A couple of Turkeys

A few weeks ago new dad Scott over @ Hand Collated was kind enough to send me 2 more Turkey Red cards to help out with my Series 1 Topps set.



I know I keep saying it, but these cards work so much better as an insert than a set on their own I think. Of the 2 I think I like the Johnson best. If I had to pick one of these guys to be on the Mets, I would probably go Pence, but they are both nice players. Not stars, but very nice players.

Group Break from the Cheap Seats

So I got myself involved the Dan over at Saints of the Cheap Seats recent group break and this is what I came away with. 2007 ultimate Collection Jose Reyes game used card #'d 18/75. This really is a sweet card - As a Mets fan and B Mets guy - he is another player I will always root for. I will also tell you this story (albeit secondhand).

So here is the deal - This story was told to me and I cannot verify its truthfulness....however, I want to believe its true. So here goes. A buddy of mine's cousin was at one time a Mets farm hand for 1 season back in the early 2000's. I do not recall his name - but one time a bunch of the minor league guys got invited to a party some of the big leaguer's were having, this guy was one of them. They show up to the party with a bunch of guys standing around a pool table. They approach the table and Jose is filling out some girl like an application doggy style on the table with the toothiest grin you've ever seen. Sweet. Thats it. I just get a kick out of thinking about that smile we all see when hes goofing around in the dugout when hes also laying pipe.

while taking Jose out of his bubble mailer - I found something I was afraid I lost in the move - the other 2 cards that Jeff the card junkie sent me! Here are the 2 cards, a Legends of the Game Rogers Hornsby and a Turkey Red of Cole Hamels (see below for hot wife).

As Promised

Trade With Phil from Cheese and Beer

A while back I received a package from Phil over at the newish Cheese and Beer blog. In exchange for what is going to be a bunch of 1987/89 Topps doubles for his sets he got me within 1 Topps town needed for my set and also included 6 more Turkey Red inserts.

I think that Topps Town cards are a revelation this year. I know that some people don't agree - but making them all different with actual star players and numbers - its like a real card -at least I can fool myself into thinking so.

Now I've gone on record not being a fan of the Turkey Red set. I've gotten a few packs here and there through the years - never really dug it - inexplicably though, I love the inserts this year. I''m just a fickle collector I guess.

So thank you Phil - and if you haven't yet, go check out Cheese and Beer if for no other reason than to scan down and watch the Dick's commercial with Jimmy Rollins. I want to hate him, but that shit is funny.

the Rest of the box

So Here's the deal - I really just want to file all the cards and such, but I have this box with all the cards still in wrappers and I Just don't feel like doing it anymore - so what we will do is tell you this.

I got the whole set.

I will just scan in some of the best of rest here.

I had to include Santana and Niese here - total Mets bias. One of the hot rookies from the set Mat Gamel - he needs another T. The Mickey Card is classic and i Love the photo on the Upton Card. Pee Wee Reese was the only Legend Short Print I was Able to pull

Here are some great photos of Milledge and Sizemore making a few web gems. A- Roid. Thats it.

These Legends are easily the best insert Topps has done since I have been back into collecting.

Thanks for reading - next week we will have breaks of 09 UD Series 1 and 08 UD Documentary

2009 Topps Jumbo Series one Pack 6/10

Half Way There

33 Jose Guillen

29 Jerry Hairston

306 Javier Vazquez

194 Jeremy Guthrie

294 Brandon Boggs

55 JJ Hardy

249 JHack Hannahan

181 Jerry Manuel

219 Sin Soo Choo (Bless You!)

32 Daric Barton

232 Gabe Kapler

175 Jeff Samardzija

44 Geoff Jenkins

141 Mark Teahen

271 Cliff Lee Cy young

273 Brian Roberts

276 Geovany Soto ROY

196 Jason Motte RC

184 Bobby Parnell RC (Once saw him do whiskey shots when pressured by fellow teammates who kept calling him a little girl)

TTT22 Tim Lincecum Topps Town

TR27 Aubrey huff Turkey Red

LG3 Christy Mathewson Legends of the Game (the Christian Gentlemen - oddly enough, I Have NEVER been called that)

RH29 Francisco Rodriguez Ring of Honor (these cards actually make me mad)

281 Tug hulett Gold 941/2009

LGCP-TM Thurmon Munson stupid manufactured Patch card (16/50) with a T for The Wall - this is stupid - so so so stupid - which is why it was this weeks prize for the Body Count Contest)

157 Webb/Haren Classic Combos

147 Howard/Wright/Gonzalez League Leaders

139 Matt Stairs Postseason highlights

127 Cabrera/Quentin/Rodriguez League Leaders

5 John Lackey

28 Mike Lowell

36 Kevin Slowey

173 Manny Delcarmen

21 Jack Wilson

188 Josh Bard

111 Troy Percival

244 Sean Rodriguez

303 Zach Duke

69 RichAurilla

88 Fredi Gonzalez

225 Aaron Cook

222 Mark Sweeney

192 Collin Balester

170 CC Sabathia

256 Reggie Abercrombe

260 Manny Ramirez

Set 218/330 - 66%

Really - these patch cards are totally stupid and lame and such - I'm excited to give it away to someone who might like it.

2009 Topps Jumbo box pack 5/10

on we go!



98 Akinori Iwamura

166 Jeff Baker

199 Shrek... I mean Ramon Castro

57 Jo Jo Reyes

2 Omar Vizquel

277 Asdrubal Cabrera

198 Conor Jackson

42 Jeff Francoeur

146 Glen Perkins

302 Brian Giles

49 Kazuo Matsui

182 Daneil Murphy (I went bowling with him and Jon Niese and other B Mets - I'll tell the story sometime)

3 Andy Marte

74 Trey Hillman

191 Shane Victorino Postseason Highlights

267 Michael Bowden RC

202 Gaby Sanchez RC

208 James McDonald

217 Albert Pujols MVP

134 Evan Longoria ROy (That makes 3 Longoria cards so far)

TTT19 Carlos Quentin Topps Town

TR45 Miguel Cabrera Turkey Red

LG4 Ty Cobb Legends of the Game (I read somewhere he often had a batting average well over .300 and a racism average of nearly .985)

RH17 Gary Sheffield Ring of Honor

86 Kila Ka'Aihue RC Gold 116/2009

CBA-RP Ronny Paulino Career Best Auto

145 Alex Gordon

227 Freddy Sandoval RC

278 Phillies Win the Series (I hate the Phillies, but this is a fantastic card)

259 Lincecum/Haren/Santana League Leaders

246 Upton/Crawford/Longoria Postseason highlights (4 Longorias! this is overkill)

221 Lee/Halladay/Matsuzaka League Leaders

209 Alfredo Amezaga

18 George Sherrill

264 Dave Bush

39 Stephen Drew

167 Aaron Harang

313 Jamey Carroll

218 Emmanuel Burriss

285 Justin Duchscherer

161 Brendan Harris

15 Nate McLouth

171 Jeff Bailey

100 David Wright (the Franchise!)

41 Mike Mussina

289 Josh Banks
59 Eric Gagne (you know - sometimes you want to say something bad about someone and all the comes out is an exasperated sigh)

305 Ivan Rodriguez

160 Evan Longoria gold cup (I think Longorias are sorted at a rate of 1 per pack)

133 Brandon Jones



Set 218/330 = 66%

2009 Topps Series 1 jumbo pack 4/10

On We go - I will post commentary with the card this time around other than the big list at the end....

290 Albert Pujols (and his junk making an appearance)

61 Berkman/Lee Classic Combos

65 Mike Pelfrey

257 George Kottaras RC

50 David Ortiz (giving a fist bump to God? he's not real David)

319 Brian Fuentes

314 Matt Treanor

275 Alex Rios

83 Ryan Garko

75 Rich Harden (real nice classic photo)

241 David Newhan

124 Reed Johnson

68 Kyle Loshe

316 Brian Stokes

52 Marco Scutaro

190 Chien Ming Wang

58 Travis Snider RC (my pre season pick for ROY)

312 Ryan Sweeney

45 Aubrey Huff

115 Kevin Youkilis (we all know he is a great player - but can you name any other star players right now who could look like any LESS of a great athelete?)

126 Orlando Hudson

31 Ian Stewart

330 Daisuke Matsuzaka

323 Vincente Padilla

258 Casey Kotchman

WBC Redemption Card

160 Evan Longoria Gold 1982/2009

RH19 Pedro Martinez Ring of Honor

LG17 Ted Williams Legends of the Game

TR8 Ryan Ludwick Turkey Red

TTT21 Chipper Jones Topps Town

David Wright wants you to do good in school

224 Max Scherzer

12 Andrew Carpenter RC

22 Longoria/Price Classic Combos (that makes 3 Price cards in the base set)

282 Chris Lambert RC

10 Dan Uggla (best fantasy team name - Beat with the Uggla Stick)

125 Roy Oswalt

223 Dave Roberts

20 Brad Lidge

297 Bud Black

19 Edgar Gonzalez

216 joe Maddon

247 Yuniesky Betancourt

120 Mark Texeira

291 Chris Coste

34 Brandon Inge

46 Brad Ziegler Gold Cup

17 Bobby Cox

109 Tom Gorzellany

317 Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Total Set 174/330- 53%

so glad to see a return to form from Topps

2009 Topps HTA Jumbo Box Break Pack 3/10

Okay - here go with another pack of 2009 Topps Series 1 Jumbo - I have to admit -I am loving this set far. Beats the shit out of the last 2 years, no contest.



298 Jonathan Van Every
195 tim Lincecum
119 Craig Counsell
262 Mike Gonzalez
265 Carlos Zambrano
143 Matt Joyce
184 Luis Ayala
150 Kosuke fuckudome (is he really deserving the # 150?)
288 guillermo Quiroz
35 David Price RC
140 Brandon Webb
243 Chase Headley
117 Ron Gardenhire
255 Joe Crede
295 Derrek Lee
205 Miguel Cabrera
79 David Eckstein
114 Chris Dickerson
162 Mike Cameron
25 Jon Lester
89 Lester/Bay Postseason Highlights
307 Burnett/Santana/halladay League Leaders
105 Francisco Liriano
63 Josh Outman RC
179 Rafael Furcal
87 Brad Hawpe Gold 617/2009
RH21 Johnny Podres Ring of honor
LG17 Bob Gibson Legends of the Game
TR23 Garret Atkins Turkey Red
TTT20 Lance Berkman Topps Town
292 Francisco Cervelli RC
293 Brian Bixler
299 Cole Hamels Postseason Highlights
309 Humberto Sanchez RC
321 Kazmir/Price Classic Combos
327 Phil Coke RC
283 John Baker
320 Miguel Cabrera
187 John Garland
197 Ronnie Belliard
185 Randy Johnson
269 Hunter Pence
168 Mark Derosa
220 Jay Bruce Gold Cup
48 Mike Napoli
280 Joe Saunders
99 Juan Castro
279 Ryan church
215 Ian Kinsler
296 Reid Bignac

Some Notes on pack- I officially hate the ring of honor set. anyone want to trade ring of honors for legends/turkey reds/topps towns let me know- I will only look to keep any mets that appear in that set. I can't complain about any pack that gives me 2 David Price cards and another great young ace Tim Lincecum. the Randy Johnson card looks exactly like a Randy Johnson card should. just after the release with that ugly mane flapping in the wind. Jay Bruce gold cup - makes me think about trading with friends years ago over who would get my Wally Joyhner gold cup rookie... Phil coke - I hope so... he'll probably be good like the 86 Mets. Hunter Pence looks like he is passing a stone. Bob Gibson - one of the greatest all time. love it

Set 131/330 = 40 %

2009 Topps HTA Jumbo Box Pack 2

Here is pack 2 - Lets see if we get a box hit this time

192 Colin Balester

222 Mark Sweeney

225 Aaron Cook

88 Fredi Gonzalez

135 Carlos Delgado

82 Miguel Cairo

240 Ryan Braun

111 Troy Percival

188 Josh Bard

21 Jack Wilson

118 Josh Johnson

80 Brian McCann

261 Jose Bautista

116 Omar Infante

28 Mike Lowell

5 John Lackey

324 Mark reynolds

301 Clint Barmes

157 Webb/Haren Classic Combos (I guess they are back)

176 Hamilton/Morneau/Cabrera League Leaders

201 Saltalamacchia/Hamilton Classic Combos (2 Hamiltons back to back)

206 Santana/Lincecum/Peavy LL

CBRAG - Alex Gordon Game Used Jersey

96 Dexter Fowler Gold 48/2009

RH15 Don Zimmer Ring Of Honor

LG16 Roy Campanelle Legends of the Game

TR43 Torii Hunter

TTT20 Lance Berkman Topps Town

273 Brian Roberts

271 Cliff Lee CyYoung

315 Hiroki Kuroda

248 Scott Lewis RC

231 Xavier Nady

32 Daric Barton

219 Shin Soo Choo

181 Jerry Manuel

87 Brad Hawpe

152 Cody Ransom

123 Casey Blake

101 Nick Hundley

194 Jeremy guthrie

306 Javier Vazquez

29 Jerry Hairston

33 Jose Guillen

142 Brad Penny

156 Carlos Pena

237 Aaron Cunningham RC

236 Kelly Johnson

86/330 - 26 %

Notes - So the Classic Combos are back, but the utilize them as checklists now which is great. Also got my first game used card - I like the design, if nothing else its different - something Topps hasnt done in recent years. Put me on record as loving the Legends of the Game and Turkey Red sets - also, making the Topps Town cards different, I want them all. Not sold on Ring of Honor though - lame

2009 Topps HTA Box - Pack 1

Ok, my box FINALLY came in - Since there are 10 jumbo packs here, I will be going 1 at a time.

76 Marcus Thames
213 Jeremy Sowers
210 Geovanny Soto
328 Doug Mientkiewicz
260 Manny Ramirez
256 Reggie Abercrombe
170 CC Sabathia (Brewers)
228 Scott Rolen
47 Jose Valverde
239 Brandon League
235 Chad Billingsley
69 Rich Aurilia
303 Zach Duke
244 Sean Rodriguez
203 Jair Jurrjiens
268 Chris Burke
173 Manny Delcarmen
36 Kevin Slowey
238 Jorge Cantu
229 Cesar Izturis
127 Cabrera/Quentin/Rodriguez Leage Leaders
139 Matt Stairs Postseason Highlights
147 Howard/Wright/Gonzalez Leage Leaders
307 Burnett/Santana/Halladay League Leaders Black 56/58
143 Matt Joyce Gold 1936/2009
RH13 Derek Jeter Ring of Honor
LG7 Babe Ruth Legends Of The Game
TR25 Alex Rodriguez Turkey Red
TTT6 Ichiro Topps Town
13 ryan Langerhans
164 Bob Geren
169 Juan Miranda Rookie Card
184 Bobby Parnell Rookie Card
196 Jason Motte Rookie Card
276 Geovany Soto ROY
214 Scott Elbert Rookie Card
172 Yadier Molina
30 Ken Griffey Jr
183 Jason Michaels
141 Mark Teahen
44 Geoff Jenkins
175 Jeff Samardzija
232 Gabe Kapler
151 Carl Pavano
72 David Delucci
11 Fernando Tatis
189 Jay Payton
249 Jack Hannahan
55 JJ Hardy
294 Brandon Boggs

Set Total 44/330 13%

Notes - God this so much better than last years set - The design, the photos, the multi player cards (no classic combos!!!) - odd that all of the horizontal cards are packaged with each other and all of the rookies were next to each other. Another pack soon