2014 Topps Series 1 -
We are in a new year and it is time for the new year of baseball cards to come out. It all begins with the Topps flagship set. 2014 Topps Series 1 base set has a nice clean look to it with some similarities to last year's but still appealing. There were numerous insert sets as expected this year. With this year's mini sub set using the 1989 Topps style, it brought back some great memories of sorting the original set with my dad. For the fan of parallel sets there was a variety to look forward to. This year's red sparkle was a nice upgrade in my opinion from last year's emerald set. In regards to the game used and autographs many looked great, especially like the look of the World Series Relics and The Future is now. Personally, I did not care much for the trajectory sub set, I am starting to realize I prefer cleaner looks.
I picked up a Jumbo box and for breaking only one box I am happy with the results. VIDEO
Hits:
Red Sparkle Mike Trout #1
75th Anniversary Buyback Lee May 210
75th Anniversary Buyback Dick Such 283
Before They Were Great Ken Griffey Jr. 6
Before They Were Great Randy Johnson 10
Before They Were Great Don Mattingly 14
Black Derek Jeter #200 /63
Class Rings Reggie Jackson #12
Trajectory Relic Andy Pettite AP
Trajectory Autograph Andrew Lambo AL
The hit of box had to be the Jeter black. I always look forward to seeing a low numbered card and it is always nice when it is of such a popular player. With the Jeter, Pettite, and Mattingly it feels as this should have been intended for a Yankees fan. The collation of the base cards worried me at times as it felt like I was seeing many different duplicates. However, with some cards I had from a few retail boxes I was able to put together a complete set.
As the first set of the year, I would have to recommend busting at least one box of 2014 Topps Series 1. If you are lucky you may even hit one of the sparkle SP's that was reintroduced this year.
2012 Topps Chrome - With all the young talent this year and emergence of new stars I was excited for this years Topps Chrome. With all the big rookies in the set with the exception of Trout there was a lot of potential for this set. I believe Trout's lack of an official Rookie Card was because it was represented in the 2011 Topps Chrome Set. Nevertheless, with all the colored variations I always enjoy busting boxes/packs and seeing the different colored refractors. With this years Chrome's I planned on two boxes and here were the results:
HOBBY BOX 1
2012 Topps Chrome Blue Refractor #121 Nyjer Morgan 20/199
2012 Topps Chrome Black Refractor #42 Zack Cozart 62/100
2012 Topps Chrome Dynamic Die Cuts #SC Starlin Castro
2012 Topps Chrome Autograph #156 Austin Romine RC
2012 Topps Chrome Autograph Refractor #167 Dellin Betances 120/499
HOBBY BOX 2
2012 Topps Chrome Blue Refractor #21 Dustin Pedroia 181/199
2012 Topps Chrome Sepia Refractor #50 Joe Mauer 31/75
2012 Topps Chrome Red Refractor #115 Josh Beckett 12/25
2012 Topps Chrome Dynamic Die Cuts #RH Roy Halladay
2012 Topps Chrome Autograph #180 Yoenis Cespedes RC
2012 Topps Chrome Autograph #193 Drew Hutchinson RC
I was very pleased with my breaks since I was able to hit a very nice Auto in the Cespedes. Also the nice variation of colored refractors from a few blues, to the Sepia and Red added extra excitement to the breaks. My only drawback was the assortment of base I received. Between the 2 boxes I received a high number of duplicates. After looking around the boards I seemed to have been the exception as opposed to the rule. In my case the doubles were no the end of the world since I would be trading them online anyway.
I would recommend this set to anyone. The set collector will enjoy the chase of getting the set and with the addition of a number of SSP's it will added an additional wrinkle to the challenge of completing a master set. Plus the cards just have a great look to them with the design and the shine of the chrome. The treasure hunters will enjoy the thrill of trying to hit some of the big cards from this set. From the colored auto's to the big names, Lawrie, Cespedes, Darvish and so forth. Even an Atomic refractor numbered to 10 or a Super refractor will give you a nice return on your box. Reseller's will see many different cards that they will be able to sell, with the variety of numbered cards and the look of the die-cuts there are not many cards that will be hard to find a new home.
2012 Bowman Platinum Review - While not being as popular as many of the other sets, Platinum does offer a wide variety of parallel and Auto cards. The main set is only 100 cards which does make it easy to try and complete the set. Also the parallels add an additional wrinkle of challenges.
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Review -
With this years Allen & Ginter I decided to break a few hobby boxes. Considering the last Hobby box I busted was a 2010 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects when they first released, I was excited. With a guarantee of three hits per box, I was guaranteed six hits with my two boxes. With an assortment of baseball and non baseball cards in this set, it is always fun opening packs of Ginter. Plus with its low end inserts and a mini per pack, there is hardly a pack you open in which you feel disappointed. Here is a recap of my hits from my 2 boxes:
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Hobby Box Break I
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Hobby Box Break II
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter
HOBBY BOX 1
2012 Topps Allen and Ginter Relics #MCA Melky Cabrera
2012 Topps Allen and Ginter Relics #EM Evan Meek
2012 Topps Allen and Ginter Autographs #KH Kirk Herbstreit
HOBBY BOX 2
2012 Topps Allen and Ginter Relics #AD Annie Duke
2012 Topps Allen and Ginter Relics #RPE Richard Petty
2012 Topps Allen and Ginter Autographs #MM Matt Moore
2012 Bowman Review -
This is always my favorite set of the year. I have never been a fan of collecting the main Topps set so this is my first taste in the new baseball year. Seeing cards of new players with their new teams and with the Baseball season under way is a great start to the new season.