90's On The 9th: 1997 Leaf Fractal Matrix X-Axis Die-Cut Amani Toomer

Coffee is ready and so am I. 

Not a lot of posts this month, but hopefully some incoming mail days will help.

*takes a sip*

For the first time this year, I am posting a #90sOn9th post. So far, this segment has been a little disappointing as I hoped this would turn into a monthly blog bat-around but also star on Twitter/X as well. 

I am usually the only one who posts these.

That's okay though, I have no plans to stop and hopefully at some point others will join in and use the hashtag #90sOn9th.

*takes another sip*

Today, I am showing off a NY Giants card, something I normally only post on Big Blue Cardboard, but it was my most recent 90's card addition so it fits the segment.

1997 Leaf Fractal Matrix X-Axis Die-Cut fell in random packs of 1997 Leaf. This 200-card parallel set is a multi-micro-etched parallel set with a die-cut. Each player's card is featured in one unique die-cut version and there are 3 different die-cut parallels to chase in X,Y,Z. Each probably comes with their own rarity.

The X-Axis die-cut which is the Amani Toomer above features 100 cards with five of them gold, 20 silver, and 75 bronze.

 

Back of the card is the base look other than the die-cut.

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

I hope to see a few more of you start to join in on this fun monthly event. If not this month, next.

Remember to use the hashtag #90son9th.

Hope everyone has a great Saturday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

The Shoebox Delivers Part 5

My first post of March begins on Day 3 of the month.

It has been a busy week overall and one that was a bit rough for me as well. When hasn't 2024 been rough for me? I ended up with a nasty head cold Wednesday night which carried over to Thursday where it completely knocked me out and I was in bed by 8:30. Friday, I spent 80% of the day in bed with Kidney stent pain followed by another round of kidney stent pain on Saturday.

I am hoping for a better day today.

Guess it all starts with my coffee.

*takes a sip*

Today, I am finally finishing up posting about the shoebox trade with my father. I was going to drag this out a little longer, but I have nothing else to post about as I had no card mail days incoming recently.  I could post the bills I got as there was plenty of those, but I wouldn't want you to be as depressed as I am about it.

So, before I continue with today's finale, if you missed the previous parts of this series, you can check them out here:

Part 1 of the magical Shoebox trade

Part 2, which you can see HERE.

And Part 3 which is HERE.

And Part 4 you can read HERE.

Now onto the cards.

This is a set I was considering chasing, now with the toughest player on the checklist acquired in Jerry Rice, I may have to make this a reality. Really cool design.

 A ton of 1994 Action Packed Warp Speed. There was 7 of the 12 cards in the set found in the box. And before you ask, yes I already had this Rodney Hampton.

Next, I found these Golden Domers subset cards of Rick Mirer. However, what I can't figure out is that one has a shine to it. I don't see a parallel noted for it. If any of you have info, please comment with it. I think it's a pretty cool looking one.

Up next, autograph cards! This was completely unexpected. This is why I questioned if my father even looked through this box before trading it to me.

Not a lot of big names to start out with.

Not too often you find a Basketball Hall Of Famer autograph tucked into the bottom of a shoebox. He was also a former Knick so that's cool as well.

And then Jake the Snake Plummer autograph who also happens to be a side PC player for me. I will never forget when he led the Cardinals to the playoff upset of the Cowboys which I loved every minute of.

I would say in the end I made out pretty well in this trade. It was like the cardboard Gods were blessing me for once.

If you are reading this dad, thanks again for the trade.

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

There were a couple things I didn't mention in my opener. One, I went to see a surgeon on Wednesday before I fell sick with the head cold to discuss options with the hernia, they discovered on my catscan when they gave me one for the kidney stone. Apparently, the surgeon looked at a past catscan from a previous kidney stone in 2020 and saw the hernia then but it has grown bigger over time. Most likely another needed surgery this year that will knock me out for four weeks. UGH. But it will be completely up to me though if I want it done. Knowing that it has been growing, it probably should be taken care of sooner rather than later.

Second thing, I called my urologist on Friday since I was dying in pain, and she wasn't available. The nurse took notes and info from me. I should hear back on Monday if there is anything they can do for me sooner. Prayers on that. I need this stent out as I don't want to wait another three weeks.

I hope this week goes better, hope all of you have a great week as well. 

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Almost Burger Season

Well, that was another fast month. Still not fast enough when it comes to getting this kidney stent out, but still pretty fast.

*gets up to get coffee, comes back to laptop and takes a sip*

This month marked one of the biggest months this blog has ever seen. Views and comments were at all-time highs which makes me excited for the future of this blog after all of the work that I put in on here. I just hope the momentum continues every month after this one.

*takes a sip, tips the mug towards the screen as a thanks to all of you*

With February closing out today, this means one thing to me. It means that Spring is coming soon and spring for me means, getting my flowers prepped, garden ready, lawn cleaned up from winter debris and most importantly digging out my grill after it took the winter off.

There is nothing like that first smell of grilled food. I look like one of those cartoon characters floating through the air following the scent.

Just like when that morning brew first hits the air.

One of my first grilling choices is a burger. There is nothing like a grilled burger on a soft bun with all of the toppings. This is also why I will choose Burger King over McDonalds.

 

It's so good that Allen and Ginter included it in their Get That Bread insert. 

So I am gonna brag, I own a Burger rookie card. Maybe in a few weeks I can get my burger to sign it 😉😉😉

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

After February ends I usually am onto the countdown 

to March 19th, my birthday. Sadly, I could care less for my birthday right now as my countdown is more focused on the 22nd where the stent will be coming out.

That to me would be the greatest gift right now. Let's hope I can get in before then anyways as I would like to enjoy my first burger painless.

Enjoy the last day of February and I pray you all come back for more Cards Over Coffee in March.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

The Girl Scout Cookies Post

It's a little late for a post but thought I would put a short one out there anyways.

I don't have coffee and I don't have cards, but I do have some cookies.

Some delicious Girl Scout Cookies.

*takes a bite*

There are usually only a few things I really look forward to and buy every year that are not hobby related. One of those things arrives in February and they are Girl Scout Cookies.

Sometimes they will be ordered online and other times if my wife has a friend whose daughter is selling them, we will pick up a few boxes that way. Either way, I can't live without my Samoas.

 

The crisp cookies with caramel, coconut and dark chocolate stripes hits the sweet spot every year. They are also even better with coffee.

When I set the cookie on the back of the box the girls appear to have the same reaction I do when I open up the package.

Samoas may be my favorite Girl Scout cookie, but I usually grab a couple others as well. I also enjoy Adventurefuls and Girl Scout S'Mores while my wife likes Tagalongs and Thin Mints. I used to like Tagalongs and Thin Mints to but noticed my tastes have changed just like with other food over time.

I usually try to make mine last for a while by only snacking on a couple when the mood hits and it also saves on the weight gain. The cool thing about Girl Scout Cookies is that you can always freeze them if they get close to date which extends their shelf life.

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

In comments today, tell me which Girl Scout Cookies you enjoy and don't tell me there isn't at least one flavor that you don't indulge on.

*Coffee Card and Girl Scout cookie enjoyer Out*

The Shoebox Delivers Part 4

With the temperatures expecting to reach 50's today, it's time for some hot cards, hot coffee and Cards Over Coffee.

*takes a sip*

Today, I dig further into the shoebox and show off some amazing football cards I found in there. But, before I continue with that, if you missed the previous parts of this post, you can check them out here:

• Part 1 of the magical Shoebox trade 
• Part 2, which you can see HERE.
• And Part 3 which is HERE.

Now onto the amazing football cards. At least they are amazing to me.

1997 Score The New Breed. These fell 1:12 packs.

Pacific Mark Brunell. If anyone remembers on this blog, I am a big Brunell fan especially his time with the Jaguars. I add cards when I can of him.

Challenge Collection was a parallel to 1997 Pinnacle Inscriptions that fell 1:7 packs. I think they look as good as the base cards. Dufex rules the day!

Falling at 1:48 packs, Bowman Best preview refractors were the previews of Bowmans Best before it's release. That isn't too hard to understand even without morning coffee.

1997 Score The Specialists fell 1:15 packs. Not sure how Jim Everett fell under this category but completely get Kordell being on that checklist. Another one of those fun 90's guys that could play multiple offensive positions.

Numbered to 2000 and randomly falling in packs of 1997 Donruss, the Press Proof parallel was a fun chase. Mike Alstott was a beast to say the least, so I enjoyed finding this one.

I can't find odds or details on this, but it's a 1997 Playoff Rookie Wave Blue Pennant. Pretty cool felt card. I always liked these.

Kerry Collins is a PC player, this card is a tough pull at 1:35 packs. Big winner here.

 

 

I don't ever remember pulling a First Day Issue parallel back in the 90's, so now I have a few of them. These fell 1:24 packs or one-per-box.

1997 Stadium Club Never Compromise were 1:12 packs in Series 2. There is a deep checklist of 40 players so I still have a ways to go on this set chase.

The 24K golds were randomly inserted into packs but honestly I don't ever see a lot of them so it makes me wonder how many are actually out there and how many still sit in packs to be opened.

One of these oddball type cards, but I thought it was  a fun find of a Dolphins legend.

1997 Pinnacle Inscriptions V2 was one of the coolest inserts despite falling only 1:11 packs. It is probably why I am chasing this set and have been. These two are new, but I still have a way to go. I also keep them unpeeled.

Speaking of set chases, Game Breakers is another. There were multiple duplicates of these two and a couple others I already had. 

I have no details on this card other than it has two parallels.

And that does it for today's part. There is one more football part left with some more great cards including some autographs. This post was kind of the teaser trailer.

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

This shoebox has been a lot of fun to dig through and makes me wonder if my father even took a glance at what was in there before he traded it to me. He said he did, but sometimes people say that. I took the gamble either way hoping he had missed something, instead it feels he missed a lot.

Just wait til the finale.

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. So far ONLY 2 cards have been nominated!!

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!

Have a great Tuesday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Unfinished Cup:1999 Topps Chrome Lords Of The Diamond Refractors

Coffee, cards and a fun card today! Sounds like a perfect time for Cards Over Coffee!

I have come to the conclusion that I must have some form of ADD in the hobby because I can't focus on one project and I am always onto the next.

It would be nice just to finish one.

But, here I am again with another new set chase and another tough one at that. Hopefully I can finish this one.

*takes a sip*

My latest chase came to me when I was sorting out my Ken Griffey Jr's and came across a card that stuck out to me. I had forgotten all about one of my best pack pulled Griffey card of the 90's which was the 1999 Topps Chrome Lords Of The Diamond refractor. It's the only Griffey refractor I even own actually.

But, after seeing it again and all of it's beauty, I thought to myself, how hard would it be to chase this set? I already own the Griffey which is the best one. 

And that's how a set chase was born.

1999 Topps Chrome Lords Of The Diamond refractors have a 15-card set and fell 1:24 packs. 

They are shiny, die-cut and have a fairly nice checklist of players.

So far, I own three of the fifteen.

Here is what I need,

2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15

If any of you have any I need, let me know! You can comment below or drop me an email at sportcardcollectors@hotmail.com.

I hope everyone has a great Sunday!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

National Trading Card Day

If you are going to have coffee with your cards, today is the day to do so as we celebrate one of the greatest hobbies out there.

Notice how I call it a hobby, not a money grab.

I know my coffee is ready and I have a card project to tackle today to celebrate, so this will be a very short post.

*takes a sip, hope you do too*

Today is National Trading Card Day, which is celebrated every year on February 24th. Today is a day dedicated to commemorating and enjoying the world of trading cards and as a big-time hobbyist who uses the hobby as an escape from the real world, I plan on taking advantage of every second I have today.

I recently acquired an insert for celebrating today which was included in 2022 Topps Allen&Ginter.

The card features who I believe is former Topps marketing employee Emily Kless, who was really nice and I had fun conversations with, along with lots of cards in the background. However it says it's for International Trading Card Day which from doing some research is actually in August I believe, and National Trading Card Day is today. Correct me if I am wrong.

Back of the card discusses the celebration for today and lets us know the insert name which is It's Your Special Day which celebrated many celebratory days.

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

I hope all of you have a great National Trading Card Day....with coffee of course. Let me know in comments how you plan to spend today celebrating.

My project involves a lot of sorting and hopefully I have enough card supplies on hand. If not, I may need to jump onto BCW and order some. Speaking of that, if you need some supplies today, SAVE 10% off by using code Matt10 at checkout. You can start ordering by clicking this link HERE. Just don't forget the code Matt10 at checkout!!

*takes a sip*

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*