Plaschke, Thy Sweater Is Argyle

Trade With $30 a week habit: My First Redemption Is A Dirtbag. Plus A Black-Bordered Canadian Kershaw.

2012-02-01T09:45:00.000-08:00

I completed my fifth trade with Robert from the great $30 a week habit. You can check out our first foray here, our second swap here, our third trade here, and our fourth deal here. I spotted and inquired about a unique card Robert pulled and posted, and we soon had another trade in the works. I sent Robert a Clark MacArthur auto and one card from his 1977 Topps needs list, and received these sweet cards in return.

My first redemption (that I'll actually redeem, as I have a pair sitting in my trade box that I may just end up redeeming eventually), and it's of former Long Beach State Dirtbag and current National Danny Espinosa. I've already created a Topps account for myself and entered the redemption code, so the waiting begins. Topps tells me the card will ship on May 10th. So a long wait it shall be. When this redemption arrives - barring any unforeseen acquisitions which could easily occur considering the estimated shipping date above - it will mark my first autograph of Espinosa. Robert also sent along a new Clayton Kershaw I'm stoked to finally have.

Black-bordered cards can't be beat. Not by many things, at least. I also snagged two other cards for a pair of my smaller player collections from Robert's 2009 OPC obsession.

Thanks for another great trade Robert!

The Second Cheapest Alexander Ovechkin Rookie Card You'll Ever See.

2012-01-31T09:45:00.000-08:00

(Card Draft. Go join now!) It's not quite the same as Kevin from The Mojo Beard picking up The Great Eight's Young Guns card for a measly seven dollars, but it is a sweet eBay win nevertheless. I scored this awesome 2005-2006 Fleer Ultra Difference Makers jersey swatch of AO's for a cool $3.25 delivered with free shipping. The seller sent it in a magnetic, which makes the cheap price even better. I'm always game to pick up a magnetic when I can at no extra charge.

Yes, it's a relic from a rookie photo shoot, but it still books high for $30 - for whatever that's worth - and is only the second Ovechkin hit of any kind I own. Ovi is my favorite non-Duck, and my collecting Bucket List has both his Young Guns card and an auto of his on it. One day. One day.

Trade With The Cardboard Don: A Russell Red Refractor and Paul Kariya Fever = More Cowbell

2012-01-30T09:45:00.000-08:00

I completed my fourth trade with Wicked Ortega of The Cardboard Don, né My Past Time.......I Love It!!. You can look over the first deal here, the second here, and the third here. Wicked posted a card he picked up, and I immediately knew I would do what it took to make it mine. After a long wait, we finally came to an agreement and the cards made it my way. One card in particular had me more anxious than someone who's really anxious.

Numbered an awesome 01/25, this is my first red refractor, and I'm more than thrilled to add this beauty to my Russ Martin Collection. Red refractors are just pure amazing, and I'd love to add one of Matt and one of Clayton before it's all said and done. One day. Some day. Soon? I'm also happy my scanner did a pretty swell job with the red. It pops pretty well.

It's an eBay one of one! OH SNAP! I have a surprisingly nice portion of this rainbow done, and I've put exactly zero effort into this rainbow. Sweet.

A trio of Paul Kariya relics rounded out the agreed-upon deal. This brings my Kariya collection to a grand total of four cards. The card on the right of the scan has four nice lines of stitching running horizontally. Wicked also threw in two other very much appreciated cards.

First up is a new, numbered, chromed-out Matt Kemp, checking in at 155/999. These T-206 chrome cards are sick. Kemp looks like he's jumping out and off of the card. Awesome.

The second of the two extras is a gold Manny Ramirez, #'d 0277/2008. I am always happy to add a new Manny as a Dodger card to my ManRam collection. Which is desperately in need of an autograph.

Thanks for the cool trade Wicked! Your cards went out this past Friday and should be there shortly!

Ryan Getzlaf Old-School Goodies and A Trade Bait Card Draft Update.

2012-01-29T09:45:00.000-08:00

The card draft I'm holding still has plenty of space for you fine folks. Come and join the fun! I promise, you will not be disappointed. I'm going to pimp the crap out of this until I can fill it or at least get it mostly filled (/that's what she said). Moving on. Another day, another Ryan Getzlaf jersey swatch snatched from the clutches of eBay for just 99 cents plus shipping. This one, however, is a two-for-one.

The front features a sweet Getzlaf swatch, and the back isn't your typical back, as it has a piece of a Mike Cammalleri jersey from his days as a Los Angeles King. Two colorful pieces is a BIG plus.

My Ryan Getzlaf PC is a happy PC. My dirty scanner is a sad scanner, as it needs to be cleaned.

Ryan Getzlaf Rookie Relics Are Addictive. Oh, and Really Cheap.

2012-01-28T09:45:00.000-08:00

I'm holding a trade bait card draft! There are seven to nine spots remaining, and all the information can be found here. Moving on, the latest in my line of cheap Getz relic pickups from the Bay. It ran me just One eBay (99 cents plus shipping, as coined by Andy of Community Gum). It makes for a swell addition to my Getzlaf Collection.

Another photo shoot relic? Yes, but beggars can't be choosers. Plus, it's cheap and looks great. That's a winning combination in all aspects of life kids.

Trade Bait Card Draft, People Needed To Reel In Said Bait.

2012-01-27T09:45:00.000-08:00

I'm only about the fiftieth person this year to hold one of these, but I've been collecting some bait for quite some time and decided this would be a fun way to go about dispersing it. I've set aside a mix of autos, relics, vintage, rookies, and some other randomness.

No, Erin Hawksworth will not be available to be the first overall pick (or any pick, unfortunately). But I know Blogger will make the above picture the picture that appears in people's blogrolls, so I figured what possible bait could be better to lure in drafters. Plus, I like Erin Hawksworth. If you didn't already know.

Here's the pertinent information. The bait I have consists of baseball, hockey, football, and basketball. Yes, all four of the major sports. That's just how I roll. I'm looking for 10-12 participants, and each spot in the draft will be $20, with shipping included. I'm not exactly sure how many rounds there will be, but it'll be at least 12, and I feel more comfortable in saying the participants will just draft until I run out of cards to give away. Obviously, the exact number of you guys and gals involved will also determine the rounds and number of cards. Payments will be made through PayPal - as a gift - to plaschkethysweaterisargyle@yahoo.com. If you need to pay via another method, comment as you would normally and then e-mail me to set things up. I'm flexible in this regard, though PayPal is preferred and the easiest way to pay.

When paying, please leave the comment box and subject line empty. I have addresses for many of you, and I'll deal with that aspect as the draft progresses.

Those of you who have traded with me in the past know I strive to make every transaction an enjoyable and fulfilling one for both parties, and I intend to do the same with this draft. You won't be disappointed if you participate. Daddy will treat you right. That was only mildly creepy, I know. But hey, that's my middle name: Gregory "Mildly Creepy" Zakwin. The ladies love it. Well, they don't really love it, but I don't care. Bitches be crazy.

Anyhoo, in terms of the draft order, I think a randomized offering of all of the participants to give us our first round order is the fairest way. From there, each person moves down a spot in each subsequent round. So, if you're randomized as the first overall pick in round one, you'd then draft second in round two, third in round three, and so on, while the last person gets the first pick the second time around and so on and so on. Again though, I'm flexible with draft order, and am more than welcome to take your suggestions, particularly from those who have been in these sorts of drafts before. I aim to please.

The final point is how the cards will be presented. I've seen previous drafts group cards into rounds based on sport, auto, relic, etc etc. I've also seen everything listed up-front and a veritable free-for-all take place. I'd imagine people would prefer the latter, but let me know what you'd like and the majority will carry the day. My personal preference is just to have everything ready to go.

I'd ideally begin the draft at the end of next week or the beginning of the following week, so somewhere between February 2nd and February 6th. The exact date will be determined by how quickly I can get all of the cards scanned and ready to go.

Interested in grabbing a spot? Leave a comment and send your payment.

1. The Diamond King (PAID)
2. Spiegel (PAID)
3. jaybarkerfan (PAID)
4. Tunguska
5. Brad's Blog
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
---------------- (if enough interest) ----------------
11.
12.

Trade With DocHoloday: PC Additions (Milestone Included), Dirtbags, and A Man Named Julio With A Beautiful Signature.

2012-01-26T09:45:00.000-08:00

I completed my first trade with Matt from DocHoloday. I spotted some needs and wants from a trade bait post of his, and we had a deal in the making. In exchange for a couple of Sox relics and some random BoSox - which you can see here - Matt sent me a couple of hits and some great PC additions. But he didn't stop there, as he basically sent over team sets and near team sets from a bunch of different releases. I can't possibly scan them all, so I'll scan the hits and the major PC gets.

I love that Julio Teheran has such a legible and clean signature. I've sorta been after one of these for some time, and I don't really know why. But I'm happy to have one, and if I ever decide to not be so interested in owning it, I doubt I'd have trouble sending it to a good home or flipping it should Teheran live up to the big potential he has. Cracking that stacked Braves rotation is probably his biggest obstacle.

This is the second Weaver Lineage 1975 Mini Relic I have, and they're slightly different from one another in the makeup of the jersey swatch. I really, really, really dig these Lineage mini relics. Job well-done Topps.

Next up on the docket, a new and awesome Russ Martin. I love die-cuts, and this is a really great design. While I've been fortunate enough to land a number of sweet Russ hits, I still need plenty base, parallels, and inserts of the former Dodger backstop, so I'm always happy to add one or more via trade with you fine folks.

A Longo RC! Always pleased to add a card of one of the greatest Dirtbags to have ever laced 'em up. Love the action shot and the design. Double whammy.

A pair of nice additions to smaller PCs. I'm a BIG Heyward fan (the amount of injuries he's had to already deal with is ridiculous) and I have high hopes for Lee and the rotational depth he'll add when he debuts and sticks in the show.

Kemp! Kershaw! Matt sent me five new Mattys and three new Claytons, all very much appreciated. The Kemps bring me to 150 unique cards on the dot, and the Kershaws push me over the 110 unique card mark. Sweet! The Kemp/Ethier is the Target Throwback version with the sweet umbrella logo and cardboard back.

And finally, some awesome randomness, because I found them to be awesome. The Jansen, like the above Kemp/Dre, is the Target Throwback version. The "rookies" of Jerry Sands, Rubby De La Rosa, and Javy Guerra are awesome.

Much thanks Matt! I look forward to many more trades in the future!

Trade With The Daily Dimwit: Alex Gordon Stars in "UD Masterpieces: The Most Beautiful of On-Card Graphs"

2012-01-25T09:45:00.000-08:00

I completed my sixth trade with the great Sam of The Daily Dimwit. You can find the first here, the second here, the third here, the fourth here, and the fifth here. This latest deal was a simple and straightforward three cards for two cards trade. Sam has a distinct knack for pulling cards of guys I collect. First it was Russell Martin, and more recently it's been Long Beach State Dirtbags alum. But before I show off my latest LBC addition, the prize of the deal on my end was this absolutely stunning Alex Gordon 2007 Masterpieces Stroke of Genius RC on-card autograph.

This instantly becomes one of the two centerpieces of my small but growing (haha) Gordon collection. I've said it time and time again, but on-card can't be beat, and UD Masterpieces signatures are only rivaled and equaled by Ginter autos. The blue pen on the canvas just works; it pops, it's nails. When the color of the autograph matches the color of the team, life just seems to be smooth and pleasant.

The last of the two cards I received is the above Danny Espinosa Refractor RC swatch from 2011 Bowman Sterling. I should clarify: I think it's a refractor. It doesn't say so anywhere on the card, but I've seen these listed some places as refractors. Meh. It's my first hit of the former Long Beach Stater, and makes for a nice, new, and different addition to my Dirtbags PC.

Thanks as always for another fantastic trade Sam! I wasn't able to hit up the post office this past weekend, but your cards were packaged up days and days and days ago, and will most certainly go out before the weekend is over. My apologies, good sir.

A Look At The (Current) Future Of The Anaheim Ducks.

2012-01-24T09:45:00.000-08:00

I've made my fandom of Ryan Getzlaf no secret, sharing pickup after pickup of the Ducks' Captain. While Getz is by far my favorite Duck and favorite hockey player, I'm also a fan of many of the young Ducks. I was able to land a pair of Young Guns cards of two of the better Ducklings, and they mark the first Young Guns I'll permanently have in my collection.

First up, Cam Fowler. While I collect the other young Anaheim d-man, Luca Sbisa, more heavily than I do Fowler, I couldn't pass up this Young Guns card of the 20-year-old for roughly three bucks. I'm still in need of a Fowler auto, should anyone reading this have one and be willing to part with it. I like that Fowler is sporting his old number 54 in the above photo, which was Bobby Ryan's old number as well. Ryan is my second favorite hockey player and the second largest part of my hockey collection.

The second YG addition is of young third-line centerman Nick Bonino. I was stoked when we acquired Nick and former Duck goalie Timo Pielmeier from the Sharks for role players Travis Moen and Kent Huskins. Bonino, the Boston University product, was finally given a long look with the big club this season, and has impressed with six points in fifteen games and responsible play in the defensive zone. I always love cards with great photography, and both of these fall into that category. I love this particular photo, as Bonino is playing against his former team. Fuji, any idea which Shark that is? I'm leaning towards Marc-Edouard Vlasic, but please correct me if I'm mistaken.

I'm still on the hunt for a handful of Ducks' Young Guns, most prominently Getzlaf's, as well as those featuring Bobby Ryan, Corey Perry, Jonas Hiller, Luca Sbisa (as a Flyer), Kyle Palmieri, and Devante Smith-Pelly.

My David Wright Collection

2012-01-23T09:45:00.000-08:00

David Wright is my favorite non-Dodger, and a guy I wish was a Dodger. I've been fortunate to trade for a few Wright relics and his 2001 UD XRC, and was even more fortunate to find two of his signatures for very reasonable prices online (with one being free). It's about time I scanned all of my Wright hits and got 'em posted on the interwebs, so here we go. You can find all of these Wrights at the top of the blog in a tab with the PC of my favorite non-Dodger pitcher, Mr. Cole Hamels. First up, a pair of autographs.

Next up, my two David Wright Rookies.

And finally, the Wright relics I own.

Domo Arigato, Mr. This Card Is Cool-boto.

2012-01-22T09:45:00.000-08:00

I know, I know. Wah wah. First and foremost, I did borrow Fuji's idea. Hopefully I don't get shut down because of it. The idea was a necessary one because thanks must be given to Ryan from This Card Is Cool and his new venture, Chaos and Kanji (Cardboard Zoo too). Ryan sent along a pair of new Russ Martins, for no other reason beyond being a swell guy.

These new Martins push my Russ PC over the 180 unique card mark. Thanks Ryan, enjoy Japan, good luck with your new life, and I'm sure we'll trade again at some point! At which point I'll toss in something extra for these Martins and the other three cards you sent my way! Oh, and this is what popped into my head when I though about Japan:

A Bargain-Basement Jerry Sands Bowman Sterling Rookie Autograph.

2012-01-21T09:45:00.000-08:00

Another cheap eBay purchase, another Jerry Sands autograph. I've been fortunate enough that the two have gone hand-in-hand a number of times thus far in my time collecting Jerry's John Hancocks. Hopefully that trend will continue. My latest Sands addition was scored for just 99 cents plus shipping:

So shiny! Dirty scanner not withstanding. It's a "rookie" autograph from 2011 Bowman Sterling. I'll give Topps credit for the sticker not being so obvious, though of course an on-card auto, like Sands' 2010 Bowman Platinum signatures, would have been more enjoyable. I need to get all of my Jerrys scanned and posted; it'll happen....eventually.

Trade With DodgerBobble: A Rubby De La Rosa Auto Classes Up The Joint.

2012-01-20T09:45:00.000-08:00

I completed my second trade with my good buddy DodgerBobble, who runs your one-stop shop for all of your bobblehead news. I sent DB a Ramon Troncoso auto and one of my Matt Kemp '08 Ginter relics, as well as some good old fashioned randomness. The prize of the deal for me was one of a handful of Rubby De La Rosa rookie signatures DB had plucked from eBay:

Sick. De La Rosa is recovering from Tommy John surgery, but his future in the organization is bright. Which of course means we must keep Ned Colletti away from him at all costs.

Next up, a new Clayton Kershaw, the base version /799 from 2011 Topps Tier One. I'd love to one day get my hands on a Kershaw auto, as well as a Kemp auto, from Tier One. Love the look of them, but they're well out of my price range at the moment.

And finally, a few items of note. First, a new Russ Martin. National Chicle is ridiculously aesthetically-appealing. My UCLA and Long Beach State PCs were helped with the #'d XFractor Weaver, Chicle Longo, and a not scanned Mojo Drew card. Any LT is a good LT in my book. I love the 1989 Topps wrapper, a set from the the year of my birth - and one of the first sets I put together when I reentered the hobby - featuring one of my favorite Topps designs.

Thanks for the great cardboard swap DB!

Ryan Getzlaf Asks, "Is There Anything Better Than An On-Card Auto?"

2012-01-19T09:45:00.000-08:00

I wrote recently about my desire to add some bulk to my Ryan Getzlaf Collection, with a particular emphasis on picking up some autographs of the hulking centerman. Today I present a pickup that fits both of those yearnings, Getzlaf Auto # 4.

On-card baby! Add in a nice two-color swatch and a very reasonable price (a ten spot) and this addition is even sweeter. I really dig these 2008-2009 ITG Superlative Auto/Relics. A great job by Brian Price and the ITG crew. Here's the back of the encased card for your viewing pleasure, and it brings up an interesting point. Well, I find it interesting.

As you can see, it's the Silver Version and numbered 1 of 50. I find this interesting because it's a similar numbering to another card I own. If the above Getz looks familiar, it's because I picked up the below one right around the same time I snagged this one from eBay. And wouldn't you know it, they're both denoted as 1 of 50.

How that's possible, I don't know, but I also could care less. My best guess is that ITG is saying each of these cards is one in a print run of fifty. Either way, it's a pair of sweet Ryan Getzlaf signatures, and two distinctly different jersey pieces. I'm a happy lad. Even happier with a new picture of Erin Hawksworth to debut.

My Ryan Getzlaf Collection

2012-01-18T09:45:00.000-08:00

Ryan Getzlaf is by far my favorite hockey player, and thus makes up the bulk of my hockey collection. I love the skill set he brings to the table: great vision, great hands, an overpowering shot (which he doesn't use near enough, but is getting better at), and a tremendous amount of physical strength which allows him to manhandle opponents. Here's my Getz Collection thus far, and there's now a tab at the top of the old blog to showcase it and any new arrivals. First up, the autographs:

Next, relics galore.

And finally, the lone rookie card of the Regina native I own. I'm still on the hunt for an affordable copy of his Young Guns card from 2005-2006 Upper Deck.

Meeting Clayton Kershaw Again! Now With More Sick, Awesome Inscriptions, So You Know It's Good.

2012-01-17T09:45:00.000-08:00

Clayton Kershaw is known by many - not by nearly enough people, mind you, but by many - as one of the game's elite pitchers. Sick swing and miss ability and a fantastic repertoire of pitches have led Kershaw into the upper echelon of baseball hurlers, and 2011 brought with it a Cy Young. What many may not know is that Kershaw also does fantastic charity work in Africa through his foundation, Kershaw's Challenge. This past weekend and into the early portion of this week, Clayton and his wife Ellen have been traveling around on a book tour to promote their book Arise. I had the opportunity to meet the Kershaws and pick up a signed copy of the book on their stop in Porter Ranch.

The Kershaws appeared at a Ralphs, and thankfully I have a great friend in DodgerBobble, because without him I may not have had the opportunity to meet Clayton for a second time. I had originally planned on going to the book signing at The Grove, but had decided against that due to an unknown parking situation (I hate parking with an intense passion). I was then going to hit up the appearance Clayton and Ellen were making at a church in Gardena. I received a text from DB Sunday morning informing me that Kid K's promoter was expecting 2000 people in Gardena, while the Porter Ranch appearance - scheduled from 1:00-3:00 - featured about fifteen people at eleven in the morning. Needless to say, I raced into overdrive, and left my house at 12:13. I made it all the way up the 405 and to Ralphs just after quarter to one. By the time I arrived, there were about 30-40 people in line, so I found DB and Teresa, said hey, and grabbed a copy of Clayton's book. DB and Teresa introduced me to Scott from Lasorda's Lair while I waited in line, and we chatted for a bit. It was then that I decided to grab a second copy of Arise, what with the $11.73 price tag (with the Ralphs Rewards Card discount; I was originally willing to pay $25 for the book) cheaper than I had anticipated. I struggled picking a second inscription after quickly deciding on the "2011 NL Cy Young" you see above, and debated back and forth with myself until finally settling on the below "Dodgers # 1".

Clayton was his usual kind self, and he's an extremely easy athlete to chat with. As I stepped up to the table, he commented on my shirt, which read "Once a Dirtbag, Always A Dirtbag," an homage to the great baseball team of my current educational institution, Long Beach State. I said that I was attending Grad School there, and Ellen congratulated me on that. I joked with Clayton that picking the second inscription was tough, and mentioned one I had considered, which got a rise out of him. I got a picture with the happy husband and wife, and was on my way and out of the Ralphs sometime around 1:30ish. I hung around with DB, Teresa, and Scott, as DB hoped to get outside items signed, but was unfortunately unable to as only the book was eligible for Clayton's John Hancock.

The line quickly died down, and it was criminally short the entire afternoon. I mean, it's Clayton Kershaw, for heaven's sake. Yeah, there were other events to go to, but still. It must have been nice for KKKKKKKKKershaw not to have to sign for hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people, though of course you could buy as many books as you wanted, so he probably signed his name hundreds of times in the end. Waiting around after grabbing the pair of books led me to a realization: for just under twelve bucks, why not get another? I'm not going to get this opportunity handed to me on a golden platter all that often, with no one in line to meet Kersh. I bought another, and went for the inscription I had mentioned to Clayton a few minutes before, the one that got a laugh from him. And damn, was it ever worth it.

That's right. Who has two thumbs, a huge smile on his face, and is the only person on the planet with a Clayton Kershaw autograph with a sick inscription that reads "Texas Two-Step!"? This happy guy, that's who. Why this inscription, you ask? Well, Clayton is from Texas, and it was one of the first things to pop into my slightly crazed mind as I stood in line. Also, I knew it would be unique, and just thought it was funny in general.

When I went back to get the third book signed, Clayton recognized me, and I joked that I justified buying the third book because I also bought a fourth, which has a special purpose. Clayton said he couldn't Texas Two-Step, to which I replied that he still had plenty of time to learn, but certainly had more impressive and important skills to give to the world. I snagged another picture with the young couple, and was off and on my way home around 2:00-2:15. When we all departed, there was basically no line. Again, a shame, but it certainly benefited us.

All in all, a tremendous morning and early afternoon, as I was fortunate enough to meet one of my favorite players and snag three awesome autographs I will cherish forever, with three great inscriptions and a truly unique, one-of-a-kind inscription to top it off. On a side note, I just realized that Mrs. Kershaw signed "E Kershaw" twice and "Ellen Kershaw" once. There's really no point I'm making beyond the fact that it took me this long (well over a day) to realize that. Anyhoo, I need to first and foremost thank Clayton and Ellen Kershaw for all of the great work they do in Africa, and for being willing to sit down for a few hours and meet their fans. Ralphs and Clayton's promoters deserve a boatload of credit for running a smooth and extremely efficient signing. And last, but certainly not least, another huge thanks to DodgerBobble for letting me know how short the line was and how cheap the book was, because without your help my good friend, I wouldn't be able to write this here post.

Another Ryan Getzlaf Rookie Hit? Don't Mind If I Do.

2012-01-16T09:45:00.000-08:00

A quick post today on another awesome and cheap eBay pickup for my Ryan Getzlaf PC. I snagged this '05-'06 Fleer Hot Prospects jersey swatch of the Ducks' Captain for 99 cents plus shipping off of the Bay.

I love the bright orange swatch, the old-school third jerseys, and the action shot of Getz looking to dish the puck. Yes, it is a photo shoot jersey piece, but I like it nevertheless, and at least Fleer is upfront and honest.

I've got a big post coming up tomorrow, and I can't wait to start writing it and putting it together. Good, good stuff upcoming.

A Pair Of Recent and Cheap eBay Purchases: Baron Davis and Luca Sbisa Autographs

2012-01-15T09:45:00.000-08:00

A pair of recent pickups, and cheap pickups at that.

This Baron Davis auto is pretty sweet for a couple of reasons. First, it's an on-card auto. Second, it features Baron in his UCLA attire. Third, Davis has an awesome beard now, and I'm a man who appreciates good facial hair and sick beards. For a buck twenty-nine from my LCS's eBay store, it's even sweeter. Also, this is one supremely aesthetically-pleasing piece of cardboard. I absolutely love the design of the 1999-2000 UD SP Top Prospects Vital Signs set of signatures. All in all, a nice addition to my UCLA PC.

I'm a big, big, HUGE Luca Sbisa fan. I was stoked when the Ducks acquired him in the Chris Pronger deal, and with Cam Fowler, the Ducks have the makings of a dynamite blueline for the next decade, especially with some great reinforcements on the way in Matt Clark, Sami Vatanen, and a handful of other guys with upside. Also, when you routinely see stuff like this, it's hard not to like the guy. A 99 cent winning bid and two bucks to ship it my way.

Trade With Nomo's Sushi Platter: Some PC and Ginter-y Goodness.

2012-01-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

I completed my fifth trade with Spiegel of Nomo's Sushi Platter. You can check out the first here, the second here, the third here, and the fourth here. I sent Spiegel a few cards he had requested, as well as some random Dodgers. In return, I received four set needs towards completing 2011 Allen & Ginter (one base, one Hometown Heroes, and two Animals in Peril).

Spiegel also sent along a slew of cards for a variety of player collections, and hit up my UCLA and Long Beach State PCs as well. My favorites are above, and Spiegel's favorite is below. Hands off!

Thanks Spiegel!

I Sold My First Card On eBay! Victor Cruz Salsa Danced Some Cheddar Into My Wallet!

2012-01-13T09:45:00.000-08:00

I had always been interested in flipping a card or cards on the Bay, but I was too lazy. Hell, I had this particular card that I finally ended up selling almost listed, but was too lazy to have eBay call me. Anyhoo, after finally going through with it I couldn't be happier with the results. Here's the card I listed and sold, and the only time I plugged it on the blog:

One of the hottest names in the hobby, mister salsa dancer himself, Victor Cruz. I grabbed this from my LCS's eBay store sometime early-ish in 2011, for just 99 cents. I only bought it because it was a buck, and I knew as a Giant Cruz carried inherent value, though I knew nothing of him at the time. I'm sure I figured I'd end up trading it to B.A. Benny, but once Cruz started putting up huge numbers I felt it was appropriate to flip the card and make a profit of some kind.

After finally getting the card listed after Cruz's three-catch, 164-yard game on December 24th that included a 99-yard touchdown reception, I chose a seven-day auction with no reserve and a buy-it-now option of $30. Shipping was set at two dollars and fifty cents, and I must say thanks to the owner of my LCS for the advice about listing items and his strategy to maximize profit.

Within a day of the listing going up around 1 a.m. Christmas morning, the card had four bids and was at $15.50. I was ecstatic, needless to say. A couple days passed and four more bids led to a whopping $32+ on the Cruz and my jumping for joy as there remained about four days left on the auction. A day later, however, and the high-bid had reverted back to the fifteen dollar mark as a bidder cancelled their bid because they had entered the wrong amount. I wasn't very pleased, as you might imagine.

The auction remained at a standstill until the final day. It was also right before this that I realized the Cruz would end in the wee hours of New Years Day, before the Giants-Cowboys game. This was a mistake on my part, but you live and learn.

The Cruz ended up jumping back into the low $30 range, and finally closed at $32.23, for a grand total of $34.73 after shipping. Once fees were deducted, I scored $33.42, a nice chunk of change my PayPal account is happy to see. Removing my original investment in the card, I profited $31.43.

All-in-all, I'm thrilled with my first experience as a seller on eBay, and I know I'll partake in it again at some point. I've already spent most of the proceeds from this sale, with the rest ticketed to cover part of a card I need to pay for. I'll post on those when they hit my mailbox.

Trade With Cards From The Quarry: A Mike Piazza Bat Slice, A Numbered Bison, and Some Needed Set Needs.

2012-01-12T09:45:00.000-08:00

I completed my fourth trade with Johnny of Cards From The Quarry fame. You can check out the first here, the second here, and the third here. I sent my Rockies friend an auto, a low, low serial-numbered TriStar card, and a rookie cup card he needed from the 60s. In return, I received these great cards.

First up, a Mike Piazza relic is always a welcome addition to my collection. Especially a bat relic. Next, Johnny knocked off the two remaining SPs I was in need of from 2011 Ginter, as well as a Hometown Hero and the final mini I needed to complete the Step Right Up insert set (in the form of The Human Cannonball). A welcome sight was a pair of 2004 Fleer Platinum cards, as I slowly chip away at that awesome set.

Penultimately, a pair of sweet 2008 Triple Threads cards. Matty and Jackie make a fitting duo. The Kemp, #'d 1336/1350, is a new addition to my Bison PC and brings the total number of unique Kemp cards I own to 145. The Jackie is the Sepia Parallel /525.

Finally, Johnny sent a potpourri of Dodgers, as well as thirteen Troy Tulowitzki cards I did not have, a major help as I slowly build that new PC. I can't imagine how many Tulo dupes he has, and I'm thrilled he sent me a big chunk of 'em.

Thanks for another great trade Johnny!

My Matt Kemp Pentafecta

2012-01-11T09:45:00.000-08:00

First, it was Russell Martin. Now, Matt Kemp joins the Pentafecta Party. Let's get right to the fun.

I'm going to mix up the order on this one, and I'll begin with a Kemp sig. UD Masterpieces is difficult to match in pure aesthetics. Add in a sweet action shot of Matt running the bases, a great design all-around, and an on-card auto, and hot damn! I really wanted to post my Kemp Ginter auto as well, but I'll just link to it instead. Ginter and Masterpieces are neck and neck in my book. It's that whole on-card thing.

My one and only Matthew Ryan Kemp Printing Plate. Picked it up for a steal back in 2011. Wow, 2011 was so long ago, right? Time just flies by at my age.

The patch makes part three of five. This is where the debate could be found, but I firmly contend that any red Dodgers relic is without question a patch, as it originates from the number (in this case, 27, of course), on the front of the Dodger uniform.

Penultimately, a Matt jersey swatch. This Ginter relic has a special hold on me, as I pulled it from the first box of cards I ever purchased, 2010 Allen & Ginter. I was so ecstatic when this popped out way back when. Also, the red Ginter borders of 2010 are the greatest in my opinion. Bright colors are hard to beat as a general rule.

And last but most certainly not least, Matty's true rookie. I also have the chrome and gold versions of this card.

Pentafecta number two is in the books and has been added to the Pentafecta section at the top of the blog. Now all that remains is a Kershaw, and all that stands in my way is tracking down an affordable yet sick patch.

Trade With Vin Scully Is My Homeboy: Russell Martin Likes To Kick It In The Desert With An Underage Clayton Kershaw.

2012-01-10T09:45:00.000-08:00

I completed my first trade with Roberto of Vin Scully Is My Homeboy fame. For those of you non-Dodgers fans unfamiliar with Roberto's site, the man is one of the great bloggers of our time, with scoops and signing information that makes VSIMH an instant classic and a must-read. I met him once in person at a Clayton Kershaw signing, though I doubt he remembers me. Anyways, Roberto e-mailed me out of the blue and told me he had pulled a Russell Martin relic he thought would interest me. It did. Of course it did.

I really dig these ASG relics from 2011 Topps Update. This makes for a sweet addition to my Martin Collection, and pairs superbly with the two diamond parallels of this particular Martin I already own (pictured at the bottom of the post). I'm now in search of this relic with a black swatch and a tan swatch, the other two variations I know of.

I was only expecting the Martin, but Roberto tossed in two Clayton Kershaws I did not have, as well as a Diamond Duos with Sandy Koufax that I have, but am happy to have another copy of. The above Silver Parallel of Clayton's 2006 Just Minors card is #'d 30/200, and considering I love me some unlicensed minor league product, it's a fantastic get and a great addition to my Kershaw PC.

Thanks for the great trade Roberto, and hopefully we'll cross paths at a future signing or the softball tourney in February!

My 55th Russell Martin Hit!

2012-01-09T09:45:00.000-08:00

It's a momentous day here at the Plaschke household, as I'm about to showcase my 55th Russell Martin hit. Why is that important? Martin wore number 55 as a Dodger (and as a Yankee), so this is somewhat in the vein of the always entertaining eBay 1/1 phenomenon. With a 1/1 on my mind, choosing what hit to post was an easy, easy decision.

This marks the sixth Martin 1/1 in my Russ PC, four of which are printing plates. It's the black plate from 2008 Upper Deck X Baseball, and it's a bit dinged up, which shows up most clearly on the back of my newest 1/1. I'm really in love with this plate, from the rounded corners to the aesthetically-pleasing look of a black plate to the great photo of Russ looking skyward as he begins to settle in under a pop fly as his just-tossed-away helmet is suspended in mid-air.

I snagged this bad boy off of eBay months and months ago, but never got around to posting it. It was definitely around $15, but I don't remember the exact amount I paid for it. Celebrate. She is.

My Cole Hamels Collection

2012-01-08T09:45:00.000-08:00

Cole Hamels is my favorite non-Dodger pitcher and second favorite non-Dodger overall, behind only David Wright. If you've got any relics or autographs (or Hamels' true RC) that you're willing to trade, hit me up. I'm down to deal and will find something to make it worth your while. I'm especially interested in an auto of the southpaw, as one has eluded me for quite some time. The fact that Hamels is a Southern California native is an added and awesome bonus.

The centerpiece of this collection, a sweet Yellow Printing Plate I acquired in a trade for some vintage Red Sox way back when. I was and am stoked to have this card in my collection.

The best relic I have, an eight-way swatch numbered out of 200 that most prominently also features Brian McCann, Jose Reyes, and Hanley Ramirez. I chose not to scan the other four guys because they're middling players. This was another trade acquisition.

Next up, three more pinstripe jersey swatches. I'm a sucker for a pinstripe.

And finally, two more jersey pieces of the Phillies lefty.

I'm mulling over including a tab at the top of the blog for my Hamels and David Wright PCs, though that's a future possibility, and nothing that I foresee occurring anytime soon.

My Chad Billingsley PC

2012-01-07T09:45:00.000-08:00

I'm an unabashed Chad Billingsley fan. I had some time and finally decided to scan the autos and relics of Bills I have in my collection, as well as a pair of rookies.

The first of my rookie autographs, and I'd love to one day put together this rainbow.

The final of my Bills' rookie autos, and I was stoked to land all three for good deals. The fact that two of these rookie sigs are on-card is just fantastic. Can't beat on-card, I sometimes say.

The rest of my Defiance, Ohio signatures. Now, we venture into relics territory.

And finally, the RCs.

I'm expecting a rebound from Bills in 2012, and I'm more than happy to have him as the Dodgers' # 2 starter. I have not added anything new to my Bills PC - in terms of autos or relics - in quite some time, so a new addition is certainly in order. Off to eBay!

My Chase Utley Trifecta Should Feature Him In A Dodger Uniform

2012-01-06T09:45:00.000-08:00

I may have once upon a time mentioned achieving this Trifecta, but after scanning most of my Utley Collection so it could be pictured with the rest of my UCLA PC, I decided to highlight this Trifecta I completed months and months ago with a post of its own.

As I must painfully mention each time I acquire a new Utley hit, Chase not only attended my Alma mater of UCLA, but was also a Dodger draft pick. In the middle of writing this post, I stumbled upon the fact that Chase was a History major during his time as a Bruin, which makes me like the guy even more than I already do. Drafted in the second round of the 1997 draft by Los Angeles out of a Long Beach high school, Utley decided to forgo signing and instead ply his craft in Westwood.

Utley was once again selected in the 2000 amateur draft after a tremendous junior year and a stellar three years at UCLA overall, only this time around he was nabbed in the first round and signed with the Phillies. What followed, of course, has been a Hall of Fame career as one of the premier second baseman in baseball history with both the bat and the glove.

Oh, what could have been....

A Golden Slice Of Russell Martin's Sterling Bat and Some Sweet Pimpin'

2012-01-05T09:45:00.000-08:00

First, check out the Almost Easiest Super Bowl Contest Part Deux over at Collector's Crack! Some great prizes available for the taking! Now on to today's business. I picked up another needed parallel of a Russ Martin high-end-ish hit. For just $3.24 shipped (a 99 cent winning bid) I managed to snag this gold parallel refractor from 2008 Bowman Sterling.

I'm really pleased with how well the gold hue scanned. This newest Russell - #'d 17/50 - pairs well with the black refractor /25 and the base bat piece of Russ' I already own. I'm really close to the rainbow for this bat relic from Sterling, needing just the refractor /199 version. Unless there's a parallel I'm missing, which wouldn't shock me, considering how many parallels there are nowadays.

Martin hit # 54 is in the books.

Trade With State of The Hobby...I'm Your Average Card Collector: Kershaw and Snider Present The GREATEST Trade Ever.

2012-01-04T09:45:00.000-08:00

I treasure every trade I've made, but good god this one is just on another level entirely. That's no slight against my previous dealings....keep reading, and you'll soon see why I've dubbed this the GREATEST trade ever. Anyhoo, I completed my first trade with Jon of State of The Hobby...I'm Your Average Card Collector. He posted some amazing, sick trade bait way back when, and I quickly jumped on a pair of cards I absolutely had to have. After many moons of picking up chunks of cards for him, I was finally able to put together a small army of hits that was thankfully enough to pry the two cards away from him I so desired. You can see what I sent his way here. My bounty is below. And damn, I'm still delighted by it.

The Duke of Flatbush! This is my first certified autograph of the Dodger legend and Hall of Famer, and second overall, as I traded for a TTM Snider signature once upon a time. To top off an already fantastic card, it's a triple relic/auto, and numbered 97/99. Any Duke autograph is, well, a work of art. I am beyond thrilled to own this card. I've wanted a certified sig of Duke for some time, and to finally own one is a tremendous feeling.

Clayton! Auto! Relic! Exclamation points!!!!! Serial-numbered 46/99 - the base version, not a parallel - this bad boy marks Kershaw autograph number fifteen, and is a welcome addition to my Kid K Kollection. It's my third Clayton Tribute autograph, with the first two of the 2009 iteration of this high-end product.

Jon threw in three cards simply because he's a swell guy, and my favorite of the three, by far, is the above Russ Martin jersey swatch, which I did not own. It serves as Martin hit # 53, and pairs exceptionally well with the gold parallel /50 I picked up off of the Bay a while back.

The other two "throw-ins" were the below 1971 Topps Don Sutton (my first '71, and these are even better looking in person, as it's difficult to beat a black border) and 1959 Topps Solly Drake.

Thanks for the absolutely incredible trade Jon! I'm glad you enjoyed your end of the deal, and I look forward to our next swap, perhaps for those high-end Russ Martins you have. I've got a few Brandon LaFells that are pretty nice and have your name on them.

Ryan Getzlaf and His Superlative Skills Find A Home in My Collection.

2012-01-03T09:45:00.000-08:00

I can't pass up a great deal on a Ryan Getzlaf autograph when I come across one. I just can't. It's a medical condition, I tell ya. Also, I don't have nearly enough Getzlaf autos, although I've made a concerted effort to rectify that malady recently via the always reliable eBay. Today I present the first step of that concerted effort.

This sweeeet ITG Superlative auto/relic of the Ducks' Captain and best player is numbered 1 of 50, and it's the Silver Version. I scored it for a very reasonable $8.76 delivered. The biggest draw for me - aside from the fact that it was a Getz sig I didn't have, and as mentioned my Getz PC is severely lacking in autos - is that it is an on-card auto. The jersey swatch comes from a Ducks home sweater, and I actually own a Getzlaf Ducks home sweater. So that's pretty cool as well. On a side note, I really need to get the C put on my Getz sweater somehow, some way.

I'm working on a Ryan Getzlaf Collection tab for the top of the blog, and that will debut sometime in the near future. Getz has a really beautiful and elegant signature, and I can't get enough of 'em. Hint, hint....

The LFP 2012 Dodger Blogger Softball Tournament: Let's Hit Some Balls Around!

2012-01-02T09:45:00.000-08:00

Who's down for a softball tournament filled with Dodger bloggers and Dodger fans? Mike, who runs the great and entertaining The Left Field Pavilion, has organized such an event, with the proceeds heading off to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. You can find all of the details here.

If anyone who reads this blog is available and in the greater West Covina-ish area come February 11th, I'd love for you to be a part of Team Plaschke. Thus far, Jesse from Los Angeles Inspiration is the sole player on my team. I've mentioned it to a handful of my friends - and I'm hoping to join forces with readers from the other site I contribute to, ChadMoriyama.com - so hopefully we can field a team without asking Mike to put randoms on the Plaschke roster. Not that I would mind, but it's always more enjoyable to field a team with people you already know.

As We Enter The New Year of 2012, I've Realized That People Find Our Blogs In The Strangest Ways.

2012-01-01T09:45:00.000-08:00

I check each and every day to see which posts people find interesting, which generate the most traffic, where that traffic originates from, and what phrases - when Googled - lead people to PTSIA. It's a fun exercise, kills a bit of time, and often leads to some puzzling findings. Such as what two people were looking for before finding my small corner of the internet on this most recent of Tuesdays.

Many of those search keywords are not a shock to me in the least. Erin Hawksworth, Al Rosen, Chase Utley, and the blog's name are all very reasonable, and in the case of Hawksworth and Rosen, staples to the very core of the Plaschke Principle Values. It's that one odd phrase amongst the normalcy, however, that still has me shaking my head. "CLONE FETISH".

Seriously? Erin Hawksworth Fetish, I could totally see. But two people have clone fetishes, and Google thinks my blog represents that. Damn. I'm offended by Google (though I'll never turn down more eyes checking out my musings) because they can't fix the follow function or the Manage Blogs function, down for over two months now, but they can send people to my blog through somewhat creepy fetishes.

Techies. Jeez.

Erin and I would like to wish all of you a very Happy New Year!

Trade With Henchmeister's Junk Blog: Former Dodgers I Wish Had Never Been In Anything But Blue As 2011 Closes Up Shop.

2011-12-31T09:45:00.000-08:00

On a side note, I've listed my first ever item on eBay. The auction ends early tomorrow morning....check it out, especially if you're a New York Giants fan! Anyhoo, I completed my second trade with Chris of Henchmeister's Junk Blog. I sent him a new Jacoby Ellsbury, a Black Diamond Pedroia, an early Papi, and some assorted BoSox. My favorites that I received in return are below.

A numbered Carlos Santana rookie card, 071/999. Oh, what could have been. An interesting write-up on the back must be noted, since it has very little to do with Carlos, compared to what it should say. Which is, you know, anything and everything concerning the player on the front, not two guys who played over one hundred years prior to the release of the card. I'm ranting.

A second-year LT. Future Hall of Famer and always a welcome sight around these here parts. Kudos to Fleer for a great action shot.

A mini Manny, of the Piedmont Back variety. Manny as a Dodger cards are always welcome in my collection, considering he was one of the greatest Dodgers to ever swing a piece of lumber. While I was in Vegas, a guy I was playing against in a poker tournament started talking to me about the Dodgers (I had my LA hat on). One of the many questions he asked was whether or not the club would bring back ManRam. I informed him that no, that would not be happening for a myriad of reasons.

This is an entirely sweet Big Jon card, with a great portrait of the fireballer. I've made it no secret that I'm a huge and unabashed Jonathan Broxton fan, and I wish him all the best in Kansas City. I firmly believe the Dodgers should have brought him back, as his velocity returned after his rehab stint earlier this year before he was shut down. There was very little risk in bringing back a guy who was one of the greatest relievers in franchise history. But no, wasting money on garbage like Adam Kennedy and John Grabow is a far better idea Ned Colletti.

Finally, a sick black-bordered OPC card of former Dodger Hiroki Kuroda. Again, I question the motives and intellect of one Ned Colletti. You choose Aaron Harang and Chris Capuano over Kuroda? Unless Hiroki said he wouldn't return, Colletti Fail© strikes again. And even if Kuroda chose to leave for good, Harang and Capuano on two-year deals? Sheesh. I wish I had stuck with baseball. Anyhoo, I know a certain someone who loves him some 2009 OPC, so he has probably seen and busted more of this product than most of us combined.

This trade post sort of morphed into a Fave Five post, now that I've re-read it. It also marks the end of 2011, a great year in terms of solidifying my collection, especially the main portion of it. Thanks to each and every one of you who I traded with, each person who held a contest, each blogger and blog post that made me think, smile, and laugh, and every single person who makes collecting the wonderfully exciting and joyous outlet it is, particularly during some frustrating and difficult non-card times this year. Our community is an extremely generous and amazing one, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it. Here's to a fantastic 2012 in regards to both cards and life in general for everyone!

Thanks for the trade Chris!

Contest Winnings From $30 a week habit: A 2011-12 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey Half Tin

2011-12-30T09:45:00.000-08:00

As mentioned in yesterday's trade post, I was a winner of a contest over at $30 a week habit. Robert asked what packs I preferred, and I told him anything baseball or hockey would be fine by me. He chose to split a tin of 2011-2012 UD Series 1 with me, and asked if I wanted the left or right side of the tin. I chose left. Why? No reason really, though I am left-footed. So maybe that was it. Or not. Anyways, I hadn't opened a pack in months, since my summer box of Ginter for Gint-A-Cuffs. I should point out my scanning abilities failed me for this post. I digress. The Great 8 on the pack and tin was a welcome sight, and as much as I wanted to scan the lid of the tin, I thought a bulky metal lid in a scanner was a fairly bad idea.

The best of the six packs resides in the above scan. First off, I pulled the base card of my favorite player, Ryan Getzlaf, which was sweet. It's a cool and unique picture of the big centerman, which is just an added bonus. The second-year Taylor Hall card and canvas insert of Anze Kopitar are sandwiched between the Carl Klingberg Young Guns - the only Young Guns card I've ever owned - and a Ryan Miller jersey swatch. The Klingberg and Miller have been offered up to G_Moses, since he's attempting to put together both sets.

Robert also included the boxtopper, of the Capitals Eric Fehr. Cam Hartman, if you want it, it's yours.

Thanks for the cool contest and awesome prize Robert!

Trade With $30 a week habit: A Dirty Teemu Selanne Relic, Ryan Getzlaf, and Matt Kemp

2011-12-29T09:45:00.000-08:00

I completed my fourth trade with Robert from $30 a week habit. You can find our first foray here, our second swap here, and our third trade here. Finding a bubble mailer in the mailbox always puts a smile on my face, so imagine my reaction when I returned home late at night from my recent Vegas trip to find a big box of goodness from Robert. Inside was my end of our latest trade as well as contest winnings from a great contest Robert had held. Here's what I received in exchange for a Leafs autograph and a numbered dual relic of former Ducks backstop J.S. Giguere.

An absolutely sick Teemu Selanne relic. Robert and I have both been utterly stumped when it comes to deciphering what is on this jersey swatch of the Finnish Flash. My best guess is sweat, which Robert postulated might be the case. It's my second dirty relic, and both have come in trades with Robert. Whatever it is, one thing is certain: it's an AWESOME card, and one I'm thrilled to add to my small Selanne PC. A PC that desperately needs a signature to cement it.

Another Ryan Getzlaf relic for the collection, and it's serial-numbered 145/150. Any new Getz hit is a friend of mine. UD Artifacts is a very aesthetically-pleasing set, which is another positive. With Getzlaf encompassing the top spot in my hockey collection, you know the first card had to be sick enough to bump him to a supporting role in this post.

My fourth 2008 Matt Kemp Allen & Ginter relic. I love Ginter, and it's Matthew Ryan Kemp. Simple as that.

Robert also threw in a #'d and chrome-y Andre Ethier, as well as a couple of random Ducks. The contest winnings will get their own post, probably the first week of the New Year. Or perhaps tomorrow. I'm not entirely sure yet.

Thanks for the trade Robert! Hopefully your end of the deal has already arrived!

A Question For Everyone: I'd Like To Propose A Pentafecta? (Russell Martin Sick Patch Edition)

2011-12-28T09:45:00.000-08:00

That's really more of a statement, I know. A recent acquisition has raised a question in my mind, and I felt there was no better way to answer that question than to seek advice and input from all of you. We are all familiar with a Trifecta, the possession of a player's rookie card, a relic of said player, and that player's John Hancock. I'm not entirely sure who started the phenomena, but I've seen Drew from DrewsCards' name attached to many a Trifecta origin post, and Night Owl once displayed his Dodger Trifectas. While I love a good Trifecta, I've felt for some time that the idea could sustain an interesting update. So, I give you my crazy idea of a Pentafecta.

You begin with the traditional Trifecta, and then add the final two layers: a patch and a 1/1. The 1/1 could be any 1/1, though I personally would strive for a printing plate. The above Russell Martin patch - #'d 02/25 - was a sweet eBay score for $5 delivered (the seller also happened to send it in a magnetic, so that was a nice bonus as well). I already owned a couple of cards that could be classified as patches before landing this gorgeous wonder, but they are the type of patches which force you to strain your eyes to see that they are in fact patches.

Anyhoo, I'm much more comfortable now stating firmly that I have completed my Martin Pentafecta. Hence why I'm bringing up the Pentafecta Postulate. Anyways, the last four prongs of the Pentafecta are below. Oh, I do still need to figure out exactly where this Russ patch comes from....

We'll start off with the earliest card, Russ' true rookie card. A simple card, and a nice shot of the former Dodger backstop. It actually took me a pretty decent amount of time to land this.

Next up, one of my many Martin relics. I was stuck between a handful when deciding which to display, but in the end, how could I not feature a sick dual relic with Mike F'in Piazza?

The autograph is the next leg in this trek up Pentafecta Mountain. Again, there were a number I wanted to feature, but I ended up going with my 2007 Ginter auto because Ginter is Ginter, and I love A&G. But damn, I really wanted to show off my Masterpieces Martin signature as well. On-card baby!

And finally, the old 1/1, and as previously mentioned, a printing plate is my choice whenever possible. Topps Finest is a set I really enjoy, and I love this Yellow Finest Plate.

So, now that I've run down my first Pentafecta, what does anyone who has made it this far think? Am I insane, does the idea seem interesting, or is it some combination of both? Would you ever consider putting together a Pentafecta of your favorite player or players?

I've added a "Pentafecta" tab to the top of the blog. My (obvious) next two targets are Kemp and Kershaw. I would say the Kemp is complete, but the patch portion is one that could be argued by some. I am in serious need of a Kershaw patch, that much is indisputable. The Martin patch has been added to my Russell Collection.

The Travails of Player Collecting, Starring Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw

2011-12-27T09:45:00.000-08:00

Collecting specific players is one of the most enjoyable aspects of our wonderful hobby for me, but it certainly brings with it inherent difficulties. When your favorite player or players hit it big, their cards skyrocket in price. Some sign less than others, some sign everything, and some are just plain underrated in the hobby by both card companies and collectors. However, the major issue with focusing the majority of your collection on a few players is that you feel the need - well, at least I do - to make a concerted effort to obtain every card of that player you can get your hands on.

Which brings me to this particular case I'm about to ramble on about. The absolutely beautiful card above features my two favorite players and the two main guys I collect, the should-have-been 2011 NL MVP, Matt Kemp, and the 2011 NL Cy Young Award Winner, Clayton Kershaw. It's the gold parallel of a simple checklist from 2010 UD Series 1, and is numbered to just 99 copies, with the above being the first in said print run. So an eBay 1/1, what with it being 01/99. Oh snap!

I digress. The reason I hinted at the travails of player collecting is because, as you might imagine, owning this card raised the question of whether it would land in my Kemp PC or my Kershaw PC. This was the question I faced when I acquired my first copy of this sick piece of cardboard, and I made the executive decision to place that copy - #'d 88/99 - in my Matty collection. So, this newest Kemp/Kershaw get will head straight into my Clayton Collection, obviously.

When I bought the first copy, I knew I would eventually need a second in order to feel like my collection was worth anything in my own twisted mind. Seeing as how it's numbered out of a rare-ish 99, I wasn't really expecting to come across it again anytime soon, but when I finally did, I would be willing to jump on that auction unless it got ridiculously out of hand.

It finally popped on the Bay once more, and I quickly put in a bid and waited. The auction ended, and I was extremely pleased to take it down for 99 cents plus $2.50 to ship it my way. So yeah, the best $3.49 I've spent in a long time. A grand total of $6.74 for both, just for the record. Damn, I do love eBay.

My question for those of you still with me is this: would you have felt the need to grab a second copy, or would you have been satisfied with just the original and counted it in both of your hypothetical Kemp and Kershaw PCs? Have any of you run into this conundrum before, or do you eschew player collecting as a rule and thus avoid sticky situations such as this one?

Clayton Kershaw Visits With The Legendary Domingo Ayala For A Pitching Tutorial.

2011-12-26T09:45:00.000-08:00

Via the always must-read material that is Vin Scully Is My Homeboy. Roberto, you are truly the best.

Trade With James: Brought Together By A Dimwit, Chase Utley Wishes You A Very Merry and Pinstripe-y Christmas

2011-12-25T09:45:00.000-08:00

Or Hanukkah, for those of you who, like me, skew Jewish. During trade talks for my most recent trade with Sam, he mentioned that a buddy of his had a Chase Utley hit available for trade, and was looking for something Cardinals in return. I had just shipped off my last St. Louis swag in a trade with Simon, so I hit up my LCS and found a nice Jim Edmonds relic. Sam's friend James was game, and the Utley below was soon mine.

An awesomely sweet card with a full pinstripe, plus it's serial-numbered 115/150. A big thanks to Sam for the hookup, and thanks to James for the sick Utley! Enjoy the Edmonds which is presently on its way!

Trade With The Daily Dimwit: UCLA's Chase Utley and Long Beach State's Troy Tulowitzki Are Reppin' My Alma Maters

2011-12-24T09:45:00.000-08:00

I completed my fifth trade with the great Sam, who runs The Daily Dimwit. You can check out our first swap here, our second deal here, our third trade here, and our fourth encounter here. Sam is one of the best trading partners I've had the pleasure of dealing with, and this trade is no different in its awesomeness. Sam sent along two great cards which represent my Alma mater and soon to be Alma mater.

First up, former Dodger draft pick (damn, I'm tired of having to type that and then feel sad inside) Chase Utley, the pride of Westwood. I love Gypsy Queen hits, and I'll never tire of adding a relic of a future Hall of Famer to my collection.

The second and final card is a super sweet parallel from 2007 UD Masterpieces of Long Beach State alum Troy Tulowitzki. This rookie card parallel is numbered 25/50. I'm unsure of which parallel it is, and I'm too lazy - at the moment, and generally-speaking - to go and look through the one blogger's blog that features a Masterpieces Collection like no other. So if anyone knows which parallel this is, I'd appreciate your help. Whatever parallel it is, it's a great addition to my Long Beach State PC.

Thanks for another truly swell trade Sam!

Don Mattingly: Dodgers Manager. Former Yankee. Wearer of Illegal Sideburns. Woman.

2011-12-23T09:45:00.000-08:00

Oh, if only I could embed this video.

That Other Site, In Which I Don't Write About Cards, But Provide Actual Analysis.

2011-12-22T09:45:00.000-08:00

I'm unsure if I ever announced the switch, but Memories of Kevin Malone morphed into ChadMoriyama.com a few months back, and I followed Chad over there and have been writing for his new site. I just wanted to finally mention that, as well as link to all of my 2011 Dodger Seasons In Review I published over there, for anyone who might be interested in reading actual baseball analysis from me. It's an increasingly rare thing, I know, but I plan to rectify that in 2012.

Catcher
1st Base
2nd Base
3rd Base
Shortstop
Left Field
Center Field
Right Field
Starters
Relievers

And for anyone who is still reading, and to keep with the actual theme of this here blog, let me show off my gorgeous 1956 Topps Jackie Robinson again. Because really, I can't possibly ever show that card off enough.

Trade With Cardboard Conundrum: Clayton Kershaw, Philip Rivers, and Some Set Needs. Oh, and Vegas, Baby.

2011-12-21T09:45:00.000-08:00

I completed my fourth trade with Matt of Cardboard Conundrum. You can check out the first here, the second here, and the third here. Matt posted some bait recently, and I bit. In exchange for an auto, a relic, and some Ginter needs, he sent me these two great hits.

Though it was never listed on my Most Wanted List, this Clayton Kershaw 2011 Topps Lineage '75 Mini Relic has been a card I've desired for some time. I had it coming in another trade, but I haven't heard back from that blogger in a while, so I decided I wouldn't pass the card up when I had the chance to secure it again. If I end up with two copies, I won't be disappointed in the least. A sweet addition to my Kershaw PC, indeed.

Another Philip Rivers for my small PC of him. I'm still on the lookout for an affordable Rivers autograph.

Matt sent along this sweet 2011 Allen & Ginter black-bordered mini of the reigning Cy Young Award winner. I absolutely love Ginter black-bordered minis, and this is one badass card of Kid K.

Finally, Matt knocked out a handful of my remaining '11 Ginter needs, sending me two Animals in Peril, the last Uninvited Guest I needed, six Hometown Heroes, and two base cards, one of which (Russ Martin!) is a short-print. He also included three 2004 Fleer Platinum cards I was in need of, which is much appreciated.

Thanks for the great trade Matt!

On a side note, I'm headed to Vegas with the boys for a couple of days. As with my very recent Tennessee trip, I've got posts scheduled for each of the days I'll be away. I'm in the process of putting together packages for a handful of you, and they should go out Saturday when I return, barring anything unforeseen.

Trade With My Best Friend Aaron: He's An Astros Fan, So He Hates Albert Pujols. I Benefit.

2011-12-20T09:55:00.000-08:00

Hate is a strong word. He respects King Albert, but again, is an Astros fan. So I was able to swing a deal for this sweet relic of the newest Southern California baseball player. My best buddy is not a huge card guy, but he pulled this Pujols hit years ago, and I've eyed it for some time.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that I love the throwbacks (I assume) that Albert is wearing. A very aesthetically-pleasing uniform. I've yet to figure out everything I'll be sending Aaron's way, but a Jeff Bagwell rookie card and one of the many doubles of Matt Kemp's 2010 Ginter relic I have are certainly going to spearhead the group of cards he'll receive.

Thanks Aaron for the Pujols and hosting me in Tennessee for what was one of the best weeks of my twenty-two years!

A Viking and An Aussie Walk Into A Bar....

2011-12-19T09:45:00.000-08:00

A pair of recent-ish pickups from my LCS's eBay store. They were too cheap to pass up, and though I had originally expected to toss 'em both up as Trade Bait, I think I might just keep them, as they've sort of grown on me due to being awesome and ridiculously cheap.

First up, a sweet jersey swatch of one of the best backs and players in the NFL, Adrian Peterson. It's serial-numbered 054/299, and ran me a buck and four pennies.

The second of the two additions, and it's #'d 55/99. I picked it up for a cool 99 cents. My shop mentioned there was a small crease above Emerson's head extending vertically, but it's barely noticeable in-hand, and not at all when scanned. I knew nothing of Roy Emerson prior to picking up this autograph of his, and hell, I had never even heard his name before. As the back of the card tells me, he "won 28 major titles in his esteemed career, a men's record", and those wins include 12 Grand Slam singles titles. Nice.

Some Childish Gambino To Pass The Time.

2011-12-18T09:45:00.000-08:00

It's probably cold wherever I am at this moment. Cold and Southern. And BBQ-y.

Happy Saturday....

2011-12-17T09:45:00.000-08:00

How I Live My Life, Presented By Ron Swanson.

2011-12-16T09:45:00.000-08:00

My Second Football Game Ever!

2011-12-15T09:45:00.001-08:00

Yeah, I'm lame like that. I'm pulling for the Jags and proud UCLA alum Mojo Drew. Beat those Falcons!

And what the hell....

Contest Winnings From The Card Hobbyist!

2011-12-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

I was one of a number of winners in a contest over at The Card Hobbyist. I won three cards, and my two favorites can be seen below.

On the left we have a 1962 Topps Howie Koplitz RC, and on the right, a 2010 Topps Chrome Retail Exclusive Rookie Refractor featuring one of the best young QBs in the game, Sam Bradford. Dennis, if the Tiger interests you, drop me a comment and I'll set it aside for you.

A big thanks for the cool contest and the sweet prize package Patrick!

Site News: I'm Off To See Snow? God I Hope So.

2011-12-13T05:40:00.000-08:00

I'll be out of town and out of state beginning today and running through the 19th. Wherever shall I be, you're probably not asking? Well, I'm off to Tennessee to hang with my best friend, who's a Grad Student at the University of Tennessee. It'll be my first time off of the West Coast in any extended fashion, so I'm really looking forward to an awesome trip filled with amazing Southern food, snow (which I've never seen), and a Falcons-Jaguars game. Which, of course, means I'm pulling for the Jags and Mojo Drew.

I've got some posts scheduled for the upcoming week I'm away, and they feature a little bit of everything: Erin Hawksworth, maybe a bit of opinion, cards, and some randomness. Feel free to e-mail me while I'm away if we're currently engaged in trade talks or you'd like to start talks, though I'm not sure if I'll be on a computer beyond participating in my best friend's fantasy basketball draft. I tend to use these excursions as a way to get away from things like the internet, Facebook, and what not. I'll try my best to keep up with as many blogs as I can while I'm away, though I doubt I'll comment at all.

Anyhoo, enjoy your week everyone, and I'll be back with a post on the 20th before I depart for a quick trip to Vegas.

Ned Colletti, Value, Prospects, and A Complete Disconnect

2011-12-12T09:45:00.000-08:00

Value is a funny thing. We debate it when it comes to major awards like Most Valuable Player, and often infer it from team accomplishments when trying to assess the contributions of an individual. The one thing I believe we can all agree on, however, when it comes to value, is that Ned Colletti has no conception of it.

None whatsoever.

The man has proven that to be true time and time again, and in varying ways (the recent trade of Dana Eveland for two mediocre, raw prospects not withstanding). It's evident with his recent signings of over-the-hill veterans whose best days are behind them, or who were for all intents and purposes never-weres to begin with. These signings waste money and years and take up roster spots from younger players who are both cheaper to keep on the roster and have a little something called upside. Ivan DeJesus is not going to be any worse than an aging and terrible Adam Kennedy, and in all likelihood he'll be better. There's certainly the chance he'll be more productive, while we know what we're getting from Kennedy (no offense, solid at best glove).

Bringing in one utility man to round out the bench is never a bad idea, and Ned's signing of Jerry Hairston, Jr. was just that. I would not have given him the two years he received, more money than he's ever made in a season as he's in his mid-30s, and signed him after already having signed two other utility men in Kennedy and Mark Ellis, who will unfortunately be starting. Of course, I would not have signed Kennedy and Ellis to begin with, but that's neither here nor there since I'm just a lowly blogger and not a General Manager with a clear fetish for the aged.

Moving back to value, that veteran fetish of Ned's manifests itself in not only blocking young prospects, but trading them away. Josh Bell was one such prospect, moved to Baltimore for reliever George Sherrill. The Dodgers have had a black hole at third base for years, and they traded away their best third base prospect in Bell for a reliever, way way back at the deadline in 2009.

Sherrill was solid as 2009 wore down, though he was quite lucky as well, as his advanced stats show that his shiny ERA was a mirage. Bell would not make his MLB debut until 2011, and has lost much of his luster as a prospect since being moved. However, it must be noted that he is still just 25 years old. That's ten years younger than Hairston, Kennedy, or Ellis can boast, and it also brings with it that all important potential and upside. Some guys are late bloomers, and perhaps Bell is one.

Even if Bell never accomplishes a single thing at the major league level, it's that value that he possessed that is so critical. He could have easily been part of a larger package of players used to bring in an impact player, but instead was shipped away by our terrible G.M. for a player who plays at the most fungible position in baseball. Colletti gave away a young third baseman with pop, a good eye at the plate, the willingness to take a walk, and a projected good glove for an older middle reliever.

I would imagine some would make the argument that Colletti didn't settle for Sherrill, but knew he couldn't pry more away from a team for Bell and took what he could get. That fallacy falls apart for two major reasons. We'll start with the second of the two reasons. Bell was coming off of two fantastic seasons in the minors, putting up lines of .273/.373/.455/.828 (.368 wOBA) and .296/.386/.497/.883 (.393 wOBA) with the Dodgers in 2008 and 2009, respectively. And now, the first and foremost reason Colletti simply failed (and continues to fail) to get adequate value back for a player he didn't need to trade in the first place and who should have been given the opportunity to help in the show at a position the Dodgers have desperately needed help in for ages: he's Ned Colletti.

Colletti Gonna Colletti, as it's been put elsewhere in the blogosphere. The Carlos Santana for Casey Blake trade is all the proof you need that Ned Colletti is a terrible General Manager who can't comprehend value to save his life. I'd say to save his job, but clearly he has pictures of someone. That, and our soon-to-be-deposed owner is a broke crook who is even worse at his job than Colletti in all likelihood, and that's extremely difficult to do.

Picture this Dodger team: Santana behind the dish, Bell at third, Dee Gordon at short, Blake DeWitt at second, Jerry Sands in left or right, and enough money that's not presently tied up in mediocre veteran-y goodness to have been serious players for Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder to man first base.

A point I can't possibly emphasize enough is that results-based decision making is intellectually lazy and highly flawed. When you make a decision in sports, you don't know exactly what will happen. You can prognosticate what will occur and have some idea, but you're never entirely sure how a player will perform, if he'll stay healthy, and things of that nature. It doesn't take a rocket scientist, however, to know that trading a young asset with value for an aging and at best mediocre veteran is a terrible idea. Waiting until a situation has played out to pass judgment is just an easy way to never be wrong. It's saying that I don't want to take the time and put in the effort to analyze something, so I'll wait, see what happens, and then look intelligent.

Ned Colletti, value, and prospects just has Colletti Fail© written all over it. Anyways, the Bell autograph above was a couple of bucks at my LCS, and was acquired on Black Friday. Every time I look at it, it simply invokes disappointment in the current state of the Dodgers and our quite useless General Manager.

Trade With Card Buzz: Matt Kemp 2011 Panini Black Friday Special Edition

2011-12-11T09:42:00.000-08:00

I completed my first trade with Laurens from Card Buzz. As I don't buy boxes outside of one box of Ginter a year - and perhaps a couple of minor league, high-hit products - I wasn't going to get my hands on any of the Panini Black Friday Special Edition packs. On top of that, my LCS wasn't participating in the promotion, though of course that point was moot considering I wouldn't have bought a box anyways. I kept my Black Friday card purchases to singles only, as per usual. Laurens did break a pack, and pulled a card I knew I had to have.

A quick pair of e-mails and we had a deal in the books. The picture Panini chose isn't great by any measure, but it's a new Matt Kemp (and limited, I suppose), so I can't complain. Laurens also sent along a few assorted Dodgers.

Thanks for the new Kemp and the trade Laurens!

Matt Kemp Is A Turquoise God

2011-12-10T09:45:00.000-08:00

I picked up my second 2011 Allen & Ginter Glossy, and it's of the one and only Matt Kemp. This sweet card of The Bison pairs nicely with the Glossy Russ Martin I snagged a while back.

Numbered 905/999, this newest addition to my Matt Kemp Collection rang in at $1.98 shipped via the Bay. I'm down to just needing the Kershaw Ginter Glossy, but the prices on eBay have been too rich for my blood thus far.

I've come to the conclusion that Ginter is the most American of all of the various releases we see each year. But not quite as American as Flynt Flossy. Turquoise Jeep....I've been Keeping The Jeep Ridin' since 2011.

Trade With Coot Veal and the Vealtones: Rasmus, Withrow, and A Slew Of Kemps and Martins

2011-12-09T09:45:00.000-08:00

I completed my first trade with Dustin, who runs Coot Veal and the Vealtones. I spotted a card I was interested in, and after a few e-mails we had worked out a great trade.

The Colby Rasmus auto above is what started this deal off. I've wanted a Rasmus auto for a while, and now I don't have to troll eBay to find an affordable one. I love me some minor league signatures, though TriStar could have used a better pen on this one.

Next up, Dustin offered up this minor league auto of Chris Withrow. It's my second Withrow autograph, both stickers. I love Chris' signature; very clean and very, very legible. Also, he spells out his entire name, a true rarity nowadays.

My Kemp and Martin PCs were greatly bolstered, with some sweet additions (three Mattys and seven Russes [Russii?]). My favorite of the bunch is the Kemp RC above. I think it's some sort of foil parallel. Either way, I've listed it as such. My collection now features over 140 unique Kemp cards and over 170 unique Martins.

Dustin also knocked off four cards I needed in my quest to complete 2004 Fleer Platinum. If anyone can help me there, drop me a line! There was so much more in the massive bubbler I received, from Jay Bruce to Campy to a number of the other guys I collect. If I could scan it all, I would. But I'm lazy.

Thanks Dustin!

Trade With Cardboard Heaven: ElyMania Lost Its Mojo, But The Beast and The Burner Are Still Trucking

2011-12-08T09:45:00.000-08:00

Today, we're taking a trip to a far away place, up high above the clouds, in Cardboard Heaven. I've made stops there before, beginning way back with my first trade and ending with my one hundredth trade. There was even a stop in-between. For our fourth trade, Cam sent me some really great stuff. We'll start off with one of my favorite non-Chargers, Patrick Willis.

Numbered 52/75 - that would be Willis' number (!) - it's my second hit of the elite linebacker. The man is a beast. I truly wish he was in San Diego. A Willis UD Masterpieces on-card auto is a card I'm dying to get my hands on. Oh, and the design of this colorful-swatched hit is just nails. Nails.

Next up, a sweet and shiny 2004 Topps Finest RC of former Charger's running back Michael Turner.

Completing a Trifecta of sorts for this trade, an on-card and chrome-y John Ely RC autograph, which marks my second Ely certified signature.

The last scanned card is this awesome Mojo Drew rookie. We could all use a little Mojo in our lives. And UCLA could use some talent like Drew to dig the football program out of its mediocre to the core grave. Particularly at the QB position; Kevin Prince is so anonymous, I had no idea he was in a class of mine until the end of the quarter when my Professor mentioned it to me.

Cam also knocked off some of my remaining 2011 Allen & Ginter needs, contributing a Hometown Hero, three base cards, and a SP to my efforts. He also sent along a sweet '11 Ginter Back mini of Jered Weaver and a handful of assorted Dodgers.

Thanks as always for another great trade Cameron!

Trade With The Mojo Beard: Getting Drunk On Some New Matt Kemps.

2011-12-07T09:49:00.000-08:00

I completed my first trade with Kevin of The Mojo Beard, which helped to finish off my Trifecta of Trades with TMB. Kevin does a great job as the now sole proprietor of TMB, and he hooked me up with some new PC cards. You can see what I sent his way here.

My first Cognac parallel, and I couldn't think of a better guy for it to be of. This is where my colorblindness bites me in the tuchus, because I can't for the life of me figure out which parallel of Kemp's Bowman Platinum card the above is. I'm going to just say it's the Emerald Parallel. I'd appreciate help though. Either way, a pair of awesome additions to my Kemp Collection.

Next up, this sweet Goudey 4-in-1 from 2009. This will head straight into my Kershaw PC, and if I snag another, then my Martin PC will see a new card added to it. In time....

And finally, this manupatch of Mr. Campanella, #'d 24/50.

Thanks for the swap Kevin!

A Jay Bruce Autograph For The Price of A Chipotle Burrito.

2011-12-06T09:45:00.000-08:00

~~Sometimes~~ ~~A decent amount of the time~~ When classwork bores me, I find myself aimlessly searching eBay for cards. Usually, it's Kemp, Kershaw, or Russ Martin cardboard. Occasionally, however, it's for cards of the other guys I collect. I get lucky with some of these searches and find great deals. This is one of those occurrences.

I've made my love of minor league autos a known fondness. So when this Jay Bruce popped - and was very, very reasonable - I bid. And won. It's serial-numbered 19/25, and is the yellow parallel. I really do love me some TriStar-produced product. Especially if it ends up running me just $6.99 delivered, with a winning bid of four dollars and forty-nine cents.

This marks my fourth Bruce autograph (two on-card, two stickers). And damn, now I want Chipotle.

Trade With Night Owl Cards: My 100th Clayton Kershaw Card Is As American As Apple Pie. And Erin Hawksworth.

2011-12-05T09:45:00.000-08:00

Yeah, it's been a trade-centric week of posting for me. I've been dealing more in recent weeks, and I want to get these posted and not fall miserably behind before I head out of town. Keep reading until the end though....it'll be well worth your time. Anyhoo, I completed my fourth trade with Greg from Night Owl Cards. You can read about the first here, the second here, and the third here. Our previous three trades have been fantastic, but this one right here definitely takes the proverbial card cake as the best deal yet. You can see what I sent the Owl-y one here. My major coup will follow these words.

My fourteenth Clayton Kershaw certified autograph (in card form)! Granted, I count my in-person auto as certified because I can certify as to its authenticity due to the fact that I was there and met Clayton. Anyways, any 2005 USA Kershaw in that beautiful red, white, and blue is a welcome addition to my Clayton PC, particularly ones that bring with it his signature. This pairs oh so nicely with the Kershaw/Shawn Tolleson dual auto I own, seen below.

This new Kid K also brings my Kershaw Collection to the century mark! Night Owl doth protested because Kershaw is paired with a Yankee on the card. I don't have the same issues with the card, but then again, I'm also a Dodgers fan that doesn't root against the Giants more so than any other team that could stand in the Dodgers way. So I'm weird, needless to say. Clayton and friend is numbered, 015/250.

Greg sent along some more goodies, starting with the Russell Martin 2011 Ginter Code Parallel you see above. For those of you tackling this year's code, have at those gold design thingys. All I ask is that if the above code card puts you over the top and you win, keep me in mind for some part of that sweet code-cracking prize package. Also of note is that I now have the Ginter Code Parallel and the Ginter Glossy /999 versions of Martin's '11 A&G card, yet my PC still lacks the base version of this particular piece of cardboard.

Next up, two new Matt Kemp cards for the collection. Great shots on both.

Night Owl was gracious enough to send me two Jerry Sands rookies. Well, Topps tells me they're rookies. I'm colorblind. I mention this because the gold parallel looks puke green to me. It's #'d, whatever the color may be, 0532/2011.

The last two cards in Greg's bubbler, and it just so happens that it's two of the greatest Dodgers of all-time. A sick Koufax retail parallel (I think retail only) and a late-90s insert of Mike Piazza. Awesome.

And finally, I'm about to turn in one of my two final papers as I near completion of my first semester of Grad School. So I feel as though I should reward myself.

When human beings are finally cloned, I submit we clone Miss Hawksworth (who by that point will most certainly be Mrs. Gregory Zakwin) before any other human is cloned. Because the above picture is legitimately the greatest thing ever, and I'd take it before a Dodgers World Series title. Of course, I fully anticipate both (and her new title) to occur during my lifetime.

Thanks for the fantastically great trade Greg!

Trade With Democratic Roadkill: Clayton Kershaw's Ginter Rookie Mini and A Mess of 2011 A&G

2011-12-04T09:45:00.000-08:00

I completed my second trade with Duane of Democratic Roadkill. In exchange for some Ginter minis from 2010 and 2011, Duane helped me knock out a number of the remaining cards I need to complete 2011 A&G. But first, the card I was most excited to receive, and one I've been dying to get my hands on.

What a beaut! Clayton Kershaw's 2008 Allen & Ginter RC in all its mini glory! This card had resided on my Most Wanted List for some time, and it can finally be removed thanks to Duane! Damn, I seriously love this card.

And now, the Ginter. Duane sent along one Ascent Of Man, two Animals in Peril, five Uninvited Guests, six of the remaining seven I need to complete the Step Right Up mini insert set, and sixty-five base cards (of which a whopping twenty-eight are short-prints). Thirty-three were needed (twenty-two of those being all-important SPs), so I have a few extras now to send away in trades for those that need any. I'm inching ever so close to completing the Base Set - including those pesky SPs - as well as the handful of inserts I'm tackling. My Ginter needs have been updated accordingly. There was a lot of other Dodgers goodness, too much in fact to scan.

A huge thank you Duane for your generosity, and I look forward to our next trade that will hopefully involve that other awesome Clayton you have!

Trade With '"O" No!!! Another Orioles Blog: It's Albert Pujols, Of Course I'm Interested.

2011-12-03T09:45:00.000-08:00

I completed my second trade with Ryan of '"O" No!!! Another Orioles Blog. It was a simple one for one swap. He posted some card show bait, and I bit quickly on the relic you'll soon see below, sending an Eddie Murray hit Ryan's way.

I don't actively seek out Albert Pujols relics - save for the occasional eBay search - but when I see 'em available and I can grab it, I do. This makes Pujols relic number five, and this particular relic is numbered 098/100 and features a very colorful red swatch. It marks the first of my three Pujols jersey swatches that has any color to it.

I love that Upper Deck is as specific about the origins of this piece of Pujols' jersey as can be. Also, they went back three years to grab this piece of an All-Star event-worn jersey, as the red swatch is from 2001 and the card is from 2004 UD Reflections.

Thanks for the swap Ryan, I'll have yours in the mail soon! Oh, and Pujols as a Dodger....a man can dream, can't he?

Trade With The Chronicles Of Fuji: A Masterful Performance From The Chargers Would Be Swell.

2011-12-02T09:44:00.000-08:00

I completed my second trade with Fuji of The Chronicles Of Fuji. I had been setting some cards aside for him, and saw a handful of cards that interested me after looking through his trade bait. I sent some PC autos and relics his way - along with some 80s RCs - and in return added these four sweet hits to my collection.

Donnie Edwards, a man after my own heart, as he was a great Chargers linebacker, a Southern California native, and attended UCLA where he played both football and baseball. What a Renaissance Man. This is my second Edwards autograph, and this particular one is #'d 222/299. It does raise an interesting issue though; do I place this in the section of my PC box designated for Chargers cards, or for UCLA alum? I'm certain it will end up landing in the former.

Damn, it's hard to beat 2008 Masterpieces. Mr. Zimmerman here even brought a beautiful red swatch to the party, further cementing Masterpieces' epic greatness. When I saw Fuji had this card up for grabs, I knew I couldn't let it slip past me. Zim's an elite third baseman, and one of those is hard to come by. As a Dodgers fan, I can fully attest to that. The lettering UD chose to utilize for "Upper Deck" and "Masterpieces" entirely reminds me of Lord of the Rings. Moving on....

I'd be remiss if I had let the above remain with Fuji and not reside in my collection, what with Gary Sheffield being one of the greatest offensive talents to ever put on a Dodgers uniform. I find the color scheme Pacific used for this card to be oddly calming. No idea why though. Oh, and it appears there's a horse in the background between Gary and the Authentic logo, right above and slightly to the left of the bat piece. The things my mind notices....

The fourth and final card I snagged is this sweet 2005-2006 UD Bee Hive relic of former Duck and future Hall of Famer Sergei Fedorov. Again, hard to pass up a hit of a Hall of Famer, even though he only spent 85 games in Anaheim (putting up 66 points in the process). Fedorov is currently lacing them in the KHL. Looking at the old Mighty Ducks logo and colors is a nice change of pace.

Oh, and it wouldn't be a Fuji package without his calling card, a beautiful red ink on-card autograph. Thanks for another awesome trade Fuji!

A December To Remember Begins With A Sick Russell Martin Mailday

2011-12-01T09:45:00.000-08:00

December is shaping up to be perhaps the best month of 2011 for me. So, I figured there was only one way to start the month off, and that's with a tremendously amazing Russell Martin pickup. I found a lonely auction on eBay without a bidder, and I just couldn't rationalize not adding this sweet hit to my Martin PC.

A triple relic that is truly a triple relic. What a novel concept, am I right? This beauty - the emerald parallel, and numbered 43/50 - marks my third Russ auto/triple relic combination, and it's by far my favorite of the troika. For a measly $7.94 delivered, I added this fantastic card which features Russ' autograph, a white piece of a home jersey, a bat slice, and a nice blue patch which comes from the "Dodgers" or "Los Angeles" across the front of Russ' uniform. You can also see a bit of stitching creeping out of the far right of the blue piece.

My other two Martin triple relic/autos are below, and this is my second from 2008 Triple Threads.

A Handful Of Locally Grown Cheap Pickups.

2011-11-30T09:45:00.000-08:00

All but two of these cards came from my LCS. All, including the pair of non-LCS cards, were exceptionally cheap. Away we go....

A sick Troy Tulowitzki Unity Relic, #'d 09/36 and featuring a sweet pinstripe. Rockies fans (so Johnny and Eric), I take it the pinstripe makes this a piece of Tulo's pants? Whatever type of relic this is, it's a welcome addition to my Tulo and Long Beach State PC. It was two bucks via my shop's eBay store.

David Wright is my favorite non-Dodger, and for two bucks from my local, this was an easy pickup.

Another two dollar addition, and I came across it the same day I stumbled upon the above Wright. A new hit for my small collection of The Hebrew Hammer, the newly crowned 2011 NL MVP. Even though Matt Kemp got jobbed....

An autograph I'm really excited to feature, as I've been after a Jonas Hiller signature for a while. This is one of those non-LCS gets, and it ran me just under three dollars delivered via eBay (with a winning bid of just 99 cents, no less). Upper Deck did a pretty good job of not making the sticker gaudy, and Hiller inscribing his number offsets the auto being on a sticker in my book.

I've been a big Jim Edmonds fan for some time, and this marks my first hit of the future Hall of Famer, running me a dollar from my LCS. I'm pleased with how well it scanned (it's a beautifully-designed card from 2002 Topps Pristine), and it's numbered to boot, 0314/1000. An Edmonds auto is definitely on my Cardboard Bucket List.

A card I picked up some time ago with another blogger in mind, but he ended up not having an interest in it, and it's such an aesthetically-pleasing card that I decided I'd keep it after all. Being an on-card auto certainly helps. It was 99 cents and arrived from my local's eBay store. Brian Gionta's signature leaves much to be desired.

Penultimately, my first relic of one of the greatest pitchers of all-time, a sure-fire Hall of Famer, a man with a fantastic first name, and a man who had two stints with the Dodgers, Greg Maddux. It features part of a nice pinstripe, and was 99 cents via eBay many months ago. Pretty sure I snagged it with some other cards and took advantage of combined shipping. Fleer scored majorly with this beauty, as the Braves logo works really well with the red outline of the relic area.

And finally, this sweet dual relic of former Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, which is #'d 91/99. It was a cool 99 cents from my LCS's eBay store, and is actually a dual relic, as the jersey pieces are of a different material. It pairs exceptionally well with this dual patch - #'d 34/35 - of Merriman from the same set I picked up a long, long time time ago.

Fin.

Trade With 7 Hours From Tampa Bay: My First Dee Gordon Auto Yields A Trifecta, A Massive Amount of 2011 A&G, and Some English Aristocracy

2011-11-29T09:45:00.001-08:00

I completed my first trade with Simon from 7 Hours From Tampa Bay. Simon posted a box break, and I was very interested in the card you'll soon see below. After a few e-mails back and forth, Simon and I came to an agreement on an awesome trade. I sent him a chunk of 1968 Topps Game cards he needed in his efforts to complete that set, as well as three autos and the 2011 Ginter N43 I pulled in my box break earlier this year. The centerpiece of the deal for me is this absolute beauty:

Oh snap! I've been after a Devaris Strange-Gordon auto for quite some time, and I'm thrilled to add this on-card and shiny bad boy to my collection. It's the refractor version of his RC autograph, #'d 128/499. It also completes my Gordon Trifecta.

Simon also tossed in the base version of Dee's RC and Andre Ethier's base card.

Before I get to just how much 2011 Ginter Simon knocked out, I'd like to point out that this marks the furthest one of my trade packages has traveled, as Simon resides in jolly old England. Which allows me to include the wonderfully amazing clips above and below.

Anyhoo, moving on as we flourish the pinkie.

Simon sent along a slew of 2011 Allen & Ginter needs. Getting specific, his bubbler included one Animal in Peril, one Ascent of Man, eight Hometown Heroes, and fifty-four base cards, five of which are SPs. My remaining '11 Ginter needs have been updated accordingly.

Thanks for the absolutely fantastic trade Simon! Do I hope we deal again? YEEEESSSSSS!

My 1000th Post! Kemp, Kershaw, Russell Martin and Erin Hawksworth Say WOOOO!

2011-11-28T09:45:00.000-08:00

Man, one thousand posts comes up damn fast. It was just about two and a half years ago that I started this here blog, and its evolution is something I still can't fathom and would never have foreseen or predicted. From actual analysis (some of it mildly hard-hitting, perhaps) to a full-fledged card blog to something somewhat in-between (but still mostly cards), it's truly been a fun ride.

Considering that this has become a card blog, it is only appropriate to display a few new pickups, all serial-numbered parallels and all welcome new additions to my Matt Kemp, Clayton Kershaw, and Russell Martin PCs. The above black parallel of The Bison is from 2011 Tier One, and numbered 02/50. That is one fantastic photograph choice on Topps' part. I take it this is from one of Matty's walk-offs, and it would be beyond awesome if it was Kemp's walk-off on August 12th against the Astros, as I was in attendance, planked after the game, and had an all-around awesome time. In fact, I had my best experience ever at a Dodgers game that night. Someone should investigate....

Next up, another black parallel of the $160 million man, #'d 18/60. It commemorates Matt's first All-Star Game and first Home Run Derby. Both Kemps arrived via eBay, and for ridiculously cheap and reasonable prices. The Tier One, by the by, was won with a 99 cent bid. WINNING.

The reigning Cy Young Winner comes to the party in this rookie parallel from 2008 Stadium Club 1st Day Issue, #'d 324/599. I snagged this from my LCS on Black Friday.

The final card is my newest Russ Martin, and is #'d 53/88. It's from 2008 Goudey, and I have no idea which parallel it is beyond it being the parallel that is numbered out of 88. Some quick internet research tells me this is more than likely referred to as a "Green Back" parallel. Which reminds me of "Goo Backs". Anyways, it was also an LCS pickup on Black Friday. Before I leave you, what would a Plaschke post be without a little Erin Hawksworth? It wouldn't be anywhere near as aesthetically-pleasing, that's for sure.

Here's to 1000 more posts, and some variety in said posts!

CONTEST WINNER!

2011-11-27T10:00:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow's post is big! And by big, I mean, well, big. But that's not what you're here for today. The randomization is complete, and the winner will be revealed in just a moment. There were thirty-one entrants, and seven of those gained a second entry by either pimping or guessing within the correct range of dollars and cents. Now, for your viewing pleasure, the randomization process in screen-cap form. After adding in the entrants in the appropriate amount, I hit the random button three times.

Random 1.

Random 2. And now, the winner.....

Random 3. Congrats to Reds Card Collector! His close guess and that second entry he earned paid off. RCC, I need you to e-mail me with your address. My e-mail address is plaschkethysweaterisargyle@yahoo.com. Once again, your prize package:

RCC will also be receiving whatever else I have that I think he'll like.

Thanks to everyone who participated, and stay tuned for future contests!

Another Jerry Sands 2011 Topps Finest Rookie Autograph

2011-11-26T09:45:00.000-08:00

The next couple of days around here will be big and important, so keep an eye out! Anyhoo, Jerry Sands autographs reel me in hook, line, and sinker. I didn't even expect to win this particular auction, but put in a small bid just in case. That just in case became reality, and I won this sweet 2011 Topps Finest RC Refractor Auto in the process.

It's #'d 405/499, was under four and a half bucks delivered (with a winning bid of a buck fiddy), and pairs beautifully with my XFractor auto out of 299 of Jerry's from '11 Finest. This would be one sick rainbow to complete.

Word.

Clayton Kershaw and Jay Bruce Present Those Contest Answers Some of You Have Been Waiting For!

2011-11-25T09:30:00.000-08:00

The contest is officially closed! Anyways, apparently I've become predictable, because far more people guessed low than I assumed would.

So, how much was that pair of sweet 2009 A&G autos - featuring Cy Young Winner Clayton Kershaw and Reds star Jay Bruce? Well, let me first say I grabbed 'em as a lot on eBay. The cards were listed decently, with the correct player names and spelling, and "autograph" in the title. There was no mention, however, of Allen & Ginter, but conversely the picture the seller used was quite good. All in all, I got lucky to score them for such a tremendous price. My reaction was something along the lines of what you see below.

Anyways, as I said, a lot of people went low, which was a smart move, because $15.83 delivered ($13.83 winning bid) was the correct answer. A few people also went really, really low, and perhaps thought I was only asking for the price of Clayton, and not Jay as well. Those people need not fear, however, because since nobody guessed the exact amount, the randomizer comes into play and everyone has the opportunity to win. Here's how we stand, entry wise:

Guesses:

Jesse
Reds Card Collector
Mark E.
Adam C.
PATP
The Diamond King
Night Owl
-potch
The Lost Collector
Dawgbones
Cam H.
dkwilson
Eric L.
Justin M.
Robert
Spiegel
Cam C.
Kazi
Sam P.
Dhoff
Stealing Home
Rhubarb
Matt (Tenets of Wilson)
Josh D.
Hackenbush
Captain Canuck
Mariner1
Matt Pederson
Jeremy
Chris R.
Section 36

Pimped The Contest:

Kazi
Robert
Stealing Home

Guess Was Within Two Dollars ($13.83-$17.83):

Jesse
Reds Card Collector
Mark E.
Cam C.

So, just to reiterate, everyone gets an entry for guessing, the three gentlemen who pimped get an extra entry, and the four guesses that were within the range above will earn Jesse, RCC, Mark, and Cam C. another entry for their efforts. If you feel I've made a mistake with my tabulations, don't hesitate to comment away.

I'm off to see the Ducks game and - in all likelihood - watch them play like shit and get run over by the Blackhawks. Well, at least I have a successful trip to Sonic to look forward to. I'll enter everyone in the appropriate quantities into good old Random.org this weekend and have the results up within a few days. Thanks again to everyone who participated!

A Russell Martin Spectrum Parallel, Last Chance Contest, and Blogger Issues On This Thanksgiving Day.

2011-11-24T08:49:00.000-08:00

A quick post on this Thanksgiving morning. Today marks your last chance to enter my second contest, which closes with tomorrow's recap post. Moving on, my love of Upper Deck Spectrum is no secret, and though my Russell Martin Spectrum Swatches Rainbow deals with 2008, I won't pass up a good Martin when I see one.

And for just 99 cents with free shipping, this 2009 Spectrum parallel of Martin, numbered 53/99, was just too good to let go. I'm pretty sure this is the green parallel.

And lastly, Blogger has been terrible recently, as I can't follow certain blogs because Blogger tells me I'm at my limit of 300, and I must unfollow to follow. However, it refuses to let me manage my blogs, and when it did allow me to do so, the next day over 50 blogs I had unfollowed all returned. Has anyone else been having similar issues? Anyways, I blame Google. Enjoy your Thanksgiving everyone!

Matt Kemp, Your Real 2011 National League MVP

2011-11-23T09:45:00.000-08:00

Because, you know, he was the best player in the NL this season. And if you're the best player, and have the best season, you provide the most value to your team. You know there's a serious disconnect and major issues with who gets to vote when most of the voters begin their explanation with "Matt Kemp was the best player, but....". There is no but; the award is for the best - and hence the most valuable - player. Simple. This is quickly heading off into the realm of ridiculous Bill Plaschke logic (and even The Argyled One picked Kemp, though he used traditional statistics in the process of coming to the correct conclusion). Ryan Braun had a great, great season. Matt Kemp had a phenomenal season.

I did a wee bit of analysis a while back showing why Kemp was the proper choice, but I'm not really all that surprised by the voting. Apparently, who your teammates are is an appropriate and major factor in winning the award. Could have fooled me....it's an individual award based on individual performance. At least, that's what intelligent voters understand. Hell, even the BBWAA guidelines stipulate a team's performance does not matter.

Anyways, congrats to Ryan Braun, who at least is a more than worthy candidate and was second in the real world where you don't get penalized for having terrible teammates. The biggest travesty though is that Ryan Howard got a fourth place vote and three fifth place votes en route to finishing in the top ten. Talk about crazy. Oh, and that beautiful Kemp at the top was an eBay score, for less than the price of a blaster. Picked it up many moons ago. A great addition to my Kemp PC, and easily one of my favorite cards - Kemp or otherwise - in my collection. It's my seventh Kemp autograph, and second of the on-card variety.

Trade With Manupatches & Mustaches: Russell Martin Stars In Oh Starry Night Part Deux, Alex Gordon Is The Future, and Clayton Kershaw Is A BOSS.

2011-11-22T09:48:00.000-08:00

I completed my third trade with Eric from Manupatches & Mustaches. You can find the first two - back when the mustaches were simply chrome scratches - here and here. My end of our latest swap saw a pair of autographed manupatches and some randomness head Eric's way. In return, he sent me these great PC cards.

I have the /60 parallel of this very card featuring a black jersey piece, so to get another variation is awesome. This red swatch is serial-numbered 58/60. I'd postulate the black comes from the shoulder area, and the red comes from....well, that much is obvious. Looking at the jersey Russ is wearing, there's more than likely a tan jersey version of the diamond parallel as well. If anyone sees one, please let me know! If anyone has one they'd be willing to trade or can somehow snag one, I'd make it worth your time.

A nice and colorful Alex Gordon relic. There's just something about a red piece of jersey that I really, really like. My Gordon PC is small but pretty sweet, if I do say so myself.

Eric also sent me Clayton Kershaw's true rookie, and at the time, I had failed to mark it off of my Want List, as I had acquired two copies. But I'm more than happy to snag another, and it's actually headed off in another trade to a happy and loving Dodger home. Eric grabbed the Martin and Clayton from eBay specifically with me in mind, and I very much appreciate him taking the time to find me some great cards! He wasn't done, as he sent along a Jonathan Broxton Ginter Back Mini from 2011 and knocked off some other Ginter needs: twelve base (three of which are SPs) and a Hometown Heroes, which just so happens to be of the reigning Cy Young Award Winner, Mr. Kershaw, who comes out of Dallas, Texas.

Thanks for another great trade Eric! Oh, and if you have yet to, or would like to earn another entry by promoting, my contest is still open!

Trade With The Adventures of Napkin Doon: A Pair of Clean Evan Longoria and Jered Weaver Swatches Makes For A Dirtbags-Tastic Mailday!

2011-11-21T09:44:00.000-08:00

I completed my second trade with the ultra mysterious Doon from The Adventures of Napkin Doon. Doon always finds amazing cards at his local card shop's auctions, and I swoop in to deal for 'em. It's a simple process, and Doon is an excellent middleman. In exchange for a pair of relics and an auto, Nap sent these beauties my way.

Some sort of parallel - I've stopped trying to figure out color schemes, but I'm guessing some hue of red here - #'d 23/36. It's my nicest Longo to date, and I do love me some Triple Threads.

Nap added another Jered Weaver relic to my collection, and I really dig these Lineage '75 Mini relics. Very well done, and kudos to Topps. Both of these new additions to my Long Beach State Dirtbags PC can be found in the Beach tab at the top of the blog. A quick shout-out to the Long Beach State 49ers basketball team for heading east and beating Pitt last week! Oh, and don't forget to enter my contest!

Thanks for another sweet trade Doon!

My First Allen & Ginter RIP Card and Contest Clarification.

2011-11-20T09:50:00.000-08:00

RIP cards in Allen & Ginter fall about one per case, from what I've read. I've never purchased a case, and it will be quite some time before I could even afford to buy a case. In my short time collecting, I've picked up two boxes of Ginter - one in 2010 and one in 2011. The best card I've pulled is a Matt Kemp jersey relic from my '10 box, and it's one of my favorite cards.

But after a trip to my LCS, I now am the proud owner of a genuine RIP card. As you might expect (and as you can clearly see), it's been ripped - and it wasn't torn into by me - which is why I was able to pick it up for a dollar or two. It's numbered 80/99 and features James Loney on the front.

Contest! Go nab yourself an entry or two and be in line to win some free swag. Yes, I said swag. And quickly, some clarification. I feel this is necessary because as I found myself thinking about the contest yesterday, even I was confused by my own guidelines. First, the obvious: if someone guesses the exact price, he or she wins. Here's where the clarification comes in and is very much needed. If nobody guesses the price and we go to the randomizer, everyone who placed a guess gets an entry into said randomizer. Those who pimped the contest get a second entry, and those whose original guess was within two dollars get an entry. So, three total entries into the randomization process are possible to attain. Hope that clears it up, as it did, at the least, for me.

Happy Birthday Campy! My Roy Campanella Collection.

2011-11-19T09:39:00.000-08:00

In honor of Roy Campanella's birthday, I thought this would be as good a time as any to get my Campy PC posted, in totality. I'll have a new page at the top of the old blog soon with the PC there for your viewing pleasure. By far the crown jewel of my small Roy PC is Campy's 1950 Bowman card, whose acquisition was detailed in full way back when.

Seriously. I adore this card. It's my entry into The Mojo Beard's Top Card Gallery (thanks to Kevin for letting me contribute!). I would love another copy, or two or three. Greedy? Sure, I suppose. But look at it. It's an amazing, wonderful, beautiful card.

You can't go wrong with 1956 Topps. A great action shot of Campy on a fantastically-designed set.

I really love the design of '55 Bowman, and Bowman gave this card an elegant look with a great pose of Roy smiling, looking off into the future and another World Series title (of course, he was unfortunately unable to be on the field when that title was won).

1952 Bowman. Can't go wrong. And if this card wasn't so well-loved, I almost certainly would not have been able to afford it. Again, a GREAT shot of Roy, the card's retained its excellent color, and the Spring Training feel it has is something I really enjoy.

Milk mustache, off-centeredness and all (Campy probably posed for this shot in Movember), his 1953 Topps card came dirt cheap based off of a poor eBay listing. Roy's smile and the Brooklyn B seal the deal for me.

My one and only Roy relic. Thanks Sam!

So there you have it. My Campy PC, on what would have been the Hall of Famer's 90th birthday. RIP Roy.

Clayton Kershaw, 2011 Cy Young Award Winner! Oh, and Contest # 2: Guess The Price and Hope To Be Right!

2011-11-18T09:31:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Clayton Kershaw on winning the 2011 NL Cy Young Award! Though I would have voted for Roy Halladay, Clayton, Doc, and Cliff Lee all had tremendous seasons, and thankfully this isn't one of those cases where the winner is an egregious selection. Again, Halladay was a little better, but Kershaw had himself a season for the ages, and I'm stoked to see my favorite pitcher and an all-around swell guy - who just so happens to play for my favorite team and encompass a large chunk of my collection - take home the Cy.

Now on to the second part of the post. It's about time I held my second contest. I was very pleased with the reaction to the first, although I do apologize for how long it ended up dragging on. That was unintentional, and I've made a concerted effort to ensure that does not happen this time around. So, to gain entry into this contest, I only ask you answer the question you'll find below. Everyone who wagers a guess gets an entry, and if you'd like to play pimp, you can earn a second entry. Please leave a link to your pimping ways in the comments if you choose to attain that second entry. Onwards to the actual contest. I was fortunate to score this amazingly fantastic Clayton Kershaw 2009 Allen & Ginter Auto some time ago (and what better day to finally post it, am I right?). It's a wonderful addition to my Kershaw Collection - now thirteen autographs strong - and instantly becomes one of my favorite cards period, Kershaw or otherwise. Take a guess as to how much it ran me, and you've got your entry. There's a catch, however.

The Kershaw arrived and settled into my anxious and awaiting hands with a friend....the above Jay Bruce 2009 A&G Auto. So, in actuality you're guessing how much both cards ended up running me, as I purchased them together. I'll have a post up detailing how I came to own these pretty little things, including the all-important price, in a week's time. It will soon be scheduled to publish, so when it hits, the contest will be closed. I'll try to include a reminder about said contest in each of the upcoming week's posts, and might even throw up a link at the top of the blog. Or not. Depends on how difficult that is, and how lazy I am. If nobody guesses the exact amount, the nearest guess wins. If nobody is within two dollars (high or low of the actual cost), then the randomizer will come into play. If nobody guesses the exact amount and more than one person is within two bucks, Random.org will also make an appearance.

Anyhoo, it's about that time I talk about the prizes.

A pair of well-loved pieces of vintage, including the greatest unibrow mankind has ever seen, an auto ~~few~~ ~~some~~ ~~Danny Peoples' mother~~ somebody might enjoy (what a lovely Super Box hit that was), and a Chris Bosh relic #'d out of 100. The Moon actually appears to have some sort of fire damage on the back, but it's still a sweet card. Plus, as is the usual for contests around the card blogosphere, cards of your favorite teams and players will be included....unless I'm out, and if that's the case, I'll find something to your liking. Either way, we're talking about free cards, and I have a great LCS. So you'll enjoy what you get, I promise.

Good luck to those who participate, and once again, congrats Clayton on a phenomenal season! Sign the man long-term, Uncle Ned.

1951 Topps Red Backs: Al Rosen's First Topps Card Has Been Acquired.

2011-11-17T09:45:00.000-08:00

I mentioned in my post on Al Rosen's 1952 Bowman card that one of the few remaining Rosens I still needed to acquire was his 1951 Topps Red Backs card. Well, I had already won it at the time I posted that, as I was fortunate enough to come across an affordable and well-loved copy on the Bay.

For $4.25 shipped, this piece of vintage-y goodness is now mine. I'd like to one day upgrade, and actually have the strange urge to build a Rosen PC that is entirely graded. Why? Just for kicks, I suppose. Anyways, with this acquisition, I felt it was about time to get my Rosen PC scanned and posted in its entirety. So, if you venture to the top of the blog, you'll see a tab that says "Al Rosen Collection", which - as you can guess - features all of my Rosens. And while we're on the topic of new tabs on the blog, you'll also find my Long Beach State PC with its very own tab. More tabs to come in the near-ish future.

A Swell Sweet Spot Signature From Clayton Kershaw!

2011-11-16T09:46:00.000-08:00

This sweet spot signed ball comes courtesy of Steiner Sports Memorabilia. It was on sale for an awesomely ridiculous price, a truly great discount I could not pass up. It normally sold, at the time of purchase, for 90 bucks. I picked it up for thirty big ones. I absolutely love that Clayton inscribed his number. Good. Stuff.

It was a fantastic deal I took advantage of months and months ago. And by months and months ago, I mean roughly around February or March. So yeah. I sat on this for three-fourths of a year, give or take. Still though....FTW. The most embarrassing thing is that I'm still looking for the best possible case to use in displaying this awesome Kershaw Sweet Spot Auto. Any suggestions from those of you who have signed baseballs on display? The best case to keep the signature from taking in any unnecessary light, and the best case aesthetically, are the two things I'm interested in.

Oh, and Steiner also provided me with this handy dandy credit card-like Certificate of Authenticity. Depending upon a certain announcement that will be made tomorrow, the words "Cy Young" could be added somewhere in this post....

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10

An On-Card Jerry Sands XFractor Rookie Autograph

2011-11-15T09:47:00.000-08:00

Not a terribly creative title, I know. Anyhoo, Jerry Sands needs to be starting next year. With Juan Rivera's ridiculous signing, it looks as though that will not happen, as of now. Regardless, I will continue to collect Jerry's cards when I can score them at a great price, and that's exactly how this awesome XFractor Auto - #'d 159/299 - came into my possession.

I was able to land this off of the Bay for roughly the price of a couple of packs of cards and some change, give or take a few cents (or dollars, depending on what packs we're hypothetically talking about). I love XFractor autos, and this marks my second. I'd love to pick up another copy or two of this card, as I'm a sucker for on-card rookie autographs. The fact that Topps chose a great shot of Jerry and pictured him in his old number serve as the sweet icing on the already delicious cake.

My Most Wanted Card Is No More! I Finally Own Clayton Kershaw's 2005 UD USA Baseball Junior National Team Rookie Card!

2011-11-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

It was always top three on my Most Wanted List, and slid up to one after a couple of other White Whales were acquired. It's not a Dodgers card, but it is the True Rookie Card of my favorite pitcher, second favorite Dodger (they're really 1A and 1B), and the man who makes up my second most important PC. So it was a must-have, clearly.

I picked it up from a guy who was selling a bunch of them on eBay, and it was a couple of bucks and some change, with free shipping. Which meant it arrived sans penny sleeve. Grrrr. That really grinds my gears. I fully intend to eventually pick up a mint copy (perhaps graded just for the hell of it) and pay more, but for now this is plenty fine in my book, especially for the cheap price I acquired it at.

I liked it so much, and it was so cheap, I went back to the well and grabbed another copy for an even better price. From the same guy. He did use a penny sleeve the second time around, so perhaps my feedback suggesting that got through to him. The second Clayton does have a bit of a dinged corner, but such is life (neither copy is flawless, actually). Another card I badly wanted in the books, and it brought along a twin.

Trade With $30 a week habit: Teemu Selanne, Non-Anaheim Ducks Edition, and A Bunch of 2011 Allen & Ginter. Plus A Milestone!

2011-11-13T10:00:00.000-08:00

I completed my third trade with Robert from $30 a week habit. You can read about the first here and the second here. In exchange for a Dion Phaneuf RC, a few Shawn Green Jays cards, and a handful of serial numbered cards for Robert's new and daunting set task (which comes with its own blog too), I received this nice Teemu Selanne jersey swatch.

Yes, there was in fact a time when Teemu was not a Duck. We tend to not speak about those times (except for 2003....2003 is acceptable).

The one huge attraction this relic has - other than it's of a future Hall of Famer, of whom I only have one or two hits - is that the jersey piece is colorful. Always a plus. Robert also knocked out a huge chunk of my remaining 2011 Ginter needs, which I'd scan, but when I say chunk, I mean a huge huge chunk. Thirty-seven base cards (four of 'em short-prints), one Ascent of Man, and six Hometown Heroes. My Ginter needs have been updated accordingly.

Thanks as always for another great trade Robert! Oh, and before I forget, I woke up to find this:

Thanks guys and gals!

Trade With Capewood's Collections: A Piece of Troy Tulowitzki's 2011 All-Star Game Festivities Jersey, Courtesy of 2011 Topps Update

2011-11-12T09:45:00.000-08:00

I completed my first trade with Cliff from Capewood's Collections. I spotted a card from a box of 2011 Topps Update he busted, and an e-mail later saw a deal in place. In return for a Ryan Howard jersey relic, Cliff sent this awesome Troy Tulowitzki All-Star Game Workout Jersey swatch my way.

Non-white jersey pieces are always preferable. Of course, I once heard it stated that black is, in actuality, the absence of color. If that's true, then is this worse than a plain white swatch? Either way, I like it (and am really digging these ASG swatches), and I'm very pleased to add another Tulo relic as I build my Long Beach State Dirtbags PC from the ground up.

Thanks for the trade Cliff, I appreciate it!

A Cheap Jered Weaver Autograph Makes Two Dirtbags Down, One To Go

2011-11-11T09:36:00.000-08:00

When I decided to collect hits of the three best Long Beach State Dirtbags to ever lace 'em up, I mainly had my sights set on an autograph from each of those three gentlemen: Troy Tulowitzki, Evan Longoria, and Jered Weaver. I knew they wouldn't be cheap, but I had no intention of breaking the bank to begin with. I was fortunate enough to swing a deal for Tulo's signature (thanks again Adam!), and have my eyes on a particular Longo auto that appeared as bait on a popular and excellent blog, though I have no idea where that trade stands at the moment. Aside from the fact that it's in limbo, and it'll take a bundle on my end to pry it away from it's current owner. I hit the Bay to knock off Jered Weaver, and was finally successful.

For less than half the price of a blaster, I not only obtained an auto of one of the game's elite pitchers, but it brings along with it a jersey swatch as well. From 2011 Topps Triple Threads, this Unity Auto/Relic is #'d 20/99. And damn, is my scanner ever dirty. I digress. Weaver has quite the interesting John Hancock. A bunch of loops, and a semi-recognizable W. To each his own.

I'm really pleased to have completed 66.666666 percent of my Long Beach journey, and all that remains is another elite player whose signature commands a good chuck of change on the secondary market. A piece of cake, obviously. Hmmmm.....cake.

Many Thank Yous Are In Order For Some Sick Contest Winnings!

2011-11-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

I've been very fortunate to win a number of contests recently. I decided to consolidate and thank everyone who is line for a thank you (long overdue thank yous at that) at once. Away we go....

I've wanted a Manny Ramirez Ginter relic for quite some time. Brian from 30-Year Old Cardboard held a contest asking us to guess who would hit a home run on a particular day. I, of course, guessed Matt Kemp. And The Bison came through yet again! My winnings consisted of the awesome card you see above. My LCS has one these Manny Ginter relics, and it's marked at $20 (it's the SP Bat version). They'd definitely give it to me for less, but just how much less is the question. My guess is somewhere around eight to ten bucks. But free is always better! Thanks Brian!

Drop The Gloves held a hockey-themed contest centered around the Boston Bruins and some firsts for them on the season. I was one of the lucky winners, and received a nice selection of cards as my prize. My two favorites are the sweet autos above; the rest of the highlights included:

A mess of Ducks, some Dodgers, and a number of other cool cards (featuring a slew of sweet rookies) were included in the bubbler. The Matusz and Hudson are keepers (as is the Green simply because he's a Duck, though I have no memory of him whatsoever), but the rest are up for grabs. Wicked, if you want the Volstad, it's yours, just let me know in a comment or e-mail me. Kevin, the Hrbek is yours if you're interested. If not, Rhubarb, let me know. Thanks for the cool contest and great prizes Casey!

Last, but most certainly not least, I won my second contest at Sports Cards Info, the first being a Pau Gasol relic. This win netted me a sick NASCAR patch (#'d 099/199), which, if he wants it, is Jon's. Hopefully as part of a package to land me that sweet Martin Plate you've got! I have no idea who Steve Wallace is, and I don't even consider NASCAR a sport. But I can appreciate a beautiful patch of anyone, from any sport or activity, when I see one, and this is most certainly one badass patch and one badass card! Much thanks Andrew!

And before I forget, in the non-contest card realm, two more thank yous are necessary. DodgerBobble added a Tulo, Longo, and Jered Weaver to those new PCs, so a big thank you to him! And to wrap it all up, Kevin from The Mojo Beard sent me an Andre Ethier manupatch....thanks K, and keep up the great work running TMB!

Thanks to all three of the fine gentlemen who held contests and sent me awesome (and free) cards!

A Russell Martin All-Star Jersey Diamond Parallel, All Made Possible Because of eBay Ineptitude

2011-11-09T09:42:00.000-08:00

Note to eBay sellers: if your aim is to make money off of the items you list, make sure to list them properly. Of course, if you're trying to part with cards I want, including those of Russell Martin, I'm all for terribly worded and pictured items.

Because without terrible wording and a terrible picture, this awesome relic, #'d 42/60 and containing a piece of Russ' 2011 All-Star Game Festivities Jersey, would have run me more than the roughly four and a half dollars it did. Because every other /60 diamond parallel jersey swatch of his I've seen on the Bay certainly sold for more. I think my favorite aspect of the card is the diamonds in the desert, which gives it a distinctly awesome night card feel. Someone would approve. But then again, he'd hate that it was Russ as a Yankee.

This seller failed to list that it was the parallel version, and took a mediocre picture of the card. Now, the serial numbering was visible, and the diamond-y look was visible and obvious too, but it was such a terrible listing that it clearly affected the final price the card ended at. Here's the description the seller came up with: "2011 Topps--Russell Martin-- game worn jersey baseball card", with a further description of "great condition". You can find the image he or she used below.

Thanks, random eBayer. You've helped my collection immensely.

Knocking Off Another Major Al Rosen Need: 1952 Bowman

2011-11-08T09:45:00.000-08:00

This is one of those cards I chased for a very long time, but was ultimately unwilling to pay what I felt were inflated prices. Prices based off of the fact that 1952 was a good year for cards. I had the same trouble acquiring Rosen's 1952 Topps card, but patience paid off on that front, and it finally paid off on this one as well.

I was able to land this well, well-loved beauty for $3.97 shipped. All that remains are his 1951 Topps Red Back, 1961 Topps MVP, and '55 Topps Double Header cards, as well as some of the rarer odd ball items, such as his 1954 Dan-Dee offering, Bell Brand card, and the like. By the by, I can't find any info online about a Rosen Bell Brand card, and yet I swear I once came across one on the Bay. Anyways....

Trade With Too Many Grandersons: Jay Bruce Auto, Smoak On The Manupatch, David Wright Looks So Young, Joey Bats, and SAITO!

2011-11-07T09:45:00.000-08:00

I completed my second trade with Dennis, who runs the great and always entertaining Too Many Grandersons. This trade was begun long, long ago, in a time far far away. I think it was somewhere around April, maybe May....something like that. Anyways, I had a couple of cards Dennis liked, and set them aside for him. I eventually found some bait of his I liked, and we were close to a deal but still a bit short on my end of the proceedings. I finally found a Michigan auto that pushed the swap to completion, and we had ourselves a really great trade.

The prize for me was this sweet on-card Jay Bruce RC auto. I'm a huge Bruce fan, so this was a great get for me. And again, on-card. Can't be beat.

Next up, a pair of Justin Smoak manupatch autos. I like Smoak, and have been in search of a signature of the young first basemen for some time. Also, I've been interested in putting together a full name of manupatch autos, and Smoak has both decently affordable autos and a short last name. Dennis helped me get 40% of the way there, so hopefully I can finish this off at some point. I've added the necessary signed letters needed to my Want List. Oh, and the "O" is some sort of parallel, and #'d 19/20.

David Wright's 2001 UD XRC; Wright is my favorite non-Dodger. This acquisition means I now have both of Wright's premier RCs, as I acquired his 2002 Bowman RC a while back, which completed the David Wright Trifecta.

The first and only Dodger of this trade, Takashi Saito! It's my first Saito hit of any kind, and he was so good as a Dodger, I just felt it was appropriate to acquire this RC auto of his. It's #'d 242/999.

Penultimately, a Jose Bautista RC. Why? Why not, I ask? He's morphed into an elite offensive force, and I have two other RCs of his, so why not complete a mini Trifecta on top of acquiring a card from a great set like 2002 Bowman. Dennis informed me the card had a couple of creases (on the left side, near Bautista's right hand and right shin), but that wasn't an issue for me. If I keep all three, then it obviously makes no difference, and if I decide to part with them, I'll deal with it then.

And finally, some randomness, including a gold-bordered Carlos Santana, a pair of numbered Cole Hamels (Hamelii?), and a new Matt Kemp parallel.

I've already acquired a small stack of cards I think Dennis will absolutely love, so another trade should not be far down the line. All that remains is for me to find some of his for trade cards that pique my interest. Until then, thanks for this great trade Dennis! Your cards are on their way, and should hopefully be arriving shortly!