Update

Well like a pussy I chickened out. The people I was planning on going with backed out last minute and I didn't really feel like going alone. Oh well...

Bass Pro Shop Grand Opening: Autographs

Well the Balzac Bass Pro Shop is about to open in 5 days and the list is out for who is going to be there signing autographs.

The three I'm most interested in are:

1) Lanny McDonald
2) Mantracker
3) Bob Izumi

Below is a list of the "Special Guests" showing from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. I'll be there trying to get my 3 autos in 2 hours. We'll see how I do!

Fantasy Team

Jobu needs a refill

Round Pick Player Position
1. (9) Grady Sizemore OF
2. (22) Prince Fielder 1B
3. (39) Justin Morneau 1B
4. (52) Brian Roberts 2B
5. (69) Josh Beckett SP
6. (82) Félix Hernández SP
7. (99) Joba Chamberlain SP,RP
8. (112) Troy Tulowitzki SS
9. (129) Matt Wieters C
10. (142) Edwin Encarnación 3B
11. (159) Brett Myers SP
12. (172) Matt Garza SP
13. (189) Matt Capps RP
14. (202) Adam Lind OF
15. (219) Fernando Rodney RP
16. (232) Jason Giambi 1B
17. (249) Jeremy Hermida OF
18. (262) Ken Griffey Jr. OF
19. (279) Jack Cust OF
20. (292) Matt LaPorta 1B,OF
21. (309) Justin Masterson SP,RP

Still Thinking about picking up Purcey... Overall I'm pretty happy with my picks. Last year was my first try at fantasy anything and I drafted a horrible team not knowing any better, yet through luck and research I was able to take 3rd place! This year I'm hoping to do better!

2 Hobby Boxes of Champs 08/09 Hockey

So I'm away from home and I bought 2 boxes of Champs. I love these cards, they remind me of the Allen & Ginter but for hockey, which being Canadian... I love!

This will be a quick review and tell and I'll edit it more with more detail and add pictures later.

Here are the highlights...

Base Cards: 77/100 (37 doubles)

Mini Cards NHL Players: 66/192 (0 doubles)

Mini Cards Natural History: 16/192 (0 doubles)

Mini Cards Rookie: 6/96 (0 Doubles)

Champs Rookies: 24/100 (0 Doubles)

Mini Autos - Ilya Zubov (OTT), Tobias Stephan (DAL), Guillaume Latendresse (MON), Steve Mason (CBJ)

Mini Threads - Marty Turco - Black - (DAL), Mario Lemieux - black - (PIT)

Overall Thoughts:

I really like this product. It's fun to rip. The Base cards are amazing and the mini's are fun. I'd like to collect all the Natural History, but we'll see after I open my third Hobby Box next month how I feel. Overall an enjoyable product. I'm definately going to finish it up.

Best Hits: The Steve Mason auto and the Mario Lemieux Jersey cards were by far the best hits of the two boxes, and I got one of them in each of the boxes.

I definately recommend this product to anyone who likes the A&G cards and/or Hockey.

It's been a long, long time...

Okay so this month has been crazy between writing my thesis and work. I have so much stuff to post but haven't had the time to post it.

Tomorrow I will be back with a vengeance.

Goose Joak Cards, Day 7

Milwaukee Brewers:

Bill Hall



I love several things about this photo, the retro uniform and the pink arm band in particular! Hall has decent power for a small player, but also has decent speed. He can smash the lefties and can go on home run binges, 15 homeruns in 2008. Hall has never seemed to make a position his own. Hall was also the first player to hit a homerun in the new Busch Stadium!

Yovani Gallardo


I love the scale this card has, the intensity on Gallardo's face. Gallardo has an explosive fastball and when he is on his game is nearly impossible to hit. I will definitely be gunning for him on my fantasy roster, I see big things for him this year and he has the run support, I just hope he can stay healthy!

Toronto Blue Jays:

Aaron Hill

Hill is a hard worker, his solid swing generates line drives with occasional power. He's disciplined at the plate and runs the bases well. Is a sound defender. He is a solid second base option with upside, however, he'll never be a major speedster.

Jesse Litsch

Litsch has a decent sinking fastball, a bulldog mentality and loads of perseverance. Despite his relative youth, he's a crafty right-hander. Beacuse of his size his fastball is mediocre. However, he will be a presence this season on the Jay's pitching staff.


I won't be doing this everyday...but I have another 3 Bonus pictures from my upcoming Nationals, Tigers, and Angels cards... I hope you like them!

Erick Aybar

Speed and contact! And at the SS position!

Cristian Guzman

Guzman has good defensive skills and can have hot batting streaks.

Gary Sheffield

I love the stoic look on Sheffield's face!

All three of the bonus pics today have alternatives, I can't pick, so I'll put up a poll at the end for all the cards that have multiple choices.

Goose Joak Cards, Day 6

Thought I would post these early today! I've really had a lot of fun doing these cards, thank you very much for including me and allowing me to be a part of these Goose Joak Original Cards, Dave!

Milwaukee Brewers:

Craig Counsell

Counsell is particularly known for his unusual batting stance, where he points the bat straight up into the air as high as he can and moves it back and forth in an erratic fashion. He currently has a one year contract with the Brewers.

CC Sabathia


CC was with the Brewers only a short time, but what an impact he made. I have two cards designed in honor of his time with the Brewers. Hopefully someday he'll realize that the Yankee's suck and he misses the Brewers!

Toronto Blue Jays:

Joe Inglett

Inglett, nicknamed "Voodoo Joe", is now a utility player for the Toronto Blue Jays and has played games in at every position besides first, catcher and pitcher.

David Purcey

I have the feeling that this season will be Purcey's breakout. 2008 was his first season in "The Show", and he's only 26. With AJ Burnett gone and Marcum most likely out for the 2009 season, the Jays will depend on Purcey. When he's comfortable he is an intimidating presence on the mound, throwing strikes effectively. However, when he gets off his game his control is off. Purcey is young and this is something experience and time can fix. He will definitely be a presence this season on the Jays pitching staff.



BONUS!!! WHAT BONUS...YES BONUS....











Ervin Santana

These are the extra teams I picked up. I've really enjoyed doing these cards and am glad to help Dave out all that I can. Santana was integral in my first fantasy baseball season!




Lasting Milledge

Lastings had a bad rap with the Mets, but seems to fit in with the Nationals! His cards of 2009 seem to be the best of both Upper Deck and Topps so far. I was hoping to continue that with this colorful, smiling picture of Milledge.




Miguel Cabrera

I was going to start with my favorite Tiger, Ordonez and his flowing locks, however, this Cabrera picture is just too good to pass up. I wanted to share it as soon as possible.

I hope you guys enjoy these cards! For more info go to Goose Joak.