A Random Thought

My power has been up for nine days now and one of four heavy deadlines at the office [March 15] has passed.  There is now time to enjoy the blogs for a couple of weeks then April 15th steals my fun for a couple more.

In lieu of blogging this weekend, I took time to tackle another box, fishing for more discards to share. [I was tired of sitting in front of a computer screen.]

It contained a random assortment of cards packed before I moved in June 2015.   The 1000 count box is not 94 Pinnacle.  I haven't gone through it completely but largely contains refractors, numbered cards and relics I picked up for trading.  The paper bag contains sleeved singles picked up from my last card show in Dallas 2015.  I'll share some of these next time.  Hey - there's my Jack in the Box Antenna Ball! Wondered where that went...

There were two boxes of:

Seals were broken for the autos: Jose Abreu #/50 and Jorge Soler RC #/10, both tucked away in another undiscovered location.  The sets are complete.  I'm contemplating breaking one up for trades.

A box of 1993 Action Packed All Star Gallery purchased for the the HOF and retired player content :

A sealed CD which some Cubbie Fan out there might enjoy.  It contains the catchy song we heard so often during the Series - Go Cubs Go.

Also buried in this treasure box - an unopened box of 94 Fleer Extra Bases, oversized cards with a clean full bleed design.  I still like them.  Let's crack a pack:

Molitor for me and trades for you.

I'll keep the Bagwell and Nokes too. Looking forward to opening the rest next weekend.

The title of this post promised a random thought. So here it is...comments are rewarding.  Thank you for taking time to check out Cracked Bat.  All Bloggers appreciate readers!  I love giving stuff away and prefer not to ask anyone to 'pimp' the blog.  I certainly wouldn't stop you though.  ;)   In an effort to reward my regular readers, contest notices won't be placed in the post titles but within the post itself.  

I found your petitions to the Randomizer in my last post most entertaining.  It is time to award the first 400 count box of my discards.   I presented the list before the Randomizer which chose to cycle three times before spewing forth a name.  One quite new to me made the top spot...

Congrats Jason!  Email acrackedbat at gmail dot com with your mailing address.   Thanks to all who entered.  We'll do this again very soon as my discard pile is growing rapidly!  Thanks for your patience - and thanks for reading!

Power To The People

Yes, that's the cry in my neighborhood!   I have been without power since Wednesday night.  A neighbor hooked up a generator for me Thursday night to run the refrigerator, a lamp, coffee pot and two space heaters.  I have no internet.  The weather is taking another turn towards winter with temps dipping near 10 degrees in my area for a couple of nights. 

I am one of the nearly one million victims of the largest power outage ever in Michigan. At one point over 850,00 were without and as of Friday afternoon the number is still over half a million.   The energy company hopes to have power restored by end of day Sunday.

I'm taking a moment from work to let you know the results of our little contest will be delayed.  The contest still ends Saturday evening. I do have trouble accessing the blog from my phone but will attempt to comment on the post to announce the contest deadline.

I haven't disappeared and will follow up as soon as the Randomizer is running on full power!

1911  Detroit Tigers play in the snow

It's Been Too Long

Too long since I had a good nap for starters.  I can barely keep my eyes open as I sit here putting this little post together.  It's too late in the day for a nap.  If I stop now for a quick wink,  I'm a goner for the night.

Too much time has passed without sharing some great trade packages.  That's what's about to happen right here, right now.

Eamus Catuli!  Tom Olson once waiting another year, has since celebrated his Cubs World Series win.  This occurred well after after sending two different packages.  One contained 60 or so cards, the other was a box of 200 more delightful paper collectibles.  

The first featured two 90 Score Sandbergs - one is an error.  Gracie 94 UD ED and 95 Leaf Ltd Bat Patrol make an entrance into my collection.  SWELL Baseball Greats, 2013 Opening Day Stars, a dosing of Presidents and Cardtoons rounded out the first package.

Six weeks or so later, this surprise hit my mailbox:

Contents included a good helping of Sandberg and Grace, 93 Flair Tigers and the original framed cards of 96 Emotion EXL.

One of the original cardboard bugs

Holy Moly Tom Olson!  You rained some serious cardboard on me!  I am truly appreciative of your time and thoughtfulness!  You are my Sandberg and Grace connection.  I looked forward to more trade opportunities!

It's been too long - one year ago in fact - since there was a giveaway on this blog!  I am currently working to sort out my collection.  I shared a picture of my sorting process which includes a discard pile.  Adam Sanders of Cardboard Clubhouse commented on the post to suggest a contest for a box full of stuff from the pile.  I have to agree!   

So here's the first box - labeled 400 count!  Consider this a $40 dime box. There are lots from 2014 Panini Classic, 2014 Golden Age with minis,  2016 Diamond Kings,  2015 and 2016 Topps Archives and a handful of 2015 GQ minis. It also contains dupes from my collection, players I no longer collect, set dupes, commons etc.   My outcasts might be junk to one collector but another may find gold.  Here's a sneak peek:

If you want a chance at the box you must live in the United States and have a street address for UPS Ground Shipping.  You are required to comment to tell me why you are most deserving above all other readers.  I shall present your cases before the Great Randomizer.  She alone will determine your worthiness. The Randomizer will cycle three times before her decision is final.  Your opportunity to participate ends Saturday March 11 at 8.00pm EST.  [Any cycle jokes are cause for immediate execution disqualification as the Randomizer is subject to mood swings.]   

Thanks for reading and good luck!