Affordable Mini Break - 2020 Topps Chrome Sapphire

** UPDATE 10/03/20 ** Teams have been randomized & assigned. Trading is open, please complete all trades in the comments section.

 

This mini break will feature a hobby box of the elusive 2020 Topps Chrome Sapphire. $20 per slot for a two randomly assigned teams. All cards ship. Price per slot does not include shipping as stacking applies. As the host, I will be keeping the Braves so they will not be in the mix. Once the break is full, I'll randomly assign the teams to all participants in the order they sign up with results will be posted afterwards. I will allow trading of teams for a select amount of time before we break live on YouTube. We'll plan to break Monday evening, 10/05/20 at 9 PM EST. Please submit your F&F payment after claiming. paypal.me/flywheels86

01 - @Ebbets42 PAID - Brewers - Red Sox

02 - Ben Martin PAID - Blue Jays (via trade) - Diamondbacks

03 - Ben Morris PAID - Tigers (via trade) - Reds

04 - John Donovan PAID - Indians - Marlins (via trade) - Rockies (via trade)

05 - Chad Pacey PAID - Nationals - Pirates (via trade)

06 - Denny Wagner PAID - Padres (via trade)

07 - @Lost_Collector PAID - Phillies - Angels

08 - Kin Kinsley PAID - Yankees - Rangers

09 - @jmwsyo PAID - Royals (via trade) - Mets

10 - Ben Martin PAID - Cardinals - Athletics (via trade)

11 - Hal Sauceman PAID - Astros - Twins

12 - Tim Bailey PAID - Giants - Orioles

13 - Joey Nigro PAID - Cubs - Mariners

14 - karsal PAID - Rays - White Sox

15 - @CardpocalypseNC PAID - Dodgers

All teams (minus the Braves) were put into Random.org's List Randomizer with the first team for each slot being awarded 1-15. The virtual dice were rolled and the list was randomized 4 times. Below are the results:

Then all the remaining teams were put into Random'org's List Randomizer and assigned 1-14. The virtual dice were rolled and the list was randomized 10 times. Slot 15 was split w/ the host (me) so they received just the one team. Below are the results: 

Trading is open! Please make sure that all of your trade proposals and confirmations are made in the comments of this post. I will help facilitate trades between the blog and the Facebook group as needed. We'll plan to break Monday evening, 10/05/20 at 9 PM EST.

Affordable Group Break - 1993 Bowman football

** UPDATE 09/30/20 ** All remaining teams have been reduced

 

This break will feature a hobby box of 1993 Bowman football. 24 packs per box. Each pack includes a specially engraved foil card. Notable RCs include Jerome Bettis, Drew Bledsoe & Natrone Means among others. Prices are listed by each team. All cards ship. Stacking applies so the price does not include shipping. If you have questions on his this works please let me know. We'll break this box live on my YouTube channel (youtube.com/flywheels) on Friday, 10/02/20 at 10 PM eastern.

To claim your team(s) please comment with your request and submit your payment at that time. If you haven't participated in one of my breaks, please email me (flywheels@yahoo.com) your name & mailing address. Please send your payment as Friends & Family - please don't put anything in the comments section: paypal.me/flywheels86

Atlanta Falcons $2 - Roy Galloway PAID

Buffalo Bills $2 - Roy Galloway PAID

Chicago Bears $2 - Ben Martin PAID

Cincinnati Bengals $2 - Trevor P PAID

Cleveland Browns $1 - Kin Kinsley PAID

Dallas Cowboys $3 - Ben Martin PAID

Denver Broncos $2 - @pennysleeves PAID

Detroit Lions $3 - Ben Morris PAID

Green Bay Packers $3 - Trevor P PAID

Houston Oilers $2 - Kin Kinsley PAID

Indianapolis Colts $1 - Ben Martin PAID

Kansas City Chiefs $3 - Jason McQuitty PAID

Los Angeles Raiders $1 - Jennifer Peebles PAID

Los Angeles Rams $3 - Kin Kinsley PAID

Miami Dolphins $1 - Ben Martin PAID

Minnesota Vikings $2 - Base Card Hero PAID

New England Patriots $3 - Kin Kinsley PAID

New Orleans Saints - Colbey PAID

New York Giants $2 - Jennifer Peebles PAID

New York Jets $1 - Ben Martin PAID

Philadelphia Eagles $2 - Kerry Biggs PAID

Phoenix Cardinals $1 - Ben Martin PAID

Pittsburgh Steelers $3 Jennifer Peebles PAID

San Diego Chargers $1 - Jennifer Peebles PAID

San Francisco 49ers $3 - Hal Sauceman PAID

Seattle Seahawks $1 - Ben Martin PAID

Tampa Bay Buccaneers $1 - Ben Martin PAID

Washington Redskins $1 - Ben Morris PAID

Affordable Group Break - 2020-21 Upper Deck MVP hockey

** UPDATE 09/30/20 ** All remaining teams have been reduced

 

This break will feature a hobby box of 2020-21 Upper Deck MVP. 20 packs per box / 8 cards per pack. Prices are listed by each team. All cards ship. Stacking applies so the price does not include shipping. If you have questions on his this works please let me know. We'll break this box live on my YouTube channel (youtube.com/flywheels) on Friday, 10/02/20 at 10 PM eastern.

To claim your team(s) please comment with your request and submit your payment at that time. If you haven't participated in one of my breaks, please email me (flywheels@yahoo.com) your name & mailing address. Please send your payment as Friends & Family - please don't put anything in the comments section: paypal.me/flywheels86

Anaheim Ducks $2 - Ben Martin PAID

Arizona Coyotes $2 - Ben Martin PAID

Boston Bruins $2 - Denny Wagner PAID

Buffalo Sabres $2 - @Ebbets42 PAID

Calgary Flames $2 - Ben Martin PAID

Carolina Hurricanes - Colbey PAID

Chicago Blackhawks $3 - Kin Kinsley PAID

Colorado Avalanche $2 - Denny Wagner PAID

Columbus Blue Jackets $2 - Kin Kinsley PAID

Dallas Stars $2 - Kin Kinsley PAID

Detroit Red Wings $3 - Ben Morris PAID

Edmonton Oilers $3 - Ben Martin PAID

Florida Panthers $2 - Ben Martin PAID

Los Angeles Kings $2 - Jennifer Peebles PAID

Minnesota Wild $3 - Base Card Hero PAID

Montreal Canadiens $2 - Ben Martin PAID

Nashville Predators $3 - Jennifer Peebles PAID

New Jersey Devils $3 - Denny Wagner PAID

New York Islanders $3 - Denny Wagner PAID

New York Rangers $3 - @Lost Collector PAID

Ottawa Senators $2 - Ben Martin PAID

Philadelphia Flyers $3 - Jennifer Peebles PAID

Pittsburgh Penguins $3 - Denny Wagner PAID

San Jose Sharks $2 - Jennifer Peebles PAID

St. Louis Blues $2 - Ben Martin PAID

Tampa Bay Lightning $2 - Ben Morris PAID

Toronto Maple Leafs $3 - Robert Mitchell PAID

Vancouver Canucks $3 - John Donovan PAID

Vegas Golden Knights $3 - John Donovan PAID

Washington Capitals $2 - Kin Kinsley PAID

Winnipeg Jets $3 - Robert Mitchell PAID

Affordable Group Break - 1993-94 NBA Hoops Series II

** UPDATE 09/30/20 ** All remaining teams have been reduced

This break will feature a hobby box of 1993-94 NBA Hoops Series II. 36 packs per box / 12 cards per pack. Each pack includes a 5th Anniversary Gold Foil parallel card. Notable RCs include Penny Hardaway, Toni Kukoc, Jamal Mashburn, Chris Webber among others. Prices are listed by each team. All cards ship. Stacking applies so the price does not include shipping. If you have questions on his this works please let me know. We'll break this box live on my YouTube channel (youtube.com/flywheels) on Friday, 10/02/20 at 10 PM eastern.

To claim your team(s) please comment with your request and submit your payment at that time. If you haven't participated in one of my breaks, please email me (flywheels@yahoo.com) your name & mailing address. Please send your payment as Friends & Family - please don't put anything in the comments section: paypal.me/flywheels86

Atlanta Hawks $1 - Hal Sauceman PAID

Boston Celtics $1

Charlotte Hornets - Colbey PAID

Chicago Bulls $6 - Hal Sauceman PAID

Cleveland Cavaliers $1

Dallas Mavericks $3 - John Donovan PAID

Denver Nuggets $1

Detroit Pistons $3 - Ben Morris PAID

Golden State Warriors $3 - John Donovan PAID

Houston Rockets $3 - Jennifer Peebles PAID

Indiana Pacers $1

Los Angeles Clippers $1 - Ben Morris PAID

Los Angeles Lakers $3 - Hal Sauceman PAID

Miami Heat $1 - @pennysleeves

Milwaukee Bucks $1

Minnesota Timberwolves $1

New Jersey Nets $1 - Ben Morris PAID

New York Knicks $2 - Jennifer Peebles PAID

Orlando Magic $4 - @Lost Collector PAID

Philadelphia 76ers $1

Phoenix Suns $1 - Jennifer Peebles PAID

Portland Trailblazers $2 - Kerry Biggs PAID

Sacramento Kings $1

San Antonio Spurs - Colbey PAID

Seattle Supersonics $1 - Jennifer Peebles PAID

Utah Jazz $1 - @pennysleeves

Washington Bullets - Colbey PAID

Group Break Results - 2004 Fleer Classic Clippings & 1996 Topps Gilt Edge football

This week's Affordable Group Break was a blast! We opened a hobby box of 2004 Fleer Classic Clippings, a product I was really looking forward too. While I hadn't opened any of this product before, I had a feeling it would be fun...and I think the box lived up to my expectations.

The all horizontal set feels pretty classy in hand. The front of the card isn't slathered with UV gloss, a nice change for the time period. The photo of the player however does have a sheen. I forgot to scan the back of a base card, but in the spirit of previous Fleer sets like Box Score, the card back features the players stats (as well as their teammates) from a single game.

1st Edition is a parallel set where each card is serially numbered to /150. The silver ink is replaced with gold ink, a small 1st Edition logo is added to the card's front.

Press Clippings mimic the cover of a magazine (or supermarket tabloid as one participant pointed out), complete with faux UPC code in the corner.

Classic Clippings feature an embedded box score. In this case this box score is from Ripken's debut game on 08/10/01, serially numbered to /750. I don't know if the embedded box score paper is authentic or just manufactured for this set. Regardless this is an awesome card and one I wish I was adding to my collection.

One of the hits the box promised was this Jersey Rack Blue serially numbered to /225. Dontrelle Willis, Kerry Wood and Curt Schilling...3 great pitchers that never gain a lot of hobby love (well, maybe you could argue Wood had a good following).

The best card of the box had to be this Ivan Rodriguez Jersey Rack Autograph /149. Pudge was the only Tigers player in the base set so I thought it was pretty cool that this card was pulled. Ben Morris essentially paid $2 for this beautiful card...not too bad!

Next up we broke an unusual box of Topps football...1996 Gilt Edge. If you never heard of it, don't feel too bad as neither have I or many of the participants in the break had much exposure to the set.

Apparently the name Gilt Edge referred to the technology used as the edges of these cards are either "gold" or "platinum". When these cards are all stacked up and looked at from the side, it looks a lot like a book as the edges of the cards sparkle.

This Tim Brown card is one of the one per pack Platinum parallels. It's hard to tell in my scan, but the logo and name are printed in silver foil versions gold on the base cards.

The only insert set was Definitive Edge. These cards feature a silver foil front...which look so-so scanned, but great in hand.

Overall this was another great way to spend my Friday night. I appreciate everyone who participated and I look forward to the next break. Have a great weekend everyone!

Affordable Group Break - 2004 Fleer Classic Clippings

** UPDATE 06/24/20 - Prices lowered for remaining teams **

This break will feature 2004 Fleer Classic Clippings (Hobby). 18 packs / 5 cards per pack. Box should yield 1 autograph, 1 game-used memorabilia card and 1 serially numbered card. Prices listed beside each team. All cards ship. Stacking applies so the price does not include shipping. If you have questions on how this works please let me know. We'll break this box Live on my YouTube channel on Friday, 09/25/20 at 10 PM eastern. 

To claim your team(s) please comment with your request and submit your payment at that time. If you haven't participated in one of my breaks, please email me (flywheels@yahoo.com) your name & mailing address. Please send your payment as Friends & Family: http://paypal.me/flywheels86

Anaheim Angels $2 - Chad Pacey PAID

Arizona Diamondbacks $2 - Chad Pacey PAID

Atlanta Braves - Colbey PAID
Baltimore Orioles $4 - Denny Wagner PAID
Boston Red Sox $4 - Ben Morris PAID
Chicago Cubs $5 - Ben Martin PAID
Chicago White Sox $5 - Chad Pacey PAID
Cincinnati Reds $5 - Chris Reed PAID
Cleveland Indians $1 - Jennifer Peebles PAID
Colorado Rockies $3 - John Donovan PAID
Detroit Tigers $2 - Ben Morris PAID
Florida Marlins $1 - Ben Martin PAID
Houston Astros $4 - Denny Wagner PAID
Kansas City Royals $2 - Jason McQuitty PAID

Los Angeles Dodgers $4 - John Donovan PAID
Milwaukee Brewers $3 - Mark Eisenman PAID
Minnesota Twins $3 - Base Card Hero PAID

Montreal Expos $3 - Jennifer Peebles PAID
New York Mets $4 - Hal Sauceman PAID
New York Yankees $6 - Jennifer Peebles PAID
Oakland Athletics $1 - John Donovan PAID
Philadelphia Phillies $2 - Dan Horton PAID
Pittsburgh Pirates $2 - Wade Fisher PAID
San Diego Padres $1 - Joey Nigro PAID

San Francisco Giants $3 - Brandon Bronzan PAID
Seattle Mariners $2 - Ben Martin PAID
St. Louis Cardinals $4 - Chad Pacey PAID

Tampa Bay Rays $1 - John Donovan PAID
Texas Rangers $1 - Ben Martin PAID
Toronto Blue Jays $3 - karsal PAID

Affordable Group Break - 1996 Topps Gilt Edge football

** UPDATE 06/24/20 - Prices lowered for remaining teams **

 

This break will feature a hobby box of 1996 Topps Gilt Edge football. 20 packs / 9 cards per pack. Each pack includes a Platinum Gilt Edge parallel card. Prices are listed by each team. All cards ship. Stacking applies so the price does not include shipping. If you have questions on his this works please let me know. We'll break this box live on my YouTube channel (youtube.com/flywheels) on Friday, 09/25/20 at 10 PM eastern.

To claim your team(s) please comment with your request and submit your payment at that time. If you haven't participated in one of my breaks, please email me (flywheels@yahoo.com) your name & mailing address. Please send your payment as Friends & Family: paypal.me/flywheels86

Arizona Cardinals $1

Atlanta Falcons $2 - Jennifer Peebles PAID

Buffalo Bills $2 - Jennifer Peebles PAID

Carolina Panthers - Colbey PAID

Cincinnati Bengals $1

Dallas Cowboys $4 - Spiegel83 PAID

Denver Broncos $2 - Jennifer Peebles PAID

Detroit Lions $3 - Ben Morris PAID 

Green Bay Packers $4 - Trevor P

Houston Oilers $3 - Denny Wagner PAID

Indianapolis Colts $1 - Ben Morris PAID

Kansas City Chiefs $4 - Jason McQuitty PAID

Miami Dolphins $2 - John Donovan PAID

Minnesota Vikings $3 - Base Card Hero PAID

New England Patriots $1 - Ben Martin PAID

New Orleans Saints $1 - Base Card Hero PAID

Oakland Raiders $2 - Jennifer Peebles PAID

Philadelphia Eagles $1 - Base Card Hero PAID

Pittsburgh Steelers $3 - Wade Fisher PAID

San Diego Chargers $1 - John Donovan PAID

San Francisco 49ers $5 - Hal Sauceman PAID

Seattle Seahawks $1 - John Donovan PAID

St. Louis Rams $1 - Base Card Hero PAID

Washington Redskins $1 - Base Card Hero PAID

Platinum parallel

Definitive Edge

Pack Break: 2018 Pokemon X/Y Fates Collide

About the only thing you can find in the card section around my area is Pokemon...and now it seems that the inventory of these Booster packs is starting to get thinner and thinner. While recently traveling for work I stopped by a Walmart and I found this lone X/Y Fates Collide Booster pack. I remembered I had a few dollars left on an old Visa gift card so I grabbed the pack as I had an urge to rip a pack of something.

If my girls ever accompany me to my local hobby shop I usually let them sort through the sea of monster boxes and pick out a handful of Pokemon cards. I recognized Minccino in my pack as one of those characters they like because they think it's cute. Pretty sure this is one they have picked out in the past. I know nothing about this Pokemon as I don't recall coming across it in any of the video games.

Both of these are Uncommon cards going by the small diamond icon in the lower corner by the card number. When you're not playing the game Trainer cards aren't all that exciting to pull. 

A holofoil Trainer card? That's new to me as I didn't know these type of cards had holofoil versions.

I guess holofoil cards fall one per pack? It's been so long since I've opened a pack of Pokemon cards that I honestly don't know. This holofoil is one of those where the foil encompasses the entire front of the card, not just the artwork section. Really cool looking in hand.

My thoughts? Meh, it was kind of fun. I still find it hard to believe that Pokemon cards have kept their popularity all this time. I do give Wizards of the Coast a thumbs up for reinventing the brand to keep it fresh. The cards look great and there is a small part of me that wouldn't mind learning how to play the game...after all I'm sure my girls have enough cards to build two decks!