Some Big Kennys Vargas Finds

This behemoth is a 5x7 card numbered to just 5 copies (lower left corner). Found this the same day as the 1956 Topps Checklist.

Here's a handy size comparison with a 65th Anniversary stamped Kennys card.

The same seller also had this 5x7 from Topps Heritage, this time numbered to 10 copies. I don't know how many people out there collect Kennys, but I am definitely in the target market for this product.

Compared with a Topps Heritage Base Card

Check, check. Check 2, yeah.

Oh brother.

I went looking for some steals and deals on eBay, and this checklist caught my eye.

I need the Larsen, too, kid!

Mostly unmarked, fairly clean, and most importantly, this was cheap! I only have two more cards to go, both Yankees pitchers. Whitey Ford, and Don Larsen. I might get them on eBay, but I'm in no hurry. Instead, I think I will try my luck at the next card show in October. Maybe I can finish the set this year after all!

Shiny Happy People II

It was a good round yesterday, and since I hadn't purchased many new cards lately, I figured I would go for round two of Chrome vs. Optic.

There were a couple things new to me since last time, This insert was not in the last in any form. I think the pic might be *gasp* photoshopped.

The retail specific Pink refractors - Johnny Cueto is one of my favorite current players.

And the purple prizms from Optic - I have a confession. There are some players that I collect under the radar. They aren't really advertised by me as player collections, but I will always set them aside and keep them out of the trade pile. Ian Happ was one of last year's top prospects that I added to that category, a "super secret PC" guy.

Javy Baez is another super secret PC guy, don't worry, they aren't all Cubs!

Polanco and Frazier are repeats from the purple parallels earlier in this pack.

besides having the MLB license, the other unique to Topps element are horizontal cards.

Donruss carries on the tradition of Rated Rookies and Diamond Kings.

The two standard prizms/refractors from these packs... 

Another new insert for these packs - Hunter is another super secret PC Guy!

The only "hit" from either day - this Rio Ruiz autograph is numbered to /150.

So, who won the pack wars, Optic or Chrome? Pretend that Optic hasn't been disqualified for not having a license.

Shiny Happy People

The Playoffs are just a month away, most of the card products have now hit the selves. We're right in the thick of gimmick season, so that means Topps Chrome and Donruss Optic.

Target had hanging packs of both Chrome and Optic for the first time in my neighborhood, after weeks of the card aisle being bone dry. Both companies had special retail packs.

For Topps Chrome, there were 3 special pink refractors in the hanging multi-pack.

Donruss offered even one more card, 4 purple refractors in their hanging pack.

The 4 best base cards from Topps. Miffed that Schmipf is rocking the rookie cup here but not on his Series 2 base card. Am I going to have half regular, half chrome in my rookie cup binder? Maybe.

Best 4 base cards from Optic. Gary Sanchez is the least offensive, since you probably wouldn't see any logos on a catcher in full gear anyway. The team colors are closer to being accurate than in years past, so that's an improvement. Donruss still mixes in retired players in their base set.

Regular old refractor - Holliday's base card came in the same pack out of 5 cards.

Regular old "Prizm," Nolan was a unique card in the hanging pack.

My vote for best card in the Optic pack 

And hey look, this big galoot.

Pucketts With Extras from A Shoebox Legend

Shane of Shoebox Legends fame swapped PWEs with me this summer, I made out like a bandit with three new to me Pucketts.

Nick Gordon is making steady progress through the minor league system, though he might run into a roadblock at the MLB level with Dozier and Jorge Polanco in the middle infield.

Learn something new everyday! This is my first Steve Singleton card, he went to the University of San Diego (just like Kris Bryant and fellow Twin Anthony Slama). Singleton advanced as far as AAA in the Twins system, but was released mid season in 2011. He signed with the Phillies, played on their Single-A and AA teams, and was done playing pro ball after that season. He's currently the hitting coach for the Twins Single-A Fort Myers Miracle, managed by Doug Mientkiewicz.

Old school mid 80s Jersey, back when Puck was a speed guy first and foremost.

So many inserts in the 90s! I've now collected over 400 different Puckett cards and that's still only about 15 percent of his total cards! Big thanks to Shane for helping make a dent in that number.