Look back: 2011

Another year has come to an end. I wanted to take a moment today to look back at the goals I posted last January in my "Look ahead: 2011" post. I'm proud to be able to say we completed all but one.

• Progress: 495/990 - Only missed this one by a few. Our current total for our signed 08 Topps set sits at 469/990. Not bad.
  


• 2008 Topps Gold Border Parallel - COMPLETED! We easily surpassed a dozen and currently have 18 signed 2008 Topps Gold Border Parallel cards.


• Player Collection - COMPLETED! This one was easy. We officially launched our Luis Aparicio player collection last April and have had 32 Lil Luis-related posts.


• Have a Contest - COMPLETED! Remember when we gave away that box of 2010 Bowman Chrome? Seems like a long time ago now.


• Keep My Blog Alive - COMPLETED! There were at least three times the past few months when we went for more than two weeks without posting but My 2008 Topps Set Blog is still around.

2011 was another good collecting year. A lot of the stuff I buy doesn't make it's way to the blog. I've been posting a lot of non-2008 Topps stuff lately and I expect that to continue into 2012.

# HA-JS - Jeff Salazar - Certified Auto

I've actually had my eye on this card for awhile. It always seemed to go for a little more than I was willing to spend. I like Jeff Salazar and he did some good things for the Diamondbacks in 2008 but I knew if I waited long enough I'd get one for a buck or two shipped. My patience paid off and now this autograph is part of our 2008 Topps collection.

# HA-JS - Jeff Salazar - Certified Auto

# HA-SS - Seth Smith - Certified Auto

Hey we just posted the card Seth Smith signed for our base set earlier this month. Now we have his certified auto. Isn't that great?

# HA-SS - Seth Smith - Certified Auto

# HA-MB - Mike Bacsik - Certified Auto

Here's a good example of what Topps can do with the shiny stickers they have had players sign. I'm sure Mike Bacsik never would have guessed his sticker would end up on a card commemorating a home run that he gave up. I'm sure it's a memorable moment but probably not one of his career highlights.

# HA-MB - Mike Bacsik - Certified Auto

# HA-EV - Edinson Volquez - Certified Auto

Next up in our stack of 08 Topps certified autos is Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher, Edinson Volquez. Not too long ago it looked like this guy might be a star. He was even an All-Star in 2008. That was before the suspension for performance-enhancing drugs in 2010. He hasn't been quite as good since.

Last week, he was traded to the San Diego Padres. Maybe I'll see him during Spring Training. I hope so because I still have his All-Star card from the Updates & Highlights set that I need to get signed.

# HA-EV - Edinson Volquez - Certified Auto

# HA-RM - Russ Martin - Certified Auto

Every year when my wife asks me what I want for Christmas, she always brings up the fact that she would buy me baseball cards but doesn't know what to get. Completely understandable. Fortunately I have no problem with picking up a few things for myself. This year part of my Christmas present was a small stack of certified autographs from the 2008 Topps set. I'll be doing a post on each of them over the next few days.

First up is former Los Angeles Dodgers catcher, Russell Martin. Russ has a pretty impressive resume. He is a three-time All-Star and has won both a gold glove and silver slugger award. I'm pretty sure this is the first autograph of his of any kind we have.

# HA-RM - Russ Martin - Certified Auto

# 35 - Mike Cameron - Bronze Refractor

I've met Mike Cameron a few times during Spring Training when he was with the Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres. He has to be one of the nicest, fan-friendly players that I've ever seen.

Mike came through for us again. This time he signed his Bronze Refractor from the 2008 Topps Chrome set. This one looks great signed in black Sharpie. It's numbered 137/599 on the back.

Merry Christmas everybody! Santa brought me a few cards I'll be posting over the next few days.

# 35 - Mike Cameron - Bronze Refractor

# 35 - Mike Cameron - Chrome XFractor

Got a nice return from former Milwaukee Brewers outfielder, Mike Cameron. Mike signed his XFractor from the 2008 Topps Chrome set for us. If you're keeping track at home, this is only our second signed XFractor.

# 35 - Mike Cameron - XFractor

# 422 - Erick Aybar

Part of Mike Scioscia's super team out in Los Angeles consists of this guy who won his first Gold Glove at shortstop in 2011. Yup, Erick Aybar might not have the biggest bat but his defense is superb.

# 422 - Erick Aybar

Progress: 469/990

Luis Aparicio Collection - 2005 UD Past Time Pennants Certified Auto

Any early Christmas present for myself? Why not!

I picked up this Luis Aparicio autograph a few days ago. It's from the 2005 Upper Deck Past Time Pennants set. The base cards from this one are nice but the on-card certified autos are great! This one features a nice black and white photo of Lil Luis which makes the blue signature really pop.

# 423 - Mike Scioscia

Man, this guy's going to have some fun next year. In addition to former All-Stars like Torii Hunter and Jered Weaver, Mike Scioscia will now get to manage Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson. I still like the Rangers but it's hard to not say that the Angels are the team to beat in the AL West.

# 423 - Mike Scioscia

Progress: 468/990

# UH 174 - D.J. Carrasco

This signed card of former Chicago White Sox reliever, D.J. Carrasco came to us from our friend Raiderdan on SweetSpotGraphs.com. Another nice one. Thanks, Dan!

I hadn't been to SSG in awhile and it looks like it may have been shut down. Anyone know?

# UH 174 - D.J. Carrasco

Progress: 467/990

# 185 - Yunel Escobar

I've liked Yunel Escobar since I saw him play in the Arizona Fall League a quite a few years back. The Toronto Blue Jays locked him up with a long term deal last summer so it looks like he'll be a fixture in their infield for quite some time.

All of these signed 08 Topps cards we've been posting this week came to us via trade with a friend on SportsGraphing.com

# 185 - Yunel Escobar

Progress: 466/990

Luis Aparicio Collection - 2008 UD Premier Stitchings Patch

We picked up our first manufactured patch card for our Luis Aparicio collection. This one is from the 2008 Upper Deck Premier set and commemorates his Rookie of the Year award. Nice looking card and it's numbered 67/75.

# 56 - Seth Smith

After another long span of no blog posts, we're going to do our best to finish strong. I need to catch up on some scanning but we've got plenty of great stuff to do posts on.

Here's another signed 08 Topps card for our collection. This one is of Colorado Rockies outfielder, Seth Smith.

# 56 - Seth Smith

Progress: 465/990

# UH 315 - Sean Rodriguez

Sean Rodriguez is one of those super utility players. He's started a game at every position except catcher and pitcher. Pretty cool. We recently picked up this signed card from the 08 Topps set.

# UH 315 - Sean Rodriguez

Progress: 464/990

Ron Santo - HOF 2012

I know I'm a little behind on this but I just heard the news ( Thanks, Brian ). One of my dad's all-time favorite players has finally been elected to the Hall of Fame. As much as I wish that Ron was around to enjoy it, I also wish my dad was here to share this too. He passed away over the summer and I'd really, really like to call him to talk about this but I can't. Instead, I'm sitting in front of his laptop and typing this post with tears in my eyes.

My dad and I were able to meet Mr. Santo quite a few times and we have several of his autographs in our collection. I think I'll save those for July. For today, let's enjoy his 1963 Topps card. Go Cubbies!

# 52 - Matt Leinart - Printing Plate

I remember being super excited when the Arizona Cardinals drafted Matt Leinart. His time here in AZ turned out to be kind of disappointing but he has a fresh start today. Matt should be the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans when they take the field later this morning. I wish him the best of luck.

I grabbed this printing plate a few months ago. I know our 08 Topps collection primarily focuses on baseball but I couldn't pass this up for $5.

# 54 - Matt Leinart - Printing Plate

2011 Topps - Justin Upton Black Border Parallel

Here at My 2008 Topps Set Blog we're celebrating Black Friday with Black Border Parallel cards! Since this is the second year we've done this, I think it's safe to say it's officially a tradition.

Getting things started early this year so you'll have some reading material while you're waiting in line at Wal-Mart to pay for your cart full of $4 toddler pajamas and two buck DVDs.

We picked this Justin Upton card up for our D-Backs / 2010 All-Star Game collection. It's numbered 33/60 on the back.

Luis Aparicio Collection - 2003 eTopps Fan Fest Promo

I don't know much about this card. It appears to be some type of promo card that was given away at the 2003 All-Star Game Fan Fest. The All-Star Game was in Chicago that year so I guess Topps made a special card of Luis Aparicio to promote their eTopps website. The back has a $5 off coupon code. I'd share it but expired a long time ago.

I really like this one. It's shiney and has a cool design and picture.

Luis Aparicio Collection - 2011 Topps Tier One Redemption Card

I haven't seen a whole lot of posts around the blogosphere for 2011 Topps Tier One so I figured I'd share the four cards I've picked up.

Yah I know redemption cards aren't very exciting but I'm hoping that this one's really cool once Topps gets around to sending it to me. I've heard that they're numbered to 99 but who really knows.

2011 Topps Tier One - Daniel Hudson Certified Auto

I haven't seen a whole lot of posts around the blogosphere for 2011 Topps Tier One so I figured I'd share the four cards I've picked up.

As soon as I saw this card, I knew I had to have it. I even grabbed up the first one I saw with a reasonable buy it now. Yep, it's another Daniel Hudson for our unofficial Daniel Hudson collection.

2011 Topps Tier One - Mike Minor Certified Auto

I haven't seen a whole lot of posts around the blogosphere for 2011 Topps Tier One so I figured I'd share the four cards I've picked up.

The next card we bought was of Atlanta Braves starter, Mike Minor. Mike was the 7th overall draft pick in 2009. I'm thinking there's a good chance he'll be a star soon too.

2011 Topps Tier One - Fernando Martinez Certified Auto

I haven't seen a whole lot of posts around the blogosphere for 2011 Topps Tier One so I figured I'd share the four cards I've picked up.

The first is of New York Mets prospect, Fernando Martinez. It seems like this guy has been around forever but he's still only 22. As the back of the card points out, there's still plenty of time for him to become a star. Let's hope they're right.

# 148 - Gerald Laird

I'm sure Tigers fans are glad to have this guy back in Detroit. I'm glad to have his 2008 Topps cards signed. Who am I talking about? Gerald Laird, of course.

# 148 - Gerald Laird

Progress: 463/990

# UH 143 - Chipper Jones

We got Chipper Jones's autograph. No big deal. Okay it's kind of a big deal.

# UH 143 - Chipper Jones

Progress: 462/990

# 53 - Bobby Doerr - Team Gift Set

Hall of Famer, Bobby Doerr came through for us again. This time he signed the Red Sox celebration card from the 2008 Topps Boston Red Sox 55 card team gift set for us. You may remember that he signed the regular base version of this card for us too. That was back in April 2009. It was the 51st signed card for our 08 Topps set.

Thanks, Bobby!

# 53 - Boston Red Sox - Team Gift Set

2011 Topps Lineage - Justin Upton Jersey Card

We picked this one up off eBay for $2 shipped. I actually really like these 1975 mini jersey cards. They're pretty cool. Last week I mentioned trying to build up our collection of D-Backs cards. Well this is our first Justin Upton relic so we're making progress.

Luis Aparicio Collection - 2004 UD Ultimate Collection

I don't remember this set but I was glad to pick up this card for less than $2 shipped. I liked it because it was numbered ( 454/675 ) and because it features a nice picture of Luis Aparicio that I haven't seen before.

# UH 291 - Jonathan Herrera

Jonathan Herrera spent most of 2011 on the big league roster with the Colorado Rockies. He played in 104 games and but didn't put up that good of numbers. Maybe 2012 will be a breakout year for him.

# UH 291 - Jonathan Herrera

Progress: 461/990

# UH 279 - Alex Hinshaw

We've been doing a lot of non-2008 Topps posts lately but that doesn't mean we're non still working hard on the set. I'm finding that posting cards from our Luis Aparicio player collection or of other things I like keep blogging more entertaining for me.

That being said, next up is another signed 2008 Topps card. This one is of San Francisco Giants reliever, Alex Hinshaw.

# UH 279 - Alex Hinshaw

Progress: 460/990

2007 Topps Allen & Ginter - Stephen Drew Jersey Card

We made a trade with TheBrooklynMet from Clear Cut Cards. We sent him the Ike Davis jersey card we pulled out of our Topps Lineage Hot Pack. He sent us this nice Stephen Drew jersey card from the 2007 Allen & Ginter set. I'm slowly trying to build up my D-Backs collection. This one's a pretty sweet addition.

Luis Aparicio Collection - 1993 Action Packed

I remember Action Packed being kind of a big deal in the early 90s. I remember them more for their football sets but they did come out with a few sets of baseball Hall of Famers too.

This card is from their 1993 set. I like it because the photo is almost identical to the cover on the April 30, 1962 Sports Illustrated cover.

# 29 - Ryan Church - Team Gift Set

Ryan Church also signed his card from the 2008 Topps Mets Team Gift Set for us too. This one's an entirely different picture from his regular issue.

# 29 - Ryan Church - Team Gift Set

Someone Reads My Blog!

John from Donruss 1982 is compiling a list of the 20 Greatest Sports Card Blogs of All-Time. In case you missed it, My 2008 Topps Set Blog came in at # 18. With over 300 blogs currently on the Sports Card Blog Roll, I'm very honored to be part of his list.

You can check out his post on our blog here.

And please enjoy this 1982 Donruss card. It's of one of my favorite Hall of Famers, Andre Dawson.

# NYM-13 - Ryan Church - Team Set

Got a nice TTM return recently from former New York Mets outfielder, Ryan Church. Ryan signed his card from the 2008 Mets 14 card team set for us. This one's different from his regular issue that had him on the Washington Nationals.

# NYM-13 - Ryan Church - Team Set

2010 Topps Finest - Daniel Hudson Patch Certified Auto

On our final day of "5 Days of Daniel Hudson" we bring to you a nice manufactured patch certified autograph. This one's from the 2010 Topps Finest set. This is the first manufactured patch auto I've ever bought. I must say these are nicer in person than I thought they would be. Maybe it's because the signature on this one isn't bad. I've seen worse.

In case you were wondering, this one's numbered 78/217 on the back.

I hope you enjoyed "5 Days of Daniel Hudson." Go D-Backs!

2010 Bowman Sterling - Daniel Hudson Certified Auto Refractor

Day four of our "Five Days of Daniel Hudson" brings us a card that looks very similar to the one we posted yesterday. The only difference is that this one's a refractor and is numbered to 199. I'm a sucker for a nice refractor so I threw down a few extra bucks and picked up this one too.

2010 Bowman Sterling - Daniel Hudson Certified Auto

Our "5 Days of Daniel Hudson" continues with a 2010 release from the Bowman Sterling set. This one's a nice simple, shiney card with a sticker auto. I do like the small D-Backs logo in the lower right corner. Also, Daniel's wearing the D-Backs grey away jersey which happens to be my favorite D-Backs jersey.

Does anyone besides me follow Daniel Hudson ( @DHuddy41 ) on Twitter? Actually more importantly, are you following me ( @unclemoe ) on Twitter? If you're not, you should follow us both.

2011 Topps Update - Daniel Hudson Certified Auto

Alot of people have been asking if we're starting a Daniel Hudson player collection. The answer is no. He's a rising star on our favorite team and his certs are going for just a few bucks right now. So not really a player collection, just a collection of cards of a player we really like.

Day two of the "Five Days of Daniel Hudson" brings us a nice auto from the 2011 Topps Update set. This one is from their Next 60 insert set. Nice follow-up to their Topps 60 set from Series 1 and 2. I like the way the red border compliments Daniel's D-Backs jersey.

2011 Topps Gypsy Queen - Daniel Hudson Certified Auto

We've picked up a few certified autographs from Arizona Diamondbacks starter, Daniel Hudson recently. I thought I'd do a post for each of them over the next few days. Let's call it "5 Days of Daniel Hudson."

Day one starts us off with a nice on-card signature from the 2011 Topps Gypsy Queen set. Gypsy Queen hit the blogosphere pretty hard a few months ago. It was everywhere. I even did a pack break. It's still a great set with a great autograph checklist.

Luis Aparicio Collection - 2003 Topps Fan Favorites Refractor

I love refractors. I didn't even remember that the 2003 Topps Fan Favorites set had refractors as inserts. This card is extremely nice and is numbered to 299. I'm glad to have it as part of our collection.

# UH 243 - Joe Mather

We picked up a signed card of former St. Louis Cardinal, Joe Mather. Joe spent time in 2011 with the Braves and Rockies organizations.

# UH 243 - Joe Mather

Progress: 459/990

Luis Aparicio Collection - 2011 Topps Kimball Champions II

Much to my surprise Luis Aparicio was included in the 2011 Topps Update Kimball Champions set. This is his second mini card this year. The first featured him on the White Sox and this one remembers his days with the Orioles.

2011 Topps Kimball Champions - Ryne Sandberg

Yesterday's pack break reminded me I had this card to post on. Growing up, Ryne Sandberg was my favorite player. I guess you could say he was my first player collection. Unfortunately his autographs and game used cards go for a little too much so I haven't been to active in picking up his stuff in my adult years. I have grabbed a few of his low-end cards recently including this Kimball Champions mini.

Pack Break - 2011 Topps Lineage Hot Pack

I'm sure I'm not the only one who occasionally throws in a low bid on one of those "Hot Pack" eBay auctions. This time I won. For $4 and free shipping I scored a 2011 Topps Lineage value pack.

My hit was an Ike Davis mini-jersey card. Not bad.

Everything except the Ryne Sandberg and Daniel Hudson would be available for trade if you're interested.

# 15 - Alan Trammell - Team Gift Set

I haven't gotten much mail back lately but a few good ones have come back. The best is probably this one of former Chicago Cubs bench coach and Detroit Tigers legend, Alan Trammell.

# 15 - Alan Trammell - Team Gift Set

2011 Topps Update All-Star Stitches Jersey Cards

You may remember that thanks to my Dad, I was able to go to the 2011 All-Star Game here in Phoenix. Soon after we got the tickets, I realized that Topps would probably have All-Star jersey cards in their Update set. I was right.

I've been busy trying to pick up as many of these as I can. Right now I have 28 different players, not including the duplicates with a different jersey color. I've already gotten most of the ones I want but I'm still on the lookout for a few ( Justin Upton, Gio Gonzalez, C.J. Wilson come to mind ).

Some of the pics Topps chose for these are a little boring but overall I like them. Kind of a cool souvenir from the most awesome baseball game I've ever been to.