big fun game - post 20: Rod wraps things up; The end

Rod was raised never to steal, and so had no choice but to take the final remaining mystery prize..

It's a lot of miscellaneous certified autograph cards, with Jeff Conine being the best known name here. None of these are Padrographs, the focus of Rod's collection, but hey, perhaps a couple of them will come in handy as trade fodder in his travels.

Thanks again to everyone for playing, and also to those of you just reading along at home.

I'll plan to pack up the cards this weekend and get everything mailed out soon. To those of you who ended up with lackluster prizes, well, I'll try to throw in a surprise bonus or something to cheer you up. If any of you want to work out trades between yourselves, have at it and let me know if you agree to a deal and I can reroute the prizes in question. Otherwise, well, I hope you're able to use the unwanted cards in a trade with someone down the line, at least.

But hopefully you ended up with something that sticks in your collection. It started out slowly, but picked up steam after a while and I think it lived up to its name as a Big Fun Game. One of you should keep the games going and run one yourself if you want.

Here's the final results:

1. Wade Boggs simpsons auto (stolen twice - locked) - BILLY
2. Al Hrabosky auto - SHOEBOX SHANE
3. Jesse Orosco auto - MATT STUPIENSKI
4. vintage lot - FUJI
5. JR Richard auto - CORKY
6. Mister Fister - GCRL
7. Charlie Hayes auto - MATT PRIGGE
8. Andre Dawson auto (stolen once) - TURRDOG
9. Tony Oliva auto (stolen once) - BRIAN O'
10. misc. auto lot - ROD
11. die-cut lot - JULIE
12. customs lot (stolen once) - NICK
13. mini lot - BO
14. George Foster auto - JBF
15. Sy Berger contracts - JOHN MILLER

big fun game - post 19: Turrdog hawks Dawson; Rod returns

Turrdog was sad to see the Boggs get snagged from his clutches, but comforted himself with plucking the Andre Dawson auto away from Rod.

That brings up Rod once again, the whipping boy of the game so far, with multiple steals against him. Will he exact some revenge and pull off a steal himself (everything's available besides the Boggs and Dawson), or end things here by picking #10?

1. Wade Boggs simpsons auto (stolen twice - locked)
2. Al Hrabosky auto
3. Jesse Orosco auto
4. vintage lot
5. JR Richard auto
6. Mister Fister
7. Charlie Hayes auto
8. Andre Dawson auto (stolen once)
9. Tony Oliva auto (stolen once)
10. ?
11. die-cut lot
12. customs lot (stolen once)
13. mini lot
14. George Foster auto
15. Sy Berger contracts

big fun game - post 18: Billy locks down Boggs; Turrdog gets another turn, dog

I saw this one coming. Billy bided his time and then pounced on the Wade Boggs Simpsons auto.

How 'bout that! Nice that somebody who doesn't really collect baseball stuff still ended up with something that's a good fit for their collection (Billy is a big Simpsons fan).

That brings back The Turrdog, who had recently stolen the Boggs and nearly gotten away with it, to make another selection. Everything besides the Boggs is available to swipe, or if nothing is calling out to you, picking #10 would wrap up the game here and now.

1. Wade Boggs simpsons auto (stolen twice - locked)
2. Al Hrabosky auto
3. Jesse Orosco auto
4. vintage lot
5. JR Richard auto
6. Mister Fister
7. Charlie Hayes auto
8. Andre Dawson auto
9. Tony Oliva auto (stolen once)
10. ?
11. die-cut lot
12. customs lot (stolen once)
13. mini lot
14. George Foster auto
15. Sy Berger contracts

big fun game - post 17: Julie cuts it up; now Billy's in the catbird seat

Julie pondered pulling off a steal, but ultimately took a chance unveiling door 11..

It's the die-cut lot. Yep, if you like funky-shaped baseball cards, this is the lot for you! The highlight here is probably the Carlos Gomez autograph #'d 25/25. Also a couple of Julie's Tigers, fittingly enough.

That brings up Billy in the cleanup spot, two outs in the bottom of the ninth. What's it gonna be, Billy? A daring theft, or will we close out the game right here with number ten? All down to you!

1. Wade Boggs simpsons auto (stolen once)
2. Al Hrabosky auto
3. Jesse Orosco auto
4. vintage lot
5. JR Richard auto
6. Mister Fister
7. Charlie Hayes auto
8. Andre Dawson auto
9. Tony Oliva auto (stolen once)
10. ?
11. die-cut lot
12. customs lot (stolen once)
13. mini lot
14. George Foster auto
15. Sy Berger contracts

big fun game - post 16: Turrdog bites Boggs; Rod rides Hawk; Julie up

In a flurry of activity in the game, Turrdog balked at taking mystery door 8, and instead decided to steal the Wade Boggs Simpsons auto from Rod. Rod in turn went ahead and took 8.

It's a sweet Andre Dawson auto from 2003 Topps Retired.

All eyes turn to Julie now as the game comes to a head. What will she choose?! All prizes are still available to steal, three of which could be locked by such a move. Still two unknown numbers out there. Barring a steal, the only player waiting in the wings is Billy. Exciting!

1. Wade Boggs simpsons auto (stolen once)
2. Al Hrabosky auto
3. Jesse Orosco auto
4. vintage lot
5. JR Richard auto
6. Mister Fister
7. Charlie Hayes auto
8. Andre Dawson auto
9. Tony Oliva auto (stolen once)
10. ?
11. ?
12. customs lot (stolen once)
13. mini lot
14. George Foster auto
15. Sy Berger contracts

big fun game - post 15: big red Foster for Wes; Turrdog, it's your turn, dog

Wes, still reeling from the theft of his customs lot, took a chance on #14...

It's a 2003 Topps Retired auto of George Foster, the only player to hit 50 home runs in a season between 1966 and 1989.

Bad news is there's a price sticker on the back of the case ($50?! No way!), but it could probably be removed with some work. Bonus cards included in this prize are autos from a couple cooks (David Cook and Chris Cook.. no relation, I assume), as well as a couple shiny Gold Label cards and a couple customs.

Next up to pick is a mysterious contestant from parts unknown: The Turrdog. I think he's the only player of the game I haven't traded with before. (It also means I don't have his email address, so I can't send him a heads-up that it's his turn. Hopefully he sees this post soon!)
What's it gonna be, dog? Steal something or pick 8, 10, or 11.

1. Wade Boggs simpsons auto
2. Al Hrabosky auto
3. Jesse Orosco auto
4. vintage lot
5. JR Richard auto
6. Mister Fister
7. Charlie Hayes auto
8. ?
9. Tony Oliva auto (stolen once)
10. ?
11. ?
12. customs lot (stolen once)
13. mini lot
14. George Foster auto
15. Sy Berger contracts

big fun game - post 14: Nick swipes customs; Wes out for blood

After having his original pick yoinked, Nick snagged the customs lot from JBF in return. Thrilling!

Jaybarkerfan is back on the clock. You can either keep the stealing spree going by snatching anything besides the customs lot, or pick 8, 10, 11, or 14.

1. Boggs simpsons auto
2. Al Hrabosky auto
3. Orosco auto
4. vintage lot
5. JR Richard auto
6. Mister Fister
7. Charlie Hayes auto
8. ?
9. Tony Oliva auto (stolen once)
10. ?
11. ?
12. customs lot (stolen once)
13. mini lot
14. ?
15. Sy Berger contracts

big fun game - post 13: O'Neal steals Oliva; Nick returns

The game is finally heating up here in the final few turns. We've got our first steal, with Brian claiming the Oliva auto from out of Nick's hands.

What do you think, Nick? I know it's against your caring nature, but don't be afraid to steal, as you very well may be helping shake out prizes to people who want them, helping out people who feel they were stuck with something. Plus it makes for a more interesting game. Everything is available to steal (except for the Oliva which was just stolen from you), and there are still 4 mystery prizes out there.

1. Boggs simpsons auto
2. Al Hrabosky auto
3. Orosco auto
4. vintage lot
5. JR Richard auto
6. Mister Fister
7. Charlie Hayes auto
8. ?
9. Tony Oliva auto (stolen once)
10. ?
11. ?
12. customs lot
13. mini lot
14. ?
15. Sy Berger contracts

big fun game - post 12: Rod finds Boggs; Brian to the plate

Rod picked mystery door #1..

Finally an interesting prize, am I right? It's a Wade Boggs TTM auto on a custom Simpsons card. I got a return from him last year and offered up one of these as a prize and it was a big hit. So figured I'd try again this year. Got the return back last week. Class act, that Mr. Boggs!
(Remember the mystery HOF auto available in my 1,000 Posts contest? Yep, ketchupman36 scored himself one of these, as well. Just mailed that big box off today. Probably the heaviest package of cards I've ever sent!)

There are a couple bonus Simpsons customs with this one. I'm not sure how big of a Simpsons fan Rod is. Will this prize be interesting enough to finally warrant our first steal of the game?

Here's where we're at so far..

1. Boggs simpsons auto
2. Al Hrabosky auto
3. Orosco auto
4. vintage lot
5. JR Richard auto
6. Mister Fister
7. Charlie Hayes auto
8. ?
9. Tony Oliva auto
10. ?
11. ?
12. customs lot
13. mini lot
14. ?
15. Sy Berger contracts

Your call, Subjective Brian. Will the Boggs inspire a steal? Perhaps the Oliva auto would be too hard for a Twins fan to pass up? Or take a chance on a mystery number.

big fun game - post 11: gcrl picks; Rod next

The blogger known as gcrl has chosen number 6...

Mister Fister and Mr. October. A couple decent cards of Doug and three customs of Reggie. Complete trash.

1. ?
2. Al Hrabosky auto
3. Orosco auto
4. vintage lot
5. JR Richard auto
6. Mister Fister
7. Charlie Hayes auto
8. ?
9. Tony Oliva auto
10. ?
11. ?
12. customs lot
13. mini lot
14. ?
15. Sy Berger contracts

Rod (Padrographs) on deck. Will we finally see a steal? (Tim Mauser, one of the Sy Berger contracts, is a former Padre, for what it's worth.)

big fun game - post 10: Prigge lays a Hayes; gcrl up

Matt Prigge went with lucky number seven...

It's a 2005 Topps Retired Charlie Hayes auto.

Some bonus cards with it, too, including an Adam Kennedy auto, '52 Mantle reprint, and some sparkly cards.

This game is kinda breaking my heart, to be honest. There's a pretty solid Brewers card still out there that would probably have been right up Matt's alley. Makes me think I should have just sent out 15 different personal prize packages rather than do it game style. Oh well, maybe we'll give a chance for everybody (who wants to) to swap prizes at the end, if both parties agree, of course.

Anyways, here's where we're at:

1. ?
2. Al Hrabosky auto
3. Orosco auto
4. vintage lot
5. JR Richard auto
6. ?
7. Charlie Hayes auto
8. ?
9. Tony Oliva auto
10. ?
11. ?
12. customs lot
13. mini lot
14. ?
15. Sy Berger contracts

The next pick belongs to gcrl. What's it going to be, Jimbo? Will we have our first steal of the game, or unveil another mystery number?

big fun game - post 9: JBF bags a customs lot; Prigge's pick next

Jaybarkerfan selected door number twelve..

It's a big lot of customs, including a Pat Neshek TTM auto and a complete set of 2015 Cardsphere Heroes.

By the way, Wes is holding a big World Cup of Trading promotion on his blog, likely his final big trading extravaganza. Check it out if you haven't yet!

1. ?
2. Al Hrabosky auto
3. Orosco auto
4. vintage lot
5. JR Richard auto
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. Tony Oliva auto
10. ?
11. ?
12. customs lot
13. mini lot
14. ?
15. Sy Berger contracts

Matt Prigge picks next.

big fun game - post 8: Shane has a Hrabosky; JBF up

Shoebox Shane went with door #2.

It's a 2004 Topps Retired Al Hrabosky auto. Nice autograph-signing photo.

Along with the Mad Hungarian is a bonus custom of the Man in Black.


1. ?
2. Al Hrabosky auto
3. Orosco auto
4. vintage lot
5. JR Richard auto
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. Tony Oliva auto
10. ?
11. ?
12. ?
13. mini lot
14. ?
15. Sy Berger contracts

Next on deck is jaybarkerfan. Let's hear it, Wes!

big fun game - post 7: Fuji digs up vintage; Shoebox Shane up

Time to chronicle Fuji's pick with #4...

It's the vintage lot.. just some various cards from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, in various condition. A few good names in there.

We're chugging right along now, though that will do it for Monday evening.

1. ?
2. ?
3. Orosco auto
4. vintage lot
5. JR Richard auto
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. Tony Oliva auto
10. ?
11. ?
12. ?
13. mini lot
14. ?
15. Sy Berger contracts

Next turn belongs to shoeboxlegends. What say you, Shane?

big fun game - post 6: Nick goes Oliva; Fuji's turn

Nick called out for #9..

It's a 2004 Topps Retired autograph of the mighty Tony Oliva.

A few bonus customs with it. Hmm.. I know we've got a Twins fan still yet to pick, so chances are this might get stolen. Or maybe not, who knows.

Fuji steps up to the plate.

1. ?
2. ?
3. Orosco auto
4. ?
5. JR Richard auto
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. Tony Oliva auto
10. ?
11. ?
12. ?
13. mini lot
14. ?
15. Sy Berger contracts

What's it gonna be, Fuji?

big fun game - post 5: Corky uncorks a JR; Nick's next

Ok, the game is bumping right along now. Corky picked mystery door #5...

It's our second straight 2005 Topps Retired autograph, this time 70s power-pitcher J.R. Richard. The case is a bit scuffed, but if you're the type who likes to free encased cards, that shoudn't bother you any.

A couple bonus customs with it, too.

Nick is next.

1. ?
2. ?
3. Orosco auto
4. ?
5. JR Richard auto
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?
11. ?
12. ?
13. mini lot
14. ?
15. Sy Berger contracts

What ya thinking, Nick? Pick a "?" or steal anything.

big fun game - post 4: Mets for Matt; Corky up next

Matt Stupienski picked #3. Let's see what that landed him...

It's a 2005 Topps Retired autograph of all-time career games pitched leader, Jesse Orosco.

And a couple bonus Mets cards for good measure, including a Dykstra parallel and a Strawberry custom. With Matt being a Braves, he's probably not over the moon with this pick, but hey, maybe someone else will steal it, or worst case scenario he's got some new trade bait.

1. ?
2. ?
3. Orosco auto
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?
11. ?
12. ?
13. mini lot
14. ?
15. Sy Berger contracts

Corky's up next. Pick a question mark or steal anything.

big fun game - post 3: John lands a couple Sy Berger contacts; Matt Stupienski up

Looks like my BFG has stumbled out of the gate. The first item selected was not one of the better prizes, I'll admit, and then it took the second person a long time to take his turn. Oof! I bugged John Miller via email just now, and he chose #15. Let's try getting things poppin' here with his pick:

It's a couple authentic baseball card player contact extensions from the Topps Vault, both with signatures by late Topps visionary Sy Berger. Pretty neat. One is Tim Mauser, and the other Gil Heredia. I have reason to believe Sy's signature on the Heredia contract is a stamp, but the Mauser contract seems to sport a real, live Sy autograph. Also included in the lot are some corresponding cards and both COAs from Topps.

1. ?
2. ?
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?
11. ?
12. ?
13. mini lot
14. ?
15. Sy Berger contracts

Matt Stupienski is now on the clock. What's it gonna be, Matt?

big fun game - post 2: Bo goes mini; John Miller on the clock

Bo starts off the game picking lucky number 13.

#13 is the mini lot. Yep, just a bunch of minis. Some of them are customs, including a full set of nine Pretty Girls.

John Miller is up next.

1. ?
2. ?
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?
11. ?
12. ?
13. mini lot
14. ?
15. ?

What's it gonna be, John?

big fun game - post 1: it begins

You ready for this? (queue throbbing dance music and confetti)

Time for my Big Fun Game celebrating 4 years of Baseball Card Breakdown. In case you don't know what that's all about, well, it's sort of a white elephant type of thing that was started by cardblogger Napkin Doon years ago. This year, Jaybarkerfan revived the idea on his blog. Then John Miller did one, followed by a similar game at All Trade Bait All The Time. Now I'm giving it a go.

Basically there are the same number of mystery prizes as players of the game. We go down the list of players, when it's your turn, you can pick a number (between 1 and 15 in this particular case), or you can steal a previously chosen prize. A prize can only be stolen twice, then it's locked in by whoever stole it the 2nd time. The player who just had their item stolen then gets to choose again, which could be a new mystery number or a steal, but you can't steal back what was just stolen from you. I think that's pretty much the rules. Oh, and you've got a 24 hour window to go when it's your turn. If anyone doesn't take their turn within 24 hours, they're out and a Standby Player steals their spot. I mean, that's not standard BFG rules, but I'm ruthless. So you players keep on your toes. I'll try to nudge you best I can.

For the order, I just reversed the order of people who commented. So that means Bo, the last person to get in on the action, goes first (which is sort of a handicap because there's nothing to steal yet).

Bo
John Miller
Matt Stupienski
Corky
Nick
Fuji
shoeboxlegends
jaybarkerfan
Matt Prigge
gcrl
Rod (Padrographs)
Subjective Brian
The Turrdog
Julie Owens
Billy Kingsley

I've been stressing out over settling on the prizes, but I've got them finalized and all lined up now. Not all of them are smash hits, but I think there's plenty of nice stuff in there. And hey, it's a free game, so just have fun. I will say now that all of the prizes are baseball-centric. (Don't worry, Billy, I'll throw in some bonus basketball cards in your package.)

I'll try to keep an updated list for each of these posts so you'll know what's available.

1. ?
2. ?
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?
11. ?
12. ?
13. ?
14. ?
15. ?

OK, Bo, you're up!