Miguel Cabrera Triple Crown MVP Mini Plaque - Game Used Jersey

Hey all!

I went to my first Detroit Tigers game on Friday, and picked up a nice item as a souvenir! First, the Tigers organization is definitely first-class, and going through Comerica Park is amazing. There were so many promotions, giveaways, etc. and I even got a "First Game" Certificate for free. Let's just say I CAN'T wait to go for another game! :)

But on to the item. I was online searching up some items the Tigers had for sale, which they likely had for sale in the D Shop. So a couple of items caught my eye, but a lot too pricey for me. So I decided to just bring $40 and pick myself up a surprise!

So at about the 5th inning, I head down to the main concourse and go in the D Shop. I was especially interested in the authentics they had for sale. Then, a rack of items really got me interested - it was some mini game used plaques for $20-$30! They had bat relic plaques of Alex Avila, Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, and jersey relics as well. So, after a couple minutes of deciding, I picked out this beauty for $30.

The reason I chose this item, over the bat plaque and others, was because the plaque noted a couple major highlights from Miggy's AMAZING 2012 season. It also has a VERY nice action photo of I think one of his many home runs. I also got a pamphlet from the worker in the area which said I could go on MLB.COM to see the COA. Now I have to find a place to hang this awesome item!

NEXT UP: A box break of 2012-13 Rookie Anthology

TTM: Wei-Yin Chen

I'M BACK!!! And after exactly a month...

No reason, just because I felt the need to post after being so busy lately. I have also got a few BIG additions to my collection and PC (cough, cough, Fucale...) that I hope to share soon.

But here is what I got in the mail today: a small previously folded envelope with 2 USA stamps on it.

It was a really nice TTM return.

I opened it up, and saw my cardboard protector carefully placed inside with a card inside. Sweet, i sent off a bunch of TTMs a while back and haven't got many back.

 

Aw shoot. Not another sideways image. Sorry for this...

 

But what a SICK autograph from the Taiwanese pitcher. Love the autograph - so cool to see an autograph in a native language, like Nikolai Khabibulin's Cryllic auto!

 

Unfortunately,  I did not prep the card, so it smeared a bit on the protection, but that's OK. I also included a small sticker inside hoping for him to sign to make a custom card, but he did not. I don't blame him though - it was very small and at the bottom of the protection.

 

Thanks Mr. Chen for the autograph!

 

ALSO, I have decided to add Wei-Yin Chen to my PC list. So, if you have any of his cards, please LMK!

Blog Bat Around: What Would You Buy with $1,600 on eBay?

As a student, having an extra $1600 dollars to use on hockey cards is a dream come true. Of course, what are the chances that will ever happen? Not likely, but let's see what happens if it did.

One thing I want to buy is packs. Loads of them. Buying singles is really not the same as crinkling open a pack and looking inside to see what you just got.

So, without further ado...

2012-13 Heroes and Prospects 20-box Case - BIN $1300 (Free Shipping)



That's like $65 a box. I get to open 360 packs of one of my favourite sets, with the chance of getting some nice Fucale PC additions, and I can sell the hits I don't want to buy more off the 'bay! And expecially with my 2-pack H&P breaks from this year, I'm hoping that will continue! :)

2012-13 Heroes and Prospects Subway Super Series Patch /10 Silver Zachary Fucale - BIN $53 TOTAL $1353 



Nope... just the Fucale is included. Yes, I MAY have overpaid here, but the patch of now one (if not the) main PC guy for me is awesome. I want to focus on my Fucale PC now mostly, so if anyone has a card of him FT please let me know!

2012 Bowman Chrome Auto RC Avisail Garcia - BIN $25 (w/Shipping) $1378

This guy is one of my favourite baseball players, and has been called, "Miggy's twin" (Miguel Cabrera) Before he turns into a star, I'm gonna nab this card for my PC. Sweet!

2003-04 UD Pemier Collection Premier Signatures Wayne Gretzky BGS 9 - BIN $142 (w/Shipping) TOTAL $1520

I think it was because of the grading that got the card a price like this. If it was 9.5/10, I think it could get a $300+ price tag. A sick autographed card of the great one is awesome any day of the week!

2006-07 Ultimate Signatures BGS 8.5 Sidney Crosby - $80 shipped BIN, $1600 total

What's Wayne without Sid? Also, I have a Malkin auto... now I got Sid! Last pickup will be to the current, "great one". No brainer to finish off the $1600.

Thanks to Casey at Drop the Gloves! Hopefully this will inspire to start your own blog! Cheers!

TTM: Morgan Rielly (And a movie reccomendation)

I'm back everyone!

Sorry it has taken so long for a post. School has recently been very busy and it's tough to sneak a post in with a bunch of projects needing to be completed. PLUS I also had to deal with getting my extremely messy room organized for new furniture, basically emptying it out.

But anyways, mail has been slow for me the past couple of weeks. I had a FedEx truck drop off a new backboard from Spalding this morning as a replacement for a smashed one (Prob. just defected) so I'll be glad not having to try and swish every shot now. ;)

Anyways, I did get a TTM back today, it was one of many I sent out within the past 2-3 months.

This one is from Morgan Rielly, who I consider to be the Leaf's #1 prospect. I sent it to the Marlies right after his Moose Jaw season ended, and am glad it got to him, as I sent it before he was assigned to the team.

Sent: March 30th, 2013
Recieved: April 22nd, 2013

 

Recieved: 1 1/2 / 2

 

This may be the first - and only - time I classify getting HALF an autograph. As you can see, Mr. Rielly signed the card in a pen (musta ran out at the beginning because he went over it a few times) and added his Marlies #44. And, for some reason he signed the "M" on the decoy but did not seem to finish his autograph? First off, him using a pen is kind of strange - my stereotype is only retired players used pens for TTM's. Him adding his brand new #44 instead of Moose Jaw #4 (as on card) was also... different.  

 

But anyhow, a TTM IS a TTM. And of a top prospect... I'll take that any day of the week. Thanks Mr. Rielly!

ALSO: Yesterday I saw the movie 42. It is a very inspiring movie, very worthwhile. If you get the chance to see it, are bored a night and maybe have a few dollars to spare, definetely see it. It is a movie you can not NOT enjoy as a sports fan. Kudos.

CAN ANYONE HELP ME WITH MY MAJOR PCs?

Really want to get some new cards of these guys.

My PC Players: (In order of importance)

Major:
HOCKEY - Zachary Fucale, Evgeni Malkin, Slater Koekkoek, Alexander Khokhlachev, and Jake Gardiner

BASEBALL - Trevor Bauer, Avisail Garcia, Ricky Romero, Moises Sierra, Miguel Cabrera and Mike Trout

FOOTBALL - Matthew Stafford, Matt Barkley, Jake Locker, Colin Kaepernick and Ryan Tannehill

BASKETBALL - Kyle Lowry, Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant and Chris Paul

Also, please let me know if you have a 2012 NHCD Canadian or USA set FT, a 2013 NHCD Jonathan Quick #16, and a 2012 NHCD Jonathan Toews #16.

Thanks!
beware_the_hockey_card_closet@hotmail.ca

DOUBLE MAIL DAY - Trades with Wax Stain Rookie and Cardboard Conundrum

Hey everyone,

I was greeted with an exciting mail day today. I had recieved 2 packages in the mail - one from Dave from Wax Stain Rookie, and another from Matt from Cardboard Conundrum. Both contained great cards... so let's get to the goods!

TRADE WITH WAX STAIN ROOKIE:

The deal was originally 2 for 2 (Hit for hit and NHCD for NHCD) But Dave threw in 2 extras! Thanks Dave!

\

 

That's a SWEET card of one of my PC players, Ryan Murray. If it were not for his injury and the lock out, he'd be in the NHL right now, ranked as the most NHL-ready player in the 2012 draft. I expressed interest in it ever since Dave pulled it, I'm really glad we finally could work something out!

 

I also was to recieve a NHCD card of Casey Cizikas to complete my second set. Not only did I get that, but I got a Boone Jenner H&P base and a Evgeni Malkin Victory Stars of the Game Insert.

Thanks for the GREAT trade Dave!

 

TRADE WITH CARDBOARD CONUNDRUM:

My second career trade with Matt was another HUGE one. This one even better than the first, though.

 

Shoot... scans not uploading. Sorry everyone... I guess I'll have to just name the cards.

 

2010-11 Donruss Magicians Jersey Chris Paul /299

2012 Crown Royale Sunday Soldiers Jersey Sam Bradford /99

2011 Plates and Patches Jersey Eli Manning /199

2010 Threads Rookie Collection Prime Jersey Mike Williams /50 (Ooops... though he was Mike Wallace)

2012 Topps Golden Moments Jersey Joey Votto

2012 Topps Tier One Auto Adam Lind /399

2012 Gypsy Queen Bat Madison Bumgarner (Pitcher's bat? BUNT!)

2012 Gypsy Queen Auto Jordan Zimmerman

2011 Gypsy Queen Jersey Prince Fielder

2009 UD Signature Stars Top Prospects Auto David Price

2011-12 Luxury Suite Jersey/Stick Jason Spezza

2012-13 Artifacts AutoFacts Evgeni Nabokov

2011-12 Between The Pipes Future Stars Auto Matheiu Corbeil

2011-12 Limited Brothers In Arms Jersey Nikolai Khabibulin/Devan Dubnyk

 

WOW! Now THATS an amazing lot of cards! Huge additions to my PC! Now I can see why it costed Matt so much to ship. Thanks Matt!

 

 

As Victor Martinez said on the Detroit Tiger's commercial, "I follow Prince, Miggy, Austin, Torii in the lineup..." "BOOM!"

 

That's right, An awesome finish to an awesome trade. My first Geno auto. Thanks so much Matt and Dave!

Trade with 2x3 Heroes

Hey everyone, I recently made a quick and easy 1st trade with Jeff from 2x3 Heroes. On A Pack To Be Named Later, I saw him pull a really nice Ovechkin hit from a pack of Artifacts.

So the trade was essentially this:

To Me:
2012/13 Artifacts Frozen Artifacts Alex Ovechkin

To Jeff:
Jeremy Roenick RC IP Autograph

But then Jeff asked me for what I collected. I sent him a couple of Black Hawks inserts, but he went way above and beyond. Not only did he send me an amazing mix of cards I collect, with only 2 doubles, but he sent me 50 - yes, FIFTY - extras. WOW! Included are 5 Malkins, 6 Stamkos and a bunch of other PC players.

 

And of course, the hit. It is quite a nice card, simple clean design, and obviously Ovie.

 

 

 

Thanks for the GREAT trade Jeff! Looking forward to more!

 

 

ALSO: Jarome Iginla has been traded to the Penguins!!! :D

 

RANDOM WORDS - What happens to Derrick Pouliot?

As most (or at least you Pens and Stars fans) know, the Pens have made 2 deals in the past 24 hours, both to aquire players who can do some damage now.

They have aquired Brendan Morrow, Douglas Murray and a 3rd round pick in total, for Joe Morrow, a 5th and 2 2nds.

At first, I was not impressed with the Brendan Morrow trade. Sure, he gives 110% each time, and is a heart and soul guy. But he is aging (34) and his best days are past him. He's having a tough season in Dallas.

I was not mad about the Pens getting Morrow, it was what they had to give up - another Morrow. Joe Morrow, their 2011 first round pick. Derrick Pouliot's Winter Hawks teammate. Top prospect.

Before the trade, they had a great group of D-men for the future. Letang, Brian Doumilin, Simon Despres, Scott Harrington, Robert Bortuzzo, Olli Maata, Pouliot, and Morrow.

I expected the D-men in the future be:

Letang - Despres
Pouliot - Morrow
Maata - Harrington

What really gets me is there is 2 set of junior players playing on the same team. Because of their expreience now, I am sure they would continue to click at the NHL level, which would benefit both.

They traded Jordan Staal to the Canes for Doumilin, Sutter and their 1st. They used that first to select Pouliot.

Well... that was the 7th overall pick. Derrick was ranked 10-15 picks later, so I thought the reason they picked him was to play with Joe Morrow.

So... with him gone, does that mean Derrick's time as a Pen is soon over?

TRADE: CanuckFan1 from Clouts N Chara

Hi everyone, I made a trade with a member on Clouts N Chara a few days ago. He was trying to complete his 2011-12 Contenders Calder Contenders Autograph Set /800 set (quite a feat), and I had aquired a few from Matt (Cardboard Conundrum) last year. So we worked out a quick and easy trade, one I think we were both pleased with. Let's get to the details.

To CanuckFan1 -
2011-12 Contenders Calder Contenders Autograph /800 Slava Voynov

To Me -
2012-13 Heroes and Prospects 3D Class of 2013 Ryan Hartman
2012-13 Heroes and Prospects Autograph Bo Horvat




For me, at first I wasn't sure if I wanted to let Slava go. He is one of the top offensive D-men in the league this year, and has already won the cup and showing extreme promise for such a young age. But on eBay, I saw that the same card sold for no more than a couple of dollars, so if I ever need it back, I could know I can pick one up. And I helped out another person with a set! :)

About the cards I aquired, you will think I am crazy about how I aquired the Horvat. I had the choice between Kerby Rychel auto, star of my HOMETOWN Windsor Spitfires, and projected higher than Horvat and projected first rounder this year, and the Horvat, who plays for the Spits ARCH RIVALS London Knights, the team every Spits fan hates. Don't get me wrong, London-Windsor series are always fun to watch, and it's a great Rivarly. But I picked a player from their team over a hometown star?

The reason - I already have TONS of Kerby autographs. I go to a lot of Skate-With-The-Spits after Sunday games, and nab TONS of graphs. I already have his autograph on a jersey, couple of cards, programs, pucks, etc. So instead, I got an autograph of my favourite Knight for some reason, Bo Horvat.

I also have always wanted a 3D card from this year's H&P. From reviews, they seem really cool, and cheap(er) to pick up. Sure, I would have prefered a Zachary Fucale or Bo Horvat, but Ryan Hartman was the only 3D he had.

I just noticed it seems like this whole trade was against Windsor and Kerby. First Horvat, now Ryan Hartman, who plays for another rival in the Plymouth Whalers. Also, during the Subway Super Series game, he had a fight with Kerby, and another one in their next meeting in the regular season. Sorry Windsor! :)

So anyways, this was a nice and easy trade. We could have probably picked up either end for less than $10 on eBay, but it's so much better to trade!!

Oh, and a shout out to a new blog, Card Bored Collector. It is a great blog, and the writer of it and me are already working on our first trade. Check it out, and add it to your blog roll!

Thanks for reading!

WHO KNEW? Mark Fraser is leading the NHL in +/-?

Wow. Checked to see the box score of the Leafs game last night (hat trick Kadri) and the NHL leading scorers. Mark Fraser is leading the league in +/- with +15. WOW. From an enforcer. A journeyman defenseman. A likely career bottom line pairing player, if he can crack the lineup.

Don't get me wrong. He's been playing great.

BUT ON THE LEAFS, WITH THEIR DEFENCE???

All I have to say is wow.

Trade List HEAVILY updated

Hello everyone, hope everyone's enjoying their Friday :)

I just HEAVILY updated my Wants/For Trade/Sale list.

Let me know if you want to make a trade!

Here's the link to it, also on the sidebar: http://bewarethehockeycardclosettadingcards.blogspot.ca/

Thanks!

NHCD Set Completed! Thanks Michael!

Just got home from a long day at in the States today. Came home to see a boatload of mail in my mailbox, 2 were for me. One was a TTM (And a REALLY nice one I'll be posting about soon) and a puffy envelope from Michael from Collecting for Kicks. I knew exactly what it was. I had contacted him after NHCD last week to see if we could work out some sort of trade to help me complete my set. Well, he told me he didn't need any because he already had a set, so sent me them! It was #4 Casey Czikas and #5 Mark Stone.

So THANKS Michael! Look for an envelope to arrive at your house next week!

HAS MY LUCK CONTINUED???

I'm most definetely not the luckiest person in the hobby - never was, probably never will. ;)

Well, OK, maybe for that Yak auto pull, but...

But you always know some good luck is in your favour when you enter a contest on the National Hockey Card Day Facebook Page for one of 30 Canadian autographed cards, you send this email after recieving a notification from Facebook that Upper Deck is trying to contact you and can't:

And you get this reply:

Can't wait UD. Thanks! :D

TTM: Ryan Kesler

Hey everyone,

Today I recieved 2 things in the mail. One big one and another small TTM sized one with my handwriting. So... I open up the big one first - pretty sweet. The second one - is this. Man, I have thought this one was LONG GONE.

I think middle of 2011 I sent out a McDonald's card to Ryan Kesler. After about a year later, I had COMPLETELY given up on it. Heck, I forgot about it until I recieved it today.

So, well, um... not exactly my McD's card signed, but a COOL oversized/post card instead! Not a pre-printed sig either, which really makes it cool! The only thing that could have been better is of Ryan used a silver sharpie to sign it. And it has some weird surface scratch or something near the bottom left. But anyways - a cool collectible! Any Canucks fan interested in this? Ryan also included my unsigned McD's card. Thanks Ryan!

2013 National Hockey Card Day in Canada Recap: HELP ME COMPLETE MY SET PLEASE!!!

Hey everyone,

Quick post before playing in a hockey tournament...
Had a great day getting cards.

I even managed to get the whole set of JUMBO cards at Toys R Us!!!
All 5!!!

At my LCS, I got 4 packs, 3 O-Pee-Chee Packs and 1 Gretzky/Lemieux.

Completely different story.

I got:
2x #1 Jaden Schwartz
1x #2 Tyson Barrie
1x #3 Carter Ashton
0x #4
0x #5
4x #6 Sidney Crosby (What the...)
1x #7 Jarome Iginla
2x #8 Jordan Eberle
1x #9 John Tavares
3x #10 Martin Brodeur (C'mon UD)
1x #11 Bobby Orr
1x #12 Joe Sakic
1x #13 Eric Lindros
1x #14 Mario Lemieux
1x #15 Wayne Gretzky

The Crosbys are kind of pathetic, I mean, 1 in 4 straight packs.
Atleast the collation improved... a little.

OKAY! SO HERE'S THE DEAL: I NEED CARDS #4 AND 5 TO COMPLETE MY SET...

Here's what I have to trade for them:
1x Jaden Schwartz
3x Sidney Crosby
1x Jordan Eberle
2x Martin Brodeur

So, all my Canadian friends... PLEASE HELP ME OUT!
beware_the_hockey_card_closet@hotmail.ca OR post.
THANKS!

A big CONGRATULATIONS to my cousin...

Big shout out to my cousin, who had her first child, a baby girl, on Sunday during the Super Bowl, right after the power outage. Although premature (3 and something pounds) both her and mom are doing well. Still name-less ;) CONGRATS!!!

Idea from Matt: TOP 10 PULLS OF 2013

I got this idea from Matt at Cardboard Conundrum, it is my top 10 pulls from 2013 that will be updated as I pull. :D

9. 2012-13 O-Pee-Chee Sticker Miikka Kiprusoff

9. 2012-13 Heroes and Prospects Brendan Guance

8. 2012-13 Heroes and Prospects Stuart Percy

7. 2012-13 Heroes and Propects Morgan Rielly


4. 2012-13 Score Riley Sheanhan Rookie

3. 2012-13 Heroes and Prospects Gordie Howe Legend

2. 2012-13 O-Pee-Chee Rainbow Raphael Diaz


1. 2012-13 Heroes and Prospects Nail Yakupov Autograph

UPDATED 3/4/13

PACK BREAK: 2012-13 Heroes and Prospects and 2012-13 Score - A HUGE hit

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the lack of posts. School has been SO busy for me lately. But that doesn't mean I'm not in the card buzz. I have recieved numerous GENEROUS pakages lately, hopefully gonna post them up soon. But anyways, here we are.

I went to my LCS in my local mall today and as it is hard to earn money at my age, I had to choose the packs I got wisely, and I was saving up for a few packs on NHCD next Saturday. (BTW if you are going, can I count on you to trade and help me complete my set?) I knew for sure anything over $10 was out of the question I finally decided on a pack of the brand new 2012-13 Heroes and Prospects, for $5.99, out not even a week ago. This is a product I love - AWESOME for TTM autos, and the design and hits get better each year. It would be my first ITG pack I've ever opened. Also a medium priced product, so affordable.

I also got a pack of this year's Score. I've opened about 3 packs before, nothing "really" special in those. A Mike Smith Net Cam with an AWFUL picture, to name one. But in this lone Score pack, I got a Marc Staal Gold and Riley Sheanhan rookie.

How with the H&P. I knew from watching reviews that each pack had a relic or decoy "He Shoots, He Scores!" Puzzle card. I also saw from the 1 box break I saw 2 of the 5 hits were in the first row of packs, of the 3 rows. One of the autos, a Ryan Strome, was in the top pack.

So as the owner gave me the box to pick my pack, I noticed only 1 pack was bought/taken, the 3rd row. I was thinking the whole way through I was going to take the top 1st row. But, for some strange feeling, I went under that pack and took the next one. A good choice...

After paying, I walked out and opened it while heading to another area of the mall I was in. I saw it was no really thick card, and knew it was a decoy. Kinda dissapointed, but then again, there are only 1:7 for relics and autos, out of 18 packs.

I flipped through them, hoping to get a good CHL player I could send to. All I remember is I saw Gordie Howe Legend on the top. Woot, woot! First time through, I remember it was 7 cards, a Ryan Murray puzzle decoy and another card. I knew I got a base of Brendan Guance (Nucks!!), Laurent Dauphin rookie and Francois Tremblay on the bottom... Kinda a bust for the money I paid...

Ends up I got bases of Howe, Theo Fluery, Radek Faksa, Guance, Dauphin, Tremblay and Tverdon, and the HSHS of Murray.

WHOA WHOA WAIT!!! So, I flip through them again... Oh frack, on the card on top of the decoy is an auto. In a Russian jersey. Wearing number 10. Drumroll please...

Badadadadadada... And...

CLUE... my heart skipped a beat.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
And...



A NAIL YAKUPOV AUTOGRAPH!!!! It is a BEAUTIFUL card... The card is beautifully designed, and has the Russian colours to match his jersey. I ran/fast walked back to my LCS, who gave me a top loader and penny sleeve to put it in. Then he researched it on his computer... And told me it was an $80 card!!!!

This has to be THE best hit I have ever pulled... even better than the Eberle BAP. I'll be hanging on to this for a while, unless I get a nice Malkin auto in return. :)

Now I'm left with this: Do I sell it? Trade it? Or keep it?

To think I was able to get this card in 1 pack is awesome. What are the chances, that this card would end up in that store in the mall, and be the box opened to sell singlely as packs, and that I walked in and chose it?

Awesome. Thanks for reading. :D

*I borrowed the scan from eBay... I do not have a scanner, and my camera is terrible. My card looks the EXACT same though*