RLC Custom Card Project: Nick Masset

The Player: Nick Masset was a very good relief pitcher from 2006 through 2011, but someone probably only Reds fan will remember. He would miss all of 2012 and 2013 with injuries, finally returning to the majors with the Rockies in 2014. He never reached his pre-injury form, pitching in 51 games with Colorado with a 5.80 ERA, then splitting the 2015 season with the Marlins and Braves. His most famous Rockies moment was probably hitting Evan Gattis and being suspended for 3 games.

The Card: A brand that seems to have got lost in the over-production era, but I always have liked, 1995 Score Summit. I stayed very loyal to the original design, just tweaking the player name font into something a little more to my liking. If you are not familiar with this set, check out the Nth Degree parallels for some mid 90's greatness.

The Project: Rockies Legacy Collection custom project to make digital cards of Rockies players who never had one issued.

April Showers Bring May Cards: 2016 Threads

Finally finishing off my April Showers Blowout order, this was one that really caught my eye after missing out on it during the Black Friday sale, 2016-17 Panini Threads Basketball.

April Showers Bring May Cards: 2018 Gypsy Queen

Consider my rubber arm twisted. I resisted 2 boxes of Gypsy Queen this year, but I couldn't resist a blaster. First pack, first card, see above, Shohei Otani. Nice to get that one out of the way if I decide to build the set.

RLC Custom Card Project: Mike Ekstrom

The Player: Mike Ekstrom appeared in 15 games for the Rockies in 2012, in what would be his final season in the majors, tying his career high for games. In total he pitched in 51 MLB games, all in relief with a 0-3 record and a 5.61 ERA.

The Card: Probably my favorite modern set, and one of my all-time favorites, 2011 Gypsy Queen. This set helped really define what my collection looks like as this is far and away the product I have bought the most of over the years.

The Project: Rockies Legacy Collection custom project to make digital cards of Rockies players who never had one issued.

April Showers Bring May Cards: 2017 Diamond Kings

Continuing on with my last post, along with the 2013 Update, I picked up two blasters of 2017 Diamond Kings, a product that I have liked the little bit I have seen, but have not opened a ton of. I really like this product, I like the feel of the cards, I like the look and other than the obvious Panini no-logo issue, these are great in my eyes. Starting with the old timers, it's a way bigger, more varied group than you see from Topps, interesting to learn a little about these guys like Harry Brecheen.

April Showers Bring May Cards: 2013 Update

A combination of some extra cash laying from a contract job and a sale at Blowout obviously equals buying cards. Nothing crazy exciting, but it's always nice to open some packs, get some new keepers and traders, and have something to show off here. Starting with probably the least exciting, a hanger pack of 2013 Update. I always like Update and the real draw here was the chance at pulling a Nolan Arenado rookie. 

RLC Custom Card Project: Brooks Kieschnick

The Card: I have cards older than 1996 Collector's Choice SE, but they are the oldest cards that I actually remember opening packs of. The weird blue border, high quality photography and the gold and silver parallels all bring back memories of the old, long gone, first LCS. While not a set I actively build or am building, still a set I will always be fond of.

The Player: Before there was Shohei Ohtani, there was Brooks Kieschnick. Well, not exactly. Kieschnick was a two way player in college earning him the 10th overall pick by the Cubs in the 1993 draft, gave up pitching for the outfield and didn't really do much, bouncing around originations, mostly playing in the minors for the Cubs, Rays, Reds, Indians and 35 games with the Rockies in 2001 His wikipedia calls these "The Wilderness Years" which is pretty funny. In 2002 he pitched and hit in Triple A, then in 2003 he pitched, pinch hit, DHed and became the first player to homer from each position, along with starting 3 games in the outfield. Injuries in 2004 limited him to just pitching, then was out of baseball a few years later.

The Project: Rockies Legacy Collection custom project to make digital cards of Rockies players who never had one issued.