Sunday, November 30, 2014

Completely Red: 1988 Fleer Mini

A 120-card set released alongside the base, with the same design, but different photos. At an average of 4.6 cards per team, we can conclude that the Reds were totally way more popular than the average team, since they got 5 cards. Take that, Royals and Brewers. And Angels and Orioles. But not Yankees. Stupid Yankees. 

It seems these were sold as a complete set only. Probably can be bought in its entirety for a few bucks. Then broken up and sold on Sportlots for 18 cents a card. So presented here, in all 90 cents of its glory, the mighty five chosen to rep the Reds.

STATS:

Cards - 5

All Stars - 2 (Eric Davis, John Franco)

RC's - 1 (Jeff Treadway)

Reds Hall of Famers - 1 (Eric Davis)

Mini Donuts - 1

Checklist:

72 Kal Daniels
73 Eric Davis
74 John Franco
75 Ron Robinson
76 Jeff Treadway

Go Reds.

Friday, November 28, 2014

TTM Goodness: Browning, Gibralter, Berenyi


Tom Browning was drafted by the Reds in 1982 and began his 11 year stint with them in 1984. He won 20 games in 1985, was an All Star in 1991, pitched a perfect game in 1988, and won a World Series game in 1990 three days after his wife gave birth. He joined the Reds Hall of Fame in 2006. Signed is a 1988 Fleer #228.

Steve Gibralter was drafted by the Reds in 1990 and would debut for them in 1995. His entire major league career consisted of 5 at-bats and 6 innings in the field over the 1995 and 1996 seasons and a single hit. Signed is a 1992 Upper Deck Minors #284.

Bruce Berenyi was drafted by the Reds in 1976 and debuted for them in 1980. He spent 4 and a half years in Cincy and 2 and a half years with the Mets, which included 131 starts, ROY votes, and a 4-strikeout inning. I only sent Berenyi one card to sign, but he was generous enough to throw in three more. Signed are a 1984 Topps #297, 1983 Donruss #103, 1984 Fleer #463, and a 1982 Fleer #58.

Go Reds.

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Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Crowdfunding A Box Break Site

Alrighty, kids. I've decided to try my hand at running a box break site. The domain is still in its testing stage, but you can check out what I've got going on here...


I'm still in the very early stages of planning, but I'm offering my blog pals a ground-floor sale in an attempt to generate some early funding in order to get things moving.

Two options for you, if you so desire:

1. 20% off all purchases for an entire year + Gifts - $100

2. 10% off all purchases for an entire year - $50

*Gifts will be bonus cards from unclaimed teams or whatever else happens to accumulate during the year.

Again, it's still very early, so the year won't begin from the date of purchase, but instead the date of full site functionality. I'll even go ahead and apply your discount for early test runs. So this will end up being more than a full year of discounts.

Or if you spread the news and someone buys into one of these on your recommendation, I'll throw a discount or two in your direction as well.

There are going to be some growing pains, naturally. And there are some design elements that need refined. But I'm pretty excited to get this thing going. If you have any interest in either of these options, please feel free to contact me at matt@peppergameboxbreaks.com or mattmccurry@gmail.com. If you have any interest in customizing some type of deal similar to above, feel free to contact me about that as well. If you think this is tacky to post this on my blog, well, many apologies.

Box breaks are quite fun, if you've never been in them. Most of you probably have stuck your toes in with the occasional blogger-run one-off break. I hope to make this more than just the occasional treat, but instead, a consistent means to acquire good stuff for your collection.

Oh, and Go Reds.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Completely Red: 1994 Signature Rookies Draft Picks

Ah, the early years of prospecting. Getting them cards out on the market very early. Hey, this sophomore from Bum Crack U. might be the next Mickey Mantle! Get his signature!

The autograph set was 100 cards strong and inserted one per pack of the regular base set. My Reds snagged five spots of the hundred. I accidentally acquired four of them, so I broke a cardinal rule of my collecting manifesto and searched for a specific card, the Tony Terry. Despite my sin, it only set me back $1.49 (free shipping). I've spent more for less.

We'll run through these a little differently than most Completely Red posts. We're gonna look at how 'prospectful' these five guys really were.

#9 - C.J. Nitkowski
Drafted in the 1st round, 9th overall, Nitkowski had a 10 year major league career, making the Reds roster, really quickly, in 1995. Then went to Detroit, Houston, Detroit again, New York Mets, Texas, Atlanta, New York Yankees, and Washington.

#38 - Tony Terry
Drafted in the 2nd round, Terry spent three years in the Rookie Leagues for the Reds, then one year in Single A for the Astros, one year in an independent league, then out of baseball.

#62 - Aaron Boone
Drafted in the 3rd round, Boone is the clear star of this team set. He spent 12 years in the majors, mostly with Cincy, that included an All Star nod in 2003. He debuted in the Majors in 1997, spent seven years with the Reds, then time with the Yankees, Indians, Marlins, Nationals, and Astros before retiring in 2009.

#86 - Clay Caruthers
Drafted in the 5th round, Caruthers spent his entire 4-year minor league career with the Reds. He made it as high as AA before calling it a career in 1997.

#95 - Doug Jennings
Jennings was actually drafted 10 years before this card, by Oakland, then made it to the majors for 4 years (1988-1991) with the A's, then played for the Cubs in 1993, THEN, found himself in Reds AA in 1994, earning this card. After 5 years away from baseball, he joined an independent league team, then played in and out of independent leagues, Mexico, and two more big league farm systems for 6 more years, finally calling it a career in 2005 as a 40-year old for the Long Island Ducks.

Go Reds.

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Top Ten Week - Day 7

This entire week will be devoted to various Top Ten lists culled from the ol' card stacks. Because why not. These are mostly based on favoritism as opposed to 'best'. My favorites are based on my own eclectic, fanciful whims. Yeah that's right. I have whims. And they're fanciful. Wanna fight about it?
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Links to Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6
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Today, we're closing out Top Ten Week with my top ten 'Topps Era' vintage. So, 50's, 60's, and 70's.

10. 1968 Topps Johnny Bench/Ron Tompkins

Solid ten-spot. The card on its own is nothing to speak of, but the fact that it's Johnny's RC makes me happy.

9. 1954-56 Exhibits Ted Kluszewski

Sweet oversized oddball from a packing supply company.

8. 1964 Kahn's Bob Purkey

Heh heh. Wieners.

7. 1966 Topps Pete Rose

Vintage Rose is so hard to find on the cheap that I cherish every one.

6. 1957 Topps Ted Kluszewski

This would be much higher if it was in better shape.

5. 1964 Topps Pete Rose

Iconic.

4. 1971 Topps Sparky Anderson

I've always enjoyed this card of Sparky. It resonates with me. I'm sure there's an eloquent reason for it, but it's not coming to me.

3. 1952 Topps Ted Kluszewski

Wait, wasn't this not even the best 1952 according to your previous list? Yeah, well, different list, bub.

2. 1973 Topps Johnny Bench

The best.

1. 1955 Red Man Gus Bell

I really, really like this card. Like, really. Really do. Really. I wish Red Man made bigger sets so I'd have more.

Go Reds.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Top Ten Week - Day 6

This entire week will be devoted to various Top Ten lists culled from the ol' card stacks. Because why not. These are mostly based on favoritism as opposed to 'best'. My favorites are based on my own eclectic, fanciful whims. Yeah that's right. I have whims. And they're fanciful. Wanna fight about it?
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Links to Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5
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Today we're checking out my top ten 'super vintage'. For me, this means a card before 1948, which is to say, before Bowman and Topps. Cool stuff to be had in these decades.

10. 1934 Batter-Up Si Johnson
The ten spot goes to this damaged pop-up from the National Chicle Co. It's been run over by a truck and someone glued a piece of cardboard over the entire back, but it surprisingly hasn't been perforated. 

9. 1940 Play Ball Harry 'Wildfire' Craft
This one made it because 'Wildfire' is a fantastic nickname.

8. 1933 Goudey George Grantham
I need more Goudey. This is known.

7. 1909-11 T206 Tom Downey (Batting)
This list could have easily been dominated by T206, however I only chose two. It's the SEC West of baseball cards.

6. 1934 Diamond Match Co. Silver Border Earl Adams
The uncut versions of these go for many tens of dollars. The cut versions were 3/$5. Nice.

5. 1925 W590 Strip Card Jimmy Caveney
Good job with the cut, random kid from the 20's.

4. 1911 T205 Gold Border Dick Egan
The Reds featured blue prominently way too often.

3. 1922 W573 Strip Card Cliff Markle
My first card from the 20's, so it's special to me.

2. 1909-11 T206 Ed Karger
My favorite of my eight T206's, due to the fact that Karger looks like a hitman about to beat me to death with a piece of lumber he found on the street.

1. 1941 Play Ball Frank 'Buck' McCormick
9x All Star. 1949 NL MVP. Reds Hall of Fame. Fantastic Card.

Go Reds.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Top Ten Week - Day 5

This entire week will be devoted to various Top Ten lists culled from the ol' card stacks. Because why not. These are mostly based on favoritism as opposed to 'best'. My favorites are based on my own eclectic, fanciful whims. Yeah that's right. I have whims. And they're fanciful. Wanna fight about it?
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Links to Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4
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Today, modern autos. Some official. Some IP. All good.

10. Adam Dunn
Dunn is my boy, so I was excited to get this in the mail. But it's shitty ball-point pen, so I've no choice but to relegate it to the ten-spot.

9. Pokey Reese
POKEY

8. Sean Casey
The Mayor of Cincinnati. Not really. It's just a nickname. But he should be.

7. Devin Mesoraco
This was my first official auto card, purchased before Mesoraco was anybody. It was a buck, and that surprised me. Now that Meso is killing it, the ROI is huge! And that's all that matters!

6. Corky Miller
CORKY

5. Josh Hamilton
These UD Masterpieces are so good. And Hamilton is very good with TTM, considering the piles and piles he surely gets.

4. Johnny Cueto
This was a gift from Night Owl. Night Owl is alright.

3. George Foster
This card is pretty. Those sideburns are prettier.

2. Chris Sabo
SPUDS

1. The Toddfather
This has rocketed up my list of favorite cards. It's appeal will fade over time, but I'm still jacked up about the TTM return. So congrats, Frazier. Add the top of one my stupid lists to your career highlights.

Go Reds.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Top Ten Week - Day 4

This entire week will be devoted to various Top Ten lists culled from the ol' card stacks. Because why not. These are mostly based on favoritism as opposed to 'best'. My favorites are based on my own eclectic, fanciful whims. Yeah that's right. I have whims. And they're fanciful. Wanna fight about it?
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Links to Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
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Today we're checking out my top ten relics. There has only been a few months in my collecting renaissance where I pursued relics. And even then, the prices were so high, I rarely pulled the trigger. I ended up with about 125-150, mostly cheapies (hello, Felipe Lopez and Arthur Rhodes All-Star games warm-up jerseys). So the 'mojo' here isn't particularly fantastic. But these are the top ten I like, mostly based on the players themselves.

10. 2010 Allen & Ginter Framed Jersey Joey Votto

You people love framed relics, right? It baffles me. They're weird. And look at this gaudy border. It's so strange, it actually passed the strange threshold back into interesting. Plus it's Votto. So here ya go, card. Have the ten-spot.

9. 2006 Fleer Greats of the Game Memorabilia Dave Concepcion

Standard stuff here. I like how they made a point to include a photo of downtown Cincy, then cut a hole in it for the relic. Hey, Fleer. See all that gray space at the bottom? Yeah...

8. 2002 Topps Coaches Collection Relics Ken Griffey Sr.
 
Cool concept. I guess it didn't catch on, though, as I haven't seen too many coaches on mem cards. We have a photo of Griffey as a Red, a card of Griffey as a Yankee, and I'm choosing to believe the jersey is from his coaching days as a Mariner or a Rockie.

7. 2002 SP Legendary Cuts Legendary Swatches Dave Parker

Love Dave Parker. And a nice, big swatch.

6. 2002 Topps Pristine Fall Memories Jerseys Johnny Bench

Johnny should clearly be higher on the list, because, you know, it's Johnny. But the chrome effect really takes away from this card's appeal.

5. 2011 Topps Marquee Gametime Mementos Brandon Phillips

My only quad relic. Again, I never broke the bank for relics.

4. 2005 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Classic Game Used Materials Tony Perez

This card makes me feel good. Of course now I'm kind of sad that these classic jerseys of Hall of Famers are being chopped into small pieces. But I guess 1,000 people can have one of these instead of one rich person having the entire jersey. Or maybe this is not a topic that needs dissected. 

3. 2002 Upper Deck Collectors Club Ken Griffey Jr.

You may have heard of this gentleman.

2. 2011 Topps 60 Game Used Memorabilia Barry Larkin.

This guy is probably on your radar as well.

1. 2005 Donruss Champions Impressions Relics Eric Davis

Maybe a dark horse choice for number one, but I really like this set. And I really like Eric Davis (Five Tool Talent ZOMG!). I dub this, along with that Dave Parker, my 'Million Dollar Relics'. Bonus points if you're not a Reds fan and understand that reference.

Go Reds.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Top Ten Week - Day 3

This entire week will be devoted to various Top Ten lists culled from the ol' card stacks. Because why not. These are mostly based on favoritism as opposed to 'best'. My favorites are based on my own eclectic, fanciful whims. Yeah that's right. I have whims. And they're fanciful. Wanna fight about it?
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Links to Day 1 Day 2
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Today, we'll check out the top ten 1952 Topps Cincinnati Reds. Limited, of course, to those I have. Too bad, because there are some pretty slick high-numbered Reds, but I foolishly choose house payments instead, month after month.

10. #142 Harry Perkowski
Perkowski made the ten-spot on Sunday, so why not again?

9. #113 Dick Sisler

Topps getting a head start on the pink parallel.

8. #144 Ed Blake
This version only available at Wal-Mart.

7. #161 Bud Byerly
'Sup, ladies?

6. #69 Virgil Stallcup
Decent card, save for the very slight head-chopped framing.

5. #6 Grady Hatton
Background is kind of in limbo between stadium stands and a reflection in a pond.

4. #135 Dixie Howell
Horizontal catcher shot holding up the banner? Nice.

3. #13 Johnny Wyrostek
Very regal, this one. Cool name, too.

2. #29 Ted Kluszewski
Moved up because it's big Klu, but it's still pretty sweet.

1. #297 Andy Seminick
This is my favorite, for a few reasons. It's a catcher, it's framed nice, it's horizontal, Seminick is a bruiser. Just a great card.

Soldiering on with Day 4 tomorrow, kiddies. Go Reds.