2017 Topps Now: Suntrust Park #44 (488 print run)

On April 14, 2017 the Atlanta Braves new home, SunTrust Park opened it's doors for it's first home game of the 2017 season. 41,149 fans packed the stadium to check out all the new sights and to watch the Braves take on the San Diego Padres. Behind Julio Teheran, the Braves would go on to win their first home game in their new stadium.

I was lucky enough to catch two homes games last season. Opening Day this season is March 28th and I'm trying to figure out if I can get away and drive down to Atlanta. I don't know if my schedule and finances will allow me to get back to SunTrust Park this season, but none the less I'm glad I've been able to witness a MLB game in yet another big league stadium.

Affordable Group Break & New Facebook Group

Its been a good while since I've hosted my last Affordable Group Break and in the that downtime I've been watching others break product, taking notes on how I could make my breaks better. It should come as no surprise that a lot of collectors are utilizing Facebook more and more to make trades and hold breaks.

I've had a Facebook page for my blog for some time now, however it was more or less just a "portal" if you will back to this blog. After watching others break product on Facebook I decided to create my own FB group (Cardboard Collections: Affordable Breaks &  Giveaways) to hold any future Affordable Group Breaks I may host. With Facebook Live I can easily open all the packs for everyone to see and hopefully have a little crowd while we do it, making it more fun and interactive if you will. All randomizations will also take place live on video so everyone knows that I'm making it as fair as possible.

I'm hoping that as many of you who that have participated in my breaks in the past or stop by my blog that are also on Facebook will take a moment to come and join the group. I still plan on posting updates on the blog, but the group will allow quicker, real time info. The group is a closed group, but I'll be happy to add anyone that wants to join.

Now, let's get on to the idea that popped into my head this week. While most modern day breaks are all about the hits, this break more or less focuses on ALL the cards, its all about the base (sorry, I couldn't resist). I'm hoping enough people will be interested in older stuff, even if some may consider it "junk wax".

I loved Pacific's run of baseball cards when they had a license. I thought they had some very innovative ideas for the time and I always had fun opening their packs. However I didn't have a lot of exposure to their brand until the 2000's, meaning their 90's stuff I missed out on for the most part. I do remember being at Universal Studios on vacation w/ my family in the  early 90's and I found a store that sold Pacific baseball cards. I believe I bought 2 or 3 packs of 1994 and I was super intrigued because at the time Pacific's baseball card releases were more aimed at the Latino/Spanish markets. The cards featured both Spanish and English and featured a good checklist of players.

I'd like to rip a box of the inaugural 1993 set (series 1) and a box of 1994 (hobby). Each box contains 36 packs with 12 cards per pack. There are some inserts to be found in both sets, but unfortunately they didn't print the odds on the boxes/packs back then, especially for the 1993 set. The 1994 box should yield an All-Latino and a Gold Prism insert. If you aren't familiar with these sets, you can check each out set (1993, 1994) in greater detail.

We'll have 14 total spots available with the format of choose 1 team and the 2nd team will be randomly assigned once the break is full. Cost for each slot will only be $7 shipped. $1 discount for each additional slot. Everything will be done Live in the Facebook group, including randomization of second team(s), trading and of course the break itself.

If you're interested, all you need to do to claim your slot:

* Join the Facebook group (not required, but highly recommended)
* Comment with the team you want (first come, first serve)
* Email or message me your mailing address
* Payments will be by PayPal, www.paypal.me/colbeyhopper (Goods & Services only)
* Have fun!!

We are on schedule to go live will be Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 9 PM Eastern. This should give enough time for everyone to claim your team, join the group and be able to participate in the live break. Please help spread the word to others that you know may be interested, I'd really appreciate that.

As with all breaks I host, I claim the Atlanta Braves. All other teams are up for grabs!

01 - Cardboard Collections / Atlanta Braves (PAID)
02 - Sam Pair / Houston Astros (PAID)
03 - Nick Vossbrink / San Francisco Giants (PAID)
04 - The Angels in Order / California Angels (PAID)
05 - The Collector's Crack / Milwaukee Brewers (PAID)
06 - The Lost Collector / New York Yankees (PAID)
07 - gcrl / Los Angeles Dodgers (PAID)
08 - CaptKirk42 / Montreal Expos (PAID)
09 - Josh D. / Kansas City Royals (PAID)
10 - Beyond the Astrodome / Texas Rangers (PAID)
11 - Nachos Grande / Cincinnati Reds (PAID)
12 - Nick Dusenberry / Baltimore Orioles (PAID)
13 - Cards on Cards / St. Louis Cardinals (PAID)
14 - Trevor / Chicago Cubs (PAID)

2017 Topps Gypsy Queen Want List

I posted on my Facebook page earlier today the contents of a few retail hanger packs on clearance I found at Walmart. As I was putting the cards in number order, I realized that I never made a want list for the set. For whatever reasons, I didn't buy much of 2017 GQ when it was at retail so I guess now it's time to play catch up.

I've already added and linked the list on the to my master want lists located on the right side bar. I'm hoping to find someone that can help me fill in these holes - whether it be via trade or selling me some commons for cheap. After all, the 2018 set is coming in about a month!

3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 60, 61, 62, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70, 73, 75, 76, 77, 80, 82, 85, 86, 87, 88, 91, 92, 93, 95, 99, 101, 103, 105, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 115, 116, 118, 122, 123, 125, 126, 128, 130, 133, 134, 135, 136, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 145, 147, 149, 150, 151, 153, 154, 156, 158, 162, 163, 165, 166, 168, 168, 169, 170, 171, 173, 174, 175, 179, 181, 182, 183, 186, 187, 188, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 199, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 214, 216, 217, 218, 220, 221, 222, 224, 225, 227, 228, 229, 231, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 244, 245, 246, 248, 249, 250, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 275, 277, 280, 281, 282, 283, 285, 286, 287, 289, 290, 291, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298

SP

301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 320

2018 Topps Now Road to Opening Day

It was recently announced that Topps is launching a new program with their Topps Now brand. They will be releasing 15 card sets for each MLB team with exclusive spring training photography for $49.99 shipped.

While the price may seem like a lot to swallow, keep in mind that during the regular season cards single cards were $9.99 shipped each...at least the two previous years. That means the cost of these cards breaks down to about $3.33 each.

By purchasing one of these sets you also become eligible for free bonus cards if one of the following criteria are met during the regular or post season:

Team is first in division at the MLB All-Star break

Player on team throws a no-hitter or a perfect game

Player hits for the cycle

Pitcher throws 15 strikeouts in a single game

Player hits 3 HRs in a single game

I guess one thing that always bothered me about sets released before the baseball season began is that I'm looking at photography from the previous season. I like the idea of these sets containing action shots and photography from spring training. Plus I like the design...has a Stadium Club feel to me.

As a whole I've been a fan of the whole Topps Now concept. I bought nearly every Braves card from the 2016 and 2017 seasons so I'm already on board. I'm seriously considering pulling the trigger on the Braves set this year. I guess before I do that, I need to get off my duff and scan all of the 2017 cards I have!

So, what are you're thoughts on Topps Now in general or just in this Road to Opening Day team sets? Yay or nay?

The Iron Lion Collectibles

A few weeks ago I got a message on Facebook that I was added to a new group called The Iron Lion Breakers. I had no idea what Iron Lion was, but then I saw I was added by Samual Pair aka The Daily Dimwit.

It took me a few days before I checked out what the group was all about and I immediately kicked myself for the delay. Sam has partnered with Andrew Williams and Shelby Bridges, co-owners of The Iron Lion Collectibles, a new store that will be opening very soon in Colorado Springs, CO. Sam was brought in to help expand their online presence by giving away cards. And we're not talking about cheap, run of the mill cards. They have been busting some very nice boxes each evening and giving the hits away. While they are hosting mini mixers and draft style group breaks, the majority of the cards are given away nightly up until their grand opening on 02/17/18.

In the last week or so I was able to get in on some of the giveaways and walked away with some nice cards. While I didn't get a 1/1 printing plate patch auto card or some of the other hot cards they've pulled, I'm blown away by the genorosity of The Iron Lion.

One of the first hits that I received by randomization is this 2013 Panini Momentum Robert Woods Upside Jumbo jersey numbered 275/299. While I'm not a Bills fan, this was the best card available when it was my turn to choose. Beautiful card, but I'd like to flip it for another player.

The next drawing I got into yielded this 2017 Panini Certified O.J. Howard New Generation jersey numbered 237/399. The front of the card has a rainbow sheen to it, much more beautiful in hand. Again, beautiful card but I'm hoping someone reading this will want to trade for it.

My third and final card I received from Iron Lion is this beautiful 2015 Panini Playbook Triple Threats jersey card of the Panthers' Cam Newton / Devin Funchess / Kelvin Benjamin. It's numbered 140/199. I love the blue piece of jersey, it really pops on the dark colored card especially with the two black pieces of jersey.

I so wish I lived closer to Colorado Springs as I'd love to check out their store. From the pictures they've posted on their Facebook page, I see they are also carrying comic books, video games (both retro & new) and some toys/collectibles. Actually, it may be for the best that I don't live nearby as I'm sure they would be taking money out of my wallet on a regular basis and the misses wouldn't like that very much.

There are a few nights left that they should still be doing giveaways, so why don't you jump onto Facebook and join their group so you can get in on the fun as well. After all, who doesn't like free cards? Just enter "The Iron Lion Breakers" and I'm sure you'll see the group.

Sunday Verse

Ephesians 4:32

New International Version Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Care Package of Cards from Cards on Cards

Anytime I receive a mysterious bubble mailer in the mail that contains basketball cards, there is only one blogger I know that it could be from...none other than Kerry from Cards on Cards.

This little care package came in some time ago, but between my work schedule and the holidays it just got "lost" in the shuffle. There were about two decent sized stacks of cards in the mailer, most of them were cards I either had at some point in the past or needed. I took a few photos of some of my favorites to share.

 

The 91-92 Upper Deck set is one of my all time favorites. Back in the earlies 90's the Charlotte Hornets were all the buzz (no pun intended...maybe) in town. My father got to split a pair of season tickets with someone he knew so I got to attend many NBA games at that time. While I was young and just getting into collecting baseball cards a few years earlier, the 91-92 season was probably the first year I actively added collecting basketball cards to the fold.

This Upper Deck set was head and shoulders above the competition. While I bought and liked Hoops and Fleer, none of those could hold a candle to what UD brought straight out of the gates. Since I was able to attend so many games, I was familiar with just about every team's roster, so getting a card of those players was fun. Of course I was out to get all of the Charlotte Hornets cards first, but I had a lot of fun with this entire set. One day soon, I hope to buy a jumbo box of this just to relive those memories again.

The modern era Charlotte Hornets are a different story. If I'm being honest with myself...they are a bad team. The only players that make it worth watching them play are Kemba Walker, Dwight Howard and Cody Zeller (at least for me). Kemba has been named to the NBA All-Star team for a 2nd straight year recently. He's been a part of trade rumors for weeks, but thank heaven they didn't trade him away at the trade deadline earlier this week. The team is already hard to watch, I can't imagine Kemba not being on the team.

This shiney Panini Crusade card is gorgeous, easily my favorite amongst all the basketball cards that were nestled inbetween the baseball cards.

When Panini first brought back the sticker albums I was all about collecting them, but like a lot of things I used to collect, I've had to take a back step and downsize. I haven't bought a sticker pack in years so it's always nice to get something new.

As much as I liked last year's Gypsy Queen product, I never got around to buying much of it. Because of that I don't believe I was able to pick up many of the Braves in the set so these are welcome additions...even if I screamed at Snitker everytime he brought Jim Johnson into a game last season!

Another shiney card to wrap up this post. This comes from 2017 Bowman and it's a Refractor of the young ace, Sean Newcomb. The Braves rotation and bullpen will have a lot of young arms this season and I'm just hoping they can help the club stay competitive during the season. The 1992 Bowman design is simple, but pretty great so this makes this card that much better.

Thanks again Kerry for your generosity. Your welcome by the way for the Hornets giving your Trailblazers a W the other night! Take care my friends, have a great weekend!

Pack Break: 2018 Topps (Single, Rack & Hanger Box)

Everyone in the bloggingsphere is or will be talking about 2018 Topps. I got in on the fun yesterday with a quick trip to Target where I grabbed two loose packs, a rack pack and a hanger box. So without further delay let's get into the contents of the packs:

First card of 2018, Ryan Braun #180

When Topps first released images of the base design I was a fan, but now that I'm holding these cards in hand they just seem to look even better. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but I really like this set and it's design thus far. The backs are almost identical to last year.

First ex-Atlanta Brave of 2018, Martin Prado #077

First Braves of 2018, Matt Adams #178 and Ozzie Albies (RC) #276

Matt of course signed with the hated Gnats in the offseason, but that doesn't take away from a pretty cool card of Matt. Just look at those tatts on his arm/elbow!

Ozzie got a late call up last season and immediately showed that he belonged in the Show. Looking forward to see what else this young second basemen can do in the majors when given a full year.

First Braves insert of 2018, Max Fried (RC) Rookies #TS-90

Max came over from San Diego a few seasons ago when Justin Upton was traded. Max got a little action out of the bullpen in 2017, but this year he ought to have more chances to show he belongs in the majors.

First non-Braves insert of 2018 - Derek Jeter Highlights #DJH-26

My first pack had 3 Braves cards and I was feeling pretty good, then I read the back of this Jeter card and was reminded of that heartbreaking loss in the 1996 World Series. Thanks Topps.

First parallel of 2018 - Travis D'Arnaud #091

Rainbow Foil parallels are back. I know my photo doesn't show off the rainbow foil fun, but I promise it's a parallel.

First insert set I may build in 2018, Legends in the Making - Noah Snydergaard #LTM-NS

Nothing too fancy, but for some reason I like the look of this insert. Still on the fence whether I'll build it or not. I do have to say though that I hate it when they replace numbering with letters/inititals.

First head scratcher of 2018, Topps Now #3

So let me get this straight. This is a card of a card? Yeah, no thanks.

First card I'm ready to burn of 2018, Washington Nationals #349

As a Braves fan, need I say more?

First "is this a parallel?" of 2018, Giancarlo Stanton Gold parallel #100 (1429/2018)

Is it just me or does the gold used not really pop or stand out that much? I can see it better in the scan than I could with the card in hand.

First of many Cody Bellinger 2018 cards, Award Winner #MLBA-9

Living on the east coast I didn't get to see this guy play much, but by the end of the season I was sick and tired of hearing his name (along with another young kid in NY).

First "I believe I can fly" shot of 2018, Keon Broxton #061

So far the photography in the set has been pretty good. 

First card of new Braves player not in a Braves uniform, Brandon McCarthy #338

I had to do a little reading on Brandon after I heard he was included in the trade that sent Matt Kemp back to LA. I hoping this vetern pitcher can add some much needed stability to the starting line up in the new season.

Follow up Braves

I love the Matt Kemp photo. Looks like it could've been included in a Stadium Club product.

First RC (non-insert) of Max Fried

First card of my adopted "second team", Boston B-Boys #211

My wife's family all are huge Boston fans, so I've sort of adopted them as my AL team. Don't really collect Red Sox cards though, so please don't send me anything!

Just Because Base Cards

The rest of the "highlight" cards from my hanger box.

So far I'm loving 2018 Topps. I was near a Target today while visiting one my facilities for work and it took an awful lot of will power not to run in and grab another pack or two! I'm going to try and pace myself, give myself time to organize what I have before adding more. 

From what I've seen of the inserts thus far I can take them or leave them. I like the 1983 reprints, but since there are so many I doubt I'll try to build that set. I'll just stick with the few Braves included and call it even. At some point in the near future I'll go and ahead build and post my want list as well as include my doubles on my trade list. Until then, thanks for stopping by.