Blaster TWO, The Battle continues!

No small talk here just the cards and a note or two. Reminder Blaster 1 had 17 packs plus 1 jumbo pack. Blaster 2 & 3 each have 15 packs and 1 fat pack.

That raps up Blaster two. Just one more blaster box then you judge, let me know how you rank these boxes, and most important WHY.

Blaster Battle, and I can win what?

Merry Christmas all, I hope that your day/ Holiday was a good as mine.

Now to the ball cards. I was blessed yesterday with a few cards, or rather a few blaster boxes, and 30 other packs of cards that I got to open, yea me.

Well as you guys know when it comes to baseball cards I am slightly biased towards the Braves. When I open a pack of cards or box, whatever the first priority for me are the Braves, then then inserts, superstars, and cards that my fellow traders might need. So for the next day or two I will be posting these most recently gifted cards. First up will be the 3 Walmart Blasters (aka repacks). Tomorrow I will have a Pack Wars with the 30 individual packs. for now the blasters. I have a hard time deciding which box is better than the others, so I will leave that up to you guys to rate the boxes and WHY. I will show every card opened (other than base checklists). I scanned them roughly 9 at a time for the overview. Here are the packs that came in blaster #1:
Because this will be long post the reward for the best "reasoning for choosing one blaster box over the others ( I will decide who wins) will be a 1951 Bowman card, I would like to say it was in great shape, but I can't. But, it really isn't a bad card to have. Let the Battle begin!

Here are cards from 2009 Upper Deck Spectrum (4 cards each pack)

These are nice looking cards, no Braves but some cards I see for a few blogger traders. The Jeter is sweet.

2007 Topps

2010 Topps Update

2010 Upper Deck

Some nice inserts and a nice "at the wall". These Upper Deck look like a cross between some Ultra and Stadium club. I can't stand the biography cards, good info on the back, but not my cup of tea.

Now for some 2012 Heritage, I like the heritage cards a lot, but not much in the way for my PC.

Some 2012 Topps series 1

2012 Topps Series 2

2012 Topps Update

Now for the pack that I thought (before I opened it) would be the worst of the lot, but boy was I wrong. Look at these Upper Deck "fan Pack" Boston Redsox cards.

Now for some more UD Documentary cards, some 2009 Opeechee, and finishing it off with 2012 Topps Opening Day.

That raps up Blaster 1. Next post for #2 arriving soon.......

Any Yankees fans out there? Plus more from Target

Well, recently I had the good fortune of winning an Ebay auction with free shipping. Grand total of the below 3 pictures $3.25 delivered to my door today. Excellent condition too!

Yep, that's the Mick alright March 4, 1957 Sports Illustrated.

Hank Bauer

 Spring training 1958


And the 7 cards below are some more from that Target Blaster, nice Willie Mays. (still working/practicing with the picture manager, didn't work this time)

YES, CROPPED PICS & TARGET BLASTER

THANKS TO MY FELLOW BLOGGERS WHO HELPED ME WITH THIS. LOL, I STILL NEED TO PLAY AROUND WITH THE PICTURE MANAGER, BUT AT LEAST I CAN SHOW YOU THESE

LAST MONDAY I STOPPED BY TARGET AND BOUGHT A $11.99 BLASTER BOX. LOW AND BEHOLD I PULLED 15 INSERTS INCLUDING THE 2 ABOVE (AND I PULLED THE GOLDSCHMIDT TOO, HEHE). THAT ORTIZ IS COOL, BUT I ALSO PULLED THESE TOO.

THE PEDROIA IS NICE (I HAVE THE HANK AARON A CUT ABOVE), BUT THAT BABE CARD, WOW! THE BABE BEATS OUT THE ORTIZ CARD FOR SURE. ANYWAYS, I WAS JUST PRACTICING HERE WITH THE PICS, SO FAR SO GOOD AND HOPEFULLY THE POSTS WILL BE MORE PICENTERED. (PLAY ON WORDS). THE CARDS ABOVE ARE FOR TRADE, AS THEY ARE NOT BRAVES, SO...............

AGAIN THANKS TO THOSE WHO HELPED, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

Finally....Pictures but....

Okay, I finally figured out how to add some pictures. Unfortunately now I have to work on how my scanner saves pics. But either way at least i can put some pictures in my posts.

To start off with I have narrowed my favorite December cards down to 7. Not counting what is still to come in.

Here those 7 are.....

Its a start, hopefully in time I will figure out the scanner to just show the card at not the entire flatbed (1 at a time).

The card in the upper right corner is supposedly a statue of Terry Pendleton  (no likeness at all).
I really really like the Aaron bust at Turner Field. Who can complain about the rainbows (orange and emerald). Or the mini, I had a tough time not including the 1975 mini's in this contest, but opted to not included them as they have been around for a long time, at least for the favorite. Maybe for the toughest get though. Although that Aaron above is serial numbered to 99.
The Lofton card is an awesome card, if you check the stats on the back you understand why he is at the wall marked 330. He reached that number in stolen bases with Atlanta, finishing that year with 332.

Contest update

Jeff Yeo added another 20 points this week, and Kyle Dworchak added another 18. Thanks guys!

Still time left.

Prize reminders: up for grabs are 2 1977 intact Pepsi gloves and some 1983 ovesize super star cards!

OOPS, I did it again AGAIN

Well,  this morning I went off to one of the flea markets. And............ It was slow there, usually is according the vendors this same weekend every year due to a couple of Christmas parades keep people away. I looked for the vintage guy, not there. Looked for the guy who sold me that Mantle auto card, not there either. Good thing my old friend was there (BOB, the one I've known for 20 years). Anyways, I hung out at his booth for a few hours, and picked through all of his stuff that wasn't out, hidden in cubbies and boxes, buried covered up, forgotten about by all.

Bob was having a tough day, made $5.00 profit for the day (not counting the rent there). So I figured I'd help him out again. I started picking out the boxes all dusty and full of of junk wax cards for the most part. Picked out some non-sports sets, and a bunch of oddball baseball sets like 1985 Topps Boardwalk and Baseball Collector's edition "all time record holders". Really nice, some of you will find out soon. I also picked up a 1987 Limited edition Fleer award winners set. Again some will have some soon.

I picked up umm maybe 10,000 cards today too, oops I did it again, AGAIN! I know I said I wasn't going to do that again, but $30.00 for everything, plus he's coming over after the Holidays to bring me about 50 vintage Braves and a box full of Falcons for some of my Jeter cards. I can live with that too.

I did actually pick up some junk wax, but after setting aside everyones' hit list and mini's. I can't really call it junk anymore, at least not until I get rid of everything piled up on my living room floor. LOL.  A lot of it actually is already earmarked for traders.

With that said, I have been sending a lot of PWEs out to fellow traders/bloggers from my "boxes" and will continue to do so. But, forgive me if you get something that isn't actually a "hit" or in my norm. What I mean is that I still have stacks and PWEs lined up for those whom I trade with already, but I will be sending a lot of this stuff I got today to you also. Keep in mind I still only want in return what you feel fair. So please dig through whatever I send, you will find some GEMS.

One of the so called "junk boxes" was a 1989 Topps vending box 500 count. On the outside of the box was written commons and the box had a $5.00 sticker on it, under normal circumstance thats not too bad. Of course I only paid about $2.00 for it. But by no means would I call what was inside commons. It was all the super stars, and of  course commons. Nonetheless,  couldn't go wrong there for $2 ish.

Another $2.00 box was 1992 Donruss series I set. Let me just say if you have mini collections you should revisit that set, and some of you will find out soon what I am talking about.

Another $2.00 a piece for two complete sets of 1991 "Rockcards" with stickers included, pretty cool stuff if you like the Rock Bands from the 80s and 90s.

Another $2.00 for a box on 89 Fleer (no Jr, and no Ripken), but still not bad for $2.00.

All in all I say I picked up 8 more non sport sets from DC comic sets to American Gladiator sets at a buck each. I also picked a box of 2012 Score football $5.00, and a armful of  "boxed lots" at a buck each too. these were all kinds of cards, and good ones I might add like Topps Chrome and Finest, etc.....

This time I am not putting them into my sytem, just going to trade em away and put whats left in a trade box.

Until later............

The December breakdown

Okay folks,

I've finally worked my way through that box of wonderful goodies from TJ (the junior junkie). It pulled in 137 hits out of 143. Well done, many of the cards are sitting with the December favorites. There were some doubles too, but most hit my frankenset perfectly.

I did not expect to have 10 cards in all for the running of my favorite card, let alone the 16 I have so far, this is going to be a tough one come Dec. 31st.

Points a third of the way in are as follows:

Leading the way is Bo (baseball cards come to life) with 159 points.

TJ (the junior junkie) 137 points
(has cards in the running for fav)

Nick (dime boxes) 105 points
(has cards in the running for fav)

Jeff (one mans junk) 22 points
(has card in the running for fav)

Kyle Dworchak (nolans dugout) 19 points

Marcus (all the way to the back stop) 15 points
(has card in the running for fav)

I want to say THANKS again for the help with the Braves. Now I only need a gazillion more. LOL!

If you haven't traded with the bloggers above, you should do so. As well as Jeff (2 x3 heroes), and Dan (its like having my own card shop). All great traders and many have excellent blogs to follow too!

https://sites.google.com/site/johnnystradingspot/home/braves-haves

jfmjr1@aol.com

The mail lady was really good today

I'll be short and just summarize as I need to get to sleep.

First let me say thanks to following bloggers: Kyle, TJ, Bo, Yeo, and thanks to Tim at OCT, and to Mitch at sportlots, and thanks to a couple of Ebayers, and Beckett traders. Today was a good day for sure.

I opened Kyles first and got a sweet run of Pacific cards and a few oddball too, 19 hits out of 19 hits.

Then, Yeo 2 PWEs packed with Fleer plus a few Donruss 22 hits out 23

Next up was Bo, holy mackarel. Bo killed a few Topps Braves team sets. 159 hits in total out of 160

Last I opened up TJ box (over at junior junkie), I haven't even put the cards into my system yet, but he scattered Braves all over the place. It may take a day or two to sort. He sent almost as many cards as Bo,  of which 10 are definitely in the running for my favorite. I spent this evening browsing those cards. Wow, I am impressed with everything I got from everyone.

Only one set got duplicated and that was by a trader in my vintage trade group (OCT) who sent a surprise mailing of 3 complete team sets hit 92 tsc, 82 fleer and donruss. (he's not part of the contest so no harm there. LOL.

I will have to update my Braves wants soon, but keep em coming ( I added another binder that now makes 11 Braves binders in the works) A Frankenset of strictly Braves doubles, only once placed will not be removed.

Thanks again to all. Lets keep it going.

I opened the 84 Topps football packs

I just opened the 4 packs that I have had for years. No Elway or Marino, but I did get the Dickerson, and 2 Montanas.

Here is what is available and in MINT condition:

The Montanas # 358 x2

Dickerson #280

13, 17 x2, 33, 50 x2, 58 newsome x2, 60 x2, 112, 118 x2, 121, 125 x2, 151 x2, 153, 154 x2, 158, 170, 171, 173 x2, 201, 236, 241 x2, 245 x2, 286 slater, 289 x2,

290 x2, 294, 296 x2, 302, 303 x2, 309, 316, 321 LT, 327 x2, 345, 356 x2, 361 x2, 376 x2, and 385. Also have the 4 Topps Game pieces.

John Miller

How cool would it be if

With the Hall of Fame announcement just 4 weeks away, I thought it fitting to give a shout out for my Braves nominees.

Yeah yeah, Maddux should be a 1st ballot shoe in, as should Glavine although the writers seem to be a bit iffy there on first ballot for him. I'd really like to comment about another Brave on the ballot again. The Crime dog, this will be the 5th year for Fred McGriff in the voting, and keeps coming up way short. He is Hall Worthy, so I am hoping that the Padres fans out there as well as the D-rays and Cubs, and the folks way north will do all that they can for the guy. Let the writers know how the FANS feel, he has yet to get 24% of the vote and dropped last year a tiny bit and he needs 75% to get elected. Wouldn't it be cool if all 3 were voted in for 2014? Only once before has 2 team-mates been elected in the same year, so this could be a first for baseball! Coast to Coast everybody liked and likes Fred McGriff.

McGriff was loved and respected by the fans of all six teams that he played for, both leagues ten years each. Sure he was short 7 homers of hitting the infamous landmark 500, but look at everything else he did, and does (speaking of his off field works). Ten years of 30+ dingers, please..... Over 1500 RBIs. The  man averaged better than 1 hit per game. He played in 2460 games and and had 2490 hits. The Braves would not have won their only World Series if not for McGriff contributions, hell they wouldn't have made most of those post-seasons either, and let's face it the Braves were Americas team in the mid 90s *I had to throw that in there, hehe), and yes Maddux and Glavine was there with their amazing pitching, I know. But they will get in, McGriff needs our help.
1.5 years before he retired he pounded out 30 home runs for the Cubbies at age 38, with 103 RBIs that year. He is Hall Worthy!! Lets help get him in.

HMMM, What if Smoltz had retired just 1 year earlier, LOL.  Now that would be something....4.

A little help please..... I have a Problem

Okay,

I just traded away my Personal Collection John Elway Rookie card, MINT, MINT, MINT. I have others but not MINT. I shouldn't have done it, but I did. Now I do have a NM (7  or 7.5). Keep in my mind I only collect RAW cards, nothing graded. I am always getting offers for the RC, so I am sure in time I will find another MINT copy, in time. My problem...... I still have 4 unopened packs of 1984 Topps football.

My question to all is,  do I open them and hope for a non gum stained MINT Elway (or Marino), or NOT and wait until a trade comes along?

If I do open them, does anyone want to claim a team for the 4 pack bust?  No return needed, but always appreciated for sure. Email me your opinions at jfmjr1@aol.com

UGHHHHHHHH

WOWSER!

I only got one package in today's mail, but it was a doozie. The package came from Nick over at "dime boxes". Talk about some return fire. Let's just say Nick is the current points leader for my contest.

Nick sends a huge stack of Braves cards, 119 of which he scored 105 points on. THANK YOU!!!!
INSIDE THE PACKAGE:::: There were 16 hits for binders 1 & 2, that was sweet, and 4 more for binder 3.
Nick even sent some of what could be binder hits of his own like pitchers at the plate or on the base paths and plays at the plate. He even put some plays at or rather on the wall. He threw in some of knucksie (Phil Niekro) too!

Forty one (41) of the cards in the package were either oddballs, inserts, or parallels (2 of which are in the running for my December favorite a Topps Orange parallel and an Emerald). Packed full of minis also. Nick had another card in the running for the favorite card too. A nice Upper Deck card of Turner Field,  with a statue of Hammerin Hank front and center of the card, really nice.

I definitely loved getting those oddball and minis, 3 of which were 1975 original minis. It took 3 hours to look at them and log them into my systems, and then another hour to put them into their rightful homes.

I literally need thousands and thousands of Braves and Elways each. So, hopefully I get to do this again tomorrow with another package that I am expecting in.

Thanks again Nick!

First to Score

Just a short post to say that Marcus is first to score points for the December contest. He sent a bubble mailer with 15 solid hits for my binders.(3 of which were for binder #1 and 2 for binder #2).

One of the cards marcus sent will be in the running for the card I like the best. A 2013 Pinnacle Kimbrel.... First card from this set for me which is why I chose that one from the cards he sent over which included some 2012 Topps Chrome, of who was that, oh yeah,  Simmons and Freeman (but those guys were trips for me). Still a very nice start. Thanks Marcus.

The December "contest"

Yesterday I hinted about running a contest for this month. So here is the scoop!

With the recent rash of "new to me"  blogger traders, I feel like I need to do something special for blessing me with so many as I see gifts in our never ending quest for cardboard. So I've thought on what would be the prize, and I came up with not 1 but 5 items that I'd like to award people. Then, I obviously had to re-think the how or who would win them. I am going to make it as simple as can be.

#1 The TOP Prize will be for the trader who sends the most Braves or Elway hits. Simply put for each card that comes in in December 2013 that I can take off of my need list gets 1 point per hit, the collector with the most points come 1/1/14 gets..... (Drum Roll)

TWO complete intact 1977 "Pepsi Gloves"  unpunched disc complete with tab. Mike Hargrove Texas Rangers and Butch Wynegar Minnesota Twins

#2 The next prize will be based on the hardest/toughest/rarest hit Brave or Elway card I get in December.

1983 Oversized (postcard size) Donruss card #23 Nolan Ryan

# 3 This one will be based on the card that I like the best or believe is the coolest. Simple enough

and the winner gets..... (from the same oversized 1983 Donruss set) cards #24 Steve Carlton & #1 Eddie Murray.

I know that there are those traders especially in the vintage groups, to which I am a member would love for me to trade them the "gloves" as they are mainly set builders, but these and the 83 D cards are not for them, not today not this time. These prizes are the blogasphere period. 

Send me them cards! Lets swap some board! 

https://sites.google.com/site/johnnystradingspot/home/braves-haves       jfmjr1@aol.com