Gint-a-Cuffs IV: Packs 17-24: The Finale

Here's the final 3rd in the box, in which I turn into a mustachioed gentleman and decide to not be a professional bowler

Pack 17
95: Felix Hernandez
176: Babe Ruth (Yankee) -1
100: Troy Tulowitzki
103: Alexei Ogando
55: Colin Montgomerie
Baseball Highlight Sketches BH-12 Justin Verlander +5
Mini Black Border 196 Lou Gehrig +2
303: Ivan Nova +1

Pack 17 Total: 7
Box Total: 135

Pack 18
64: Matt Latos
32: Ben Zobrist
53: Hisashi Iwakuma
242: Alfonso Soriano
263: Jason Motte
Historical Turning Points HTP20 Agricultural Revolution +3
Mini Musical Masters MM-3 Beethoven +3
320: Jonathan Papelbon (Phillie) +3

Pack 18 Total: 9
Box Total: 144

Pack 19
68: Rickie Weeks
297: Justin Morneau
110: Heath Bell +2
244: Brett Anderson
146: Josh Beckett
Historical Turning Points HTP10 Discovery of Electricity +3
Mini A&G Back SP 301 Adron Chambers +7
311 Bob Gibson +2

Pack 19 Total: 14
Box Total: 158

Pack 20
117: Nick Swisher (Yankee) -1
180: Tim Federowicz
126: Justin Masterson
267: Naftali Feliz
105: Arnold Palmer
97: Max Scherzer
Mini A&G Back 153 Robinson Cano +1
What's in a Name WIN65 Nick Swisher +1

Pack 20 Total: 1
Box Total: 159

Pack 21
2: Juan Pierre (Phillie) +1
29: Hanley Ramirez
37: James McDonald
27: Ricky Nolasco
114: Johan Santana
Code Card Deputy Danny Young +3
317: Jason Heyward +2
No mini!?

Pack 21 Total: 6
Box Total: 165

Pack 22
189: Lance Berkman
118: Carl Yastrzemski
194: JJ Hardy
152: Ryan Vogelsong
31: Jackie Robinson
116: Brandon Beachy
People of the Bible PB-1 David +3
What's in a Name WIN98 Whitey Ford +1

Pack 22 Total: 4
Box Total: 169

Pack 23
183: Darwin Barney
169: Mark Teixeira (Yankee) -1
248: Jed Lowrie
187: John Axford
Relic Jordan Zimmermann +10
Mini 62 Michael Cuddyer
What's in a Name WIN26 Orlando Cepeda +2

Pack 23 Total: 11
Box Total: 180

Pack 24
145: Drew Storen
36: Kirk Herbstreit
234: Carlos Lee
149: Wilson Ramos
157: Roger Federer
World's Tallest Buildings WTB5 1 World Trade Center +3
Mini 347 SP Matt Garza +3
340: Marty Hogan +2

Pack 24 Total: 8
Box Total: 188

And so ends the Gint-a-Cuffs.  I kept my streak alive of not reaching 200 points ever.

Group Break Box D: 2010 Panini Century Collection Box 1

Here is the first box of one of the quirkiest brands I've ever opene: 2010 Panini Century Collection.  There are subjects from all major and non-major sports plus each box seems to come with a Hollywood relic and astronaut relic.

The choice order for this box is

1. Brad
2. Arno
3. Brad
4. Brad
5. Arno

There was an extra hit in the box, so this will go into the end of break draft.  It says only 5 cards per box, but we received 6.

 Sally Ride Astronaut Stamp/Relic 74/100: Sally Ride was the first woman in space and died only last month.  A true pioneer.

 Lou Brock Stamp/Relic/Auto 4/10: Lou Brock was a member of the 3000 hit club and the charter member of the 900 SB club(20th century edition).

 Minnie Minoso Bat Relic 194/250: Read here for information on his career.

 Eddie Murray Jersey Relic 56/250: One of the few with 3000 hits and 500 HR in his career, "Steady Eddie" was a certain HOFer.

 James Cagney Relic 21/250:  One of the top screen legends of all time, won best actor in 1942 for his role in Yankee Doodle Dandy.

Bobby Doerr Button Relic/Auto 4/4:  Boston Red Sox HOFer played from 1937-1951 and was a 9 time AS.  Had 6 100 RBI seasons and a career OPS+ of 115.   Plus, there's a button.

Group Break Results, Box C: 2011 Leaf Valiant Box 2

Now we come to the 2nd of 2 Leaf Valiant boxes. This time I showcase how badly I identify different colors. Here are the order of choices for this box break:

 1. Jason
2. Arno
3. Jason
4. Jason
5. Dan
6. Arno
7-10 open

 I was pleased with the results, I hope the rest of you were also.

Joe Panik Blue Parallel Auto 15/99: Age 21, 1st round pick in 2011 draft, currently on Giants A club, 2nd ranked prospect in Giants organization.

Kolten Wong Black Parallel Auto 4/5: Age 21, 1st round pick in 2011 draft, currently on Cardinals AA club, 4th ranked prospect in Cardinals organization.

Robbie Ray  Auto: Age 20,  currently on Nationals A club, 9th ranked prospect in Nationals organization.

Daniel Norris Auto: Age 19, currently on Blue Jays Rookie club, 5th ranked prospect in Blue Jays organization.

Granden Goetzman Blue Parallel Auto 23/99: Age 19,  currently on Rays Rookie club, 17th ranked prospect in Rays organization.

Francisco Lindor Auto SP Shortprint list:  Age 18, 1st round pick in 2011 draft, currently on Indians A club, 1st ranked prospect in Indians organization.

Marcus Knecht  Auto: Age 22,  currently on Blue Jays A club, 21st ranked prospect in Blue Jays organization.

Starling Marte Auto: Age 23, currently on Priates MLB club (DL), 4th ranked prospect in Pirates organization.

Jose Fernandez Auto: (I think this info's right, there were multiple Jose Fernandezes) Age 19, 1st round pick in 2011 draft, currently on Marlins A club, 3rd ranked prospect in Marlins organization.

JJ Hoover Auto: Age 24, 1st round pick in 2011 draft, currently on Reds AAA club, 7th ranked prospect in Braves organization before trade.

Gint-a-Cuffs IV: Packs 9-16

We continue the showing of the cards with borders that look like Roman columns.

Pack 9

137: George Brett
14: Nick Markakis
158: Melky Cabrera
88: Stan Musial
139: Tim Hudson
130: Madison Bumgarner
Mini A&G Back 216 Corey Hart +2
What's in a Name WIN100 Zack Greinke +2

Pack 9 Total: 4
Box Total: 60


Pack 10
215: Dan Haren
279: Brett Gardner (Yankee) -1
94: Geovany Soto
206: Joey Votto
5: David Price +2
4: Yu Darvish
Mini 75: Erin Andrews
What's in a Name WIN86: Dan Haren +2

Pack 10 Total: 3
Box Total: 63

Pack 11

181: Joe Dimaggio (Yankee) -1
76: Michael Bourn
52: Cameron Maybin
196: Lou Gehrig (Yankee) -1
20: Miguel Montero
Historical Turning Points: HTP1 Signing of the DofI +3
Mini A&G Back 69 Kurt Suzuki +2
334: Adrian Beltre +2

Pack 11 Total: 5
Box Total: 68

Pack 12
43: Josh Johnson
69: Kurt Suzuki
216: Corey Hart
30: Carlos Zambrano
153: Robinson Cano (Yankee) -1
204: Adam Dunn
Mini 93: Jose Bautista +3
What's in a Name WIN22 Matt Kemp +4

Pack 12 Total: 6
Box Total: 74

Pack 13
21: Matt Moore
160: Shane Victorino (Phillie) +1
20: Miguel Montero
196: Lou Gehrig (Yankee) -1
Mini World's Greatest Military Leaders Leonidas +3
Mini Printing Plate Adrian Beltre +27
What;s in a Name WIN81 Coco Crisp +2

Pack 13 Total: 32
Box Total: 106

Pack 14
281: Matt Cain
60: Reggie Jackson (Yankee) -1
140: Mike Trout
90: Roy Halladay (Phillie) +1
56: Jordan Pacheco
Baseball Highlight Sketches BH-19 Carlton Fisk +3
Mini A&G Back 30 Carlos Zambrano +2
301: Adron Chambers +2

Pack 14 Total: 7
Box Total: 113

Pack 15
82: Giancarlo Stanton
266: Carlos Ruiz (Phillie) +1
72: Joakim Soria
259: Wade Davis
231: Todd Helton
World's Tallest Building WTB4 Willis Tower +3
Black Border Mini 52 Cameron Maybin +3
344: Matt Dominguez +2

Pack 15 Total: 9
Box Total: 122

Pack 16
300: Roberto Clemente
156: Trevor Cahill
128: Andrew McCutchen
188: Tommy Milone
48: Jordan Walden
Baseball Highlight Sketches BH-2 Tom Seaver +3
Mini 226 Jim Thome (Phillie) +1
341: Colby Lewis +2

Pack 16 Total: 6
Box Total: 128

2/3 down, 1/3 to go.

Group Break Results, Box B: 2011 Leaf Valiant Box 1

Here's the first box of 2011 Leaf Valiant, a prospect and draft auto product, it promises 10 autos per box.

Break is sponsored by Blowout Cards.

The order of choices for this box is

1. Jason
2. Tim
3. Jason
4. Dan
5. Brad
6. Dan
7-10 not selected until the end.

Kelvin Herrera Auto: Age 22, currently on Royals MLB club, 6th ranked prospect in Royals organization.

Jiwan James Auto: Age 23, currently on Phillies AA club, 20th ranked prospect in Phillies organization

Robert Stephenson Blue Parallel Auto 99/99: Age 19, 1st round pick in 2011 draft, currently on Reds A club, 4th ranked prospect in Reds organization.

Taylor Guerrieri Auto: Age 19, 1st round pick in 2011 draft, currently on Rays A club, 5th ranked prospect in Rays organization.

Travis Harrison Auto: Age 19, 1st round pick in 2011 draft, currently on Twins Rookie League club, 11th ranked prospect in Twins organization.

Anthony Rendon Auto: Age 22, 1st round pick in 2011 draft, currently on Nationals AA club, 2nd ranked prospect in Nationals organization.

Felix Sterling Blue Parallel Auto 31/99: Age 19,  currently on Indians A club, 8th ranked prospect in Indians organization.

 Brandon Short Blue Parallel Auto 89/99: Age 23,  currently on White Sox A club,outside top 20 of White Sox organization

Jeremy Moore Auto: Age 24, , currently on Angels AAA club, 14th ranked prospect in Angels organization.

Heath Hembree Auto: Age 23, currently on Giants AAA club, 5th ranked prospect in Giants organization.

Group Break Results, Box A: 2011 Leaf Ink

Here are the results of the first group break box, 2011 Leaf Ink. This group break has been sponsored by Blowout Cards.  I was very pleased with the service I received from them in procuring these boxes.

On to the cards....

2011 Leaf Ink is a pure buyback product. They inserted 4 slabbed autographed cards from various years and players plus one cut signature card per box. There is no formal checklist for the product.

Check out the video and then the scans below (you get to hear such scintillating commentary in the video....)

For the break, the order of choices is

1. Tim
2. Dan
3. Brad
4. Dan
5. Brad

Leave your options in the comments or send me an e-mail.

Here are the cards.

 1980 Topps Bill Buckner Auto: Did you know Buckner played 22 seasons? And was an exactly league average (OPS+ of 100) over his career?

 1964 Topps Russ Nixon Auto: It seems like catchers are the most likely of positions to become a manager.

 1966 Topps Bob Saverine Auto:  Was a utility player for the Orioles and Senators in the '60s and was nicknamed "Rabbit"

 1970 Topps Jim Bunning Auto: One of the first to win 100 games in both leagues (first was Cy Young).  The HOFer is best known for his years in Detroit and Philadelphia. He pitched a perfect game on Father's Day in 1964.

 Cut Auto "Bots" Nekola: Francis Joseph "Bots" Nekola played for the Yankees during the 1929 season, pitching in 9 games as a reliever.  He also played for Detroit in 1933.  He became a scout after his playing career and was responsible for signing Carl Yastrzemski for the Red Sox.

Gint-a-Cuffs IV: Boxtopper and Packs 1-8

I was pleasantly surprised with the Ginter this year, and I'm here to defend my 3 time bottom quartile finishes.  I'm going for the bare bones approach this year since it might change my luck...who am I kidding, there's no such thing as luck in Gint-a-Cuffs; it's all skill.

BoxTopper: N43: Matt Moore +5

Pack 1

49: Jeremy Hellickson
79: Yoenis Cespedes
200: Matt Kemp +2
Code Card: Lennie's Wallet +3
9: Yonder Alonso
222: Yovani Gallardo
Mini Man's Best Friend Poodle +3
326: Logan Morrison +2

Pack 1+Boxtopper Total: 15
Box Total: 15

Pack 2
18: Kevin Youkilis
Code Card: Jack Guttman +3
57: Michael Pineda (Yankee) -1
212: Ken Griffey Jr +2
208: Martin Prado
217: Brian Wilson
Mini 35 David Ortiz
331: Carl Crawford +2

Pack 2 Total: 6
Box Total: 21

Pack 3
123: Adam Lind
45: Ewa Mataya
172: Chris Perez
213: Joe Nathan
154: Bob Hurley Sr
74: Johnny Cueto
Mini 142: Jose Reyes
What's in a Name WIN60 Jay Bruce +2

Pack 3 Total: 2
Box Total: 23

Pack 4
160: Shane Victorino (Phillie) +1
21: Matt Moore
296: Mark Trumbo
274: Derek Jeter (Yankees) -1
144: Joe Benson
63: Zach Britton
Mini 61: Richard Petty
What;s in a Name WIN42 Cal Ripken Jr. +2

Pack 4 Total: 2
Box Total: 25

Pack 5
199: Ricky Romero
75: Erin Andrews
238: Austin Jackson
205: Ryan Zimmerman
211: Keegan Bradley
11: Eric Hosmer
Mini 175 Luke Hochevar
What's in a Name WIN 96 Ozzie Smith +2

Pack 5 Total: 2
Box Total: 27

Pack 6
186: Jemile Weeks
260: Alex Liddi
107: CJ Wilson
120: Mariano Rivera (Yankee) -1
295: Drew Pomeranz
168: Jason Kipnis
Mini SP 327: Jon Lester +3
What;s in a Name WIN94 Reggie Jackson (Yankees) +1

Pack 6 Total:3
Box Total: 30

Pack 7
28: Dustin Ackley
197: Ty Cobb
264: Brian McCann
102: Huston Street
99: Sandy Koufax
World's Tallest Buildings Chrysler Building +3
Mini Guys in Hats GH-5 Pith Helmet +4
310: Russell Martin (Yankees) +1

Pack 7 Total: 8
Box Total: 38

Pack 8
147: Tsuyoshi Nishioka
121: David Wright +2
255: Dayan Viciedo
246: Torii Hunter
Relic Vernon Wells +10
Mini A&G Back 43 Josh Johnson +2
What's in a Name WIN23 Giancarlo Stanton +2

Pack 8 Total: 16
Box Total: 56

Well, at least I'll break 100.

Charlie OBrien´s Legacy

I´m sure growing up that Charlie O´Brien used to hear comparisons to Johnny Bench all the time.   It´s not that he could profess to be Johnny Bench, it´s that there were two very striking similarities.  They both were catchers from Oklahoma, and therein lies the comparison that could not be avoided.  He did 25 home runs in one season in high school.

O´Brien did get a late start, not getting his first minor league experience until the age of 22, and became one my favorite types of players, an almost perrenial back-up catcher skilled at throwing out basestealers.  He had a career caught stealing % of 37% and when he qualified, finished 1st or 2nd in the league three times over his 15 year career.  In 1997, he threw out an obscene 55% of runners attempting a steal, gunning down 31 basestealers in only 69 games.

Alas, the superstar heritage did not extend to O´Brien, though he did enjoy a long and fruitful 15 year career.  He backed up such luminaries Mike Heath, BJ Surhoff, Mackey Sasser, Rick Cerone, Javy Lopez, and Benito Santiago.  But his lasting legacy, the one which he will be remembered for, is showcased on the 1998 Collector´s Choice card above.

Do you see the helmet?  O´Brien was the catcher who came up with the idea and then helped to construct the first ones.  Now, getting hit on the side of the head by a foul tip were incidents of the past.  O´Brien, as a backup catcher and idea man, protected his team and all catchers to come.  If you ever wondered why, catcher masks look so much like hockey helmets, the catcher playing for Toronto in 1997 was the reason why.

Round 0 begins: The Saga of Price Laughton

The Search for a Baseball Team for Willow Cove

Having been newly widowed and the business of Willow Cove languishing without her husband's death, Price Laughton decided that the best way to inject life back into her favorite town was to find a baseball team.  She wanted one with a connection to her heritage (a mixture of Greek and Scottish principally) and set about her quest.  

Her favorite vacation spot was always in the Aegean isles....it's where she and Thomas first met.  She just had to close her eyes and picture the warm swells of the Mediterranean lapping against her feet and intake the sharp salty air through her nostrils to remember times gone by.    She had also begun small investments in olive groves before her husband's demise, but that was business....baseball for Willow Cove was personal. 

She researched each of the team's histories diligently and settled upon the acquisition of the Baltimore Orioles.  They have come upon hard times recently, but she figured that Peter Angelos, the current owner, would want to only sell the team to someone with a deep love for heritage like himself.  The Orioles had also been friendly to players of Greek heritage in both the past and present with Nick Markakis, Milt Pappas, and Gus Triandos having been a part of Orioles history.  She thought it would be easy; play up the commonality in heritage and love for baseball, show a business blueprint for team success with her inheritance and the plans that she and Thomas had discussed and see the Orioles become the Willow Cove rallying point.

The city council already was backing the proposal, having been thrown into chaos by the recent town upheaval and the stadium referendum was passed with little opposition.  She also contributed 50% of the cost herself.  Soon, she had everyone in the town decked out in black and orange to show that there is pre-support and always will be for an Orioles franchise in Willow Cove.  She also enlisted Cal Ripken, Boog Powell, and Chris Hoiles as consultants and boosters for the move.  She knew how much they loved being in Baltimore, but persuaded them with charm and a keen, piercing intellect and foresight abilities.

Alas, it was not to be.  Angelos would not sell or move.  No words could move him.  Price and Willow Cove were distraught but resolved.  It will come to pass even if there were many more olive oil presses in the Greek isles before it was done.