My First 2017 Autograph

I did it. I added another unique auto to the collection.  It's a beauty too.

Numbered 2/5 this on "eye black" card from 2017 Immaculate features a gold ink auto AND a swatch from the Jolly Roger sleeve.

There's several different versions of Cutch autos in 2017 that I am currently chasing.  I got a monster coming sometime soon.

The back of the card is a small resume of his career achievements.

This is unique autograph #128 in the collection.  I have 3 more coming in.

If you missed the first 125, check them out here.
#126 was traded to me by fellow Pirates collector BobWalkThePlank
#127 I showed off with my current contest (a few dates remain I believe if you want to get in for 2017)

Smooooooooth Breakdowns

Cutch used to be so smooth and have so much swagger when he had his dreads.  He's still got a lot of swag, but he's not quite as smooth as he used to be.

Someone who is super smooth and hooks readers up with unexpected swag is Gavin of Baseball Card Breakdown.

He didn't send an email or hint about this package I was about to receive.

I was floored though.

Inside were 2 customs he made of my main PC, Andrew McCutchen.  Smooooooth!

But that wasn't good enough to surprise me with.

He dropped a 1/1 Topps Mini Blank Back of eventual World Series Champion Charlie Morton on me.  Morton is getting very little cardboard love in Houston, but when he holds up the trophy for pitching all them scoreless innings, it won't matter.  He will be a Champion!!!

Gavin, thanks so much for hooking me up with these customs and the 1/1 Morton.  I only need 2 non 1/1 cards and you saved me the trouble of tracking down a 1/1 I needed.

You're the man!!!

Side note: I am predicting that Sports Illustrated predicted correctly and the Houston Astros will win the 2017 World Series.

On another note, Cutch hit a 2 run homer yesterday bringing his total to 199 career Home Runs.  Don't forget to join my contest for a chance to win a Bob Gibson autograph.  And don't forget that if you are a swag pimp you can win a Tim Raines autograph just by sharing the contest on your page.

WBC relic

I love the design on these WBC Ginter cards.  So simple and patriotic.  I might try to put together all of Team USA.

The remaining 7 players I need are
Nolan Arenado
Paul Goldschmidt
Giancarlo Stanton
Buster Posey
Adam Jones
Alex Bregman
Eric Hosmer

Today seemed like a good day to show off the American flag.

Remember those that fought for our country to end terrorism and those that lost their lives in those fatal attacks.

Prayers for Florida

Hurricane Irma hit the Florida keys late last night and will continue to make an impact throughout today.  I have a few friends that wisely chose to evacuate that live down there.  My girlfriend's mother and cousins who live near Naples chose to just buckle down the hatches.  We are waiting to hear from them still.

Please pray for Florida today.

2014 Gypsy Queen Hometown Flags 1/5

My girlfriend and I were planning on going to Sanibel Island this week, but with the pending storm we chose not to.  Instead we just spent a few days doing things around the house.  Not much of a vacation week, but at least we are safe.

Now just to keep praying for Florida.

Want a HOF autograph? Enter my contest for a chance

Earlier last month I began quickly writing a post showing off my top 200 cards of Cutch in anticipation of his 200th career homerun.

I will still highlight my top 200 eventually, but thought a contest was in order for it.

Cutch hit career homerun #100 off Yovani Gallardo of the Brewers on September 3, 2013.

He has been at career homerun #198 since August 8th.  After belting 8 homeruns and winning Player of the Month award for July 2017, Cutch has started to get cold again batting .222 with a .283 slugging percentage for the month of August.

So here's the contest I am deciding to run:

What date do you think Cutch will hit career home run #200?

Leave a comment below with the date he will hit HomeRun #200 for his career (currently at 198).

If you've entered my contests before you know I tend to give away Hall of Fame quality items to the winners.  This contest will be no different. If you guess correctly you will win this Bob Gibson autograph. Yup, the man that changed the pitching rules in baseball because he was so good.  You could win his autograph if you guess correctly.

I'm all about second chances and runner up prizes so here's something extra going in the ring. In the event that the correct date isn't guessed PRIOR to hitting his 200th career homer, I am offering up this Tim "Rock" Raines autograph.

This Raines autograph will definitely be going to someone.  All you have to do for a chance for this is leave a comment with the date you think Cutch hits #200 AND share this contest on your blog.

If you guess incorrectly, but share this contest prior to #200 you will still have a chance for a Hall of Fame auto.  Simple, right?

All participants must enter prior to #200 being hit.  Remember, Cutch has had 3 games in his career where he has hit 3 homers in a game.  He's had a few multihomer games too.

Visit Pirates.com for the Pirates remaining schedule this year to place your guesses.
Again all entries must be made prior to Cutch hitting his MLB career homerun #200.

LIMIT ONE ENTRY GUESS PER BLOGGER

Now to show off another Cutch auto I recently received (#127 in the collection with more on the way)

Jumbo Bat booklet /5 from 2016 National Treasures

Blockbuster trade at the deadline

Last Thursday was the last day teams could trade players to get them available for the postseason.  It was also the day that a blockbuster trade was finalized between everyone's favorite Pirates collector and the blogging world's biggest Andrew McCutchen collector.

I'm sure Matt will show off his end of the deal in the future, but I couldn't wait to show mine off.

This was the main card I wanted

A 2012 Tier One Crowd Pleasers Silver Ink Signature card numbered to 10.  I had the blue ink auto numbered to 50, but really wanted this one for the collection.

Next up, a sweet booklet

This card escaped me a few times back in 2013 when it was released and with two players and only 5 in existence, it quickly became tough to find.

Closing things out we got the beautiful PNC Park with 3 Unity Relics each numbered to only 9 copies.

I'm happy we were finally able to work out a deal Matt.  I'm hoping you enjoyed the cards I sent you.

Players I Should Hate but Can't: Rizzo my nizzle

Here's another new segment I came up with as I am trying different ways to show off Cutch cardboard.

Anthony Rizzo plays on a division rival team and in the normal sports fandom world I should hate him simply for that reason.

But I can't!  The guy hits homeruns for children with cancer.

I love me some Anthony Rizzo (he's been on every fantasy league team I have since 2013) even when he's getting a walk in the 9th inning of a tie game and being the reason why the Cubs beat the Pirates.

I should hate him, but I can't.   He helps with marriage proposals.

He has a career slash line of .312/.403/.591 with 23 HR and 78 RBI in 99 career games versus Pittsburgh.

I should hate him, but I can't.  He's just too likable to hate.

Over the next few months I will highlight more Players I Should Hate.

What players on division rivals do you actually root for?