Let's Send it Over to the Randomizer

I want to thank everyone that took the time to participate in any of the contests this month, I hope you all found them to be as much fun as I did. I'm especially thrilled that 'Anything Goes' week drew the biggest response of the month. At the close of the claiming window, we had 16 entries! I apologize for not getting to the randomizer right after 8pm.

     

Here is the entire list entered into the randomizer.

Here is the screenshot of the list after 7 rounds. The time stamp on the randomizer is set at UTC(Coordinated Universal Time) which is 4 hours ahead of EST. bbcardz, The Lost Collector, and Elliptical Man are the winners of this week's contest. Congrats! I'd appreciate if bbcardz and Elliptical Man could reach out with their address within 48 hours since we have not traded in the past(same to AJ if anything has changed since I last sent stuff your way). As advertised, packages will go to the post office on Thursday.

As a final wrap up on a fun month of contests, I'd love to hear feedback of any kind. Would you like to see these continue in some form? Was a month of this long enough? Sound off. Positive, negative, or completely indifferent I'd love to hear it. Thanks again for helping celebrate the blog re-launch and as always, thanks for reading.

Anything Goes Week is Here

Welcome back for the final week of my blog re-launch contest. This week anything goes! Once again, a brief recap of the rules: 21 cards will be posted this week. Each reader can place a claim on one card. Cards can be claimed by more than one reader. Claims serve as entry into the contest and must be made with an associated name(no anonymous or unknown). The claim period will be open until Monday night at 8pm EST. At the close of that period, I will enter a list consisting of 'reader-card claimed' pairings into a list randomizer. This week, the top three readers with novel claims will be declared winners and receive Cardpocalypse packages. See yesterday’s post for clarification regarding the selection of winners. The packages will include the cards they claimed and some cards that will remain a mystery until the package is opened. Packages will be sent on Thursday.

First up, some familiar cardboard.

Joanna is /125, Bayley is /199(mat relic actually from NXT Takeover), and Kell is /175.

Familiar Refractor-y goodness.

From here on all of the cardboard will be making its contest debut. Max is the photo variation SP.

Forte is /200.



Hockey anyone?

Richardson is /75 and Johnson is /999.

Best of luck to all. The claiming period is open.

Final Round Rules Update

The final Cardpocalypse giveaway drops tomorrow. As previously promised, there will be multiple winners this time around. The theme is 'Anything Goes'. All rules from previous weeks apply here. However, I wanted to clarify how the winners will be selected. This week, the top three readers with novel claims will be declared winners.

The screenshot from this past week's contest will provide a good opportunity for me to explain. In the example above, the three winners would be John Sharp, Sport Card Collectors, and The Lost Collector. Jafronius would have missed out since SCC had claimed the same card and was higher on the list after the final shuffle.

Remember, everyone is eligible to enter this week. There will be 21 cards spanning all previous themes and a few that weren't already represented. Of those 21 cards, only 8 are making a second appearance in the contest. I'm really excited for this round and I hope all of you are too. The claiming period will begin in less than 24 hours...Are you ready?

Week 4's Winner is...

The bell has been rung on this week's claiming period. Thank you to the 9 readers that participated this week. Let's go to the list.

Here is the list pasted into the box, ready to be shuffled.

Here is the screenshot of the list after 7 rounds. Remember that the time stamp on the randomizer is set at UTC(Coordinated Universal Time) which is 4 hours ahead of EST. This week's winner is John Sharp! Please drop a comment with the best way to contact you about shipping instructions. The Sasha Banks relic will be headed your way. I once again have a challenging few days ahead of me preparing a prize pack for someone I haven't traded with in the past. If last week is any indicator, it's definitely going to be a blast! I thought that the Willie Nelson relic was out of here for sure since it proved to be so popular. Perhaps I'll have to throw it back out there for the upcoming 'Anything Goes' week. All previous winners are now eligible to enter once again. Stay tuned for a brief rules post later this week. It will outline how many winners there will be and give some additional contest specifications that will be in play.

Check back here this coming Sunday to see what is up for grabs when anything goes! Thanks for reading.

It's Cardpocalypse Sunday

Welcome back for week four of my blog re-launch contest. This week, the focus turns to MMA, wrestling, and non-sport content. Once again, a brief recap of the rules: nine cards will be posted every week. Each reader can place a claim on one card per week. Cards can be claimed by more than one reader. Claims serve as entry into the contest and must be made with an associated name(no anonymous or unknown). The claim period will be open until Monday night at 8pm EST. At the close of that period, I will enter a list consisting of 'reader-card claimed' pairings into a list randomizer. The reader/card combo at the top of the list after 7 rounds of shuffling will be the winner of the week's Cardpocalypse package. The winnings will include the card they claimed and some cards that will remain a mystery until the package is opened. Packages will be sent on Thursday each week. Readers can only win once during weeks 1-4. Week 5 will have multiple winners(number yet to be determined) and the four previous weekly winners will be eligible to enter again.

First up, some UFC cardboard.

Rose is /99, Joanna /125, and DJ /200.

Sasha is /150, Bayley /199 and HBK /299. Both mat relics are from he actual events(NXT Takeover Dallas for Bayley and Royal Rumble 2018 for Sasha).

I apologize that my non-sport game is kinda weak. We've got a sparkly Star-lord, The Flash in its foilboard glory, and a Willie Nelson relic.

In the words of 'Big' John McCarthy, 'Are you ready? Let's get it on!' 

The claiming period is open.

The Week Three Winner is....

The final buzzer has sounded on their week's claiming period! Thank you to the 7 readers that participated this week. The basketball contest edged out last week with just over an hour left.

Here is the list pasted into the box, ready to be shuffled.

Here is the screenshot of the list after 7 rounds. Remember that the time stamp on the randomizer is set at UTC(Coordinated Universal Time) which is 4 hours ahead of EST. This week's winner is The Diamond King! The Rick Barry relic will be headed your way. I have a challenging few days ahead of me preparing a prize pack for someone I haven't traded with in the past. It's gonna be fun! You are not eligible to enter in week 4, but I hope to see you back here for 'Anything Goes' week 5. Please let me know the best way to reach out to you regarding your address. 

Check back here this coming Sunday to see the variety of MMA/wrestling/non-sports cards that will be up for grabs in week 4. Thanks for reading.

Cardpocalypse, Basketball Style

Welcome back for week three of my blog re-launch contest. This week, we focus on basketball. Once again, a brief recap of the rules: Nine cards will be posted every week. Each reader can place a claim on one card per week. Cards can be claimed by more than one reader. Claims serve as entry into the contest and must be made with an associated name(no anonymous or unknown). The claim period will be open until Monday night at 8pm EST. At the close of that period, I will enter a list consisting of 'reader-card claimed' pairings into a list randomizer. The reader/card combo at the top of the list after 7 rounds of shuffling will be the winner of the week's Cardpocalypse package. The winnings will include the card they claimed and some cards that will remain a mystery until the package is opened. Packages will be sent on Thursday each week. Readers can only win once during weeks 1-4. Week 5 will have multiple winners(number yet to be determined) and the four previous weekly winners will be eligible to enter again.

I have really appreciated the participation and interaction throughout the first few weeks. Entry numbers were down last week which I expected considering the switch from baseball to football. As we move on to basketball this week, will we see an increase in numbers? Will there be more than week one? Time will tell. Let's see what's up for grabs this week.

Let's start with some ink and a relic.

Durant is /25.

Carter/Edwards is the single side refractor(VC) variety, Dominique is a bronze refractor, and Richmond is the gold parallel.

Best of luck to all, the claiming period tips off now!

The Second Cardpocalypse Goes To...

Once again I want to thank everyone who participated this week. A few minutes ago when the claiming window closed, there were 6 entries. Based upon the typical page view numbers that football related posts draw, I fully expected the lower total, and was happy with the end result. I was even more pleased with the emergence of an unintended strategic element to the contest. A comment was posted about wrestling with the decision to enter this week and possibly miss out on the chance to win something more desirable in the coming weeks. I had a separate Twitter message conversation with a different reader on the same topic. I hadn't planned the contest in this manner, but the layers that have emerged are a welcome and happy accident. Is there anyone else out there sharing the same thought process? Perhaps. Either way, I hope it adds to the enjoyment of the month's festivities. I'll try to live up to the expectations of something better each week. Without further delay, let's head to the randomizer!

Here is the entire list pasted into the box, ready to be shuffled.

Here is the screenshot of the list after the standard 7 rounds. Remember that the time stamp on the randomizer is set at UTC(Coordinated Universal Time) which is 4 hours ahead of EST. This week, the winner is Night Owl! The very popular Jim Kelly/Thurman Thomas dual materials card will be headed your way along with some 'mystery' cards to keep it company. NO, you are not eligible to enter in weeks 3-4, but I hope to see you back here in week 5 for 'Anything Goes' week.

Now that two weeks are under the belt, I'd love to hear any thoughts about this concept. Positives? Constructive feedback? Maddening frustrations(I hope not)? Suggestions for edits? My ears/eyes are open to it all. I think I'd like to make this a semi-regular fixture here if readers out there are enjoying the participation as much as I have enjoyed picking cards and piecing together the Cardpocalypse package that was sent to last week's winner, Dimebox Nick.

Check back here this Sunday to see the basketball cards up for grabs in week 3. Thanks for reading.

Cardpocalypse Part Deux

First things first, Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there.

Welcome back for the second week of my blog re-launch contest. This week, we focus on football. Once again, a brief recap of the rules: Nine cards will be posted every week. Each reader can place a claim on one card per week. Cards can be claimed by more than one reader. Claims serve as entry into the contest and must be made with an associated name(no anonymous or unknown). The claim period will be open until Monday night at 8pm EST. At the close of that period, I will enter a list consisting of 'reader-card claimed' pairings into a list randomizer. The reader/card combo at the top of the list after 7 rounds of shuffling will be the winner of the week's Cardpocalypse package. The winnings will include the card they claimed and some cards that will remain a mystery until the package is opened. Packages will be sent on Thursday each week. Readers can only win once during weeks 1-4. Week 5 will have multiple winners(number yet to be determined) and the four previous weekly winners will be eligible to enter again.

Some rookie materials including a Saint(partial inspiration for the title).

More rookies/rookie year cardboard with a little ink mixed in.

An auto, an older school tandem, and a HOF refractor. The combo materials is /99.

...And We Have A Winner!

To everyone that participated in the first Cardpocalypse contest, I want to say thank you. At the close of the claiming window last night at 8pm EST, we had 12 entries. There was a 13th entry that I was forced to disqualify because it was from an 'Unknown' author. I tried to comment back to that reader asking for definitive identification but did not hear anything back. Going forward, I will be clarifying the need to know who is making the claim in the rules recap while posting pics of the cards of the week.

           

Here is the total list entered into the randomizer. Note the time on the screenshot.

Here is the screenshot of the list after 7 rounds. The time stamp on the randomizer is set at UTC(Coordinated Universal Time) which is 4 hours ahead of EST. With all of the verification mumbo jumbo out of the way, I want to say a huge congrats to Nick! You are the winner of the first Cardpocalypse giveaway. The Gleyber Torres Finest Blue Chips will be headed your way along with some 'mystery' cards to keep it company on the journey up to IL. Nick, you are not eligible to enter in weeks 2-4. I hope to see you back here in week 5 for 'Anything Goes' week.

Check back here on Sunday to see he football cards up for grabs in week 2.

The First Cardpocalypse Is Imminent

Today's the day. The first in a series of 5 weekly giveaway/contests begins right here! First, let's recap the rules. Nine cards will be posted every week. Each reader can place a claim on one card per week. Cards can be claimed by more than one reader. Claims serve as entry into the contest. The claim period will be open until Monday night at 8pm EST. At the close of that period, I will enter a list consisting of 'reader-card claimed' pairings into a list randomizer. The reader/card combo at the top of the list after 7 rounds of shuffling will be the winner of the week's Cardpocalypse package. The winnings will include the card they claimed and some cards that will remain a mystery until the package is opened. Packages will be sent on Thursday each week. Readers can only win once during weeks 1-4. Week 5 will have multiple winners(number yet to be determined) and the four previous weekly winners will be eligible to enter again. Without further delay, here's a look at this week's baseball cards.

First, three retired stars: Ripken is a refractor and Kell is /175.

A mix of current stars.

Some relics to round out the first week.

Okay all, the Cardpocalypse is nigh. The claiming period is open!

This One's For the Kids

The Kid's Club that is! My endless quest for new and interesting stuff led me to discover this gem, a small giveaway set from the ChiSox Kid's Club. I'm sure that by now you all know that I don't collect the White Sox, but this set has a few players that I like and it definitely fits in with my affinity for oddball issues.

I like Abreu. I won't collect him because a lot of his cards are outside my budget, but it's nice to add cards like this of the Cuban slugger. I especially like it because it's one of the few cards that I own that doesn't show him in that airbrushed throwback Sox uni! I love Robertson(despite the fact that he's a Yankee no more), but it is strange seeing him in the wrong pinstripes(even if this one is airbrushed)!

Check out the card backs. They pack a ton of info on here! I especially like the 'Fun Facts' and the 'Did You Know?' sections. You can definitely tell these were aimed at younger fans.

These complete the 6 card set. Chris Sale is one of my favorite pitchers playing right now, so it was great to add this one to my stack of his cards. I haven't officially decided to start a PC on him just yet, but it may not be far off.

I love the mascot card too! I didn't even realize that the Sox had a mascot. I suppose I should take that as a hint to focus a bit more on the past few years' worth of Opening Day Mascot inserts. 

All in all, this is a great little set. If only the Yankees had something similar for me to chase after...or maybe they do and I just haven't discovered it yet!