Continuing To Grow On Me

*sits down, takes a sip and gets ready for a new Cards Over Coffee post*

I used to despise Project 2020. It's all I saw and heard about for months. I thought the cards were also ugly. But, after seeing a lot of collectors flipping them early on, I went and bought the Shore Griffey in hopes I could use it to trade for something bigger for my collection. I started a dream list aiming for some of my top card wants that I was going to use that Griffey for. The only problem, I was one of ninety-nine thousand thinking the same thought.

Now you can't give the card away. Not that I would want to, it's a piece of hobby history now.

But, something in me the past few months had me actually wanting to collect the P2020 cards and add some when I can.  I guess my glasses became clear and I saw more about the cards than I did before.

In my latest mail day from @90sNicheFBCard, I added a few more of them to my collection.

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

@90sNicheFBCard had visited a card shop while he was out and found a good deal on a handful of P2020 cards and picked up a few for our trade knowing I collect Griffey and Jeter.

This Jeter was a pretty cool take on his Topps rookie card.

But, not so much on this Griffey. I could have handled doing this one with most of my art being stick figures.

 

This Griffey on the other hand, really sharp.

Thanks again to Bryan for these additions.

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

I have actually added some Project 2020 and now Project 70 cards to my want list now and would take any that nobody else wants as well. Even if I have them.

Your thoughts on today's additions and the Project series is welcomed in comments. (also throw in any you may have on your want list)

Have a great Wednesday.

*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*

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*

It Was Me

*the coffee had grounds in it this morning which leads me to waiting on brewing a Keurig cup, now that it's done, let's sit down and have a conversation*

This morning, Saturday July 11th 2020, I am here to admit to a heinous crime so please sit down with your coffee before you grab your pitchforks and torches and storm my castle. Please hear me out.

Here it is, I am the one who ruined Topps Project 2020.

Hold on just a few more minutes. I see you reaching for your pitchfork, well, your breakfast fork you are eating your pancakes or eggs with but please set it down for another minute.

*takes the first sip*

When Topps announced Project 2020 I had zero interest in any of the cards. None. I am not really one into art cards as I prefer action photography much more. As they began revealing card by card, I felt fortunate to not had wasted a single dime on any of them. The cards were hideous for the most part and the amount of them that sold was not surprising looking at them.

I didn't expect these cards to ever be popular.

However, that's when it began. The rise of Project 2020.

I kept seeing post after post after post of these cards selling for hundreds and thousands of dollars. THOUSANDS.  I had no idea why they were, but they were. Some say it has to do with the artists who created and promoted them.

It seemed week after week after week the cards were guaranteed cash and most were selling for ten times what they bought them for. Which is mind blowing. Buying and flipping those was where it was at in the hobby and if you weren't doing it, you didn't fit in. Only the cool kids flipped them.

Yet I still wasn't interested.

Or was I.

I have always been one to promote the hobby for fun. It's not about the money for me, I collect simply because it brings me joy. I don't sell. I don't flip. I hoard and enjoy every piece of cardboard that comes my way.

But, seeing those selling prices day after day on Twitter can get to you.....not in a good way.

*take a sip of your coffee, then picture one of those cartoons that had a devil on one shoulder and an angel on another which was me at that current time*

The devil on the left whispered in my ear, "Matt, you should buy the next release, it will be worth it. Pay the $17 and bring home the $500+ bacon baby!" Well, the devil sounded more like Arthur Spooner, aka Jerry Stiller, from King Of Queens (RIP to a legend). The voice was quite booming and alerting.

But the angel, soft spoken like Beyonce said, "Matt, don't fall for it. These things have a tendency to not work out. Stick with your gut and do what you have always done"

Then the devil poked in, "Remember that list of autograph Hall Of Famers you need or those set needs or remember that Non Sport auto you have been starting at for a year? It could all be yours, so GO DO IT. BUUUYYYYYYY"

"I am telling you, don't do it Matt. Don't waste your money. Go grab that Eli Manning card you want instead, you will feel better about it."

"THE MONEY BABY!! GO FOR THE MONEY!! IF YOU DON'T DO IT, YOU'LL BE DEAD TO ME! DEAD TO ME!!"

"Please don't listen to him. Repeat after me...the hobby is fun...the hobby is fun..."

"THE HOBBY IS FUN, BUT MONEY IS FUN TO. Think of all you can buy when you flip that!! Go buy the next one, IT'S A SHORE BET!"

*takes a sip of coffee, falls for the devil and gets ready for the downhill ride*

For the first time in my life, I went to the dark side and spent my $17.75 on the Topps PROJECT 2020 Card 88, the 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. by Keith Shore and felt good about doing so. The card wasn't the most attractive, but, that's not why I bought it. I was in it for the money! My first flip life experience and it was somewhat thrilling. So thrilling that after buying it, I made a list of other cards I would buy from the money I would make from flipping it.

I couldn't wait to get it in hand, have a buddy of mine list it, and see the cash flow in.

*takes another sip of coffee, could picture money signs in my eyes*

The only problem with that...well, 99,176 other people had the same thoughts as myself and had that little hobby devil sitting on their shoulder as well.

By far, this was the biggest print run of Project 2020 and only drove the first released cards up (you know the ones I ignored) as this one fell hard. In comparison, it was like buying a box of 1988 Score and trying to flip those singles for five times their worth.

Last week, I finally got that card in hand.

(I can feel him glaring at me and if this was a hologram, he would be shaking his head in disgrace that I tried to flipping him)

Card back.

*takes another sip of coffee, checks out kitchen window for readers to be storming his castle and locks the door*

And that's how I ruined the Project 2020 cards. I bought one with bad intentions and it was a hard lesson I had to learn from the Hobby Gods. And I cursed it for the rest of you as well. Once again, I am sorry.

Since the Shore Griffey, numbers of the cards following have dipped and so hasn't the flipping of the cards.

This will be a lesson I will be reminded of every day. Which is why I am keeping this card on my desk and directly staring at me. It won't happen again.

I guess the only positives to take out of this experience would be the fact I actually collect Ken Griffey Jr, that I won't ever flip again and I expect this card to be some form of iconic card for a long time. One that everyone will talk about and have cards over coffee with. (yes intended pun)

So please don't storm my castle. I apologize for ruining the flipping for everyone and I promise I won't ever attempt that again. I will stick to my hobby beliefs which are usually very firm and now because of this, will be even firmer like that twin mattress I had in graded school that was like sleeping on a rock.

You could also say this was a life lesson learned as well, don't change who you are to fit in. Stay yourself. It's the best self you can be.