Group Breakin’ with Cardboard Heaven

So I participated in my first Group Break (which I did have to research just what in the hell that meant) with Cardboard Heaven. The break was a box of 2011 Topps Gypsy Queen, and blasters of 2009 UD Icons & 2009 UD Series 1.

While I prefer the Heritage to the Gypsy Queen stuff, the GQ cards do look pretty damn good. I was on board for The M’s in this break, and even signed up for The Nats just to get the break going. I know nothing of the Nats other than the whole Strasburg thing, but I did get a killer looking Andre Dawson card from when he was with The Spo’s. Also snagged a Walter Johnson card (Washington Senators).

M’s stuff from the Gypsy Queen box were cards of Bedard, Guti, and King Felix, with 2 Ichiro cards…a bronze bordered /999 card, and a mini Sepia /99

From the Upper Deck boxes I landed a Felix Icon card, and a Luis Valbuena Rookie.

All in all, a pretty cool deal. I’ve participated in another break since this one, and have signed up for a third. Cool concept, and The M’s collection shall grow.

Me and Hank

So being new (well, back) to ‘The Hobby’, I am astonished at how many different types and brands of cards there are. STAGGERING. I’ve latched onto 2 sets, 2011 Topps (only need 3 MORE cards!), and 2011 Topps Heritage. I can’t keep up with the new fangled ‘parallels’, but am getting a handle on it. A few weeks ago, I scored what was then the fanciest card in my new collection. A Topps Diamond Giveaway die-cut card of Clayton Kershaw.

Pretty slammin’, but I have no interest in the Dodgers, but based purely on ability, this guy has been tossing some gems. I’ve been trying forever to trade it for a die-cut of Ichiro or King Felix, but to no avail.

Then I learned what a “blaster” was. Well, kind of. As far as I can figure, it’s a small box with like 8 packs of cards, for $20. Available, as the lingo goes, in ‘retail’ only. I think (ignorance is bliss). Being the type of guy who stays away from big-box stores whenever possible, I figured I’d give it a shot for fun. I grabbed a blaster of Topps Heritage, and one of these value boxes for $15 that have 2 packs of Heritage, and 4 packs of regular Topps baseball.

This is where I met my friend Hank (and Hal). These two cards were back-to-back in one of my packs:

cards
Great score! This, when it comes in the mail, will be my new fanciest card. To make things weirder, I opened up that value box deal. I redeemed my Diamond Giveaway cards, and got one of these:


Good ol’ Hank.

Collecting Again

First off…I know Rollie Fingers has nothing to do with The Seattle Mariners. His stache is killer, and The M’s are my team. Nuff said.

A few weeks ago, I didn’t recognize the lingo associated with card collectors. Hit, auto, GU, PC, hobby, rack pack. The list goes on. Hell, I still don’t recognize some of them, probably never will. Anyway, this is a blog devoted to chronicling my finds as I shift gears (from collecting records, show flyers, band t-shirts, buttons, beer, comic books, or art), to the almighty baseball card.