Monday 31 December 2012

2003 Upper Deck 40 Man

The incredibly enormous 990 card set from Upper Deck.
The Red Sox available are;
 
#204 Nomar Garciaparra
#205 Pedro Martinez
#206 John Burkett
#207 Johnny Damon
#208 Doug Mirabelli
#209 Derek Lowe
#210 Shea Hillenbrand
#211 Brandon Lyon
#212 Trot Nixon
#213 Jason Varitek
#214 Tim Wakefield
#215 Manny Ramirez
#216 Todd Walker
#217 Jeremy Giambi
#218 Ramiro Mendoza
#219 Bill Mueller
# 220 David Ortiz
#221 Mike Timlin
#222 Alan Embree
#223 Bob Howry
#224 Chad Fox
#225 Damian Jackson
#226 Casey Fossum
#227 Steve Woodard
#228 Freddy Sanchez
#764 Johnny Damon AS
#766 Nomar Garciaparra AS
#769 Shea Hillenbrand AS
#773 Derek Lowe AS
#774 Pedro Martinez AS
#777 Manny Ramirez AS
#840 Nomar Garciaparra T40
#841 Manny Ramirez T40
#842 Pedro Martinez T40
#880 Jason Shiell NR
#881 Kevin Tolar NR
#938 Mike Nicolas NR
#945 Ryan Cameron NR
#963 Boston Red Sox TC

There are two parallel versions; Rainbow and Red,White and Blue.
Included in each pack is a UD Vintage Update card.
There are 10 cards per pack and I have two packs. There must be a Red Sox in here somewhere.

Pack 1:
#1 Troy Glaus Angels
#47 Ricardo Rincon Athletics
#57 Kelvim Escobar Blue Jays
#193 Herbert Perry Rangers
#297 Tony Flore Twins
#475 Ramon Martinez Cubs
#627 Roger Cedeno Mets
#834 Jeff Kent Giants WS
#890 Mike Ryan Twins NR
#335 Sandy Alomar White Sox Vintage update
 
Pack 2:
#69 Frank Catalanotto Blue Jays
#369 Octavio Dotel Astros
#474 Matt Clement Cubs
#475 Ramon Martinez Cubs ????again????
#570 Kurt Ainsworth Giants
#643 Clay Condrey Padres
#680 Hector Mercado Phillies
#820 Luis Castillo Marlins AS
#917 Matt Bruback Cubs NR
#297 Mike Neu Athletics Vintage update
That is just depressing.
 

Saturday 29 December 2012

2003 Upper Deck Honor Roll

Here is an interesting concept from 2003, a 161 card set from Upper Deck. The first 130 cards in the set are two different cards for 65 players, the even numbered cards #2- #60 are short printed and apparently seeded into packs in a ratio of 1 to 6. Card #131 is a short printed (#to1000) exclusive Hideki Matsui card and the next 30 cards are Freshman Class rookies and prospects (#to2500).
There are two parallel sets called Silver Honors (#to150) and Gold Honors (#to25)
There are three relics inserts available; Dean's List Jersey, Grade A Batting Gloves and Leather of Distinction. An interesting feature of the Dean's List jersey is that each player has two cards, one for each initial in their name. Well maybe not that interesting really.
The Red Sox available are;
#23 Nomar Garciaparra
#24 Nomar Garciaparra SP
#39 Pedro Martinez
#40 Pedro Martinez SP

There are 5 cards per pack. I have two packs.

Pack 1:
#21 Miguel Tejada Athletics
#68 Shawn Green Dodgers
#81 Rafael Palmeiro Rangers
#104 J.D.Drew Cardinals
#108 Brian Giles Pirates
 
Pack 2:
#7 Mike Piazza Mets
#53 Bernie Williams Yankees
#88 Rafael Furcal Braves
#93 Roy Oswalt Astros
#97 Larry Walker Rockies
 
In terms of Red Sox, I am seriously opening some crappy packs lately.  


Saturday 22 December 2012

2003 Upper Deck Series 2 baseball

The 2003 Upper Deck baseball card set includes 540 cards, divided into two series and an update set of 60 cards. Series 2 is numbered 271 to 540. This includes Star Rookies numbered 501-530 and Season Highlights numbered 531to 540.

The Red Sox available in series 2 are;
#330 Manny Ramirez
#331 Johnny Damon
#332 Trot Nixon
#333 Tim Wakefield
#334 Casey Fossum
#335 Todd Walker
#336 Jeremy Giambi
# 337 Bill Mueller
#338 Ramiro Mendoza
#540 Nomar Garciaparra SH CL
I have two packs that are marked $2.99 and have a big blob of silicone on the top, so I am guessing they were once part of a repack.

Pack 1:
#290 Mark Hendrickson Blue Jays
#295 Erubiel Durazo Athletics
#366 Bernie Williams Yankees
#371 David Wells Yankees
#452 Justin Wayne Marlins
#456 Todd Hollandsworth Marlins
#520 Termel Sledge Expos
#533 Miguel Tejada Athletics
 
Pack 2:
#283 Ramon Hernandez Athletics
#317 Jeff Conine Orioles
#364 Miguel Olivo White Sox
#381 Billy Wagner Astros
#445 Ray Durham Giants
#452 Justin Wayne Marlins
#482 Kris Benson Pirates
#522 Phil Seibel Mets
Having no luck with these packs at all.
 
 
 

Saturday 15 December 2012

1991 Topps baseball

The Topps 1991 set is a highly unappreciate set, unfortunately falling bang in the middle of the overproduced Junk Wax era. It should sit high in this era considering it followed the awful 1990 Topps with a return to better photography and neater finish. The 792 card set is packed with corrected errors to keep collectors searching for years to come.
A complete list of errors can be found here.

The most significant cards from this set are:

#113 Carl Everett RC
#333 Chipper Jones RC

The Red Sox available in this set are;
#14 Dennis Lamp
#21 Joe Morgan MG
#37 Tom Bolton
#70 Ellis Burks
#94 John Dopson
#123 Greg A. Harris
#155 Dwight Evans
#189 Daryl Irvine
#206 Carlos Quintana
#247 Jody Reed
#269 Joe Hesketh
#303 Mike Boddicker
#338 Luis Rivera
#356 Mike Marshall
#375 Tony Pena
#450 Wade Boggs
#474 Phil Plantier RC
#496 Marty Barrett
5#30 Roger Clemens
#542 Rob Murphy
#574 John Marzano
#605 Jeff Reardon
#629 Wes Gardner
#652 Kevin Romine
#675 Tom Brunansky
7#02 Tim Naehring
#731 Jeff Gray
#761 Larry Andersen
#763 Dana Kiecker
#792 Mike Greenwell

There are 15 cards and 1 stick of gum per pack.
I was recently sent 3 packs purchased at a flea market in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Pack 1:
#217 Chris Bosio Brewers
#218 Rick Parker Giants
#255 Brain Downing Angels
#303 Mike Boddicker Red Sox
#421 Alex Cole Indians
#466 Charles Nagy Indinas
#538 Bip Roberts Padres
#614 Luis Salazar Cubs
#620 Ozzie Guillen White Sox
#639 Frank Robinson Orioles
#705 Robby Thompson Giants
#744 Nelson Santovenia Expos
#753 Paul Marak Braves
#785 Scott Fletcher White Sox

 
Pack 2:
#13 Mariano Duncan Reds
#14 Dennis Lamp Red Sox
#48 Dennis Boyd Expos
#52 Francisco Oliveras Giants
#68 Gary Sheffield Brewers
#144 Dave Henderson Athletics
#173 Jason Grimsley Phillies
#323 Cory Snyder Indinas
#371 Jeff Montgomery Royals
#453 Lenny Harris Dodgers
#495 Charlie Hough Rangers
#529 Marc Newfield Mariners
#710 Kent Hrbrk Twins
#713 Scott Scudder Reds
#735 Ron Darling Mets
 
Pack 3:
#56 Jeff Parrett Braves
#57 Jack Howell Angels
#87 Tracy Jones Mariners
#139 Jeff Treadway Braves
#174 Ken Caminiti Astros
#227 Steve Avery Braves
#297 Manny Lee Blue Jays
#403 Bobby Bonilla Pirates AS
#435 Kevin Maas Yankees
#502 Carney Lansford Athletics
#568 Ron Karkovice White Sox
#667 Kent Anderson Angels
#681 Jeff Scaefer Mariners
#703 Juan Agosto Astros
#764 Mark Carreon Mets
 
 
So a couple of Red Sox and three piece of delicious gum.

Monday 10 December 2012

2011 Topps Lineage Stand-ups insert

This 25 die-cut insert set is modelled on the 1964 Stand-ups inserted in 1964 Topps. Designed to be folded in half (heaven forbid) to display the player.
They were inserted into 2011 Topps Lineage at a ratio of 1 in 12 packs. Unlike some of the other inserts within Lineage there are no variations.
I have 25 of the 25 cards so far.

The 25 card set includes:

TS1 Jose Bautista
TS2 Ryan Zimmerman
TS3 Albert Pujols
TS4 Felix Hernandez
TS5 Tim Lincecum
TS6 Ryan Howard
TS7 Mariano Rivera
TS8 Jason Heyward
TS9 Ryan Braun
TS10 Hunter Pence
TS11 Miguel Cabrera
TS12 Adam Dunn
TS13 Kevin Youkilis
TS14 Joey Votto
TS15 Carlos Gonzalez
TS16 Mike Stanton
TS17 Matt Kemp
TS18 Joe Mauer
TS19 Alex Rodriguez
TS20 Roy Halladay
TS21 Brooks Robinson
TS22 Hank Aaron
TS23 Mickey Mantle
TS24 Juan Marichal
TS25 Sandy Koufax

Sunday 9 December 2012

2011 Topps Lineage 3D cards

This 25-card set is based on the 1968 Topps 3-D set.
The Linegraph cards are based on the obscure XOGraph test issue from 1968. The original cards all have the following text on their backs.

This is an experimental XOGRAPH® card produced as a limited edition. Not for public circulation or distribution. Not for resale.
To be returned to:
Visual Panographics, Inc.
488 Madison Avenue
New York, New York.

The cards were inserted into 2011 Topps Lineage at a ratio of 1 in 12 packs. There are two variations available; black backs limited to 99 and Red backs limited to 1. Each featuring the original 1968 card backs.
Although the original experimental 1968 versions go for mega-money. This Lineage set is relatively inexpensive to complete, so complete it I will try.

The 25 cards in the set are:

T3D1 Ichiro
T3D2 Buster Posey
T3D3 Ryan Howard
T3D4 Mark Teixeira
T3D5 Joe Mauer
T3D6 Ryan Braun
T3D7 Carlos Gonzalez 
T3D8 Joey Votto
T3D9 Adrian Gonzalez
T3D10 Alex Rodriguez
T3D11 David Wright
T3D12 Carl Crawford
T3D13 Miguel Cabrera
T3D14 Chase Utley
T3D15 Evan Longoria
T3D16 Jason Heyward
T3D17 Kendry Morales
T3D18 Shin-Soo Choo
T3D19 Hanley Ramirez
T3D20 Josh Hamilton
T3D21 Justin Upton
T3D22 Troy Tulowitzki
T3D23 Hunter Pence
T3D24 Derek Jeter
T3D25 Albert Pujols

Saturday 8 December 2012

1971 Fleer World Series baseball


1971 Fleer world series champions. Artwork by Robert Laughlin is featured in this second of Fleer's World Series Highlights sets. Fronts feature color art with backs printed in black. there are 68 cards in the 1971 set .
The 75 cards in the set are:

1 1903 Red Sox/Pirates Cy Young
2 1904 NO Series John McGraw
3 1905 Giants/A's
4 1906 White Sox/Cubs
5 1907 Cubs/Tigers
6 1908 Cubs/Tigers Ty Cobb
7 1909 Pirates/Tigers
8 1910 A's/Cubs Eddie Collins
9 1911 A's/Giants Home Run Baker
10 1912 Red Sox/Giants
11 1913 A's/Giants Christy Mathewson
12 1914 Braves/A's
13 1915 Red Sox/Phillies Grover Alexander
14 1916 Red Sox/Dodgers
15 1917 White Sox/Giants Red Faber
16 1918 Red Sox/Cubs Babe Ruth
17 1919 Reds/White Sox
18 1920 Indians/Dodgers
19 1921 Giants/Yankees Waite Hoyt
20 1922 Giants/Yankees
21 1923 Yankees/Giants Herb Pennock
22 1924 Senators/Giants Walter Johnson
23 1925 Pirates/Senators
24 1926 Cardinals/Yankees Rogers Hornsby
25 1927 Yankees/Pirates
26 1928 Yankees/Cardinals Lou Gehrig
27 1929 A's/Cubs
28 1930 A's/Cardinals Jimmie Foxx
29 1931 Cardinals/A's Pepper Martin
30 1932 Yankees/Cubs Babe Ruth
31 1933 Giants/Senators Carl Hubbell
32 1934 Cardinals/Tigers
33 1935 Tigers/Cubs Mickey Cochrane
34 1936 Yankees/Giants Red Rolfe
35 1937 Yankees/Giants Tony Lazzeri
36 1938 Yankees/Cubs
37 1939 Yankees/Reds
38 1940 Reds/Tigers
39 1941 Yankees/Dodgers
40 1942 Cardinals/Yankees
41 1943 Yankees/Cardinals
42 1944 Cardinals/Browns
43 1945 Tigers/Cubs Hank Greenberg
44 1946 Cardinals/Red Sox Enos Slaughter
45 1947 Yankees/Dodgers
46 1948 Indians/Braves
47 1949 Yankees/Dodgers Preacher Roe
48 1950 Yankees/Phillies Allie Reynolds
49 1951 Yankees/Giants Ed Lopat
50 1952 Yankees/Dodgers Johnny Mize
51 1953 Yankees/Dodgers
52 1954 Giants/Indians
53 1955 Dodgers/Yankees Duke Snider
54 1956 Yankees/Dodgers
55 1957 Braves/Yankees
56 1958 Yankees/Braves Hank Bauer
57 1959 Dodgers/Wh. Sox Duke Snider
58 1960 Pirates/Yankees
59 1961 Yankees/Reds Whitey Ford
60 1962 Yankees/Giants
61 1963 Dodgers/Yankees
62 1964 Cardinals/Yankees
63 1965 Dodgers/Twins
64 1966 Orioles/Dodgers
65 1967 Cardinals/Red Sox
66 1968 Tigers/Cardinals
67 1969 Mets/Orioles
68 1970 Orioles/Reds

Friday 7 December 2012

1970 Topps Booklets


The 1970 Topps Story Booklets consist of a 24 player set. The 24 miniature biographies of ballplayers (one player per team) measure 2-1/2" X 3-7/16" and were inserted into 1970 Topps regular issue baseball card wax packs. The 6 page comic book style story book features a checklist on the back page.

There are 24 cards in the complete set:
 

1 Mike Cuellar
2 Rico Petrocelli
3 Jay Johnstone
4 Walt Williams
5 Vada Pinson
6 Bill Freehan
7 Wally Bunker
8 Tony Oliva
9 Bobby Murcer
10 Reggie Jackson
11 Tommy Harper
12 Mike Epstein
13 Orlando Cepeda
14 Ernie Banks
15 Pete Rose
16 Denis Menke
17 Bill Singer
18 Rusty Staub
19 Cleon Jones
20 Deron Johnson
 21 Bob Moose
22 Bob Gibson
23 Al Ferrara
24 Willie Mays

Sunday 18 November 2012

2012 Allen and Ginter blaster

For the sixth year running, Topps have produced the Allen+Ginter brand. An extremely popular set to collect, there are few amongst us who hasn't tried at one point to collect the whole base set or one of the many interesting inserts. That is what makes Allen+Ginter so collectible, although it is unlikely that you will pull a DNA card or one of the exquisite entomology cards, there are still a number of 'other' inserts from past sets like Dinosaurs, Pirates and Haunted Places. This year is no exception, with mini inserts such as 'Men in Hats' , 'Man's Best friend', 'Military Leaders', 'Musical Masters' and 'Giants of the Deep', just to name a few.
In 2012 there is a 350 card base set, however the last 50, numbered 301-350 are short printed.
There is a 350 mini parallel base set which comes in number of version;
Normal,  
Gold Bordered,  
A+G back,  
Black-Bordered, 
No Number #50, 
Baseball Back #/25,
Wood #/1
There is an exhaustive list of inserts;
Full size - Silk/cloth, Rip Cards (which could contain a wood parallel, original baseball artwork, mini exclusives,redemption cards or a red autograph), Historical Turning Points, Tallest Buildings, Sketches, What's in a Name?
Mini inserts - Military Leaders, Dogs, Giants of the Deep, Musicians, People of the Bible, Guys in Hats, Fashionable Women and Culinary Curiosities.
Another interesting feature, if this wasn't enough, are the N43 large Box Loaders. Amongst the usual relics, are the Roller Coaster cards, Coins of the World and the frighteningly titled redemption 'Unusual Items from the Past' , which Topps confirmed as being a coin, cave paint, a sharks tooth and a fossil and doesn't appear to be that frightening at all.
The pièce de résistance being the Butterfly cards or Lepidoptery Cards, which includes moths too. The chances of extracting one of these cards is something like 1 in 35,000. Good Luck.

The Red Sox avaibale from the base set are;
#10 Dustin Pedroia
#18 Kevin Youkilis
#35 David Ortiz
#46 Jarrod Saltalamacchia
#50 Clay Buchholz
#118 Carl Yastrzemski
#136 Jacoby Ellsbury
#146 Josh Beckett
#241 Andrew Bailey
#316 Adrian Gonzalez SP
#327 Jon Lester SP
#331 Carl Crawford SP

I have a blaster, purchased from a Walmart somewhere in New York State. It contains 8 packs and each pack 6 picture cards.


Pack 1:
 #129 Michael Phelps mini A+Gback
#132 Daniel Hudson D-backs
#159 Devin Mesoraco Reds
#284 Pedro Alvarez Pirates
#BH-10 Albert Pujols Cardinals
#WIN41 Timothy LeRoy Lincecum Giants
 
Pack 2:
#34 Alex Gordon Royals
#62 Desmond Jennings Bay Rays mini
#182 Colby Rasmus Blue Jays
#220 James Brown Football Analyst
#262 Justin Verlander Tigers
#304 Kyle Farnsworth Bay Rays
 
Pack 3:
#102 Huston Street Padres
#197 Ty Cobb Tigers
#264 Brian McCann Braves
#317 Jason Heyward Braves mini
#WIN30 Hunter Andrew Pence Phillies
#WTB4 Willis Tower Chicago
 
Pack 4:
#26 Hunter Pence Phillies
#117 Nick Swisher Yankees
#127 Erick Aybar Angels
#182 Brett Pill Giants
#339 Swin Cash basketball
#ML-10 Dwight Eisenhower mini
 
Pack 5:
#78 Joe Mauer Twins
#91 Grady Sizemore Indians
#226 Jim Thome Phillies
#223 CC Sabathia Yankees
#245 Hank Haney golf instructor mini
#321 Chad Billingsley Dodgers
 
Pack 6:
#126 Justin Masterson Indians
#162 Tom Seaver Mets mini
#180 Tim Federowicz Dodgers
#267 Neftali Feliz Rangers
#HTP6 Treaty of Versailles
#WIN61 James Howard Thome Phillies
 
Pack 7:
#39 Brad Peacock Athletics
#41 Clayton Kershaw Dodgers mini A+Gback
#99 Sandy Koufax Dodgers
#179 Cole Hamels Phillies
#219 Ian Kennedy D-backs
#330 Mike Napoli Rangers
 
Pack 8:
#61 Richard Petty auto racing
#142 Jose Reyes Marlins
#178 Wei-Yin Chen Orioles mini
#287 Hiroki Kuroda Yankees
#WIN72 Carsten Charles Sabathia Yankees
#code card Chuck Snider
 
You may have noticed- no Red Sox, so I have scanned the inserts.
 A pony blaster!
Pity! Really lovely cards again this year.

Saturday 17 November 2012

2012 Topps Series 2

Just a few more packs of 2012 Series 2, purchased from Target in Boynton Beach, Florida
There are only a few Red Sox cards that I still need from this set.
The Red Sox available from Series 2 are;
#368 Carl Crawford
#441 Mike Aviles
#506 David Ortiz
#539 Andrew Bailey
#540 Dustin Pedroia (in SP variation)
#586 Daisuke Matsuzaka
#610 Cody Ross
#631 Ryan Kalish
#648 Josh Beckett
#651 Ryan Sweeney

I have 6 packs and there are 12 cards per pack.

Pack1:
  #332 Jose Reyes Marlins
#343 Salvador Perez Royals
#382 Wandy Rodriguez Astros
#409 Greg Holland Royals
#416 Todd Helton Rockies
#435 Jeff Baker Cubs
#480 J.J.Putz D-backs
#522 Matt Downs Astros
#545 Randy Wolf Brewers
#608 Paul Goldschmidt D-backs
#CD-18 Robinson Cano Yankees
#TM-65 Mark Teixeira Yankees
 
Pack 2:
#347 Craig Genrty Rangers
#377 Brandon Inge Tigers
#414 Ryan Vogelsong Giants
#427 Rafael Dolis Cubs
#434 Jason Motte Cardinals
#445 Ramon Santiago Tigers red border
#453 Garrett Jones Pirates
#539 Andrew Bailey Red Sox
#561 Freddy Sanchez Giants
#562 Henderson Alvarez Blue Jays
#660 Yu Darvish Rangers
GGC-14 Clayton Kershw Dodgers
 
Pack 3:
#341 Edwin Encarnacion Blue Jays
#408 Jonny Venters Braves
#408 Jonny Venters Braves golden moments
#414 Ryan Vogelsong Giants
#427 Rafael  Dolis Cubs
#434 Jason Motte Cardinals
#489 Andres Torres Mets
#516 Charlie Morton Pirates
#531 Joel Hanrahan Pirates
#602 Alejandro De Aza White Sox
#660 Yu Darvish Rangers
#GM-5 Johnny Bench Reds
 
Pack 4:
#363 Fernando Salas Cardinals
#394 Bryan LaHair Cubs
#412 Don Kelly Tigers
#423 Colby Rasmus Blue Jays
#455 Jed Lowrie Astros
#477 Edinson Volquez Padres
#566 Jason Donald Indians
#569 Travis Hafner Indians
#600 Clayton Kershaw Dodgers
#626 Alexei Ramirez White Sox
#CD-23 Roberto Clemente Pirates
#TM-100 Johnny Bench Reds
 
Pack 5:
#331 Albert Pujols Angels
#336 Gavin Floyd White Sox golden moments
#336 Gavin Floyd White Sox
#469 Vinnie Pestano Indians
#494 Carwin Barney Cubs
#499 Francisco Rodriguez Brewers
#599 Zach Britton Orioles
#616 Tyler Pastornicky Braves
#647 Bruce Chen Royals
#653 Jordan Walden Angels
#657 Dave Sappelt Cubs
#GGC-20 Ichiro Mariners
 
Pack 6:
#352 Julio Teheran Braves
#384 Sean Marshall Reds
#342 Kosuke Fukudome White Sox
#356 Endy Chavez Orioles
#358 Jacob Turner Tigers
#370 Lyle Overbay D-backs
#375 Drew Stubbs Reds
#429 Michael Bourn Braves
#443 B.J.Upton Bay Rays
#491 Jose Valverde Tigers
#595 David Carpenter Astros
#GM-31 Giancarlo Stanton Marlins
 
 
Although this selection only produced 1 Red Sox card, it is curious that 2 of the packs contained the same card in base and golden moments parallel. Does that happen often?

Wednesday 14 November 2012

2012 Topps Update Jumbo pack

The 2012 Update has so many inserts, parallel and relic/auto/gimmick cards, that I won't even both to try and explain them all here. Sports Card Radio has a complete list showing all cards available.
Go here 2012 Topps Update Series.

The base Red Sox available in this series are:
#US28 Matt Albers
#US70 Will Middlebrooks RC
#US155 Franklin Morales
#US218 Alfredo Aceves
#US248 Felix Doubront
#US265 Will Middlebrooks
#US292 David Ortiz
#US310 Kelly Shoppach

I have 1 Jumbo pack, which contains 36 cards.

The Pack:
#US4 Matt Trenor Dodgers
#US9 Andrew McCutchen Pirates
#US10 Mark Trumbo Angels
#US11 Rick Ankiel Nationals
#US14 Jeremy Hefner Mets
#US20 Christian Friedrich Rockies
#US48 Asdrubal Cabrera Indians
#US40 A.J.Burnett Pirates
#US53 Omar Infante Tigers
#US64 Matt Moore Bay Rays
#US78 Chad Durbin Braves
#US82 TY Wigginton Phillies Golden Moments sparkle
#US85 Jacob Diekman Phillies
#US108 Kameron Loe Brewers
#US124 Brad Peacock Athletics
#US126 John McDonald D-backs
#US135 Clay Hensley Giants
#US140 Brian Duensing Twins
#US180 Roy Oswalt Rangers
#US183 Bryce Harper Nationals
#US186 Jason Hammel Orioles
#US191 Bobby Abreu Dodgers
#US239 Luke Scott Bay Rays
#US226 Rafael Soriano Yankees
#US245 Erasmo Ramirez Mariners
#US259 Carlos Gonzalez Rockies
#US261 Darren Glover Blue jays
#US262 Matt Kemp Dodgers
#US265 Will Middlebrooks Red Sox
 
#US278 Andy Pettitte Yankees
#US311 Dan Uggla Braves
#US317 Marco Estrada Brewers
#410 Jeff Locke Pirates gold border 0036/2012
#GGC-30 Will Middlebrooks Red Sox
#GG-84 Jim Palmer Orioles
#TM-143 R.A.Dickey Mets
 
1 little Red Sox, at least it's a Rookie and a pseudo Red Sox in the guise of a Golden Giveaway.

Sunday 11 November 2012

2012 Topps Opening Day blaster


Purchasing an opening day blaster after the season has long gone has become a regular feature of my collecting habits. Released way, way back in March, I should have tried a little harder to get a hold of one as there is a possibility of obtaining 6 different  Jacoby Ellsbury cards. 7-10,  if you include the printing plates. This includes;
#4 Jacoby Ellsbury base
#4 Jacoby Ellsbury base blue border -#2012
(#4 Jacoby Ellsbury base printing plate- 4 if you want to be technical)
# SC-11 Jacoby Ellsbury Superstar Celebrations
#ODS-11 Jacoby Ellsbury Opening Day Stars
#FS-24 Jacoby Ellsbury Fantasy Squad
#'ES-22 Jacoby Ellsbury Elite Skills
of which I have been only able to able two.
 
There are also a number of base Red Sox available to collect in Opening Day :
#4 Jacoby Ellsbury
#18 David Ortiz
#37 Josh Beckett
#45 Mark Melancon
#73 Kevin Youkilis
#86 Jon Lester
#149 Adrian Gonzalez
#172 Dustin Pedroia
#198 Carl Crawford
#218 Clay Buchholz

The blaster contained 11 packs, each containing 7 cards.

Pack 1:
#40 Domonic Brown Phillies
#61 C.J.Wilson Angels
#112 Dee Gordon Dodgers
#138 Russell Martin Yankees
#185 Jeff Niemann Bay Rays
#198 Carl Crawford Red Sox
#M-13 Dinger Rockies
 
Pack 2:
#27 Chase Utley Phillies
#90 Derek Jeter Yankees
#111 Carlos Santana Indians
#121 Mark Teixeira Yankees
#151 Johnny Gueto Reds
#180 Ted Lilly Dodgers
#SC-18 Brett Lawrie Blue Jays
 
Pack 3:
#8 Jordan Zimmermann Nationals
#29 Mike Napoli Rangers
#93 Tim Hudson Braves
#103 Mike Leake Reds
#160 Carlos Ruiz Phillies
#186 Martin Prado Braves
#SC-19 Mark Trumbo Angels
 
Pack 4:
#36 Dexter Fowler Rockies
#55 Miguel Cabrera Tigers
#59 Allcides Escobar Royals
#105 Curtis Granderson Yankees
#190 Stephen Starsburg Nationals
#200 Albert Pujols Angels
#FS-30 Tim Lincecum Giants
 
Pack 5:
#11 Michael Morse Nationals
#Mat Latos Reds
#33 Nick Markakis Orioles
#45 Mark Melancon Red Sox
#88 John Axford Brewers
#142 Tommy Hanson Braves
#M-11 Billy Marlins

 
Pack 6:
#9 Chris Young D-backs
35 Brennan Boesch Tigers
#41 J.J. Hardy Orioles
#96 Chris Carpenter Cardinals
#143 Craig Kimbrel Braves
#202 Stralin Castro Cubs
#SC-17 Adam Jones Orioles
 
Pack 7:
#22 Aroldis Chapman Reds
#51 Prince Fielder Brewers
#140 Erick Aybar Angels
#177 Jhonny Peralta Tigers
#188 Paul Goldschmidt D-backs
# FS-29 Roy Halladay Phillies
#ODS-3 Miguel Cabrera Tigers
 
Pack 8:
#3 Nelson Cruz Rangers
#34 James McDonald Pirates
#56 Vance Worlet Phillies
#156 Joey Votto Reds
#187 David Wright Mets
#208 James Loney Dodgers
#ES-14 Troy Tulowitzki Rockies
 
Pack 9:
#28 Michael Young Rangers
#63 Pablo Sandoval Giants
#108 Roy Oswalt Phillies
#132 Kurt Suzuki Athletics
#149 Adrian Gonzalez Red Sox
#162 Ricky Romero Blue Jays
#FS-28 Justin Verlander Tigers
 
Pack 10:
#17 Pedro Alvarez Pirates
#81 Brendan Beachy Braves
#92 Mike Stanton Marlins
#102 Jesus Montero Yankees
#155 Juan Nicasio Rockies
#206 David Freese Cardinals
#ES-13 David Wright Mets
 
Pack 11:
#42 Mark Reynolds Orioles
#58 Justin Masterson Indians
#83 Carlos Gonzalez Rockies
#152 Neil Walker Pirates blue border 1627/2012
#182 Seth Smith Rockies
#194 Alex Gordon Royals
#M-12 Paws Tigers
 
3 Red Sox form 77 cards...( not a single Jacoby) 
The inserts in Opening Day are pretty impressive particularly the Opening Day Stars which had the 3D vibe going.
 

Wednesday 7 November 2012

2003 Donruss Team Heroes packs

This is an amazingly confusing set to come anywhere near completing. There are so many variations and exclusives the mind goes a bit numb.
Firstly the 548 set was released in two separate series. The first contained cards 1- 540, then the final 8 cards were issued as part of the Rookie and Traded series.
There were a number of inserts available in packs bought at  Hawaii, Atlantic City and Chicago conferences.
There were two parallel sets available; Glossy and Stat Line. Stat Line was issued in different quantities depending on the stat.
There are also some autographs to collect too.
The base Red Sox available were:
#67 Bobby Doerr
#68 Pedro Martinez
#69 Roger Clemens
#70 Nomar Garciaparra
#71 Trot Nixon
#72 Dennis Eckersley
#73 John Burkett
#74 Tim Wakefield
#75 Wade Boggs
#76 Cliff Floyd
#77 Casey Fossum
#78 Johnny Damon
#79 Fred Lynn
#80 Rickey Henderson
#81 Juan Diaz
#82 Manny Ramirez
#83 Carlton Fisk
#84 Jorge De La Rosa
#85 Shea Hillenbrand
#86 Derek Lowe
#87 Jason Varitek
#88 Carlos Baerga
#89 Freddy Sanchez
#90 Ugueth Urbina
#91 Rey Sanchez
#92 Josh Hancock
#93 Tony Clark
#94 Dustin Hermanson
 
There are 10 cards per pack and I have two packs.
Pack 1:
#43 John Ennis Braves
#74 Tim Wakefield Red Sox
#142 Corky Miller Reds
#221 Lance Berkman Astros
#273 Marquis Grissom Dodgers
#382 Pat Burrell Phillies
#400 Steve Carlton Phillies
#440 Robb Nen Giants
#447 Allan Simpson Mariners
#459 Ken Griffey Jr. Mariners
 
Pack 2:
#13 Troy Percival Angels
#69 Roger Clemens Red Sox
#100 Jon Lieber Cubs
#172 Brian Tallet Indians
#211 Jeff Bagwell Astros
#270 Jacie Robinson Dodgers
#280 Richie Sexson Brewers
#339 Robin Ventura Yankees
#439 J.T.Snow Giants
 #448 Antonio Perez Mariners
Finally some more Red Sox.
I couldn't really go wrong with these considering there is over 25 Red Sox in the base set.
Still 2 is pretty good.

Tuesday 6 November 2012

2003 Upper Deck MVP retail pack

In 2003 MVP was one of a large number of sets produced by Upper Deck. The MVP set consisted of 330 base cards, actually 329 cards as card number 248 didn't exist. The first 220 cards were issued in hobby and retail packs, the next 110 as part of a factory or update set.
There were three parallel versions available; black, gold and silver.
There were three inserts; 90 Sports Nut, 15 Express Delivery and 90 Celebrations, also available in a silver parallel set.
There were also the ridiculous number of relic, auto, game used cards.
The base set Red Sox available were:
#29 Nomar Garciaparra
#30 Pedro Martinez
#31 Manny Ramirez
#32 Shea Hillenbrand
#33 Johnny Damon
#34 Jason Varitek
# 35 Derek Lowe
#36 Trot Nixon
Red Sox available in the factory set were;
#236 Byung-Hyun Kim
#237 Freddy Sanchez
# 238 Jason Shiell RC
#239 Ryan Cameron RC
 
There are 8 cards per pack. . I have two packs,which are marked as retail.
 
Pack 1:
#22 Tony Batista Orioles
#61 Brandon Phillips Indians
#62 Karim Garcia Indians
#85 Brad Penny Marlins
#155 Marlon Anderson Bay Rays
#161 Aramis Ramirez Pirates
#163 Josh Fogg Pirates
#173 Trevor Hoffman Padres
a big lump of UD cardboard
 
Pack 2:
#1 Troy Glaus Angels
#51 Ken Griffey Jnr Reds
#92 Lance Berkman Astros
#107 Richie Sexson Brewers
#143 David Wells Yankees
#185 Freddy Garcia Mariners
#192 Scott Rolen Cardinals
#201 Aubrey Huff Bay Rays
a big piece of UD cardboard
 
A Huff, a Fogg, a Penny, two Garcia's and two pieces of useless cardboard but not one Red Sox.
 
 


Monday 5 November 2012

2012 Topps Series 2 Jumbo pack


These jumbo packs must be easily accessible in places like Walmart. This is the third jumbo pack of series 2 that has been bought for me by someone visiting the US for holidays. Not that I am showing ambivalence to gift horses. I just wish that jumbos of Archives or Gypsy Queen or even Heritage made themselves more attractive to those unfamiliar with buying cards.

The Red Sox available from Series 2 are;
#368 Carl Crawford
#441 Mike Aviles
#506 David Ortiz
#539 Andrew Bailey
#540 Dustin Pedroia (in SP variation)
#586 Daisuke Matsuzaka
#610 Cody Ross
#631 Ryan Kalish
#648 Josh Beckett
#651 Ryan Sweeney

Jumbo packs contain 36 cards. This jumbo contained;

#335 Josh Satin Mets
 #338 Jose Constanza Braves
#345 Jonathan Papelbon Phillies
#353 John Mayberry Phillies Golden Moments
#355 Mark Buehrle Marlins
#359 Danny Espinosa Nationals
#369 Huston Street Padres
#390 Taylor Green Brewers
#404 Jonathan Sanchez Royals
#409 Greg Holland Royals
#432 Wei-Yin Chen Orioles
#435 Jeff Baker Cubs
#442 Johnny Giavotella Royals
#449 Shane Victorino Phillies
#463 Francisco Cordero Blue Jays
#468 Nick Markakis Orioles
#475 Chris Dickerson Yankees
#481 Matt Harrison Rangers
#482 Chris Capuano Dodgers
#496 Jorge DeLa Rosa Rockies
#508 Brandon Phillips Reds
#510 Randall Delgardo Braves
#525 Paul Maholm Cubs
#535 Joe Mauer Twins
#536 Kendrys Morales Angels
#559 Brandon Dickson Cardinals
#563 Alex White Rockies
#578 Wade Davis Bay Rays
#592 Carlos Lee Astros
#604 Juan Abreu Astros
#618 Eric Chavez Yankees
#619 Tyler Greene Cardinals
#650 Prince Fielder Tigers
#CD-21 Matt Kemp Dodgers
#GGC-16 Johnny Bench Reds
#TM-72 Hunter Pence Phillies
 
Enough said.
 

Sunday 4 November 2012

2003 Upper Deck Series 1


The 2003 Upper Deck baseball card set includes 540 cards, series 1 is numbered 1 to 270 . This includes Star Rookies numbered 1-30 and Checklists numbered 261-270.


Red Sox in Series 1 are;
#89 Pedro Martinez
#90 Shea Hillenbrand
#91 Derek Lowe
#92 Jason Varitek
#93 Tony Clark
#94 John Burkett
#96 Nomar Garciaparra
#97 Rickey Henderson
#262 Derek Lowe SH CL

There are 8 cards per pack. I have two packs marked 'Retail'.
 
Pack 1:
#4 Bobby Hill Cubs Star Rookie
#45 Billy Koch Athletics
#79 Geronimo Gil Orioles
#129 Raul Mondesi Yankees
#131 Rondell White Yankees
#188 Cesar Izturis Dodgers
#173 Moises Alou Cubs
#239 Pokey Reese Pirates
a big lump of cardboard.
 
Pack 2:
#2 Alex Cintron D-backs Star Rookie
#53 Steve Cox Bay Rays
#99 Carlos Febles Royals
#169 Fred McGriff Cubs
#179 Mark Grace D-backs
#208 Mike Lowell Marlins
#215 A.J.Burnett Marlins
a big lump of cardboard
 
Yikes! Terrible, unless you are a Cubs fan.

 

 

Saturday 3 November 2012

2011 Topps Lineage Blaster

I purchased this blaster with the slightly misguided perception of pulling some 1964 Topps Stand-ups , which were inserted into 2011 Lineage packs. That is until I realised that there are only 2 per hobby box and the wrapper explained that the ratio is 1in 12. Oh well. The 3D cards are pretty cool perhaps they are easier to pull... same ratio, 1in 12. So maybe just the Red Sox then.
The base Red Sox available from this set include;
#32 Jon Lester
#48 Carlton Fisk
#79 Carl Crawford
#87 David Ortiz
#90 Tris Speaker 
#92 Clay Buchholz
#114 Dustin Pedroia
#145 Adrian Gonzalez
#149 Kevin Youkilis
plus a number of interesting inserts
#TV19 Adrian Gonzalez Topps Venezuelan
#TS13 Kevin Youkilis Topps Stand-ups
#T3D9 Adrian Gonzalez Topps 3D
 
There are 7 packs plus a game used relic in each blster. There are 8 cards per pack.
 
Pack 1:
#44 Jay Bruce Reds
#55 Nolan Ryan Rangers
#72 Rickie Weeks Brewers
#104 Miguel Montero D-backs
#123 Andre Ethier Dodgers
#154 Fergie Jenkins Cubs
#168 Delmon Young Twins
#99 David Price Bay Rays 1975 mini
 
Pack 2:
#22 Johan Santana Mets
#29 Chris Sale White Sox
#39 Ricky Romero Blue Jays
#108 Hammerin' Hank Braves
#154 Brandon Beachy Braves
#177 Phil Hughes Yankees
#181 Frank Thomas White Sox
#TCS39 Joe Mauer Twins cloth sticker
 
Pack 3:
#51 Hunter Pence Astros
#80 Troy Tulowitzki Rockies
#86 carlos Gonzalez Rockies
#114 Dustin Pedroia Red Sox
#120 Ichiro Mariners
#166 Yovani Gallardo Brewers
#189 Jaime Garcia Cardinals
#3 Jimmie Foxx Athletics 1975 mini
 
Pack 4:
#11 Ryan Zimmerman Nationals
#17 Billy Butler Royals
#63 Ubaldo Jimenez Rockies
#77 David Wright Mets
#108 Hank Aaron Braves Diamond Anniversary
#138 Prince Fielder Brewers
#167 Corey Hart Brewers
#176 Albert Pujols Cardinals
3/4 checklist
 
Pack 5:
#64 Joe Morgan Reds
#76 Roberto Alomar Blue Jays
#88 David Price Bay Rays
#109 Mat Latos Padres
#117 Torii Hunter Angles
#125 Mark Teixeira Yankees
#131 Carlos Lee Astros 
#T3D14 Chase Utley Phillies

Pack 6:
#6 Carlos Beltran Mets
#14 Kendrys Morales Angels
#23 Carlos Zambrano Cubs
#36 Michael Young Rangers
#120 Ichiro Mariners Platinum Diamond
#141 Ozzie Smith Cardinals
#197 Andre Dawson Expos RC
#TR9 Mike Minor Braves
 
Pack 7:
#1 Sandy Koufax Dodgers
#20 Justin Morneau Twins
#32 Jon Lester Red Sox
#65 Josh Johnson Marlins
#75 Alex Rodriguez Yankees Platinum Diamond
#179 Jake McGee Bay Rays
#182 Frank Robinson Orioles
#187 Justin Verlander Tigers

 
Game Used Relic
#75R-EL Evan Longoria Bay Rays
 
 
So a mildly impressive blaster, a nice mixture of inserts. Loving the 3D cards still. Lets not forget 2 Red Sox as well unfortunately no '64 Stand ups.