2014 SPA, two more boxes yields a By the Letter numbered to 10 and a RARE

**ronfir** · 04-05-2014, 04:49 PM

Stopped by the local today and was only going to buy a pack of Museum baseball but ended up buying a box of SPA. Opened that box and was pleased with one of the hits so there was only one box left in the store, so I picked it up as well.

But let me go back when I went by earlier this week they had four boxes of SPA on the shelf. I bought two and hit some nice cards including two of the Ultimate box toppers autos. I understand that the box toppers come three to a case so getting two for two was pretty good.

So fast forward to today, I buy my Museum, and get a Mike Schmidt bat jersey, nothing too special. I tell the owner I want a box and ask him to read me the last two serial numbers and I take 67. No big reason other than I was in high school then, as I am an old guy.

Rip and box and BINGO!! Another box topper. It was at this point the owner told me they only got four boxes because basketball has not been selling at their store.

So here are the hits:

Big Dog

Rookie on card auto

By the Letter:

Box Topper:

18/60

After busting the box above, in walks two Upper Deck Reps, which I guess they are in Dallas for the Final Four. Nohands70 and I shoot the breeze with then about a bunch of products, likes and dislikes, when Andrew Luck will be signing this rookie autographs, upcoming products.

I kept looking at the one remaining box on the shelf. I have tried the famous "last pack / last box" rip and for the most part got totally burned, but heck it is the Final Four weekend, so go and get the final box of the four the store had in its original inventory.

Rip and surprise, no box topper but then I had already hit the three from the case these came out of from their supplier.

First hit was a UD Court Authentic of Bill Lambeer. Didn't like him as a player so while a nice card, not a big deal.

Hit this auto:

Kind of 0 for two on the hits for me, you know the last box wonder~!

Couple of packs later I hit this:

By the Letter:

Then some packs later I rip and see the beautiful white filler so it is not a decoy and hit this:

SC # 12 RARE 1: 432 packs.

Getting to end of the box and you are to receive three autos and I have only hit two!

I was expecting another Sign of the Times but I rip into a pack and see another white filler, not the decoy? From my breaks I had not seen two By the Letters in a box so I was not sure what the card would be:

Move the cards aside and see it is a redemption???

Who? I normally hate redemptions

Turn the card over to yield!

BY THE LETTER~

Numbered to 10!!!!!!

Player: LEBRON JAMES!

At this point the UD rep, says I think LeBron signed those last week so you should get the card quickly. Sure hope so.

Better quit while I am ahead!