Opening Pitch: Just when I thought I had seen it all, eTopps pulls a new one on us. First, they have this e-mail verification plan that goes into effect with eBay no later than Friday. They must have gotten wind of this early in the week. However they did not let anyone know until Friday and by then it was all downhill. People who had won auctions could not get them. The CT market was shut down. People with multiple accounts were hamstrung when trying to sell their cards. It was one colossal mess. Looking back at it you can do one of two things, complain or drive on. I am going to drive on and enter the sellers' market with an open wallet. I am however willing to stand on someone's desk if my father or I do not receive the cards we ordered. No threat there; that is a promise. I brought my pops into this program because I knew he would enjoy it. I did not bring him into this so he could put up with all the red tape. I guarantee the Staffs at Upper Deck and Fleer are rolling now.

Now it's time for eTopps to bounce back and get it right. Let us know prior to changes coming out, especially ones that affect so many people. Also, put a freeze on all auctions when necessary. This will alleviate the pain of losing cards, as one fan says in La La La Land. Many people out there have had it and, no matter how much hard work Mike does with CT, it seems like we always try to reverse it and make it harder on this product. Remember your motto "Are you fan enough?" As a matter of fact I am fan enough. Are you prepared to polish this product up for me so I can be a loyal and satisfied fan?

As I did two weeks ago, I am going to launch into my eTopps slush fund campaign. As time dwindles down towards eCON04 money becomes more and more of an issue for the big boys helping steer the ship during eCON04. There are many overhead and out-of-pocket expenses they are committing to without backup from board members and fans alike. I did this last year for the program and raised several hundred dollars. This year I have started the same program with a goal of $1000. I want to be able to send Bearabull or Ronin a 1K payment for them to use to make sure we have a great time at eCON and we get those nice little giveaways like last year. If you are interested in donating to the eCON slush fund, please go to the general forum and search for it under Slush Fund. It lays out the nitty gritty or you can just e-mail me at etoppsguru@aol.com. I would gladly help anyone out who is helping out this program.

Before we roll into the picks I want to highlight a couple more key things here. I am not sure if everyone is up on the boards. If not, please check out the general forum (reference eCON04). There you can research anything from hotel information to national updates. There are also several key events that other eTopps participants are running, such as the golf outing. So please help out, support the program, and come to eCON and get your free card. Meet and greet with the fans, drink beers with me (if of age) and let's have a great time. So, with that, remember that these picks listed below are done with research and common sense. Do not trust my opinion. Simply use this as a tool or guide and develop your own buying strategy. Let's roll!

Alfonso Soriano (2,500 @ $5.75)

Alfonso is appearing on his first Rangers card and his fourth eTopps card. This card does not have a lot of draw. However, his print run is declining each year. In 2002 it was 5000, in 2003 it was 3500, and this year it is 2500. So, in one aspect, this card jumps ahead of the 2002 and 2003 card but falls way short of his 1690ish print run for his 2001 card. Alfonso has no doubt been a fireplug for the Rangers and led them to first place in the tough AL West division. Right now he is on pace for all his RP categories except for stolen bases and home runs. He is currently on pace for 19 HR's and 26 SB's. If you're looking for points here you might want to think again. Not a lot of draw here and expect this card to drop $2 - $3 after IPO. DON'T BUY.

Jim Thome (2,500 @ $5.00)

Jim is appearing on his third eTopps card. This card is a lot better than the other two, 2002 with a print run of 2,973 and 2003 with a print run of 3,393, with respect to print runs. If you're looking for Jim to be your point-getter he just might. He has solid numbers through May and just needs to steal a base in the next four or five months. However, he only has one stolen base in the past three years so watch yourself there. I think this will be his best eTopps card to date and should hold price fairly well while his other two cards diminish in value. BUY.

Keith Foulke (3,750 @ $5.75)

Keith is appearing on his first eTopps card and, much to the amazement of the A's fans, the A's let go another closer this year. Last season Foulke came to the A's and Koch went to the White Sox. Keith should be a shot in the arm for the Red Sox and should greatly improve their late inning performance over last year. He has appeared in twelve games so far this year, winning one and saving five of them. If these stats continue for the rest of the year he should save 33 of the 78 games he appears in. He is far from a lock for his RP bonus but this is one of those cards that you don't buy for that. Being that this is his first eTopps card, it is a Buy in my book. BUY.

Manny Ramirez (3,750 @ $5.00)

Manny is still with the Red Sox this year and is off to a decent enough start. He is on pace for his RP bonus but needs to increase his on-base percentage by 5 percentage points. He is appearing on his fourth eTopps card and, like Soriano, this fact makes the card less attractive. His print run from last year was a lowly 1,970. With that in mind, why would you make this card with such a high print run? I do like the $5 price tag but I do not like the high print run (especially on a 4th card). DON'T BUY.

Scott Podsednik (2,500 @ $5.75)

This is an interesting piece. On the eTopps webpage, there is a clear box below Scott's 2004 card and when you put your mouse on it, it says Scott Podsednik 2003… However, there was no 2003 Podsednik card. I remember him being one of the cards voted on but he never won favor with the fans. Anyways, this is a nice touch but a rookie card would have been better. Being that this is his first card and he will not reach his RP bonus you might want to pick this card up for GP (General Purpose… military speak). Scott is off to another good start and will hopefully continue to light the base paths up in the NL Central. BUY.

Chicago Cubs Team Card (3,750 @ $6.50)

If the Cubs win 15 games in May and/or 92 games this season you will earn reward points. Every month that they meet their target you earn one RP. If they meet their target for the year you get another RP. If they advance to the World Series you get 2 RP's and another 2 RP's if they win the World Series. There are maybe four teams in the National League that have a shot at the World Series and are considered by many the favorites to win it all. So far this year they are 7-3 at home and have 13 games this May at home. So far they are 2-1 for May. So suggesting they don't win their 15 games this May is a bit off. This card should bring in the reward points your chasing. BUY.

Milwaukee Brewers Team Card (2,500 @ $5.75)

If the Brewers win 12 games in May you will earn reward points. The number of wins that the Brewers must have each subsequent period in order for you to claim reward points has not been posted on the website yet. Every month that they meet their target you earn one RP. If they meet their target for the year you get another RP. If they advance to the World Series you get 2 RP's and another 2 RP's if they win the World Series. Milwaukee is currently in last place but has 12 wins and 13 losses. They only had one homestand where they lost to the visiting team, Houston in the first homestand of the season. In May they have 4 homestands so if you follow the logic from the past three homestands, they should win 9 of those games. The other 3 games come on the road. They have beaten Houston and San Francisco on the road so far this year. So they should win 12 games this May. BUY.

Oakland Athletics Team Card (2,500 @ $6.50)

If the A's win 14 games in May you will earn reward points. The number of wins that the A's must have each subsequent period in order for you to claim reward points has not been posted on the website yet. Every month that they meet their target you earn one RP. If they meet their target for the year you get another RP. If they advance to the World Series you get 2 RP's and another 2 RP's if they win the World Series. The A's have a losing record so far and were swept by the Angels and Yankees. They then went on to win twice and lose once against Tampa Bay. Durazo flexed his muscle and showed them the light in the past series. They are 4-5 at home, so the 12 home games do not suggest a sweep, especially with the Yankees coming to town. The A's will be pressed to get 14 wins this May. DON'T BUY.