The Last of the Goodwins (Until Next Week)

And onto the last pack -

First off a few cards I can do without - neither of these really grab me as cards that should be in this set - Samaradiza (I'm not going to check how to really spell it) pretty much blows and if you are going to use a champion basketball player - where is Bird, or David Robinson - Beasley - meh.

This card has already been discussed at length on other blogs. It's a fuckin' sweet card. Thats all the analysis you will be getting from me!

Now this is a neat if not very Ginter-like subset - the citizens of the day w/ Mr Cap Anson. I was hoping that the back would tell some wonderful tales of civic duty but it just says he was a good hitter. I no longer thing that this is neat.

Mini Snore

Scene.

Goodwins Hobby 3 out of 4

So this was my favorite pack of the 4 that I got - I really do like the legends cards that are put in.

Here we have Carlton Fisk and Nick Markakis -

The original "Pudge" I remember that he was one of my favorite players as a kid when I was partial to the White Sox as my AL team. I also remember just waiting for Ron Karkovice to carry on the legacy - I guess we can't win them all. I really like seeing Fisk in Red Sox gear as due to my age, I really do remember him as a White Sock.

Nick Markakis - I've got a feeling that this guy has a Mattingley-esque career in front of him - where he will always be good, occasionally great, but never really be the guy and never hit those HOF numbers - hopefully I am wrong, because I do enjoy watching him play - I just dont see that next level from him.

Next up we have Curtis Granderson and Ryne Sandberg -

Now Ryno has a world class moustache here - Thats really the most noticeable aspect of this card - I hope i get a double at some point to send this out for an auto - I know its a darker card so probably won't come out great if at all - but I still want what I want.

Curtis is a nice player - not the savior of a franchise though.

Peggy Flemming - I'd much prefer this to be Peggy Bundy

For the record - she is great in Sons of Anarchy and still looking pretty hot.

Goodwins Champions Pack 2 of 4

So I decided that I do like this set very much - I will be getting a hobby box in a few weeks although I do not have the money. My wife wants jewelry, I want cardboard - we all have our vices.

I've decided that I will never acknowlege the UD 20th century cards any longer - they all go into a pile that will one day be on its way to Rob VOTC - probably after my box is ripped - those cards are the definition of sucky.

Anyway, we've got Fausto Carmona and Miguel Cabrebra hanging out with us below. I am really excited to take a look at how this set looks in a binder all together - I really think it will pretty. I mean, I think it will look bad-ass and cool.

Now the minis - Got the normal Jordan - I'm wearing his underwear! No, I'm not, I wish I was Wayne Brady though - that would have to be fun at a bar. The Posada is the Gypsy Queen back - anytime I hear Sterling say "Jorge Juiced ONE! I cannot help thinking that Jorge just had sex with a very large woman - I should have never left college.

2 more packs on the way

2009 UD Goodwin's Champions Pack Rip

Now there have been a few times where I mentioned how stoked I was for this product, unfortunately now that it is out - I'm way broke. I was able to grab a few packs which I will be showing off over the next few posts. I may be getting a box next week, we will see how the cash flows.

While I am not as impressed by these cards in person, I still really like them, they remind me of a bad blow j - it can't REALLY be bad - so thats what these are, not the best I've had, but you will never find me complaining.

Roy White and Todd Helton - Yesterday I mentioned about Pujols and the decade triple crown - for Helton to meet him in batting average he would have to go 30/60 in his next at bats and Pujols would have to go 10/60 - yeah - not happening - good on you though Todd

Now the minis - Bailey black border Gypsey Queen back - cool I guess and Ryan Ludwick

I'm just not a mini guy - don't really know why - I am going to eventually collect the whole set of this that is normal size - no interest in the minis - that makes the minis available for any of you who are working on them - let me know

Thats that - more tomorrow

A 2nd Retail Pack Of UD Icons

Here is the last pack of 2009 UD Icons that I will probably ever be purchasing - making this almost an important mile stone in my life, but not at all really. In this pack we have a lot people who are better at baseball than I am (better than you too probably).

Roy Oswalt - Dude got a bulldozer as part of his contract - thats a manly fucking gift. Speaking of manly - anyone here see the newest Rambo that came out a few years ago? the first 20 minutes is him just doing to manliest shit you've ever seen. Catching snakes barehanded, fishing with a bow and arrow, blacksmithing, I bet the dude just builds traintracks for leisure.

Maggio Ordonez - I would kill for this haircut for just one week. Or one of his paychecks

Jon Lester - the reason you cannot read this card is that its all extra chromey/shiny - is this an insert or parallel? There are no other markings or indications that this is anything special - but I think it just might be.

John Lackey - Memo to NY Mets - Please do not sign an injury prone ace. Ie... John Lackey

The best hitter in the American League, Ichiro.

Speaking of best hitters - did anyone else see the article on ESPN showing that Pujols is about to win the decade triple crown? Yeah, first guy since TED WILLIAMS! We truly are blessed to be able to witness what he is doing. Don't take it for granted.

A Retail Pack of 2009 Icons

So when I purchased those 2 packs of X, I also grabbed 2 packs of Icons... and there is just something missing. I know from reading the other blogs that the football cards have the portrait and other little additional features, but I thought those were a little too busy - So I guess if I dont have a solution, I cannot complain about the problem, what do you all think? I think the set is close to being a nice looking throwaway set, but what do you think could be done to improve it working off what is already there?

The Wanger - That is a face only a mother could love - I get it - action shots exertion etc... but man he looks like he just watched 2 Girls 1 Cup

Jake Peavy - If the Sox don't make a run next year - this could end up being a big bust - dude needs to get back on the mound and give them at least 180 innings

Matt Holliday - Love the colors on this card - easily my favorite in the pack. It's nice to see him really stroke it again now that he is a Cardinal - maybe the AL just wasnt for him.

Hanley Ramirez - he's pretty good.

Carlos Beltran - Nice to get a Met - especially one who was having a really nice year before the injury bug hit him too - although I wish he wasn't playing now, as I want him good to go next year - it's nice to see that he was really working hard to get back on the field - gotta love a gamer.

So this set is okay - like X if I ever see a cheap full set on the bay, I might grab it, but really nothing I NEED to have here. As always - anything you want is your except Carlos - he's in the Mets box now.

Another Pack of 2009 UDX Retail

So yeah, I grabbed 2 packs of these - I know what they are and cannot really stand by my decision - if I saw a cheap set put together I might pick it up just to have the set, but really - meh - trade bait and team fodder really.

Miguel Cabrera - Even with the train wreck that is Dontrelle Willis these days, so far Detroit has totally raped on that deal that got Miggy on board.

Prince Fielder die Cut - Favorite non Mets players - Prince and Chase Utley - I know, I'm a bad Mets fan - throw Chad Billingsley in there too.

Dice K - I wasted 6 million bucks on you in March - dickhole

Paul Konerko - I find it hard not to root for this dude - Just seems like he's always there. Thats an underrated feature of a player being noted by many Mets fans this year.

Chase Utley X-Ponential - Chase and Big Prince in 1 pack - I'm pleased

Josh Hamilton - I wish he still did drugs, then I'd really be impressed

So that is that - nothing really too great about this set - I guess it has a few pluses, but really not enough to consider this for anything more than a random Target pickup

So, after more than a month away I bring you...

A retail pack of 2009 Upper Deck X...

But first an explanation of my absence.

I'm not sure I care anymore - Lately, I have just found myself wanting to play the guitar, go on walks, read, really do anything but this - I've bought a few packs here and there - but my motivation is waning - I may get re inspired and post regularly, or I may just use this as a glorified want list/ trading page - we will see. More on that as I know it.

Onto the cards

King Felix - Can you image this dudes numbers if he were on a good team, or Jesus, the National League? Unreal

Derek Holland - He's had his struggles this year, but he won't be 23 until October 9 - so there is still plenty of time to get it together - the Rangers have a real nice set of young arms and bats - they may be contenders for years to come if they keep making the right moves.

Francisco Rodriguez - I think I hate him. Really - He's just not that great and you don't realize it unless you watch him everyday - maybe the Mets just suck so bad I'm clouded

Jimmy Rollins die cut - Yup, it's shaped an X - fucking incredible.

Carlos Zambrano X-Potential - I always kinda dug these cards last year - really the best thing that this set has to offer - That said, there have been a lot of Mets/Cubs rumors lately involving some bad contracts ala Luis Castillo/Oliver Perez and Zambrano/Bradley - let's hope that we don't match up anywhere - I'd rather lose with the assholes I've grown to love - not the ones who may be better players that I already hate.

Carlos Quentin - I really wonder if he's got it. I would like to see what he can do playing 150 games - how do you White Sox fans feel about him? Do you feel he's the answer to the middle of the lineup or is he more a 25 Hr guy, not the big time masher of 2008?

Well, that wasn't so bad, getting my feet back in the water a little bit - for, blogging is a go. Anything here is available if you want it except K Rod - on his way to the Mets box.

Music - Strokes - 12:51