The past few days I’ve been looking though Bad Wax’s custom cards and I decided to try to make my own custom card. I knew absolutely nothing about making custom cards but luckily Bad Wax had a post on making custom cards so I used that. I went simple and used the 1979 Topps border that Bad Wax was using as and example and made my own Brandon Phillips custom retro card. ITs not amazingy good but I think i did an ok job for the first time making a custom card. Check it out let let me know what you think.

I’m gunna try to make more and show you them here.

Tonight’s battle of Gina Carano and Christine Cyborg Santos should go down as one of the best MMA fights of the year.  I don’t follow too much female MMA simply because it has boiled down to just these two as the best fighters in the world.  However, I have been looking forward to the fight for a while.  Here are two Allen and Ginter customs I created for the event tonight.

VS.     

Personally I think Carano is in over her head against Santos.  I am rooting for Carano but I think Santos is going to win.  Which leads me to this poll:

To continue on with the cut signature series, I decided to do a Washington / Jefferson combo.  Let me know what you think.

Here is my latest, since I can’t afford these kinds fo cards I figured that I would create my own.  Let me know what you think and how I can make it better.  I’d like to do a drop shadow in the cut signature box, but I need help doing that.

I made a video! Ill add the 2 Pelfs to the collection! And the TTM was
Justin Masterson c/o Red Sox 2/2 in about 75 days! He wrote Phil 4:13 too.
Heres the mailday vid:

And heres the Pack Break Vid:

Sorry that they’re on video, but I’m kinda busy today…Have to study for final exams. Oh boy…
Thanks For reading!

Today in the box, I got my contest prize from Badwax! This cool Edgar Martinez Jersey/Ball! Big shoutout to chemgod on this one! Thanks!

Also I got an eBay purchese, My 2009 Bowman Bobby ( Or in this case, Robert) Parnell auto! This is my one and only 2009 Bowman card as I havent really bought packs lately. I bought this before I got him IP. Owell theres always room for more as he is one of my favorite Mets!

This weekend I started thinking about how to make the site more interactive and fun.  My wife had suggested an idea a month ago about opening up older wax and then giving it away on the site.  Using that as a base I came up with the idea that we could do a box a week.  Nothing new, instead we break wax from 1995 to 2005.  Whatever I can find for less than $50 on eBay.  We would do it once a week, we could either do it pack based (each entrant gets a pack), or team based.  Then I would send it out to you and we would do it all over again the next week.

The reason for this is simple, many of us came back into collecting in the past few years.  I thought it would be fun to open up some wax from a time when we weren’t collecting.    The price would be cheap, like $5 per group break and that covers paypal charges and shipping and supply charges.  That would also alow us to get more than one box per break or even one real expensive box per break. I am going to have to get a video camera, and I’ll film each break so that you know it’s all legit.

I’m hoping we can find a core group of people to do this and maintain the $5 per slot.  I figure the price is such that it’s not a back breaker, it’s the equivalent of buying a pack of cards.  Let me know if you are interested.  I think it would be pretty fun.  We can all relish in the chance at an older rookie card, or if you want an old hero of yours (even it it wasn’t worth anything).  Leave some comments whether or not you want in and how you would want it to go.

I wanted to share with everyone an exciting hobby podcast.  Last night I did an interview conducted by Rob at Superfractor.com.  Rob runs the Card Podcast and to be completely honest it was some of the most fun I had talking to anyone about the hobby.  I hope those of you who already listen to the podcast continue to and to those of you who haven’t ,it’s not only available on his site, but also available to superscribe to on itunes.  I also encourage other bloggers out there to send Rob a request to appear on his show.

It’s important that we as a card community have an audible voice and Rob does a great job in bringing us all together.  I’m sure I sound horrible on there as I was a bit nervous when being interviewed,but it was still a blast to do and I would do it again if he wanted me to.  So once again, please check it out, not only because I am on it, but also because I hope it brings the community together.

Lately I have been into Donruss Americana II packs, mainly because of the relic cards and autographs that seem plentiful in the set. So you can understand how upset I was when I stumbled across this relic.

So I had no freaking idea of who this was.  I had to look him up in IMDB and guess what? I still have no ide who he is.  Here is his list of credits:

1. I Love You, Man (2009) (filming) …. Rugby Player
2. Cirque du Freak (2009) (post-production) …. Vampaneze
   … aka Circus of the Freak (International: English title: literal title)
3. Magic Man (2009) (post-production) …. Darryl
4. The Chosen One (2008/II) (post-production) …. Cop #1
5. “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” …. Actor (37 episodes, 1999-2008)
   - Episode dated 28 August 2008 (2008) TV episode …. Actor
   - Episode dated 27 August 2008 (2008) TV episode …. Actor
   - Episode #16.39 (2008) TV episode …. Actor
   - Episode dated 20 September 2007 (2007) TV episode …. Actor
   - Episode dated 15 February 2007 (2007) TV episode
   (32 more)
6. Going Pro (2008) (TV) …. Co Host
7. Hotel California (2008) …. Mover
8. Meet Dave (2008) …. Security Guard
9. Street Warrior (2008) (TV) …. McDonough
10. The Temerity of Zim (2008) …. Mr. Rosso
11. Bar Starz (2008) …. Coach
12. “Reno 911!” …. Bartender / … (2 episodes, 2005-2008)
    - Super Knockers! (2008) TV episode …. Bartender
    - Cop School (2005) TV episode …. Rookie Dupris
13. “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” …. Big Cop (1 episode, 2008)
    - Pilot (2008) TV episode …. Big Cop
14. Farmhouse (2008) …. The Man
15. Big Stan (2007) …. Piken
16. The Dead Undead (2007) …. Team Leader
17. “Chuck” …. Ivan (1 episode, 2007)
    - Chuck Versus the Tango (2007) TV episode …. Ivan
18. “Moonlight” …. Demon Guard (1 episode, 2007)
    - No Such Thing as Vampires (2007) TV episode (uncredited) …. Demon Guard
19. Balls of Fury (2007) …. Male Courtesan #1
20. The Dead One (2007) …. State Trooper
21. Reno 911!: Miami (2007) …. Kevlar Guy
    … aka Reno 911!: Miami: The Movie (USA: complete title)
22. “Navy NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service” …. Army CID Special Agent Jack Reynolds (1 episode, 2007)
    … aka NCIS (USA: short title)
    … aka NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service (USA: new title)
    - Sharif Returns (2007) TV episode …. Army CID Special Agent Jack Reynolds
23. Area 57 (2007) (TV) …. Armed Soldier
24. The Guardian (2006/I) …. Navy Guy
25. Mission: Impossible III (2006) (uncredited) …. Torturer
    … aka M:i:III (International: English title: promotional abbreviation) (UK: promotional abbreviation) (USA: promotional abbreviation)
    … aka Mission: Impossible III (Germany)
26. “Charmed” …. Rocco (1 episode, 2006)
    - Mr. & Mrs. Witch (2006) TV episode …. Rocco
27. The Longest Yard (2005) …. Guard Malloy
28. “Boston Legal” …. Mike (1 episode, 2005)
    - ‘Til We Meat Again (2005) TV episode …. Mike
29. “That ’70s Show” …. Karate Instructor (1 episode, 2005)
    - Can’t You Hear Me Knocking (2005) TV episode …. Karate Instructor
30. Collateral (2004) …. Limo Driver
31. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004) …. Blazer
    … aka Dodgeball (USA: short title)
    … aka Voll auf die Nüsse (Germany)
32. Outpost (2004) (V) …. Kojak
33. “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (2003) TV series …. Various Characters (unknown episodes, 2003)
34. “Coupling” …. Chad (1 episode, 2003)
    … aka Coupling U.S. (Australia)
    - Object Lessons (2003) TV episode …. Chad
35. The Rundown (2003) (uncredited) …. Goon
    … aka Welcome to the Jungle (Australia) (UK) (USA: working title)
36. Wrong Turn (2003/II) …. Policeman #2
37. “Doggy Fizzle Televizzle” …. Cop (1 episode, 2003)
    - Episode #1.2 (2003) TV episode …. Cop
38. Then Came Jones (2003) (TV) …. NFL Deputy
39. “Days of Our Lives” …. Hank Collins / … (8 episodes, 1999-2002)
    … aka Cruise of Deception: Days of Our Lives (USA: summer title)
    … aka DOOL (USA: informal short title)
    … aka Days (USA: short title)
    - Episode #1.9437 (2002) TV episode
    - Episode #1.9326 (2002) TV episode
    - Episode #1.9399 (2002) TV episode
    - Episode #1.9089 (2001) TV episode …. Mr. Mallon
    - Episode #1.8845 (2000) TV episode …. Security Guard
    (3 more)
40. “It’s a Miracle” …. Clark Bynum (1 episode, 2002)
    - Hijacker Heroes (2002) TV episode …. Clark Bynum
41. The Master of Disguise (2002) …. Doorman
42. Mr. Deeds (2002) …. Kevin Ward, the N.Y. Jets Quarterback
43. “America’s Most Wanted” …. T.J. Weber (2 episodes, 2002)
    … aka A.M.W. (USA: short title)
    … aka America’s Most Wanted: America Fights Back (USA: new title)
    - Timothy Weber Capture (2002) TV episode …. T.J. Weber
    - Timothy Weber (2002) TV episode …. T.J. Weber
44. “All That” …. Cop #1 (1 episode, 2002)
    - All That Bloopers – Ask Ashley (2002) TV episode …. Cop #1
45. Donut Holes (2002) …. Policeman
46. “Mad TV” …. Stone Cold Edie Austin (1 episode, 2002)
    - Episode #7.15 (2002) TV episode …. Stone Cold Edie Austin
47. The Naked Run (2002) …. Police Officer #1
48. “One on One” …. Policeman (1 episode, 2001)
    - Fifteen Candles (2001) TV episode …. Policeman
49. “The Man Show” …. Juggy Boyfriend (1 episode, 2001)
    - Juggy Water Park (2001) TV episode …. Juggy Boyfriend
50. “Spy TV” …. Various (2 episodes, 2001)
    - Episode #1.10 (2001) TV episode
    - Episode #1.8 (2001) TV episode …. Various
51. Knight Club (2001) …. Play Room Bouncer
52. Room 302 (2001) …. Office Worker #5
53. “The Huntress” …. Casino Guard (1 episode, 2001)
    - The Two Mrs. Thorsons: Part 1 (2001) TV episode …. Casino Guard
54. “Arli$$” …. Football Player #2 (1 episode, 2000)
    - When Opportunity Knocks (2000) TV episode …. Football Player #2
55. The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (2000) (uncredited) …. Neanderthal Jail Guard
56. “Pensacola: Wings of Gold” …. Marine Pilot (1 episode, 2000)
    - At Poverty Level (2000) TV episode …. Marine Pilot
57. “Boy Meets World” …. Rocco (1 episode, 2000)
    - The Provider (2000) TV episode …. Rocco
58. “Arrest & Trial” …. Pima County Jailor (1 episode)
    - Hot Shot (????) TV episode …. Pima County Jailor
59. “The Jersey” …. Teammate #2 (1 episode, 1999)
    - Heroes (1999) TV episode …. Teammate #2
60. “One World” …. The Man (1 episode, 1999)
    - Love and Foster Kids Aren’t Always Blind (1999) TV episode …. The Man
61. “Sunset Beach” …. Hunk #1 (1 episode, 1999)
    - Episode dated 29 July 1999 (1999) TV episode …. Hunk #1
62. Forbidden Highway (1999) …. Big Boy

Like I said, who the heck is he, plus if that’s not enough of a kick in the junk, it looks like the relic is a t-shirt.  Holy moly! Seriously? At least for the last one I got was a Seersucker suit. Now thats awesome, but this one is a gray Haynes t shirt.  Homer Simpson said it best, “Boring!”.

This review will be extremely short.  I am going through the packs now before I review them to separate the doubles from the singles.  Unfortunately, this one only has one card I need for the set.  So it’s one review and 16 links to previous reviews.  I didn’t get a chance to scan the card, mainly because I didn’t think his career merited it.  Anyways, I may not get a chance to post tomorrow and I don’t know just how busy I will be here today, so I want to wish everyone a happy and safe 4th of July weekend.  If you live in proximity to real fireworks, be ultra safe.  Now on to the one card review . . .

1. Mark Gubicza

Position: P

Team: Royals

Card Number: 326

Age: 24

1987 Stats: 13-18/3.98/1.45

Awards: None

Player Notes: Although he was one of my favorite pitchers growing up, I know he was not an ace.  He was on a pretty solid staff in 1987, with the likes of Saberhagen, Liebrandt, Bud Black, not to mention the Quis in relief.  I would say overall not a bad pitcher, but nothing more than a 0.500 guy.

Fun Facts: Mark’s father, Anthony, pitched in the White Sox chain.  He lists his hobbies as music, actually the card says his hobby is being music, but i think it’s a typo, it’s not like someone wants to be a note.

2. Dann Bilardello – Previously reviewed in pack 33.

3. John Tudor - Previously reviewed in pack 33.

4. Chris Codiroli - Previously reviewed in pack 33.

5. Roger McDowell - Previously reviewed in pack 31.

6. Ken Dixon -Previously reviewed in pack 31.

7. Curt Wilkerson -Previously reviewed in pack 31.

8. Dale Murphy -Previously reviewed in pack 31.

9. LaMarr Hoyt - Previously reviewed in pack 8.

10. Mike Aldrete - Previously reviewed in pack 9.

11. Joaquin Andujar - Previously reviewed in pack 9.

12. Greg Minton - Previously reviewed in pack 9.

13. Andy Alanson - Previously reviewed in pack 9.

14. Mark Langston - Previously reviewed in pack 9.

15. Dave Parker - Previously reviewed in pack 9.

16. Lou Whitaker - Previously reviewed in pack 9.

17. Bob Ojeda - Previously reviewed in pack 9.

This is a great display of how Topps in 1987 loved to put certain cards in runs.  The only card that didn’t fit in a run was the LaMarr Hoyt card.  The only saving grace of this sad pack is the Dale Murphy card, but still it’s almost a decade into his career at that point.  So I am going to give this pack the dreaded 0.5 star rating. Just because it just didn’t bring anything to the table.  This went a lot faster than I expected, look for another post at somepoint today.

Yesterday’s pack sucked and I’m not afraid to admit it.  Not a single non double in the pack.  With so few packs left (3), I hope we can get to that magic 100 card left level.  So far we are at 132 cards left and only 45 cards left.  I remember the over under I set at 85 cards, in retrospect that was being very hopeful.  Today I went lawn mower shopping (that’s why this post is coming out so late.  So many lawn mowers it’s really hard to choose which one to get.  I think we are going to go with an electric one, just because our lawn is so small (0.15 acres), it just doesn’t make sense for anything else.  Let’s take a peek at pack 71.

1. Ed Jurak – SS/3B – Red Sox – 749 – Jurak entered the league in 1982 and was a back up since.  In 1986 he spent the year in triple A.  In 1985 he went 0.231/0/0 in just 13 at bats.  Not a whole lot to report about old Jurak, so I will just end it here.

2. Tommy Dunbar – OF – Rangers – 559 – Double, first reviewed in pack 14.

3. Tom Herr – 2B – Cardinals – 550 – Double, first reviewed in pack 24.

4. Mark Bailey – C – Astros – 432 – Double, first reviewed in pack 24.

5. Ozzie Smith – SS – Cardinals – 730 – Double, first reviewed in pack 9.

6. Jim Sundberg – C – Royals – 245 – Double, first reviewed in pack 6.

7. Dave Anderson – 3B/SS – Dodgers – 758 – Double, first reviewed in pack 23.

8. Tim Laudner – C – Twins – 184 – Double, first reviewed in pack 24.

9. Juan Samuel – 2B – Phillies – 475 – Double, first reviewed in pack 9.

10. Daryl Sconiers – 1B – Angels – 193 – Double, first reviewed in pack 40.

11. Razor Shines – 1B/3B – Expos – 132 – Double, first reviewed in pack 40.

12. Reds Leaders – 366 – Double, first reviewed in pack 52.

13. Jose Rijo – P – A’s – 536 – Double, first reviewed in pack 43.

14. Dick Howser – MGR – Royals – 199 – Double, first reviewed in pack 43.

15. Hal McRae – DH – Royals – 415 – Double, first reviewed in pack pack 43.

So I see we got another pack of crap.  Looks like we are now with 131 cards and only 2 packs left now.  My head slumps down and I admit defeat as I know there is no way I can hit 100 cards left.  I am going to rate this one a 0.0 stars because the guy I got didn’t even play in 1986 so it was like I didn;t get anything.  I think I am going to do a two for tomorrow. Wrap up this box once and for all and get my needs list out there.  See you tomorrow.

Here we are, halfway through the first wax box! I think we are going to see about a 18% rate of doubles pretty much through the box. So I guess I shouldn’t harp too much on it, but it’s just so frustrating to get as many as I have seen over th past few packs. I have started to set aside team specific doubles cards, so if there is a particular team you like (Steve, your is already started) I will hold those cards aside for a trade. I think it’s pretty cool that we just passed the halfway point of where I wanted to be for this box, I just hope the next box gives me some of the cards that I will be needing to complete the set. Lets rip this wax and see what we get:

1. Dick Ruthven – P – Cubs – I scanned this picture because it looked so incredibly awkward. I am guessing that is a screwball he just threw since that would be the motion required to get that effect. In 1985 Ruthven’s career was really taking a beating, he had been in the league since 1973 and at this point he was averaging about 5 innings a start. He posted a 4-7 record with an ERA of 4.53, his WHIP was almost 1.7. In 1986 he only logged 11 innings of work before his release. He wouldn’t make a comeback.

2. Steve Buechele – 3B – Rangers – 397 – 1985 was a rookie year for Steve, he only had 219 at bats and batted a dismal 0.219. The next year, I’m sure he was platooning at 3rd but he hit 18 homers (0.243 average) which was enough to make him into a starter. I would never classify Steve as a “great” hitter but he was good enough until the next best thing came along.

3. Ronn Reynolds – Mets – C – 649 – In January of 1986 Ronn was traded to the Phillies. If you can consider hitting 3 homers and batting 0.214 a “best” season, then Ronn had his finest season in 1986 doing just that for the Phillies. He was the thrid option after John Russell and Darren Daulton. I think we all know how that one played out.

4. Candy Maldonado – OF – Dodgers – 87 – Do you think he got teased a lot for his name Candy? I would almost prefer his real name Candido. In December of 1985 he was traded from the Dodgers to the Giants. He didn’t do a whole lot in his career up until the trade, but he made the Dodgers regret that one. In just 405 at bats he hit 18 homers and drove in 85 runs. How could theDodgers make the trade in division. WOuld you ever see that nowadays?

5. Bo Diaz – C – Reds – 639 – I remember the name just because I was following the Phillies back then and he was their starting catcher in the 82 and 83 seasons. He had a few down years in 84 and 85 but in 86 after he was traded to the Reds the previous year. He got back to his old self not quite as much poser but defenitly earning his paycheck with the numbers he put up.

6. Bill Laskey – P – Expos – 603 – He actually played for the Giants in 1986. He was traded during the postseason in October, I guess even that wasn’t early enough for Topps to put it into the set. Think about that though, how many October trades have you ever seen go down? Not too many, plus are you telling me that Topps couldn’t get one picture of him in a Giants jersey in the 4 months they had to get the next set out? The reason I said nothing about Laskey in 1986 was because he pitched just 27 innings and none of them were good ones.

7. Mets Leaders – 126 – Here is an English question, would it be Met’s Leaders or Mets Leaders. Sad that I am having an internal debate on that one. I picked this one to scan because they had Mookie on the card. Wouldn’t it make more sense to put Gooden on the card since he was essentially the face of the team back then. It might be because Mookie had been on the team the longest. If that’s the case, that’s lame. By the way Hernandez ruled the batting and Dr. K ruled the pitching.

8. Chris Pittaro – Tigers – 3B/2B – 393 – Ooooh the dreaded slashed positions. You know he is not going to be good, but I’ll check his stats anyways. In 1986 he played on the TWINS and only had 21 at bats with just 2 hits, so not a whole lot to talk about here. Interesting there is an error on the back of this card. They got his stat wrong. It says he had 1 career homer, in reality he had one career triple. With a little research it happened on Monday, April 22, 1985. That would be the only triple or homer in his career. So this would be an UER card. Fat chance that Beckett would even take note of it. I need to track this guy down and find out if he hit one or not. If anyone knows him give him my email so I can know for sure. Yep that’s a big L on my head for loser!

9. Mike Scioscia – C – Dodgers – 468 – Finally one player I remember well. Wouldn’t it be great if they used his last name in the National Spelling Bee, would anyone get it right? Spell Scioscia. Can you use it in a sentence . . . He wasn’t really known for his offensive prowess, it was more of a game manager kind of thing. He was what you would call in fantasy baseball a $1 catcher. Pick him up with the last available roster slot and hope he doesn’t bring your team down.

10. Gary Woods – OF – Cubs – 611 – Just so we set the record straight here, he was released in March of 1985. He never signed another contract after that. What made Topps want to put him in this set?I have to think this was one of those cards needed to pump the set up to 792. This doesn’t happen today (even in the humongous UD set). So now we know officially there were definite filler cards.

11. Bill Stein – 1B/3B – Rangers – 371 – Hey it’s that guy from the game show, you know Win B . . . whoops wrong guy. Bill was a long time major leaguer, but he didn’t play in 1985. Now I can cut some slack to Topps because he was granted free agency in November 1985, I would put him in the set too, figuring he would sign somewhere. He was 38 which isn’t the end of the line for guys like him. Solid hitter, batting average wasn’t going to hurt you and didn’t mind coming off the bench.

12. Astros Leaders – 186 – Jose Cruz is on the front Bill Doran and Mike Scott ruled the back. Nolan (whose card we haven’t seen yet) had 205 strikeouts, Glenn Davis (also MIA) had 20 homers, which had to be one of his lower outputs.

13. Pete O’Brien – 1B – Rangers – 328 – I remeber him, I thought he was going to have a great career, he was a nice combination of power, and contact hitting. He had 18 homers in 1984, 22 in 85 so I figured 1986 would be even better. I don’t think it was better but it was definitely his best year, he had 23 homers and hit a 0.292 average. This wouldn’t be his last good year . . .

14. Chuck Cottier – Manager – Mariners – Double, reviewed in pack 17.

15. Tom Herr – NL All Star – 702 – Double, reviewed in pack 17.

I really don’t mind the doubles but do they have to be from the pack right next to the one I’m opening? It’s just frustrating is all. Not a good pack, in fact I would rate this the worst pack I have opened so far. The only “star” in here is Scoscia and he’s marginal at best. My rating . . . 0.5 stars, I don’t have the heart to rate it lower than that. As we push on to the bottom half of the box, I will be curious about how the seeding will be, will we still be around the 18% mark or will the doubles go down? Stay tuned . . .