The Rodney Brew:2020 Select Black Die-Cut 1/1

Hello there fellow coffee fans! And card collectors too! I hope you have a cup of coffee ready to go along with today's post.

It's been close to a year since I posted a new card in this segment. One of the biggest reasons for that is the lack of new Rodney Hamptons on the market. It appears his run of cards is over with Panini as I don't see any coming up and all of 2022 was Rodney-Less.

Pretty much what remains to my Rodney chase are rares and obviously rare cards are hard to come by.

Fortunately, though, a few did pop up since last year and thanks to a very generous Christmas package from my buddy Wes, I hauled in some amazing ones.

*takes a sip*

I had two cards left for my 2020 Select autograph chase, both 1/1's. One was a base 1/1 and then there was a die-cut version 1/1. I wasn't ever sure they would pop up especially since the products are getting older and probably sitting in warehouses somewhere with my Rodney's inside of them.

Luckily one of them finally popped up, the die-cut version.

It's a really sharp card. I really like the appeal. It's like a dark roast coffee.

 

Back of card gives the autograph guarantee along with the 1/1 info.

Thanks again to my buddy Wes for sending this my way.

There are still more Rodney's to show off from my Christmas package from Wes.

Thoughts on this card is welcomed in comments.

Hope everyone has a great Tuesday Night.

Coffee Card Blogger Out.

The King Of Horror

*dusts off the laptop, the screen, the cards but not the coffee mug as that never collects dusts. sits down and gets ready for a new post on Cards Over Coffee*

BOO!

Did I scare you? I know it's been 17 days since you have seen a new post on here and then I pop up behind you with a new one and on Halloween to boot. You must be frightened.

If that didn't spook you, maybe you were more scared that I disappeared from blogging on here in general. 

You can't get rid of me that easy. Though I was almost at the point of disposing the body of this blog. GWAHAHAHAHAHAHA *evil laugh, lightning flashing, not like Dr. Evils laugh*

But, here I am and here you are. Hopefully you have a full cup of coffee and ready to read about cards...and aren't too spooked.

*takes a sip*

I mentioned on here in a previous post that RL Stine was an inspiration for me with writing in general, but there was another that inspired me as well. He is known as the King Of Horror, Mr. Stephen King.

*takes a sip*

Growing up I watched a ton of horror movies including most, if not all, of his. Though some were not as great as others, I still enjoyed his creativity and ideas. That led me on a horror writing journey in the 5th grade.

Yes, 5th grade. 

No, I wasn't one of those creepy kids dressed in black that sat in the corner that you avoided, I was normal. Except in my head.....at that time. My mind was always racing with the next writing idea and my goal at that point in life was to be a horror writer combining both RL Stine and Stephen King's talent.

Fast forward to my early 20's, I was still into watching, reading and writing horror stories. I even found myself collecting every Stephen King book that he had already written or was just releasing. It was a really fun chase at the time.

As I got into my later 20's however, I lost interest and quit watching, reading and writing horror. I sold off my King book collection and began getting deeper into collecting cards instead.

My 5th grade dream of being a horror writer had ended, but I was good with that as my card hobby was keeping me busy.

*takes a sip*

Even though I wasn't into horror anymore, in 2017 I found out that Upper Deck included some Stephen King cards in its Goodwin Champions product and knew I needed a few for my Nostalgic PC. What I really wanted from it was a couple of the base cards, the relic card and the autograph card.

The base was pretty affordable, the relic card was in-between and the autograph card I would have had to sell a body part for. Not sure which one, most ache, are worn out, or have some issue with them. Might have taken more than one to do it. Who needs a heart or one leg anyways?

So, I added the card instead to my list of needs so I wouldn't forget about them, but did anyways. Luckily for me, I have friends in places and one of those friends saw my list of needs and supplied it in their Christmas mailing to me last year.

My buddy Wes from the one-time Area 40/JBF blog, sent me a box of goodies at Christmas time and inside of the box was this Stephen King relic. I assume this is a shirt swatch.

 

Since the back doesn't tell you other than it being used in a special writing event. Which is a lot cooler than today's NFL rookie relics that we don't even know were worn by the rookies or not or when they were.

Thanks to Wes for this addition. It will be added to my Nostalgic box of goodies.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

I thought before I finish up this post I would list off a few of my favorite King films,

The Stand, IT (original), Pet Semetary 1&2 (originals), The Shining and Misery to name a few.

In comments today, thoughts on my card, thoughts on adding writers to card products, and your favorite Stephen King book and/or movie.

Have a great, safe Halloween out there.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out...but not forever*

Coffee Break:2020 Chronicles Football Blaster Box (NICE SILVER BLACK PRIZM PULL!!)

*another republished break post today, no they aren't gap fillers, they are still enjoyable to read and many of you haven't seen these*

*takes a sip and gets ready*

Chronicles is an interesting product. I like how it is built up of many products and put all into one. 

Which can make this product a fun one to open never knowing what you may find.

This isn't the first time I have broken this product as I have opened a lot of it. By a lot, it has been enough where I am finding it worth my time to chase down some of the sets within.

However, my luck hasn't been great. Up to this point, my best pull was a Burrow Prizm. Let's see if today's break can outdo that.

*takes a sip, begins to rip*

Each 2020 Chronicles football blaster box comes with 40 cards which equals out to be 8 packs of 5 cards. Each blaster goes for $45.

You get a lot of base cards in every box, so I focused on the key ones I found.

The brand is Panini within the product, Herbert wasn't too bad of a find!

Other key rookie I found in a variety of the inner products including Justin Jefferson, Jalen Hurts and Jonathan Taylor.

A James Robinson Dynagon base rookie.

Each box also comes with a Pink Parallel card in every pack.

Jefferson and Tua lead the way here.

You can also find the other following parallels for the base,

Bronze, Green, Pink, Teal, Red /199, Blue /99, Purple /49, Black /25, Gold /10, and Platinum 1/1.

On average, you also should find one Prizm Black card per blaster box as well. Sometimes those are parallels...

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH! Nice Tua Tagovailoa!

You can also find these parallels,
Silver, Purple /125, Red /99, Orange /75, Green /49, Blue /25, Gold /10, Gold Vinyl /5, and Black Finite 1/1.

Some decent named rookies and a Tua silver to end it. Not a bad break at all.

I like Chronicles, I know a lot don't. I think one thing I would change with the product is making it into one base set but leveling the different products. You know, the first 100 cards are the base Chronicles cards and then build it up from there. Maybe making the next level 101-125 1:2 packs, then 126-150 1:3 and tougher as it goes up. Make Prizm be the hardest at the end of the product. Would be a fun base set challenge chase.

But, along with these suggestions I have, I would keep the parallels the same.

Thoughts on my box break welcomed in comments and your thoughts on this product in general.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Coffee Break:2020 Playbook Football Hanger Box

*takes a sip, time for another product replublish on cards over coffee*

Let's go back a couple of years, actually let's not and just visit cards from that time. I don't ever want to relive 2020 again. 

That's when the world started to go crazy.

The hobby boom started then as well, and many products were hard to find except today's. It feels that Playbook doesn't get a lot of respect in retail. I have seen many others hit well with it while others like myself...don't.

Maybe today will change my Playbook luck. Let's take a look.

*takes a sip, begins to rip*

Every hanger box of 2020 Playbook football comes with 1 pack and 30 cards. These boxes currently can be found for $15 or so. Pretty reasonable when you can find rookie cards of Tua, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert among others.

I will start with the base which you can only find in retail form.

 

There are 100 veterans

 

and 100 rookies to collect. I pulled a Justin Jefferson so all is good with my rookies.

Parallels seem to be the only guarantee in these boxes.

I pulled 5 purple parallels. A few big names in the mix as well.

You can also find these parallels too,

Orange, Purple, Gold /49, Platinum /25, Green /10, and Red 1/1.

Along with the base and parallels, there are inserts to find in the pack as well.

Next Up featuring those upcoming rookies. There are 40 of these to chase.

25 cards make up Zoning Commision.

 

25 cards make up the Blitz insert. These inserts connect with the Panini Blitz football app as well.

Well, that was it. Nothing too exciting for you to jump out of your seat at. I am not a huge fan of one pack rips either I am realizing.

Let me know in comments your thoughts on this product and your favorite card.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Burrow Hunting

*the sun is out on this morning before the storm starts to creep its way in tonight. Coffee, cards and blogging is on the agenda for now. takes a sip and gets onto the post*

If 100 people were in a room just to simply guess who would be facing off in the Super Bowl this year, I would bet all 100 would be wrong. Not only be wrong, but not have a single one of them even breathe the word Bengals in the conversation. 

However, here we are. Rams vs Bengals.

With the NY Giants playing this year like the bad version of the Little Giants team if not worse, I had a pretty solid list of teams I didn't want to win in the playoff this year.

I had a reason for everyone of them.

• Cowboys-Division rival and can't stand their obnoxious fans
• Eagles-HATED division rival and once again, don't like their obnoxious fans
• Buccaneers- Who really wanted to see Tom Brady win again?? I mean really??
• Packers-Aaron Rodgers is a.........well..... you get the point. It was nice to see him struggle and lose
• Patriots-With or without Tom Brady, I just don't like them

I had a feeling I would have to deal with hating on one of these teams in the Super Bowl, but to my surprise and everyone elses, none of them even made it to the Divisional Championships. So then became the question of....who do I root on?

I chose the Chiefs. Despite how annoying Patrick Mahomes brother can be, Patrick is not. He is a humble Super Star who is fun to watch. He may also be a side PC, but we will talk about that another day. Sadly, the Chiefs didn't pull off the win and the Bengals did. That didn't really affect me too much though, as it's fun to see a team you wouldn't expect in a million lifetimes make it to the big game.

So, for the Super Bowl, I am a Bengals fan. It would be nice to see them finally take home the big one.

*takes a sip before continuing on with today's post*

I have been holding onto a couple of 2020 football boxes for the right moment and figured what moment is better than Super Bowl time that features rookie cards of the Bengals amazing Quarterback Joe Burrow.

  

The two boxes I had to open was a 2020 Chronicles NFL blaster box and a 2020 Prizm hanger box. I also wanted to point out the new background for these newer photos I will be doing on here. Needs a little tweaking, but they should look cool when I get it right.

The box that had my attention the most was the Prizm hanger, since everyone wants a Prizm rookie of top players. It's THE rookie card to have.

It was a good thought anyways as these were my two best and only rookie finds in the box,

 

Not that either of these guys are bad players, but the last thing you want to find in a "high end" box is two defensive guys.

With luck down on that break, I turned to the Chronicles where a very nice card was found in the first pack,

A Dynagon silver parallel of Joe Burrow.

Rest of the box wasn't to bad either, I found a couple Jalen Hurts, a couple Tua's, and then the other Top QB from 2020,

Justin Herbert.

The Chronicles break went pretty well I would say, and my Burrow hunt actually landed me one. That doesn't happen too often in a post like this.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

I think this year's NFL postseason games were the best I have ever seen and here's hoping the biggest game of them all will be just as exciting. Say what you want about other sports and Game 7's etc, the NFL has the best playoff system. You only get one chance to win so you give it your all.

I also apologize to the fans of the teams above I hoped to lose if you are reading this, nothing against you...unless your an Eagles or Cowboys fan...even still....I had my reasons and I am sure you have yours as well for teams you despise.

In comments, let me know which team you are rooting on for the Super Bowl and what your favorite Joe Burrow card is? While you are at it, let me know which teams you didn't want to see win.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Jeter

*sits down to an EMPTY CUP!! gets up refills cup, sits back down for a new #CardsOverCoffee*

Last year, Topps introduced an artist led card series known as Project 2020 which took 20 artists to do a reimagining of 20 classic Topps baseball cards of the past leading to a 400-card set.

At first, the cards took off a little slow until the flippers came in and started making a ton of money off from the cards which then drove others to the set. Even I fell into that trap, buying a Shore Griffey hoping to have hit a gold mine until I found out I was one of over 99,000 to do so. After that card, I never bought another and many left trying to flip them.

The cards themselves didn't entice me very much outside of the one I bought that I was trying to flip.

Then came one that caught my eye. Not just because of the player, but because of the design.

*takes a sip before showing off the card*

The Don C Jeter Project 2020 is an obvious design to most of us who watched television in the 90's.

 

It is based off from the logo used for the iconic Seinfeld television series. Having added a few Seinfeld cards to my collection in 2021, this card was at the top of my want list to have.

My buddy, @Jake1725, who is a big collector of the Project 2020 series, knew I had wanted this so he had bought it for me for Christmas. A great gift, from a great friend.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post. maybe should watch some Seinfeld with the next cup of yada yada yada*

The Jeter isn't the only Seinfeld related card in the Project series. The Topps Project 70 card of Mike Piazza done by Oldmanalan is a throwback to Jerry's apartment. That is the next card I want for my collection.

As for the Project 2020 and 70 cards overall, my feelings on them have changed as this year has gone on. I have actually come to appreciate them more and wouldn't mind adding a few more to my collection of players I collect or just because I like the look of them.

But first, I need that Piazza!

In comments today, let's talk Seinfeld and the Yankees. Which character matches up with a Yankees player, coach, or management? 

Here is my take,

Jerry-Brian Cashman

Elaine-Derek Jeter

George-George Steinbrenner

Kramer-A-Rod

Newman-Hideki Irabu

Let me know yours and don't mess up or NO SOUP FOR YOU!

Have a great Wednesday!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Moron

*takes a seat with laptop, coffee and card in hand. some would call me a moron for how I carried these to the table. I know Murray Goldberg would*

Every year when Allen and Ginter comes out, I always find a non sport person in the product that has some connection to me one way or another. For example in 2020, it was RL Stine who I used to read in my youth. So I went and chased down a few base, parallels, relic and autograph card.

This year, my subject of choice is Jeff Garlin who portrays Murray Goldberg on The Goldbergs.

*takes a sip. thinking a sugar boost will help this morning but don't want to be too much of a moron and eat a whoopie pie yet*

I have watched The Goldbergs since the show began on ABC in 2013. I enjoy how the show brings nostalgia from the 80's, comedy and family all together in one crazy half hour. Murray is the father in the Goldberg household. 

Murray's character seems to often go along with whatever his wife Beverly says, despite not listening to a thing she is rambling on about. It sometimes puts himself into some awkward spots. He is also depicted to be strict and tough on his children, such as calling them morons when they mess up, but deep down, he loves them way too much. Tough love can be the best kind of love and it teaches the best lessons in life. Life isn't easy.

Murray is also known to sit in his favorite chair in his tighty whities in front of the TV regardless of who shows up to his house. Sounds like the life to me. He is just missing the coffee.

*takes another sip*

I haven't had much luck in landing the autograph of Garlin yet, but I was fortunate I found a trader on Twitter who was unloading the relic.

 

A big thanks to @chefsmith04 for trading me this relic and helping me knock down another one of my needs. This trade was not a moronic move for me.

I also see that Garlin also starred in Mad About You for a couple of seasons, I don't remember that but I did enjoy the show.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

I can't say that in life I haven't done some moronic things or I would be lying. I may have even done a few of those things while typing for this blog (don't put too much butter on your bagel and take a bite while you are typing to).

As for a father, I think I would have been happy to have had a dad like Murray.

In comments today, let me know if you watch The Goldbergs or what you have seen Garlin on and what the most moronic thing you have done. Also, if you have a Garlin auto from Allen Ginter, hit me up for a trade immediately!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

A Trade Sandwich

*it's 34 degrees, my wife's car was frosted and had to be started ten minutes prior to leaving. That time will need to be increased as winter creeps closer. At least the warmth of coffee will keep me going this morning before my 38 year old body falls apart from the aches and pains of coldness. takes a sip, begins to sit down and hears a snap crackle pop as the sitting process begins. takes another sip and begins to type*

Is it just me or does almost every trade turn into what I would call a trade sandwich.

There is that bottom later of bread, the start of any good built sandwich and the start to any good trade.

Then there is the mayo or special sauce on that piece of bread as your sandwich continues to build. You need this layer and it needs to be thick.

Then comes the meat. I prefer turkey or chicken breast myself, but sometimes I go spicy or add some ham to that turkey. The meat is not only an important piece to a sandwich, but to a trade as well. Without the meat, the trade dies off at the bread or in sandwich terms, enjoy your toast.

Then comes the veggies. I like the basics on my sandwich. Tomato, lettuce, onion. Sometimes I feel a sandwich needs pickles and/or banana peppers depending on the sauce and the meat I use. The veggies in a trade are the surrounding pieces to the part of the trade.

You then enclose the veggies and the meat with the cheese and another helping of sauce or mayo. For me, give me swiss cheese on my sandwiches or a few more 90's inserts in this case.

And to finish up a sandwich, you need that top layer of bread which finishes up the sandwich or the trade in this case. I like to make sure my top layer is worthy to finish off my sandwich or trade.

Thanks again to @NickLoffer1 for the trade. There was more layers to this trade sandwich, but I wanted to capture the most important ones.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post. looks outside and sees how cold it still is and realizes that errands still have to be run...sigh....takes another sip*

Not all of my trades are sandwiches, sometimes they are just a piece of toast or two. Usually if I am going to mail a bubbler, it better be sandwich worthy. Otherwise, those will be going PWE.

I got a lot of great cards from Nick above as I targeted 90's inserts as the main part of the trade. As I stated it started with the Betts for my Unleashed collection and then was built from there. The Toney I really wanted as the top piece as that is one great looking card with Giants blue against the Press Proof blue.

In comments, I want to know if you make trade sandwiches, what your favorite sandwich is and what your favorite sandwich place is.

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Jesus Saves!

*feeling energized this morning after a good nights sleep, coffee is hot and ready, I have a card next to me to discuss so it's time for some cards over coffee*

Last night I was finally able to get a good nights sleep after my family decided to randomly head back to Tennessee yesterday and were planning to drive the 20 hour trip straight through. I don't think I could have ever do that, but I commend them for doing so. We all got to say our goodbyes, shed a few tears and laughs one more time and they were off.

It's always hard to see family leave more-so now. I think if 2020 taught us anything, it was the power of family and how deeply important they are as you may never know when or if you will ever see them again. That's not an easy way to think of it, but it's the honest way.

With them off for a long trip, we did a few check-ins on them and took advantage of their departure and went to be before 9:30 last night. A good nights sleep is what I needed especially after two weeks of so little.

Today, I am refreshed and energized like someone had changed my Duracell battery. I am also very thankful today.

*takes a sip, continues on with today's post*

Growing up, you could say I didn't have the perfect life or the perfect parents leading by example. But, what I have always had is a heart and knowing there was more to life than what I was being shown. So I always believed there was more out there and someone watching over me.

It wasn't until I met my wife where I started to seek out more of those answers.

She had always been a lifelong Christian and talked to me about Jesus Christ and how he forgives us for our sins and is the only way we can get to heaven someday. So I started to read the Bible, go to church and have discussions with her. After awhile I realized maybe this is what I sought out my whole life.

So one night I got down on my knees next to my bed and asked Jesus into my heart and to forgive me for my sins. Ever since then, my life has changed and I have been beyond blessed.

When I saw that Project 2020 was coming out with a card featuring a Yankee, Mo Rivera the greatest closer of all-time and Jesus, it was a calling that I needed to have it and I was finally able to grab it.

If you didn't know, Mariano was a very devout Christian who wrote verses on his glove and could be seen reading the Bible before and after games.

This card overall is also very visually stunning,

 

The card captures a cross that has Jesus Saves and one of Mariano's favorite verses underneath his last name in Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

The back of the card discusses the usual stuff for Project 2020. I just appreciate that Don C went out of the usual on this card.

When Mariano Rivera retired, I believe he went on to chase his dream in ministry. He also devotes his time in a few charities that focus on children.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

I don't talk a lot about my religion as I should. I prefer to show my love of Jesus through myself instead. I think if you are shown love, you should pass it on and show others love. Especially those who really need it. Sometimes a simple hello, how are you check in is better than nothing and you don't have to be religious to do that.

It's also not always easy to share religious discussions on blogs or social media though I do dive in occasionally. People are too easily offended in these times and if you say the wrong thing, who knows what happens. So I stepped out of my comfort zone today because I believe Jesus wanted me to and I will always take His side.

One more thing I want to note before closing, Rivera's favorite verse of the Bible is also mine as well because knowing that God is in control, you can do anything.

*takes the final sip of cup number one, Coffee Card Blogger Out*

You're The Inspiration

*coffee is ready to go, music is on and cards are ready to be shown off. It's time for some cards over coffee*

My passion for writing started out when I was wee little one. Sometimes I wonder if my mother ever found it funny I carried a pen and notepad on my way into the world.

Growing up, there weren't many times where someone didn't see me writing comics, short stories or even a few novel length stories. I loved it. My mind was always racing with new ideas and creativity, I sometimes didn't have enough time to translate it all to paper which is probably why I always carried a notebook to write them on.

So much so, every year for Christmas my parents would buy me a couple of notebooks and pencils so I could pursue my writing.

Fast forward to today, my mind has slowed some when it comes to writing anything outside of my blogging about sport cards. You no longer see me carrying around a notebook or have ideas flowing out of me. I am not sure if that's because I am older or if I set my goals of writing higher putting pressure on myself (I want to publish a book) or if it's because I don't read like I used to. Reading was another passion of mine and writing motivator.

*takes a sip, continues on with the post*

In my youth, when I wasn't holding that notebook,  I was holding a book. And nothing intrigued my attention more than horror/supernatural when it came to choosing a book. Well, the authors mattered as well from Stephen King to Bruce Coville (really need to locate the original My Teacher Is An Alien series) to my biggest inspiration in RL Stine.

Which is where Goosebumps came into play in my life.

The first Goosebumps came out in July of 1992 and kicked off the series with Welcome To Deadhouse. That book alone had me hooked on the series and I looked forward to every release. I had to make sure I checked the local bookstore and especially the Scholastic book fairs and book order forms for any new ones.

Some of the Goosebumps books and some characters I enjoyed more than others in the series. Bring on more Slappy and Monster Blood!

Which is why I needed every sequel for the ones I liked more and tried to chase down every book overall. Most of these are the originals I personally bought or were ones given to me as Christmas gifts. You can also tell by lots of wear and tear.

However, as an adult, I found myself reading less and less and now I can say I haven't picked up a book in ten years. I don't have a lot of free time and what free time I do have is spent on here, my card collection and playing Madden. I don't have time to read, not even on the toilet. That time is spent catching up on Twitter (as I picture all of my Twitter followers gagging now).

*takes another sip, tummy is rumbling  for a bagel so I will have to make one soon*

When I found out my biggest inspiration for writing was going to be included in my current hobby in 2020 Allen Ginter, I had to make sure I collected him. It was obvious wasn't it?

There was three forms of Allen and Ginter in 2020. Flagship, X and Chrome so there was quite a bit to chase. I even set up a SPREADSHEET of my chase.

This is my Allen and Ginter Chrome collection. I have everything except the /5 Red Refractor and the Super 1/1. Both of those cards had popped up on eBay and sold. I missed both of them and hopefully will see them re-listed some day.

Base series. Allen Ginter X base (missing 1/1 glossy), Allen Ginter base, Silver Portrait and the relic card.

Mini cards. Ginter X, base, gold, chrome, black. Missing quite a few and already missed out on the Superfractor mini of RL and the Red refractor /5.

And finally....the centerpiece....

 

RL Stine autograph. My favorite card of the group. There are plenty of other autographs to chase in the sets, but I am happy just to have one thanks to my trading buddy @90sNicheFBCard. Maybe some day I will look at adding some of the others.

 

Here is the collection all together. As I said, I am not done yet.

They go great with my collection of books and the two movies that came out starring Jack Black. I don't own the TV series on DVD yet, but enjoyed watching it as a kid. Maybe something to own next.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

It's been a joy chasing down these Stine cards and it has inspired me to go back and read a few Goosebumps hoping to bring back that writing passion I once had. I know I am a grown adult reading them (my wife would argue this), but sometimes a little youth can remind and motivate you of your past inspirations and dreams.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Have you ever read Goosebumps? Who is your favorite author? Who is your inspiration?