Card of the Day: Ben Simmons 2017 Upper Deck SP Authentic Employee Exclusive Future Watch Auto

Card of the Day: Derek Jeter 2017 Topps Employee Exclusive #DJ-1996 Auto

Topps Readies Exclusive Bowman Chrome Cards For The 2017 National

Of all the promotional programs that take place during the National Sports Collectors Convention, Topps usually draws the largest crowd.  For 2017, specially made Bowman Chrome cards make a return.  The 50-card set includes Hall Of Famers, current stars, and rookies.  Randomly inserted parallels and autographs will be thrown in.

Other than Opening Day, Bunt, and Sticker Collection, all 2017 Topps baseball products are eligible for this promotion.  Boxes of 2017 UFC Knockout and 2017 Major League Soccer can also be used.

Compared to last year, the biggest change is that (1) 4-card promo pack will be given out for each hobby box opened in front of a Topps employee.  This should drastically speed up the line while helping to extend the lifespan of the promo packs.  Before it was (1) promo pack for every (5) packs of Bowman and (1) promo pack for every (10) packs of everything else.  I would think that once the plastic is off the box you’d receive your promo pack.  It doesn’t sound like you would need to stand there and open every pack in front of them.  This should help move things along.

This promo was a big hit in Atlantic City last year.  I participated in it a lot and pulled numerous gold refractors including one of Babe Ruth #’ed/50 and an autograph of Julio Urias #’ed/30.  Both Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger will have cards in here.  As long as they’re still playing like they are, it’ll be fun to see the values of those cards.

Update:

Certain boxes will get you more than (1) promo pack.

Card of the Day: Quentin Moses 2007 Topps TX Exclusive #120

“Pin-Up” of the Week: Citizens Bank Park 2016 Exclusive Star Wars Pin

Next week at this time a new Star Wars movie will be out.  Rogue One: A Star Wars Story takes place shortly before A New Hope.  It tells the tale of how the Rebellion obtained the plans to the first Death Star.  With the Jedi existing for a thousand years, it continues to fascinate me how the Sith convinced the public that they were a hoax in such a short time.  One year from now, we’ll be getting ready for Episode VIII.  How will Luke react after Rey finds him standing atop that cliff?  Star Wars movies raise lots of questions.  Every answer you get, more questions arise.

Combing baseball and Star Wars is a great idea.  Teams annually have Star Wars themed nights.  This past year, the Majestic Clubhouse Store at Citizens Bank Park sold an exclusive Phillies/Star Wars pin.  It features both Yoda and Darth Vader.  Only (300) of them were made, which isn’t a lot when it comes to pins.  I’m almost certain they’ve sold out.  On the secondary market I’ve seen people asking $30 to $50 for a single pin.

Card of the Day: Kris Bryant 2015 Topps Employee Exclusive RC Auto

Card of the Day: Bryce Harper 2016 Topps New Era Cap Lids Exclusive

National Exclusive OYO Minifigures Return For 2015

For a third year in a row, collectors will have the opportunity to pickup one of these National exclusive OYO minifigures.  As you can see, this year’s minifigures will have a hockey theme.  You can find these at booth #616P in the corporate area.  Only 100 minifigures will be given out each day of the show – 60 kids and 40 adults.  First come first serve!

If you’ve got kids, be sure to ask them about their daily building sessions.  These run from Thursday to Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Each session runs for 45 minutes.  OYO supplies you with all of the building kits.  Only ten spots available per session.

CollectorCrate Announces March Exclusives

UPDATE

• This company is no longer in business.

CollectorCrate has announced it’s March lineup of exclusive sketch print cards.  Depending on which sport you decide to purchase, you will receive a sketch print card of Tom Brady, Andrew Wiggins, or Ted Williams.  All were drawn by Emily Tester.  Good luck with your box breaks!!!

Manning, Jeter, & King James Highlight CollectorCrate’s First Exclusive

UPDATE

• This company is no longer in business.

CollectorCrate is one of the more interesting things to hit the hobby recently.  For a monthly fee CollectorCrate will send you a box packed with sports stuff each month.  I was happy to receive and open the first round of boxes to go out.

By the looks of it, CollectorCrate is preparing to include it’s very first exclusive item within their boxes.  Artist Brad Utterstrom drew three different sketches – LeBron James, Derek Jeter, and Peyton Manning.  Each box will include a sketch print card of one of these players.  Utterstrom has worked with various card manufacturers in the past such as Topps, Leaf, and Cryptozoic.

Exclusive items should really help bring in more subscribers.  Now let’s see some exclusive bobbleheads, Funko Pop! figures, Lil’ Teammates, and OYOs.  I also think they should send out a large CollectorCrate to one lucky subscriber per month.  One that’s filled with sealed boxes and high-end stuff.