Prospecting With 2014 Bowman: Julio Urias Black Parallel #'d /99

I've always been a prospect guy when it comes to collecting, and much more so when it comes to actual baseball. I generally have at least one prospect in the Dodgers' organization I heavily collect at all times and a few others I try to land deals on here and there. So when this Black Parallel -- #'d 50/99 -- from 2014 Bowman featuring 18-year-old lefty phenom Julio Urias popped up on eBay, I decided to add more of his cardboard after not picking anything up for some time.

I'm not pursuing Urias' cards as much as I chased and still chase after Corey Seager's cardboard. I think Julio will be a really good pro but prices have never been all that low for his cardboard as they were for a time with Corey. I've got an autograph of Julio (plus some in-person stuff) and a few rookies so unless something remains affordable as this Black Parallel was (less than $10 delivered) I won't be adding much more of his for the foreseeable future.

(Most of A) 1957 Topps Sandy Koufax!

I don't have much in the way of vintage Sandy Koufax cards, but when one falls into my price range and isn't entirely beat-to-hell, I give it a go and let the chips fall as they may. If that vintage Koufax just so happens to be one of him sporting that golden Brooklyn B, well, you can imagine how much more interested I am.

With all that being said I landed this well-loved and probably x-acto knifed Sandy from 1957 Topps! It's my earliest Koufax and my first of him as a Brooklyn Dodger. It's so beautiful, trimmed and all.

I mean, all of the important parts of the card are still intact. I can see the Brooklyn B, Sandy's face, his name and the team's, and the color has held as well. Eventually, I'll upgrade. Eventually.

Another driving factor in nabbing this particular low-grade copy was that it almost perfectly matches something already in my collection....my Campanella Collection, that is. Damn, they're almost a perfect match. Perhaps they were part of the same person's collection?

Davey Lopes: 1973 Topps #609 (RC)

I don't consider '70s cards to be vintage, but if a deal presents itself and said '70s card is enticing as well I'll gladly plunk down my hard-earned money for some nearly vintage cardboard. Such was the case when I realized that Davey Lopes' 1973 Topps RC is a tougher card than I thought it was.

We got in a copy at work and after throwing it online I learned it was our only one and, as I mentioned, tougher than I thought due to it being a high number. That being said, it was still an inexpensive card. For about a buck, it was an easy add.

A Ducks' PWE < A Ducks' Cup

Congrats to the Blackhawks on winning The Cup, again. They were one of the two teams in the West I truly feared and they took down my Ducks. There's always next year boys. Jeff from 2x3 Heroes fame, a Chicago fan through and through, sent me a conciliatory PWE to attempt to ease the pain.

Two of those guys won it all with Anaheim in 2007. I still think this group can win a Cup or two together, especially if the club goes with John Gibson in net.

Upgrading My 1952 Bowman Al Rosen

Anyone who has followed this blog for any length of time knows that I LOVE my vintage cardboard to be well-loved and appreciated by its past owners. Creases, corner and edge wear, writing, and the like mean little to me as long as certain aspects of the card are intact and present. That being said, if the chance to upgrade one of my vintage cards presents itself -- or I can simply add another copy of the card -- I'll jump quickly at that opportunity.

Such was the case when I realized the shop I work at had a copy of Al Rosen's 1952 Bowman offering that bested the copy I've housed in my Rosen PC for many moons. It still falls into the category of well-loved, with multiple creases, edge and corner wear, and left to right centering issues. The eye appeal, however, is much improved. For just a few bucks, it was an easy upgrade to make.

Here's the back of Flip's '52, or the "Flip-Side" as The Underdog likes to say.

Oh, and the original copy.

1952 Berk Ross Pickup: Robin Roberts

My love for Berk Ross has been quite apparent. Although I don't own a lot I really dig the 1951 and 1952 offerings; when I can get 'em cheap, I jump.

I recently jumped when I found out how affordable the above Robin Roberts from '52 Berk Ross was at my LCS, which of course doubles as my employer. I was listing the card and would have purchased it anyways, but noticed the previous set of eyes that had graded it missed the pinhole right above the "h" in Phillies. Slotting it in the Poor-to-Fair category simply made my decision all that much easier.

Seriously, a Hall of Famer from an oddball early '50s set that still has great eye appeal despite a pinhole? You don't need to up-sell me any.

And here's the back where the pinhole becomes more noticeable. But again, for under $4 it was an easy buy. I sincerely love working in a card shop, especially one that specializes in vintage-y goodness.

4 Years In The Making: 2010-2011 Getzlaf-Perry Dominion Tag Team Combo #'d /15 (Prime Laundry Tags)!!!

I've undertaken a number of projects related to cardboard since reentering the hobby in 2010. Some have been completed, some are within reach, some will never be checked off, and some will encompass a lifetime. One of my more ambitious and enjoyable ventures has been working to complete the Master Set of Ryan Getzlaf cards from the inaugural release of Panini's (sadly) now-defunct and ultra-high-end release, Dominion Hockey. Dominion is my absolute favorite hockey set ever. Nothing comes close or even compares favorably in my eyes.

Oh patience, you sometimes helpful thing. I spent FAR less than I was willing to shell out for this vital need, and wound up getting a pair of FANTASTICALLY BEAUTIFUL Prime Laundry Tags too boot!

That Getzy swatch though....

This bad boy is numbered 06/15 and fills a humongous need in my 2010-2011 Panini Dominion Getzlaf Master Set. I've been actively searching out this sweet pairing of running mates and future hockey Hall of Famers for roughly four years. The Tag Team Combo limited to just 15 copies rarely made itself available and was always out of my wallet's range. I snagged this for a paltry $23.49 shipped.

With the exception of a card limited to 25 everything else I still need is numbered out of 10 or less with most being 1 of 1s. So yeah, it's a lifelong project, but at least one more notch can be carved on the belt with today's showcased cardboard.

Don Newcombe and 1954 Bowman.

I'm an insanely huge fan of 1954 Bowman. My boss and I go back and forth on the merits of the set (it's got Campy in it, which is really all that matters to me) and I shall continue to conduct the train and welcome all aboard for 1954 Bowman Town.

So you can imagine my glee at adding yet another Brooklyn Dodger from this masterpiece of a set. Don Newcombe's offering in the set is gorgeous, with the righty finishing up his motion after releasing a ball in what I imagine to be Ebbets Field (maybe). This is my fourth Dodger from '54 Bowman, joining the aforementioned Campanella as well as Duke Snider and Pee Wee Reese.

I mean, I'm going to HAVE TO put together the team set, eventually.

My First Jim Brown: 1964 Philadelphia!

Everybody should own a Jim Brown playing-era card. Working at a primarily vintage card shop -- and we've had a number of big vintage football buys since I began -- has increased my appreciation for Brown's career. I had to own at least one vintage beaut of the Hall of Fame Cleveland Brown, and thankfully that day has come.

1964 Philadelphia Football. Every Browns' player took their photo for the set in front of Jimmy Brown's white Cadillac, which is just damn awesome. The card's well off-center and missing the entire bottom border but VG to VG-EX works for me.

Here's the back, and I really dig the blue. $12.95 delivered sealed the deal.

1974 World Series Dodger Stadium Press Pass and Assorted Dodgers' Stuff!

I won a 1974 World Series Press Headquarters pass from my buddy Mike a few months back. He had listed a number of press passes, parking passes for press, and assorted goodies, and I was lucky enough to take down one of the items that I was most interested in. What intrigued me about this pass was its unique design and shape, vibrant color, and overall awesomeness.

So cool and obviously '70s. The pass admitted entry into The Biltmore Hotel, I'd assume. Although the series was rather lopsided in favor of Oakland, it was the first all-California World Series, and at least the Dodgers played in it.

When Mike brought me my winnings, he handed me a number of other items hailing from the 1974 Postseason. As always, Mike is seriously the best. We'll start with the first of three press parking passes, this one from Game 5 of the NLCS. Game 5 never came to fruition as the Dodgers advanced in 4.

Game 6 that never occurred in the World Series.

And the non-existent Game 7 of the Fall Classic.

Perhaps the most unique item, a pass to enter The Stadium Club for Game 5 of the World Series. This pass would not, however, get you into the actual stadium.

Finally, another Biltmore Hotel offering, this one representing official admittance to Press Headquarters for the NLCS against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Mike, you're a mensch! Many thanks amigo!

White Whale Captured: Matt Kemp's 2005 Bowman Chrome RC Auto Refractor /500!

Just look at that confident gaze on a young Matthew Ryan Kemp as he nonchalantly leans on the railing of a batting cage in a Spring Training game from yesteryear. I bet he's thinking, "One day I shall reside in the confines of the collection of one Greg Zakwin." Greg thought that as well, although he did not think it would take years for that to occur. It did, however, but thankfully the day has come when I can call this phenomenal 2005 Bowman Chrome RC Auto of my favorite player, The Bison, my own! Welcome home, Mattycakes. Welcome home.

This bad boy is not nearly as poorly centered or short as it probably appears; I just scan and crop cardboard horribly sometimes. The autograph is gorgeous, it really pops when scanned, and it's numbered 094/500 to boot! It's almost numbered to his long-ago Spring Training number. Oh, what fun that would have wrought.

Though the card was not on my Most Wanted List, it was essentially my most sought after piece of cardboard. Patience really paid off and although I still regret not buying dozens of these when they were basically dirt cheap, the day when I am able to do just that could theoretically still arise. And if it does, you best believe I'll have a stable full of these. The blue parallel is one I will definitely one day own.

2008 Press Pass Legends Alumni Autos: UCLA's Bill Walton and Kevin Love!

Certain cards allude my grasp for various reasons. The below dual auto of all-time great UCLA Bruins Bill Walton and Kevin Love out of 2008 Press Pass -- one of the best sets for beautiful on-card autos and fantastic pairings of players -- was rarely on eBay and too expensive when it did surface.

I've wanted this card for so, so long, and all it took for me to finally land it was for the seller to be located in Asia, which is apparently akin to poison for buyers on eBay. I suppose I understand the general trepidation of buying from overseas but this particular seller was a real mensch. He sent the Love/Walton registered, so I was able to track it and it arrived much quicker than I anticipated. Heck, he may have paid more than the card sold for in order to ship it the way he did.

The card was PSA'd a Mint 9 when I bought it, and considering it did not add to the final price I paid, I'm more than happy to add a slabbed piece of cardboard to the collection. $18.06 later and this bad boy showed up in my mailbox. I'm a very happy UCLA alum, as you can imagine.

I presume it's a blue parallel, and it's numbered 18/50, making the deal that much sweeter. Oh, and PSA, you misspelled Love's name on the holder.

Box Break: Panini 2013 USA Baseball Champions Hot Box (5 Hits....#MERICA)

I made a large Dave and Adam's purchase waaaaaay back in January. It took me long enough to post the first two installments of that expenditure, so here's part three: a box break of Panini's 2013 USA Baseball Champions. Corey Seager is all over the product and the box was under $30, which was all the incentive I needed.

The five hits I pulled, including a redemption for a Stars and Stripes Signatures auto. I really dig that subset, and although the redemption did expire at the end of 2014 before I bought the box, I'll be calling Panini and seeing if I can't snag the Seager Stars and Stripes as a replacement. Somehow, some way, I hope. Oh, and it was a retail box which promised 3 hits, so I beat the odds by a lot! Woooo!

The remaining highlights, including a base Seager, a couple of sweet and spiffy die-cuts, and a pair of numbered and colorful parallels.

An Unexpected (and Welcome) Grant Holmes Bowman Chrome RC Auto!

Most people who come into my work and buy wax do not break it there. Out of every 10 boxes purchased I'd say about 1.5 get busted in the store. It's always enjoyable to watch those select few boxes opened immediately after purchase as I can live vicariously through the customer. One guy actually busted two boxes Saturday about an hour before we closed. His best pull was easily the below beaut:

A top Dodger prospect! Grant Holmes was a first-round pick in 2014 and has been steadily moving through the system, showing the skills that made him a high pick and have him as a top prospect in the organization. I gave the customer a magnet, congratulated him, and he soon thereafter left after asking my boss if he'd be interested in buying the card.

About 10 minutes after we had closed up shop he returned, asked for me, and inquired if I'd give him $10 for the Holmes rookie John Hancock. I couldn't say YES! quickly enough, as I've been after Grant's 2014 Bowman Chrome RC autograph for some time, losing auction after auction. So thanks, cool random customer!

Pickup: Baseball Stars of 1954, w/ Cover Boys Roy Campanella and Al Rosen!

I let the below go once before on eBay and I didn't see it again for months. I wasn't sure I ever would, and the price was not even prohibitive the first time around. Thankfully it eventually reappeared and it was not passing me by a second time.

Featuring my two main vintage collections as cover boys -- Roy Campanella and Al Rosen -- it's a book straight out of 1954 that was had for right around $10. It catalogs and details 28 of baseball's stars in the mind of author Bruce Jacobs. The cover still has tremendous color and it was a no-brainer and a must, must-add considering who resides on said front cover.

1964 Topps: Lance Alworth (2nd Year!)

Certain rookie cards are unfortunately out of my budget for the foreseeable future. For the vintage guys I collect, it's disappointing, but if I can snatch a second or third-year card to serve as somewhat of a placeholder, I'll be happy and content all the same until the day I can dish out the requisite dough for the RC.

Lance Alworth is one of those guys whose rookie is super pricey. I will one day own his 1963 Fleer card, but in the meantime his second-year card from 1964 Topps will be just as enjoyable to own. The '64 design has really grown on me in the past month or so, as it has a very American feel to it with the color scheme and stars.

Those old Chargers' powder blues are just nails, every single time. The card is VG-EX and ran me just under $12 delivered. It's especially cool considering Lance was the '63 AFL MVP and the Chargers won the 1963 AFL Championship.

Bambi is the only vintage San Diego guy I collect and this '64 joins the 1970 Topps and 1971 Topps offerings I already possess. The '66 is probably the next affordable issue I desire, although I'd love to spring for the 1965 Tall Boy one of these days.

A 1954 All-Star Photo Pack: Roy Campanella, Slabbed SGC 50!

Finding Roy Campanella cards I don't have that won't destroy my savings is becoming more challenging by the day. Thankfully oddball items exist, and today's post features one of my favorite unique Campys that calls my collection home.

I had no idea there was such a thing as an All-Star game photo pack, but eBay once again turned me on to something I simply HAD to have. The cost was just over a blaster and a half for what is one of the cooler Campy items I own. It's slabbed an SGC 50 and the photo is amazing and simple, which is often a better combination than people would expect. The catcher's gear, backwards hat, and empty stadium work really well together. Also, pretty sure Roy has a fat lip.

T206 Piedmont Back, PSA 1: Zack Wheat!

While I have already posted a couple of Zack Wheats I have not yet gotten around to displaying the first Wheat card I acquired, the one that really pushed me towards adding him as a player collection. Well, that is until today, as the below beaut served as my initial foray into the world of pre-war PCs.

Oh snap! The centerpiece of my modest Zack Wheat PC is this gorgeous T206 of the Brooklyn Hall of Famer I snagged from eBay many months ago. It's got a Piedmont back which I didn't scan in, but there's significant paper loss. The reason I waited so long to showcase this bad boy is because I actually purchased it raw and sent it in to PSA through my work.

My boss who specializes in vintage and T206s -- he's sold a Wagner in the past and was one of the first to know the Gretzky Wagner was trimmed, informing Bruce McNall of that fact before he purchased that famous piece of cardboard -- wasn't 100% sure my Wheat was legit, so getting it slabbed was an obvious must.

The wait for it to return from Newport Beach was nerve-wracking but thankfully it passed the test as a PSA 1, which I knew it would grade out as if real. I LOVE it, creases and paper loss and staining and all. T206s should be well-loved, after all!

2x3 Heroes, Yet Again.

Jeff of 2x3 Heroes sent a PWE with some fun additions to various collections. There was also a reference to something that concerned us both that I'll ignore. :o

A hand-numbered (51/99) relic of Long Beach State Dirtbag Danny Espinosa. I forgot Jeff pulled this but it's a welcome addition to one of my tertiary PCs.

A pair of new Bisons popped out of the envelope next. Needed and appreciated.

Finally, a quartet of random cards I enjoyed finding.

Thanks dude!

2011 Bowman Perfect Game All-American Classic Auto: Corey Seager, Slabbed BGS 9/10 Autograph!

Corey Seager prices have majorly skyrocketed over the last year plus as he's shot through the system. I remember the days when I could nab his signatures easily for under a blaster. I thankfully took advantage of that and believed in his skill set because I can only occasionally land a card of his now. One major need my collection was without was his 2011 Bowman Perfect Game All-American Classic autograph. A lot of patience and more cash than I have ever dished out for the future stud finally landed me perhaps the centerpiece of my Seager PC.

Prior to acquiring the above gorgeous slabbed piece of cardboard it had been nearly a year (!) since any Seager John Hancock made its way into the PTSIA household. These cards, which are very similar to their Aflac predecessors, were signed in 2011 but not released until 2014. I didn't need a graded copy but I was able to use eBay Bucks and snatch it for roughly the same price as raw ones were selling for.

The scan of the back came out much worse but I decided to include it nevertheless for completion's sake. As I mentioned this is probably the best of my Seager PC, although his 2012 Bowman Chrome Draft Pick signature is certainly right there in terms of enjoyment and popularity (it was also a heck of a lot cheaper).

Emerson Etem 2013-2014 Panini Dominion: Auto-Patch #'d 65/99 (His #!)

Let's not discuss Games 6 and 7, eh? And heck, Game 5 too. Freddy Andersen was plain atrocious as the series wound down, and I place the loss mostly on him. Anyways, Emerson Etem was really good in the playoffs despite always skating on the fourth line and getting no power play time for some reason.

I have big expectations for him next season, especially if he's given a permanent role with offensive players around him. I'll continue to add hits of his to my collection and this fantastic auto-patch #'d 65/99 (his old sweater number!) is my latest pickup. The patch is four colors and there's a nice chunk of sweater mixed in to complement the on-card auto and his inscribed number 65.

Check Out This Duke Snider Night Souvenir Book From August 26th, 1960!

Sometimes when my bosses buy collections, random items will turn up that were basically throw-ins to whatever they purchased. A few months back they bought a large collection, and one item that turned up would have probably been sold for $10 to a customer. But instead of putting it out for sale, they decided to let me have it for the small sum of FREE.

Ooooh, oddball vintage! That's a phrase I always love to hear and an item that will always catch my eye. I certainly wasn't turning down a souvenir book from August 26th, 1960 that commemorated Duke Snider Night at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

My favorite part of this entirely awesome book is that the above incredible picture is prominently featured. The Dodgers played two on that day in 1960, with The Duke of Flatbush sitting out Game 1. In Game 2, he went 2-2 with a solo homer, a triple, and a walk as the Boys in Blue beat the Reds 2-0.

Many thanks to my bosses for giving me this sweet gift!

2013 Panini Father's Day Studio Progressions Cyan /5: Clayton Kershaw!

It feels like it's been forever since I added a Clayton Kershaw of some significance to my Kid K Collection. Prices have been high for some time and as I got in on Clayton when he first broke onto the scene, my collection has depth and many a high-end card within it already. I can remember the days when I could grab a Clayton John Hancock for $5. Oh, those were the days....

My early work has allowed me to sit back and pick off the oh so occasional card that slips through the cracks. I was recently able to land this 2013 Panini Father's Day Studio Progressions Cyan Blank Back parallel of Kersh's awesomely awesome Studio insert. These are limited to just 5 copies for each color; they're fairly similar to printing plates in that respect.