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*

Trick Or Treat

*coffee is ready, time for some Cards Over Coffee!*

It's not too hard to figure out if you have been reading my blogs for awhile, that I am a huge fan of holiday cards.

Whether that be Christmas cards, cards featuring Thanksgiving, cards that have fireworks for 4th of July or cards that even feature Halloween. I am all for it.

My latest pickups combine my love of my NY Giants and my passion for holiday cards.

*takes a sip before showing off the cards*

The last few years Panini has put out a product called Panini Score-A-Treat which combines Halloween and football cards in this case. They also make a basketball version.

The product is mainly aimed towards giving cards out on Halloween night instead of candy and I think the product itself is aimed for little kids. It has wonky, but fun brightly colored designs, is made on thin cardstock and includes a lot of players the kids would want.

It's also often very affordable as you get a lot of cards for a little price.

I usually try to open up some, but this year, I haven't yet. I may not at this point, it's just heading into my favorite holiday season and that's where my focus will fall more upon.

However, I found a couple of cheap bargain bin and tough pulls from the product that I had to have and wanted to show off to you guys!

Here they are,

"Bats" parallel of Micah McFadden. These are numbered to 399. Pretty cool looking card. I am sure it's tough odds to find one as I don't see many parallels being pulled from these.

I landed this one for under $4!

 

Next one, an even rarer find. a Candy Corn parallel of Micah McFadden /99. These look super cool if you are a fan of Halloween and of Candy Corn like I am. Yes, it's not that yucky.

This one was found for under $5, seems like a deal compared to other players!

I thought these would be fun cards to show off before the "big day" tomorrow.

In comments today, let's hear about your favorite Halloween candy. Also, your thoughts on these cards, the overall product and even candy corn.

Have a great Thursday.

*Candy Corn Loving 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 Great Card Cleanse Of 2025 Part 2: The Goods

I know a lot of you have been waiting to see what I turned all of those base cards into.

Well, today is your lucky day and I have my lucky cup of coffee next to me waiting to be sipped.

*takes a sip*

I know most of you will be shocked by my return as it's not really anything spectacular, but to me it was. Yes, it was seventy-five thousand plus cards and even at a penny a card I should have gotten something nice, but who do you know would take on that amount of base without blinking an eye or being fussy about what they took? Not too many I know of, actually I don't know of anyone else. Not to mention I freed up so much space and boxes that I can use for future projects that actually matter to me.

So, I still think in the end I am the winner here.

Let's take a look at my haul and yes, I miscounted, there were fourteen I got in return, not twelve.

WanDale Robinson Playoff Contenders Optic rookie. He started off the year hot, but, this Giants offense is all over the place.

Malik Nabers still is the best player on the Giants, we just have to get the ball into his hands.

This might help. The Giants are 0-3, coach is desperate, so let's turn to his rookie QB who he hopes can not only be the savior of this team, but the savior of his job.

I now have two of these, just because I guess. I still need a Caitlin Clark.

Cam has moved up to one of my favorite players on the team. He gives me Jeremy Shockey vibes.

Tyler Nubin has made some plays this year, hopefully this defense, especially the secondary, can turn things around tomorrow.

Everyone who has followed me on social media or on this blog know that I have chased the Donruss Rookie Sweater sets every year. 2024 is the one I am struggling with the most, I have a mile to go still but fortunately this was a new one.

I never turn down a LT card, especially a team color matching parallel.

Not sure where my father was hiding some Eli, but I will take them. I still need to check if I have them.

Darius Slayton has fallen off the Giants good graces so far this year, he hasn't been getting the ball in his hands. He is an underrated speedster if someone can get him the ball. Come on Dart!

 

And for some reason, I felt I needed this in the trade. Not sure if Howard will ever play, but I figured it gave me something to sit on for awhile. Maybe use it later on for something I want more. If any Steelers fans are interested, I will trade this for a Dart version!

There you have it. 

I know, probably about $20 in return value, but, these cards make me happy and that's all that matters. Don't judge me. Only judge me for drinking decaf coffee, but it's better than none!

I still have more base cards to dispose of and hopefully can pull off a second trade for those and clean up more space soon. I have also begun pulling out some of the hits, autograph and jersey cards, I will be downsizing as well and I have made a huge dent in that as well.

My collecting ways are changing and changing for the better. Make sure to stay tuned for future updates on this project. Much, much more to come.

Have a Super Saturday.

*takes a final sip*

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Coffee Break:2025 Score Football Blaster Box

Hello Coffee Card Enthusiasts! Miss me?

*takes a sip of fresh brew hoping you are as well*

I am finally back for a new post today......during my Giants game.

So far, it's been ugly on both sides of the ball. As I currently type this, they trail Washington 14-6 in the 3rd quarter. It sounds close, but it's not as close as it sounds.

It's been ugly. Very ugly on offense.

Hopefully they will fix this as the game goes on.

In the meantime, I will take a few minutes out and get a new post on here.

Recently I busted a blaster box of 2025 Score football, the first NFL release of the season. I needed that new card smell since it has been forever since I had opened anything up.

*sniffs the cards, still smells that new scent*

After opening it, I thought to myself, this would make a great NFL kickoff post.

So, let's get to the break. Sorry for the lack of the blaster box picture. Some reason I never took one.

*takes a sip, gets ready to rip...or show off the rip*

Each blaster box of 2025 Score football comes with 6 packs of 15 cards. There are 90 cards in all to get in a box which is pretty solid.

There are no guarantees per box in terms of hits, but you should get some parallels, one numbered parallel and some inserts in every box. 

This years base set is pretty nice. I like the old school feel. It has an early 90's appeal.

Here is another base example, it is also my first 2025 NY Giants card.

The rookie cards have the same base design, but have team logos and the rookie logo. I just wished the players were in their NFL uniforms.

Here were the key ones I pulled,

  

Not too bad of a break pulling some of the good names.

Up next, I ditched showing off my green parallels since it was a pile of nobodies and went straight for my numbered parallel of the box,

I don't know this name really, but it's an offensive player and a nice looking parallel so it's a keeper.

Now onto the inserts,

 

(2nd NY Giants card of 2025)

And then a case pull....

 

Nice looking card! Just wished it was like Patrick Mahomes. Always fun still to land a case hit.

And finally, a surprise jersey card find,

 

Not too bad! A bruising running back.

Overall, an unexpected hit, a case hit, two Giants cards and some decent rookies makes this a fun break.

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

I am not sure when I will be able to post again, I am hoping to do another tomorrow but will see how much time I have available. School has taken a lot of my free time including all of my hobby time.

Hope everyone has a great football Sunday. Apparently mine isn't going to be that great.

Take a sip for me until the next post!

*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.

Cards From Pops: The Rest 2

*sits down with the remaining stack of cards, takes a sip of freshly brewed joe, it's time for cards over coffee*

Call me a night owl, not to be confused with the legendary Night Owl Card blog, but I have been taking advantage of later nights to get posts done on this blog, so I am not taking away from family time. Fortunately, since I am forced to drink decaf, I don't miss out on the coffee with my cards.

The blog remains the same as it's always been, except right now I am staying up late to put up a post the night before.

*takes a sip*

Just like with the last post, it's time to just roll out the pictures. This time I am eating a late night Poptart with my coffee.

(USA! USA! USA!)

(1:12 Packs)

(1:14 packs)

(/150)

(1:20 packs)

(Prime 9 1:5 packs)

(1:144 packs! Tough pull!)

(1:36 packs)

(/99, this card I did know was in there as it was a bonus trade)

 

And that does it for my coffee, my Poptart and the cards in this series.

It's time for bed.

*yawns before finishing up today's post*

That was sooooooooooooooooooo much fun. For what I gave up and got in return, I am pretty happy. I will always trade off newer cards for cards like these any day. I am hoping he has more like this so we can do it again.

Overall, I did well with these mystery boxes. May not be a lot of big pulls or valuable ones, but that's not what I am in the hobby for. 

Have a great Sunday. NFL Sunday's are almost here.

Before I close, I also wanted to remind you of the Coffee Card Hall Of Fame voting and that it needs you guys to nominate cards in.

Details on the Coffee Card Hall Of Fame can be found HERE. I may add this to every post from here on out for a reminder as I will forget about this too! Haha!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*