eTopps

I never really cared for eTopps, but I was sitting on some credit and I bought exactly three cards a few years ago. A few days ago, for reasons that escape me, I went ahead and got two of them delivered and put the third one up on eBay.

Heyward Collection: 2012 Triple Threads Future Phenoms Auto Relic

I have a few more Heyward autos to post, and then I'm done. This one showed up in the mail yesterday. As a rule, I'm not a huge fan of the die cut message windows in Triple Threads, but at least OF and 22 make sense. I think the red jersey looks great as well. I love the signature on this card. ("ON" the card. No sticker.) Love it. I hope Jason will continue to sign his full name and uniform number. (Maybe he's doing it as a tribute to Chipper's signature?)

Heyward Collection: 2011 Topps Tier One Auto #OR-JH

I really like the 2011 Tier One autos, even if the color of the right border reminds me a bit too much of 1992 Fleer. His signature is getting shorter and smaller, but adding the 22 helps a lot! (I've got a few more of these J-Hey signatures tricking in.)

Heyward Collection: 2011 Topps Triple Threads Auto Relic #TTUAR-6

I'm not a fan of Triple Threads as a whole. I bought a box back in 2006 and it was the biggest waste of time and money I've ever spent. That said, I did enjoy the auto relics from the 2011 set. I have the Martin Prado already, thanks to Derek over at Tomahawk Chopping. I knew I had to grab this one eventually.

J-Hey, that signature is less than expressive.

Heyward Collection: 2011 Topps Triple Threads Future Phenoms Auto Relic #122

I have mixed feelings about Triple Threads. I think the stupid little message windows cut out over the relic are ugly and more often than not, rather stupid. Yet, when I look at this card, I just like it. Why? Heyward I guess. I like that he included his uniform number in the signature. Not a bad card at all.

Heyward Collection: 2010 Topps Allen & Ginter Autograph #AGA-JHWE

We are starting to get near the end of my Heyward autographs ... or ... at least the one's I've acquired so far. I love the mini A&G autos, but I think the card would look better without the frame. The bright orange frame doesn't do a thing for me. Of course, with the frame, it's a lot easier to find a protector to slip the card in. 

Heyward Collection: 2008 Bowman Chrome Auto #BCP121

I knew I had to pull the trigger and buy this card eventually. It certainly isn't getting any cheaper. Plus, as Scott Coleman of SB Nation pointed out on Twitter yesterday, Heyward is now within .2 of the lead in WAR for the NL this season. Makes you wonder where he's be if Fredi hadn't banished him to the seven spot in the lineup for so long.

A Love Letter

Yesterday, over at Talking Chop, I posted what basically amounts to a love letter to Jason Heyward. No apologies: he's my favorite baseball player and he is also one of the best players in all of baseball. There's talk that the kid is overrated, but that comes from people who don't really understand baseball. There are a number of better offensive players, but there are very few people who do as many things well as he does.

Derek said it sounds like I might be changing the name of the blog ... maybe I will!

Heyward Collection: 2012 Topps Tier One Auto Patch

Here's my latest Heyward acquisition. I love the patch, but the photo could use some work. Get rid of the sticker too. This could have been a super beautiful card, instead, it's just moderately gorgeous.

Heyward Collection: 2012 Topps Golden Moments Autograph

My fellow fans of the Atlanta Braves, your eyes do not deceive you. That Jason Heyward autographed card is numbered to 10. That makes up for it being a sticker autograph. I do wish that Heyward was a bit more ... uh ... expressive with his signature.

Heyward Collection: 2011 Gypsy Queen Autograph

If there was any upside to Heyward's disappointing second season, it's that the cost of his auto cards slipped a little. Some of us chose to take advantage of this, and now his cards are rebounding. Considering that he's going to be a superstar, his cards are still undervalued. Buy! Buy! Buy!

Heyward Collection: 2012 Topps (and SP Variation)

J-Hey had what was by all accounts a disappointing second season. His offensive numbers were way down from his rookie year (where he was robbed of the Rookie of the Year award by voters who don't understand baseball). Still, in a crushingly disappointing season for the future superstar, he put up a 2.2 WAR. Let's see if hobby golden boy Bryce Harper can match that down the stretch this year.

The card up top is Heyward's regular card from 2012 Topps and the card above these words is his SP variation. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this would have been taken during the weekend of the Civil Rights Game. Loot at that smile folks. How can you not love this kid?

Speaking of Jason Heyward

I'd advise all Braves fans to read this excellent post from SB Nation's great Scott Coleman. Folks, this kid is just now shaping into the superstar he will be. (Currently, he's 7th in all of baseball in WAR for offensive players.)

Heyward Collection: 2012 Topps Tier One Game Used Trio

I saw that Colbey at Cardboard Collections posted his trio of Tim Hudson relics from Tier One, so I thought I should post mine as well. Colbey we may both be suckers, but they ARE nice looking cards.

It seems that are still those individuals who believe that Jason Heyward is under performing. These people don't really understand the game of baseball very well. What I see is a young kid who's just starting to get a handle on how good he can be.

Looking at these cards in a row, I'm realizing that even though I like them, I wish the multi-relic cards including snatches from different colored jerseys. It would certainly make the card more interesting to look at.

Heyward Collection: 2012 Allen & Ginter Silk Mini Parallel

I'm currently in love with this card. I have it beside me right now and I'm whispering sweet nothings to it. I hope it loves me as much as I love it.

Heyward Collection: 2012 Gypsy Queen Relic

There's a lot of talk among a lot of people that Heyward continues to disappoint. These people clearly don't understand the game of baseball.

Happiness is ...

... purchasing a single rack pack of 2011 Bowman and getting the four cards below.

Would I have rather had a Bryce Harper? Well, yes, because I could turn that over on eBay and get even more cards like the ones above.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

A guy I traded with a few times off a message board emailed me the other day saying he had a card that he knew I would want. I had an Adam Wainwright auto (from 2008 Sweet Spot) that he has coveted for some time now. None of his offers peaked my interest, but this one ... I just had to say yes. The card arrived today and to say it is already one of my favorites is an understatement. THANKS Jason -- I hope you enjoy the Wainwright!!!!

Yikes. My scanner needs cleaning and the top loader is scuffed a bit.

Whoa. Cool. Excellent.

So, I purchased a complete set of 2010 Topps Update on eBay (since I didn't want to waste money on a box), but the set won't be delivered for another few days. I was in Target last night and decided to go ahead and buy 2 packs for the heck of it. Well, I also picked up one of those rack packs of Bowman Chrome with three packs and the special green refractors, but those yielded nothing of interest to me. On the other hand, the Update packs came through for me with three cards of three of my favorite players who are, of course, Atlanta Braves.

The best utility man in the National League. A first rate player and a first rate teammate. Only the most hardened, pathetic, and cynical fan wasn't happy for him when Charlie Manuel named him to the All-Star team. He may have slowed down at the end of the season, but the Braves wouldn't have even been within sniffing distance of the post-season without him.

OK. Yeah. Maybe Buster Posey will be the Rookie of the Year. Heck, maybe he even deserves it. Honestly though, would you rather have him on your team long term or this guy? A healthy Heyward is going to set the NL on fire next year. (One request though Jason, can you stop with the stupid head first slides? Is there anyone left other than players who think head first slides are a good idea? While you're at it, get Prado to stop with them as well.)

This is the best catcher in National League. This is the man who won the MVP of the All Star game. This is the man who should have damn well been starting at catcher in the last five All Star games. Anyone who votes for Molina over Mac is stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid.