Coming Soon to a DVD Rental Machine Near You

From the creator of Chuck,

from the director of I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry,

and from the same craft-service company that worked on the set of Good Luck Chuck,

comes what will surely be viewed as one of the most entertaining sports-comedy movies released straight to DVD this year.

A NachosGrande Production presented by Mustaches&Manupatches Films

Chuck Behind the Plate

 It was a normal Monday at the Ceviche Tapas Bar and Grill in St. Petersburg, FL, and Charlie O'Brien was busy plating dishes on the line as an assistant sous-chef.  But to suggest that Chuck, as he was know by his friends, was living his dream is an understatement.  Sure, he plates tapas and ceviche to pay the bills, but he doesn't love food.  Chuck loves digging curveballs out of the dirt. 

  Yet, ever since he underwent double-Tommy John's surgery during his senior year in high school, Chuck's coaches, doctors, neighbors, guidance counselors, ex-wives, children, step-children, local gas-station attendants, softball league teammates. and parents have insisted that he'd never play baseball again.  So when he saw the open-call for catchers to try-out for the struggling Toronto Blue Jays, he knew he had to try living behind the plate one last time.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll forget to return the DVD to the RedBox machine until its 3-days late.

Suri Cruise?

Noooooooo!  Sy-ra-cuse!  Today's 'Morning Murad' is of Syracuse.

I was gonna be so pissed if this card had any color other than orange on it.  Just wouldn't seem right.

And, how about a quick little contest?  I'm not sure what to think about the above "athlete".  In the comment section, tell me what you think is going on in the picture.  The one that I enjoy the most will win their choice of one of the Murad duplicates I have, and I'll mail it to them in a PWE later this week.   

What's a cheap (under $5), cool card you feel every collector should add to their collection?

The latest question from Fuji's summer-long contest was a no-brainer for me.  "What's a cheap (under $5), cool card you feel every collector should add to their collection?"

In my book, you can't go wrong with any card from the 1910 Murad Collegiate T51 set.  There are countless reasons that every collector should own at least one.  Let me count the ways:

 

• These tobacco-era vintage cards are over 100-years-old, and who doesn't want 100-year-old cardboard in their collection? 
• At 150-cards, this set probably has a card for your favorite college. 
• These cards are tiny pieces of art with vivid colors, intricate details, and interesting scenes of college activities. 
• And, most importantly for this post, most of these cards can be found for under $5.

So, if you're looking for some reasonably priced tobacco-era vintage cardboard, in my book, you can't go wrong with a Murad T51.  And be sure to send me your doubles.

Early Eck

I keep forgetting to post this 1978 Topps Dennis Eckersley that I picked up at the Colorado Springs card show I went to a month ago.  So, since I'm still waiting on a few other eBay pick-ups to arrive, I'll throw it up here on the blog and see what everyone thinks.

How about a little bit of fun? 

I paid money for this card.  The person who can come the closest (without going over) to guessing the price I paid for the above card at the card show will get a bubble mailer filled with as many cards that I have that they collect.  For example, if a Braves collector who also collects cards of catchers will get every Braves and catcher card that I can stuff into a bubble mailer.

I'll close the guesses at 11:59pm, April 27, 2012.  I'll announce the winner Saturday morning and will get their winnings into the mail next Monday.

Big Fun Game Cards from Napkin

I once again participated in Napkin Doon's Big Fun Game and received these two cards.

Unlike last time, I was one of the early drafters, so I missed out on a sweet St. Louis Cardinals manupatch.  But, like last time, it was Big Fun to be a part of the game.  Thanks for including me Doony!

Contest Results: A Big Pile of Royals and Randoms

I was one of the lucky dozen participants in the Royals and Randoms Big Pile Contest.  Luckily for me, I'm a HUGE fan of both Royals and Randoms!  Here, in classic Fave Five Fashion, are my winnings.

FIVE:  The Royals and Random Baseballers

FOUR: An Avalanche Stopper

THREE: Swingers

TWO:  Random Roundballers

ONE:  Not so random Broncos -- Eddy, Terrell, Karl, and Shannon

This was one time when I was glad to have a Big Pile dropped off at my front door.  Thanks Josh!

Fave Five: Jaybarkerfan Fun Game Prizes

Sure the Jaybarkerfan fun game took place many months ago.  Sure I received the package well over a month ago.  Sure I set it aside to be shown off after the MOvember/Mustache Set was finished.  Sure I forgot that I set it aside.  But the cards are still cool and worth showing off. 

(And I have no idea whether the rumor I am starting is true that JBF is on a blogging strike until I do finally show my prize results on my blog.)

My Fave Five Jaybarkerfan Fun Game Prizes

FIVE:  The Boz and some Football autos

FOUR:  My 1st Numbered Mailman

THREE: Bronco Rookie Fabrics

TWO:  Shiny Kidd

ONE:  JoHo Autograph

Thanks JBF!  It was a great party you threw and I'm sorry about your ficus plant!

Belated Birthday Winnings from mmmrhubarb

My birthday is September 11th.  This year, my wife let me have a golf tournament for my birthday party.  It was great fun and while I was on the course, she sent me a text message that her step-brother and his girlfriend had given birth to their son on my Birthday.  I knew they loved me, but giving me a nephew for a birthday buddy was above and beyond the call of duty.

Turns out, I also have a birthday buddy in the collecting world, none other than mmmrhubarb of the great blog e rayhahn, rayhahn.  For his birthday, he had a contest to guess what he did for his birthday in 2001.  I guessed that he went to the rollerskating rink with his family.  It turns out that I was no closer than anyone else, but since we were birthday buddies, he decided to award me the contest win. 

Fast forward a few weeks and my winnings arrived in the mail, a glorious Todd Helton game-used bat card.  And it's of the Heritage design, which is one of my favorites.

This card will be a great reminder of my 30th birthday and of my newest birthday buddy.  Thanks!

Join this Contest, It's the (Jeff) Laws

Head over to My Sports Obsession and help my friend Jeff "The Lawman" Laws celebrate his 100th post. A follow, a comment, and an advertisement of the contest on you blog each nets you one entry into his drawing. 

The prizes haven't been announced yet, but having traded with Jeff in the past, if the prizes are anything like his trade packages, you'll probably want to start a few fake blogs and profiles just to earn some extra entries.

His contest announcement was his 97th post and entries are due by his 99th post, so get moving.

Incidentally, this is my 195th post (yes, I had to go look it up) which isn't too bad for eight-month's worth of blogging.  If I didn't already have something planned for this fall, I'd probably have to have a 200th post celebration.  Guess I'll just have to party hearty with Jeff.

Cheap Card Collecting Contest

Cheap Card Collecting is holding his first contest and it looks like there will be some great prizes available.  He's going to be randomizing numerous cards throughout the week.  The first prize to be raffled off is a choice of one of the A&G relic cards pictured below.  (And, technically, there is also a RedSawk and Yank card available, but I'm told that no one in their right mind would choose one of them.)

He will also be randomizing a grand prize package of "a bundle of Jerseys and Autos, with one Jersey and Auto added for each new follower gained."  He started with 40 followers, so lets spread the word and get him get up to the 100 follower mark.

Winnings from Fuji's Summer Contest

Early this summer, San Jose Fuji of the Chronicles of Fuji blog asked a simple question,  Who Wants Some Cards? and proceeded to hold one of the most interesting contests I've ever entered. 

Over the course of June and July, Fuji asked for opinions, stories, predictions, and comments.  With a combination of persistence and grit, I amassed enough points to earn one of the many great prizes.  I decided to choose the base set of 2010 Panini Threads Football cards since Play at the Plate grabbed up my first choice of 1990s football parallels/inserts (I thought there might be some decent mustaches in that collection).

I received my prize package in the mail today and I was very pleased with my choice.  These are some really nice looking cards and I picked out some of my favorites to show off.

The Broncos were represented in the set with four cards.  I was kinda bummed that there wasn't at least one defensive Bronco in the set.  No love for Elvis Dumervil or Champ Bailey or Brian Dawkins?  Bummer for me.

I do like the uniformly horizontal layout of the set.  It is a nice change of pace from the traditional vertical set-up and is way better than the annoying mixture of vertical and horizontal cards.  And I'm always a fan of full-bleed photography.

Thanks a bunch to Fuji for the great contest and the great prize!  I'm looking forward to next year's summer event.

I am a Jaybarkerfan's Draft Party Fan

Jaybarkerfan over at the Jaybarkerfan's Junk blog is inviting people to his 100th Post Draft Party, where ten lucky participants will be selected to participate in a ten-round party.

The rounds include:
GREAT NAMES ROUND
BASKETBALL ROUND
FOOTBALL ROUND
NUMBERED CARD ROUND
ROOKIE ROUND
BASEBALL ROUND
RELIC/GU'D ROUND
AUTOGRAPH ROUND
WACKY ROUND
MYSTERY ROUND

I don't know about you, but I'm RSVPing "yes" to this party.

(And here's hoping I don't end up wearing a lampshade on my head and singing Lady Gaga songs on the karaoke-machine at the end of the night like I did at Napkin Doon's latest shin-dig.  Very embarrassing.)

Trade/Contest Report: Big Fun Game Manupatches

Last week I was one of the lucky fellas to get a spot in the world renown Napkin Doon Big Fun Game.  I had pick number 7 which allowed me to see quite a few of the doors that had been opened, and when I spotted this Joe Mauer Target Field inaugural season commemorative manupatch, I knew it had to be mine.

It's my second Minnesota Twins team logo card, so if there are any Twins fans that want to swap manupatches, shoot me an email.

After the Big Fun Game had ended, Napkin revealed the unopened prizes, one of which was a Red Sox team logo manupatch.  I offered up a gorgeous Michael Young jersey card that had been sitting in my trade bait pile for far too long in exchange and Napkin threw the card in with my Big Fun Game prize package.

The card is stunning in person.  Its one of the best looking team logo cards I have in my ever growing collection.

Thanks again to Napkin Doon for putting together a contest that more than lived up to its name.  I'm already praying to the card gods that I might be included in the next game.

Napkin Doon's 12 Days of Brycemas Big Fun Game Time

If you haven't been following Napkin Doon's 12 Days of Brycemas, then shame on you. 

If you have been paying attention, then you know that the Napster sold a Bryce Harper card and used the funds to pick up some sweet cards.  Turns out that the 12th day of Brycemas brought along some presents for his followers, which he'll be giving away in one of his Big Fun Game contests. 

The rules of the game are similar to "Yankee Swap" from the television show The Office.



Yaaaaaaaaaaanke Swap!  That's what makes it fun.

Anyway, head over to The Adventures of Napkin Doon, become a follower, comment on the contest, and spread the word around!

USA Baseball Twitter Giveaway

Apparently Night Owl hasn't heard about the USA Baseball mega-giveaway on Twitter.  There's no way he bails on Twitter when such cool items are being given away for a simple ReTweet. 

Here is the press release explaining how the Giveaway works.

USA Baseball's 9 Innings of Summer will give away one prize each day for 90 business days (Monday-Friday). Each "inning" consists of 10 business days (two weeks). The Promotion begins on June 22, 2011 (the first day of the Tournament of Stars), and ends on Oct. 25, 2011 (the last day of the Pan American Games). 

On the first day of each "inning" (every other Wednesday, beginning June 22, 2011) we will post that inning's 10 prizes at the bottom of this page between 10 a.m. and 12 noon ET. We will then post each day's prizes and specific instructions on Twitter between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m ET. Each day the instructions will tell you to retweet a specific @USABaseball tweet and will say which retweet will win. For example:

Sample Tweet: #USAB9Innings Giveaway: Stephen Strasburg Auto Jersey (picture link) 20th RT wins #collect (In this scenario, the 20th person to retweet this tweet will win an autographed Strasburg jersey.)

Once a winner is selected we will tweet that the contest is over for that day. For a complete list of rules please click here.

The third 10 items for the promotion are listed below, in no particular order, and they will last from July 20-Aug.2, 2011.

• Mike Moustakas 2006 18U National Team Game-Used Cap
• Signed 2002 Collegiate National Team USA Baseball Magazine
• Luke Hochevar 2004 Collegiate National Team Game-Used Batting Gloves
• Troy Tulowitzki 2004 Collegiate National Team Game-Used Broken Bat
• 2007 Collegiate National Team Signed Jersey
• Christian Colon 2005 16U National Team Game-Used Batting Gloves
• Matt Wieters 2005 Collegiate National Team Game-Used Batting Gloves
• Jon Jay 2005 Collegiate National Team Game-Used Cap
• Matt LaPorta 2005 Collegiate National Team Game-Used Broken Bat
• Signed 2006 Collegiate National Team USA Baseball Magazine

Below is a list of current winners from the first three "Innings."
Item: Winner, Date
Bryce Harper Bat: @KevinGelfand, June 22, 2011
Jon Jay Batting Gloves: @ElMookador, June 23, 2011
Julio Borbon Bat: @cisrow, June 24, 2011
Clayton Kershaw Hat: @jayrreeder, June 27, 2011
Pedro Alvarez Batting Gloves: @patricksb4, June 29, 2011
2006 CNT Signed Poster: @waxtopia, June 29, 2011
Brett Anderson Hat: @damnthemann44, June 30, 2011
Bryce Brentz Batting Gloves: @akagalar, July 1, 2011
Freddie Freeman Hat: @Spammyjazzhands, July 4, 2011
1996 GSA Salute to Excellence: @NandoEspy13, July 5, 2011
Pat Borders Cleats: @frankiecgsw, July 6, 2011
Darwin Barney Batting Gloves: @DeadWaxSociety, July 7, 2011
Alex Gordon Bat: @ashleycolley, July 8, 2011
Michael Bourn Hat: @dannydandann, July 11, 2011
Rickie Weeks Jersey: @somepersonu, July 12, 2011
Drew Stubbs Batting Gloves: @jwilms, July 13
2006 CNT Signed Bat: @moriarty84, July 14
2011 GSA Signed Bat:@AkakHorn, July 15
2011 GSA Signed Ball: @ar1514, July 18
2007 CNT Signed Jersey: @5runrally, July 20

As you can see, there is one particular item that I would LOVE to own.  If you didn't notice, it's the one that is bolded, italicized, enlarged, and colored red.  A pair of Luke Hochevar batting gloves would be an awesome addition to my collection. 

So, if you are looking for a reason to use Twitter, I can't think of a better one than to help me win some batting gloves. 

Fave Five -- Loot from Ryan G.'s Contest

Last month, I was one of the lucky winners of Ryan G.'s contest.  Ryan is one of those blogging over-achievers that make lazy guys like me look bad because he somehow finds time to run two entertaining and informative blogs -- This Card is Cool and The Cardboard Zoo -- while I languish away trying to keep my one blog alive, let alone entertaining or informative. 

This week I received my prize package.  When I opened the envelope, I found three team bags filled with cards.  There were some great cards in the package, so I thought I'd give it the Fave Five treatment.

HONORABLE MENTION -- Ahman, I got semi-Bipped.  

Also entertaining, UpperDeck thought it was necessary to serial number the Hakim cards.

FIVE --Premier Dates

FOUR -- Hockey Hologram

THREE -- Ticket to Jerseys

TWO -- A Pair of HOFers

ONE -- An 'N' for my Alphabet Set

Thanks again to Ryan G. for running a great contest! 

Free Cards Available

.....to the winner of the Plaschke, Thy Sweater is Argyle CONTEST. 

(What, you thought I was giving something away?)

Head on over, leave a comment, follow the blog (it's one of the best around), and spread the word around.  This is one of the few times that I'm hoping I win for the "common" cards, rather than the autographs that are in the prize package.

Answer Some Questions, Win Some Cards

Head on over to The Chronicles of Fuji for a chance to win a pile of cards. 

There are numerous ways to gain entry into the contest: be a follower of the fine blog, leave a comment on one/all of his daily questions, and/or plug the contest on your blog.

And, even if you don't win, Fuji has agreed to send one of his world famous calling-cards (seen above) as consolation prizes.  He'll even sign it for you.  As a proud owner of one of these cards, it is a great addition to every collection.

Head on over and start earning entries!

PSA Time

This week's Public Service Announcement is to let my fellow readers about two EASY contests being held by a couple of guys who are trying to get a larger following for their blogs.

First up is Ryan G from This Card is Cool.  A comment, a link, and/or a follow will each earn an entry into his CONTEST.  Up for grabs?  I'll let Ryan explain:

First prize: I'll look at your want lists and pick up a few things off of it. I don't exactly have a job so I won't be getting you that Derek Jeter autograph you've always wanted but you should be happy!

Second prize: I have a stack of basketball cards that contains mostly rookies. I don't know anything about these guys, so I have no idea if they're worth anything. I think there's a couple numbered cards. There's at least one autograph in the stack. Oh, and a bit of fun. Plus, I'll try to find you something off your want list.

Third prize: Football, similar to the basketball lot but smaller. There is at least one jersey in there. Plus, I'll try to find you something off your want list.

Fourth prize: A small stack of non-sports cards, mostly inserts from Topps and Allen and Ginter. There are three certified autographs in this group. Plus, I'll try to find you something off your want list. 

The second contest, which is equally easy, is one I found out about from Ryan G (not sure it'll earn him an extra entry in the contest, but it might).

New (to me) blog Buckeye State's Trading Post is giving away a pile of autographs and relics to the winner of his CONTEST.  A comment, a link, and/or a blogroll add will each earn an entry into the randomizer.

As you can see, each contest is very easy to enter, but each contest closes next week.

The more you know.

So You Think You Can Predict the Future?

Then head over to the Autographed Cards blog and enter the College World Series Contest.  The contest has a couple of different stages.  The first leg of the contest is picking which eight teams will be the first group of teams to play in Omaha's new TD Ameritrade Park in this year's College World Series. 

I decided to try my luck at picking some of the dark horses in the field, including my wife's Creighton University.  Looking at some of the picks being made by others, this strategy will either put me in a commanding lead going into the second round of the contest or will leave me bringing up the rear.  Either way, it's a great idea for a contest.

Head on over and make your selections before this Friday's deadline.