Winning

*afternoon cup of coffee is ready, it's time for some Cards Over Coffee*

I experienced a couple of wins recently.

For one, I won because I got to see the return of Jaybarkerfans Junk blog run by my longtime friend Wes make its return after 2828 days away or close to seven years away in other terms. Glad to see you back Wes and if you haven't checked out his blog yet, please do so. One of the best guys in this hobby!

 Now onto my other win. It has been awhile since I have won any from of contest, so when I saw a contest for a cool Griffey card being hosted by Nick Starn Art (@nickstartnart) on X I entered with fingers and eyes crossed hoping to win.

By now you already know, I was the winner of the Starn Art Character Illustrations print limited to 10 copies.

Not only is the art print card cool, but check out how he shipped it.

Box with emblem. You would think there is a fancy watch hidden within.

Tissue paper protected.

 

The card was inside of a wrapper. Like a sealed wrapper I had to open.

*takes a sip, begins to rip*

Inside....

It's a beaut Clark!

This will be a fun piece for my Griffey collection and can be a talked about one on how it was packaged to me. If only others took so this amount of time for their card shipping.

Thanks to Nick Start Art for the cool Griffey!

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

Wes back. New Griffey. Basketball starting to rev up. Half way done fall semester. I hope winning like this continues. Every win big or small still counts and needs to be celebrated.

Have you experienced any victories recently? Let me know in comments.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Post #900

You read that right.

Post #900

Cup of Coffee #900 (well not really, I have probably had that this year)

The #900th time I have had to say....*sits down with cup in hand, smiles at the celebration post, takes a sip*.

If you were to have asked me if this blog would have made it this far, I would have doubted it. Most of my secondary blogs I have created have either died off immediately after or I have given up on after a year or two. But, for some reason or another, this blog continues to live on and now I have reached yet another milestone on it.

I was hoping to get to #1000 by year's end, but I doubt that with the upcoming basketball season and a lot of college work this semester.

So, let's just celebrate #900 with a few new cards.

  

2000 Topps Tek Drama Tek Performers

 

2001 Fleer Genuine Pennant Aggression

And....

 

2002 Pacific Crown Royale Pro Bowl Honors (I have been wanting one of these for a long time, so pretty!)

And there you have it. I think I chose some great cards for this celebration. Two new Griffeys and a Pro Bowl card I have always wanted to get my hands onto. Now it will sit in my Terrell Davis PC.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post...mmmmm...coffee....tastes even better when its being celebrated.*

Thanks again to those of you who have stuck around with a cup in hand ready to read the newest post on here and never knowing what to expect.

Have a great Thursday! Be good to others!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Swingin' Into The Postseason

The baseball post season is on, so I figured why not show off some of my latest baseball cards thanks to a trade with long time buddy @90sNicheFBCard.

But first....some coffee....

*brew is ready, pours cup, pours creamer, stirs....takes sip....gets back to post*

*takes another sip*

I am sure many Yankee fans will agree, this guy needs to retire. But, I will still welcome a shiny card of him.

This is THE MAN. Despite the Yankees smelling it up against the Rays so far, Ben Rice has still been the bright spot.

I always wonder what if Aaron Judge actually stayed healthy in his career and how many records he may have broken? Same feeling for Mike Trout and Ken Griffey Jr.

Just in case you didn't know this was a Topps card....

Who is this guy? That's what most Yankee fans are wondering now. It wasn't too long ago he was the most wanted prospect, now he has fallen.

 

Wavy....

 

It looks like to me that Aaron was planning on playing all season but he counted his chickens before they could hatch on that.

Besides Jeter and Judge, I will welcome all Ben Rice cards to my PC. I don't collect as much baseball as I used to, but these three Yanks I will take all day.

I know I have said this before but I will say it again for those who didn't read it the first time, Roger was one of my favorite pitchers of the 90's who I used to try and imitate, then he got messed up with the 'roids crew and I lost all respect.

Now onto the greatest player with the greatest swing ever to hit a baseball diamond.

 

I have been staring at one of these for months, was so excited to see this pop up in the package. Though I prefer 90's for my Griffeys, when one looks cool like this I will obvious take it.

Another one I have been needing.

This one here was a wonderful surprise! Shiny, /199, and throwback. Couldn't ask for more.

The cards featured above wasn't all he sent either. There were more baseball cards but there were also more football cards. The only way you can see those is if you are following my football card blog, Big Blue Cardboard. I will be posting those there at some point. Some really fun stuff mixed in that group as well.

Thanks again for the trade and mail day Bryan!

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

Bryan always sends a lot of fun and variety in his mail days. I had a feeling when it magically appeared in my mail box that it was going to be spectacular and it was. I hope to send you some stuff soon in the Christmas mailings I need to get out this month.

If the Yankees fail to come back from down two games, I will at least have this cards to look at that got me swingin' into the postseason.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Trending This Week In My Hobby

Welcome to Week 7 of Trending This Week In My Hobby.

It's been a few weeks, let's see what has changed. I almost canceled this segment, but for now, it will hold on for another week.

If you missed a previous week or you are curious what this segment is about if this is your first time seeing it, I will be posting my Top 10 things I have been either adding or seeking the most. In other words what has been trending in my hobby, hence the name. Next week, the list could change and some things could disappear with new things added or move up and down my interests list.

You just never know because I never know where my head will be week to week.

So, the next post will feature the list of stuff for that week and then will compare it to this week for a breakdown of the trending ways and why. If I have an explanation for it.

Hopefully I will.

Without further ado or more rambling, here is the list of what's trending in my hobby this week,

1. 2026 Topps Chrome Disney Darkwing Duck
2. 2025 Panini Phoenix Hakeem Nicks
3. 2026 Topps Chrome Disney Any Cards
4. Eli Manning Cards
5. Ken Griffey Jr Cards
6. Non Sport Autograph/Relics
7. Rodney Hampton
8. NY Knicks Autos/Relics
9. Jalen Brunson Cards
10. NY Giants Autos/Relics

Last time as you will see below, I had nothing trending in my hobby. I didn't have a hobby focus. But, since shoulder surgery and since I have spent a lot more time sitting around, I became really focused on completing and chasing Darkwing Duck cards from 2026 Topps Chrome Disney. Then I have been obsessed with the 2025 Panini Phoenix Hakeem Nicks cards which I want to get as many as I can. Sort of like the Wild Card Splatt Eli Manning cards.

The Knicks playoff run led to those chases and the rest are the usuals. Rodney is caught on a little more since I updated my TCDB numbers which you can see by clicking the tab at the top of the blog. I have included all of my TCDB collections there.

If you were curious about last week's list and how it changed, here it is again,

1. ?????
2. ?????
3. ?????
4. ?????
5. ?????
6. ?????
7. ?????
8. ?????
9. ?????
10. ?????

Who knows what next week will bring or where the wind will take me next. I guess you will have to come back and see. Or will it remain the same as this week which would be really odd.

While you wait, let me know what you are collecting this week or what's been trending in your hobby below!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

The Question Is Why?

The question is why?

Why would someone overpay for this card? 

 

Why would someone pay $26 for this card?

When they could have just scrolled down and bought one for under $4 like I did.

 

I mean the only difference was the way the card was listed and the fact it was put into a magnetic case. Mine came in a toploader. I don't feel like paying the extra $22 for a nicely set up picture and a $4 magnetic case is worth it. I don't know about you.

I am happy to have added this Griffey to my PC and especially for the price if I am comparing here. Maybe I got a deal but looking at the average rate for this card I got it for what it should have been for.

What do you guys think about when a card like this sells for more? Is this done by mistake? Is it the misleading title catching unsuspecting buyers off guard if they are new to collecting? Or was it literally because of the picture and magnetic case? And have you ever paid more for a card by mistake?

Leave your thoughts in comments.

I hope everyone has a great Thursday!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Trending This Week In My Hobby

Welcome to Week 4 of Trending This Week In My Hobby.

It's been a couple weeks, let's see what has changed.

If you missed a previous week or you are curious what this segment is about if this is your first time seeing it, I will be posting my Top 10 things I have been either adding or seeking the most. In other words what has been trending in my hobby, hence the name. Next week, the list could change and some things could disappear with new things added or move up and down my interests list.

You just never know because I never know where my head will be week to week.

So, the next post will feature the list of stuff for that week and then will compare it to this week for a breakdown of the trending ways and why. If I have an explanation for it.

Hopefully I will.

Without further ado or more rambling, here is the very first list of what's trending in my hobby this week,

1. Ken Griffey Jr Cards
2. Jaxson Dart Cards
3. 90's Inserts Any Team, Any Sport, Any Player specifically 1995-99
4. NY Giants Cards
5. 2025 Wild Card Splat Eli Manning Cards
6. Eli Manning Cards
7. Non Sport Autograph/Relic Cards
8. Rodney Hampton Cards
9. 1995 Pro Line Autograph Cards
10. 2025 Topps Chrome Pigskin Parallels NY Giants

Ken Griffey Jr, just like in the 90's, coming in very strong for my PC the last few weeks. I have picked up quite a few through trades. Same with Jaxson Dart, now that the season has ended, his cards have been a little bit more attainable which is what I was hoping for.

Outside of those two and a couple dropping off, there isn't a lot of change. I haven't added any 1995 Pro Line Autographs in a long time but they are still big time wants. As for the 2025 Topps Chrome Pigskin Parallels for the Giants, I would want one of each player but I highly doubt I can land the rookies. So, I will just chase what I can just like I did with the Panini parallels that were similar.

The Eli Manning Splat cards are falling, despite them being plentiful. It's really hard to add them to TCDB as there are hundreds and takes forever to add them. I guess you can call it me being lazy.

If you were curious about last weeks list and how it changed, here it is again,

1. NY Giants Cards
2. 2025 Wild Card Splat Eli Manning Cards
3. 90's Inserts Any Team, Any Sport, Any Player specifically 1995-99
4. Ken Griffey Jr Cards
5. Jaxson Dart Cards
6. Eli Manning Cards
7. Non Sport Autograph/Relic Cards
8. Rodney Hampton Cards
9. Mikaela Shiffrin
10. Allan Houston Cards

Who knows what next week will bring or where the wind will take me next. I guess you will have to come back and see.

While you wait, let me know what you are collecting this week or what's been trending in your hobby below!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

It's GRIFFening Day!

Opening Day was yesterday, but today, it's Griffening Day.

This is the day I show off my latest additions to my Ken Griffey Jr PC in celebration of MLB's Opening Day.

*takes a sip from a freshly brewed afternoon cup*

Before I show them off, let me backtrack with a quick backstory to my Griffey collecting that you have probably read on here or one of my other blogs a million time so bear with me. Some of you may be reading it for the very first time.

Ken Griffey Jr was my very first hobby PC. I started collecting him in 1996 and chased every card I could. I spent hours at card shows searching, I spent countless dollars trying to pull him from packs and when I did, it was a celebration. I hoarded every card he was on. I collected every figure, beanie baby or statue I could. I even collected food containers that featured him. I was in deep.

So deep that I was featured in Beckett baseball once for my collection and some random Beckett reader mailed me a free Griffey card because of that article.

Then came 1999. I met a girl, took two years off from collecting because she didn't like it, and yada yada yada (I will occasionally use this Seinfeld quote because it fits everywhere) we broke up and I got back into collecting again.

I came back into the hobby deep buying all that I could, but not particularly chasing Griffey like I once did. That fell off, but I would add the occasional card when I could and did.

In about 2010 when Griffey retired, I decided I only wanted to collect cards and traded off all of my Griffey items including Starting Lineups, figures, food items, beanie babies, etc for NY Giants cards at that time. I wished I had gotten Griffeys.

Fast forward to a few years ago, I have found myself going back to a Griffey faze again. I don't have the means I once did to collect him, but I add the ones I can when I can and I never turn down a new Griffey. Base card or not. It's all new to me.

Though I do have some preferences, 90's inserts/parallels are always first wants because they are the most nostalgic to me. Then comes the newer stuff that I like the shiny cards of. After that, I will literally welcome any Griffey I don't have.

Recently, I was able to add a healthy balance of Griffeys to my Griffening Day diet.

*takes a sip*

 

1996 Score Dream Team. Probably my favorite add of the group. This one falls 1:72.

 

 

1995 Score Hall Of Gold falls 1:6. Can't turn down a cheap insert.

This card sounded cooler and looked cooler in the photo I got it from, not as cool in person.

 

Ultra Respect fell 1:18 packs. I fell for this one because of the shiny part on the Respect.

Old man Griff. For some reason I am feeling this. I have been ageing with him.

And finally, the 1998 Zenith Z-Team. These fell 1:35 packs. I now have the 1995 and the 1998. I really want the 1996 version which is my favorite design of them all, maybe some day.

There you have my latest additions. I will need to update my Ken Griffey Jr spreadsheet, you can find that HERE, before I can update my overall numbers. Last I checked I was sitting at 1400 different.

I hope to add more Griffeys as I go along this year as I am chasing 2k!

In comments today, let me know your favorite Griffey of the group or let me know how you are celebrating Opening Day!

*takes a final sip for this post*

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Mail Days Make It All Better

I knew going into yesterday's basketball game, it was going to be a tough one.

I just didn't know how tough was going to be.

It was painful. Two girls took over the entire game and shut us down. They had more AAU players than us and had more 4th graders playing. Experience will always dominate.

But, through the pain of a loss like that, there are still some highlights.

For one, we made some great defensive plays once we shifted things around, we had a girl make two of her three free throws which was a drastic improvement, and once again most importantly, we had another girl make her first shot early on in the game and another was so close. That now makes 8 out of 10 girls who have made a shot with two games left.

This was the first loss as a coach I felt harder than the other I have. I think it hurt more because of the girls that sat there with glum expressions on their face with more questions than answers that I couldn't even give them. But, what I did offer them was hope. That even though we fell and fell hard today, you can only go up from here. We will rise again. You just have to believe it. I know I believe it. 

We have two practices to turn this around this week before we play a team we already beat in the first game in the year. I know these girls really need a boost and hopefully I can keep practice upbeat this week and that we will have positive momentum moving into the Saturday's game.

But, even though I am feeling kind of glum myself today because I feel how they do, I have a fun mail day to share from the blog Legend Night Owl Cards that makes things better.

 

Greg sent me an incredible variety of items starting out cards from my favorite era, the mid to late 90's. No other cards will ever hit me the way these do.

No card company even comes close to these now-a-days. It's all focus on autographs and jersey cards. Give me these any day.

I may not collect today's baseball cards as much as I once did, but I can never turn down a shiny card especially one with a fun photo as well.

One of my favorite non-sport sets. I am still around 8 away from completion.

I watched a ton of horror growing up. I don't own a single Jaws 2 card so this is awesome. I used to avoid water because I was afraid a shark would snag me.

NEW GRIFFEY ALERT!! 90's throwback and all, it's a beauty.

T'hen came two non-sport relic cards from Allen And Ginter I always welcome regardless of who they are.

Stand up comic Brody Stevens who I guess starred in the first two Hangover movies and passed away a few years ago. RIP.

Malcolm Gladwell is an author, something I always dreamed of being so this is a really cool addition.

This was a great mail day. One that takes away some of the glum.

Thanks Greg! I have more Dodgers to send your way soon!

As always I will keep you all updated on how our next game goes. This is a busy week ahead, I have family up from Nashville who still haven't gotten their power back from that storm, I have basketball of some form every night, and I will be in week 2 of college second semester and still trying to navigate my way around the new classes that require more. I am hoping for at least one more post this week but I will see what time will allow.

Thanks for reading! Have a great rest of your Sunday and week!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

The Ghost Of Christmas Package

*sits down with a big stack of cards nearby, takes sip, gets ready for a new post on Cards Over Coffee*

I felt like the good version of Scrooge this Christmas season as my mail box was visited by three blogger mail days. 

I had the ghost of Christmas Box, the ghost of Christmas Card and the Ghost of Christmas Package.

For today's post, you will be visited by the Ghost Of Christmas Package which was sent by Dennis from Too Many Verlanders blog.

*takes a sip, makes sure there are no real ghosts nearby*

Dennis sent a great variety of cards as usual hitting up many PC's.

I first wanted kick it off with this cool pack he sent. It's my first opening of 2025 Topps Series 2.

This pack comes with 14 cards and one special Tinsel parallel card that is tucked behind the pack.

And here was that Tinsel parallel. These look really cool.

Here are the key cards in the pack,

(sooo shiny)

And it ends with this Cruz. This design looks like something you would see on MLB Network.

Now onto the stack.

And it was a stack. A big stack that I couldn't show all off in this post so I just pulled out some of the cards to show off.

Logos or not, this card looks great.

My feelings for 90's cards will never change, they will always be GOAT. This design puts Panini's Revolution design to shame.

Danny Dimes may be a forgotten player in Giants land now that we have Jaxson Dart, but I will always remember his first start. It was a huge comeback against the Tampa Bay Bucs. I don't think this picture was from that game, but I love a great action shot regardless.

This being numbered to 750 may not sound like a tough card, but believe me, these were much harder to find back then more than now.

Back in 1997, Fleer had a rough texture on their base cards, great for autographs by the way. The parallel to that was something called Crystal which makes the surface glossy. These were found in hobby only packs at 1:2 odds.

Tyler Nubin Green Disco parallel.

I believe this parallel is called starburst from Prestige.

Now onto some hit surprises.

Great Expectations relic of Daniel Jones.

Two NEW 2024 Donruss Rookie Relic cards for my set chase. The last three years on these my chase has been extremely slow.

And finally......

 

2023 Topps Resurgence Purple /99 autograph of my boy Rodney!

And this wasn't even all of the cards as I said above.

I think Dennis swung the bat and hit the ball far with this mail day. This is the kind of haunting I would want.

Thanks again Dennis!

*takes a sip, moves the cards over carefully trying not to tip them over or spill coffee on them.*

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*