Today I got Pitcher Mark Prior c/o Padres ST in 57 days.

Today I got future HOF Defense man Chris Chelios 1/1 c/o Home in just over 5 months.

No successes back, but did get a gem off eBay. For 7 dollars dlvd, 2009 TriStar Projections Jordan Zimmermann Cert. 'Green' Auto (38/50). Great addition to my Nationals collection. Also went to the Nat's game today, and although we lost, it still felt good to be back at the park.

Hey guys. Back from Maine and got three TTM successes back. Kari Lehtonen signed 1/2 cards c/o agent in 40 35 days. Pierre-Marc Bouchard signed 2/2 c/o Wild in over 2 years. And lastly, Bobby Clarke signed 1/1 c/o the Flyers in 12 days. While in Maine, I was able to graph a Portland Pirates AHL game with some friends, and did fairly well. I got some cool customs done (thanks to Joe for these) and also a team signed 8x10. That's all for now. Going to the Nationals home opener tomorrow, so hopefully will make out well.

Got one today. Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima signed 2/2 c/o Boston ST in 13 days.

Today I got back Yankee's outfielder Xavier Nady 1/1 c/o Yankees ST in 45 days.

After a long drought got one back today. Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Martin signed an 08 Topps c/o Kings in 67 days. Also, the information for the 09 Allen & Ginter set is up.

http://blogbeckett.wordpress.com/2009/03/20/first-look-2009-topps-allen-ginter/

Looks like a nice set, but the design will have to grow on me...

Got one back today, Devils Forward Zach Parise singed 1/1 c/o Home in 39 days. I also went to the CSA show on Saturday and got some nice cards. They include a Jordan Palmer auto, Jason Bergmann auto, Ross Detwiler auto and a bunch of jersey cards and numbered cards. I also purchased a signed Laron Landry 8x10 from PS Game Gear.

Got two back today...Milan Hejduk signed 2 cards c/o home in ?? It came back with a 39 cent stamp on it, so at least two years. Also got Andrew Carpenter, 1/1, c/o Phillies ST in 10 days. I also received a box of 2008 Upper Deck First Edition Update Baseball cards from a sweepstakes I won. Terrible. No GU's, Autos or even serials. 360 cards, all base. I am officially a Topps guy now.

Today I got Red Wing's RW Dan Cleary 1/1 c/o Red Wings in 16 days.

No mail today, but I did pick up an Upperdeck Ultimate Rookies Jeff Woywitka auto card. It is numbered out of 399. I got it for 2 bucks on SportLots.com.

I got three back today. First off, Luc Robitaille signed 2/2 c/o home in 11 days. Second, Trailblazer's All-Star Guard Brandon Roy signed a 08' Topps c/o Portland Trailblazers in 33 days. Lastly, ex National and current Met's catcher Brian Schneider signed 1/1 c/o Spring Training in 21 days. This brings my total 09' Spring Training to 5/21 (24%).

Got one back today and a failure. Mark Buehrle sign a 07' Topps c/o White Sox ST in 19 days. On the other hand, Tony Esposito sent my card back unsigned in 9 days c/o his 'home' address. I am not completely sure if this was the correct address. Oh well. Tomorrow I am sending out Andrew Carpenter c/o Phillies ST.

Rookie's on a Budget

By: Ryan Thompson

With no mail to report, I thought I would copy Beckett and do a "You need to get these cards!" rookie edition. As collectors are on a budget, I have included cards that can be bought for very cheap compared to both their book value and personal value of the collector.

With that said, here are the rookie cards that I own, and would stress any collector to get a hold of either this version or another version he/she prefers.

Jay Bruce 08' Bowman #BDP11 - Young Red's prospect is set up for a breakout rookie year in outfield. This card can be found on ebay for 2-3 dollars.

Michael Jordan 91' Upper Deck #SP1 - Get this card not for what he did in baseball, but for its novelty. You can find raw (ungraded) copies for as low as 2 dollars.

Kobe Bryant 96' Topps #138 - The most dominate player in basketball today, he has continued to amaze spectators from season to season. Once he wins the Finals with out Shaq, it will solidify his status as the NBA's strongest current player. I got my copy for 6 bucks on SportLots.com.

Joe Flacco 08' Score Gold #344 (serial numbered to 400) - Having one of the best rookie years in decades, Flacco led the Ravens deep into the playoffs and has set them up for a promising upcoming season in 2009. I fortunately pulled this from a pack, but copies are found at 15 to 20 dollars.

Brett Favre 91' Upper Deck #13 - This card's value went down dramatically with the Packers fiasco last off season. Pick it up now and keep it until hes inducted into the HOF. I got mine for about 3 bucks on SportLots.com.

Matt Ryan 08' Press Pass Legends #3 (serial numbered to 99) - Ryan had an amazing rookie year and rebounded the faulting Falcons to a playoff berth. I got my copy for 6 bucks on SportLots.com.

Sidney Crosby '05 Powerplay Redemption #133 - Sid the Kid has proved that he is a one of a kind player and took the Penguins to the playoffs last year. With his injury problems this year, its value has dropped to about 20 to 25 dollars for a raw copy.

Saku Koivu 95' Topps #306 - Koivu has had an amazing pro career with over 500 points and 174 goals in 13 years in the NHL. Pick this gem up for 2-3 dollars on ebay.

http://www.ryansautos.blospot.com/

Got two back today and a weird failure. Curtis Granderson and Zach Duke both sign 1/1 c/o ST in 13 days. However, Shane Dyer sent my 08 Bowman back unsigned with no explination c/o Home. I have seen many successes from this address, so I am not really sure what happened. If you know of a reason, please let me know.

Today I got my first 09' Spring Training success, Mets Outfeilder Ryan Church 1/1 c/o Mets ST in 12 days and The Great One's autopen machine, 1/1 c/o Home in 70 days. Also got Andrew Zimmern c/o email in about a month.



09' Spring Training - 1/19

Good back to back returns...today I got 08 Heisman winner Sam Bradford on a SI c/o Home in 12 days. Now only Tim Teabow left for my little SI project...

Got a BIG return today...Steve Yzerman signed 1/1 c/o his agent in 24 days. One of the nicest I have seen from him in a LONG time...

I have not been getting any mail recently, but did get to go do a Caps practice today. Heres how I made out: Semin, Brashear, Morrison, Clarkie, Erskin, Theodore and Bradley. All one card per, except for Erskin as all I had was an index card for him.



Also got Mike Green on a nice 8x10 at a public signing at Wendy's on Thursday:

Got one back to day...Lighnting Defensman Paul Ranger signed 1/1 c/o Lightning in 24 days. Also got two ebay pickups - Michael Jordan Double Jersey card # to 25 and an Allen Iverson Jersey card # to 29.

Got Ryan Smyth c/o Colorado Practice Rink in 24 days. Also got an ebay pick up Muggsy Bogues.

Went to the Washington Auto Show today. It was compleatly empty except for line for John Cena (wtf?) but any way was able to get Jason Campbell (8x10) - looks awesome cant wait to get Cooley on it as well, Antwaan Randle El (card), JaVale McGee (8x10), Nick Young (8x10) and Vida Guerra (2 8x10 personalized). Pretty good, but the car show it self was lacking from
previous years.

Got one today. Ilya Bryzagalov signed 2/2 c/o home in 21 days.

Got Zedno Chara back c/o Home in 94 days and Barry Sanders stamped my card c/o Pro Access in 3 weeks...awesome.

Got Patrick Eaves 1/1 c/o Hurricanes in 40 days.

Got former Gator's foward, Al Horford c/o Hawks in 56 days.