Sox Or No Sox: 8-23-08

Let's play America’s favorite pack opening game, Sox Or No Sox.

The rules are simple. We take one unopened pack of baseball cards that was randomly selected by yours truly. We then go through the pack card by card looking for those hard to find White Sox cards.

Our player in tonight's game is a 2008 Upper Deck First Edition Update pack. The pack contains 10 cards and 1 StarQuest foil card. Let's begin.

#1: Shelley Duncan – 426 - Yankees
Who? Must be all the injuries on the Yankees?

#2: Matt Garza – 480 - Rays
He made his first start of the 2007 season against the White Sox in a game the Twins won 12-0. Uh… next card.

#3: Trevor Hoffman – 453 - Padres
What’s the all-time Major League saves leader doing in an update set?

#4: Brian Wilson – 462 - Giants
Great. Now I have that Barenaked Ladies song running through my head. Has Brian ever pitched in a sandbox? The world may never know.

#5: Luis Gonzalez – 363 - Marlins
There is no text on the back, just stats dating back to 1990.

Halfway through the pack. Meh. I’m not feeling this pack. Let’s see if we can get a White Sox card!

#6: Joe Crede – 335 – White Sox
JOE CRE-DE!!! as Hawk Harrelson would say after a “Late Inning Joe” moment.

#7: Jhonny Peralta – 345 - Indians
Is Jhonny hiding a dyslexic problem? Or were his parents just unusually cruel or stoned… or both?

#8: Joey Gathright – 372 - Royals
Joey only seems to do well against the White Sox.

#9: John Lackey – 381 - Angels
Ladies and gentlemen, the most invisible 19 game winner in Major League history! Seriously, why hasn’t more been written about him?

#10: Francisco Liriano – 401 - Twins
Where do they keep finding them and why do they keep sending them against the White Sox? This may give the Twins the boost they need late in the season.
#11: C.C. Sabathia – StarQuest – SQ-35 - Indians
This product just came out and Sabathia’s been on the Brewers for two months. What’s up with that?

OK, our pack opening is complete. No trap cards and one White Sox card! That was an OK pack. The White Sox card saved it from being a meh pack.

So, that’s ½ point for each card in the pack. 2 points for the White Sox card.

Final score: 7 ½ points

One White Sox card of Joe Crede in this game! Let’s find some more next time on Sox Or No Sox.

Sox Or No Sox: 7-10-08

Let's play America’s favorite pack opening game, Sox Or No Sox.

The rules are simple. We take one unopened pack of baseball cards that was randomly selected by yours truly. We then go through the pack card by card looking for those hard to find White Sox cards.

Our player in tonight's game is a 1988 Donruss pack. The pack contains 15 cards and 3 puzzle pieces. Let's begin.

#1: Doug Drabek – 79 - Pirates
A future White Sox!

#2: Rick Sutcliffe – 68 - Cubs
A trap card! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

#3: Gerald Perry – 437 - Braves
What a nice smile. The lighting on his ear makes him look like he has an earring at first glance. His middle name is June?

#4: Tom Foley – 303 - Expos
An Expo! What a rare treat.

#5: Brian Dayett – 416 - Cubs
What the??!! Another trap card!!

#6: Mike Davis – 281 – A’s
Rockin’ the aviators!

#7: Scott Bradley – 147 - Mariners
The White Sox got the late Ivan Calderon by trading Scott.

#8: Donnie Moore – 621 - Angels
I will distract the hitter by waving my glove at him.

Two trap cards!! AAAAARRRGGGGHHHH!!! OK, I’m over it. That half really sucked. 7 cards left to go. Let’s see if we can get a White Sox card!

#9: Kal Daniels DK - 14 - Reds
Kal is an exciting outfielder according to the back of the card.

#10: Lance Parrish – 359 - Phillies
I forgot that Lance was on the Phillies.

#11: Frank White – 225 - Royals
He’s a Jr. See the Royals can have a Jr. too!

#12: Jim Gantner – 214 - Brewers
I still can’t think of the Brewers as being a National League team. Jim’s middle name is Elmer?

#13: Dale Bryan Murphy – 78 – Braves
OK! That’s the superstar of the eighties that this pack lacked!

#14: Frank DiPino – 570 – Cubs
C’mon!! You’re killin’ me here!!

#15: Mike LaCoss – 436 – Giants
Mike went into the wrong sport. How fun would it have been to say, “LaCoss with the goal in Lacrosse”?

#16: Stan Musial puzzle piece 43, 44, 45
Great. A piece of Stan the Man’s crotch. I don’t want to know THAT much about Stan the Man.

OK, our pack opening is complete. Three trap cards and no White Sox cards! That pack sucked big fat donkey. I suppose there are going to be bad packs like this still out there.

So, that’s ½ point for each card in the pack. –1 for each trap card.

Final score: 4 ½ points

No White Sox cards in this game, but there's always next time on Sox Or No Sox.

Sox Or No Sox: 3-10-08

Let's play America’s favorite pack opening game, Sox Or No Sox.

The rules are simple. We take one unopened pack of baseball cards that was randomly selected by yours truly. We then go through the pack card by card looking for those elusive White Sox cards.

Our player in tonight's game is a 2008 Topps Moments And Milestones pack. The pack contains 6 cards and every card is numbered. Let's begin.

#1: John Smoltz – 84 – Braves (42 Wins) 082/150
I swear, dayf and I should trade teams. I pull all the Braves cards and he pulls all the White Sox!

#2: Frank Thomas – 3 – White Sox (285 Home Runs) 131/150
Maybe I spoke too soon! Frank in a White Sox uniform is always a good thing.

#3: Trevor Hoffman – 32 – Padres (335 Career Saves) 041/150
The first pitcher to save 500 games. If he doesn’t get into the Hall of Fame, then there’s no hope for Lee Smith.

A White Sox card a third of the way through the pack! That’s awesome! No trap cards either. 3 cards left to go. Let’s see if we can get a White Sox card!

#4: Nick Swisher – 104 – Athletics (91 Walks) 022/150
A current member of the White Sox! Too bad that doesn’t count.

#5: Radhames Liz – 161 – Orioles (2008 Rookie) 1/25
Nice rookie numbered to 25!

#6: Troy Tulowitzki – 9 – Rockies (98 RBI) 150/150
He bested Nomar by 1 RBI in his rookie season! Cool.

OK, our pack opening is complete. Not too shabby. A rookie numbered to 25 and a Frank Thomas White Sox card. Very cool! The cards look nice too. If I come into a little extra cash, maybe I’ll pick a box up.

So, that’s ½ point for each card in the pack. 2 points for the White Sox card.

Final score: 5 points

A cool Frank Thomas White Sox card in this game, I’ll search for more next time on Sox Or No Sox.

Sox Or No Sox: 3-5-08

Let's play America’s favorite pack opening game, Sox Or No Sox.

The following pack was donated by John from the UK.

The rules are simple. We take one unopened pack of baseball cards that was randomly selected by yours truly. We then go through the pack card by card looking for those hard to find White Sox cards.

Our player in tonight's game is a 1993 Donruss Triple Play pack. The pack contains 12 cards and features a fiery baseball shooting through outer space. Let's begin.

#1: Awesome Action – 12 – Angels/OriolesDavid Segui and Luis Polonia.
Now I know I’m in 1993!

#2: Cal Eldred – 18 - Brewers
A future White Sox with a screw in his elbow.

#3: Todd Zeile – 24 - Cardinals
I pulled for Zeile when he was with the Cards. By the time he made the Cubs, it was all over.

#4: Steve Avery – 30 – Braves
I loved Avery when I was a kid. He made me feel like anyone could play, since he looked younger than I was.

#5: Bryan Harvey – 225 – Marlins
Well that breaks the every sixth card sequencing.

#6: Chuck Knoblauch – 48 – Twins
Take it on the run, baby. If that’s the way you want it baby. Then I don’t want you around. I don’t believe it. Not for a minute. You’re under the gun, so you take it on the run.

Not that much to the pack. No trap cards. No White Sox cards. A weird sixth card sequencing. I guess Chuck was hiding from the feds inside this pack. 6 cards left to go. Let’s see if we can get a White Sox card!

#7: Steve Hosey – 54 - Giants
The sixth card sequencing is back!

#8: Ruben Sierra – 60 - Athletics
Yes, the sixth card sequencing is definitely back.

#9: Chris Sabo – 184 - Reds
There is no mistaking Chris Sabo!

#10: Luis Polonia – 190 – Angels
Two Polonias in a pack? Plus, a variation on the sixth card sequencing. I always knew Luis was trouble. He was the thorn, und his mudder’s side.

#11: Awesome Action – 196 – Dodgers/Phillies?
It’s definitely Mike Scioscia, but I have no idea who the runner is. Mike blocks the plate as well as the runner’s identification.

#12: Rob Deer – 137 – Tigers
Why did I think Rob Deer was a superstar? Maybe it was the 32 homers in 1992. It certainly couldn’t have been because of his average.

OK, our pack opening is complete. Very interesting pack. No trap cards and no White Sox cards. It also came with a scratch off card game featuring the Phillies Vs. the Mets (2 of 30). I’m not going to play it. I pulled out the victory in Thorzul’s game, so I’m quitting while I’m ahead. This pack was a nice flashback to my youth.

So, that’s ½ point for each card in the pack.

Final score: 6 points

No White Sox cards in this game, but there's always next time on Sox Or No Sox.

Sox Or No Sox: 2-19-08

Let's play America’s favorite pack opening game, Sox Or No Sox.

The rules are simple. We take one unopened pack of baseball cards that was randomly selected by yours truly. We then go through the pack card by card looking for those hard to find White Sox cards.

Our player in tonight's game is a 2008 Upper Deck pack. The pack contains 36 cards. The wrapper is a two compartment rack pack featuring two Hot Commodities cards. Let's begin.

#1: Shawn Chacon – 205 - Pirates
A couple of OK years.

#2: Ichiro – 139 - Mariners
No last name given. Is this possibly Ichiro Miller?

#3: Hank Blalock – 217 - Rangers
Power, not average.

#4: Jacque Jones – 80 - Tigers
He’s listed as a Tiger, but he’s in a Cubs uniform. Someone at Upper Deck is trying to screw with me. No trap card. Close enough though.

#5: Tim Hudson – 41 - Braves
I know he’s been there for awhile. Why do I have a hard time thinking of him in a Braves uniform?

#6: Kelvim Escobar – 2 – Angels
Kelvim? That name always bothered me. He won 18 games last year though.

#7: Shawn Green – 158 - Mets
Green in orange and blue.

#8: Ryan Dempster – 75 - Cubs
Trap card! I liked him on the Marlins.

#9: Kyle Kendrick – 192 – Phillies
Is that Jim Thome standing behind him. Thome is laughing at you for being traded for a hot dog eating champion too.

#10: Ryan Theriot – 78 – Cubs
What the hell? Another Cub trap card?

#11: Ryan Klesko – 117 – Giants
It looks like Ryan just popped up.

#12: Ryan Madson – 195 – Phillies
That’s the third Ryan in a row and the fourth in the last five cards. Was Ryan a popular name in the late 70’s and early 80’s? I think so!

#13: Matt Holliday SH – 396 – Rockies
The National League leader in hits.

#14: Vladimir Guerrero CL – 351 – Angels
Congrats Vladdy! It looks like you just did something great before this shot was taken.

#15: Wladimir Balentien – 303 – Mariners
My spellchecker is going insane right now.

#16: Nyjer Morgan – 330 – Pirates
I stand by my last statement.

#17: Don Mattingly YSL – 5195 – Yankees
Card number 5195? Ugh. A pointless mirror card. – ½ point!

#18: Jim Thome (Hot Commodities) – HC9 – White Sox
I have a confession. I picked the pack up because I saw this card peeking out on the back. Woo hoo! 2 points!

We’re halfway through. A great White Sox insert card. But two dreaded Cubs trap cards! Almost three! 18 cards left to go. A Yankee Stadium mirror card. Let’s see if we can get another White Sox card!

#19: Brian Bruney – 295 - Yankees
He’s described as burly. There can only be one Buehrle!

#20: John Buck – 256 - Royals
This almost sounds like a porn star’s name. A porn star who can swing a big stick for the fences. Sorry. Thorzul is a bad influence. Yeah, that's the ticket!

#21: Adam Wainwright – 61 - Cardinals
Very decent stuff!#22: Freddie Bynum – 178 - OriolesI remember Freddie from his days as a Cub. He still can’t hit that well.

#23: Dennys Reyes – 275 - Twins
It looks like he’s been eating every meal at Denny’s.

#24: Joel Pineiro – 62 – Cardinals
From bullpen guy to starter in two different leagues. At least he should’ve gotten a ring in 2007 for his role in the Red Sox season.

#25: Jorge Posada – 296 – Yankees
Will he be a career Yankee? Probably.

#26: Mark Grudzielanek – 257 – Royals
One of my exes had a huge crush on him when he was with the Cubs. She was violently ill when he went to the Cardinals. Mark was also featured in an SNL sketch from 1997 called Baseball Dreams. If anyone posts a YouTube video of that, let me know and I'll post it here.

#27: Ian Kinsler – 218 – Rangers
He looks to be a star in the making. With a little practice and a little luck, who knows.

#28: Scott Baker – 273 – Twins
He hasn’t quite translated his minor league success into a major league career.

#29: David Weathers – 234 – Reds
Very well traveled, including a brief stint with the White Sox in 2001.

#30: Matt Stairs – 39 – Blue Jays
Matt has become well traveled the last few years.

#31: David Wright – 156 – Mets
I’m frankly surprised to see David Wright in an Upper Deck product. Good for him.

#32: Jake Peavy CL – 369 – Padres
Rocking the old school Padres uniform! Very cool!

#33: Jerry Blevins – 306 – Athletics
He got rocked last year. Hopefully, he rebounds from it. Chalk it up as a learning experience.

#34: Fred Lewis SH – 387 – Giants
He went 5 for 6, while hitting for the cycle. Impressive.

#35: Joe Koshansky – 324 – Rockies
At least he’s clutch.

#36: Matt Holliday (Hot Commodities) – HC45 – Rockies
Nice looking insert.

OK, our pack opening is complete. Very interesting pack. Two Cubs trap cards and one White Sox insert. A boring, but clean design for the card. Not that bad. It never felt gimmicky. Keep in mind an average pack of these, with no trap cards, no mirrors and no White Sox cards should yield 18 points.

So, that’s ½ point for each non-mutilated card in the pack. –1 for each trap card. –1/2 point for the mirror card.

Final score: 17 ½ points

One White Sox card in this game, we’ll look for more next time on Sox Or No Sox.

Sox Or No Sox: 2-11-08

Let's play America’s favorite pack opening game, Sox Or No Sox.

The following pack was donated by Mark Mosley of Stats On The Back.

The rules are simple. We take one unopened pack of baseball cards that was randomly selected by yours truly. We then go through the pack card by card looking for those hard to find White Sox cards.

Our player in tonight's game is a 1989 Topps pack. The pack contains 15 cards, one very broken piece of 19 year old chewing gum and a chance to win a trip to 1990 Spring Training. I hope I win that trip! Let's begin.

#1: Roger Craig – 744 - Giants
A manager card. We’re off to a glorious start!

#2: George Bell – 50 – Blue Jays
A future White Sox. This was back before George began an illustrious career pumping gas in the Dominican Republic.

#3: Claudell Washington – 185 - Yankees
A former White Sox. We’re getting closer!

#4: Bill Schroeder – 563 - Brewers
Bill looks like he’s about to blame something on the dog in this picture.

#5: Joel Youngblood – 304 – Giants
It’s always nice to see a happy batter!

#6: Jamie Moyer – 717 – Cubs
Oh no! A trap card! A fine pitcher though.

#7: Jim Traber – 124 – Orioles
I know nothing about him, but I do know that in 1989, he lived in Columbia, Maryland.

#8: Lee Smith – 760 – Red Sox
Trap card! Lee should be in the Hall of Fame, but probably will not get there unless he pays for bus fare.

We’re to the Topps Company Store insert. No White Sox cards. But a dreaded Cubs trap card and a Red Sox trap card! 7 cards left to go. Let’s see if we can get a White Sox card!

#9: Kevin Gross – 215 - Phillies
Holy mutilation Batman! I don’t know where this pack was stored, but it must’ve been near an open heat source. The Topps Company Store insert melted to this card and then separated when cooled. The blob over Kevin's face is actually raised off the card like a plateau. Maybe this is the first step in non rubberized vulcanization? Gross is right!

#10: Rangers Leaders – 729 - Rangers
Someone hated this pack. Another mutilated card.

#11: Louie Meadows – 643 - Astros
Rocking the rainbow stripe! Another mutilated card though.

#12: Matt Williams – 628 - Giants
I used to think Matt was a great player who didn’t get a lot of attention.

#13: Willie Upshaw – 106 – Indians
I will always think of Willie as a Blue Jay.

OK, our pack opening is complete. Very interesting pack. A Cubs trap card, a Red Sox trap card and no White Sox cards. Me thinks that this pack has been searched! 13 cards in a 15 cards pack with fringe big name players, commons and mutilated cards? Yup, that’s a searched pack! The Ventura and Abbott cards were probably already lifted from this pack years ago. This is truly bad wax.

So, that’s ½ point for each non-mutilated card in the pack. –1 point for each trap card. –1 point for each missing card.

Final score: 1 point

No White Sox cards in this game, but there's always next time on Sox Or No Sox.

Sox Or No Sox: 2-5-08

Welcome to the Magical Pack Genie edition of Sox Or No Sox.

A mysterious package came to game show yesterday. This package has the potential to be the highest ratio pack of Sox Or No Sox history!

The rules are simple. We take one unopened pack of baseball cards that was randomly selected by yours truly. We then go through the pack card by card looking for those hard to find White Sox cards.

Our player in tonight's game is a 1986 Donruss All-Stars pack. The pack contains 3 cards, 1 pop-up card and a puzzle piece and features a see-through cellophane wrapper. Very cool. Let's begin.

#1: Carlton Fisk - pop-up - White Sox
The 22 year old packaging tore everywhere, except where it should open. The little tab thing on the back ripped right off. Fear not, I had scissors. Like Mel Brooks' Rabbi Tuckman, all that was needed was a little snip of the tip. And let me tell you, I was rewarded!

#2: Dave Stieb - 55 - Blue Jays
A future White Sox pitcher, from 1986's standpoint. Plus, a pitcher that I loved before he became a member of the White Sox.

Halfway through the pack. 1 White Sox Hall of Famer and a future White Sox pitcher!!! This is turning out to be more of a ringer pack than the Eight Men Out pack, which wasn't so much a ringer. 2 more cards in the pack. Dare I say it? Let's find some more White Sox cards!

#3: LaMaar Hoyt – 9 - Padres
An ex-White Sox Cy Young award winner!

#4: Carlton Fisk - 17 - White Sox
Another Fisk!! My luck is changing! Thank you Magical Pack Genie for making the 300th post in A Pack A Day (according to blogger.com) extra special!!

OK, our pack opening is complete. THAT WAS AN AWESOME PACK!!! How impossible is that to get two White Sox cards in a pack of 3 cards and a pop-up! Plus the other two were on the White Sox in the past. Plus, a puzzle piece (28,29,30) of the true Home Run King, Hank Aaron. This is the pack that White Sox dreams are made of.

Final score: 6 points

2 White Sox cards in this game, let's see if we can break that record next time on Sox Or No Sox.

Sox Or No Sox: 2-2-08

Let's play America’s favorite game, Sox Or No Sox.

The rules are simple. We take one unopened pack of baseball cards that was randomly selected by yours truly. We then go through the pack card by card looking for those pesky to find White Sox cards.

Our player in tonight's game is another 2004 Fleer Tradition pack. The pack contains 10 cards and features a very busy looking wrapper. Very cool. Let's begin.

#1: Wes Helms – 261 - Brewers
I don’t remember Wes being on the Brewers. I guess that has something to do with the Brewers switching to the National League.

#2: Brooks Kieschnick – 234 - Brewers
This would be a Milwaukee favorite pack. Never heard of him. He has a cool sounding name though.

#3: Matt LeCroy – 135 - Twins
There’s something wrong when you’re a designated hitter before age 30 and not a household name.

#4: Kelvim Escobar – 174 - Angels
A year later, he would be involved in the controversial dropped third strike in the playoffs.

#5: Jose Valentin – 119 – White Sox
The White Sox player who set the team record for single season home runs by a shortstop and dropped everything else.

Halfway through the pack. One White Sox card. No trap cards and a few of the Brew Crew. 5 cards left to go. Let’s see if we can another White Sox card!

#6: Larry Bigbie – 425 - Orioles
An SP card of an Oriole. Kevin will be proud!

#7: Julio Lugo – 314 – Devil Rays
Julio looks like a pitcher on the card.

#8: Jeff Bagwell – 368 - Astros
A Bagwell is always a welcome sight.

#9: Ivan Rodriguez – 3 – Marlins
A Lil’ Pudge World Series card! Very interesting.

#10: John Lackey – 56 – Angels
John had a 19-20 career total at this point.

OK, our pack opening is complete. Not that bad. A Jose Valentin White Sox card. No trap cards. These cards look meh. They remind me too much of 1990 Fleer. Meh.

So, that’s ½ point for each card in the pack. +2 for the White Sox card.

Final score: 7 points

One White Sox card in this game, we’ll look out for more next time on Sox Or No Sox.

Sox Or No Sox: 1-31-08

Let's play America’s newest sensation, Sox Or No Sox.

The rules are simple. We take one unopened pack of baseball cards that was randomly selected by yours truly. We then go through the pack card by card looking for those hard to find White Sox cards.

Our player in tonight's game is another 2007 Topps Turkey Red pack. The pack contains 8 cards and features a smooth feeling wrapper. Very cool. Let's begin.

#1: Mariano Rivera – 60 - Yankees
I keep running into Mariano lately. I could think of worse things.

#2: Mickey Mantle – 107 - Yankees
Yawn! Another Mickey Mantle card in another Topps product. I never thought I’d ever say that. Not the Mantle SP.

#3: Derrek Lee – 96 – Cubs
A Cubs trap card! Look at him. Taunting me with that home run swing. I can’t truly hate Derrek Lee though.

#4: Lance Berkman – 175 - Astros
He was a tough opponent in the 2005 World Series.

Halfway through the pack. No ex-White Sox players. No White Sox cards. But a dreaded Cubs trap card! 4 cards left to go. Let’s see if we can get a White Sox card!

#5: Phil Hughes – 105 - Yankees
What’s up with all the Yankee cards? What else should I expect with a Yankke on the front of the pack. Nice player though. Not the Ad Back Sp.

#6: Hit Streak (Chase Utley) CL – 168 - Phillies
I like Utley and I like this kind of a checklist.

#7: Vladdy Goes Yard (Vladimir Guerrero) CL – 116 - Angels
Another checklist? At least it looks nice and features a good player.

#8: Ivan Rodriguez – 14 - Tigers
Lil’ Pudge! He made his debut against the White Sox. Ivan symbolizes the chances of me finding a White Sox card have run out.

OK, our pack opening is complete. Not that bad. A Cubs trap card and no White Sox cards. These are nice looking cards, so I can’t complain much.

So, that’s ½ point for each card in the pack. –1 for the Cubs trap card.

Final score: 3 points

No White Sox cards in this game, but there's always next time on Sox Or No Sox.

Sox Or No Sox: 1-29-08

Let's play America’s newest sensation, Sox Or No Sox.

After the massive box break and contest earlier this evening, let's take time out for the simple joys of a pack opening game.

The rules are simple. We take one unopened pack of baseball cards that was randomly selected by yours truly. We then go through the pack card by card looking for those hard to find White Sox cards.

Our player in tonight's game is another 2007 Goudey pack. The pack contains 8 cards and features a smooth, yet gritty feeling wrapper. Very cool. Let's begin.

#1: Barry Zito – 13 – San Francisco Giants
Why did he get that big contract again?

#2: Trevor Hoffman – 97 – San Diego Padres
Great closer! 524 career saves.

#3: Felipe Lopez – 198 – Washington Nationals
Come to Felipe!

#4: Ray Durham – 110 – San Francisco Giants
The White Sox second baseman of the future… in San Francisco.

Halfway through the pack. An ex-Sox player, but no trap cards. Not too bad. It seems to be NL heavy and West Coast heavy. 4 cards left to go. Let’s see if we can get a White Sox card!

#5: Andruw Jones – 9 – Atlanta Braves
I’ve always liked Andruw. So does Ozzie Guillen. By Ozzie’s calculations, Andruw should have arrived in Chicago the same time he did.

#6: Todd Helton – 93 – Colorado Rockies
Todd is the first and only player in MLB history to have hit 35 or more doubles in at least 10 consecutive seasons.

#7: Brandon Webb – 113 – Arizona Diamondbacks
Webb had logged an Arizona Diamondbacks franchise record with 42 1/3 scoreless innings including three straight complete game shutouts.

#8: David DeJesus – 137 – Kansas City Royals
I’ve heard rumors that the Sox liked him. What’s with all the Royals players in the rumor mill attached to the Sox?

OK, our pack opening is complete. A pretty good selection here. No trap cards and no White Sox cards. Only one AL card. I wouldn’t mind if most of these guys ended up on the White Sox. Especially everyone in the second half of the pack.

So, that’s ½ point for each card in the pack.

Final score: 4 points

No White Sox cards in this game, but there's always next time on Sox Or No Sox.

Sox Or No Sox: 1-28-08

Let's play a pack opening game that I play on White Sox Cards, Sox Or No Sox.

The rules are simple. We take one unopened pack of baseball cards that was randomly selected by yours truly. We then go through the pack card by card looking for those elusive White Sox cards.

Along the way, there are two tricky and abundant traps to look out for. The first trap is the Cubs card. While hailing from Chicago, it is definitely not a Chicago White Sox card. The second trap is the Red Sox card. While technically a Sox card, it is vastly different than a White Sox card. Both traps are not necessarily bad things, but they get in the way of the games true goal: to find White Sox cards.

1/2 point is awarded for each card in the pack. 1 point is deducted from the score for each trap card. 1/2 point is taken away for each pointless mirror card. 2 points are awarded for each relic or autographed card (only 1 point awarded for a relic or autographed trap card). Any Fisk or Baines card on a non-White Sox uniform is found, then 1 point is awarded. 2 points are given for each White Sox card.

Our player in tonight's game is a 2007 Goudey pack. The pack contains 8 cards and features a nice looking wrapper. Very cool. Let's begin.

#1: Jake Peavy – 49 – San Diego Padres
Not too bad. Peavy has some pretty good stuff. Nice looking card.

#2: Bartolo Colon – 14 – Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
An ex-White Sox player. Bartolo’s arm is extended. My pitching arm hurts here… and here. Things are looking up!

#3: Jorge Posada – 175 – New York Yankees
Not a bad looking card. Jorge seems to be caught in a moment of pondering.

#4: David Ortiz (Heads Up) – 283 – Boston Red Sox
A trap card! But a nice trap card of a great player.

Halfway through the pack. An ex-Sox player and a trap card. Not a good way to start. It could be worse though.. 4 cards left to go. Let’s see if we can get a White Sox card!

#5: Carlos Zambano – 24 – Chicago Cubs
Another trap card!! Carlos’ stern look says I am out of luck for this card. Maybe he can come up when somebody hit a Whammy. That look would make me avoid the Whammy!

#6: Grady Sizemore – 43 – Cleveland Indians
Good player, not a White Sox. At least this didn’t make three trap cards in a row.

#7: Rickie Weeks – 172 – Milwaukee Brewers
Rickie looks like he’s auditioning for the remake of Taxi Driver. You lookin’ at me?

#8: Juan Pierre – 196 – Los Angeles Dodgers
I’ve been everywhere, man. I’ve been everywhere. He could be competition for Kenny Lofton someday.

OK, our pack opening is complete. Not a bad selection. Two trap cards and no White Sox cards. I love the design on this set! But style has no point value in this game.

So, that’s ½ point for each card in the pack, -1 for each trap card.

Final score: 2 points
No White Sox cards in this game, but there's always next time on Sox Or No Sox.