Thursday, November 10, 2011

Card Set Spotlight: 1992 Upper Deck Fanfest

1992 Upper Deck Baseball All-Star Fan Fest Factory Set
As previously mentioned in past posts, I have a hard time resisting those Fairfield 100 card jumbo packs. Besides some quality vintage cards I have found, one of the reasons, is my adoration for oddball sets and these packs and other various Fairfield repack products are full of cards from odd ball issues of the 1980's and 90's. Many times I discover sets I was unaware existed or have never seen before and is a good way to add them to my collection.

 Today I picked up one while shopping and found two cards from 1992 UD fanfest. This set was produced for the 92' All Star game and Fanfest in San Deigo. My pack yielded Delino DeShields and Royce Clayton, both part of the Future Heroes subset. The 54 card set was broken up into three parts, Future Heroes (1-10), featuring rookies UD felt would make future all star games. The second subset was active All Stars (11-44), featuring all stars of the early nineties and lastly All star Heroes (45-54), featuring ten legends of the past.

1992 Upper Deck (UD) All-Star FanFest #4 Delino DeShields  - Montreal Expos   (Baseball Cards) NM

The checklist of this small set is very strong, all the superstars from the nineties are represented and ten legends that include, Ted Williams and Brooks Robinson. Design wise the cards are average. They are not overly attractive, though with the full bleed photos they have the potential, but also it is not a ugly set. The design is very simple, utilizing metallic ink for the player names and logo with thick border grounding the image to the bottom of the card. Exluding the bottom border and Fan Fest logo the set has a very 97' Pinnacle Zenith feel to it. Besides the All star game these cards were also sold to collectors through the Home Shopping Club. A harder to find Gold foil set was also produced and one of these sets could be found per each sixty set case.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Group Break Over At Community Gum

Community Gum is hosting a large group break, and will be busting almost a dozen Topps products from the late nineties to mid 2000's. If you are a team collector or player collector with a a lot of holes in your collection for this time period, I recommend checking it out. There are still a lot of teams left and the price is very affordable for the amount of product being opened. The last chance to claim a team is Friday, so hurry over to their site. A link is provided above.


Thursday, September 29, 2011

That's A Wrap On The 2011 Season



Last nights Orioles-Red Sox game, a 4-3 win for the O's was full of drama and suspense, amplified by a long rain delay, provided a great finish with playoff like atmosphere for the final game of the season. The Orioles playing a meaningful game in September has been missing in Baltimore since 1997. Even the players were caught up in the moment as they mobbed Nolan Reimold at home plate, celebrating like they had earned the wild card berth and for a moment it felt like they had.

This season was a disappointment for the birds overall but many players such has J.J Hardy, Matt Wieters and Adam Jones had career highs in many offensive categories and hopefully can build on these performances next year. The real problem for the O's was pitching, and this concern needs to be addressed during the off season, if the O's are ever going to compete with the other teams in the A.L East.

As the Oriole players settle into their off season activities its nice to know the Red Sox are doing the same. Now we just need Justin Verlander and the Tigers to send the Yankees back home.


Monday, September 26, 2011

2010 Topps Chrome Auto Wade Davis

I haven't purchased any new Topps Chrome this year, though I have had the itch and I really like the look of the set. It is especially hard since I have a weakness for refractors. Ever since I was a kid dreaming of owning a 93' Finest Refractor, they have been my favorite parallel issue.

 I have curtailed my spending on new cards recently as I focus on trades and trying to complete a few of my set building projects, especially the sets from the late eighties and early nineties that should not take long to build, unless you work very slowly like I do. A few months ago I did buy a reduced blaster of 2010 Topps Chrome at Walmart. For a marked down price I thought I would give it a shot, hoping to pull some Orioles.

I did find some Orioles base cards in my box and a Adam Jones Refractor for my collection. I also found this Wade Davis Refractor Autograph near the end of the box.
Since the Rays play in the same division as my favorite team I am familiar with Wade Davis and have seen him pitch a few times this year, in the beginning of the season he seemed to have the Orioles number, though the Orioles offense was pretty stagnant in April and May. On Sunday, Davis picked up the win against the Toronto Blue Jays, putting the Rays one game behind the Red Sox in the A.L. wild card race. I'm hoping the Orioles can play spoiler and help the Rays win the wild card this week by beating the Red Sox, so far the game is tied 2-2 in the top of the sixth.

Topps Chrome autographs look great as a Refractor and so would the Rays in the playoffs over the Red Sox. Now if someone can keep the Yankees from reaching the World Series the post season would be perfect.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Charm City 2

I stumbled across a upcoming card show a few weeks ago and thought I'd post it here for collectors if you live in the southeastern Pennsylvania, Maryland or Virginia. I didn't go to the first show in April, so I'm not sure how good of a show it will be card wise. I'm planning on attending Friday to check it out. It's not far from where I work and Friday has free addmission from 5-9pm. If its worthwile, I plan on attending Sunday, admission is eight dollars and autograph signers on Sunday will be Orioles from the 1966 World Series team.

The show is located at the Hilton in Pikesville, Md, just outside Baltimore City and The Hilton is right off 695 at exit 21. Friday will feature Baltimore Raven autograph signers and Saturday is horse racing jockeys and Baltimore Colts. The autograph roster is pretty deep and for the three days and looks to be a must attend event if you are a Baltimore sports fan. Here are more details:

Sept 30 - Oct 2, 2011

Fri: 5pm-9pm
Sat: 9am-5pm
Sun: 9am-5pm

Admission:
Fri: Free
Sat & Sun: $8/day

Hilton Pikesville
1726 Reisterstown Road
Pikesville, MD 21208

Click HERE for directions
If you are attending the event:

You must purchase a ticket for category of the item you want the athlete to sign. The prices listed do not include the item, you provide the item to be signed (Items are available for purchase at the event or you can bring your own). Each ticket is good for one signature on one item. You can order tickets in advance via this webpage or by calling 973-808-1740. The tickets are numbered, and called in numerical order at the event. We do not sell out unless a limit is noted.
Advanced ticket orders can be placed for this event until Thursday, September 29, 2011 @ 12pm. After that time, all tickets must be purchased at the event.

Your tickets will not be mailed to you.
You will pick them up at Will Call at the event.

If you cannot attend the event,
but still wish to obtain an autograph:

Mail Order:

Mail Order Address:

MAB Celebrity Services
193 Fairfield Road 2nd Floor
Fairfield, NJ 07004
Attn: Mail Order Department

Orders must be received or placed by: September 27, 2011

Mail order fees are $5 in addition to the prices listed below (Both autographs and inscriptions). Certificates of Authenticity are $6 per signature. Return shipping is $10 for small flats and balls, and $12 for premium items.
For more information, as well as the
Mail Order Form Click here
To place a TICKET
(only if you are attending the event in person)
order online,
click the picture of the player you
wish to purchase


Please note: Times, dates, and prices are subject to change without notice. There are no refunds or credits unless a player cancels.

Please arrive before your players designated start time.

The Signings Hotline discount is not available for this event.

Official Show Authenticators:





Exhibitors Appearing:
Mendy’s Baseball
Dana Hoiles
Lin Terry
118 Sports
Cottage Antiques
Man Cave Collectibles
PSA
Best Authentics
All Authentics
Zebra Sports
Main Line Autographs
Dick Gordon Sports
JJ Cards N Toys
Rosenthal Sports
Joe’s Sports Connection





Friday



Ray Lewis

12x Pro Bowler
SB XXXV MVP
7-8
Flats up to 11x14
& Minis: $79
$69
Premiums: $99 $79
Inscriptions: $25
*Also: Anyone who purchases a Lewis premium ticket is automatically entered in a drawing to win a game used cleat from the breast cancer awareness game!

Ozzie Newsome

Ravens GM
3x Pro Bowler
HOF '99
6-7pm
Any Item: $25
1st Inscription free
Add'l Ins: $10

Tyrod Taylor

Ravens' 2011 6th round draft pick
VA Tech

8-9
Any Item: $15

Marshal Yanda

Offensive Lineman
7:30-8:30
Any item: $15

Laquan Williams

2011 Rookie
University of Maryland

8-9Any Item: $12

Morgan Cox

Long Snapper
7:30-8:30One free autograph per paid admission
Add'l items: $10

Ray Rice

2009 Pro Bowler7-8Flats & Minis: $59
Premiums: $69
Inscriptions: $20

Saturday



Steve Cauthen

Jockey of the
Triple Crown winner,
Affirmed
11-12
Any Item: $30

Angel Cordero

Legendary Jockey
10:30-11:30
Any Item: $30
Courtesy of Serious
Sports Marketing

Jean Cruguet

Jockey who rode
1977 Triple Crown
Winner Seattle Slew
11-12Any Item: $30

Ron Turcotte

Hall of Fame jockeyRode Secretariat & won
the triple crowne in 1973
time: tba
Any Item: $40

Gino Marchetti

2x NFL Champ
2-3:30Any Item: $25

Lenny Moore

2x NFL Champ
time tba
Any Item: $25

Art Donovan

2x NFL Champion
time: tbaAny Item: $30

Raymond Berry

2x NFL Champion
1:30-3
Any Item: $40

LaFitt Pincay

Winningest jockey of all time10:30-11:30Any Item: $30
Courtesy of Serious
Sports Marketing

Jonathan Ogden

11x Pro Bowler
SB XXXV Champ
12-1Any Item: $40
Inscriptions: $20
Will not sign ANY
Hall of fame related
items or inscriptions

Earl Morrall


10:45-11:30
Any Item: $25

Mike Curtis


11:30-12:15
Any Item: $12

Fred Miller

time: tba
Any Item: $10

Rick Volk

time: tba
Any Item: $10

Roy Jefferson


time: tba
Any Item: $10

Glenn Ressler


time: tba
Any Item: $10

Jim O'Brien


10:45-11:30Any Item: $20

Norm Bulaich


time: tba
Any Item: $12

Jim Palmer

Please note:
Day Change

time: tba

Any Item: $29
Inscriptions: $5

Last time:
Flats & Balls: $39
Caps, Equip,
Bats & Jerseys: $49
Inscriptions: $15

Roy Hilton


time: tba
Any Item: $10

Colts Superticket

$119

Includes the following 12 players:
Earl Morrall, Mike Curtis, Fred Miller, Rick Volk, Roy Jefferson, Glenn Ressler, Jim O'Brien, Norm Bulaich, Roy Hilton, Tom Nowatzke, Sam Havrilak, and Dan Sullivan!
(Excludes: Hendricks, Moore, Marchetti, Berry, and Donovan)

Super Tickets are only available through preordering. Super tickets will not be available for purchase at the event.

Ted Hendricks

"The Mad Stork"
HOF 1990
8x Pro Bowler
4x SB Champ
time: tba
Flats: $49
Premiums: $79
Mad Stork
Inscriptions: $35

Pat Day

Ridden winners of triple crown races 9 times
Multiple racing awards

time: tba
Any Item: $30

Tom Nowatzke


time: tba
Any Item: $10

Sam Havrilak


10:45-11:30Any Item: $10

Dan Sullivan


Any Item: $10

Marchetti, Moore, Berry, Donovan Superticket

$89

Super Tickets are only available through preordering. Super tickets will not be available for purchase at the event.

Sunday



Brooks Robinson


10-11


Flats & Balls: $49
Caps, Equip,
Bats & Jerseys: $69
1st Inscription: free
Add'l Inscriptions: $10

Last time:
Flats up to 11x14
& Balls: $59
O/S flats, Caps
& Equip: $69
Bats & Jerseys: $79
Inscriptions: $20

Andy Etchebarren

time: tba
Any Item: $18

Reggie Jackson

1976 Orioles
time: tba
Flats up to 11x14
& Balls: $89
O/S flats, Caps
& Equip: $99
Bats & Jerseys: $199
Inscriptions: $30

Paul Blair


time: tbaAny Item: $20

Mike Epstein


time: tba
Any Item: $18

Pete Rose


3x WSC
'73 NLMVP
17X All Star
2x GG
'63 NLROY
'75 WSMVP

11-12:30
Flats & Balls: $59
Caps & Equip: $69
Bats & Jerseys: $99
Inscriptions: $20

Rafael Palmeiro


4x All Star
3x Gold Glove
2x All Star

time: tba
Flats up to 11x14
& Balls $89
$69
O/S flats, Caps,
Equip, Bats,
& Jerseys: $109 $99
Inscriptions: $20

Bob Johnson


time: tbaAny Item: $15

Bill Short


time: tbaAny Item: $15

Billy Hunter


time: tba
Any Item: $15

Larry Haney


time: tba
Any Item: $15

Eddie Fisher


time: tba
Any Item: $15

John Miller


time: tba
Any Item: $15

Vic Roznovsky


time: tba
Any Item: $15

Frank Robinson


time: tba
Flats up to 11x14
& Balls: $69
O/S flats, Caps,
& Equip: $85
Bats & Jerseys: $189
Inscriptions: $30

Boog Powell


10-11Any Item: $30
1st inscription: free
Add'l inscriptions: $5

Wally Bunker


time: tba
Any Item: $15