A New Group Break Is Coming!

Check back here tomorrow (Sunday) September 1st at 7pm EST for the announcement and sign ups for my next group break!

Trade with Dustin of Coot Veal and the Vealtones

Another awesome trade that I completed recently was with Dustin of Coot Veal and the Vealtones.  Dustin has become one of my favorite trade partners over the last few years.  I even traded with him before he made it to Major League Blogging (*not a real league).   He sent me so many cool cards I had a hard time whittling this post down to 5 cards for the sake of brevity.  Lets begin:

I really enjoy adding new autographs to my Orioles collection especially if they are on-card.  Here is my second Brandon Snyder autograph but my first on-card one. While Brandon didn't make a huge impact with the Orioles he was able to play with Texas and is now with Boston.

Speaking of Boston, it still pains me to see Koji wearing "red socks" now.  He really endeared himself to the Orioles fans while he was here even though he was hurt a lot.  I think the only thing that I take solace in him being gone is when I seen Chris Davis manning first base!

Speaking of big burly first baseman, Boog Powell did it first in Baltimore.  Now he makes a mean BBQ sandwich in right field at Camden Yards.  I'm thrilled that Dustin sent this vintage "Booger" for my PC.

Speaking of boogers, PC's, I also found this Brady Anderson MLB Showdown game card in the package.  I've slowed down on the Brady PC as of late since I have most of his early career stuff (think over-production era) and some of the late 90's "off the beaten path" stuff can be somewhat harder to find.  MLB Showdown was underrated in that there were some obscure players in there.  There are Orioles cards of Trenidad Hubbard and Mike Trombley in some of their sets!

I'll close with another PC addition of Jim Palmer.  I don't have many Topps Pristine cards in my collection mostly because I wasn't collecting much when they were released.  Plus, me being a poor college student at the time kept me from buying the high end products.!   

Thanks Dustin for the awesome trade package!

A Few More Smaller Scale Trades

With the Minis Group Break in the rear view mirror (all the packages have been sent out), I can get back to thanking the great traders I've swapped cards with over the last few weeks.

First up is this Dylan Bundy Chasing History card from Nate who runs the relatively new Big 44 Sports Cards blog.  He's a Pirates fan so go check him out!  It's amazing that the Orioles are even in contention for a wild card spot as crappy as the starting pitching has been this year (except for Chris Tillman, well mostly).  I can only imagine how much better the pitching staff would be if they hadn't rushed Bundy and caused him to blow out his elbow last September.  I'm wondering if they have ruined Bundy and Gausman by rushing them to the majors because of the crummy, faltering, starting rotation that has plagued them all year (or the last 15 or so years for that matter!).

Thanks Nate for the cards!

Onto a PWE that AJ from The Lost Collector sent me.  He included this Cap'n Crunch unlicensed card from 1989 of Cal Ripken.  Unlicensed cards from the 80's and 90's don't bother me but the Triple Play, Prism, and Cooperstown crap that Panini puts out these days is deplorable.  Buying Panini's "baseball cards" is like eating a veggie burger or drinking non-alcoholic beer.  You're missing the "meat" or the "alcohol" so what the hell is the point?  I don't watch baseball games on TV where the players have on street clothes or jerseys with blocked out logos so why would I want to buy cards that look just as drab?  Panini just makes me feel like something obviously missing that should be there.

Lastly is this card from Sam our beloved Daily Dimwit. He saw the Andrew Aplin refractor autograph from my Bowman hobby box break and had to have it.  While he didn't have any Orioles cards I was interested in trading for, I opted to trade for the Taijuan Walker autograph card from last year's Bowman Platinum to use as trade bait.  Walker is a pretty highly regarded prospect in the Mariner's farm system and I believe he is being recalled for a cup of coffee in September.

Thanks guys for the trades!

2013 Topps Mini Group Break: Round 6

We've arrived at the last round of the Minis Group Break.  I haven't been overly impressed with the collation of the boxes up to this point but its nothing I can really do about it.  It's just the luck of the draw I guess.  My hopes were to get everyone close to completing a team set for their chosen team.  Let's see if we get any closer to that goal in the next 12 packs:

Box #3 Pack #13
197 Tyler Cloyd - Phillies
174 Jason Grilli - Pirates
132 Ryan Vogelson - Giants
43 RA Dickey - Mets
294 AL Batting AVG Leaders Cabrera, Trout, Beltre
345 Jennry Mejia - Mets
383 Matt Harrison - Rangers
546 Carlos Quentin - Padres
529 Collin McHugh - Mets
237 Brandon Lyon - Blue Jays

Not an exciting pack but a good one for the Mets.

Pack #14
658 David Freese - Cardinals
607 Chris Carter - Astros
561 Josh Vitters - Cubs
584 Alfonso Soriano - Cubs
the 87th Alfonso Soriano card we've pulled so far.
152 Jose Contreras - Phillies
212 Eric Chavez - Yankees
280 Rafael Dolis - Cubs
355 Carlos Marmol - Cubs
222 Jason Heyward - Braves
167 Luke Hochevar - Royals

This pack was 40% Cubs.  How often does that happen?

Pack #15
248 Colby Lewis - Rangers
13 Brett Lawrie - Blue Jays
444 Jordan Walden - Braves
500 Stephen Strasburg - Nationals
532 Todd Helton - Rockies
The wifey indicated that she's not a fan of cards with multiple players since it can be hard to pick out who the players are if you aren't familiar with all the players.
179 2012 ALCS Game 4 - Tigers
109 Kirk Nieuwenhuis - Mets

MCH-19 Ty Cobb Chasing History - Tigers
127 Giancarlo Stanton - Marlins
74 Kenley Jansen - Dodgers

Pack #16
415 Leonys Martin - Rangers
301 Jarrod Saltalamacchia - Red Sox
319 Brian Bogusevic - Astros
264 Roy Halladay - Phillies
88 Jamey Carroll - Twins
654 Brandon Barnes - Astros
23 Jemile Weeks - A's
153 2012 AL HR Leaders Cabrera, Hamilton, Granderson
276 Luis Ayala - Orioles
339 Nick Swisher - Indians

Pack #17
624 Justin Ruggiano - Marlins
6 Ryan Howard - Phillies
99 Paco Rodriguez - Dodgers
160 Stephen Drew - A's
434 Wei-Yin Chen - Orioles
497 Brett Myers - Indians
548 John Lackey - Red Sox
571 Melky Cabrera - Blue Jays
50 Adam Wainwright - Cardinals
198 Chris Coghlan - Marlins

More Dupes just make it hard to think of anything to say.

Pack #18
232 Jake Odorizzi - Rays
266 Albert Pujols - Angels
354 Casey Janssen - Blue Jays
428 Kyle McPherson - Pirates
468 Anthony Gose - Blue Jays
505 Ross Detwiler - Nationals
317 2012 Wildcard Winner - Orioles
189 2012 NL Batting AVG Leaders Posey McCutchen, Braun
130 Jason Motte - Cardinals
181 Jeff Keppinger - Rays

The second half of box #3 is proving to be a dud...

Pack #19
608 Ricky Nolasco - Marlins
590 Liam Hendriks - Twins
526 Tyler Flowers - White Sox
629 Trevor Plouffe - Twins
233 Edwin Jackson - Nationals
498 Martin Prado - Diamondbacks
439 Marco Estrada - Brewers
352 Tommy Hanson - Angels
16 Andre Ethier - Dodgers
92 Clint Barmes - Pirates

Yikes, brutal pack!

Pack #20
613 Jhoulys Chacin - Rockies
564 Francisco Peguero - Giants
626 Gio Gonzalez - Nationals
575 Justin Morneau - Twins
290 Tom Layne - Padres
253 Adam Greenberg - Marlins
462 Eduardo Nunez - Yankees

125 Matt Holliday Gold Bordered #d 13/62 - Cardinals
Nice hit for the Cards!
217 Brian Matusz - Orioles
285 Addison Reed - White Sox

Pack #21
494 Alberto Callaspso - Angels
475 Garrett Jones - Pirates
452 Raul Ibanez - Mariners
Keeps turning up like a bad penny.

119 Chris Davis - Orioles
Just keeps mashing homers this year!
85 Sean Doolittle - A's
49 Chris Sale - White Sox
17 Shin-Soo Choo - Indians
MCH-25 Alex Rodriguez Chasing History - Yankees
Nope, I'm still not scanning it.  At least Ryan Braun is a big enough man to say he's sorry.  All A-Rod does is act like a pompous asshole and deny any wrongdoing.  I don't think the adjective to describe his has been invented yet.

356 Greg Dobbs - Marlins
Greg Dobbs deserves a scan more than a-roid.
389 Phil Hughes - Yankees

Pack #22
281 David Hernandez - Diamondbacks
328 Jayson Werth - Nationals
405 Hectory Sanchez - Giants
359 CC Sabathia - Yankees
388 Justin Turner - Mets
412 Everth Cabrera - Padres
256 Madison Bumgarner - Giants

MCH-12 Yogi Berra Chasing History - Yankees
A true one of a kind Yanks legend!
84 Adeiny Hechavarria - Blue Jays
58 Jeremy Hellickson - Rays

Pack #23
503 Clay Buchholz - Red Sox
40 Chien-Ming Wang - Nationals
60 Jon Rauch - Mets
148 LJ Hoes - Orioles
227 Jose Altuve - Astros
171 Brock Holt - Pirates
136 Tyler Clippard - Nationals
106 Drew Stubbs - Reds
188 Brian Fuentes - Cardinals
156 Dylan Gee - Mets

Pack #24
118 Daisuke Matsuzaka - Red Sox
62 Tommy Hunter - Orioles
9 Dee Gordon - Dodgers
97 Danny Espinosa - Marlins
592 Nick Markakis - Orioles
549 Huston Street - Padres
645 Luis Cruz - Dodgers

278 Christian Garcia Magenta Printing Plate #d 1/1 - Nationals
Just a printing plate, no big deal.... Congrats Dan!
104 Jed Lowrie - Astros
71 Kyle Kendrick - Phillies

Another Group Break is in the books.  It's crazy how the last pack had arguably our best hit!

A few things before I slam the lid on this post:

I'll be packing the cards up and hopefully getting them in your hands this week.

I'll be sending a pack wrapper out in each package just in case anyone wants to see what they look like.

Don't bother sending in the NPN on the back of the wrapper because I've already taken the liberty and done so for each participant as a thank you for joining!

Last but not least, here's the Final card count through 3 complete boxes:

Mets: 30
A's: 20
Diamondbacks: 22
Rangers: 29
Cardinals: 23
White Sox: 20
Tigers: 25
Indians: 15
Marlins: 27
Red Sox: 19
Angels: 21
Reds: 12
Astros: 33
Giants: 39
Brewers: 14
Dodgers: 22
Braves: 14
Rays: 29
Nationals: 30
Padres: 26
Yankees: 32
Cubs: 17
Phillies: 25
Blue Jays: 40
Royals: 17
Mariners: 18
Pirates: 22
Orioles: 29
Twins: 17
Rockies: 18

2013 Topps Mini Group Break: Round 5

Unfortunately the wife will not be joining me for this round of packs.  I'll try my best to fill her shoes with my snide, smart-ass comments instead of her light-hearted toilet humor.

Box #3 Pack #1
314 AJ Ellis - Dodgers
267 Jason Kipnis - Indians
400 David Wright - Mets
447 Jacob Turner - Marlins
484 Johan Santana - Mets
511 Rob Brantly - Marlins
545 Alex Presley - Pirates
247 Luis Perez - Blue Jays
427 Chris Nelson - Rockies
478 Gavin Floyd - White Sox

Looks like a full pack of duplicates to me.  Not a good sign.

Pack #2
441 Jose Bautista - Blue Jays
492 Jose Molina - Rays
541 Jon Lester - Red Sox
274 Miguel Montero - Diamondbacks
600 Mariano Rivera - Yankees
417 Logan Forsythe - Padres
649 Ryan Hanigan - Reds

62 Tommy Hunter Gold Bordered #d 53/62 - Orioles
Tommy has been great out of the bullpen for the O's this year regularly reaching the upper 90's with his fastball.
347 Brett Anderson - A's
380 Juan Nicasio - Rockies
His bugged out eyes make me giggle almost as much as the wife did.

Pack #3
214 Curtis Granderson - Yankees
278 Christian Garcia - Nationals
342 Matt Dominguez - Astros
407 Juan Pierre - Marlins
279 Vincente Padilla - Red Sox
236 Joe Nathan - Rangers
221 Heath Bell - Diamondbacks

290 Tom Layne Gold Bordered #d 2/62 - Padres
My neighbor across the street in my old neighborhood had the last name Layne.  That's all I've got.
364 Carlos Pena - Astros
398 Mike Fiers - Brewers
It's getting a little annoying seeing the same cards for the 3rd time in the same order.

Pack #4
419 Matt Moore - Rays

MCH-2 Cal Ripken Jr. Mini Chasing History - Orioles
I was really hoping to get this card in the break.  I had decent odds since the Mini Chasing Histories fall 1:4 Packs.
473 Josh Johnson - Blue Jays
522 Dallas Kuechel - Astros
310 Edwin Encarnacion - Blue Jays
357 Juan Francisco - Braves
430 Josh Harrison - Pirates
520 Peter Bourjos - Angels
455 Buster Posey - Giants
480 Lance Berkman - Rangers

More duplicates, in the same order as the last 2 boxes.

Pack #5
70 Todd Frazier - Reds
134 Jake Arrieta - Orioles
183 Drew Hutchison - Blue Jays
208 Kurt Suzuki - Nationals5
429 David Price - Rays
448 Tim Hudson - Braves
495 Joaquin Benoit - Tigers

550 Matt Joyce - Pink Bordered #d 1/25 - Rays
This might be the first #d 1/XX I've ever pulled.  Congrats to the Rays!
527 Carlos Beltran - Cardinals
556 Nick Hundley - Padres

Pack #6
178 Justin Maxwell - Astros
129 Ike Davis - Mets
48 Ryan Cook - A's
24 Dan Haren - Angels
8 Ryan Braun - Brewers
113 Starlin Castro - Cubs
137 Edinson Volquez - Padres
182 Randy Choate - Dodgers
162 Kyle Seager - Mariners
135 Eric Hosmer - Royals

Not much of particular interest in this pack.

Pack #7
538 Brett Wallace - Astros
646 Phillipe Aumont - Phillies
602 Anibal Sanchez - Tigers
550 Matt Joyce - rays

514 Jonathan Papelbon - Phillies
I can't stand this guy's mound antics.  Act like you've been there before, dude.
557 Adam Lind - Blue Jays
37 Maz Scherzer - Tigers
93 Austin Kearns - Marlins
435 Brandon Maurer - Mariners
482 Emilio Bonfacio - Blue Jays

Pack #8
38 Brian Wilson - Giants - Speaking of tired acts....
83 Darin Ruf - Phillies
146 Kyle McClellan - Cardinals
230 David Robertson - Yankees
513 Zach McAllister - Indians
42 Detroit Tigers 2012 ALDS Game 5
69 Marco Scutaro - Giants
637 Ben Revere - Phillies
242 Matt Kemp - Dodgers
218 Ben Zobrist - Rays

*sigh* More dupes.

Pack #9
177 Elliot Johnson - Rays
244 Lucas Luetge - Mariners
254 Sean Burnett - Nationals
604 Rafael Betancourt - Rockies
583 Alejandro De Aza - White Sox
551 Wellington Castillo - Cubs
587 Matt Cain - Giants

MCH-23 Johan Santana Chasing History - Mets
Did he get to 2000 K's this year?
516 Omar Infante - Tigers
337 Chris Iannetta - Angels

Pack #10
68 Colby Rasmus - Blue Jays
3 Hunter Pence - Giants
105 Freddie Freeman - Braves
154 Sergio Romo - Giants
287 2012 NL Wins Leaders - Gonzalez, Dickey, Cueto
331 Jose Reyes - Blue Jays

MCH-36 Yu Darvish Chasing History - Rangers
The doubles have gotten so bad, I'm pulling dupe inserts
591 Derek Holland - Rangers
I keep wanting to call him Dexter Holland, lead singer of the Offspring
440 Ian Kinsler - Rangers
124 Ricky Romero - Blue Jays

Pack #11
302 Aaron Hill - Diamondbacks
25 Mark Teixeira - Yankees
423 Miguel Gonzalez - Orioles
363 Sergio Santos - Blue Jays
275 Johnny Cueto - Reds
216 Josh Willingham - Twins
333 Santiago Casilla - Giants
393 Tom Koehler - Marlins
239 Ramon Santiago - Tigers
425 Josh Donaldson - A's

Pack #12
190 Daniel Descalso - Cardinals
282 Russell Martin - Yankees
207 Matt Holliday - Cardinals
157 Carter Capps - Mariners
151 Alex Rios - White Sox
475 Garrett Jones - Pirates
452 Raul Ibanez - Mariners

MA-WR Wilin Rosario Mini Autograph - Rockies.  Really nice card for the Rockies!  It might be a sticker auto but its still pretty awesome.  Congrats Tim!
220 Octavio Dotel - Tigers
184 Geovany Soto - Rangers



Here's the updated card count through 2 and a half complete boxes:

Mets: 22
A's: 17
Diamondbacks: 21
Rangers: 26
Cardinals: 18
White Sox: 17
Tigers: 23
Indians: 12
Marlins: 20
Red Sox: 15
Angels: 18
Reds: 11
Astros: 27
Giants: 35
Brewers: 13
Dodgers: 17
Braves: 12
Rays: 26
Nationals: 22
Padres: 22
Yankees: 26
Cubs: 13
Phillies: 20
Blue Jays: 34
Royals: 16
Mariners: 17
Pirates: 17
Orioles: 21
Twins: 13
Rockies: 16

2013 Topps Minis Group Break: Round 4

Three rounds are in the books.  I'm having a good time opening the packs with my wife and seeing/hearing her reactions to the cards.  I've learned that she is not a fan of getting duplicates and we've got a few more rounds to go.

Pack #13
251 Sean Marshall - Reds
321 Allen Craig - Cardinals
525 JP Arencibia - Blue Jays
635 Jedd Gyorko - Padres
236 Joe Nathan - Rangers

221 Heath Bell - Diamondbacks "(Comment has been censored by author of this Blog)"
183 Drew Hutchison - Blue Jays

134 Jake Arrieta - Orioles "With his Lt. Dangle Mustache"
237 Brandon Lyon - Blue Jays
222 Jason Heyward - Braves

Pack #14
278 Christian Garcia - Nationals
342 Matt Dominguez - Astros
407 Juan Pierre - Marlins
495 Joaquin Benoit - Tigers "Tiggers"
438 Yasmani Grandal - Padres
493 Johnny Giavotella - Royals
510 Nate McLouth - Orioles
539 Phil Coke - Tigers "Tiggers"
337 Chris Iannetta- Angels
188 Brian Fuentes - Cardinals

Pack #15
425 Josh Donaldson - A's
392 Tom Koehler - Marlins
333 Santiago Casilla - Giants
314 AJ Ellis - Dodgers
18 Mitch Moreland - Rangers
288 Starling Marte - Pirates
353 Bud Norris - Astros

310 Edwin Encarnacion "Another Pink Rim" #d 16/25 - Blue Jays
186 Jordan Pacheco - Rockies
145 Anthony Bass - Padres

Pack #16
564 Francisco Peguero - Giants
626 Gio Gonzalez - Nationals
575 Justin Morneau - Twins
538 Brett Wallace - Astros "From Sonoma, CA (she's reading the backs of the cards now)"
275 Johnny Cueto - Red
363 Sergio Santos - Blue Jays
423 Miguel Gonzalez - Orioles "Born 5-27-84"
484 Johan Santana - Mets
480 Lance Berkman - Rangers
527 Carlos Beltran - Cardinals "He's kinda old and pushing his walker next to (Raul) Ibanez"

Pack #17
473 Josh Johnson - Blue Jays
522 Dallas Keuchel - Astros

38 Brian "Pubes on his face" Wilson - Giants
103 Evan Longoria - Rays

76 Brandon Inge - A's "I like this card because it shows them taking the game of baseball seriously"
30 Neftali Feliz - Rangers
12 AJ Pierzynski - White Sox

MCH-36 Yu Darvish Chasing History - Rangers
156 Dylan Gee - Mets
104 Jed Lowrie - Astros

Pack #18
174 Jason Grilli - Pirates
132 Ryan Vogelsong - Giants
43 RA Dickey - Mets
13 Brett Lawrie - Blue Jays
196 Ryan Vogelsong - Giants

277 Brendan Ryan - Mariners "Trying to fluffle in this guy's face"
569 Ryan Ludwick - Red

571 Melky Cabrera "Gold Rims" #d 17/62 - Blue Jays
135 Eric Hosmer - Royals
87 Adeiny Hechavarria - Blue Jays

Pack #19
475 Garrett Jones - Pirates
452 Raul Ibanez - Mariners "A Real Sweet Old Man"
197 Tyler Cloyd - Phillies
138 Micheal Morse - Nationals
94 AL ERA Leaders Price, Verlander, Weaver
67 2012 WS game 4  Giants
26 Chase Utley - Phillies

MCH-47 Justin Verlander Chasing History - Tigers
556 Nick Hundley - Padres
242 Matt Kemp - Dodgers

Pack #20
492 Jose Molina - Rays "from Puerto Rico"
541 Jon Lester - Red Sox
274 Miguel Montero - Diamondbacks
254 Sean Burnett - Nationals
119 Chris Davis - Orioles "6 foot 3, 230 lbs, of deliciousness"
85 Sean Doolittle - A's
49 Chris Sale - White Sox

443 Lou Marson "Gold Card Member" #d 48/62 - Indians
120 Ian Desmond - Nationals
72 Gerardo Parra - Diamondbacks

Pack #21
572 Lorenzo Cain - Royals

617 Fernando Rodney - Rays "Doing some kind of dorky touchdown dance"
636 Cole de Vries - Twins
3 Hunter Pence - Giants
81 Kershaw, Dickey, Cueto
95 Price, Weaver, Harrison
157 Carter Capps - Mariners
207 Matt Holliday - Cardinals
167 Luke Hochevar - Royals
127 Giancarlo Stanton - Marlins "from Sherman Oaks, CA."

Pack #22
105 Freddie Freeman - Braves
154 Sergio Romo - Giants
232 Jake Odorizzi - Royals
282 Russell Martin - Yankees
341 Lonnie Chisenhall - Indians
395 Alexei Ramirez - White Sox
445 Joe Thatcher - Padres

MCH-33 Dylan Bundy Chasing History - Orioles (Yep, I scanned this card sideways and saved it before I realized it was so.  Kinda fitting since his career has gone sideways with TJ surgery this past spring)
198 Chris Coghlan - Marlins
276 Luis Ayala - Orioles

Pack #23
646 Phillipe Aumount - Phillies
602 Anibal Sanchez - Tigers "Tiggers"
550 Matt Joyce - Rays
658 David Freese - Cardinals
511 Rob Brantly - Marlins
545 Alex Presley - Pirates
247 Luis Perez - Blue Jays

227 Jose Altuve - Astros "He's Really Little (she read his biographical stats on the back)"
218 Ben Zobrist - Rays
162 Kyle Seager - Mariners

Pack #24
580 Jordan Danks - White Sox
528 Darin Mastrioanni - Twins

568 Steve Lombardozzi - Nationals "A complete waste of hydration fluid!"
608 Ricky Nolasco - Marlins
70 Todd Frazier - Reds
8 Ryan Braun "Impotent" - Brewers
113 Starlin Castro - Cubs

417 Logan Forsythe "It's a Gold Rim" #d 7/62 - Padres
74 Kenley Jansen - Dodgers
50 Adam Wainwright - Cardinals


My wife is kinda big on the toilet humor (every guy should be so lucky!).  My wife seems to have the knack of pulling good Blue Jays cards too since she got the Encarnacion Pink and the Cabrera Gold.  I really wish the hits were spread around a little more amongst all the participants but its nothing I can do about it.

Here's the updated card count through 2 complete boxes:

Mets: 18
A's: 14
Diamondbacks: 18
Rangers: 19
Cardinals: 14
White Sox: 14
Tigers: 16
Indians: 11
Marlins: 15
Red Sox: 13
Angels: 15
Reds: 8
Astros: 22
Giants: 28
Brewers: 11
Dodgers: 14
Braves: 9
Rays: 18
Nationals: 19
Padres: 18
Yankees: 21
Cubs: 11
Phillies: 16
Blue Jays: 24
Royals: 14
Mariners: 12
Pirates: 14
Orioles: 16
Twins: 11
Rockies: 12

2013 Topps Mini Group Break: Round 3

Here comes box #2.  The wife will be opening the packs of this box and adding commentary where she sees fit.  Some of the comments were pretty funny through the first box.  It is interesting to note that some of the photos that seemed to grab the attention of bloggers also seemed to appeal to her too.

Box 2 Pack #1
607 Chris Carter - Astros
561 Josh Vitters - Cubs
584 Alfonso Soriano - Cubs
624 Justin Ruggiano - Marlins
171 Brock Holt - Pirates
136 Tyler Clippard - Nationals
106 Drew Stubbs - Reds
36 Jered Weaver - Angels
58 Jeremy Hellickson - Rays
25 Mark Teixeira "Still has dirt on his weiner" - Yankees

Box 2 Pack #2
448 Tim Hudson - Braves
429 David Price - Rays
208 Kurt Suzuki - Nationals
178 Justin Maxwell - Astros
567 Alfonso Soriano - Cubs
252 Dustin Ackley - Mariners
219 Josh Beckett - Dodgers

328 Jayson Werth Gold Bordered #d 25/62 - Nationals
71 Kyle Kendrick - Phillies
45 Travis Ishikawa - Brewers

Pack #3
302 Aaron Hill - Diamondbacks
347 Brett Anderson - Athletics
470 Jeff Francoeur - Royals
449 Michael Cuddyer - Rockies
597 Marco Scutaro - Giants
344 Kris Medlen - Braves
415 Leonys Martin - Rangers
444 Jordan Walden - Braves
248 Colby Lewis - Rangers

MCH-44 Stephen Strasburg Chasing History - Nationals

 Pack #4
211 Jarrod Parker - A's
214 Curtis Granderson - Yankees
160 Stephen Drew - A's
99 Paco Rodriguez - Dodgers
6 Ryan Howard - Phillies
270 Manny Machado - Orioles
351 Asdrubal Cabrera - Indians
379 Madison Bumgarner - Giants

381 Juan Nicasio - Rockies "With His Bug Eyes"
427 Chris Nelson - Rockies

Pack #5
83 Darin Ruf - Phillies
146 Kyle McClellan - Cardinals

230 David Robertson - Yankees "Another Rockette"
281 David Hernandez - Diamondbacks
287 Gonzalez, Dickey, Cueto NL Wins Leaders
331 Jose Reyes - Blue Jays
591 Derek Holland - Rangers
440 Ian Kinsler - Rangers
306 Jerry Hairston - Dodgers
365 Mike Baxter - Mets

We're getting a lot of duplicates already.  Wifey is not very impressed with the collation of the cards.  She thinks its a waste of time seeing the same cards over and over in the same order.  And we deal with this on a day to day basis!

Pack #6
129 Ike Davis - Mets
48 Ryan Cook - A's
24 Dan Haren - Angels
239 Ramon Santiago - Tigers
168 Kyle Farnsworth - Rays
142 Tony Cingrani - Reds
111 Casey Kelly - Padres
41 Dan Hudson - Diamondbacks
381 Wily Peralta - Brewers
474 Brian Omogrosso - White Sox

A Complete pack of dupes.  WTF

Pack #7
266 Albert Pujols - Angels
354 Casey Janssen - Blue Jays
428 Kyle McPherson - Pirates
494 Albert Callaspo - Angels
486 Jason Kubel - Diamondbacks
508 Felix Doubront - Red Sox
260 Giants 2012 NLDS Game 5
574 Corey Hart - Brewers
398 Mike Fiers - Brewers
455 Buster Posey - Giants

Pack #8
590 Liam Hendriks - Twins
526 Tyler Flowers - White Sox
629 Trevor Plouffe - Twins
613 Jhoulys Chacin - Rockies

137 Edinson Volquez - Padres "He looks deformed"
182 Randy Choate - Dodgers
216 Josh Willingham - Twins

217 Brian Matusz Pink "Rim" #d 21/25 - Orioles
339 Nick Swisher - Indians
364 Carlos Pena - Astros

Pack #9
316 Brian Bogusevic - Astros

301 Jarrod Saltalamacchia - Red Sox "Has Dierks Bentley curls"
264 Roy Halladay - Phillies
419 Matt Moore - Rays
534 Alberto Cabrera - Cubs
263 Ted Lilly - Dodgers
585 Homer Bailey - Reds   "Homer.  hahhaha"
125 Matt Holliday - Cardinals
478 Gavin Floyd - White Sox
516 Omar Infante - Tigers  "Tiggers"

Pack #10
315 Rafael Furcal - Cardinals
394 Ubaldo Jimenez - Indians
370 AJ Griffin - A's
375 Wilin Rosario - Rockies
278 Vincente Padilla "Palladilla" - Red Sox

MR-RR Ricky Romero Relic Card - Blue Jays
389 Phil Hughes - Yankees
435 Brandon Maurer - Mariners

Not only is this box chock full of dupes, I'm hogging all the hits.

Pack #11
328 Jayson Werth - Nationals
405 Hector Sanchez - Giants
441 Jose Bautista - Blue Jays
468 Anthony Gose - Blue Jays

505 Ross Detwiler - Nationals "He has an eating disorder, you can see his ribcage or something"
317 2012 AL Wildcard - Orioles
189 Posey, McCutchen, Braun "Someone might mishandle this card and lose their job"
512 Justin Smoak - Mariners
MCH-25 Alex Rodriguez Chasing History - Yankees (I'm not scanning this crap, I'd rather glue it to a bottle rocket and send it into the sky in my backyard"
552 Francisco Cervelli - Yankees "Getting injected again"

Pack #12
563 Nate Eovaldi - Marlins
656 Scott Diamond - Twins
628 Martin Maldonado - Brewers
169 Brad Ziegler - Diamondbacks
91 Alfredo Aceves - Red Sox
660 Miguel Cabrera - Tigers "Detroit Tiggers"
5 Carlos Gonzalez - Rockies

MCH-24 Mariano Rivera Chasing History - Yankees
482 Emilio Bonafacio - Blue Jays
529 Colin McHugh - Mets

Updated Card Count through half of box #2:

Mets: 15
A's: 11
Diamondbacks: 15
Rangers: 14
Cardinals: 8
White Sox: 10
Tigers: 12
Indians: 9
Marlins: 9
Red Sox: 11
Angels: 14
Reds: 6
Astros: 16
Giants: 20
Brewers: 10
Dodgers: 11
Braves: 7
Rays: 13
Nationals: 13
Padres: 12
Yankees: 20
Cubs: 10
Phillies: 13
Blue Jays: 14
Royals: 9
Mariners: 8
Pirates: 9
Orioles: 10
Twins: 8
Rockies: 11

I got 2 hits out of this half of the box (Matusz Pink "Rim" and the Romero relic card) but there were still plenty of other cool cards for other claimed teams too.  I wish we hadn't gotten so many duplicates either.  I was hoping by buying 3 boxes that I could get everyone close to a team set of their chosen teams.  We're only halfway thru the break so we will see what happens the rest of the way.

2013 Topps Mini Group Break: Round 2

Alrighty, on to round #2.  Continuing with box #1 I will continue to capture some of the comments my wife uttered as we were opening the packs together.  It's pretty funny to hear her giggle at some of the "constipation faces" that some of the pitchers have.

Box #1 Pack #13
15 Dustin Pedroia - Red Sox
98 Gaby Sanchez - Pirates
128 Buster Posey - Giants

192 Javier Lopez - Giants "Shout-out to Rosanna's Brother" (She used to work with Rosanna at her former employer)
327 Jhonny Peralta - Tigers
393 Andres Torres - Giants
471 Trevor Cahill - Diamondbacks
555 Joel Hanrahan - Red Sox
318 Hiroki Kuroda - Yankees
376 Juan Pierre - Marlins

Pack #14
522 Dallas Kuechel - Astros
38 Brian Wilson - Giants
83 Darin Ruf - Phillies
417 Logan Forsythe - Padres

649 Ryan Hanigan - Reds "Kind of a neat looking card"
587 Matt Cain - Giants
551 Wellington Castillo - Cubs

MCH-4 Ted Williams  Chasing History - Red Sox
66 Daniel Nava - Red Sox
78 Dylan Bundy - Orioles

Pack #15
132 Ryan Vogelsong - Giants
43 R.A. Dickey - Mets
13 Brett Lawrie - Blue Jays
248 Colby Lewis - Rangers
430 Josh Harrison - Pirates
520 Peter Bourjos - Angels
513 Zach McAllister - Indians
42 Tigers ALCS

552 Francisco Cervelli "One Team Mate is trying to hold him down and A-Rod is trying to inject him with steroids"  TOO FUNNY!  She had no idea A-rod ratted out Cervelli to MLB in the Biogenesis scandal.

186 Jordan Pacheco - Rockies "and his Forrest Gump Run"

Pack #16
300 Daniel Murphy - Mets
338 Mike Trout - Angels
382 Jackie Bradley Jr. - Red Sox
421 Jordy Mercer - Pirates
289 Jeremy Guthrie - Royals
391 Travis Wood - Cubs
410 Roy Halladay - Phillies
502 Patrick Corbin - Diamondbacks
145 Anthony Bass - Padres
120 Ian Desmond - Nationals

Pack #17
444 Jordan Walden - Braves
415 Leonys Martin - Rangers
319 Brian Bogusevic - Astros
69 Marco Scutaro - Giants
637 Ben Revere - Phillies
359 CC Sabathia - Yankees
412 Everth Cabrera - Padres

MCH-39 Tim Lincecum  Chasing History - Giants
72 Gerardo Parra - Diamondbacks
47 Howie Kendrick - Angels

Pack #18
146 Kyle McClellan - Cardinals
230 David Robertson - Yankees
281 David Hernandez - Diamondbacks
328 Jayson Werth - Nationals
583 Alejendro de Aza - White Sox
604 Rafael Betancourt - Rockies
592 Nick Markakis - Orioles!
549 Huston Street - Padres
404 Ryan Madson - Angels
384 Jake McGee - Rays

Pack #19
425 Josh Donaldson - A's
392 Tom Koehler - Marlins
333 Santiago Casilla - Giants
314 AJ Ellis - Dodgers
402 Tom Wilhelmson - Mariners
479 Kelly Johnson - Rays
504 Michael Bourn - Indians
533 JJ Hardy - Orioles
188 Brian Fuentes - Cardinals
156 Dylan Gee - Mets

Pack #20
354 Casey Jannsen - Blue Jays
428 Kyle McPherson - Pirates
494 Alberto Callaspo - Angels
475 Garrett Jones - Pirates
109 Kirk Nieuwenhuis - Mets
88 Jamey Carroll - Twins
507 Lance Lynn - Cardinals
654 Brandon Barnes - Astros
104 Jed Lowrie - Astros
71 Kyle Kendrick - Phillies

Pack #21
6 Ryan Howard - Phillies
99 Paco Rodriguez - Dodgers
160 Stephen Drew - A's
214 Curtis Granderson - Yankees
379 Madison Bumgarner - Giants
438 Yasmani Grandal - Padres
493 Johnny Giavotella - Royals
510 Nate McLouth - Orioles
527 Carlos Beltran - Cardinals
556 Nick Hundley - Padres

Pack #22
562 Jason Marquis - Padres
655 Salvador Perez - Royals
625 Dominic Brown - Phillies
563 Nate Eovaldi - Marlins
440 Ian Kinsler - Rangers
468 Anthony Gose - Blue Jays
505 Ross Detwiler - Nationals
317 Orioles Wild Card 2012
242 Matt Kemp - Dodgers

218 Ben Zobrist - Rays "Looks like he killed someone behind him"

Pack #23
287 Christian Garcia - Nationals
342 Matt Dominguez - Astros
407 Juan Pierre - Marlins
495 Joaquin Benoit - Tigers
539 Phil Coke - Tigers
567 Alfonso Soriano - Cubs
252 Dustin Ackley - Mariners

107 Joe Mauer Gold Border #16/62 - Twins.  This one has some factory damage on the upper left corner.  Whoever gets this one might be able to send it in and get a replacement.
162 Kyle Seager - Mariners
135 Eric Hosmer - Royals

Pack #24
656 Scott Diamond - Twins
628 Martin Maldonado - Brewers
572 Lorenzo Cain - Royals
189 Posey, McCutchen, Braun NL Batting Leaders (Random card at the end)

119 Chris Davis - Orioles "He's a fine Male specimen" (Chris is her Favorite Player)
85 Sean Doolittle - A's
49 Chris Sale - White Sox

MCH-13 Chasing History Lou Gehrig - Yankees
84 Adeiny Hechavarria - Blue Jays
58 Jeremy Hellickson - Rays

Here's an updated card count of Round 1 and 2 with how many each team has gotten so far:

Mets: 12
A's: 7
Diamondbacks: 10
Rangers: 10
Cardinals: 5
White Sox: 7
Tigers: 9
Indians: 6
Marlins: 7
Red Sox: 7
Angels: 10
Reds: 3
Astros: 12
Giants: 15
Brewers: 5
Dodgers: 6
Braves: 4
Rays: 9
Nationals: 7
Padres: 10
Yankees: 13
Cubs: 6
Phillies: 9
Blue Jays: 8
Royals: 8
Mariners: 5
Pirates: 7
Orioles: 7
Twins: 4
Rockies: 5

Probably the biggest surprise of box #1 for me was the amount of Astros cards.  I expected big hauls from the Rangers, Yankees (of course), and Giants but I'm sure the Dimwit isn't complaining.  It stinks that the Pale Hose weren't a chosen team but I'm sure that P-Town Tom is glad he made the trade for them so I guess technically he wanted them.  What will box #2 and #3 hold?