Dragon or Lion?

Here we have a Leaf Valiant 2011 Auto of Rays pitching prospect Taylor Guerrieri. I'm not normally one to chase after non licensed cards but I made an exception for this set. Why? I hear you shout. Two reasons, first it's shiny and Simon likes shiny things. Secondly it has a Dragon wearing a crown on it or a Lion wearing a crown.

I'm going with Lion, what do you guys think it is? This set kicks Leaf Drafts ass by the way, much nicer cards and clearer autos.

Two Years In The Making.

Drum roll please!!!!!! Here is my finished 2009 UD Icons James Shields nameplate. It has taken just about two years to complete and I am super happy about it. The final card was the letter I, this little bugger took over twelve months to track down, and when I did find it I had to rely on the kindness of Ryan from SCR to pick it up off ebay.com for me. Thats what I love about this hobby,there are so many good guys out there willing to help others with their collections.

Have a great 2012 everyone. Go Rays!!!!

The Worst Card In My PC.

I hate this card. Loathe it so much.

2012 Goals.

Reading around the blogs I follow I have noticed a lot of my fellow bloggers are listing their collecting goals for 2012. So being stuck for something to write about I thought I would list mine.

1. Reach 300 different James Shields cards. This one should be fairly simple, I up around 200 and as he had a very good 2011 he should feature in more sets than last year.

2. Complete the Topps 1968 Game Insert set. Only 33 cards in the set and I need about a dozen more, only problem is I have the cheap ones, I need the more pricey ones.

3. Try to get an auto of every Rays prospect featured in the various 2012 sets.

4. Return home to the UK. Hold on that ones going to be done in 2011, my wife finally got her settlement visa and we are flying home to UK on 29th December.

5. To continue to enjoy the various blogs I follow, to continue to make trades with you guys.

My 2011 Favorites.

Reading around the blogs I notice it's 2011 retrospective time, so please allow me to show you my favorite pick ups of this year.

First off is my 2011 prospect to collect, Stephen Vogt of the Rays. I always pick a Ray from the first Bowman release of the year to collect, here we have a very nice Orange Refractor #/25. From the rainbow I'm missing a Print Plate and the ever expensive Superfractor. I know alot of you in blog world don't like prospecting, but it has become a bit of an infection for me in the last twelve months.

The second cool card from 2011 is the wonderful looking Sepia Refractor from Topps Chrome 2011. I love the old school look on this card, bravo Topps.

Finally a card from 2006. Huh? Well I got it in 2011 so there. A Sweet Spot Rookie Auto 31/100. I love Sweet Spot cards, they have to be for me the coolest looking cards I have. The 2006 rookie had been a card I had been hunting for ages, fortunately for me a James Shields collector was trimming down his collection and offered me this beauty for a very reasonable price. Also this year I got the Bat Barrel version and the Leather(Glove) version. 2011 was a great year for my collections, I just wish there was a bit more competition for Topps.

A Tale of Two Pitchers.

The Rangers just coughed up $50million plus dollars to have a chance to sign Yu Darvish. That's $50 million just for the chance to negotiate. The Rangers now have thirty days to sort out a contract with Darvish.

To say Darvish is hot property is a serious understatement. Only twenty five his Nippon Baseball League stats are nothing short of amazing. In five seasons he is 76-28 with an ERA of 1.72, standing six feet five and weighing in at 185-215lbs Darvish has already tossed 1024 innings.

On the other side of the coin is Matt Moore, the Rays mega prospect. Moore made his debut late in 2011,after a couple of less than stellar relief outings he made his first start against the Yankees, he proceeded to strike out eleven. He started game one of the ALDS and beat the Rangers 9-0. The Rays recently signed him to a very team friendly five year contract worth $14 million.

So baseball fans who do you like more, Moore or Darvish? 2012 is shaping up to be  a great season, I for one can't wait.

PC Cards I Hate #2.

Topps 2009 Young Hill Stars. Hands up those of you who believe that Shields was actually there when this picture was taken. No one? Lets look at the evidence shall we. First of all Shields seems to be looking at a completley different camera compared to Price and Kaz. Secondly, why is Shields wearing a game day uniform at spring training, the other two are wearing the official Rays spring training uniform.

What are they laughing at? Is Price saying to Kaz " Laugh now cricket boy, but in three months your arm will be jello and in 18 months you will be out of baseball". Poor old Kaz, doesn't have much to chuckle about these days.