2009 TriStar #29 Tony Campana

Despite getting into 29 games last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks and 20 already this season, the card companies just aren't paying attention to Tony Campana. I had to go back to 2009 to find a new Campana card to add to the collection. 

While I've known about the 2009 TriStar Projections card for several years now, they only show up every so often on eBay and I had never seen one in person. They were usually selling for a buck or two plus another two or three for shipping. I just never could find one from a seller where I could find enough stuff to make it worth the cost.

You probably don't hear "super collectors" talk like that about their favorite player, but this was just a base card. Had it been one of the numbered parallels, I probably would have jumped all over it.

Luckily, a few showed up in Burbank Sports Cards ebay store a little bit ago for just $1 and I put them on my watch list. While I was looking for a few other things to get combined shipping, they ran a sale for free shipping with the purchase of two items. So I picked up this card and another that will get its own post eventually for $2 shipped.

Anyway, this marks my 33rd different Tony Campana card.

2012 Panini Prizm Red Tony Campana

Just a quick update today. I've been waiting on one of these to be listed again. The first few went for $5-$10 shipped which was a little out of my price range for something not serial numbered or otherwise limited. Little did I know they would essentially drop off the planet (or eBay, at least). Surprisingly, when this one popped up, it had the cheapest start price and I was the only bidder. Must be the offseason...

The only difference on the back from the rest of the cards is the bottom right corner which designates the card as part of the "Red Prizm" set. This leaves me just the blue one short of the complete rainbow.

2013 Panini Pinnacle Autographs Tony Campana

On Sunday, I started the story of how I got a really good deal on a pair of autographed cards. The card that day fit my Cubs collection very well, an autograph from a supposedly loaded Cubs minor league system. (No seriously, I keep hearing about how the Cubs have one of the best. No joke! Stop laughing at me!)

Anyway, today's card kind of sort of fits the bill. I've added yet another Tony Campana card to the collection! I've got almost as many Tony Campana cards as he has Major League games. Or stolen bases. Ok, now you can laugh. Those are jokes! Kind of...it is getting close.

The maroon burgundy sedona red still looks a bit odd in the collection but good ol' TC as gotten his own binder so no contamination will spread. Haha. But more on that in a later post.

Some of you may know I've come to appreciate the reverse sides of cards since I started making my own customs and started scanning both sides of my Cubs collection. I even had a "Backside Appreciation" post a few weeks back. Don't be too disappointed if you click on the link and it is about the backside of baseball cards...

Despite the lack of logos, this is a pretty solid layout. Black is tough on the scanner though. Now I'm no English major, but my only beef with this card came in the blurb. The use of "as well" twice in the same sentence bugs me more than it should. 

I believe this wraps up my Campana collection for the year, although I'm still looking for blue and red parallels of "last year's" Panini Prizm card. But a Cubs card in the factory team set (thus no parallels), a Reno Aces team set card and this autograph was it for 2013. Here's hoping that Campana has a better showing in 2014!

2013 Reno Aces Tony Campana

It's been a while since I've added anything to my Tony Campana PC but a little while back I did pick up his Triple-A Reno Aces team set card. 

If the design looks familiar, it is because Brandt Sports Marketing has several templates for teams to use. In fact, the Iowa Cubs used this design for their 2012 set, before Brandt took over Multi-Ad Sports. Campana was not in that set as he was with the big league Cubs early in the season. Teams have to submit their rosters to the card makers early so that these sets can be released mid-season.

Not only does Brandt Sports Marketing have multiple front side templates to choose from, teams can mix and match the backsides too. So while the front matches the 2012 Iowa Cubs team set, Reno went with a different back. It contains all the common characteristics with name, position, team logo, demographics, a blurb and past statistics. I like that it also includes a second picture, one that is different than the one used on the front. Often times, the back picture is just a zoomed in closeup of the face from the front.

Campana is still currently on the Diamondbacks 40-Man roster so I look forward to more cards for him in 2014.

2012 Panini Prizm Tony Campana Autograph

Yesterday, I mentioned receiving a couple of signed cards from Larry (AKA unclemoe). Splitting up the ATCRCS cards so you guys don't get bored with them, I thought I'd show the bonus today and then finish up the package with the second ATCRCS card tomorrow.

Unfortunately, these cards don't scan that well. I must've done it 3-4 times to try and get the autograph to show up better. But trust me, in person it looks great. Shiny, silvery chrome card (much lighter/brighter than this) with a bold blue autograph.

This marks the 13th different signed Campana card in the collection. Not bad considering 7 of them are customs.

Thanks again, Larry!

Tony Campana Prizm Cracked Ice /5

The other day, I showed off my not-numbered-but-limited-to-25 Cracked Ice Prizm Tony Campana card. I don't remember if it was right before or right after, but another version popped up on eBay. This one was limited to 5 copies, was serial numbered on the back and had a "2013 National VIP" foil stamp on the front.

I haven't quite figured out how these were given out (or the other ones for that matter), but I'm guessing it had something to do with the National...

This one had a starting bid of $9.99 with a Buy It Now of $19.99. Like the other one, I almost pulled the trigger on the Buy It Now. I figured with being limited to 5 copies, Campana being a former Cub (and fan favorite) and the National being in Chicago, the other ones might be kept in other people's collections and not show up. But I waited.

Funnily enough, a day or two before the auction ended, with no bids at all, the seller lowered the Buy It Now price to $14.99. None of the others had shown up yet either so now I was really tempted. I checked the end date/time of the auction and realized I would be available to make a last second bid as long as nobody else used the BIN option. So again I waited.

With about a minute left, I put in the minimum bid to take away the Buy It Now. And getting nervous, with a just a few seconds left, I put in a higher bid in case I got sniped like that first Cracked Ice /25 card. But all the stress was pointless as I ended up being the only one who bid.

So I ended up getting this one for less than I would have been willing to spend on the more "common" /25 version. And for less than what that other guy did pay that /25 version. I have no idea why. Maybe the timing of the auction ending? Maybe people didn't realize it was a different version?

After my story about the second mouse getting the cheese, I guess I was the early bird on this one. And since this auction ended, another one (#4/5, I think) has been posted with a straight Buy It Now for $29.99. Hmmm.

This is my 6th variation of this card. I now have the base, refractor, gold /10, green, Cracked Ice /25 & Cracked Ice National /5. I'm still looking for the Wal-Mart blue and Target red.

Tony Campana Prizm Cracked Ice /25 & Bonuses

The early bird may get the worm but one of my favorite expressions is a followup that states "but the second mouse gets the cheese."

Shortly after the National Sports Collectors Convention (actually, probably during), these "Cracked Ice" parallels of the Panini Prizm cards started popping up on eBay. Allegedly, they are limited to 25 copies but they have no serial numbering on them at all. I have a saved search for any and all things Tony Campana so when the first one that popped up had a $.99 starting bid, I took notice. Not too shabby. There was only the initial bid when I placed what I thought was a fairly high bid with about 10 seconds left. I was the high bidder for about 4 seconds before being outsniped in the closing seconds and the card went for $11.61.

Two more popped up in the $15-20 Buy It Now range that I came close to pulling the trigger on but I'm glad I waited. Another one showed up for a $.99 starting bid and I was able to snag this card for just $2.47 plus shipping.

Not only did I get what I think is an incredible deal on a card I wanted (still lowest price on all that have sold since) but the seller had a couple of other Cubs cards I picked up as well. 

This certified Bowman Platinum autograph from Barret Loux card set me back $1.04, plus another quarter for shipping. 

And this Shawon Dunston Jr. initials autograph was $1.99. plus a quarter. There is a lot of wasted space on both of these cards as far as autographs go but to each their own. I'm not even sure what that last thing is on the Dunston card. Capital cursive L? Cursive y? Not much of a "j" if it is for Junior.

But for being able to pick up three cards for less than half the price of what I was willing to spend on just the Campana card, I would say this second mouse got his cheese.

2012 Green Prizm Tony Campana Parallel

I don't have much to say about this one because I don't know that much about it. It is some kind of parallel/shortprint but is not serial numbered like the Gold version and I can't find a print run otherwise. I think the green border has a really good contrast with the solid blue jersey and grey pants.

As you can see on the back, as opposed to Topps' "Emerald" parallels, these are just calling themselves Green Prizm.

This is the 4th variation on this card that I have (Base, Refractor & Gold) and I have the red and blue ones in my site

2012 Gold Prizm Tony Campana Parallel

Continuing my quest to build my Tony Campana player collection, I picked up a gold parallel of his 2012 Prizm card on eBay. These are numbered out of 10 so I figured if I wanted one, I'd have to act quickly. I first noticed a ridiculously priced one for about $50. The seller did not have the Best Offer option and I didn't even pay that for any of the licensed 1/1's!

Another one popped up a few days later but I missed out on that one. Good news was that it went for just over half of the Buy It Now one. That's precedence I can get behind. I sent a note to the original seller asking if he'd be willing to price match that second listing (or at least get closer) but didn't hear anything back.

Lo and behold, a third one popped up at a decent starting price. When all was said and done, I walked away with this one for even less than the second.

In the past, I've found waiting to be a good strategy to get a price break, but never on something as limited as this. This marks the third variation of this card I have (after the base and refractor). I have also seen a green one and am starting to see red ones pop up of various players but no Campana yet.

2012 Panini Prizm Tony Campana + Refractor

When the Cubs traded Tony Campana away in February, I wasn't sure when his next card would come out. He didn't make the D-backs out of the Spring Training and isn't exactly tearing it up in AAA Reno either. But since then, I've already added a couple of cards to my collection. Last week, I did a post on his card that was included in the Factory Team set from Topps.

Today I have his two issues from 2012 Panini Prizm, a base card and a refractor.

They scanned pretty dark but actually have a light grey/silver border. If I wasn't holding these cards at the same time, I doubt that I could tell the difference right away. Both are very shiny and glossy but the refractor has the rainbow-y look when held at an angle. At least you can kind of tell from the scan. (If you can't, it's the one on the right.)

Finally the non-fielding pose I was asking for! I don't have all of his minor league team set cards yet but aside from the ones I've made, this is the first I've seen of Tony at the plate.

As for the backs, I only noted one difference. The refractor has the word PRIZM in the lower right hand corner of the card and the base card doesn't.

I think the backs are pretty solid. They do reuse the same photo from the front, but only from the torso up and then sepia'd. Yep, I just verbed that word (and then again with verb). They have all the pertinent information with personal stats, a small blurb and stats from last season and his career. Can't reall ask for more.

That said, I won't be collecting the entire set of these (maybe if they had team logos) but I will eventually pick up a Cubs team set of both the base and refractors.

2013 Topps Tony Campana Factory Team Set

I picked up a 2013 factory team set of the Cubs and really liked getting a sneak peak at what's coming up for Series 2. Wrigley Wax did a pretty solid write up last week so I won't bore you with another post on the same thing. Eventually I might do a photo/game breakdown for each card like I did for Series 1 but today, I just want to focus on one card.

2013 Topps Factory Set Tony Campana (CHC-10)

I really didn't expect the Campana card and while I should be happy, I can't help be a little disappointed in it. His 2011 Update and 2012 Series 2 are already both fielding shots.

Why not something he's known for? His speed? There's gotta be a running photo to use. Like these?

That first one might be my favorite but since he's wearing #41, it's actually from 2011. The second one is from 2012 and would have been perfectly acceptable.

How about maybe laying down a bunt like Tony was/is apt to do?

Maybe continue the seagull theme following Reed Johnson's card from last year?

I'll do a more thorough breakdown of the actual card later this week.

Trade with Dutch Card Guy

It's a great time of year to be collecting cards. Shortly after a pair of new set releases, the first packs have been opened and Want Lists have been formed. Over the last few days I've been on the receiving end of a couple of different trade packages and today I have yet another!

This one crossed an ocean to get to me and Jeroen (AKA The Dutch Card Guy) made sure to fill the package to get his money's worth on shipping. 

The card that started the trade.

Aside from the Tony Campana, I totally skipped out on picking up the 2012 Topps Cubs Minis. Not on purpose though so these four will find a good home. I can't have too many Campanas!

Another set I missed out on (aside from a couple of non-Cubs in the repack boxes) was Topps 206. These make for a very nice set. I'm going to have to find a checklist and make sure I pick up the rest of the Cubs if there are any.

I was towards the tail end of my first foray into collecting baseball cards when Stadium Club first came out in the early 90's. I remember them being a pretty big deal with their fancy photography and borderless cards, probably Topps trying to compete with the newer, pricier company Upper Deck. I'm not sure they got this Mike Harkey card right though. Lot of dead space at the top and under his throwing arm, not to mention it is poorly cropped on both sides. I think I had a parallel version but not this one, so into the collection it goes.

This last Brooks Kieschnick card is one I don't think I've seen before. No logos are shown but I'd be willing to bet its an Orlando Cubs uniform. For as few games as Kieschnick played for the Cubs (64) I'm continually amazed each time I come across another card for him. I might be approaching a 1:1 card per game ratio! Slight exaggeration but not really... 

Thanks Jeroen!!

There was one more card that intrigued me from the package but I'm going to give it a separate post later this week.

Bittersweet

It was bound to happen and I definitely expected something soon but it still came as a bit of a shock.

This is my shocked face, not my bittersweet face.

I haven't had reliable internet at my house for almost two weeks. Hence the missing posts the last few days. Apparently, I forgot to hit publish again. But those are pushed back another day now because when I managed to log on for a few minutes yesterday, the first thing that popped up was the notice that Tony Campana had been traded to the Diamondbacks for two 17-year-old pitching prospects.

As the title says, this is definitely bittersweet. I hate to see him go but would much rather see him get the opportunity to play elsewhere. Campana is known for his speed and hustle but the biggest criticism against him is that you can't steal first base. This probably says more about the state of the Cubs last year than Campana's worth, but the only two players with more plate appearances that had a higher batting average were Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo.

Yes, you do want a leadoff hitter with a better on base percentage. But how can he improve when he's only given the opportunity to start in 38 of your 89 games? The rest of the time he's used as a late inning pinch runner or part of a double switch.

I undertsand the want for 5-tool players. But once you get past your starters, there are needs for specialty players too. How many pitchers come in to face one guy and leave? Or pinch hitters that just face against lefties? You can't tell me that as bad as the Cubs were last year, they don't have a need for someone who can bunt runners over and also have a better than good chance to beat out the throw. Infielders have to be flustered when they know it is Campana streaking down to the line. Pitchers and catchers are definitely more distracted when he takes a lead.

What's that Yogi-ism? Half of the game is 90% mental? I think that fits here perfectly.

I know we're in the beginning of a long, slow rebuilding process, but Tony Campana made the games more fun to watch despite last year's debacle of a season. It'll be tougher to watch close games this year knowing this weapon is out of the Cubs arsenal.

He plays the game the way it should be played and for that I'll always be a fan. Whether he's in the blue pinstripes or purple (or whatever it is they wear out there in AZ these days).

Maybe this means I can add some game-used Cubs stuff to the collection for a much better deal now...

Treat him well, D-Backs fans!

2012 Topps Tony Campana Gold

Don't forget to check out the tab above featuring Fantasy league I've started. For $15, you could win your choice of blasters from various 2013 releases!

This is a shameless effort to reverse last weekend's curse I seemingly put on both the sport of wrestling and Tony Campana. I picked up another Tony Campana parallel during my hiatus from the regular blogging in the fall and came across it in my "to be scanned" stack. 

 

2012 Topps Tony Campana Gold



#0028/2012

This was released within the Updates series late last year and I picked it up from Sportlots.com for just a little more than the minimum $0.18 plus shipping. Probably a little more than a buck total. Not too shabby because for some reason, a lot of these gold parallels were going for $1 or more before shipping on ebay.

Funny how perspective can change on numbered parallels. When there's "only" 2,012 of something in the world, that doesn't seem like very many. But with others now numbered to 99, 62, 50, 25 etc, the number of gold cards almost seems like overproduction!

With the exception of any 1/1's left, this completes my Campana Rainbow for 2012 and brings my total different variations of this card (including minis) to 14!

Hopefuly this curse reversal takes hold and Campana rejoins the team in 2013 in time to make Series 2!

Tony Campana 2012 Minis

I picked these up during my mini hiatus from the blog in September/October. I recently came across them in my pile of cards to scan so here they are. These were only available online through the Topps store...and then eventually ebay and other various online marketplaces. I'm sure you've heard enough about Tony Campana cards on this blog that you may just skip this post so I'll just keep the descriptions brief and show a lot of photos. Check out the rest of my Tony Campana collection here.

2012 Topps Mini Base

Unlike the flagship product, these gold bordered parallels are numbered to 61 instead of 2012. In the flagship, the black bordered cards are numbered to 61.

2012 Topps Mini Gold Border #27/61

2012 Topps Mini Gold Border Back #27/61

This card is a silver bordered parallel, numbered to 5. To me though, they look like the platinum parallels in the flagship. Maybe I need to see them side by side to tell the difference.

2012 Topps Mini Silver Border #3/5

2012 Topps Mini Silver Border Back #3/5

This has got to be one of the worst condition printing plates I've seen, let alone paid for. Luckily, that meant a pretty decent deal because not too many others seemed to want it. If I remember correctly, it ran less than half of what I paid for previous Tony Campana printing plates. Part of me wants to see if I can clean it up a little bit, but I don't want to ruin it either. I'll probably leave it as is.

Can anybody explain why the photo in the printing plate isn't reversed? Are these manufactured for the purpose of being 1/1's? Does Topps even need to use printing plates anymore in their process? Seems outdated to me, but I have no idea how that works.

2012 Topps Mini Cyan Printing Plate 1/1

Speaking of manufactured 1/1's, here is the Topps Vault 1/1 blank back version of the 2012 Mini base card. Not sure why I picked it up other than I saw it and made a snap decision that I had the other so i might as well. These blank backs have previously come in hard cases but they stepped it up a notch and partnered up with Beckett Grading Services on this set. Not sure how I'll end up displaying this.

2012 Topps Mini Blank Back from Topps Vault 1/1

As far as the minis go, I only need the Platinum 1/1 and 3 other printing plates which are also 1/1's. Glad I picked up the silver when I saw it because I haven't seen the other 4 pop up anywhere.

Without looking, I think these bring my Tony Campana collection up to six 1/1's, which includes three printing plates, two blank backs and a platinum.