4 Days of Tulo: Day 4... Finally

It's been a hectic few days to say the least. I'm extremely behind schedule on packing for the 1900mi move from Denver to Orlando and many of my online accounts were hacked during day one of the NFL Draft.

Now that the catastrophe has come and gone, I'm back to blogging. Thanks to those of you who have been bearing with me (and the blog) during this time of transition.

I made a steal on eBay last week and purchased a great short print for $1.25 with S&H included! This little puppy is a great addition to the collection:


'07 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini Black Bordered Short Print

As the regular readers already know, I'm a huge fan of solid retro sets. TA&G '07 is one of those sets that I really admire.

Here's the back of the card for ya with '06 stats and bio:



Unfortunately, this evening Mr. Tulowitzki 'strained' his quadriceps and had to leave the game. It was extremely painful to watch as he injured it while charging a routine chopper up the gap. This injury caused 3B Garrett Atkins to shift to second, 2B Clint Barmes (The Tulo Before Tulo) to shift to his natural position of short and backup C Chris Iannetta to move to third. Between Jayson Nix being designated for assignment to work on his swing (but more importantly to call up another pitcher to aleviate the workload on the bullpen) and Jeff Baker dinging up his finger in BP today, the bench is looking quite shallow. Iannetta, however, started the following inning batting for Tulo and went yard on his second pitch of the game and first AB as a third baseman.

However, I digress. The card is a great addition and in amazing shape. I've been dealing with card withdrawals on an epic level recently so it was nice to see this guy in the mailbox yesterday.

In addition, I'll be beefing up the blog in the coming weeks with more content and less time wasted to you, the reader. This might be the last post for a couple of weeks, but until then, happy collecting.

Signing off... for now...

- J.C.F.

I Love Getting Hacked...

It appears as though my Google account got hacked (or someone at Google really screwed up) sometime within the last 24 hours. Fortunately, it's back up and running, but I was a bit nervous/extremely angry.

Crisis diverted...

Fourth and last Tulo card of the near future will be posted in the next 48 hours as the move to Orlando is a mere 10 days away.

That's all I got...

- J.C.F.

4 Days of Tulo: Day 3

On the third Day of Tulo my hobby shop gave to me:



an '08 Topps Rockies Collection base card.

Standard Topps Operating Procedure on this one. I'm not sure if this will be the same card used for Tulo in Series Two, but I'm assuming it is.

The Fourth Day of Tulo might not come around until Monday or Tuesday. In between the NFL Draft tomorrow (I mean today) and the Postal Service taking the day off on Sunday, I might not have anything new for ya until then.

I will let you know that an SP is on the way, however. Thanks for checking in.

That's all I got...

- J.C.F.

Beginner's Wax...

I have to take a minute here for a quick shoutout.

For those of you that haven't checked it out yet, do yourself a favor and head on over to Beginner's Wax. Grant just got back into the hobby and, as we all have, noticed a change in the game over the past decade or so. As he re-learns the trade of being a collector, G is documenting his journey and creating a great product. It's a new blog, but definitely worth the read.

A fantastic writer, a dedicated collector, and my future little brother-in-law (no bias here!).

Check it!

That's all I got...

- J.C.F.

4 Days of Tulo: Day 2

Technically it's Friday, however it's been a mere six and a half hours since the '4 Days of Tulo' started. I'm saving money for the move back south and I'm guessing this my is way of coping with card withdrawal. I couldn't tell you the last time I set foot in a hobby shop...

First, I wanted to state something I forgot to mention in the previous post. I was reminded of these sentiments when perusing Wax Heaven this evening and came across a great essay originally posted on SportsCardFun.com (what would we do without you, Mario?). 'Premium'/'Parallel' sets are out of control and inflating the hobby. Yeah, Tulo's UD Spectrum card is pretty dope, but come on. The kid's [technically] a second year player that was called up in '06 and the fact that I have 20+ base cards of him is absurd. I'm not complaining about the amount of cards available of a player, and in this case [clap clap, clap clap clap, clap clap clap clap] TU-LO, but it is a little ridiculous. However, I digress (while using way too many parentheses and brackets).

So for Friday, my random Tulo card of the day is another Upper Deck Product:


'07 UD Artifacts

The photograph says, 'Go ahead... make my day'...

The card says, 'I'm trying really hard to be a wanted poster in a spaghetti western'...

[What the card literally says on the back]: 'After collecting 123 hits at Double-A Tulsa in 2006, Tulowitzki was called up to the Rockies and banged out four knocks in his fifth ML game (9/3).'

Cheesy card, cheesy product, but one helluva player looking BA.

Sorry for wasting your time...

That's all I got...

- J.C.F.

Slumpin...

A three-run jack and a couple of huge RBI this year (emphasis on 'a couple') is less than stellar for this stud.

A .167 BA, however, makes me think...



DESPERATELY NEEDS


(Thanks Mario!)


That's all I got...

- J.C.F.

4 Days of Tulo: Day 1

What better way of taking a break from packing your endless amounts of possessions than getting a little blogging done?

Well, I've added a couple of cards to my collection this month and I'm going to take the next four days, or so, to throw up some scans and show off the additions. I'll do a card a day over the weekend in an effort to show I'm not a complete slacker. These might be the last four posts before the big move back home to the 407 (Orlando, FL).

I'll keep it simple today with one of Tulo's most recent cards. This little joint is from '08 Upper Deck Spectrum:


'08 Upper Deck Spectrum (Base)

I like this card, but then again I tend to like anything with a snapshot of this guy on the front. He's sporting the 'Good Luck in September' black uni with the road pants. I like to think this picture came from Game 1 of either the Philly or Arizona sweeps from last season... man, what a month.

That's all I got... for today. Check back in tomorrow for some RC action.

- J.C.F.

Hectic Times...

As most of you have noticed, the posts are few and far between these days. I apologize for the lack of content lately, but I'll have some new material in the coming days.

I am moving back to Orlando from my current home of Denver in a couple of weeks and my schedule has been out of control. I assure you that this blog isn't fizzing out... once set up again in Orlando, things will be picking back up for this little site.

So, sit tight and bear with me in the coming weeks. The collection is growing and a couple of new series are coming out which promise to provide some solid content.

In the meantime, check out Grant's work at Beginner's Wax for some great commentary from a new collector on his journey through the 'new era' of the hobby. It's always a good read!

That's all I got...

- J.C.F.

Latest Additions...

It took a couple of days, but here are the scans of the latest additions:


'07 Bowman Chrome Refractor (RC)


'07 Topps '52 Dynamic Duo Jimenez/Tulowitzki (RC)


'08 Topps Moments & Milestones (RBI #7) [#ed 129/150]

I also lucked out when picking up a random pack of '06 Bowman Heritage:


Matt Holliday - '06 Bowman Heritage Refractor

That's all I've got heading my way anytime soon, but this is what I am quite excited for.

That's all I got...

- J.C.F.

Thanks to Wax Heaven!

Mario at Wax Heaven hooked me up with a great header for the site. Many thanks to Mario for his continued help!

That's all I got...

- J.C.F.

Mail Day Preview (04/12/08)

It's been a few days since the last update to the collection, but yesterday I received/purchased a couple of cards that will go nicely in the Tulo set. They are the following (scans to come):

2007 Topps '52 Dynamic Duos: Ubaldo Jimenez/Troy Tulowitzki (RC)
2007 Bowman Chrome Refractor (RC)

I'll get the scans up later this evening.

Again, if anyone has anything not in my collection that you're willing to trade/sell, shoot me an email or leave a comment. My non-Tulo collection is growing daily and I just might have something that you're interested.

That's all I got...

- J.C.F.

Bad Hits Love...

Spud got some props today courtesy of Mike over at Bad Hits.

This card is a travesty...

Mike also runs Bad Wax, both of which are a 1st class show. Check 'em out!

That's all I got...

- J.C.F.

'08 Upper Deck Baseball Series 2

Anxiously awaiting June 3rd/4th for UD Series 2 and the first glimpse of UD '08 goodness that is Troy Tulowitzki. If anyone has heard anything on the release of this product, go ahead and leave a comment. I'd love to know what goodies are going to be 'available' for the second series. I recently completed the Series 1 base set and love the quality. You can't beat edge-to-edge photography, especially if my shortstop man-crush is snapped turning two.

That's all I got...

- J.C.F.

Monday Mail Day (04/07/08)...

Monday tends to be my least favorite day of the week, but a Rockies win and a full mailbox made this one a little sweeter. I made some eBay purchases over the last couple of weeks and they all happened to come on the same day. I picked up some more base cards, an SP, and a pretty solid auto and will have scans below.

First of all, however, I wanted to give a shoutout to Mario over at Wax Heaven. He has helped me publicize the site over the last week and even offered to send a serial numbered refractor my way. It's great to see the continued respect and courtesy being shown among collectors and it's been nice to get to know some of you.

So, here's the scan of the Topps Turkey Red refractor Mario sent over this weekend (scan doesn't do it any refractor justice):


'07 Topps Turkey Red Refractor (RC) [#'d 676/999]**

Second on the docket is the first Tulo auto I've gotten my hands on. I don't like going for anything too fancy on eBay as I'm perpetually worried about getting burned... and I was 90% sure this card was either fake or would refrain from showing up in the mail, but to my delight neither were true...


'07 Upper Deck SPX Auto (RC)

I finally got my hands on the following card and am pretty pumped. This card isn't particularly rare, but it is one of my favorites. I'm kinda of a sucker for the retros:


'07 Upper Deck Goudey (RC)

My goal in purchasing the previous card was to keep the cost under $1.00 (which is hard to do in Denver)... and I succeeded by only spending $0.99. Yeah, yeah... shipping put me over $1.00, but I picked up two cards from this seller and got a decent discount. The second card wasn't a Tulo, but pretty decent to say the least:


Todd Helton: '06 Bowman Heritage Pieces of Greatness 'Relic'

No goatee, but it's a classy card. My one qualm, though, is T-O-Double-D laying down the bunt. Whateva...

I also snagged these two cards:





On top is the '07 Topps '52 Base (RC) and below it is the short print of the same set (both no. 5 on the checklist). I didn't know about this short print and saw the two available for $1.99 combined on eBay and took a shot.

Last, but not least, is the [hideously ugly but must-have] A&G Dick Perez from 2007:


'07 Topps Allen & Ginter Dick Perez Sketch

All-in-all it was a great walk down to the mailbox and an even better one on the way back. The collection is growing, but I'm still waiting for the big Tulo hit that I pull for myself. I'm staying off of eBay and out of the hobby shop for the next couple of weeks, but let me know if you have any Tulos not in my collection that you'd be interesting in trading (or selling for a reasonable price).

Thanks again for checking in.

That's all I got...

- J.C.F.

**Thanks again to Mario at Wax Heaven!

April 7 Update...

The Colorado Rockies are [more than] due for a win; I am quite overdue for a quality post.

Today was quite possibly the greatest mail day yet since I've been back in the game with 7 cards waiting for me this afternoon (6 Tulo, 1 Helton). I'm not sure if the Rox will take the Braves tonight, but at least I'm coming out a winner. I'll do a more 'formal' mail day post within the next few hours with scans and whatnot.

Additionally, I have noticed that I've had 60+ unique IP addresses log on to the site in its brief existence and I wanted to thank those visitors for checking in. We'll be doing some cool stuff here soon as the blog grows out of its infancy and would appreciate your continued support.

That's all I got... for now.

- J.C.F.

Speaking of Retro, Cont'd...

Dayf over at Cardboard Junkie has done one of the more thorough previews I've seen of any product, let alone this year's U.D. Goudey set due out in July. Links to his recent posts on the products are below:

'Second Thoughts on 2008 Goudey' [Dayf/Cardboard Junkie]

'Second Thoughts on 2008 Goudey, Pt 2' [Dayf/Cardboard Junkie]

Also on top of the release are Mario from Wax Heaven and Chris from Stale Gum. Their posts are below as well:

'2008 Upper Deck Goudey Preview' [Mario Alejandro/Wax Heaven]

'1st Impressions: 2008 UD Goudey' [Chris Harris/Stale Gum]

As for news from my neck of the woods...

I've got a couple of Tulos coming in the mail [hopefully] in the next couple of days. Nothing too thrilling, but some nice additions nonetheless. I've also got a great Helton relic on the way which I'll scan upon arrival.

Thanks again for checking in.

That's all I got...

- J.C.F.

Speaking of Retro...

Mario and Chris have posted a couple of 2008 Upper Deck Goudey previews on their respective sites. Check 'em out below:

[Mario Alejandro/Wax Heaven]
[Chris Harris/Stale Gum]

That's all I got...

- J.C.F.

Retro Sets...

As a collector coming out of an extremely long retirement, I was wondering what some of your favorite 'retro' sets have been over the years. I'm a big fan of many of the retro sets and am trying to catch up on some that I have missed over the years.

A couple of my favorite sets of the last few years:

2006 Topps '52

- I love the quality of these cards. Great gauge cardboard, great 'photos'...



2007 Bowman Heritage

- Same as above...



Topps Allen & Ginter (all)

- Find me one player that doesn't look like a total B.A... I'm sure there's one out there, but these cards came out well. I like '06 over '07, but they're both solid...



Least favorite (in retrospect):

2008 Topps Heritage

- I wanted to love this set, but the overall quality of the cards was sub-par in my mind. Some of these photos are just ridiculous while some came out well. Topps went overboard on some players' photos to give them the authentic 'retro' look, but the 'graininess' on some of these is way too much. Great idea, poor execution...


**Credit photo to intelliracer at Sports Card Forum

So, share with me your favorites... especially the good ones that I don't know much about. Yes, I'm aware of the Goudey and Turkey Red product, but don't own enough to get a good feel.

Oh, and if you have any Rockies (especially Tulo's) from any recent retro sets, let me know. I'm always willing to trade!

That's all I got...

- J.C.F.

A 'Sooner Than Expected' Addition...

I added to my collection today with no cost of my own, and am quite appreciative of my boy over at Wax Breaker. This afternoon, Spud picked up a box of 2008 Topps Finest (review at Wax Breaker coming soon) and kindly sent his Tulo pull my way:


Tulo '08 Topps Finest Base

He also pulled dupes of the Helton 'Finest Moments' (300th HR @ Mile High Stadium 09.16.2007) which he also handed over:


Helton '08 Topps Finest Base

**Sorry about the scan quality. Dust + Foil = No Bueno**

The Finest set is priced a little high for my liking, but the product is pretty decent. Again, Spud will review the product in the next few days over at Wax Breaker.

For now you can check out Mario's product preview as well as a new post on the product at Wax Heaven.

That's all I got...

- J.C.F.

Mail Day (03/31/08)

From time to time I'll drop a few dollars here and there on eBay to expand my collection of Tulo cards. I'm yet to get burned, unlike many collectors out there, however I know it's bound to happen... probably sooner than later.

But for the time being, I'm still batting 1.000 and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the last batch I snagged and received in the mail today. Nothing overly-snazzy, but a few additions nonetheless. Scans below:


'07 Allen & Ginter's (RC)


'07 Topps Heritage (RC)


'07 U.D. Masterpieces (RC)

I also decided to pick up the '07 Topps Turkey Red (RC)... these cards don't do much for me, but hey... it's Tulo.


'07 Topps Turkey Red (RC)

And last, but not least, a card in a 'promo' pack that I received when making a purchase from TulsaDrillers.com a few months back:


Drillers Promo

That's all I got... Thanks for checkin' in!

- J.C.F.