Recent Pick Ups

I know.It's way too early.With my luck he'll go 0 for the rest of the season and these cards won't be worth the paper they're printed on.That said,right now their Is very little not to like about the Mets young utility man turned everyday player  Jeff McNeil.Or should I refer to  him as "The Squirrel" ,his newly appointed nickname.Which is probably the only thing I hate about McNeil these days.The kid can hit.He proved It towards the end of  last season and It's carried over into spring training and this  season.There was a point  this year where he got a little homer happy but he's gone back to slashing and hitting line drives which Is really his bread and butter.He was  a .300 plus hitter pretty much his entire career In the minors.I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do throughout the course of a whole season In the majors.

Next we have a PSA 8 1986 Fleer  Update Canseco. I would have preferred an 86 Donruss graded but for now this will do.It's certainly In better shape than the current 86 Fleer Update Canseco I have now,so It's an upgrade.

And last but not least,an impulse buy. I've taken a liking to PSA 8 cards. They are super cheap and  In great condition. I think I paid like 3 bucks for this Gonzalez ,and why not?The guy was a stud and I thought it'd be cool to have something graded. HOF?Maybe not but It could be close.

2,591 Hits

354 Homeruns

.283 Average

.360 OBP

5X All Star

Does Gonzalez make the hall?Sound off In the comment section. I mean, your at my pub .What better place to chop It up  about baseball :)

   

Singles Only

I finally got around to adding Zekes and Dak to my small but growing football card player collections.They aren't the Donruss  Rated Rookies I've been on the hunt for ,but will do for now.In fact these are the cheapest Elliott and Prescott rookie cards   you'll find In most places including eBay.Both go for about 3 bucks a piece.Both cards are pretty bland representations of  the two Dallas Cowboys phenoms. 

I don't mind them In their college unis but I'd much rather have them In their Cowboys gear.

Singles Only

If you blinked then you probably missed    Nimmo's short debut In the bigs.He was called up to take over for Conforto,who was struggling at the time,but never made much of an impact with the club.The kid's got pop and he hustles to make the plays,but just wasn't ready for the show.He was all smiles ,though,In his limited time with the Mets this year and showed enthusiasm for the game.That I loved about him.There's a good chance he gets dealt before the deadline.

This has got to be one of,if not my favorite Syndergaard card!I don't know who they're looking at like that but whoever It was undoubtedly  got a high and tight one .Syndergaard Is one scary motherfucker.

  

Singles Only

It's been a while since I've done a Singles Only post,mostly because I haven't had any new singles to write about.With the Mets struggling as of late I've fallen into a baseball funk.I usually disassociate myself from anything baseball related when the Mets are scuffling ,not because I'm not a true fan,but because I value my health.I'm such a fan that losses affect me In the worst way.There's a term for that I think  ..oh yeah ... sore looser.So to avoid sleep loss and any and all hypersensitive neurotic behavior I turn to family,toys and video games .I'm especially bummed about Conforts. Man,this guy all but carried the team for about a month and a half  ,but seems to be coming back down to earth these last couple of weeks. It didn't stop me from picking up this  2016 Archives '91 Topps beauty!Please Conforto,catch fire again some time this season. 

I've wanted a Springer rc for a while now.He's got a nice blend of speed and pop and plays the game with intensity.

Remember these Ultra Pro cards?These were cool back in the day because they were all hologrammed out and were limited edition!These cards offered a more intimate look at our baseball heroes depicting them in their civvies ,sometimes holding sporting equipment relevant to some of their off season hobbies.Canseco wasn't much of a golfer and picturing him holding a bag of roids would have been a little straight forward,so they opted to have him hold his baseball bat. Although the back of the card could be Canseco at a clinic. Ya gotta love Jose ;)

Remember all those Fleer subsets of the 80's and 90's? League Leaders,Soaring Stars,Award Winners are  just a few.This ones an 87 Hottest Stars Canseco. 

Singles Only And The Check Engine Light From Hell!

Sometimes I feel like someone has a little voodoo doll that looks like me and they're just poking the shit out of It!I went to my dealer to get some  work done to my vehicle.(I like how they call them dealers,they never cut ME any deals.)Luckily It was covered,but of course the mechanic got me with the old "We can take care of that check engine light for ya  ,If you'd like?" Unfortunately THAT was not covered.But that stinking check engine light has been such a fucking thorn In my side that I succumbed. So, $350 dollars later and no check engine light. Whoopie!Something told me all still was not well,and my pessimistic intuition was right!The check engine light returned  :) It might as  well have said "Fucking Liars"  because that's what I read when the little bastard light decided to  turn back on again.I called them back and they told me It's probably not  related to anything they did,but If It was that they'd take care of It for me..... In a week!Not to mention I've recently been diagnosed with having vertigo :) I thought my room spinning days were over when I decided to quit drinking,but apparently my optimistic intuition was wrong.So I told my better half that I'd better do something quick to get all of this shit off my chest and here I am,blogging about It! And you know what,as I type my misfortunes I suddenly feel a little more relieved.Not 100% ,but well enough to blog, anyways.Luckily I like 2016 Topps ,or else this post  would have been  a total downer.Well It might still be ,considering how much you guys loved this years product lol. These cards weren't pulled out of a pack or anything,I picked them up on eBay even before I picked up any 2016 Topps packs.I love that Conforto!I don't mind the coupling of the rookie cup and rc logo.The Noah card Is awesome as well.The future stars header could be a little more dazzling but It works,somewhat.And the only thing better than a rookie cup on a Syndergaard card, Is a Reese's Cup  on a Syndergaard card!

Singles Only

I've been wanting to add a Matt Duffy RC to my collection for while now.It's just that recently ,his card values have been a bit overblown on eBay so I had to hold out until I could find one for a decent price.This one set me back about six bucks, $2.99/$2.99 shipping.The only way that I can rationalize paying 3 bucks to have one baseball card shipped is If the card Is well packaged with a decent looking toploader,and such was the case with this vendor.I know a couple of strips of tape and two pieces of cardboard aren't costly on their own but It adds up and sellers have to re-up on that sort of stuff all the time,so no harm no foul. You'll notice that the card Is serial numbered to 599 ( part of a hobby exclusive Panini release).A plus ,but not a deal maker for me.I'm not serial number chaser downer kind of collector,although I can appreciate them.In this instance,the serial numbered card happened to be the less expensive of  the few Duffy rookie cards I had to choose from.Including the infamous 2013 Perrenial Prizm card that has him on the front  with another Matt Duffy's statistical Info.Kind of like the Juan Lebron/Carlos Beltran mix up In  95.Here's a link to Prizm's  Duffy Dilemma In a 2015 Beckett article http://www.beckett.com/news/2015/08/the-mysterious-case-of-matt-duffy-cards/

As for Duffy?He seemed to be a solid little player last year ,coming In second to the legendary Kris Bryant in ROY voting.I can't predict what kind of player he'll turn out to be moving forward,but It'll be fun keeping tabs on him this season.  

Singles Only

Sorry about the lack of activity at the Pub.I've been spending way too much time playing with action figures over on my other blog Toy Break. Transformers Mashers can be very distracting :) Anyways,funny thing happened after I won this two card Bills lot for 3 bucks shipped on eBay. I never received them! The seller was extremely cool about It and gave me a full refund.Well,17 days later and the cards arrived,lol!I felt bad and messaged the seller and told him I could ship the cards back or re-purchase  them.He opted for the latter and everything worked out In the end.Plus,I used to have this Reed as a kid so I wasn't about to ship that puppy back.Both cards came In great condition and I'm glad to be able to add them to my small but growing Buffalo Bills collection.

Singles Only (Hey Yo Bo Knows This,And Bo Knows That....)

I had a ton of 1988 and 1989  Topps Football cards growing up,and one of my favorite cards  was this Bo Jackson.I always thought this was his rookie card back then,never knowing he had an 88 Topps Super Rookie.It's nice to be able to hop online and cherry pick iconic cards from my childhood ,especially when most are dirt cheap.Granted ,It's not the same as the instant gratification of finding that childhood favorite in the display case of a card shop and being able to bring It home with you that same day.Unfortunately I don't get out to those shops anymore,so in the end,It's eBay that fuels these "Singles Only" posts.While It's Jackson's RC that I really want,this one has more  significance.The ball tucked nicely In his right arm,left arm about to come down and secure It and a "I'm not gonna find an opening,I'm just gonna run right through you.." look  on Jackson's  face   make this card a Fav 9 contender.

Singles Only

It's a good time to be a  card collector,especially If your a Mets fan.With the deep ,young pitching staff and up n' comers like Conforto,Matt Reynolds and Dominic Smith on the horizon ,things are looking up for fans and collectors alike.I've been fixated on Dominic Smith as of late. Alot of his debut base cards and even some of his auto's  can be had for a song.I'm not big on autographed cards,mainly because of their price point,but Smith's are fairly obtainable.I haven't gone after any of his signed stuff ....yet.I'm still trying to figure out who he reminds me of in the box ,watching clips of him batting on Youtube. I'm thinking Bobby Abreu maybe?Then there's Syndi,a guy I'm hoping can equal and surpass his 2015 success.Love Syndergaard! Plus, I'm finally able to spell his  last name right without Google having to verify It.

Not since Dave Stewart can I remember a more intimidating stare from a starting pitcher.I love the attitude Noah brings to our pitching staff,and this card conveys that perfectly. MLB license or not,I like what Panini's doing.   

Another day,another Dominic!I sure hope we give this guy a shot at first base soon. Duda won't be here forever so Smith's debut could be imminent. 

Singles Only

I've had these two Dom Smith cards stashed ,waiting for a third to arrive from ebay to post about all three.It's been almost a month and I still haven't received that third Smith card and I'm starting to doubt that It will ever get here.It's not like the card was super expensive or anything,but If the guy's having issues shipping or If he doesn't have the card In question,then some communication would be appreciated.nothing yet.Oh well.On with "The Dom".

I remember when Dominic got the phone call that landed him In a Mets uni,albeit a minor league uni.The Mets selected Smith In the first round of the 2013 draft ,11th overall.I remember how scrawny and small he looked.He didn't look very intimidating at all.Since then he's filled out and really looks like a major leaguer.I can't really put my finger on who he reminds me of.I want to say Eddie Murray from the left side.The kid can rake.He's yet to find the power stroke but so far,in the lower minors ,he's proved that he can put the bat on the ball,averaging .290 ,10 HR with a  .357 OBP over three seasons. He plays first too,which could bode well for us If  Duda decides to regress or  end up on another team.I highly doubt the Mets will include him in any deals because of the fact that we don't have many first basemen.I'm really hoping  this kid comes through.At 20 years old he's already been named 2015 Florida State League MVP and most recently  made the 2015 All Arizona Fall League team.Plus,Dom photographs very well!

I'm enjoying the Topps Pro Debut brand. I am now hip to the cards with the  "Pro Debut" foil logo on them ,indicating the players "true" professional debut. Furthermore,they are cheap!Much more affordable than the sexier ,more popular brands.        

This Is just a nice card of  The Dom!The pronounced leg kick  combined with the stylish elbow/shin pad and slightly visible tat on the right forearm are what do It for me on this card.

With the 2013 Bowman Draft  Dominic Smith still  MIA,this 2015  Syndergaard Topps Heritage '51 Collection RC  fills In nicely.

Singles Only (NFL Edition)

I recently picked up another Thurman Thomas card,and now I'm up to three!Of his rookie cards,this Is the one I love the most.His Pro Set rookie gets  nostalgia points because I used to have one as a kid,but this one just looks so damn pretty.A geared up , war ready Thomas ,helmet close by  with a blurred out green field In the background make this a personal favorite.Plus ya gotta love the simple but effective card design .I had alot of 1989 Topps Football cards as a kid but never pulled the Thomas rookie.   

Singles Only (NFL Edition)

Lately I've been doing a little throwback gaming,playing season modes In Madden 98,and It got me thinking about those players from the 90's that I loved so much  like,Emmitt Smith,Barry Sanders,Thurman Thomas,Elway..and the list goes on. I've made It a point to try and recoup some of those players cards that I used to own as a kid and add a few that I never had but always wanted.I loved running backs,who doesn't?Below are only a few of the many that I still have to covet.I'll also be trying to accumulate 80's Broncos cards of Elway,Humphries and Vance Johnson.This will be a change of pace for me and an enjoyable endeavor ,what with MLB In hibernation mode.

  

Singles Only

        Nothing big,just a couple of Chrome pick ups.The 2015 Topps design was one that I was curious about getting the chrome treatment.I don't know If It's just me but they don't really pop as much as past Topps Chrome stuff.Still,the Degrom and Harvey are nice additions.Stay tuned for my next couple of posts as I'll be showing some recent Football card pick ups.

Singles Only

Before Night Owl could get that Syndergaard out to me ,my itchy finger pulled the trigger on  a '15 Topps Update Syndi and Cespedes.And I finally scored an '04 Bazooka Yadi Molina RC.

Singles Only

Cherry picking cards off of Ebay can be risky.As demanding as It may seem ,I find that If a seller has a  quantity of the card your purchasing,a polite note to sender may get you the better looking one of the bunch. I've had sellers send me off -centered singles or cards with noticeably bad corners.I can expect that from an older card.Also,when a seller states that a card Is new ,just out of pack ,It's not saying much.Even the newer stuff can sometimes come right out of a pack with minor factory defects.These are the newest additions to my collection and for the most part,all cards came In decent shape.The Rizzo has one corner that's kind of off but I'm not going to let It bug me.The good centering off sets that.It's not like I'm ever going to have them graded so ,no biggie.

I've been after this Correa for the longest .I was  finally able to find one for a decent price as most of his stuff seems to be going up in value as of late. It's a pedestrian paper  Bowman Prospects ,but I believe It's a first year card.

I didn't realize how bad ass Rizzo was until I decided to look at the back of his baseball card.The Cubs epic playoff run also has alot to do with It.I might still go after his first year Bowman that has him In a Red Sox uni.

I recently got rid of a couple Jeter rookies,a move I now regret. Looks like I'll be working my way ,slowly back to acquiring them again ,but In the meantime a third year card will do.I love picking up earlier  cards of established stars  that have "Future Star" or  some kind of predictive header on them because It makes me say to myself  "You know what,they were right!".So many undeserving players got the "Future Star "label put on their cards and never amounted to much In the big leagues.Remember Mike Harkey?