Elsewhere in Cyperspace: Topps Backlash Edition

My full thoughts on the "Topps screwed us all with this retail BS" situation are now up on the Cardboard Connection. No, it's not just me up on a soapbox.

Here's an excerpt from the full article:

By pulling what was essentially a bait and switch, Topps has screwed the whole thing up. Sure, people may buy a blaster for the novelty, but they have wrecked the set and team collectors that were looking forward to this release. It is now either financially impossible or simply too frustrating to go after these cards in their limited release and they will turn elsewhere.

In writing this, I looked back on the first article I wrote about these retail cards, back when I was excited for their release. I couldn't help but notice what now appears to be an ominous closing paragraph:

So now, with Series 2 upon us, I can’t wait for Topps to tell us which UPC codes to use this time so that the chase can begin. Somehow, through some dark magic that I will never understand, Topps has gotten me excited to collect three versions of the same basic set. Kudos. Just don’t do something tricky or secret to screw it all up. We may be idiots, but we’re not dumb.

No, we're not. Read the full article, "Topps To Collectors: Drop Dead" over at the Cardboard Connection.

Elsewhere in Cyberspace

I've been on the road for business for the last two days and only get sweet little tastes of the internet in the evenings. Still, I was able to put a little piece together on the future trouble upcoming with the 1/1 Alex Gordon/Billy Butler card that is coming my way.

You can read all about it over at the Cardboard Connection.

Regular posts should resume this weekend, although I may be able to squeeze one in tomorrow before I head off to the airport.

Elsewhere in Cyberspace: Prospect Edition

My latest over at the Cardboard Connection is up, in which I look at the risks and rewards of the current batch of hobby prospects. Or mostly the fall on your face potential. There is a reason it is titled "When Prospecting Goes Wrong."

As someone who experienced Wieters-mania first hand, I got a kick out of writing this. Fans who are suffering through Gordon Beckham's 0-13 start, or Tommy Hanson's unremarkable debut will share in the pain.

Read all about it here.

Elsewhere in Cyberspace

The Cardboard Connection has my most recent commentary on the base set trifecta that I'm anxiously awaiting in Topps Series 2. Of course, you can read all about it right here.

An excerpt: (From "Topps Grabs By Ankles; Lifts, Shakes")

I once read that parallels are just doubles for idiots—I wish I could remember where, but I laughed out loud when I first heard it—likely after splurging on a semi-rare but not really parallel of some sort. On that alone, I must be quite the fool.

Worth a read, if you ask me.

While I'm on the topic, don't forget to sign up for a team(s) for the Series 2 Group Break that will be happening here, as soon as those specially marked blasters hit the light of day.

In a couple hours I will be making the 9 hour drive back to Michigan (and back, on Monday) so I expect posting to be on the lighter side for the next few days. On the plus side, I'm now officially caught up on sending out packages and get the joy of going through and cataloging all of the new cards that sit in bubble envelopes on my desk when I get back! Enjoy your Memorial Day everyone!

Cardboard Connectivity

So there's this fine new place in cyberspace called the Cardboard Connection. Maybe you've heard of it before? If not, I strongly encourage you to check it out. Not only does it offer the card collectors the social network that is all the rage these days, but it provides news, reviews and other fun card-related stuff.

Like me!

Somehow, the all-knowing editorial staff at the site has allowed me to be a regular contributor to the site, something that I plan to do once a week. In fact, baseball card insight #1 was just published yesterday for all interested parties. The way I see it, the general tone and style of stuff over there will be the same as stuff over here (think of me as a baseball card Craig Calcaterra, if you want to paint me in a favorable light), although I will try to keep content separate so as to not repeat myself.

So if you haven't already, take a peek at the Cardboard Connection--not because my now-biased self said so, but because there's actually a lot of good stuff over there. Like none other than Ms. Sooz, for starters.