2014 Topps Herigage Clubhouse Collection Relics - Good Deals

I only bought a few rack packs of Topps Heritage this year. I got lucky and pulled a relic from one of them, but I didn't get too many Phillies or Astros. So off to eBay I went.

I picked up this Domonic Brown relic for just a dollar, that's it, a single $1, with free shipping.

Brown had a great year for the Phillies last year, hitting .272 with 27 home runs. He's off to a bit of a slow start this year and the Phillies seem to have an abundance of outfielders.

I also found this card for $5.00 including shipping.

Something new this year, the gold parallel, numbered to 99. I've not been paying much attention to the Astros this year. They are well on their way to losing 100 games again this year (I think that will be 3 seasons in a row). Altuve, at least, is one of their better players.

2014 Phillies Opening Day Lineup

The Phillies get the 2014 season going today against the Texas Rangers in Arlington. Here's the Phillies Opening Day Line Up.

Leading off, in center field is Ben Revere (2013 Topps Allen & Ginter #14)

Revere was supposed to be a major force for the Phillies last year but he ended up being hurt most of the season. He hit .294 in 21 games in Spring Training.

Batting second, shortstop Jimmy Rollins (2014 Topps #312)

 

It's hard to believe but J-Roll starts his 14th season with the Phillies.  As often as not, he's the spark plug that makes the Phillies go. He had a slow spring, only batting .173 with 3 home runs in 19 games.

Batting third, at second base, Chase Utley (2014 Donruss #62)

Utley, starting his 12th season with the Phillies, also had a slow spring, hitting .217 in 21 games. The important thing is that he's healthy.

Batting cleanup, as usual is Ryan Howard at first base (2014 Topps Opening Day #203)

After 2 injury plagued seasons, the Phillies need Howard healthy this year.

Batting fifth, in right field is former Phillie Marlon Byrd (2014 Donruss #151)

Byrd, in is 13th season played for the Phillies from 2002-2005. He's traveled quite a bit since then. His last two seasons, with the Mets and Pirates were pretty good. The Phillies must think Byrd has something to offer since the signed him to a 3-year $24MM contract. He hit .298 with 2 home runs and 8 rbis in 21 games in spring training.

Batting 6th, as the DH is Domonic Brown (2013 Topps Heritage #135)

Brown is the guy we're all waiting for to bust out. He .272 with 27 home runs in 2013, but looks to have had a terrible spring.

Batting 7th and catching is Carlos Ruiz (2013 Bowman Gold #311)

Carlos lost a lot of games last year after failing a drug test. Let's hope that is all behind him. He is one of the best catchers in baseball.

Batting 8th is third baseman Cody Asche (2014 Topps Red Target #4)

Asche opened some eyes as a replacement 3rd baseman last season after the Phillies gave up on Michael Young. He didn't have an impressive spring but he's got the starting third base job anyway.

Batting 9th, of all people, is Tony Gwynn Jr. playing left field (2012 Topps #284)

Junior is not exactly his daddy. In 7 years he has a .232 average and 6 home runs. He spent last year in the minors where he hit .300. The Phillies signed him as a free agent last December. He had a decent spring.

Opening Day pitcher Cliff Lee (2013 Topps Allen & Ginter Relics)

Lee is coming off a 14-8 season with an ERA of 2.87. He pitched 24 innings with a 2.55 ERA this spring.

2013 All-Star GAme National League Starters

Better late than never. I'm composing this post while I'm waiting for the game to start. It will post on Wednesday.  I'm not making any predictions.

Catcher: Yadier Molina 2013 Topps Heritage Chrome Purple Refractor #4

Including this year, Yadier is a 5-time Al-Star. He's currently batting .284.

First Base: Joey Votto 2011 Bowman Platinum #43

In his 4th All-Star Game, Joey is leading the league in on-base percentage at .418

Second Base: Brandon Phillips 2008 Topps Allen & Ginter #285

 3-time All-Star Brandon sure has a million-dollar smile. He's leading the league in sacrifice flies with 7.

Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki 2011 Topps Update All-Star Stitches

3-time All-Star Troy is batting .332 with 16 home runs.

Third Base: David Wright 2007 Topps Flashback Fridays #5

All-Star favorite, returning for his 7th All-Star Game, David is batting .304.

Outfielder: Carlos Beltran 2013 Topps Heritage Memorable Moments

An 8-time All-Star, Carlos is having a good season so far, batting .309 with 19 home runs.

Outfielder: Carlos Gonzalez 2010 Topps National Chicle #204

The other Carlos in the outfield, is in just his 2nd All-Star Game. He's leading the league with 25 home runs and a .610 slugging percentage.

Outfield: Bryce Harper 2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects #1

Making his second All-Star appearance in his 2-year career, Bryce is batting .264 with 13 home runs.

Starting Pitcher: Matt Harvey 2013 Triple Play #54

This is Matt's All-Star debut. He has a 7-2 record and it leading the league in strike-outs with 147.

There were two Phillies named to the team.

Pitcher Cliff Lee 2012 Topps Museum Collection #58

This is Cliff's 4th All-Star Game. He is 10-3 with a 2.86 ERA.

Outfielder Domonic Brown 2010 Bowman Topps 100 Prospects #18

This is Domonic's first All-Star Game. Given a chance to be a starter this year, Brown has reacted with a .273 batting average, 23 home runs, and 67 RBIs.

I looked up and down that NL list 5 times before I remembered that the Astros are in the American League this year. I've only seen one game of theirs in 2013, the home opener. As you might expect there is only one Astro at the game.

Catcher: Jason Castro 2012 Topps Red #568

This is Jason's first All-Star Game. He's batting .269 with 12 home runs.  Not bad for a catcher.