The numbers game

I stink at maths. I always have. Mainly because I decided around 14 years old, when it started getting more complicated at school, that I simply didn't understand it. The truth was more that I just didn't want to study maths and completely forgot to make any effort. It was very convenient.

But the truth is that I love baseball because I love statistics. Same reason why I got into poker (like everybody else) some 12 years ago. I wouldn't do the maths in my head (because I'm not that smart), but I did know every probability possible depending on every configuration possible. All I had to do then was calculate pot odds, which is in my ballpark.

As for baseball statistics, I'd never be able to devise any (again, not that smart), but I love looking at all those numbers. I remember looking very closely at box scores in the paper when I first learned about the game. Much more interesting than basketball or football stats.

So when I heard about that book, I knew I needed it right away. And I received it today. I'm psyched. Can't wait to read it !

Dealing with dampness

I don't know if you've heard, but a few weeks ago there were major floodings in France in general and in the Paris area in particular. The Seine was very very high because of non-stop rain for 30 hours which had a lot of people panicking and subways shut down. It finally stopped raining before chaos ensued and we could all go back to our lives.

My town (30 miles from Paris) was also touched, with several streets with 5 feet of water in them. My book store was far from all that so no damage there, and so is my apartment. However, I did notice that it was way damper than usual. Nothing major, nothing that would make cardboard rot, but I was putting some of my stacks of cards in boxes earlier on and noticed that they were a little damp.

And I like my cards fresh and crisp !

I was wondering if anyone had any experience dealing with dampened (is that even a word ?) cards ? Will they stay that way ? Once again, it's noticeable but nothing severe and nor marks on the cards themselves. They just feel a little softer than they should. Are they ruined ? Is there anything I can do ? SHould I hire people to blow on them 24/7 ?

Close call

Phew, that was close...today I received my 2014 Bowman Chrome box, that I picked for our transatlantic box break. Another day and it'd marked the first time since I came back into the collecting world that I did not add any cards to my collection in a whole month.

I'm slipping.

There was a good deal on that box on a French website (the lone website here that sells cards, actually), as it was $80 instead of the 110/120 you find on the Internet. That's what happens I suppose when there's a possibility (very remote) of finding a Bryant auto.

I'm very happy I didn't pay over $100 for it. It was a fun box to break, though I'm not used to 4 card packs, but the cards are shiny, the refractors too and the inserts are crazy. Plus, there were 2 on card autos guaranteed per box, which made it a good candidate for us.

The autos look nice, but they're basically of nobodys (Kenny might confirm). The great hit in the box was that Solarte printing plate. First time ever I've gotten a printing plate in a pack, so that's exciting ! His stint as a Yankee was very short, but it's still on my pile, as I had the AL East. I also get the O'Neill auto.

Refractors and inserts ! The Trumbo is numbered out of 75 and is also mine (very sorry guys, I wish the box had been a little more balanced). Bowman sure went all in with the die-cutting there, and I won't be one to complain.

I hardly ever buy Bowman products because I don't know squat about prospects, but I have to admit the experience wasn't that bad ! But at close to $1 per card, I'll definitely wait for deals to come up before I commit

Self-centered

Today is my birthday (yay me ! (thank you, thank you)). Which of course, always reminds me of my oh my how time flies and how 20 years ago I was graduating from high-school and slowly getting out of the hobby (and into women, but I have no idea if those are related).

Slowly sipping my orange juice this morning, I realized I don't really have a dream card. The Holy Grail I'd do anything to have in my collection. There are some truly iconic cards I wouldn't mind having, of course (pre-war stars, 52 Mantle etc.), but nothing I dream about. I'm a product of the 90s, which probably explains it. I love vintage cards, as you know, but grew up looking at the little arrows in Beckett on modern cards and wondering if I'd ever be able to get a Griffey UD RC (I did, thanks to Wes and Matt). That was my dream card.

I don't even know what I'd pick if I had to choose just one card, admitting that all cards are equal in value. I shouldn't write this, but I find the Mantle/Griffey from UD actually ugly, so this one wouldn't make the cut.

I'd probably go for sentimental value. To bring me back to my daydreaming days.

Yeah.

Here's what I'd pick :

But without the plastic case.
You can't put a plastic case in  a wallet.

Supertrading high five : crunching numbers

This post is a double thank you (two is an easy number to crunch). First off, to Wes for once again hooking me up with great Blue Jays cards. All the ones I'll be showing here are cards that I needed for my collection, which says a lot ! My second thank you goes out to my friend Matt (Bob Walk the plank, of course), who's been serving as a port transit which allows me to be part of the Supertrading experience. This type of solidarity, coupled with everybody's generosity, really means a lot to me and shows how special and unique the blogging community is. We are all such beautiful nerds...

Anyway, Wes sent one of his trademark packages, ie filled with numbered parallels and inserts, autos and, well, just a little bit of everything wrapped in awesomeness.

Not one...not two...not three...not four...but yes, absolutely, six different autos. This would be perfect for a Sesame Street segment.

 All parallels, (almost) all numbered. Always great to add some Big Hurt as a Blue Jays.

Sweet Delgado patch ! And an encased Pristine numbered card. Encased cards always look nice. But only when they come with that Topps seal. Otherwise they're just silly with their grades, just like in school. And I hate to think that my cards can have low self esteems just because the teacher gave them a 3 or a 4 simply because they had fun instead of staying locked up all their lives.

 Cards from that era right here right now. The Reyes is numbered /50, and that Topps Romero up there looks very weird without the name plate. I'll add it to my binder and label it an error !

More numbered cards, including the Wells, except it's on the back. You'll just have to trust me on that one.

Oooooh, 90s ! Yay ! I love those Press Proof parallels. It's funny, but it's easy for me to hate Clemens, but not Canseco. Canseco is just too lovable.

And finally, some 80s oddballs, and one of those gorgeous 84 Donruss.

Another package from Wes, another great bunch of cards to sort and have fun with. Thanks again !

The Subjective part of the triple break

I believe Brian showed those on his blog already, but it's always nice to remind the world what a nice thing we've got going, Matt, Brian and I, and how much fun those box breaks are. And I'm not saying this because I often end up with very nice cards !

Never heard of Robertson, but it's still a numbered ( /99) green parallel !

 Ooooh, a nice dual auto just for me ! And it's numbered out of /50, which is always a plus. I don't know if it's its real worth, but there's one on Ebay that sold recently for $80. Not bad at all.

The usual Blue Jays suspects and prospects. Pretty cool dual Guerreros.

As always, Brian was his usual very cool self and included something extra just for my pretty eyes.

 Fan favorites on amazing 90s cards. I really love that PInnacle card, I'm sure I could perfect my tan just by looking at it.

Can't go wrong with orange parallels and with Sports Illustrated cards. I really wish I could open a box of that product one day (at a reasonable price, I mean). And yeah, that Delgado card reads 'New York Mets' and the patch islikely from a NY uniform, but 1/ it's Delgado so I don't care and 2/ he's in a Blue Jays uniform on the picture, so it still counts as PC !

That first Griffey is absolute perfection. Like many, I also have a soft spot for Leaf numbered inserts, and Total bases has always been a favorite of mine. I just love the way they feel.

We close out that very nice and well rounded trade package with more SI goodness and....a basketball card ! Not every day I get some of those.

Thanks a lot Brian !

A day to remember (bad pun intended)

Yeah, I'm making a crack at a National Holiday pun, I'm not sure I should...ah well...I've got immunity.

Today I received a few trade packages courtesy of my good friend Matt, from Bob Walk the Plank. He forwarded nice packages from Supertrader guru Wes and from Doug (thanks guys !), but more on those another day. Right now I'll focus on the results from our Transatlantic triple break, as this time Matt chose 2016 PANINI Dk. We had a lot of fun opening a couple of boxes of the strong 2015 effort, so I was excited about seeing this year's collection.

Framed parallels, including the Winfield (PC !), numbered to 99, and a certain Mike Trout.

I've been quite lucky with our box breaks, and this time again I got the main hit. A nice low numbered (/25) Mookie Betts auto. Yay ! (sorry guys !)

 Some really cool inserts, and I especially like the two on the right. Considering the year Prince Fielder is having, it's fitting to have him on a mini card.

 And finally, the Blue Jays base cards, and a Bautista (I can hear your booing from here) insert.

I liked the base card design from last year better, but it's never easy to repeat such a success, and PANINI didn't do too bad of a job (for once).

Parallel to our box breaks, we can't help it but we just need to send each other some cards. Just the way our relationship goes. And boy oh boy does Matt know how to round up a nice trade package. And that's the understatement of the year.

I absolutely love those silver framed cards. I pulled one from a pack last year and they're nice and hefty and impressive. Plus, it's the first number ! Wow.

Another set that I love : the A&G mini framed autos. A simple brilliant idea. Edwin is having a slow year so far (as most of the Blue Jays, that is), let's hope his stats pick up at some point.

PANINI did a great job also with those National Treasures cards.  Great looking affordable memorabilia cards, that come with on-card autos. A real beauty !

Great looking on card auto on a high end set from the Blue Jays closer (he was born in 1995...this is depressing).

And BAM ! Just when I thought I couldn't take anymore great cards, Matt surprises me with a certified Big Hurt auto. Just like that. That's the kind of card you never expect to receive in a trade. But I've learned to expect anything from my trading friends in general. I'm speechless (well almost, because PSA/DNA always cracks me up, the DNA part has me wondering if they have CSI experts there).

Thanks a lot Matt, you know how much I appreciate all of those. Now I definitely need to do some shopping...