I'm Perusing the Bay and What Do I "CC"???

As I was going through the cards I had, along with the ones already scanned on the blogs, I noticed that the usual airbrushing/photoshopping that had occurred with previous Series I cards was not as prevalent in this year's edition. I mean, for example, CC Sabathia's press conference upon signing with the Yankees should have given Topps the opportunity to make a Yankee card of him, instead of a Brewers card.

Alas, I saw a number of CC (he doesn't like the periods in his name apparently) cards depicting him as a Brewer (like this one below from the Junkie). Which was nice. After all, he played for Milwaukee last year, and these cards should be a reminder of the season prior. Plus, it does look awkward to see him depicted as a member of one team, and then to look on the back and see that he played for another team the year before. I mean, it's not a traded card, so...


Okay, back to the point. Perusing the Bay for an affordable 2009 Topps Master set (I'm still buying a Hobby box, I just want to save me the agony, plus the money in the event I go after the 18 short printed cards...wait...)


What??! He's in a Yankee's uni already??!

Ladies and gentlemen, here is 2009's unannounced SP/gimmick card #2. CC Sabathia as a Yankee. Make that 19 SP cards to chase (if you're into that sort of thing...) I'll give this another week. Hopefully SOMEBODY will have an idea of what's going on. And, for that matter, how many more of these are we to expect??!

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

2009 Topps Gimmicks...Should I Even Bother???

Thanks to Hand Collated via Stale Gum for the tip, but it seems that there is an 18th variation card mixed in with the base set. As we already know from the initial checklist, the seventeen CMG exclusives are numbered as short printed variation cards within the base set. However, this one was not announced.

Card #44 in 2009 Topps Series I is Geoff Jenkins. Card #44b is:


Found on the bay. Only one up as of right now for $500.00.

I plan on getting the set with seventeen SP players...should I try for the eighteenth???

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Pack Breaks This Evening...Did Anybody Get Any Checklist Cards???

If I can get home early enough this evening, I'll scan the results of the 12 packs of 2009 Topps Series I that I purchased yesterday. As a preview, I'll let you know that the first card from the first pack that I opened was of A. J. Pierzynski of the White Sox. I also got a Derrek Lee card which will go to my daughter (she's found her favorite player). Lee's picture is great, reminds me of a Mark Grace card from at least a decade ago (must find card for comparison).

I love the pictures used this year. Not only because of how large they are (compared to the ones from the last two years) on the card, but the photographer's zoom lens must have been used on almost all the cards. You don't need a magnifying glass to identify the player in almost all cases.

Did anyone who bought their cards from Target get any checklist cards? Out of twelve packs, I have zero checklists. This can't be a good sign. And out of twelve packs, I didn't get a single variation card, although I did get those Gold parallel Legend cards. Those look nice. I'll have to stop by Walmart later and get a comparison as to what the Platinum parallels look like.

There will be another installment of the Topps insert set of the week. Realistically, it should be te insert set of the month, seeing as we're in February now, and it is Black History Month (should give you an idea of what set I will be talking about later).

There will be more coming this evening. Until then...

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Groundhog Day...Ick!!!

Curse you Phil and Willie the Groundhogs!!!

I wanted to post this earlier today, but I forgot to scan the card before leaving for work...

If you have kids who watch the Disney Channel, you're going to understand where the line for the caption above came from. It's how I felt as soon as I watched the news this morning, and they showed Punxsutawney Phil, and then later on, Woodstock Willie (Woodstock, IL, by the way, is where they filmed that timely holiday classic, Groundhog Day), or at least the people holding the cute little rodents, announce the same darn thing:

"Phil (Willie) saw his shadow this morning. That means six more weeks of winter!!!"

(insert mix of boos and groans here)

Dr. Doofenshmirtz, I understand. Really. I do. But just remember, there are 12 more days until pitchers and catchers report for spring training, so it will be over soon!!!

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Target Acquired...2009 Topps Series I Packs in Hand!!!

Didn't make it to Target on Sunday. So as soon as the kids were dropped off at school, I went straight to Target before going to work. Yes, the Target had a FULL BOX of 2009 Topps Series I (a box of 24 packs, 12 cards per pack). I don't know if this they just put this out, or if this was the only box left from the weekend. I was honestly tempted to get all 24 packs, but thought better of it. I bought 12 packs (total cost $26.33 with tax), leaving half the box for others who may be looking.

Pack breaks to come later. I'm not sure I like the pack design to be honest. But what does that matter, based on what bloggers have posted over the weekend, the cards look fantastic!!!

At least I have something to look forward to during the lunch hour. I can't wait.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

The Answer for This Week's Trivia Question, January 25, 2009

That was surprisingly quick, but to RoofGod, congratulations!!! You answered both of my questions correctly.

Yes, Ralph Branca, Joe Garagiola, Ralph Kiner Satchel Paige, only made one appearance on Topps baseball cards, so their first and last cards are from the same year (1952 for both Branca and Garagiola, and 1953 for Kiner and Paige).

And no 1999 card was reprinted for Topps Archives. Didn't anybody end their career in 1998-1999??? Also, 1951 was never used, but then again, maybe that was done on purpose as 1952-2001 = 50 years worth of cards (they didn't even do a 1951 Topps card for the Through the Years set...funny, no 2000 card either...).

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Notes and Responses to Comments on Superbowl Sunday!!!

It seems that the cat is out of the bag and 2009 Topps I is at Target stores somewhere (those that decided to put them out earlier than the actual release date that is). I'm on the hunt tomorrow, if not on Monday. Otherwise, I have to put a call in to my dealer (geez, that sounds bad).

I also purchased my third eBay item this weekend. When it arrives, I can scratch out the ten card 2008 Topps Holiday Set Bonus cards from the wantlist. Cost with shipping? $18.50. Still looking for that Berkman card though, and friend of the blog the drizz gave me a good tip to find one.

Speaking of my good friend the drizz...dude, I wrote that post earlier this week!!! If I do find something unique when I get to Target, I will post something worthwhile here.

To Patricia and Lucy at Dinged Corners...I have not forgotten your card. I finally was able to package the card and will ship it on Monday. I am now fully involved in the blogging community as I have no idea if I sent stuff to people or if it's still here.

Which reminds me...Greg (night owl), did I send that 2003 Topps Traded Rickey Henderson Dodgers card to you? I can't seem to find it in the chaos of my table, but I swear I had to have sent it. Please let me know. Thanks.

That's it for now. Getting ready to watch the Pirates and Diamondbacks this evening...oh wait, that's baseball. I mean, the Penguins and Coyotes...sorry, that's hockey. Panthers versus Wildcats...college. Just kidding.

It's the Steelers and the Cardinals for the big one today. Who am I for? I've always rooted for the NFC team in these games, but realistically, I'm not emotionally attached to either team. So go Cardinals (I can't believe I just said that...)

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama