McCutchen Mailday #130-134: more rookies, relics, and photo variants

I joined a Gypsy Queen case break in hopes of hitting some Cutch parallels or maybe a big Clemente hit. Neither happened so I ended up using some extra eBay bucks on the cards you see below.

Up first is this 2005 Heritage red back mini.

Next up is the 2016 Gypsy Queen photo variant along with the Copper parallel of MLB Debut and a Spring Fever card from 2016.

The final card received is a Donruss Bat Kings relic from 2015.

As I type this on the 102nd day of the year (April 11th) I am on pace for hitting the 400 mark of adding new Cutch cards to the PC.
As you can see I will be very far behind with my blogging as life gets in the way.

I am 4 months behind posting. While I have definitely slowed down with buying Cutch cards, I have still added over 225 new cards to the PC so far this year with some big ones recently added (8 new 1/1s and more on the way).

Pops, Mad Dog, the Cobra, and the R-O-Y

If only it could have been Teke or Omar Moreno that appeared on this card instead of Jason Bay

Don't get me wrong, I love Jason Bay, but adding someone else from the 1979 We Are Family Pirates would have been a lot better.

This eBay 1/1 or as normal people should call it 100/100 was purchased using some eBay bucks a few months ago.

The problem I always have when adding multiplayer cards I collect is who to file them under. Normally it goes into this kind of ranking
1)PC player (Cutch or Morton)
2)Hall of Fame credentials (then by Year of induction)
3)Number of MVPs or Cy Youngs
4)Number of All-Star Games
5)Pick a player, any player

So since this card doesn't feature Cutch, I filed it under Pops because he was inducted into the Hall of Fame and the other 3 players have not (although Dave Parker could arguably be considered since his stats are nearly identical to HoFer Jim Rice).

My 1st Jackie Robinson relic with special guest Roberto Clemente

Today is a historically recognized day for not just baseball, but America as a whole. As we all know Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier on this day.

This is my first relic of Jackie and it also happens to feature one of the pioneers in Latin American ballplayers too.

The back describes it perfectly

McCutchen Mailday #78, 79 and 80: More Donruss!!!!

A test proof and a base card join the Bat King relic in today's post.

What's odd is that I don't have the 2015 Bat King relic yet, but have grabbed the 2016 already.

Time to go look for that 2015 Bat King...

McCutchen Mailday #61: Big Time Addition to the PC

The Pirates have several alumni that are widely recognized as being some of the All Time Greats (Honus Wagner, Roberto Clemente, and Willie Stargell). When you look at the game today, Cutch could join that list one day.

I've seen several different versions that combined Cutch in Heritage Clubhouse Collection before, but getting Cutch with Clemente and Stargell is the best of the versions available.  No disrespect to Wagner, Kiner, and Mazeroski but this group of ballplayers is the Trinity to me.

Speaking of Trinity, I saw Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice this week. I have mixed feelings on it. I love the idea of bringing the DC Comics Trinity together, but to me it just seems forced unlike what Marvel is doing with their Avengers stories.

Just a pair of random relics as the year draws near the end

2015 is coming to an end and I have drastically cut down on my cardboard spending during December.  All said though, i managed to grab some incredible cards this year including nearly 40 1/1s of Cutch, several handsfull of Charlie Morton cards, and even some nice vintage i needed.

Here's a smattering of random relics I picked up recently. It's nothing special, but I do like the unique batting practice cap of Jason Kendall.

McCutchen Mailday #248: Who's the Best????

Andrew McCutchen
Mike Trout
Jacoby Ellsbury
Adam Jones

Who's the best all around centerfielder in the game today?
In 2014 Topps Museum begged us to ask that question when they placed these stars together on a single piece of cardboard.  Trout is by far the best with Jones and Cutch 2A and 2B if you ask me.  Adam Jones is a very under rated star in today's game.  His numbers have been consistent with Cutch's numbers each year, but for some reason more fans think that Cutch is significantly better.

The main reason I finally decided to pony up on this card was the patch for Cutch.  I've seen a lot of versions of this with Ellsbury patches, but rarely does a Cutch patch pop up on this card.  Since he's the main player I collect, I needed a nice version of black and gold on it.

In terms of contracts, it appears that the Pirates got the most value for their buck in extending Cutch before the 2012 season.  Here's a breakdown of the players depicted on this card current contract status.

Andrew McCutchen thru 2017 (6 years/$51mil) team option 2018
Adam Jones thru 2018 (6 years/$85 mil)
Jacoby Ellsbury thru 2020 (7 years/$153mil) team option 2021
Mike Trout thru 2020 (6 years/$144mil)

McCutchen Mailday #166: Giancarlo Dual Relic Immaculate

My brother is a Marlins fan.
I'm a Pirates fan.

Both teams were preseason favorites to be playing October baseball.

Both players on this card were thought to be putting up MVP numbers this year.

I guess this card will just be a reminder of what could have been....

This is my 166th new Andrew McCutchen add to the PC in 2015. 

McCutchen Mailday #111 & 112: more Relics!!!!

My Quest to add 100 new Andrew McCutchen cards has yielded some amazing cards this year.  While I can't classify these as groundbreaking I can say that I am very happy to add two more relic cards to my PC of Cutch.

 Topps Tribute used to be one of my favorite releases every year.  That was until they messed it up this year.

Diamond Kings, unlike Topps Tribute this year, completely nailed it.  I absolutely love this release.  Checkout that Studio Portrait of Cutch with dual relic action.  The dual relics are numbered to 99 copies.

McCutchen Mailday #109: Miggy Miggy Miggy can't you see...

Earlier in the week I showed off a dual autograph of Future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera and Jason Bay.  Since I am primarily a team collector I normally don't seek out cards with other players unless a guy I collect appears on the card with them. 

This is a card I feel I must have lost 20+ times over the past year.  Fortunately for me there is 49 copies produced and I finally was able to add this triple bat relic of Future Hall of Famer, Miguel Cabrera, along with Cutch and Joey Votto.

It's my first relic of both Cabrera and Votto and my 30th relic to be added this year in my Quest for 100 new Cutch cards.

O Canada!!!

Canada Day is today and since I have a few new Jose Bautista cards coming in, I thought I should show off my latest Joey Bats.

Hailing from 2015 Diamond Kings is this low numbered (14/15) dual relic auto of the former HR crown winner.

I didn't purchase any boxes or packs of DK but I have been picking up a bunch of singles.

Dave Parker 1/1 Bat Barrel from 2015 Museum

I am always on the hunt for one definitive card of a player I collect.  I now have a grail for my Dave Parker collection.

I've got several bat nameplates in my collection that I have already shown off. This 2015 Topps Museum started a massive purchase of some incredibly sick cards that I have been waiting to show off.

In case you're wondering, yes that is a Dave Parker 1/1 Bat Barrel from 2015 Topps Museum.  I purchased a large lot of cards from a seller and this was the main card in the lot.

He included these two Dave Parker autographs as throw ins to the deal.  Yup, free Cobra autographs as throw-ins...you just can't beat that.

I will be showing off more cards from my purchase in the next few weeks. I got some booklets, 1/1s, dual relics, jumbo jerseys, etc.

McCutchen Mailday #50: Pops & RunPMC!!!!!

One of my collecting goals for 2015 was to add 100 new Andrew McCutchen cards to my collection that I previously didn't have.  I thought this would be a tough task as I would need to add a new Cutch before every fourth day.  I have kicked that goal's ass!!!!  I'm typing this on March 16th (but didn't post until April 29th) and have already added fifty!!!! Yes 5-0!!!!!  It's going to take me awhile to catch up on all these cards I have acquired in the past month using only 1 post per day.

So far in my quest for 100, I've added a handful of 1/1s, a plethora of parallels, and even a handful of autographs!!!!

To celebrate #50...you gotta party!!!!
A Marte Partay seems appropriate!

2015 Heritage Clubhouse Collection 7/10 (Stargell, McCutchen, Marte, Polanco)

Let's welcome Pops and RunPMC (Polanco, Marte, Cutch)

What a sweet piece of cardboard!

Doesn't get much better than this...

Since my blog debuted 4 years ago, I have shown off some pretty impressive Stargell, Clemente, and Mazeroski cards in my collection.  To date though, I never had a card that contained game used relics of all 3 on a single card....until now

A triple bat relic of 3 of the most famous Pittsburgh Pirates to ever play the game.  All 3 players on this card have bronze statues outside PNC Park acknowledging their contributions to the team and city.  The low numbered card was purchased when eBay was running a 10x eBay bucks promotion so it essentially dropped the price a great amount.

Joey Bats Booklet Numbered to 10!!!

Jose Bautista is my favorite non current Pirate.  When I saw this awesome low numbered booklet (only 10 copies) with Joey Bats spelled out, I knew I had to add it to my collection for $11.

I've been wanting to add more Joey Bats cards to my collection this year and this is my first booklet of the former Pirate and former HR Champ.

I also pulled this card in a Target pack recently

If anyone has any Jose Bautista cards they are looking to unload...please hit me up!

Listen to this dog, it's mad!!!!

Bill "Mad Dog" Madlock was an incredible ballplayer in the 70s and  80s.  He was a member of the 1979 World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates, but also said one of the dumbest things ever.

"Two grand slams in a week - man, that's seven or eight ribbies right there."

Topps produced a line of relic cards in their Bazooka series in 2004 and several Pirates have cards in the set.  I showed off the Willie Stargell 3 years ago which you can see here.  I grabbed the foiled version you see above numbered 19/25 for $12.  It's my 8th unique bat relic of the 4 time Batting Title champion.

This is what a high end Hall of Fame Cut Auto should look like...

This week has been a powerhouse week at the PTR. Dont believe me? Go back to Sunday to see how it started.

Last week, I showed off a Roberto Clemente bat relic numbered 6/25.  It was my 15th bat relic of the Hall of Famer.  I stated that I would do a reverse box of 2014 National Treasures this year and will likely have a lot of fun tracking down these high end cards.  The Pirates Pittsburgh Baseball Club is well represented in 2014 National Treasures with current players and Hall of Famers.

One such player that has some great looking Cut Auto Booklets /10 is Hall of Famer Willie Stargell.  Known to the fanbase as Pops for his leadership role on the 1979 World Series Championship team, Stargell has a great signature and for the most part it's also very affordable.

I've seen a handful of Stargell's booklets from National Treasures end up in the $125+ range, but I was fortunate to win this auction for only $81 delivered.  Now you're probably thinking $81 is a lot to spend on one card when you're trying to do a reverse box....and you're right.

I'm currently way over budget at $145 on two cards that my budget for said cards was $106.  I have a lot of ground to make up as I accumulate the remaining 6 cards of my reverse box.  Honestly though, I can't complain about having a HOF cut auto and jumbo bat relic numbered /10 along with a Clemente bat relic numbered /25 for the prices paid though.  I know it sounds crazy to think two cards for $145, but for these two beloved Pittsburgh icons, that's a great deal.

With 3 more guaranteed autographs, and a combination of gem, relic, auto left I know that I will be able to complete the remaining 6 cards for less than $280.  I am allowed to spend $46 per card to finish under the allowed amount.

Savings Start Now!

Reverse Boxin National Treasures 2014: Up First Roberto Clemente

For the past two years I have done reverse boxes of Topps Tribute and it has been an absolute blast trying to get only the cards I want for less than the price of a box.  Last year I also reverse boxed Topps Triple Threads in penny pinching form, combining two boxes worth of cards for the price of one box.

I stated in my 2015 goals that I would reverse box Topps Tribute again this year (unless I despise the checklist), but also wanted to reverse box another high end product.  I have been seeing a lot of hits pop up for 2014 National Treasures and gotta say, I'm hooked.

I will be doing a reverse box for National Treasures this year despite the $425 box price tag.  Every box guarantees 4 autographs, 1 booklet, and a combination of 3 other cards (auto, relic, gem)

Many of the jersey and bat relics are numbered to 99, but for some of the more scarce Hall of Famers, they have relics numbered to 25 or less.

2014 National Treasures 6/25 BAT RELIC

The very first card I received in the mail from my recent eBay winnings is none other than the Great One, Roberto Clemente Walker.  

This bat relic of Roberto marks my 15th unique bat relic of the Hall of Famer and is numbered 6/25.  It cost me more than the $53 allowed per card to make this a successful reverse box, but I have confidence that I can pick up some other Pittsburgh Baseball Club members for a significant amount less than that.  At only $9 over the limit per card, I am feeling pretty good about my chances so far.

That leaves me $363 more to complete the reverse box.  

McCutchen Monday with Special Guests Jose Bautista and Yoenis Cespedes

I've been showing off a fair amount of 2014 Topps Triple Threads as I attempt to do a reverse box for nearly half the price of a box.  Today's addition ran me $25 delivered bringing my grand total to $77 and needing only 2 base cards and a jumbo relic.  These boxes sell for typically $150 so I'm a little over budget as of now if I want to complete 2 boxes for the price of 1

2014 Triple Threads 3/27 Bautista, McCutchen, Cespedes

I really like this card a lot with the exception of the Cespedes bat relic.  I understand that he's a popular player, but his appearance on this card kind of spoils the card for me.  Bautista and McCutchen are two of my favorite players in the game today and Cutch could very well be my favorite player ever by the time his career is over.  Cespedes does absolutely nothing for me.  I think he's a good ballplayer with a great arm and some serious pop in his bat.  I just have no emotional ties to the young Cuban outfielder.

I like Ike

I recently got my first baseball card of Ike Davis as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball club.  It's not licensed so it's not a true Pirates card, but for $1.99, I'll take it.  Hailing from 2014 Donruss Series 2 this bat relic is my first relic of the lefty slugger 1st baseman.

When the Pirates acquired Ike back in April, the Pittsburgh fan base was extremely excited and even gave him a standing ovation during his first at bat in PNC Park (very classy).  He hasn't lived up to his breakout 2012 season when he clubbed over 30 Homeruns, but there is no denying his true power.  It's going to be an interesting offseason this year with the emergence of Josh Harrison battling for a batting title (and his natural position being 3B), Pedro Alvarez having injury issues and no idea where he is throwing the ball from 3B, and a platoon at 1B that is due to get a raise in arbitration for substandard numbers.

Given the true choice between Ike and Pedro at 1B I would rather stick with Ike.  He's not afraid to walk and I believe he plays a better 1B.