2016 Topps Jumbo Box Busting - part 2

Yesterday, I shared the first half of my Hobby Jumbo box of the first new cards of the year. To this point, I am a but disappointed in the box both in collation of base and inserts(bunches of dupes so far) and in the quality/selection of the two relics. I've got five packs left, one of which should include my promised auto and I'm hoping to pull at least one of the as yet elusive Schwarber RCs and maybe even an SP. Let's jump right in!

My first scan, and the second half of the box is already better than the first! There is the single Schwarber I pulled. He's one of the guys I wouldn't have minded pulling more than one of if the collation was going to be terrible. I also finally got a Refsnyder RC. The Russell Martin is one of the regular SPs. If you look really close, that's the camo jersey he's wearing which seems to be the prevailing theme of the easier to pull SPs(apparently this year there are SSPs they are approximately 10x more difficult to pull than standard SPs).

I'm really enjoying the Pressed Into Service insert, especially ones like the top row that show the player actually pitching. I think they should have shown Canseco blowing out his elbow which is exactly what happened during this stint on the mound. I'm digging that they included Singleton in the First Pitch set. To most, he's better known as 'T-Dog' from The Walking Dead. Very cool that the back says he threw out his first pitch for the Marlins' Zombie Night. I'm not sure what's up with that buyback, it has a red foil stamp instead of silver. Are they doing parallels of buybacks now? I guess I'll have to check into that.

Thankfully, the second half of the box yielded a bunch of Wrigley inserts that weren't dupes. He shot of the stadium is by far my favorite of the ones I've seen.

Here are three more Perspectives. I'm definitely going to put this set together and I wish my box didn't give me two dupes already. I'm just glad that there will probably be a lot of folks in the cardsphere that will be trying to complete this one too so at least there's the potential I can use the dupes to help finish my set, especially if everyone else's collation is as bad as mine was. The second half of the box was way better than the first, but I was still disappointed in the hits. Perhaps I'll feel a bit better about the collation issue once I sort everything. If I've got a complete set out of the box, I'll admit I overreacted. Flipping through the second to last pack I opened, I uncovered the auto, which I was still hoping would save the box.

It did! I couldn't believe my eyes! I was fully expecting to get an auto of someone like JT Realmuto. It's not numbered and it's a sticker-graph, but man! Hall of Famer and class act Cal Ripken Jr was staring right back at me. For the time being, I think I'll hold onto this, but I may be able to be convinced to let it go for the right deal.

I've got to give a huge shout out to Jimmy from Big D's Sports Cards for picking this box to deliver to me from the cases he ordered. Thanks for reading and good luck to all of you who will be ripping packs/boxes of your own! Thanks for reading. Please tune in tomorrow for a special Super Bowl themed post that's not directly related to the 'Big Game'.

2016 Topps Jumbo Box Busting - part 1

Yesterday, while I was on break from my long shift at the office, I was able to pick up my pre-ordered Topps Jumbo box. I got a really good deal from the guy that used for run one of the best local card shops in my area. Jimmy from Big D's Sports Cards had to close up shop last year, but he still orders product and sells to his loyal customers.

Since I got home from work late and had to take care of my one month old throughout the night, I haven't had the chance to rip the entire box yet. So, I decided to break the box in half. In this post, I'll share packs 1-5 and I'll share packs 6-10 soon(likely tomorrow or Monday since I have a post ready for Super Bowl Sunday already). Let's get to it!

First up, a few of the standout base cards. I know everyone will be showing the 'bat flip' card, but I couldn't resist, it's awesome! I really dig the Twins team card celebration. Of course, I had to pick a few Yankees too.

A few of the key rookies that I've pulled thus far. Five packs in and no Schwarber to be seen. I will let you all know that if you have any Shaffer or Turner RCs or parallels that are looking for good homes, look no further. I'd happily trade for them!

I've pulled one buyback thus far and it couldn't be a worse player. I mean this is the guy that they named the 'Mendoza Line' after. Just a horrible hitter... On to better things, I've pulled two Wrigley inserts, but they have both been Babe Ruth. I love he Bambino, but I'd much rather have another card towards finishing the set. The more I see of the Perspectives insert, the more I fall in love with it!

More Perspectives! I particularly like the Tex and Ichiro!

Sadly, I've pulled the two promised 'relics' and I'm less than thrilled with them. Parallels have been plentiful(golds and rainbows) and I was lucky to pull a black parallel of Wade Davis.  It'll likely be headed to a fellow Super Trader despite being a former Bull. Oh, no SP or SSP pulls as yet either.

Overall, halfway through the box and things could be better, but they could be way worse! At least I still have the auto to look forward to and hopefully a Schwarber or two. I will say that I wish collation was better. I've pulled dupes on the Ruth insert and I've pulled two First Pitch cards so far, both of the Boston Marathon survivor woman. Stay tuned for the rest of the break! Thanks for reading.

Busting Chrome - The Hobby Box Edition

I heard that Topps Chrome retail had started showing up in stores over a week before the official release date. So, I went hunting for some. Target after Target, Walmart after Walmart and I found nothing. Then the official release date came and went...still nothing. Since I couldn't get my retail fix, I contacted my former LCS owner. He was able to sell me a box for a really good price. Here's my hobby box haul.

I actually pulled the two autos out of the first three packs I opened, but that doesn't make for a good presentation. I hit one of the high number SP rookies. It would have been nice if it was Buxton or Correa, but I can't complain about what I can only assume is beating the odds on that pull(haven't seen actual SP rookie odds). The green refractor Wainwright is #/99 and the purple Fernandez is #/250. In addition to these, I hit right on the odds for the regular refractors and the prism refractors too.

The base auto Moya was less than exciting for me, but I may know someone that would be interested in it. The Wong is quite shiny, as is the Hamels and Barnes. I was fortunate to pull the refractor parallel of Jose Pirela and the prism refractor of Ian Desmond for the team/player collections.

The orange refractor Pompey auto #/25 was a heck of a pull! Oh wait, is that a Christmas card? Why yes, it is, 12/25! I honestly couldn't care less about the player, but it was another example of beating the odds in this box. Overall, the box wasn't the greatest as far as anything hat I was interested in, but it could have been way worse. Some of these are already on their way to new homes, but if anyone is interested in any of these, let me know and we can work out a deal. Thanks for reading!