A long, long time ago at Community Gum ......

.....there was a 12 box break. That's right, 12 boxes of cardboard. Well, mostly cardboard, there was some Topps Tec involved. I've had this pile in front of me for way too long, just waiting to get photoized and posted. Well, the time has come ! Sorry it took so long, Jon !

I sent Jon an email early on, asking for some wrappers from the break and he was more than willing to oblige. The following wrappers show the products that were involved. This was the greatest break ever for me personally !

The late '90's and early 2000's were the most recent heydays for the Cleveland Indians. When a team is hot, the card companies usually respond. I knew these boxes should be good for my Tribe card collection.

Here's my loot from that huge break.


We'll start with Topps Total.

There was only one silver parallel, with a base card to go with it.

I love these Topps Gallery. I almost started collecting the set back in '01.

1999 Topps Stars was a slightly complicated set.

The bronze versions on the bottom were the base cards, 180 total.

The silvers were designated One-Star and had a corresponding star next to the card number on the back. Card numbers 1-100 were produced in silver.

The gold version was designated Two-Star, with two stars on the back, but only cards 1-50 were produced at that level.

There were also 3 and 4 star versions but were partial parallels, with 20 and 10 cards to the sets.

Then there were foil versions and several inserts.

Brandon Phillips was the only 2003 Finest card I received. I never really liked this design that much anyway.

2005 Turkey Red was a more popular set. I got these four Tribe cards.

Another confusing set, 2000 Gold Label has several classes.

Thome is Class 2 - fielding

Alomar is Class 1 - hitting

Manny on the left is Class - 2 , Manny on the right, is Class 3 - Running.

Pitchers had slightly different classifications.

There is also a die-cut, gold parallel #'d to 100.

My one 2000 Topps Tec insert. Manny the "Archi Tek"

It would take a whole post of it's own to explain this set, so I'm not even going to try it here !

Here's the set I really like !

I can't explain it, I just really like these Laser Cuts !

I did get a very nice selection of Indians out of this set.

2001 Topps Fusion. Another set that requires a long story ! I may tell that one someday.

Gold Label ? No more (Con ) Fusion !

One last Fusion card to show. This was my big hit of the break !

HOF bat card.

Robby Alomar.

I want to thank Jon, over at Community Gum, for this terrific break.

Once again, I'm sorry it took so long to get this posted !

2011 Topps Want List- Base Parallel Cards

The names listed in red are all the 2011 Topps Indian base cards I have.
I think I have a complete set. Please correct me if I am wrong !
I need all the parallels listed in black.
As I acquire cards I will remove them from the list.

28 Carlos Carrasco
Diamond Anniversary
Cognac
Target Throwback
Target Red Border
Walmart Black
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
35 Shin-Soo Choo
Gold
Diamond Anniversary
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
68 Cleveland Indians
Gold
Diamond Anniversary
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
151 Fausto Carmona
Gold
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
159 Chris Perez
Gold
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
160 Josh Tomlin
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
209 Carlos Santana
Gold
Diamond Anniversary
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
257 Travis Hafner
Diamond Anniversary
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
274 Micheal Brantley
Gold
Diamond Anniversary
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
426 Travis Buck
Gold
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
430 Trevor Crowe
Gold
Diamond Anniversary
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
440 Grady Sizemore
Gold
Diamond Anniversary
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
445 Mitch Talbot
Gold
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
449 Austin Kerns
Gold
Diamond Anniversary
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
476 Matt LaPorta
Gold
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
522 Asdrubal Cabrera
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
526 Jason Donald
Gold
Diamond Anniversary
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
536 Tony Sipp
Gold
Diamond Anniversary
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
544 Justin Masterson
Gold
Diamond Anniversary
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
549 Jason Nix
Gold
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
647 Jeanmar Gomez
Gold
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
US 36 Josh Judy
Gold
Diamond Anniversary
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
US 41 Lou Marson
Gold
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
US 108 Ubaldo Jimenez
Diamond Anniversary
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
US 112 Lonnie Chisenhall
Gold
Diamond Anniversary
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
US113 Chris Perez
Gold
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Black Border
US 169 Ezequiel Carrera
Gold
Diamond Anniversary
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
US 193 Lonnie Chisenhall
Gold
Diamond Anniversary
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
US 194 Lason Kipnis
Gold
Diamond Anniversary
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
US 227 Kosuke Fukudome
Diamond Anniversary
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
US 229 Asdrubal Cabrera
Gold
Diamond Anniversary
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border
US 264 Alex White
Gold
Diamond Anniversary
Cognac
Target Throwback
Walmart Black
Target Red Border
Walmart Blue Border
Black Border

Cards from Night Owl

I love to trade cards ! It seems like I almost never get a package without at least one card I need or want. Even with my terrible want lists ! (I am working on them)

Night Owl sent a nice assortment of 2011 base cards.

He even dug into Opening Day !

Then I saw this card. At first I thought it was some kind of reprint, but the way it was mis-cut made me wonder.

Flipping it over, I realized it was an original '75 mini ! I didn't know the nocturnal bird would let go of 1975 mini, even a poorly centered, probable duplicate ! Actually, the bad centering gives it a little character and reminds me of the good old days ! Thanks !!!

There was also a gold Travis Buck and a sparkly Matt LaPorta ! I need both of these.When I get done here, I'm going right to work on 2011 Topps parallel want list.

Thanks so much for the cards Night Owl !

Indians for Angels

I wanted to get some trade posts up this past week but it just didn't happen. I'm really behind so I'm making time this week-end !

These Tribers came from The Angels,In Order. He wanted in on my Diamond Anniversary team break but, unfortunately, the Angels were already taken. Well, he sent some nice Tribe cards anyway !

A couple great Cliff Lee cards on top.
Chris Perez Cognac and Sizemore First Edition Starquest below. I need both of those !


Next, some 2003 MLB Showdown. Haven't seen these for a while. I never played the game but I believe my boys did.

Then we jump up to 2010 Topps Attax and a 2011 Asdrubal Cabrera. Hopefully he can help lead us to the pennant this year ! At this time of the year, I always believe we are going to the World Series.

And we end up with this very nice mix of cards.

There is a nice want list on The Angels,In Order site right now. So if you're looking to make a trade, head on over !

Thanks for the great Tribe cards and I'm working on a package for you as well !

302 card 2011 Topps Indian team set !

Parallels. You've got to be kidding me ! This is where Topps went way over the edge. Now, I don't mind chasing a parallel set, but nine different sets ! Ten if you count the Platinum 1/1. Give me a break !

The base card. I really like these cards. Clean and to the point. Some nice photos.

Then we have the Diamond Anniversary Limited Edition Factory Set. Series 1 and 2 parallel.

The factory packaged team set. This isn't exactly a parallel but they are a different version of some of the same players.

The Indian set is numbered to 17 with CLE preceding the card number. I assume these were made for each team, but I'm not really sure.

The gold version. This has been a standard for years.

The sparkly, diamond anniversary model. These are pretty cool. Depending on the background, some are really sharp looking cards.

They had to get carried away the concept though. The " Liquorfractors" or cognac versions are a little too dark for my liking. Some are really hard to look at.

This might be a worthwhile parallel. But they seem to be pretty rare. This is the only Target Retro Indian I have so far.

The thicker stock, darker back and slightly less slick front makes it feel like a "real" baseball card !

Seemingly just as rare, the Walmart Black version. Oddly enough, I have one Retro and one Black and both are Santana.

Next we have the Target Red Borders. These don't seem to be real plentiful either although ebay has many listings.

Finally the Walmart Blue Border. I think I like the Red better. At least for Indian cards.

Well, is there any I missed ? Did Toys R Us have a base parallel last year ? If they did I missed it.

I'm almost finished with a new want list for this set. I have 33 base cards, which I think is a complete set. Needless to say I need many parallels if anyone has any to offer !!

Diamond Anniversary Loot Part 2 Contest winner !!

Whew ! This whole ordeal has been quite an affair. It's been fun but I'm glad it's about over. I still have have cards and packages everywhere !

Just a few minutes ago I received a package from Dan over at It's Like Having My Own Card Shop. We recently made a trade and I'll be sending him the Diamondbacks set. His cards will be posted later and any duplicates will NOT be considered for today's contest since they weren't shown in the original post.

Hi Flew over at Cards From the Quarry was also a late recipient for the Rockies team set.

Josh at Royals and Randoms was another late trade deal and will be posted later.

I still have team sets for the Oakland A's and Seattle Mariners if anyone is interested.

My most heartfelt thanks go out to the following for all the great cards and $$$$ they sent !!

Oh No ! Another Orioles Blog
Sports Syzygy
My Sports Obsession
Roof God
Play at the Plate
The Lost Collector
Carl Crawford Cards
Waxaholic
Blue Batting Helmet
Nachos Grande
The Cardboard Don
Night Owl
The Sandlot
Sports-n-More
Padrographs
Ike's Cards
The Other World
Thing are Funner Here

I hope I haven't missed anyone else. If I did, let me know, remember I'm an old man !!

Here are the rest of the cards I received.

Thanks again to all of you !!

I thank you,

My Indian collection thanks you,

My wife, not so much !

She got excited when I told her I was getting rid of an entire set of cards......then the packages started rolling in. Actually, she's very understanding about my hobby and I thank God for every day !

Well, see you next time !

Wait, what's that you say ?

Contest ?

What contest ? My old memory just isn't what it used to be. You young guys and girls will understand some day.

Oh, OK !

Actually, most of you thought the same way I did. When I first started receiving packages I thought, what did I do ? I'm going to a have a huge bunch of doubles. But, I laid them all out on our card table and started sorting. When it was all said and done, I was totally amazed !! So amazed, that I'm going to send something to everyone who took the time to guess. But the big winner is ................ with a guess of 14, Hi Flew !

He was one shy of the 15 duplicates I received. Most were 2011 Topps.

I have most of your addresses and will contact the rest by email.

Thanks again !