It Takes a Blogosphere

I've been a busy blogger lately... and I'll be publishing more posts than usual in the upcoming weeks to prove it.

Today's post will target my 2024 Topps Series 1, 2, and Update set builds which received a huge boost this week from two bloggers:  Dennis (@ Too Many Verlanders) and John (@ Johnny's Trading Spot).

To help put things into perspective, here are all of the numbers they crossed off:

And here is an updated look at my set needs:

These two generous donations have my Series 1/2 set build down to needing only 14 cards (2%) and 2 cards (.6%) for the Update set build.

These singles were only a fraction of each of their care packages.  Dennis sent me a really interesting collectible for my Tony Gwynn collection that will receive its own post.  While John sent me a smorgasbord of trading cards for a variety of collections that I'll highlight very soon.

Today's focus is about building sets, so I'll wrap things up with a few other singles from Dennis are for sets I'm currently working on.

2020 Topps Allen & Ginter:  Not Complete

I started this set a little over four years ago with a blaster and a nice stack from my buddy.  A few other bloggers have contributed over the years.  These four are the latest additions: 

I'm still fifty-one cards short, but only a percentage of them are short prints: 

Set Completion Prediction:  2027 to 2028

I just need to find a nickel box filled with singles from this set... which might not happen for a few years.

2002 Donruss Estrellas Estrellas:  Complete

2002 Donruss Super Estrellas Estrellas #5

This Nomar completed the Estrellas insert set... but I'm still seeking a few others to complete the 2002 Donruss Super Estrellas master set:

Set Completion Prediction:  2026

This is just a matter of me opening up the wallet and purchasing singles from COMC or Sportlots.  Unfortunately... I'm not one of those guys who are willing to pay more than a buck for any of these cards, so it's a waiting game.

1992 Pro Set HOF 2000: Complete

1992 Pro Set HOF 2000 #1

Just needed one card to complete this set... and it was Marcus.

This set build is officially over.

1995 Classic Assets Phone Cards:  Complete

I think this set build started with a box break... but I'm not 100% sure.  I'm also not 100% sure why I needed two copies of the Jeff O'Neill, but according to my wantlist... I did.

And that's what Dennis sent my way:

1995 Classic Assets Phone Card #NNO

Unlike the 1992 Pro Set HOF 2000 set, this set build wasn't in my cabinet and according to my database... it's buried in a box under a lot of other boxes in my closet.  I usually reorganize my collection once a year during the spring or summer.  I'll add these to the set build(s) when that happens.

1993 Donruss Masters of the Game:  Complete

I'm always excited to complete a set, but some sets are a little more exciting than others.  I was really stoked to see this card in Dennis' care package:

1993 Donruss Masters of the Game #4

First off, it's a cool set that I hope to show off in a post eventually.  Yeah... I like it that much.

But it's also an oversized set, so I'm glad to finally take it out of my set build cupboard and make room for other projects.

1986 Topps Garbage Pail Kids Series 4:  Complete

Almost 13 years ago, I made one of my favorite card show purchases... a collection of Garbage Pail Kids from the 80's that included complete sets from Series 2 to Series 10.

1986 Topps Garbage Pail Kids Series 4 #158b

Unfortunately, there were five cards missing from the Series 4 set.  Don't remember where or when I picked up the first four cards I needed... but this IG Lou completes the collection:

However... just like the Classic Asset phone cards... this binder is sitting in a box that needs to be unearthed.  I know where it is, but won't be able to dig it out until the spring.

So there you have it... a bunch of set builds and a lot of generosity from two awesome bloggers.  Both of these guys actually sent more stuff.  These were just cards of the set building variety.  I'll definitely showcase the other items from their care packages in the next few weeks.

Until then...

Thank you John and Dennis!

Happy Saturday and sayonara!

Round 2

Last weekend I showed off the big box filled with presents that Ryan (SumoMenkoMan) sent me.  It's literally a handmade advent calendar that he put together for me.  I honestly have no idea what I've done to deserve this generosity and thoughtfulness, but I'm truly grateful.

My goal was to follow the advent calendar rules and open up a present each day of December leading up to Christmas.  Unfortunately, this week was a little busier than normal, so they all sat in the box until this afternoon.

Today's post recaps my advent calendar binge busting with the next seven days in the calendar...

Day 8:  NPB Snack Packs

At first glance, these might look like packs of baseball cards.  They are actually snack packs filled with Japanese rice crackers, sometimes referred to as "chili bits" or "arare":

I've been snacking on these since I was a kid.  In fact I just bought a bag a few weeks ago and they're sitting in my desk at work.  These were from the eight bags that were in the advent calendar.

Each snack pack came with one pack of cards attached to the back:

I opened all eight snack packs and seven of the card packs.  I kept one pack intact for my unopened pack collection.

Each pack contains one card that looks something like this:

2024 Bandai Pro Baseball Deforme Card Collection #BDC1-HO1

This one has a gold refractor tint to it, so I used it for the sample.  Here are the other six cards I pulled:

The only name I recognized is Tsuyoshi Wada.  He pitched for the Chicago Cubs a few years ago.

If you're interested in reading more about this set, click here.  Sean over at Getting Back into Baseball Cards... in Japan wrote a post about them back in July.


Day #9:  Antique Tin w/Cards

Next up is an antique tin:

According to Ryan, kids in Japan would often store their cards in tins like these.  If you're wondering if this one contained any cards... it did:

Let's start with the really old stuff:

I have no idea who these gentlemen are... but I'm guessing they celebrities.

He also included two more vintage cards and seven phone cards from Japan:

Here's a peek at the back of one of these phone cards:

I've seen these on Ryan's blog and YouTube channel and I'm stoked to add them to my collection.

Day #10:  Non-Sports Promo Cards

He knows that I'm a big fan of 90's sports card promos, but he wasn't sure if I collected non-sport promo cards like these:

The simple answer is "heck yeah"!  I collect promo cards of any subject from any decade.  But I'm especially fond of promo cards from sets I'd actually love to own like this one:

2021 RRParks Ultraman Series One Promo #P1

Like those rice crackers... I've been a fan of Ultraman since I was a little kid.  I had no idea this set existed, but now that I know it's out there... I want one.

Day #11:  Japanese Calligraphy

This is a canvas board with some Japanese writing on it.  It says "Destiny".  I believe that certain things in my life have happened for a reason.  Can't say for sure if starting a blog and building a friendship is one of those things, but regardless I'm very grateful that's the way things played out.

Day #12:  Twelve Vintage Planes

My interest in Japan transcends trading cards... which is why I was stoked to find this:

It's a sealed package of decals/stickers that look older than me (and I'm old).  I could open it up and look for a date, but something this old should be preserved.

Day #13:  Ohtani Tea

One of my favorite beverages is green tea.  Ryan sent me two bottles of it:

These are extra special, because they're endorsed by this year's National League MVP... Mr. Ohtani:

I've already opened up one of these bottles.  It paired well with the chili bits from Day #8.

Day #14:  Potentially Rare Insert Cards

Ryan write a note for each present in the box.  His message on this envelope said "People threw these out so now they are more rare than the regular cards".  

Kinda makes you wonder if Tom over at The Angels, In Order is onto something.

Here's my favorite of the bunch:

1996 Upper Deck Meet the Stars Trivia Challenge #72

Do you know the answer?  

Perkins started his career in Dallas.  Payton and Kemp hadn't been in the league for ten years when this card was released, so McMillan would be the correct answer.  Unfortunately this contest ended over twenty-five years ago.  I wonder if anyone ever got a chance to meet MJ.

Well that wraps up the Part 2 of Ryan's 2024 Advent Calendar.

Thank you Ryan!  Love the variety of gifts, the tasty snacks, and appreciate the time and effort you put into this advent calendar.  Totally awesome bro!

Happy Saturday and sayonara!