Card of the Day: 2010 Topps Chrome Purple Refractor Nick Johnson

Oh, Nick. I wish your career would have turned out better. If only you weren’t made out of glass.

Trade from The Sandlot

Remember that David Wright card I listed? Well I had a few people interested, and Joe from The Sandlot had some cards that intrigued me, so we pulled the trigger on the trade. His end arrived yesterday, and the Wright card should be in his hands either today or tomorrow. What did I manage to land? Let’s take a look…

2006 Flair Showcase Showcase Signatures /35

Nice one. I have a few Cordero autos in my collection, but I couldn’t turn down one that was numbered this low.

2000 Fleer Fresh Ink

Another Jose Vidro auto to add to my collection.

2007 Topps Co-Signers "Blue" #/250

Always happy to add another numbered Zimmerman card to my collection.

2007 Topps Chrome White Refractor

I’m a refractor junkie, and I really like the white chrome design from 2007. In addition, I think Hughes has a bright future, so even if he is a Yankee, I wanted.

The wear on this and the vidro are from the cases.

A sweet little gray swatch of a Hall of Famer. It has stitching, too! I like to pick up HOF stuff when it’s possible, so, again, this was a no-brainer.

So thanks, Joe! I hope you like your card.

2010 Topps Chrome Blaster Break

I was feeling a bit out of sorts last night. Not sure why, but I suspected that opening a blaster of cards might cheer me up a bit. And I knew I wanted to bust some Topps Chrome, especially after learning that the retail version was different than the hobby version (of which I am already in on a group break). So, after some cajoling of my dearly beloved, we went to Target, and I was able to score the next-to-last blaster of Chrome. And what a blaster it turned out to be.

The base cards, of course, are great as always. I’ve been a chrome junkie since I returned to the hobby in ’03, and these may be my favorites in that time. I didn’t care for the 10 base design, but something about it works in Chrome.

 

Of course I got a Zimmerman.

 

Of course, the big question for me was the refractors, as I collect them. Thankfully, the published odds on the box seem to be crap, because I got a refractor or some variation of it in every pack. Like this Adam Dunn refractor:

Out of the 8 packs, I got an equal amount of xfractors and refractors. That means xfractors are a lot easier to pull, which is a little disappointing, but it’s still nice to get them, and I dig the early 80s video game vibe to this year’s design:

So that leaves me with two other refractor-type pulls from the box. The first was this gorgeous purple Nick Johnson refractor. It’s numbered, but I can’t remember the numbering. Maybe 299?

The next one’s really cool. It’s a blue Topps 206 Dan Haren refractor. I think the odds on this one were like 1:420 packs. It’s numbered to 199.

But I saved my absolute favorite card of the blaster for last.

That’s right, the first Stephen Strasburg I’ve pulled and it’s an xfractor. SO happy with that one. Overall, I’m ecstatic with the blaster. I’m definitely hoping to pick up a hobby box or hell even a retail box, as they’re just as much fun.And to me, that’s what this is really all about.

Game-Used and Auto: Nick Johnson

Okay, technically this is a card of a Yankee, but it was too sweet to pass up, and I’ll always like Nick, even if he’s made of glass.

SPx Young Stars

Absolutely one of my favorite cards in my collection. Sure, the design is busy as hell, but oddly enough I feel like it works, especially with the striped uniform piece, which fits in with all the lines and angles. I think a plain white swatch would have ruined the look. It’s a nice cut sig, as well. Definitely gets an A+ in my book, and I’m going to hold on to it for a long time.

Finds From The National Part 7: The Aughts

Good lord, even I didn’t realize how much I found at The National, and these posts are just scratching the surface, really. Let’s take a look at a sampling of the Expos and Nationals from the aughts.

2004 Diamond Kings

I really liked this series. I remember scooping up a bunch of these at a card shop back in 04, but the only one I can still find these days is Rafael Palmeiro. Maybe I traded some away, I don’t know. Either way, I was quite happy to find this O-Cab. The 00’s Diamond King issues were such an improvement on the ones in the 80s and 90s, there’s really no comparison. No offense to Dick Perez, but whoever was doing the art here was much better. Unless it was Perez and his style changed?

2004 Donruss Classics

I remember this set being lauded for its hits when I got back into collecting in 04, but I only ever managed to snag base cards. That’s fine by me, I like this design a lot. Very classy.

2004 Topps Gallery

04 Topps Gallery will always be near and dear to my heart because I pulled one of my favorite cards from it (I’ll be featuring it soon), and I was glad to come across an Expo from the set. They don’t quite get to the level of Upper Deck’s Masterpieces set, but I enjoy the Gallery issues nevertheless.

Remember that 04 Just Minors set? Here are the Expos:

2005 Sweet Spot Classic

This is another set that I remember having great hits at the time; I have a Reggie Jackson GU from this set that I cherish, so it was cool to be able to pick up some of the base cards. I also scored a Frank Howard that I’m sure will come up sooner or later.

2006 SI For Kids

These remind me of the Donruss Triple Play and Upper Deck Fun Packs concept. The back is Randy Johnson making a face, with an empty balloon so the kids can make their own caption. Meh. But I didn’t have it.

2006 SPx

I never had any 06 SPx, so I was pleased to come across this one. There must be a Ryan Zimmerman from this set, but I haven’t found it yet. With so many other cards out there, it’s hard to prioritize it, but I’m sure I’ll find it sooner or later.

2007 Topps Chrome

Flores was a Rule 5 Pickup in 2007. He made good, producing a 78 OPS+ and solid defense.

Johnson sat out the 2007 season, unfortunately.

Kearns had a 103 OPS+ in 2007. It was the last year he would look decent.

Schneider had a 77 OPS+ in 2007. He was frustrating to watch.

Levale was another Rule 5 pickup in 2007. He pitched poorly and is now with the Marlins.

Ryan had a 107 OPS+ in 2007.

Now that Nick Johnson has left…

Let us have a moment of silence.

2007 Bowman Heritage

2005 Bowman

2004 Leaf Certified Materials

2004 Playoff Absolute Memorabilia

Thanks for the great memories, Nick. You’ll be missed.

Opening Day Issues

Just wanted to take a look at some of the Topps Opening Day versions that I’ve amassed over the past year or so.

Jonathan Albaladejo 2008 Opening Day

Orlando Cabrera 2004 Opening Day

Bartolo Colon 2003 Opening Day

Nick Johnson 2007 Opening Day

Javier Vazquez 2004 Opening Day

Dmitri Young 2008 Opening Day

Ryan Zimmerman 2008 Opening Day

Vladimir Guerrero 2004 Opening Day

Vladimir Guerrero 2003 Opening Day

Jose Vidro 2004 Opening Day

 And of course, who can forget…

Screech 2007 Opening Day

*shudder*

2009 Topps Nationals Set #2

Jesus Flores
2009 Topps Nationals #13
Category: Nationals Lynchpin
Position: C
Bio/Summary: I’ve said a lot about Jesus of late, and I’ll continue to gush about the guy. I think he’s got a great future and isn’t too bad at the moment. I mean, he’s only just turned 24, and has lots of time to grow, considering he cut his teeth in the majors in 07. He’s looking pretty good this year.
Rating: 5/10 – This has that weird glow that was all over the 1992 Upper Deck release. Does anyone know what that’s called? It makes the players look inhuman. No less so here.

Cristian Guzman
2009 Topps Nationals #3
Category: Nationals Lynchpin
Position: SS
Bio/Summary: I’ve written about Guzman ad nauseum. Not much else to say right now.
Rating: 4/10 – Ick. The same glow as the Flores card, without any redeeming qualities.

Joel Hanrahan
2009 Topps Nationals #12
Category: Nationals Also-Ran
Position: RP
Bio/Summary: Hanrahan is such a weird case. I was rooting for him in 07 in a kind of “support-the-underdog” kind of way, and I had hopes when they name him closer this year, but he just plain sucked. At this point I have to think he qualifies as an also-ran. That 67 OPS+ isn’t doing anyone any favors.
Rating: 6/10 – Okay, so the picture is dark, but at least it’s an improvement over that weird glow thing. And it’s obviously a Spring Training pic. Curious about the circumstances.

 Nick Johnson
2009 Topps Nationals #23
Category: Nationals Star
Position: 1B
Bio/Summary: I’ve written at length about the awesomeness that is Nick Johnson. Just bask in his glory.
Rating: 6/10 – Dirt-generic picture and ugly uniform…but then it is Nick Johnson.

2008 Upper Deck Team Set #3

Jesus Flores
2008 Upper Deck #166
Category: Nationals Lynchpin
Position: C
Bio/Summary: Jesus Flores is one of my favorites of the “new” Nationals. I could tell the guy had potential in 07; everytime I saw him play (which was surprisingly ofetn), he had a great approach at the plate and came through in a big way. Sure, his OBP is only .309 career so far, but look at his improvement in that area just this year…he’s only 24 this year, and has a long way to go. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him transition into an Ivan Rodriguez-style player. Gotta feel a little bad for the Mets for letting him slip away.
Rating: 6/10 – Wow, torn on this one. I like seeing the equipment, especially the road equipment that I don’t see very often, but this is another case where you can’t really see his face. Can’t quite tell who they’re playing in the background…are those the Braves?

Cristian Guzman
2008 Upper Deck #168
Category: Nationals Lynchpin
Position: SS
Bio/Summary: This is another card from the Metrodome, which I suspect is on the same date as the Mike Bacsik and Dmitri Young cards. I think that’s the ballboy in the background. Interesting thing about Guzman…he wanted to be an NBA player, but his father talked him out of it.
Rating: 7/10 – Great photo. He looks to have hit a liner of some sort. It could also be one of his four hits in that game.

Shawn Hill
2008 Upper Deck #161
Category: Nationals Also-Ran
Position: SP
Bio/Summary: Oh it pains me to call him that, but that’s just what he is thanks to injuries. I really thought he had front-of-the-rotation potential, #2 or #3, and he did, but man…just can’t stay healthy.
Rating: 7/10 – Definitely a Spring Training shot. I like the action shot, but I’m a little bummed that it’s not RFK.

Nick Johnson
2008 Upper Deck #700
Category: Nationals Star
Position: 1B
Bio/Summary: Nick Johnson is probably my favorite National. Amazing eye at the plate, capable all-around hitter, good defender…just has the same problem as Shawn Hill when it comes to the injury bug. I hope one of these years he can make it through a whole season.
Rating: 9/10 – Great action shot. Love it.