The Three Blog Mailings

With so much to catch up on, I have been using nighttime to get some blogging done and trying to keep pace with what I have to get posted. The only problem with this is that I am using the little bit of free time I have to do this. Which means blogging is taking place of sorting cards or playing a game of Madden.

As I get caught up, I will have to find a better balance so I can enjoy all three downtime things.

But here I am until then.

When I took a couple months off in the fall, which by the way was a nice refresher, I struggled with getting mail days which led to no content to post about and led to thoughts of retirement from blogging. 

Things started to change in December as my mailbox found quite a few mainly from bloggers, former bloggers and possible future bloggers. 

Like Crocodile Sports Cards who I won a football prize pack from his contest. 

The box was loaded with vintage (like actual vintage in the 70's, 90's is not vintage), 90's, and even cards from today. A mix of teams, players, rookies and a few stars.

Some examples to follow,

(absolutely adore this card)

Thanks Croc!

Then there was a very generous mail day from The Diamond King that arrived pretty fast despite how slow the mail was around the holidays,

A Trout for my player PC

Shiny!

Then came the eye candy of an Shohei Ohtani rookie! Pretty stoked to add this one.

Thanks DK!

And finally, Johnny's Trading Spot saw my comment on one of his recent posts

 

About this Keenan McCardell and how I didn't have it for my set chase. Guess what, the always generous guy sent it my way. Now I can cross this one off! With this addition, I now have 36 of the 120 or so autographs. I am not sure I will ever be able to tackle the big boys but would be fun to try and get close. Here is my list of needs if you are curious or have some help for me:1995 Pro Line Autographs

Thanks as always Johnny!

This is just the beginning of the fun mail days I have to share.

Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday! I have basketball practice tonight to prep for our first game tomorrow so I know I will have a great one...and busy one.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Don't forget you can start to nominate cards for the 2025 Coffee Card Hall Of Fame!! Cards don't have to be autographs, patch cards, super star cards. It can be whatever you think is Hall Worthy! Find details and current nominations HERE.

The Beginning Of A New Chase

If you own a 1/1, do you ever just sit back about being the only person who has that trading card? Like you are the one who holds the power?

Out of all of the overproduced cards of today, you actually own the only one of that card and that's it. It's the only ONE. It's the ONE OF THE ONE.

That's why 1/1's are pretty cool if you ask me.

And when I land a 1/1, I not only keep it, but I try my best to add to it by trying to build the rainbow.

Thanks to another great commenting contest held by Johnny's Trading Spot, I now have the beginning of a new chase.

 

Now Eli Morgan isn't the biggest name in baseball and is a pitcher that usually turns me away, but it's a 1/1 that completely has my attention.

Now I just need to build off from it.

So, I did my research for this card and product and found out there are a few parallels that come along with it as expected. There are a total of sixteen parallels which also includes seven 1/1's in order to finish the rainbow chase.

You read that right, seven 1/1's. It's crazy.

These are the following parallels to chase, Artist Proof Blue, Blue Frame, Gray Frame, Plum Frame, Red Frame, Artist Proof Silver /99, Artist Proof Gold /49, Green Frame /25, Antique Frame /18, Antique Frame Masterpiece 1/1, Black Frame Masterpiece 1/1, Gray Frame Masterpiece 1/1, Green Frame Masterpiece 1/1, Masterpiece 1/1, Plum Frame Masterpiece 1/1, Red Frame Masterpiece 1/1.

I already know that landing all of the 1/1's is an impossible task, so for me, completing a rainbow would be finding the other nine parallels to tie in with my 1/1. If I happen to find one of the other 1/1's, that's a bonus. But I will call this rainbow complete with the nine.

I have the most important piece to the rainbow, now to chase down the others including the base.

Thanks Johnny's Trading Spot !! He is a 1/1 kind of guy!

I will update my chase as I add some and might put a list of updated needs on the side of this blog, so you know where I am at with it. I would also welcome any help towards this rainbow project. If you have any of these including a base, drop me an email! My email is sportcardcollectors@hotmail.com.

New chases are always fun, but having help with the chase makes it even better. It leads to 1/1 moments. Those are ones you keep forever.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

I'll Give Ya A Penny

There are dime boxes, there are nickel cards, but have you ever paid a penny for a card?

I can say that I have.

Other than a card being for FREE, a penny is the cheapest way you can add a card to your collection, and I am impressed that I was able to land today's card for that price.

 

Malik Nabers has been the only bright spot this season for the Giants and has been as good as advertised despite how awful the Giants quarterback situation has been. So far this season Nabers has compiled 90 catches for 901 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Just imagine what he will do with a real quarterback.

 

This 2024 Luminance rookie card was on auction and ended at a penny. For one of the top rookies in the league and one on my team, I can't argue against a price like that.

I'll give ya a penny anytime for a card like this. 

Now if only they can sell a cup of coffee for that price.

Sorry for such a quick post, but it's late and I have a very busy week ahead. I have my annual check in with my doctor on Tuesday among other appointments and two basketball practices this week.  More on basketball for another post and maybe an update from my doctor as well. I just had bloodwork done and it appears I am in the pre-diabetic stage again so there might need to be some planning done for that.

Have a great night of sleep and wake up to a fresh cup of hot coffee like I will be.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Blog Bat-Around: 5 Best Pack Pulled Hits (Cards Over Coffee Version)

There are some Blog Bat-Arounds I like so much, I do them twice. The difference this time is I am doing it with coffee.

*takes a sip*

Matt over at Diamond Jesters has sent forth a new Blog Bat-Around challenge where he posted his Top 5 best pack pulls and wanted others to do the same. I did do this already over on Sport Card Collectors, yes, I revived the blog for a day I can do that, but I wanted to do one on here as well. I have opened up packs on both blogs so figured why not do one of these for each.

Now the one I posted on Sport Card Collectors will strongly be the better one especially with the top card, but this one I feel isn't too shabby. You can read the Sport Card Collectors one HERE.

Now onto the Cards Over Coffee version.

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

5

1996 Summit Turf Team Emmitt Smith. They don't make inserts like they used to! This one is numbered to 4000. They were randomly inserted into packs.

4

A Case Hit with this Genesis card which also happens to be in the Coffee Card Hall Of Fame. It had to make this list didn't it?

3

It's Jeter, it's an X-Factor. The odds of landing an actual good player that fits my PC is not easy. I would call this a solid pull.

2

Tua has shown flashes of big-time stardom and then he has moments where he has you shaking your head. But, he is still on his way up and playing for a good team and coach. Pulling a good silver Prizm is something I never do, even though this is a Prizm Black meaning the value isn't as great as it would have been as an actual Prizm silver, but it's my best card of his and it's a keeper.

1

 

It's numbered to 5, Hall Of Famer autograph. Looking at the others I have on this list, it's an obvious number 1 to me.

Well, there you go. My best 5 pack pulls on this blog.

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

I hope all of you join in on this fun Blog Bat Around. I want to see your best pulls.

Thanks to Matt for the creative idea and for helping me come up with a post for today.

Hope all of you have a great day!....and with lots of coffee!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

How I Got A 2011 Topps Update Mike Trout

*sits down, takes a sip hoping that the coffee will help with the head cold feeling. gets computer ready for a new post of Cards Over Coffee*

This summer, I landed the biggest card on my want list in the most unorthodox way. I always predicted myself to trade for one if I was ever lucky enough to do so. 

I never expected one to fall into my lap.

*takes a sip*

This summer I had a text from a local friend that included this stack of cards.

And he asked if I was interested since he doesn't collect or know anything about sports.

Okay...I see the 2011 Topps Update wrapper right on top....of course I am!

He told me they were mine if I wanted to go pick them up. 

I would have jumped in the car immediately; except he was at work, so I waited until the next day.

When I got to his house, we talked a bit about fun memories, since it had been a while since we had seen each other, and he handed me a Walmart bag with the cards in it. He explained to me how he had bought a dumpy mobile home to fix up and flip and how these were sitting in a pile of junk in the mobile home. From the pictures he showed of the place, there must have been one of those people from the show Hoarders living in there. 

It was gross. We are talking animal feces, cat peeing on the walls, trash, food, clothing, you name it. It was there. I told him he should have made a before and after video of it.

Not a place I would drink coffee in and do a new post for Cards Over Coffee that's for sure.

So, we talked for a bit more and said our goodbyes and I went home with a Walmart bag full of cards. 

*takes a sip before showing off the cards*

I got home and dug right in. I do the same thing with mail days and retail rips.

 

We will start with that wrapper on top, when I pulled it out of the bag, I thought it was actually a sealed pack, but it wasn't. But, it appears the person used it to protect some of the cards and stuck some parallels in the opened wrapper.

 

Here is what I found in there. Nothing too special, but I do like those diamond parallels. Still one of the best Topps parallels all -time.

Along with these, there was a big stack of base and tons of parallels. I won't bother with the base show off since you guys aren't here for that, but here is what else I found,

v

Being in a Walmart bag for storage without protection hurt some of the cards. There were some bent corners on the base stack and a couple of the parallels.

Fortunately, the key cards from the stack appeared safe from that.

Anthony Rizzo Update Rookie

J.D. Martinez Update rookie card.

Babe Ruth Sp. Wrong team, so I mailed this to my friend Shane for Christmas.

And the real reason you are here.....

Mike Trout Update Rookie Card.

I was hopeful throughout the stack but wasn't expecting the Trout to still be in there. This was close to the bottom of the pile and as everyone on Twitter states when they find a big pull, "my hands were shaking".

And there you have it, that's how I got a 2011 Topps Update Mike Trout.

*takes a sip before finishing up the post*

I have never experienced this kind of luck in my life before. I see it all of the time but have never actually had it happen to me.

And yes, I told my buddy about it who had no idea who Mike Trout is. I assumed even the casual person does.

Thoughts on this collection, if you own a Trout Update rookie and any other thoughts welcomed in comments below.

Have a great Tuesday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

It's Britney!

*sits down, turns on some 90's tunes on SiriusXM and a song comes on that brings back some memories*

*takes a sip to the song and takes in all the memories*

A lot of my collecting, I would say 90% of it, comes from nostalgia. Collecting isn't an investment to me, it's more like a collection of memories. Almost every piece of cardboard, especially for my non sport PC, has some memory connected to it. I am hoping some day when I am older and these memories start to fade, that the cards will help keep them alive. 

Just like music does for me. When I hear certain songs, I can put myself in that time.

Just like I did the other day.

Back in 1998 a big-time female pop star named Britney Spears was created when she released her song, Baby One More Time. This song was very catchy, and it tuned right into my head. Usually, men can't admit they like a female pop song, but I have no problem in doing so. It also helped that Britney was similar in age to me (2 years older) and was pretty hot.

I remember going to my friend Brian's house and watching the music video for the song, something I didn't have access to at home since we didn't have cable and not something I could watch at my grandmothers who had cable since she said it was a "waste of time watching music when she had a radio you could listen to it on".

Both Brian and I had immediate crushes on her.

When we found out she was going to be performing at one of the big fairs in our state a few months later, we had to find a way to get tickets. I knew I wasn't going to be getting them from my parents since I grew up poor, so I knew I would need another way to. Fortunately, Brian's parents came up with a plan for us to go, but it was going to take some work. In those days, parents just didn't buy you stuff. You had to work for it and work hard for it. Which is what we did. We spent that summer in the heat shoveling manure all over their big property to help the grass grow more and to clean out the barn as well. The manure was loaded up in a wagon attached to a four-wheeler and we had to make stops to fill it up with a shovel and stops to shovel it out.

Let me tell you, we earned those tickets.

The seats we had weren't great, but we still were able to go. We got to see Britney sing and dance and even bought a couple of small pictures of her from the fair so we could treasure the moment. It was a great time.

Years later, the picture I had from that concert became crushed and the ticket stubs have been misplaced. I had nothing but some blurry pictures to go on for memories so recently when window shopping on eBay, I came across a Britney Spears "rookie card."

It's from the April 2001 Sports Illustrated For Kids magazine which featured Derek Jeter on the cover.

At that time, I wasn't collecting the SI For Kids cards, so I knew I didn't have this, so I bid on one that was pretty low priced compared to where they usually are and ended up winning it.

 

Card back features stats on the Princess Of Pop and some other fun tidbits.

Guess you could say I was as happy as 15-year old me would have been if I owned it back then.

:)

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post....and yes I would have taken a sip of coffee back then as well*

Before I finish up today's post, I must tell one more story involving Britney and her hit song Baby One More Time. I can't remember if I told this story before on here or another blog, but I am fine sharing it again.

So, Brian got married a few years ago and we had mistakenly told his soon-to-be wife about our concert. Before the Dollar Dance begin, she snuck over to the DJ and requested that he played Baby One More Time to our surprise as we approached the tent where the dance was being held. We were also forced to dance together in front of a decent amount of people. As embarrassing as it was, it was another added memory.

Thoughts for today's post, your favorite Britney song or SI For Kids cards welcomed in comments.

TGIF to you and hope you have a cup of coffee in hand.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

A Slam Dunk Of A Trade

*sits down holding the final card of the trade I showed off yesterday. hope you guys have your coffee mugs filled and ready to go. I am*

*takes a sip*

Today marks the final card in the trade I made with @Pradough1.

This card today I decided to post by itself since it didn't fit the non-sport PC theme of yesterdays post.

But, it did knock off a huge want list card.

*takes a sip*

I remember back in the late 90's ripping packs of Topps Chrome looking to pull the top rookies and of course, refractors. One of the most sought after cards I wanted to pull in 1998 was a Vince Carter Topps Chrome rookie.

So, my father and I went and bought some packs of 1998-1999 Topps Chrome basketball to rip on the way home. He opened his packs with no luck, however, my second pack in almost made him drive off the road. Not only did I pull the Carter rookie, but I pulled the refractor version which was a huge card at the time. I think it was worth between $300-$600 if my mind serves me right. I couldn't believe it. I quickly got that in a penny sleeve and toploader when we got home.

The card remained with us until I moved out in 2000 from my parent's house. My dad then decided to sell it since they were in the need of money and it was just a piece of cardboard. It was a tough day to hear that news, but I understood.

I had always remembered that pull, but never tried to chase down a replacement until last year. I wanted to finally bring that card back home until I saw the prices on them. They were selling at least for $600 raw and twice that for graded. That dream ended fast so I went for the next best thing, the base Topps Chrome rookie. Those were even going for $100 which was still out of my range. Then I had to settle for the next best thing after that, a Topps version of the card which I found for under $5. That was more my range and was better than nothing right?

Yes.

But, it still left a hole in my collection however.

That was until this week when I pulled off the trade with @Pradough1.

No, he didn't have the Topps Chrome refractor...but at least had the second best option...

A chrome rookie! I can finally say after all of these years I have one!! Of course, prices have dipped a lot since last year but still having this in my possession is nice.

The photograph on this card is always so memorable to me.

Back Of The Card.

This is one of those cards when you are feeling down you pull out to make yourself smile again.

Thanks again to @Pradough1 for the trade.

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

I am never going to ever be able to bring home that Topps Chrome refractor version of this card, but I at least can have the card live on in my memories.

So I am curious, what is the one card you had to let go of that you want to bring back or maybe already have? Let me know in comments.

I hope all of you have a superb Saturday!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Something In The Water

*takes a sip, takes a bite of bagel and gets ready for a new cards over coffee post*

I realize a lot of my recent posts are based on music, but to me, music and cards go together just like cards and coffee. There are even days I will listen to music while I blog. Music is inspirational, music gets you motivated and music drives nostalgia. I am sure each of us can think of a song off the top of our head that attaches to a memory.

So, when I post about music, it usually has to do with a memory.

*takes a sip*

Before I show off today's cards, I have an update from my last music post that featured Sugar Ray lead singer Mark McGrath. I mentioned in that article how great of a person McGrath is and how he is always interacting with fans and how I hoped he would see my post.

Well......

As you can see, he did and even interacted more with the tweet. I will admit the 90's kid in me was very giddy.

Now onto today's singer.

*takes a sip, another bagel bite before moving onto the rest of today's post*

This one doesn't have a lot to do with 90's nostalgia and more to do with newer nostalgia....and maybe a slight crush. She is only 9 days older than me.

Carrie Underwood was Season 4's American Idol winner, a show my wife enjoys while I sort cards. Me personally, I only enjoyed the mishaps and terrible singers they used to show in the auditions. That's basically it for the nostalgic tie in here as well. My wife watched the show while I sorted cards. Kinda lame probably for some of you, but a memory is a memory and if there is a way to tie it in and hold onto it, you do it.

I have had my eyes on a rookie card of Carrie for a while now and thanks to Shane from Cheap Wax Wednesday fame, I was lucky to land it and a couple others.

The 2005 Fleer American Idol card was Carrie's rookie card. The product also featured her in a couple of subsets as well. But, this one featured here is the "true rookie".

 

The set also featured autographs and she was one of the signers. The card is too far of a reach for me to ever acquire.

Thanks to Shane for the help in snagging these for me.

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

I doubt Carrie will see this post or even interact with it like Mark, but I will tag her regardless.

As I have stated many times before I don't like country music but will honestly admit I do enjoy a couple of Carrie's songs. This is the only time I will admit to liking any form of country music. There must be something in the water.

In comments today, let me know if you watch American Idol, who your favorite winner is and what you favorite Carrie Underwood song is.

Have a great Monday!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Distraction

*takes a victorious sip on this victory Monday. The Giants season may not be turning out as I had hoped, but at least there is some hope. takes another sip, coffee tastes even better when the Giants win*

1-5 is where the Giants sat yesterday before kickoff against the Carolina Panthers. They had two heartbreaking losses to the Falcons and WFT before coming back to beat the Saints which is where I thought the season would turn around. But no. Two back-to-back blowout losses to the Cowboys and Rams and a injury list longer than my Christmas list and things were getting ugly fast.

The one sport I actually watch and my team I am die hard for was going down the tube early. I needed a distraction and when I need a distraction, I turn to cardboard.....and coffee. Not alcohol like most fans though that probably eases the pain sooner.

*takes another sip before showing off the latest additions*

This time for my distraction, I went to Burbank Sportcards Beckett Marketplace to hope to calm the storm in my head. I looked for pieces that I knew would make me smile.

Such as this Gary Brown Collectors Edge autograph. My second autograph of brown, but I am digging the purple ink and hand numbering on this one. I didn't know they used colored ink in the 90's.

Brown played two season with the Gmen and is currently running backs coach in Wisconsin.

Eli Manning Donruss Elite Gridiron Kings Patch /25.

As most know, I am a huge Eli fan. It's nice to see him do commentary on Monday Night football, especially when he discussed how Eagles fans used to greet him :)

Kadarius Toney Donruss Elite rookie card /999

 

And finally a Prestige rookie autograph gold of Kadarius Toney who is turning into one of my favorite current Giants players every time he is on the field.....and not injured.

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

These cards had arrived prior to yesterday's game so I was already feeling good before kickoff. But, I felt even better when yesterdays game ended and the Giants came out on top 25-3. It was probably the best overall performance by the team in years.

The question now is, was yesterday's game a turning point or just a fluke. Next week is Kansas City on Monday Night football on the road. If, IF, they can pull out a win there, maybe things can be turned around and get better. If not and it turns out really bad, well, may need another cardboard and coffee pick-me-up.

Hope everyone has a great Monday. and in comments, let me know what you do when your team is letting you down. Do you go to cardboard? Alcohol? Shutting your TV off?

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*