2008 Topps Hobby Box Break Series 2 (Box 2 - Happiness Again!)

2008 Topps Series Two Hobby Box

36 packs, 10 cards per pack

One Relic or Autograph per box

Cost: $21.00

The first box was a hit:  Topps 2008 Series 2, Box 1.  In that box I got an Evan Longoria Red Hot Rookie redemption auto card.  I nearly fainted.  Obviously I remained in bed for several days until I recovered.  Fortunately I was able to reach my cards and carry on.  They call that "being brave".

Box two did not disappoint:

I got very lucky with the gold card pulls in this box.

Last time I received just one star (and one potential star) out of seven gold cards.  This time I got two Hall of Fame locks (F. Thomas, Jeter), a star (Sizemore), and a guy who may still  become a star (Gordon).

Luis Gonzalez isn't so bad either (2591 lifetime hits, 354 home runs, .283 ba, .845 OPS).  Gonzalez is an impressive 15th on the all-time doubles list (596).  Had he hit just 29 more doubles he would have climbed into the top ten.  He has more doubles than Palmeiro, Yount, Murray, Hornsby, Frank Robinson, Boggs etc.  He had over 1000 extra base hits in his career.  Not bad at all.

One Mantle insert (two in the first box). 

A lot of commons and a star.  I still enjoy this subset.

Great cards, especially the Michael Young and Markakis.

Topps Stars inserts.

David Ortiz bat card.  I like the borders on these cards.  It works in small doses.  Strange to highlight a doubles record for Designated Hitters.  Does anyone know the doubles record for left fielders?  Pretty random record.

Jared Weaver (Black, s/n: #55/57).

Alright!  I thought this was my big hit of the box.  But I was told every box has a Red Hot Rookie redemption.  Not sure if that is true.  A few sources online do verify it.  I'd think Topps would advertise that type of promise on the box.

Of the twenty cards in the Red Hot Rookie redemption set, just two are autographed:  Evan Longoria and...

Jay Bruce!  Back to back Topps auto boxes!  I have had my share of bad boxes (just check out my breaks), but boy howdy these two were gems.  Like the Longoria, I have no Jay Bruce autos.

I am still confident Bruce will become a star.  He's just age 22 (23 for all of 2010) and already has 43 career home runs.  Even though he had a rough 2009, Bruce is just too impressive and too powerful to dismiss (as some prospectors already have).

Of course I won't fully believe I'm actually going to get these two autos until they are in my hands.

2007 Upper Deck Future Stars Hobby Box Break (Box 2, Twelve Hits - Any Good?)

2007 Upper Deck Future Stars Hobby Box

24 packs, 4 cards per pack

Content Highlights (on average):
4 autographed rookie cards (printed on silver foil board)
7 foil-numbered inserts
Find limited triple signature cards
Cost:  $29.95 (Blowout Cards - Black Friday deal)
Estimated Cost Through Ebay (with shipping):  $35-50

Take a look at the Upper Deck Future Stars Box 1 break if you wanna get a wider scope of the base in this set.  This box break won't recap base stars because it's pretty much the same, but here is what they look like:

This card is being set aside for Carl Crawford Cards (yup I got doubles as I hoped).

Now for the hits:

Elijah Dukes (s/n: #328/999).  How many of us are still waiting for Dukes to flourish?  His lifetime .771 OPS is better than many would have guessed.  His ability to walk and hit with a bit of power makes him a reasonably valuable player.  It also keeps people hoping he can turn into a 20 hr, .900 OPS type player.

Chase Wright/Joe Smith (s/n: #388/999).  Joe Smith is a serviceable middle reliever (career:  3.49 era, 141.2 ip).

Chase Wright (s/n: #100/500).  Two, count 'em, two Chase Wright inserts!  Ugh.  Wright was in Milwaukee's minor league system in 2009 (AAA:  4.51 era, 131.2 ip).

Jeff Baker (s/n: #070/500).

Michael Bourn (s/n: #099/500).  Hmmm, I got a different serial numbered card of Bourn in the first box of this product.  He won the NL stolen base title in 2009 (61 sb).

Brandon Webb (s/n: #009/199).  The first star hit.

Derek Jeter (s/n: #180/199).  Now we're talkin'!

Anthony Lerew auto.  The end of the road may be near for this 27 year old pitcher.  His lifetime 3.52 era in the minors is decent, but in parts of four seasons in the majors (just 35ip total) his era is 6.69.  He's in the Royals system now.

Jared Burton auto.  A fairly successful middle reliever for the Reds (3.47 era, 161 ip lifetime).

Levale Speigner auto.  He'll be 29 throughout 2010.  He pitched relief in AAA for the Marlins in '09.  This guy is pretty much dominating the minors now, but his major league career, as brief as it has been, is terrible so far: 9.19 era, 48ip.  I don't know if the Marlins picture him as a bullpen arm in the majors or if he is a roster holder in AAA.

Mike Schultz auto.  He may be out of baseball, but he's still very tall.  They can't take that away.

So you are saying, Field, there is a lot of garbage here.  True.  However, just like in the first box, I received five autos (four were expected).  The fifth one saved the box:

Prince Fielder auto.  My first Fielder auto!  As some probably know by now, I have a lot of respect for the way Fielder plays the game, not to mention the stats he is racking up at an early age.  When I pulled this I said what I assume everyone says when pulling a Prince Fielder auto: "Goody Goody Gumdrops".

So I got a lot of good base (not shown), two nice serial numbered cards (Webb, Jeter), and the Fielder signature.  This box trounced the first one.  Nonetheless, after opening two boxes now, this is a product that seems to have a LOT of dud inserts.  You need some decent luck to come away happy if you pay full price for the box ($50ish).

Ebay: Rating The Sellers

Hello fellow maniac collectors!

I am starting a new ongoing segment dedicated to reviewing Ebay purchases.

I will rate the packaging, condition, and overall contentedness that comes with each transaction.

There is no pretension that I am discovering amazing deals on Ebay.  In fact, I kinda hate bidding on things and fighting for a win, so I tend to go for reasonable 'Buy It Now' options with good combined shipping.

I am just your basic collector who clicks on what grabs the heart.  I may buy 100 Rafael Palmeiro from the nearly worthless 1991 Topps set or a bunch of random cards from 1969.  I could be the bozo buying a Calvin Pickering auto for a buck.  I generally don't spend more than $10 on one card, but beyond that my tastes run wide.

This isn't so much about whether or not others think what I buy is worthless or a good deal (although feel free to say so), but instead about reviewing my Ebay experiences.

If you find the way the seller conducts business to be admirable and you are interested in knowing his Ebay ID, just leave a comment saying so and I will gladly convey the info.

I tend to seek good sellers and stand by them.

I know I will run into nightmares (I have before) and I will report those too.  I will be honest either way.  My goal is to report what happens even if I make goofy decisions sometimes.

Package:  000 Bubble-lite mailer (Approx: 5x8 inches)
Postage Listed on Package: $2.53
Postage Paid By Buyer: $2.00
Total Cost of Cards: $15.00 (includes the $2.00 shipping cost)
Total Number of Cards Purchased:  36
Date Purchased: 12/11/09
Date Received: 12/17/09
Signature Required: No

Card Packaging:  One Packet.  All cards were in a sealed team bag. Within the bag there was a top loader on top, cards penny sleeved in the middle, and a top loader on bottom.  The small lots in this purchase were combined in appropriately wide penny sleeves.  No cards were without a sleeve.  The packaging was a traditional and highly effective method.

Card Packaging Rating: (1-10 scale: 1 worst, 10 best): 9  (As a first time reference point, this is a 9 not because there was a complaint, but because a 10 would be every card in a top loader.  Every card in a top loader would be absolutely ridiculous overkill for this purchase, but that is a 10 rating, and it does happen when you least expect it.)

Cost: $1.00

Expected Condition: Nr-Mt

Actual Condition: Nr-Mt

Details:  2009 Topps Gold, #UH130 (s/n: #0119/2009)

Card Comment:  The gold cards seem to becoming less and less glittery.  Maybe it's just my perception.

God I love this card.  A wonderful picture.  The Giants are one of those teams I've always found enjoyable: from Will Clark to Bonds to Lincecum to Bumgarner.  Randy Johnson didn't pan out for them but his image in the uniform works for me.

I was fortunate enough to see Johnson strike out 19 live at the Kingdome in the late 90's.  I had terrible seats and was alone.  It wasn't a packed house from what I remember.  I moved to great seats around the 6th.  After about the 15th strike out the excitement level of the crowd was so alive and raw that you could literally feel the energy.

Cost: $1.00

Expected Condition: Nr-Mt

Actual Condition: Nr-Mt

Details:  1998 Leaf Rookies and Stars Home Run Derby, #15 (s/n: #2269/2500)

Card Comment:  Has a nice shine at an angle in person.

Cost: $1.00

Expected Condition: Nr-Mt

Actual Condition: Nr-Mt

Details:  2007 Topps Turkey Red Chrome, #120 (s/n: #0711/1999)

Card Comment:  All Turkey Red cards are beautiful to me.

Cost: $1.00

Expected Condition: Excellent (as listed)

Actual Codition: Nr-Mint

Details:  1982 Donruss, #475 (quantity: 7)

Card Comment:  Sometimes talent doesn't look like a jock.

I can't resist lots like these.  I never was able to buy or bust 1982 Donruss when it came out.  I'm a sucker for Hall of Fame cards no matter the set.  Niekro's nickname is 'Knucksie'.  It makes sense, sure, but have you ever heard him called that?  I haven't.

Cost: $1.00

Expected Condition: Nr-Mt

Actual Condition: Nr-Mt

Details:  2001 Topps Gold Label Class 3, #70 (s/n: #293/299)

Card Comment: Classy set.  Stunning.

You may notice a trend that I buy players when their stock is low.  Ordonez is in that boat.  His 9 home runs in 2009 really confused people, yet his .312 career average with 277 hr make him someone I will always call a star.  He's hit over .300 nine times, had 20 or more home runs eight times, and had 100 or more rbi seven times.

Cost: $1.00

Expected Condition: Nr-Mt

Actual Condition: Nr-Mt

Details:  1991 Upper Deck, #65 RC (quantity: 4)

Card Comment:  A difficult card to resist at .25 cents if you are an Orioles fan.

Mussina's lifetime record of 270-153 is overwhelming.  When adjusting for the times his lifetime stats compare favorably with Jim Palmer.  Mussina should make the Hall of Fame.

But so should...

Cost: $1.00

Expected Condition:  Excellent (as listed) (OC as shown)

Actual Condition: Nr-Mt (OC)

Details:  1974 Topps, #98

Card Comment: This is vintage to me.  Anything 1979 and earlier makes me giddy.

The exclusion of Blyleven from the Hall of Fame is the Prosecution's number one witness as to why the Hall of Fame voting system is faulty.  Voters need to be qualified and regularly assessed.  Just as umpires and players are scrutinized in their day to day abilities, voters need to prove they are capable of deciphering statistics beyond emotional recollections.

Cost: $1.00

Expected Condition: Nr-Mt

Actual Condition:  Nr-Mt (flecks are scanner caused)

Details:  2004 Ultimate Collection, #100 (s/n: #533/675)

Card Comments:  Thick card but not so thick that it doesn't fit in a standard sheet.

Cabrera is basically Pujols light.  As well known as Miguel Cabrera is, he is quite possibly one of the most underrated players in baseball.  He is just age 26 yet has six straight 100 plus rbi seasons, 33 or more hr five times, and a batting average of .320 or better four times.  He sits at a .311 lifetime ba with 209 hr in his career.  He is on pace to be one of the best offensive players in the history of baseball.

Cost: $1.00

Expected Condition: Nr-Mt

Actual Condition: Nr-Mt

Details:  2000 Pacific Omega Gold, #31 (s/n: #062/120)

Card Comment:  A nice s/n card from an era I was not collecting.

Lee will end up with 500 hr and 2700 lifetime hits.  I'm guessing around age 37 the media will "discover" him and present him to us all.

Cost: $1.00

Expected Condition: Nr-Mt

Actual Condition: Nr-Mt

Details:  1997 Topps, #479 RC (quantity: 8)

Card Comment: There's a heck of a desert behind Chavez.

Why buy Eric Chavez rookies?  Well, good question.  I don't have any so that's one reason.  I can give some away so that's another.  But more than that, I always liked Chavez.  He had seven good offensive seasons (20 or more hr) and won six Gold Gloves by age 28.  He practically had a career under his belt.  He was a star locked in.

I just have a tough time abandoning former stars I respected.  I keep hoping their bodies or minds will heal.  I do this with Dontrelle Willis too.  They both stay in my star books and when I see an auto for $2.50 cents I sometimes can't resist.  Or in this case, eight rookie cards for a buck.

 

Cost: $1.00

Expected Condition: Nr-Mt

Actual Condition: Nr-Mt

Details:  1994 Topps Gold, #158

Card Comment:  I like the blue sky and cloud background.

This kind of card reminds me of not only how tough it is to make it in baseball, but how tough it is to make it in life.  It's why I love baseball.  It's a game based on failure mixed with moments of triumph.  There is no other sport that mimics life the same way.

A hitter may make 20 million dollars a year but he is a quantified failure 55% of the time if he is the best in the game (considering walks).  Nobody so rich fails so often and works so hard to improve.  I don't care what the greats make, I just care that they care to make themselves better.  And they do.  They clearly care.  As an Orioles fan I should hate Jeter, but as a baseball fan I think he is the essence of the game.

I know...it's still just a dollar card.  That's not the point!  Ha ha.

Cost: $1.00

Expected Condition: Nr-Mt

Actual Condition: Nr-Mt

Details:  1994 Topps, #209 RC (quantity: 8)

Card Comment: Wagner looks hardcore but the actual card reminds me of a K-Mart series card.

Wagner is hugely underrated.  385 lifetime saves and a 2.39 era in a time frame that was for the most part a steroid era.  Mariano Rivera is certainly the best closer of all-time.  Wagner is not that far off from Mariano.  The era difference is 2.25 versus 2.39.  The save totals have to do with opportunity.  Like runs batted in, it's a function of the surroundings.  Statistics frustrate me sometimes.  I don't want people to downgrade Rivera's brilliance, I want them to upgrade Wagner's.

Cost: $1.00

Expected Condition: Nr-Mt

Actual Condition: Nr-Mt

Details:  2001 Private Stock Silver Portraits, #40 (s/n: #049/290)

Card Comment:  Thick stock.  Great feel and shine to this card.

The perception of the value of Helton's statistics definitely suffers because he plays in a launch-pad stadium. But if we look at his adjusted stats he is still a great player.  In a strange sense, the massive stats acquired in Colorado (especially pre-humidor), have been so discounted that star players are all but forgotten.  Larry Walker is the best example of a player sucked into the altitude vortex.  It really is a shame.

Overall Review:

I am very happy with this Ebay seller.  I have purchased from him several times.  He under grades old cards.  Yes, in times past I have received a few heavily damaged $1 type cards.  However, percentage wise he is far above the Ebay norm.  99% of the cards are in expected condition or better.  Throw in this seller's care with packaging, his speed, his low shipping combined price, and his accuracy, and you have one of Ebay's most dependable sellers.

His selection is generally 1000-1200 baseball cards.  There's plenty I liked that I didn't buy.

Overall Rating: 9

Thanks for reading!