Crackin Off the Final Waxy Prize - Courtesy of Topps

Hey there, readers and trade partners,

Is it hot enough for you out there?  Summer is holding on tight here in LA, and I love it.

Thanks for following along with me on these prize posts from my winning of the Mystery Prize Package over at Crackin Wax.  If you just stumbled onto this, there are a previous 4 parts, and Part 1 is here.

Allow me to mention an aside about this final piece.  A lot of us out here in blogolandia knock Topps for more than a few legitimate reasons.  For example, my personal gripe is Topps' never ending recycling of photos from old time players.  The rehashing of the same 2 photos is seriously played out.  We love our vintage players, but please use some new and interesting photos.  Are you feeling me here, Topps?

That said, I hope Topps is feeling me on the following point also: Thanks so much for your generous contribition to Crackin Wax's Prize Raffle.  This is generosity from the giant in the industry, and I'm very appreciative.

Before seeing what Topps gifted, I just want to extend a hearty THANKS to all the contributors that built up this prize, and to Topher and the gang over at Crackin Wax for their generosity.

Here's the final outstanding piece from that magnificent package...




It's a single, uncut sheet.....





from Topps 2013 Series1....

Details...

Here's the back side...

One last shot...

Wow!!! That was awesome.

Crackin A Penultimate Waxy Prize Post

Almost finished now with the presentation of the great prizes in my Mystery Prize Package that I won over at Crackin Wax. 

These prizes were contributed by Reader Toby.  As previously mentioned, this batch has a few football cards, and Toby made sure to gift up some autos from some great young NFL players.

David here is a top defensive player for Tampa Bay.  Last season was his first as an NFL linebacker. He led the team with 139 tackles and was Rookie of the Month in November 2012.

Next up is a hated Bronco...

Thomas began his NFL career in 2010.  2012 was his breakout year, so he seems to only be getting better.  Hope he does terrible vs the Raidahs.  And hope I do fantastic in trading him.

Up next, another up and coming, young Tampa Bay Buc...

Williams here also has a breakout season in 2012.  He led ALL rookies with 65 catches and 11 TDs.  He just signed a big money contract which should keep him a Buc until 2018.


Back to baseball...

OOPS !  Better put the brakes on that baseball idea.  Unfortunately, Jordany here was found guilty of juicing up, and was suspended a few days ago for 50 games.  On another note, that signature can certainly use some PEDs help.

The last card here is a beauty.  The player is a current Dodger, but it's a ring card from his former team...

One of the other cool parts of this prize package was donated by a current MLB player. Sweet!

Let's take a look what he gifted....

How sweet is that?  It's a fistful of autos!  Neshek, a side-armer,  pitched for the Twins and the Padres before joining the Athletics. 

Here's the other cool part, Neshek is a part of our collecting community, and he loves collecting autographs.  Speaking of autos, didja notice the cool baseball "stitches" that he adds to his signature?  Nice.

That's almost the end of the prizes.  Don't miss the post of the final part of the prize.  It was donated to Crackin Wax specifically for this prize raffle, and the donator was none other than...TOPPS !

Crackin Dose Waxy Prizes Part 4

And THAT'S how bad-ass this Mystery Prize Package is.  Yet even more from Tom the Ripper...

Devo here played for a number of teams, including a stop for a cup of coffee with the Dodgers (1999-2000).

Did you know these things about Devo?
3x All Star
3x World Series Champ!
7x Gold Glove

Gaby Sanchez comes in from first base to defend his pitcher!

How about a dark hunk of helmet from a member of the 500 Home Run Club? And it's limited edition numbered 55/99.  I've never even SEEN a helmet card before!  That slipped under my radar and I had to be tipped off.  *oops*

Remember when the Dominican Republic owned the major leagues for imported players? Venezuela has surely but steadily been adding to the mix.

They hit the nail on the head when they printed the word "ICONS" in big letters for this man, as Stargell and his bat certainly were.  This is a great looking bat card with high rarity 24/99.


The final 2 cards from Tom are definitely not for trade.  These go straight to personal binder glory...

 Just how awesome is this sweet old timey swatch of baseball hero Killer Killebrew?

Topher himself remarked he'd like to have this card when it came up on the prize video feed.  This might be my favorite individual card from the whole package. It's numbered 155/199.  The sleek  black gloss of the card plays off perfectly against the darkened and aged grey wool.  'Game Used' next to the window says it all.


Why do I say, 'Might be"?  Because this card is also right up there...

 Mr. October.  Limited run 50/99.  Beautiful, subdued, classic card design.
OK, this one is my favorite!


One might think that's the end of the prizes.  3 words...

No...

crackin....

way.


Next Post: Prizes from Reader Toby.  This time there's some football stuffs! 

Still Crackin Waxy Prizes - They Get Even Better!

Hey everybody.  You know what's happening. I'm still happily showing off the great prizes I got from Crackin Wax's Mystery Prize Raffle.

Time for Part 3.  These goodies were all contributed by Tom The Ripper (Digging that nick).  Tom was so generous, and gave so many cool cards, I'm going to split this into 2 posts.

First up, Mr. Pettitte with a Yankee grey swatch.  

2011 Panini Limited Materials. This baby is numbered 213/499.  The red swatch really pops against the dark card.

This one's a beaut from 2013 Topps.  I don't have the original, but this will certainly do.  Chipper here will stay in my collection for the time being.

How's about a cool relic card with the current Cy Young Award holder?  Great photo, great card.

How about this beauty? Patch and auto AND a low number 7/50.   Doncha dig that starburst auto?
Storen was recently called up by the Nats after posting an impressive 43/13 K/BB in AAA. 

Finally, this, my (believe it or not) first relic of the Duke of Flatbush!  This one is definitely staying in my collection.  It's a great looking card and numbered 78/99.

And that's just the first half of the great stuff from Tom the Ripper.

Next Post: More Stuffs!  

Crackin A Waxy Win Part 2

Hey everybody,

Here's the next installment of showing off the great Mystery Prize Package that I won from Topher and all of the team over at Crackin' Wax.  If you missed it, Part 1 is here.

Part 2 commences with the portions of the package that were donated by a couple of fabulous females in the collecting game. First up, some great cards from Deb, who collects Phillies...

Utley here is a local boy who was raised in Long Beach, and played college ball for UCLA.

If you're a Dodgers fan, you've heard of the Bison.  We even have a new addition to the club who is The Beard.  Now ATBATT brings you the Vanimal.  Can you believe it? Yet another guy who played college ball out of Cal State Long Beach.

 Finally, a guy who needs no introduction, who plays for a team which needs no introduction.
But, hows about a couple of stats:

5-time All-Star
5-time Silver Slugger
2-time Gold Glove
2009 World Series Champ
2011 MLB All-Star Game - Winner, Home Run Derby
2013 World Baseball Classic - MVP, Team Venezuela

*Whew*

Next up is a batch of cards from Julie, the mastermind behind Things Are Funner Here. 

Chris is retired now.  He played for the Astros, Diamondbacks and Padres.  This is a great looking card, and it's numbered to 325.

Next up are a couple of black framed 2012 A&G relics...

Let's hear it for another California native, and veteran of Huntington Beach High.

Here's a very attractive KC blue swatchy of David DeJesus.  Below, yet even more pro-fabriks...

A well-designed relic card. We get patriotic coloring and a nice photo of our hero, really complimenting that grey swatch.  Here's a Mora tidbit - He was the first player to hit a HR off the top of the foul pole at Camden Yards.  THAT'S gotta be worth something, people!

Thanks Deb and Julie for the great contributions. 

Next Post: Yet even more Mystery Prize Package goodies!