You Can't See Me: Alex Presley 2013 Camo

I recently showed off my 1st Pink Topps card.  Today, I'm going to show off my 1st camo card.  The camo parallels are new to the 2013 Topps set.  They're numbered out of 99 copies and can fetch some big bucks for star players.  Star players don't include Alex Presley though who sold for $3 shipped.

Even though Alex was mainly used as a 4th outfielder/pinch runner during his time in Pittsburgh, he was one of my favorites to root for.  Alex was traded at the end of August along with a PTBNL for Justin Morneau.  After the game that Justin had a couple nights ago which he pretty much single handly won the game for the Bucs, I'm more than ok with that trade.  Since being traded Alex has been batting .302 over 15 games for the Twins.

I'm in love, I'm all shook up

It's Valentine's Day!
Time to remember your significant other and spoil them with chocolates, flowers, stuffed animals, and jewelry.
Or in my case...take them to see Rascal Flatts.

I'm going to be away for a few days.

Alex Presley & Andrew McCutchen 2012 Leaf Limited Match-Ups Dual Auto 34/49

In the mean time, enjoy this dual auto of Presley and Cutch numbered 34/49 that I picked up before my six month sabbatical last year.

On a side note, my Andrew McCutchen collection page has been updated EXCLUDING AUTOs and RELICS.  I will add my "hits" to the PC page in the next week or so.  If you think that you have a Cutch hit that I don't already have please see my Cutch Hits Page to verify.
 

Speed kills

Alex Presley already has a stand up inside the park homerun this year.

He's beaten out a countless number of infield singles including one that was a walkoff winner.

Last night he caused some havoc on the base paths when he pinched hit in the 9th inning and got a seeing eye single then stole second and third on passed balls by the Nationals catcher.  Because he was able to advance so easily, I believe it got in Nationals closer head that he needed to stay away from the breaking balls and throw hard fastballs.  That lead to a blistering walkoff homerun by Rod Barajas in the bottom of the 9th inning with 2 outs and Presley on 3rd.  

Many hitters these days look at the ball on instinct rather than immediately hustling out of the box.  Alex hustles all the time. ALL THE TIME! The guy can flat out fly around the bases and in the outfield. 

Here's my 2011 Playoff Season Ticket AUTO of Alex Presley I purchased on ebay.  I've only seen a handful of these show up and the card is not numbered, but I'm guessing it had a low print run.  I picked it up for $11 shipped. 

I love watching this guy fly around the bases.  Here's a tribute of Alex from last year showing off some of his highlights from his rookie season.

The Pirates will face off against the Nationals again today in game 2 of the 3 game series.

Pulled a hit from 2011 Bowman Draft Picks

Last night, while at Wal-Mart I was shopping and on a whim decided to pick up a blaster of 2011 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects.  The blaster contained 7 packs for $19.99.  I normally don't like to buy blasters unless they're reduced.  However, on an impulse I picked it up along with a few other things I went shopping for.

I don't have time to go through every single card or break it down by the pack, but here's some of the highlights.  First up is the gold bordered cards inserted 1 per pack. 

Next are the refractors.  None are numbered.

 An Alex Dickerson Bowman Chrome for the PC

 2 Pirates rookie cards.  I expect both Tony Watson and Alex Presley to be key players for the Pirates this coming season

 and finally a hit.....

Jurickson Profar All-Star Futures Game jersey card.  Jurickson has the makings of being a solid MLB player for the future.  I just wonder if he will ever get the chance since Elvis Andrus is such a key player for that lethal Texas offense.

If anyone wants any of the cards above, just let me know.

As an additional note, the Penguins ended their 6 game losing streak.  Congratulations to Evgeni Malkin for making the All-Star team.  Here's a 2011 Pinnacle City Limits gold jersey card I won a few months ago that hadn't been posted yet.  This card is numbered 468/499.

Elvis has entered the building

Alex Presley aka Elvis is back in the big leagues.  Alex won Pittsburgh's Minor League Player of the Year in 2010.  He hit very well in AA & AAA last year before becoming a September call up and legging out a couple bases.  He continued being a hitting machine in AAA until being called up when Jose Tabata when on the DL in late June.  He was the most consistent hitter the Pirates had during their incredible July run to become leaders of the NL Central.  Shortly after Presley and Chase D'Arnaud went on the DL, the Pirates started to skid out of contention.

Now Alex is back in the lineup along with Jose Tabata and Andrew McCutchen in the outfield.  That's a lot of speed patrolling the outfield.  In addition Chase D'arnaud has rejoined the team.  The team's speed is back in the lineup and I suspect that they will start to get back on track and end the season at or very close to .500.