Performance Enhanced Blog Posts

Starling Marte was busted for PED's a couple weeks into the season. His suspension has had quite the trickle down effect for the Buccos.  Coming into the season you could make the argument that Marte was the Pirates best all around player and maybe the hardest guy to replace. His suspension, plus some other key absences has put the Pirates behind the eight ball at what has turned out to be a wide open division. Who knows where the Pirates would have been having a non cheating Marte plus a sober Jung Ho Kang. That is about 8 War worth of players right there.

While I'm angry at Marte's greediness I still like to collect his cards. Maybe that is a bit hypocrytical of me, but hey....it is my collection.

Marte has a good following on eBay.  His new releases sell for good money.  The deals can be found on older releases.  It also help that some people have soured on him after the suspension. The below lot cost me about $10.

 While Prizm lacks a license you do get a nice on card auto.

This is a sepia auto parallel /75 form 2016 Triple Threads. 

The seller had several Pirate cards, but the only other one I could win was this Brock Holt Chrome rookie auto.  Holt made his major league debut as a Pirate, but was traded the following offseason to the Red Sox in the Mark Melancon deal.  The trade was odd in that Melancon and Holt were secondary pieces at the time, but turned into the centerpieces almost immediately. 

As a fan of the Pirates I'm upset that Marte knowingly cheated the system. Ultimately he has to answer to his teammates and the fans. I'm just not one of those holier than now people that shun a guy after the suspension.  Once he serves his time I will continue to root for Marte. I have better things to do than boo athletes.  

Thanks for reading. 

Box Breaks: 2014 Bowman Chrome and 2014 Panini Prizm

I actually busted these a few months back with my buddies Keith and Micah. Micah got the prized pull out of Chrome which was a low numbered Tanaka. He should probably sell before his arm explodes. Our Prizm boxes were all around bad which was a big disappointment. One of the main appeals of Prizm is that you usually pull one good veteran or high end rookie auto. I think a Brandon Phillips auto was the best card.....yuck.

Speaking of Keith, he is wanting to get rid of some cards on his blog, The Home Run Apple. All you have to do is follow and leave a comment. I told him to throw down a Mike Trout auto, but he doesn't listen to me. Here is the link. If you don't want to enter contest you should still leave a comment making fun of the Mets.

Here is the box break loot.

This was probably the coolest pull I had. These Dual-ing Die Cuts are very 90's and really stick out. This one is numbered out of 50. Jonathan Gray should be making his debut very soon for the Rockies. He has done very well in the minor leagues and it looks like the Rockies may have a legitimate pitching prospect. Let's hope he is not a fly ball pitcher.

Mark Appel was actually drafted by the Pirates but decided to go back to school. He has been pretty shaky in the minors so far. Karma!

 Just a normal version of the die cut.

Kiner-Falefa was a 4th round pick in 2013. Seems to be a glove first middle infielder as his offensive stats so far in his professional career are very light in the power department.

 2 round pick of the Cubs in 2012.

Cain refractor numbered to 99.  Looks like he is having trouble with his arm again. Hopefully it doesn't need repaired again.

Drew Pomeranz /500

Taylor Cole  /500

Chris Tillman  /60

Carlos Beltran /25. Beltran is a hall of fame talent, but I think once it is all said and done he gave up too many games to injury.

You probably noticed that I didn't show much Prizm. If I recall I traded most of my box to Keith for a Steve Slaton auto I didn't have.

All cards shown are for trade. I like low numbered Mike Trout autos and gem mint hall of fame vintage and Bob Walk!

Thanks for reading.