Card Show Bounty Baseball style....

At the last card show of the year I managed to pick up some baseball cards. Hard to believe, but there was a couple of sellers there with baseball cards.

Of course, the one list I forgot to bring was my vintage Topps Braves wants/needs. No matter, carry on.

1958 Joe Adcock. These first 6 cards cost me $15. Not great, but something about beggars and choosers comes to mind.

 1954 Bowman Jim Wilson.

 I was thrilled to add this ultra rare sideways variant of this 1972 Hank Aaron card. This could also qualify for Night Owl's badass club in my opinion.

 A 1955 Gene Conley. And I already have it. Always bring your lists kids.

 a 1975 Topps Mini of Johnny Oates. And I already have it. Always, ALWAYS bring your lists kids.

 I was able to add another card to my 1976 Topps set. Only 24 more to go!!!!!!

 I got these next two cards for a $1 apiece. Both black bordered Braves from 2009 OPC baseball.
Brian McCann and

 Jair Jurrjens...

 These next two cards were gifts from two different attendees.
First, a John Smoltz that you can literally use as a mirror. The scan does not reflect that (see what I did there?) But it is that shiny and smooth.

 and a Gold 2011 Bowman Chipper!!!

I also got a few vintage cards not seen here, but they have been mailed off to other bloggers. Or soon will be.
It was great to be able to browse some old baseball cards again.

you want Bryce Harper autos? I have Bryce Harper autos....

Sothe other night was trade night at Maple Leaf Sports, my local card shop. I'm not even going to make jokes about it being 45 minutes away in light traffic. This is serious business.
2011 Bowman had made it's appearance. And believe it or not, there are a few baseball collectors coming out of the woodwork up here in the Great White North. Especially the hit chasers.

The jumbos got ravaged first. I had thoughts of picking up a box. Just for the Braves. And some guy named Stras... Harper. But by the time I cleared the mothballs from my wallet, all the jumbos were gone. Sold. Cracked. Wrappers everywhere. A bunch of hockey collectors walking around confused why they don't see ice or skates on these guys....

I looked at the "hit ratio" for regular hobby, only one auto per box, and said to myself, Nah........

So my buddy Mike stepped up and grabbed one. A few packs in he pulls his auto. Yeah, if you've been paying attention, it was Bryce Harper chrome rookie auto.

Euphoria ensues... the heaven's part, angels are singing, doves are let loose as everyone gathers around to see the magical card that has just paid his next two months mortgage payments. As Mike goes to show off his prize, and if you've been paying attention to the title (look again if you need to, now back to me), he notices another card stuck to the back of th Chrome Harper auto.

As he seperates the two, his Chrome Harper auto becomes a Chrome Harper auto and a Blue Bordered Chrome Harper auto.

Make that his next 6 mortgage payments.

Surprisingly, Mike made it out of the shop safely.

If anyone wants to see the magnificent glory that is The Harper. Please check out Maple Leaf Sport's Hit blog.... HERE. You can magnify the pic if you dare by clicking on it.....

The End of the World Prevented....

So the Rapture, the end of the world as we know it, didn't happen as widely predicted. Randy "Macho Man" Savage, left us yesterday in a tragic car accident.

Coincidence???

OHHHHHH YEEAHHHHH!!!!!!!!

You've heard of Seal Team Six...

well this has nothing to do with them. But it does have to do with an insert set called Team Six from 2005 Absolute Playoff Baseball. A couple of weeks ago the owner of my local card shop went to the Expo in Toronto. I talk like I know what the Expo is, but I have no idea. All I know is that the card manufacturers are there as well as a whole mess o' dealers. So it's basically a big card show on steroids. I think.

Anyways.... Darren came back with little gifts for all of his best customers. And for some reason he brought me something too.

Here we have the best top 3 pitching rotation in baseball. Damn I miss these guys.

 but that's not all.... look at the back! Andruw Jones!!! and ... and... two other guys!!

 And here it gets even better. How's this for a 3-4-5 in the batting order? Chipper, Murph, and Andruw. Awesome.

 but that's not all! Look at the back! The Big Cat! Raffy! and.... and.... some other guy!

Really cool cards from an era when I wasn't collecting. Even if I was, I would have never pulled these....

But here's where it gets complicated. Do I put these cards in my Chipper box? My Glavine box? My Smoltzie box? My Andruw box? My Maddux box? Seriously. I have monster boxes devoted to each of these guys.

Suggestions?

I'm gonna need some sharp scissors.

Thanks Darren!

The Ned Braden of the 2011 NHL...

Most if not all of you know who Ned Braden is. He was the star player in the greatest sports movie ever made, Slapshot. Ned had a small problem. He was an outstanding skill player on a team of goons. And he refused to play the goon game. Despite being their best player, coach Reggie Dunlap benched him until he played a 'team game'.

 May I introduce you to Mr Tyler Seguin. The modern day Ned Braden. The #2 pick behind Taylor Hall has been a healthy scratch more often that not. Including every playoff game except the last two. Coach Julien says he "has not learned the Boston style of play" and... " he will not play the Bruin way." What he means is that Tyler....

 will not play like this. Dr Hook Tim McCracken.

 His hand forced by injuries, Julien hasa let Seguin play despite his lack of goonery... and Tyler has responded by scoring 3 goals and 3 assists in 2 games. By far Boston's most talented player, Tyler electrified the home crowd during a 4 point second period tonight on route to a 6-5 win over Tampa Bay.

Coach Julien has said with Patrice Bergeron returning for game 3, it's no guarantee that the inexperienced youngster will play.
He better.
If Boston wants to beat the more talented Lightning, they had better play Seguin, and they had better ride him the whole way.

Because if Tyler gets tired of the zoo.... it can only lead to this....

and I'm just not ready for that.

Call of the Year so far.......

It's Game 7 in the AHL between the Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal's affiliate) and the Manitoba Moose (Vancouver's affiliate) The winner takes the series. It goes to one overtime. It goes to a second overtime. It goes to a third overtime........



Dustin Boyd of Hamilton ends the game and series 6 seconds into the third overtime period. Awesome.

Gus Johnson, eat your heart out.

Mr Smith goes to...... Dallas!

 As most of you know, the 2011 NFL draft began last night with the 1st round in primetime.

A few surprises took place, but with the Cowboys, they did nothing stupid. They didn't trade up or down, just stood pat and drafted the best and meanest Offensive Lineman in the draft. Meet Tyron Smith from USC.

Tyron is a wee undersized for the Cowboys line at 6'6" and 315 pounds. But I'm sure the training staff will have another 20 lbs of muscle on him by Week One.

Mr Smith, meet Mr Romo. He is the reason you exist.

 Mr Smith, no one... no one, may touch Mr Romo. Got it?

 Good boy... now the buffet...

 ... and the weight room are to your left. Help yourself, See you in three months.

Tommy Hanson....

Tommy Hanson once threw a no-hitter... with a bowling ball.

Tommy Hanson can win a game of Connect Four in three moves.

Behind tommy Hanson's beard is not a chin, but a 102 mph fastball.

Tommy Hanson is the reason Waldo is in hiding...

there once was a street named Tommy Hanson, but they had to change the name. No one survives after crossing Tommy Hanson.

And for the ladies....

Edward can't read Bella's mind because Bella is always thinking about Tommy Hanson.

It's been officially decided... and the winner is....

the voting is over. You the people have spoken. Although to be honest, some of you need professional help.

Our friend Night Owl needed a new Dodger Girl. And with the results of your voting, one has been chosen.

In third place, Audrina Patridge.

 In second place, Shawn Johnson, seen here with her cousin. Apparently that side got all the height.

 And the winner is........ Lauren Conrad. Although Owl himself may have influenced the voting early on. But it's his babe, not mine... so we'll let it slide.

Congrats Lauren There are no prizes, although if you contact Owl through his blog, I'm sure he'll buy you lunch to celebrate. I hope you like tacos.


Now for those of you still with me... I need to talk about the 8 of you that chose Kim Kardashian. This was a serious poll to help out a friend, and joke voting nearly threw the results out of whack.
And if you seriously voted for her.... seek help immediately. I can put you in touch with a counsellor if need be. You're sick. Sick and in need of help.

One card kindness....

I was at this month's trade night at the old card shop the other night. And while these nights are always dominated with hockey, there are 2 or 3 of us that dabble in the lesser sports. While I was at one end of the store, apparently there was some busting going on at the other end. Well wouldn't you know that my friend Jamie walks over and hands me this beauty...

Tony and Dez delight! /50. Free. Gratis. I miss football already. When is training camp?

My friend, Mr Night Owl, is in trouble. Please help.

For those of you who read Night Owl's blog, and I think you all do... you know by now that he is in crisis. He is facing reality that he must take down the picture off of his blog of his beloved Alyssa Milano. Now me, I'm not that into her. But I ain't into the Dodgers either.

However none of that matters as Owl is my friend, and he needs help.

 This is where we come in. I'll have a poll up on the sidebar to help Owl choose his new Dodger Girl. And you, the voters, will help decide.
Here are the potential candidates, in alphabetical order, so no favouritism.

Audrina Partridge, wearing number 59. Who wears 59 for the Dodgers? No idea. Ask the Owl.

 I think Joe has cast his vote.

 Kim Kardashian wearing number 25. Please god, no one choose her.... maybe for the Mets...

 a benefit for Kim is you not only get her, but her whole family as well. Take that as a plus, or a minus.

 Lauren Conrad wearing number 7. Very cute.  Leader of the pack so far....

 Shawn Johnson wearing number 10. Now this one I know. Night Owl's favourite player wore number 10.
and it's Shawn Johnson. We all know what she can do. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge...

 Victoria Beckham in a '70's warm up jacket. Very retro. And she's married to an athlete far more skilled than any baseball player. Owl may not want to hear that. So she may not do to well in the vote. But it is up to you!

 Whitney Port wearing the old 00. Nice.

 If it matters, her first pitch was actually a darn good throw. All of the others, not so much. So she gets the athletes vote.

There you have your finalists for Night Owl's new Dodger Girl. Google them if you must for further, uh.... research material. It's all in the name of science. And helping a friend.

Right?

Now vote!

Hey Look! A Contest!!!

It's playoff time peeps, and that means it's time for the third annual Waxaholic NHL Playoff contest.

only it's not here, it's going to be over at Just A Bit Offside this year. So go there. Now. Don't worry, Meagan will still be here when you get back. Go!

from out of the Blue, some Orange!

now that blogger is working and I can actually post images again, we'll try this posting thing again.

One of the things that really sucks about the horrible crap that Topps is putting out baseball wise is that I haven't bought much of any baseball cards in over a year. And what really sucks is that means a massive cutdown on trades. I trade a lot of hockey, but most of you are baseball only.

But a few days ago, I got a package from an address I remembered. Inside were about 25-30 Braves, including Mr Hanson Orange border refractor

 A Yunel orange refractor (one of the worst trades we've made btw)

 Brandon Hicks RC super xfractor thingie

 and one of our CF by comittee members, also a superXfractor thingie.

there was no note or anything, but I knew the address to be of Marie from A Cardboard Problem. Apparently these Braves were just gathering dust on one of her shelves.
Thanks Marie! I love this hobby! Troll out!

oh.... wait... wrong blog....

You're not quite ready for baseball season yet!

So the baseball season is finally upon us. I've helped you choose which team to root for HERE, but I already hear some of you complaining that the baseball season is too long.

And it is. 162 games is ridiculous. 80 would do just fine. But then the players and owners wouldn't make as much money, now would they?

So in an effort to help you out, (I'm always here for you) I give you this calendar/chart. It will show you just how long you really have to pay attention during the season.

If you have ADD, may I suggest the Pirates or the Royals?

click to enlarge if necessary

good luck, and enjoy your (partial) season!

Too true...

Well I'm back and I'm alive. Mostly. But while I was away for work, my scanner decided to take a vacation. As soon as I find my hammer, we'll be back in business. Until then, let's just enjoy this screen cap

courtesy of Rowland's Office.

Promoting a good cause...

Okay, so I don't normally do these types of things, but I've had a couple of requests. And you know I can't say no to beautiful women. Well, I assume they're beautiful. Email can be tricky sometimes. But one thing is for certain... the videos they are pimping have beautiful women in them, so there's that. On with the promoting.

The New York Jets Flight Crew are having auditions this April 1, 2, 3. But to jump right to the finals, and avoid any preliminary tryouts, just send them a video of no longer than 60 seconds. Introduce yourself, and bust a move. Do the kids still say that? Anyways, here's Waxaholic favourite Jessica to show us how.


once again, send those videos to flightcrew@newyorkjets.com


If you're a sothern gal, you'll maybe want to try out for the Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders. Better hurry though, tryouts are in person and are coming fast. March 20, 2011.


for more info, go to www.atlantafalcons.com/cheerleaders/auditions/

Coincidently ladies, those videos can also be sent to me as an audition to be my next ex-wife. Just sayin'.

And that's it for me folks. I'll be out of the city for a week for work. Not much if any internet time. If I miss anything good, leave a comment and I'll get to it when i get back.

I'm here to help you....

With the beginning of spring training and the real baseball season looming on the horizon, I know several of you are torn on who to cheer for.

Well ole Canuck is here to help. Just take a look at the handy dandy flow chart below, and follow the simple instructions.

The chart should enlarge if clicked on....

Wasn't that easy? Now tell me, who are you cheering for this year?

TTM success, Casey Daigle's wife!!!

Leave it to the Canuck to write to a ball player's wife, instead of to him. That's just the way I roll. Besides, as Casey tries to catch on with the Giants this year (good luck with that) his wife may be a better pitcher than he. At least, underhanded, anyways.

In case you haven't figured it out yet, I am speaking of Team USA's Ms Jennie Finch. Yeah, the one with 235236346636 no hitters. That one.

 Mrs Daigle was kind enough to sign two photos for me.

Sweet hey?

oh yeah, and if you want the chance of free cards, go here and follow the instructions, like I did.