the deal with the tape? Just weird.
The second issue involved a NM condition 1969 Topps Nolan Ryan. In all honesty I should have had the card graded first but the consignor didn't want to. I listed all noticeable condition attributes and listed PSA's grading standards in the listing. Now the seller is is saying their is a crease, when I said there weren't.
This is the email from him:
"It appears that you did NOT look very closely at the card. It looked fine at first look and I was excited to have such a nice card. Corners were nice....BUT, when I removed it from the top loader (still in penny sleeve) I instantly noticed the CREASE located at Nolan's right knee...slightly above where the knee cap would be. In relatiuon to the card, it would be on the left side of the card. If you blow up you scan to 200% and look at the area, you can see a fine white line in the photo....I missed it when looking at the listing....just saw where you stated Nice edges, NO creases, etc.
Anyway....look at the scan and see if you notice the crease.....I still like the card, but I overpaid pricewise for the card's condition....Look at the scan and let me know if you see the marking. "
So I replied back asking what he thought was a reasonable solution despite disputing whether this surface mark constitutes being a crease and still falling in the grade listed regardless. I'll make it right for the buyer but this is a clear example of the benefits of grading, particularly when it comes to vintage.
TWOT- This Week On Twitter 2/27- 3/5
toppscards You can now get the latest product updates, previews, etc. at our Topps Sports Facebook Fan Page. http://bit.ly/cB5Byy
18 minutes ago via TweetDeck
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GeekTyrant Stephen King's PET SEMETARY Gets a Movie Remake http://su.pr/1u7XCi
about 2 hours ago via web
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DC_NATION DCU: The Source - BATMAN: RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE #1-6, colored and connected: http://bit.ly/93hhB2
about 3 hours ago via API
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LIFE Baseball's Ugliest Uniforms. Ever. http://su.pr/326SEC
about 9 hours ago via Su.pr
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blowoutcards 89 Vintage Bats found in a BARN ..The owner is a member and is selling them individually now...http://tinyurl.com/yeqn7k2
about 9 hours ago via web
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blowoutcards SCN NEWSLETTER: WEEK of 03/01-03/05 Releases http://tinyurl.com/yfw2ojw
about 9 hours ago via web
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SportsCollector 20 Gold Medal Pucks Bring Big Bucks: Three game-used pucks from the Olympic gold medal hockey game have sold. http://bit.ly/adU8md
about 15 hours ago via twitterfeed
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nranews RT @ShootingIllustr: MGM Ironman, the toughest 3-gun competition on Earth - http://bit.ly/aDoGIf
about 23 hours ago via web
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SI_Swimsuit Swimsuit Photo of the Day: 2010 Melissa Satta in Body Paint photographed by Yu Tsai in New York, New York - http://su.pr/1QH8cK
2:00 PM Mar 4th via CoTweet
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gawkertv Beautiful Time-Lapse of the Milky Way over Hawaii http://tv.gawker.com/5485803/
1:33 PM Mar 4th via web
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SportsCollector NY Times offers a primer on buying baseball cards. Nice little PR boost for the hobby: http://tinyurl.com/y956kc8
10:11 PM Mar 3rd via web
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FCBsportscards What's your take on pack searchers? http://bit.ly/9EH8Qj This is what happens when the owner of d-bag site packsearchers com tries to debate
6:47 PM Mar 3rd via TweetDeck
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PaniniAmerica First Look: NBA Adrenalyn Commercial http://www.paniniamerica.net/videos.cfm?vid=179
2:05 PM Mar 3rd via web
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toppscards Breaking: We are pleased to announce that as of today Topps is the Official Card of USA Baseball.
2:02 PM Mar 3rd via TweetDeck
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SI_Swimsuit Swimsuit Photo of the Day: 2010 Irina Shayk photographed by Raphael Mazzucco in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile - http://su.pr/28ucaw
2:00 PM Mar 3rd via CoTweet
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GettyImagesEdit Katharine Hepburn, Marlon Brando, Sophia Loren, Cary Grant, Ava Gardner and more from our SIlver Screen Collection. http://bit.ly/aQOhKy
1:45 PM Mar 3rd via bit.ly
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MLBONFOX MLB players we won’t see much longer http://j.mp/d9WyWx
12:58 PM Mar 3rd via web
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SI_24Seven Baseball America's Top 100 prospects - Baseball America ranks the best prospects in the game, scouts each... http://bit.ly/cyd58L
11:35 AM Mar 3rd via API
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gawkertv This Is A Porsche 911 Being Dropped From A Crane. It's not for the faint of heart. http://tv.gawker.com/5484195/ #cars
10:13 AM Mar 3rd via web
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Auctionreport New blog post: Auction Insider: Bidding Strategy http://www.auctionreport.com/?p=3955
2:12 AM Mar 3rd via Twitter Tools
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FrankandSons TOY FAIR 2010 Gallery: Hasbro’s Marvel Toy Lines http://bit.ly/bxy10J
10:39 PM Mar 2nd via bit.ly
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nranews Media Bias at work - CNN Coverage of the McDonald V. Chicago Case - http://bit.ly/aKDhxM
8:29 PM Mar 2nd via Seesmic
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LIFE Yogi, Spud, Hack: Great Sport Names http://su.pr/5Cleyp
7:30 PM Mar 2nd via Su.pr
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SI_24Seven PHOTOS: 12 Toughest NBA Records to Break - http://su.pr/1kSZw9 /via @si_photos
2:30 PM Mar 2nd via CoTweet
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SI_24Seven PHOTOS: In honor of his 100 point game anniversary, here are some rare Wilt Chamberlain pictures - http://su.pr/1mCYtA /via @si_photos #NBA
2:15 PM Mar 2nd via CoTweet
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SportsCardRadio SportsCardRadio: Show #44 Upper Deck Topps & MLB Legal Battle + 2 Interviews... - http://tinyurl.com/y8vb4v7 - www.sportscardradio.com
1:58 PM Mar 2nd via web
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darrenrovell1 The 26 Under Armour items that players at the NFL Combine receive http://bit.ly/cNzlRw
1:46 PM Mar 2nd via web
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GeekWeekOnline Smashing Pumpkins Release New Song For Download... http://tinyurl.com/yhcggn8
11:35 AM Mar 2nd via web
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PlanetXbox360 Ubisoft Reveals a Splinter Cell: Conviction Xbox 360 Bundle http://bit.ly/9VxcmS
8:38 AM Mar 2nd via twitterfeed
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SI_24Seven PHOTOS: Best Shots from the NFL Scouting Combine - http://su.pr/1ZMLgt #NFL #Draft2010 #Combine
7:58 AM Mar 2nd via CoTweet
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AP The right to bear arms is back before the Supreme Court - this time focusing on Chicago. http://bit.ly/cJBGge -AS
7:11 AM Mar 2nd via CoTweet
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LIFE Dr. Seuss: A Tribute http://su.pr/4XjnFp
3:25 AM Mar 2nd via Su.pr
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BreakingNews A Roman nail dating from the time of Christ’s crucifixion is found in an ornate box at a Knights Templar stronghold http://bit.ly/cw9rtf
2:06 AM Mar 2nd via BreakingNews Headquarters
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SportsCollector 20 Free Vintage Photo Guide for Collectors: Beckett photo advisor David Rudd Cycleback has a downloadable book tha... http://bit.ly/btp7RP
1:48 AM Mar 2nd via twitterfeed
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gawkertv All the Best Moments and Discussion from the XXI Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony http://gawker.tv/5482333/ #olympics #nbc
9:55 PM Feb 28th via gawker.tv
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HobbyKings FREE Contest for Donruss Americana hits from HobbyKings! http://bit.ly/dyYH19 HK Good Luck!
9:16 PM Feb 27th via TweetDeck
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SportsCardNews USA vs. Canada Olympic Hockey Rosters WIth Key Rookie Card ... - http://tinyurl.com/yamxquk
6:00 PM Feb 27th via web
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GeekTyrant Set Pics and Videos from Steven Soderbergh's KNOCKOUT - Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor and Antonio Banderas http://bit.ly/9HMWeB
4:14 PM Feb 27th via TweetDeck
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danicaracing Video of Danica on SPEEDTV Trackside Live: http://bit.ly/9KFFJb
4:02 PM Feb 27th via web
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FrankandSons TRANSFORMERS: WAR FOR CYBERTRON game play revealed http://bit.ly/akeUkh
12:21 PM Feb 27th via bit.ly
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GeekTyrant A Behind the Scenes look at LucasFilm and Pixar's Renderfarms http://su.pr/2J9xvh
12:05 PM Feb 26th via web
Friday, March 5, 2010
Lessons Learned From the Vintage Consignment(s)
The Industry and The Hobby are two completely and totally different entities. The Industry itself, as we know it, could vanish tomorrow, and The Hobby would exist long, long after its demise. People would still be buying, selling, acquiring, trading, upgrading, collating, and completing players and sets.
The past is finite. When you look through newer cards of the game's top players, you have a general idea of whether or not they'll be a Hall of Famer, win a batting title or HR crown. But when you hold vintage cards of guys like Mantle, Aaron, and Clemente, you know for certain the greatness of the player and the legacy they left on the game.
Condition matters. BIG TIME. The characteristic differences between a $500 card and a $5 card, aren't so drastic as to carry a requisite that the $5 card have been inserted into a toaster, bicycle spokes or shoved in ones pocket. No, much simpler flaws that can be attributed to age, storing, and handling like edge wear and corner frays can turn a treasure into a piggy bank.
Simple times. One set per year, released in series, with basic printing technology. By releasing the cards in series, Topps and distributors weren't left with unsold overstock as cards released later in the year had less demand as kids returned to school and football season approached. What that unknowingly did was create some of the first, true short-prints. Creating a demand today for simple commons from Hi Series card sets.
Card backs mattered. Easily overlooked in today's Hobby, the stats and bio on the back were almost more important than the face on the front. Everybody knew what Mickey Mantle looked like but to easily find out what he hit in 1964 required the detailed numbers, carefully organized on the card back.
Variations existed long before parallels. One of the most famous is the White Letter variations from the 1969 set. Resulting from a simple printing error, some of the players last names were printed in white and not yellow as they were supposed to be. True completists of the set feel they must acquire every variation for the set to be considered truly complete.
Oddballs must have been a fun, pleasant change of pace. Whether it was the Fleer Laughlins, Greats of the Game, Kelloggs 3D, posters, booklets, etc., when companies started producing these, kids must have had a field day.
It's fun but it's work. Being organized, keeping track of vintage cards from two different consignors requires a detailed spreadsheet, space, time, and motivation. Sorting, collating, scanning, storing, listing, shipping. You get the idea.
I have yet to truly put even a dent into this project so I am sure more lessons will be forthcoming.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
MLB Properties Sticks it to Upper Deck . . . and Collectors
By now, you have all heard the news of the MLBP and UD settling their lawsuit.I know almost every blogger has an opinion about this and in all honesty this post is more about self-serving therapy than anything, and probably will come off as more of a rant than a well articulated post, but for the record here is my two-cents on the subject at hand.
I don't in anyway blame Topps. The deal to acquire an exclusive license is good business. I get that. I don't like it. I don't support it. I don't think it is good for The Hobby. But I understand it.
However, Topps needs to step up their game, and I mean BIG TIME. Resting on the laurels of history, heritage, tradition, etc is not enough. Several years ago, when the league mandated a reduction in the number of brands produced, I was extremely disappointed because I knew this would result in the elimination of some of my favorites in favor of those craved by Joe Collector and those that are viewed as "kid friendly"
Bowman regular is a redundant brand that pales in comparison to it's big brother, Bowman Chrome. Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects is a confusing brand that took the spirit of the rookie card rule and threw it out the window adding only more confusion to true rookie card designation. Opening Day is simply a waste of natural resources. The marketing resources put into Attax would have been much better served with an advertising campaign as the TCG concept is a joke in this digital age. Topps Town is cute and all but the 3D cards, please. What do you do after you look at it once? Go play MLB2K9 on XBOX or PS3, that's what.
High-end products like Triple Threads and Sterling are poor excuses for card design and Topps has shown little ability to design a truly attractive high-end set. My fear is that know they don't need to. They know plenty of collectors like it and since I can no longer by brands like Ultimate, I'm simply SOL. Brands like SP Legendary Cuts and Sweet Spot defined affordable high-end with great content and great designs.
Topps needs to earn collectors respect and not simply assume, since they are the only game in town, that collectors will pony up their cash.
Bring back Pristine. Bring back the REAL Stadium Club. Take a freakin break from Allen & Ginter a do an update to Cracker Jack. Bring back Signature Edition. Bring back Turkey Red. Bring back Gallery. More importantly, give us something new that DOESN"T SUCK!
Ticket to Stardom? Keep it. Unique? Uniquely aweful.
The statement by Ethan Orlinsky, General Counsel and Senior VP for MLB Properties, was particularly nauseating, "The real winners today are the millions of fans who collect baseball cards. They will be able to clearly identify official Major League Baseball trading cards without any confusion.”
Hey Ethan! I don't feel like a winner. I feel bent over and violated, cheated and robbed, of my freedom of choice!!!
Here are the details that were made public in the settlement:
- Upper Deck can continue to sell three recently released baseball products currently on store shelves: 2009 Signature Stars, 2009 Ultimate Collection and 2010 Upper Deck Series One.
– Upper Deck will pay MLB Properties more than $2.4 million (the entire amount in dispute) for Upper Deck’s 2009 debts.
– Upper Deck will pay MLB Properties a substantial sum of money for the unlicensed cards it sold in 2010. The specific sum of that payment is confidential.
– Upper Deck has agreed not to issue any additional releases of infringing cards. Last year it issued 15 baseball card releases and there are currently only three infringing releases that are in distribution in 2010. (All other scheduled releases for 2010 will be scrapped)
– Upper Deck agreed it will not make any new sets of cards using MLB logos, uniforms, trade dress, or Club color combinations.
– Upper Deck also agreed it will not airbrush, alter or block MLB marks in future products.
– Upper Deck must receive approval from MLB for the use of baseball jerseys, pants, jackets, caps, helmets or catcher’s equipment in future products featuring players.
Exclusive licensing in any way shape or form is bad for the consumer. Myself and others have made this point time and time again. This is simply one more incredible example of the almighty $ winning out over consumer choice.
I can't wait to see what UD does in the future because I have every confidence in their ability to eventually bounce back from this. However in the short-term, I'm angry and sad for The Hobby I love.
NCAA Football Helmets Quiz





























