This Is It...

...your last opportunity to vote in the Cracked Bat Ballot Box giveaway. 

This has been a year for much needed 'pick-me-ups.'  While it's been a bit of work for me, I've had good fun presenting your candidates!   I have a few more little giveaways to share with my regular readers in future posts. If you were around before the Ballot Box contest began, you will have the opportunity to win GOOD books, crappy autographed baseballs and odd - read 'unwanted' - collectibles. LOL! If you found this blog during the Ballot contest, stay involved with your comments and make yourself eligible to participate in future giveaways. 

It's the Final Round, # 9! Before revealing your last candidates, we need to review Round 8 voting. I predicted 1987 Rookies for the win. The Maddux RC alone was worth your vote.  1992 Triple Play was a great opportunity for pack rippers. It's also fun to tuck packs like these into trade packages. I've been know to pad a mailer with 89 Topps wax. So, was I right?  Improved voter turnout created a last minute rally for The Rookies with 11 votes but 1992 Triple Play took 16. Thanks to the 27 who voted in Round 8!

ROUND 8 WINNER

Round Eight candidates are perhaps my favorites for the Cracked Bat Ballot Box. I love both choices offered here and saved them for last. For some of you, the choice may be difficult. If so, describe your painful decisions in the comments. 

CANDIDATE A: 1986 SPORTFLICS Decade Greats

There are some phenomenal cards in this 126 card set; 75 player and 51 trivia. It holds a respectable value when broken down by card. Ruth, Gehrig, Williams, Mantle, Robinson, Banks - the list of players is grand with six decades represented. This candidate would have you believe that the best years are behind us.  You can relive those moments again and again by voting for Decade Greats. 

CANDIDATE B: 1961 Fleer Greats 

This is a selection of 13 cards from my collection. I've replaced these in my set with upgrades. Please review the scans for their varying conditions. None are terrible and some are more than acceptable - they're darn nice! I'm attempting to build a better set.

This candidate is old school with nearly 60 years of experience. Fleer doesn't ask you to believe the best years are found in the old days, these Greats want your appreciation. If quantity is important, Sportflics is your set. If the great names are your thing, so is Sportflics. If vintage matters, it's Fleer. There are HOFers in this lot too. If you aren't familiar with this release, read up here.

One final review of the rules:

This round will close Thursday evening at the 48 hour mark. I'll need time to tally voter totals and prepare a list for the Randomizer. My next post will announce the winner of this round, review the box contents and confirm each voter's registration and vote totals. Voters will have their names entered into the randomizer equivalent to the number of their votes, including mail-in ballots.

Thank you, and please vote November 3rd. 

Rounding the Corner!

We are rapidly approaching the finish line! I announced the Ballot Box contest on July 4th. We've had seven rounds of voting to date. I was hoping to go ten rounds but I feel a knockout coming! That's ok! We still have time for two more!  The Box is filling nicely. I'd planned to have a blaster for the winner but we all know the sad state of retail product. Who'd have thought???

Round Seven was a slaughter. Challengers Purina/Sunoco and Quaker/Whitehall didn't gather the attention  previous contenders garnered. I left voting open for several days but only 16 took time to cast a ballot. Perhaps more interest would've rescued Candidate A?  The Whitehall Legends set was the focus of attention with 11 winning votes.  I misunderestimated the power of holograms.

Round 8 Voting is here. No booing from the audience. You must hold your applause or obnoxious commentary until the Ballot Box is awarded.

CANDIDATE A:  1987 DONRUSS The Rookies

The box is open but contains a sealed set of 56 cards. There is no Clemente puzzle included. Notable rookies in this set are Mark McGwire, Greg Maddux, Bo Jackson, Matt Williams and Rafael Palmeiro. Of all Greg's rookies, this is may be favorite. I have one in my collection. Do you?

CANDIDATE B: 1992 TRIPLE PLAY

One sealed box of 36 packs, 15 cards each plus a rub-off game card! Though marketed with the kiddies in mind, adults still love to rip these packs. Oh yes you do! You might pull a Gallery of Stars Bobby Bo, Griffey, Ripken or perhaps some Awesome Action! Who wouldn't like that?

This round is overwhelming. I know I'm exhausted! Take a moment to catch your breath, review the rules and vote!