WOOGIE DID WHAT!?!

It was the one product that truly caught me eye in 2015.

Just the one.

You see there was a time when I would get so stoked about new products each year.  I would do homework... study the designs... who had autographs, who had relics... how many packs in a box, how man hits per box... what were the case hits...

on and on it would go until I was able to come to some type of decision about how I would spend my money and what would give me the biggest bang for my buck.

But things change.

The years have gone by and I find myself doing less research... less caring in a way.

I had (with the help of this blog and the encouragement from fellow blogger and now mysteriously vanished Kirk @ EutawStreetCardboard) given myself a direction.

No longer was I the guy who collected the bright beautiful treasure of any product or player I liked that caught my eye.

Instead I decided I'd collect a specific set.

It started with 2011 Topps Lineage and gradually was narrowed down to mainly the 1975 mini relic sub set.  Eventually through this blog I took on the 2010 Topps 206 mini book relics as well after a monster trade.

Now I've completed both of those sets. 

I still have one set I'm still working on, but it's 2/3 of the way complete and all I can do is wait for the final 5 cards to pop up somewhere.

So that being said my mojo on the baseball card front has slowed down substantially.  

There just isn't much new out that has me lusting after baseball cards the way I once had.

Except that one product in 2015...

I'm speaking of the Panini re-launch of Diamond Kings.

I couldn't wait to break this stuff open.  It had everything I liked for the most part.  Amazing checklists loaded with All Time Greats, Artistic styling, and reasonable price point.

However, the main attraction?

Mr. George Herman Ruth.

Yes, this product introduced new Babe Ruth relics to the market and the idea of a Babe Ruth pinstripe relic in my collection began to haunt my dreams.

So I bought a box plus a few packs and even purchased the Yankees in an online box break.

I pulled some nice hits including an Anthony Rizzo auto, a Francisco Lindor auto, Ichiro dual relic, and some other nice stuff.

But no Ruths.

However I knew a guy from a Facebook group I belong to that hit one in a team case break.  Let me tell you that guy must have fielded a hundred offers.  It was a Ruth Framed Mini Relic with pinstripe numbered out of 10.  I didn't even bother putting out an offer.  After all this card was selling online between $500-$700.

That will just never be a price range I can approach for a card, even if it's a Babe Ruth!

Well a few weeks ago I see the Ruth on Facebook again and saw the owner fielding offers.  Turns out he was a big Ripken collector.  Now those of you who follow the blog know that the best item in my collection is my 2131 commemorative ticket signed by Cal twice.

Obviously this was a pretty special part of my collection and one that I've owned and enjoyed for roughly the last 6 years.

However, for a chance at a Ruth jersey relic I suddenly seemed less attached to it.

I decided to message the owner of said Ruth and found myself dealing with a Ripken Super Collector who felt the same that I did about my own item.

I've been doing this long enough to tell the difference between a collector and a profiteer.  I wouldn't have wanted to swap my Cal if I knew it was only going to go and hit the open market. I guess I would have rather it been given a good home and enjoyed with out filling some middle mans pockets in between.  My guy was a collector and he knew I was the same.  He told me I was the first person to really want his card for sheer pleasure as opposed to potential profit.  

As nice as my Ripken item is, it's still not on par with a Babe Ruth jersey card.  Or this specific card I should say.  So I offered up this in total trade.

A couple of "Lost Cards" including my Fleer Tradition Update Mantle relic and my Triple Threads Eddie Murry relic /27.  Also a great jumbo bat booklet of Murray and Davis /5 from Museum Collection and a quad relic of Gausman, Machado, Davis, and Jones from the same brand.  Lastly I threw in an Art Donovan auto and some vintage cards I had and a few inserts.

I thought it was a long shot and didn't hold my breathe.

I mean I just never thought I'd actually get the chance to own one of those cards on my budget and with my collection for trade bait.  

Once again the baseball cards smiled on me and said... "For you Woogie, Sure".

I'm expecting this little guy in my mailbox this week!

I'll post another short blog once it has arrived in my mailbox.  

While Diamond Kings boasts other Ruth hits as well each has a short print run.  So to own just one of these bad boys feels like a dream.  There are 98 other total framed relics in the set but if I decide to expand upon the Ruth I may just go for all of the Yankees in this set which include other LEGENDS such as Gehrig, Dimaggio, Huggins, and Dickey to name a few.

For now I'll just enjoy the Ruth.

When it actually arrives...

Thanks for reading!

Till next time...

Shifting Gears

I feel a changing in the winds...

When I think about collecting baseball cards, I sometimes wonder what it is that keeps me in a hobby that at one time was aimed mainly at children.

I mean that's where it all started for me as an 8 year old boy...

But what is it about this hobby that draws me in with the same if not greater enthusiasm as a 30 year old man?

The answer is nostalgia.

I'm nostalgic for my youth I guess.

And as large as baseball cards were to my youth it wasn't the only thing.

Now I've made great strides in completing certain sets and i'm 2/3 of the way through another one, but the passion isn't there right now.

Another one has bloomed.

I'm talking about toys my friends.

I'm thinking about spawning a new collection.

It's been up in my head for a while now and I've dabbled in the past with an action figure or two, but I'm thinking about getting really serious with it.

I want to start collecting toys.

If I had to give my top 5 sets it would have to be

1. 1982 and up G.I. Joe Action Figures

2. 1984 Kenner Super Powers

3. Marvel Secret Wars

4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

5. Ghostbusters

Number 1 and 2 are ones I'd consider going after. 

That being said... if anyone has old Joes or Superpowers and would be up for trading for baseball let me know.  I think i'm ready to move some stuff to bring in something fresh.

Let me know!

I'm Baaaaaaaccccckkkkkk

Yes!

It is true...

rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.

Okay, so maybe that's a little dramatic, but the point is the blog isn't dead.

I just took a break I guess blogging about my hobby and instead focused all my efforts and energies on actually expanding my collection.

And I did in a big way.

I have completed the 2011 Topps Lineage 1975 mini relic set.

Ya'll heard what I said right?

I SAID I COMPLETED THAT 75 RELIC SET SON!!!

check it oooouuuuttttt

This was when I was down to 3 needing Stan the Man, Mick, and Babe to complete it.

Stan came shortly after and I scored Mickey Mantle on a last second snipe on ebay!  After I got Mantle I posted it on Facebook and through comments traded my triple relic Ruth (tears were shed) for the final card in my set that I needed.  Mr. Babe Ruth

That's a total of 99 cards with at least 30 HOFers!

(With more to be inducted in the future!)

To be honest I've been kinda lost lately since I've completed the set.

I completed the 2010 Topps 206 mini book relic set and now the 75 mini relic set.

Both impressive sets to complete in my opinion and makes me a proud collector.

This leaves me one set i'm still chasing and that's the 2013 Topps Update 1971 mini relic set.

I've currently got 10 out of 15 of that set and it's a toughy since all cards are numbered to 25.

I still need Trout, Schmidt, Verlander, Ramirez, and Stargell.  If you have one of those guys please hit me up!

Check out the 10 I have!

Clemente, Musial, Bench, Ripken, Maddux, Jeter, Garciaparra, Upton, Granderson, and Longoria 

I guess I may as well chase the 72's as well from Series 1 & 2

If you've got any of those let me know as well.  That's a 30 card set.

Well fwiends...

It's getting late (10:30... i'm so lame... and tired)

Thanks for reading

Till next time or next year... whichever

Lost in Cards: Where's Woogie Files

HERE I AM!

So I haven't posted in forever and honestly it's not because I don't like the blog anymore...  I'm just so busy being a daddy and unwinding from being a daddy (once my little one is asleep) that I don't have as much time to dedicate to the blog.

However, it's a nice Sunday morning and my wife and daughter are playing house in the other room watching Frozen and I've decided to take advantage and finally post up.

So much has happened with my collection that I'm not sure where to start.  I guess the best place would be the collection that started it all... The Lost Cards

At last check I had acquired all but 1 of my Lost Cards.  Derek friggin Jeter.

No.  I haven't acquired Jeter.  Don't get me wrong I'd love to still, but I *gasp* traded away three of my Lost Cards.  I know... I know...

The premise of getting the cards back was a great one and it was an excellent adventure in doing so.  However what was I going to do with them once I got them all back?  I pondered this often as I wasn't sure I wanted to keep them PC for the rest of my life.  The Lost Cards once made up the cream of the crop of my collection.  However, because of this blog and meeting other collectors I discovered new goals and desires for my collection.  So I traded 3 Brooks Robinson Lost Cards to a personal friend from childhood who is a SUPER collector of Brooks Robinson.  They have a great home in my buddy's collection.

In return? Only an amazing card of the GREATEST player of all time. (It's not up for debate. He is the King of Baseball)

2011 Topps Tier One Triple Bat Card 11/25

I also got a 2014 Topps Heritage Mike Schmidt relic card /99 that I have since traded and a few nice RC of Tanaka, Bryant, and Abreau.  Felt like a lopsided deal in my favor, but Nathan loves Brooks so much that I think he thought he was getting over on me! Regardless, we have two very happy collectors at the end of the trade and I can assure you this card has found a permanent home in my collection.

So I have three other sets I'm working on completing and one of them is of course my Lineage relics.  I've decided to just do the 99 card player checklist.  I know a few other players have either a bat or jersey relic, but the only card that has two different versions is Willie McCovey.  I am very pleased at the progress I have made on that front as well!  I now have 89 out of 99.  I only need the following players to complete my set!

Ruth, Mantle, Koufax, McCovey jersey, Musial, Ford, Gibson, Ott, Strausburg, and Pujols.

PLEASE MESSAGE ME IF YOU HAVE ONE FOR TRADE!!!

I've also been working on the 2013 Topps Update 1971 mini relic set.  This is much tougher... All cards are numbered to /25 and has a 15 player check list.  I now have a total of 6!

I have Curtis Granderson on the way!  The rest of the checklist is loaded with studs and is not going to be easy or cheap to complete!  Please PM me if you've got one I can add!

Clemente, Jeter, Trout, Longoria, Garciaparra, Ramirez, Verlander, Schmidt, and Stargell

Lastly...

Many of you (okay... one of you) may remember a trade I made a while back to acquire a number of 2010 Topps 206 mini book relics with the intention of completing the set.  With a 25 card checklist and numbered out of /99 this was bound to be a challenge.  

I'm proud to say that I have completed the set!!!!

A Case Hit Complete Set! I know of one of other person to complete it as well.  Maybe there are a few others who have as well, but regardless... it puts me in rare company.  Take a look at the complete set!

Now I'm working on a display case to proudly show off the new completed set!  I can't wait to complete the Lineage set!

Sadly, I have taken my bumps too...

My basement flooded partially after all the snow melted (apparently I have a drainage problem) and I had to remove half the carpet from my ManCave.  No worries... because no cards or memorabilia was hurt in the process!  

Well fwiends! It's been real.  Now back to Frozen and Daddy/Daughter play time.

Thanks for reading!

Till next time... (or next year...)