Living vicariously through the Gint-A-Cuffs posts

I waited until the last day to decide, but I chose to not participate in the Gint-A-Cuffs V competition this year.  To those of you out there that are in the competition, good luck!

I have taken the time in the past couple of days to start looking at some of the posts, and I will say that I do like the cards so far.  I think that the lighter "border" this year are what appeals to me, and from the blaster/rack pack that I bought, the inserts are all right as well.

I guess I'll show off what I pulled, so you can see if there's anything that may interest you for your collection/set building needs:

How about the SPs to start?  I snagged 5 of them, one of which is Josh Johnson of the Jays.

Tell me how handy it was that the week this set is released, Jason Dufner wins a major!  I decided to run a quick eBay search, and thought it interesting that an auto'd A&G card is on a BIN for $100.   Wow.

You're wondering about the minis?  Sure, have a look:

There's that Dufner guy again.  The Doerr and Murray cards are both A&G backs.  I like the black bordered Scutaro mini.  I'm sure that these will find their way to good homes...

If I were to collect any of the insert sets, it would probably be the palaces and strongholds set.  I've always been fascinated about how man built some of the world's greatest structures, and these would be no different. 

I like the across the years insert set as well.   Comparing the birthdays of these ballplayers to other famous people was interesting to me.

Kudos to Topps for making the nameplate of Paul Goldschmidt absolutely unreadable.  It would have been very interesting to see what the NL central race would have looked like if Johnny Cueto had been healthy this year. 

While what I've posted here doesn't compare to the GAC posts, hopefully somebody will see a card or 3 that they want, and post a comment on the blog. 

Good luck to every one in the GAC competition, I'll be following the posts as closely as I can!

Thanks for reading, Robert

To Ginter, or not to Ginter. That is the question.

I really did have a blast last summer participating in Gint-A-Cuffs IV.  I'm torn as to whether I will participate in the fifth rendition of this tournament.

While I'm absolutely positive that I will not come close to beating the box topper I pulled last year ( I promised no more scans, you'll have to check for yourself as a reminder), I rather enjoyed tallying up the cards as I pulled them.

It actually kept me off the streets for 4 days.....

There are those that like the relics, there are those that couldn't care less about them.  I rather like the orange relics from 2010 myself

For some reason, the border really appeals to me, it would have even better if this swatch was orange instead of black.

Beggars can't be choosers I guess.  At least I still have a couple of weeks to decide if I want to defend my 6th place finish from last year.

I'll let you know.

Thanks for reading, Robert

Gint-A-Cuffs IV: Packs 19-24

Packs 1-6 can be found here
Packs 7-12 can be found here
Packs 13-18 can be found here

Running total coming into this post:  138 points

One more round of 6 packs....here we go!!!

Pack # 19:

59.  Johnny Damon
106. Bud Norris
235. Victor Martinez

81. Jerry Bailey (Jockey, +1 point)
108. J.P. Arencibia (MY Favorite team base card, +1 point)
319. Adam Wainwright (SP, +2 points)
HTP4.  Historical Turning Points The Reformation (insert, +3 points)
MM5.  Musical Masters Franz Liszt (mini insert, +3 points)

Pack total:  10 points
Running total: 148 points

Pack #20:

91. Grady Sizemore
142. Jose Reyes
226. Jim Thome
275. Kerry Wood

78. Joe Mauer (FP list, +2 points)
223. CC Sabathia (Damn Yankee, -1 point)
196. Lou Gehrig Mini (Damn Yankee, -1 point)
WIN2 What's in a Name Carlos Gonzalez (insert +2 points)

Pack total: 2 points
Running total: 150 points


Pack #21:

52. Cameron Maybin
76. Michael Bourn

181. Joe DiMaggio (Damn Yankee, -1 point)
196. Lou Gehrig (Damn Yankee, -1 point)
WIN37  What's in a Name Jason Heyward (insert, +2 points)
318. Mike Moustakas (A&G Ad Back SP mini, +7 points)
AGR-JJK   Jackie Joyner Kersee jersey relic (Awesome to get in an Olympic year, +10 points)

Pack total: 17 points
Running total:  167 points

Pack #22:

40. Jimmy Rollins
166. Ervin Santana
190. Addison Reed
239. Liam Hendriks
241. Andrew Bailey

249. Phil Hughes (Damn Yankee, -1 point)
WIN24 What's in a Name Ian Kinsler (Insert, +2 points)
ML-16  World's Greatest Military Leaders Frederick the Great (Mini insert, +3 points)

Pack total:  4 points
Running total:  171 points

Pack #23:

31. Jackie Robinson
116. Brandon Beachy
140. Mike Trout
281. Matt Cain

60. Reggie Jackson (Damn Yankee, -1 point)
316. Adrian Gonzalez (SP, +2 points)
147. Tsuyoshi Nishioka (Black Bordered mini, +3 points)
BH-13 Baseball Highlight Sketches Matt Moore (Insert, +3 points)

Pack total:  7 points
Running total:  178 points

Pack #24 (the conclusion):  (Side note, I will be very happy if I NEVER see another Yankee again!!)

18. Kevin Youkilis
208. Martin Prado
217. Brian Wilson

16. Rulon Gardner (Mini A&G Back, +2 points)
212. Ken Griffey Jr. (FP list, +2 points)
302. Jayson Werth (SP, +2 points)
57. Michael Pineda (Damn Yankee....-1 point)
BH22 Baseball Highlight Sketches Joe DiMiaggio (Insert, +3 points, Damn Yankee -1 point, net +2 points)

Pack total:  7 points
Final Box Score:  185 points

Save for all the Damn Yankees in this box, I would have been close to 200 points.  I would have to say I'm very happy with 185 points for my first go round in Gint A Cuffs.

Overall, I am very happy with the box, 2 great autos of Gwynn and Curly Neal, and the relic of Joyner-Kersee was great to pull in an Olympic year as well.  

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mark A. for the time and effort he puts in to give me, a lowly blogger, a chance to have some fun with this contest.  Thank you Mark!!

Best of luck to all the other participants this year as well!!

thanks for reading, Robert

Gint A Cuffs IV: Packs 13-18

Packs 1-6 can be found here.
Packs 7-12 can be found here.

Running total from first 12 packs:  100 points

Here we go!!

Pack # 13:

13. Drew Stubbs
96. Gavin Floyd
150. Norichika Aoki
228. Dexter Fowler
251. B.J. Upton
20. Miguel Montero Mini

345. Nolan Ryan (SP, +2 points)
BH-5 Baseball Highlight Sketches Brooks Robinson (Insert, +3 points)

Pack total: 5 points
Running total: 105 points

Pack #14:   (pack contained 7 cards including relic)

131. Jim Palmer
230. Evan Longoria
271. Mark Reynolds
280. Brandon Belt
21. Matt Moore mini

WIN87.  What's in a Name Joey Votto (insert, +2 points)
AGR-KF  Kosuke Fukudome jersey relic card (+10 points)

Pack total: 12 points
Running total:  117 points

Pack #15:

16. Rulon Gardner (would have been cool to see one of the Olympic competitors be a +1)
58. Ryan Braun
101. James Loney
164. Ike Davis
233. Shaun Marcum
272. Jose Tabata

101. James Loney mini A&G back (+2 points)
WIN70. What's in a name Jon Lester (+2 points)

Pack total: 4 points
Running total: 121 points

Pack #16:

87. Desmond Jennings
119. Asdrubal Cabrera
173. Jay Bruce
245. Hank Haney
294. Elvis Andrus

325. Frank Robinson (SP, +2 points)
318. Mike Moustakas (SP mini, +3 points)
Murder in Willow Cove "Back Alley" (Code breaker, +3 points)

Pack total: 8 points
Running total: 129 points

Pack #17:

17. Lonnie Chisenhall
129. Michael Phelps
135. Michael Morse
258. Doug Fister
290. Derek Holland
144. Joe Benson mini

19. Bob Knight (-1 point.  Was sorry to hear that the guy he choked on court years ago recently died)
WIN75.  What's in a Name Cole Hamels (+2 points)

Pack total:  1 point (lowest total so far)
Running total:  130 points

Pack # 18:

87. Annie Duke (I wouldn't want to be at the other end of that stare down)
115. Carlos Santana
133. Carlos Beltran
299. Jeff Niemann

269. Mike Schmidt (FP list, +2 points)
342. Ryan Dempster (SP, +2 points)
Murder in Willow Cove Max Mann (Crack the Code, +3 points)
225. Roger Maris (Mini A&G back, +2 points, Damn Yankee -1 point...net +1 point)

Pack total:  8 points
Running total:  138 points

Thanks for reading, Robert

Gint A Cuffs IV: Packs 7-12

Post #1 can be found here:

Running total from post 1, 63 points.   Here we go with day 2!

Pack #7:

24.  Paul Goldschmidt
141. Vance Worley
265. Chris Parmelee
277.  Jesus Montero
293.  Cliff Lee

274.  Derek Jeter mini (Damn Yankees, -1 point)
307.  Jhonny Peralta  (SP +2 points)
HTP18.  Historical Turning points Charles Darwin (+3 points)

Pack total:  4 points
Running total:  67 points

Pack #8:

68.  Rickie Weeks
119. Asdrubal Cabrera
294. Elvis Andrus
297. Justin Morneau

110.  Heath Bell (Favorite Player list card +2 points)
348.  Chase Headley (SP, +2 points)
272.  Jose Tabata (A&G back mini, +2 points)
HTP9 Historical Turning Points Discovery of the New World (+3 points)

Pack total:  9 points
Running total:  76 points

Pack #9:

63.  Zach Britton
95.  Felix Hernandez
100. Troy Tulowitzki
103. Alexi Ogando
144. Joe Benson
160. Shane Victorino mini

176. Babe Ruth (Damn Yankee, -1 point)
WIN50 What's in a Name Mike Schmidt (Insert +2, Favorite Player List +2, +4 points total)

Pack total:  3 points
Running total:  79 points

Pack #10:

56. Jordan Pacheco
90. Roy Halladay (he's not anyone's fave player??)
94. Geovany Soto
215. Dan Haren

279. Brett Gardner (D--- Yankee..sorry can't spell the word out, there's a biblical figure in this pack, -1 pt)
346. Lefty Kreh (SP +2 points)
WTB7 World's Tallest Buildings Chrysler Building (+3 points)
PB-8 People of the Bible  Peter (+3 points)

Pack total:  7 points
Running total:  86 points

Pack # 11:

75. Erin Andrews
195. Jhoulys Chacin
211. Keegan Bradley
238. Austin Jackson
285. Ryan Zimmerman
95.  Felix Hernandez mini

199.  Ricky Romero (Favorite team +1 point)
WIN27  What's in a Name Starlin Castro (Insert, +2 points)

Pack total:  3  points
Running total:  89 points

Pack #12:   (This pack contained 7 cards, due to auto)

55. Colin Montgomerie
100. Troy Tulowitzki
103. Alexi Ogando
63. Zach Britton mini

176. Babe Ruth (Damn Yankee, -1 point)
WIN11 What's in a Name Torii Hunter (Insert, +2 points)
AGA-CNE  Curly Neal Auto (+10 points, needless to say, I really was excited to pull this auto!!  It is a beautiful looking graph as well)

Pack total:  11 points
Running total:  100 points


Thanks for reading, Robert

Gint A Cuffs IV: Packs 1-6

Since I was just starting out as a blogger last year when this contest was rolling, I had no idea what "Gint A Cuffs" was, or what everyone was doing.  Well, once I figured it out I told myself that if the contest was run again this year, I wasn't going to let the opportunity to play pass me by.

Hopefully, I will not butcher the scoring of my hobby box as I go here.

With all that said....a Gint A Cuffs we shall go!!

Box-topper 

This was quite the start for me.  I opened the box on Friday and this was the only pack that I cracked.  Needless to say it made my day.

Tony Gwynn N43 Auto!!  # 5/15!!  30 points

Pack 1:

10. Dustin Pedroia
134.  David Freese
178.  Wei-Yin Chen
185.  Starlin Castro
218.  John Danks

23.  Yogi Berra (Damn Yankee, -1...a recurring theme for this box)
GD-14.  Giants of the Deep  Bottlenose Whale  +3 points
WIN-64 What's in a Name?  David Ortiz +2 points

Pack 1 total:  4 points
Running total:  34 points

Pack 2:

12. Bryce Harper
42. Justin Upton
65. Alex Rios
86. Nyjer Morgan
125. Ben Revere
253. Jorge De La Rosa

58. Ryan Braun Mini A&G Back +2 points
WIN63. What's in A Name Rod Carew +2 points

Pack 2 total:  4 points
Running total:  38 points

Pack 3:

80. Brooks Robinson
167. J.J. Putz
201. Tommy Hanson
282. Carlos Quentin

225. Roger Maris (Damn Yankees, -1 point)
324. Cal Ripken Jr., (SP, +2 points)
327. Jon Lester Mini regular back (Mini SP, +2 points)
WTB 9.  Worlds Tallest Buildings Woolworth Building +3 points

Pack 3 total: 6 points
Running total:  44 points

Pack 4: 

118.  Carl Yastrzemski
146.  Josh Beckett
152.  Ryan Vogelsong
189.  Lance Berkman
194.  J.J. Hardy
244.  Brett Anderson
296.  Mark Trumbo Mini

WIN 39.  What's in a Name Monte Irvin +2 points

Pack total:  2 points
Running total:  46 points

Pack 5: 

20.  Miguel Montero
21.  Matt Moore
160. Shane Victorino
296. Mark Trumbo

274. Derek Jeter (Damn Yankees, -1 point)
336. Gio Gonzalez (SP, +2 points)
266. Carlos Ruiz (Black bordered mini, +3 points)
WTB4.  World's Tallest Buildings Willis Tower +3 points

Pack total:  7 points
Running total:  53 points

Pack 6: 

41. Clayton Kershaw
55. Colin Montgomerie
73. Jordan Zimmerman
165. Alex Avila

113.  Meadowlark Lemon  (Harlem Globetrotter +1 point)
Becky Guttman Murder in Willow Cove (+3 points, crack the code card)
333.  Kelly Johnson (SP + MY Favorite team!!  +3 points)
MBF-15 Mans Best Friend Cocker Spaniel mini  +3 points

Pack total:  10 points (best pack so far)
Running total:  63 points

All scoring is of course subject to verification and adjustment if necessary.

thanks for reading, Robert