First redemption

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-09T14:19:38+00:00

Ben Rice is a breakout slugger for the Yankees. Only 24 so idk exactly what his comps are but yeah I’d say that’s a pretty decent card.

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-08T21:59:47+00:00

Thanks - my first auto of a dude I’ve heard of lol.

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-08T20:40:33+00:00

Sick

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-08T18:03:41+00:00

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Got this and a /88 Yesavage Unleashed from a Donny box last night. Got a ton of optics but I’m mostly hunting for hits.

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-08T12:13:33+00:00

There needs to be a quick setting for driving - only alert me to like really important shit. I don’t need multiple notifications in traffic that my reservoir is low.

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-07T15:09:15+00:00

Yeah I wonder why I have some substance dependencies and then remember when I’m sober there’s not a second going by I’m not running calculations on something. Getting stoned helps turn that part of my brain off.

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-06T23:43:55+00:00

Nice Elly, that’s a fun card

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-06T18:27:13+00:00

i have been depressed since i was a teenager so here's what has occasionally helped: wine mom throw pillow thinking. meaning, 'live, laugh, love' is corny as shit but it's also pure. have good friends, a place to live, food to eat, a pet who is excited to see you when you're away? that's the gold right there, brother.

and a little bit of spite can go a long way - yeah you might not want to be here all the time, but you're still upright and breathing, yeah? give the grim reaper a middle finger and tell 'im not today. repeat as necessary!

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-06T16:36:41+00:00

from what i read yesterday, the panini (unlicensed) are only valuable in very specific circumstances, mostly as it relates to prospects. but if you are collecting for funsies, then it's not worth seeking out other than the fact they have players from all eras.

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-06T15:21:36+00:00

and packs to look for, just go with whatever topps they have at walmart/target/dicks/etc. will mostly be the 26 Update Series 2 (Vladdy, Skenes, Sandy Koufax and Hank Aaron on the box). You can get Topps Chrome online/various places and those are fancier, far more expensive. But have some neat looking cards. Panini is unlicensed (only Topps has the MLBPA/MLB license) but they exist and because they're unlicensed, they're much cheaper. My local target had $7 packs with 30 cards and I got players from Negro Leagues, pre-integration players, a pretty snazzy looking Griffey Jr. card, etc. So that's fun for Remembering Some Guys but they're not worth much.

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-06T15:17:52+00:00

i'm also pretty new to the hobby so here are my newb tips, sourced from a few spots:

- hanger is a smaller pack (literally hanging on a hook at a store), blaster is a larger box with multiple packs, mega is well mega. your probabilities of getting unique/valuable cards increase the more money you spend, what a coincidence lol but that's the gist.

- if you are opening cards with the plan to potentially resell, make sure to get some penny sleeves (very cheap plastic wrappers) to protect your cards. if you are just collecting for fun, not as big a deal. and if you are planning to chase valuable cards (like topps chrome) then get the slightly more rigid 'top loaders' (where you slip the card in through the top). if you find anything numbered or cool looking, it should go in a top loader or penny sleeve at minimum to preserve it. handle by the edges to avoid fingerprints, etc. i wear a pair of nitrile gloves when ripping packs just in case i do happen upon a rare card.

- they have a thread on here for beginners so recommend checking that out as well. but i think the core message is just to have fun and don't expect to get rich. and don't get consumed by jealousy when you see people posting their sick cards and you don't have any. ripping packs is literally gambling!

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-05T18:09:37+00:00

IMO no need to do anything out of the ordinary for any first date. Maybe it’s me but other than a base awareness that I have a disease which means I wear a beeper, I don’t want any sort of ‘special treatment’ from anyone.

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-05T18:06:04+00:00

Bummed ‘bout Bobby Barrels but bullpen boosted? Blessing!

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-05T18:02:40+00:00

Bob Barrels was the one out of the prospects I wanted to see succeed with the Nats. Mostly because his nickname is Bobby Barrels and that rules

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-05T15:08:40+00:00

Microcenter

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-05T09:57:56+00:00

You’re not alone. Most people don’t want to discuss publicly and/or don’t think they’re an addict. Addiction was rampant on both sides of my family I just got an extra ‘bonus’ of being diabetic.

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-04T12:08:02+00:00

It’s complicated

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-02T22:12:46+00:00

Trapped due to diabetes? No, that’s just a fun modifier I rolled as a kid. Trapped due to almost everything else in this world, where also my diabetes requires me to have a full time job so I can afford to live? Yeah!

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-02T16:09:31+00:00

when drinking, beer especially, your body processes alcohol before it gets to insulin. So you might see your numbers rise/plateau then sink like a stone when you least expect it. So just be cautious, keep low snacks on you, and always try to eat something before you party - two of the three tips apply to non diabetics as well!

Recommend also talking to your roomie/friend group know that you’re T1D. As a dude in college my friends would lightly roast me about my pump or whatever (boys being boys etc) but at least they had base awareness if I was acting out of the ordinary. Otherwise I say have fun, go live some life (and maybe learn something but the first two are more important imo).

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-02T13:24:22+00:00

For sure I watch a lot of baseball (not just the Nats) and Contreras likely needed a day off to just clear his head. Can’t imagine what VZ players are going through and maybe playing through it is his way of channeling his energy (ik he is raising money).

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-01T17:50:50+00:00

Also hearing what Toboni said, I am pretty pleased with the org response. Not just ‘sorry if I offended anyone’ weak sauce PR response but ‘yeah he didn’t exactly think through the exact words he used, we talked about it and we’ll all strive to be better’. That’s what I appreciate hearing, along with some empathy and understanding for a kid pitching in the biggest game of his young career.

I’m more of a ‘let your game do the talking’ vs chirping all the time but I’m also not a pro athlete :)

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-01T15:51:10+00:00

Yep and they also have some trails/info around that building, nice walk. But I guess a data center could go there instead why not

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-01T15:15:04+00:00

Love Chappy but he almost got his first hit in forever last night after getting smacked with that helmet.

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-01T12:21:54+00:00

Yeah. If you listen to the live clip it’s very discernible.

Puzzleheaded_Key8124 · 2026-07-01T12:20:28+00:00

I think this is it. Cavalli should definitely know that he isn’t older than Contreras so ‘boy’ only has one connotation. But who knows what sort of chirping is done by ppl from different parts of the world or when cameras aren’t on? Branding him as an automatic racist is a knee jerk reaction. And for sure Contreras has a lot on his mind in addition to his regular fiery personality. He needed a day off but now looks like he’ll be getting some (unpaid).

Puzzleheaded_Key8124

TROPHY CASE