Card #1,000 Of 2026 Has Arrived

*sits down with a fresh cup*

*takes a sip*

After I did my last post in this series with Card #600, I decided since my milestones are coming a little faster recently than not, that it was time I stretched out these celebrations a little instead of every 100th card. Now, it will be every 500th card.

This is why we have fast forwarded to Card #1,000 on the year.

I still can't believe I am already at this level and more. Of course it helps my numbers when I acquire such huge mail days from blog reader Grady M which is where I counted Card #1,000 from.

 

Which happens to be this 2026 Topps Stars Of The MLB Aaron Judge.

I have got to be honest with this insert line; I feel Topps has beaten this one down to the ground. They are overproduced and the design is lazily improved one year to the next. This years and last years are so similar you really have to look to notice the very slight difference.

I think it's time to put an end to these after this year.

Let me know in comments what you think!

*takes a sip, feels like maybe a soapbox rant needs to happen to rid the products of these*

*forgets about it and continues with cup of coffee*

Before I finish up this post, I wanted to share my grades from the second semester. Keep in mind, I have never been to college before, haven't been to school in general in 25 years, and this is college at age 43.

Not too bad! Ignore the heart face, that is one of my summer classes and that hasn't started yet...but very soon.

Which leads me to another part of this post, this could be the last one for a while on here and any of my blogs. Between my always hectic summers now with added schooling and shoulder surgery, this could eat up all of my time.

Plus, I think some down time from blogging is what I and these blogs need so I can refocus and figure out where I want to blog, why and how to move forward with doing so. Right now, all blogs have been lacking in new ideas, views and especially in comments. I feel also my content has taken a hit because of it. Maybe a nice break refresher will be what the doctor ordered.

I hope everyone has a good break and see you when the cup is refilled again.

*takes a final sip*

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Worth The Year Wait

I have a circle of friends who I consider to be my top traders in the hobby which are the ones that I trade with most.

I also know some of them can't always mail right away, but I know when they do and when I get it, the wait will be worth it.

Just like my latest trade with @90snichefootballcard on Twitter. Bryan and I have been trading for years, roughly ten, and every time I get a mail day from him, it's incredible.

So, this one may have taken roughly a year, but it was so worth it.

Just wait and see.

*takes a sip of freshly brewed brew*

I won't be posting all of this remarkable mail day on here, you will have to check the rest out on Big Blue Cardboard so if you aren't following that blog yet, do so.

But here is what I will be sharing,

Bryan jammed packed this box with all of the goodies. There are actually more cards in here than it looks, I won't be posting them all because of this and just pulled out some for both blogs.

I have been wanting this Judge card as he is walking among the "happy little trees" and I really think he is actually a giant among them. I really, really want the Griffey like this as well. Do you have one? Let me know!!

Never wrong with getting a Judge refractor.

He is the ringleader of the Bomb Squad this year sending out bombs all over the ballparks.

One of my favorite insert designs over the years was Unleashed. For a while I was trying to chase the entire set for a variety of years, I gave that up but still have the ones I collected and will always take more in. I simply learned you can't collect it all.

I am not sure what they call this parallel, but I am digging it.

Panini should take note on how Topps still uses game used jerseys in their products and not this jersey wasn't worn by anyone at any time at any place in particular and was just printed off the presses. Sorry, it had to be said.

The next four cards I found exceptional.

   

A fun holiday chase. I wonder if there are more parallels in the run. I feel like it needs to be finished now. Either way, these make a great addition to my holiday PC.

And finally, for the part of the mail day I am posting on here, at the bottom of the box were two Gold Rush envelopes.

Before I show those off, I need some coffee.

*takes a sip*

The first autograph I thought about showing off on Big Blue Cardboard but decided just to keep it here to make it easier on me.

Joe Morris the 5'7 beast who helped the Giants win Super Bowl XXI.

  

Goose Gossage was in the other envelope. He has one of the nicest Yankee signatures other than Mariano Rivera (still need his).

Thanks Bryan!

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

This mail day was sort of like Christmas when it arrived since it took awhile, but if I can get one of these every year, once again wait until you see the series of posts on Big Blue Cardboard, it was well worth the year wait.

Have a great day everyone.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Don't forget you can start to nominate cards for the 2025 Coffee Card Hall Of Fame!! Cards don't have to be autographs, patch cards, super star cards. It can be whatever you think is Hall Worthy! Find details and current nominations HERE.

Some That Stood Out

A few months have passed since I got my big box mail day from reader Grady M, Box Ol' Grady, and I have yet to share any of my fun finds from the many mini boxes.

As I have said before, there isn't even enough cups of coffee in the world to share everything he sends. But, a cup today will be good enough to share a few eye keepers.

*coffee is hot and ready to go*

Let's start with these stand out Judges. They may be some of my favorite Judge cards I now have.

Topps Chrome All-Etch refractor.

2024 Topps Chrome 1989

Panini Crusade

Then these two hockey cards from 2023-24 Upper Deck Allure really stood out.

And upon research on these, I guess each player can build a colorful rainbow combination of different colors. For example, the Lafreniere also has a card the same color as the player above once you get to that part of the rainbow by laying the cards side by side.

Wonder if I should choose one of these players and build off from them.

Finally, I love nothing more than a creative flashback to the 90's, 2024 Stadium Club Triumvirates.

I was pretty stoked to have found these.

They look great!!

I considered trying to finish building both three-part team cards, but I think my time would be better spent getting the Yankees team one and the Ken Griffey Jr one.

So, if any of you have any of those cards available, hit me up for trade at sportcardcollectors@hotmail.com.

Thanks again to Grady for another great mail day. I can't wait to dig for treasure next time.

*takes a final sip before finishing up today's post*

I am still working on taking care of the cards from this mail day so if I come across anything else I think should be shared, it will be.

Thanks again for reading and have a great day.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Don't forget you can start to nominate cards for the 2025 Coffee Card Hall Of Fame!! Cards don't have to be autographs, patch cards, super star cards. It can be whatever you think is Hall Worthy! Find details and current nominations HERE.

The Unicorn Of Bloggers

The Unicorn; Informal definition, "the term unicorn is used to describe someone or something that is very rare and almost impossible to find".

I consider myself that when it comes to being a sports card blogger.

About 99% of the blogosphere is built up of baseball card collectors, a sport I don't dabble much into anymore other than Ken Griffey Jr, 90's inserts and a couple of NY Yankees players. I guess that makes me the other 1%.

So, when it comes to exchanging cards with fellow bloggers in the mail, things can get a bit more complicated since I don't have "that baseball team" like the other bloggers.

Despite the challenge, my latest mail day from Night Owl Cards showed that these types of exchanges can still take place despite me being that unicorn.

Just check out what he sent,

I think I made a comment about this Mondesi in one of his posts. Great 90's insert back when creativity was top shelf. These were found 1:30-1:36 packs depending on hobby or retail.

This is a nice tribute to the 1998 insert, I will take it. Volpe has also shown some bright spots.

I have the Griffey, the Frank Thomas and now own the Piazza. Such a cool looking insert. I am thinking it's set chase time. These fell 1:12 packs in 1997 Fleer.

I got quite a few of these from my father and surprisingly did not have this Piazza version. Each player has nine cards in the set.

Own The Game is a tribute to a past Topps insert line, they look really nice in hand. Nicer than the pictures I posted or ones I have seen online. I also won't ever turn away Aaron Judge cards. Love his story and his game.

Mining For Gold fell 1:12 packs of 1996 Metal Universe. It's shiny, gold nugget goodness.

I like inserts outside the usual; this is one of them. Once again, inserts in the 90's will always rule over today's stuff. These fell 1:8 packs.

 

I have always been a big Fleer Metal fan, this 1:8 insert falls into my category of a keeper.

Thanks again for the mail day Greg!

I was really happy with everything you sent and sorry for my unicorness (if this is even a word) which made your search a little harder.

I have more many Dodgers to send your way soon, just for a heads up.

Don't forget you can start to nominate cards for the 2025 Coffee Card Hall Of Fame!! Cards don't have to be autographs, patch cards, super star cards. It can be whatever you think is Hall Worthy! Find details and current nominations HERE.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Coffee Break: 2025 Topps Series 1 Easter Egg

Happy Easter everyone!

My coffee is ready, and I am ready for a new post!

I know I am way behind the rest of you when it comes to breaking Series 1, but to keep up the tradition yearly for myself, here it is. 

Despite my decreasing interest in baseball cards.

But a tradition is a tradition.

*takes a sip, begins to.....crack?....then rip?*

There are 59 cards in every egg and each one comes with one special insert. The egg tins run for about $15 each.

59 cards in a tin is a lot to post and since many of you have seen plenty of Series 1 already and probably broke the yolk on some yourself,  I am just showing off the key cards in my break. Which is what most people come for anyways for any kind of break posts.

This was the highlight base card find for me, well besides some guy named Ohtani. There weren't any rookie card names I recognized.

There is one name that stands out on this list, yes, it's Judge if you had to ask. Beautiful parallel.

And here is a second one I pulled.

My third parallel is what I believe they call a Pastel. These look pretty cool too, if only they were shiny.....you all know me and shiny.

I won't even talk about this card; everyone knows I can't stand these types of inserts.

 

Call To The Hall. Kind of a lazy design.

And wow, a third Judge in this tin. Awesome! And this year's Stars Of The MLB design, superb. It's different than the last couple of years and really stands out.

And that's it. 

One thing I like most about these special edition cards such as holiday and this spring/Easter one are the parallels. Those are the main chase for me regardless of player.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

I just wanted to finish up today's post with a moment to thank Jesus for everything in my life and for his resurrection. Today He Has Risen!

*says a prayer*

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

The Wes 30 Part 1

Coffee is hot and so aren't the cards I am showing off today, so let's get to a new Cards Over Coffee shall we?

Every Christmas since I have known him, Wes formally of Jaybarkerfan/Area 40 blog, sends a box of explosives at Christmas time. Well, not real explosives, just mind blowing, jaw dropping cards or as he usually calls it, bombs.

So, don't show up to my house FBI if you are reading the word bomb here, you won't find bombs, you will find a man in his underwear with a pile of cardboard at a table on his laptop sipping coffee. Okay, maybe not the underwear part, I just wanted to make sure you were reading.

*takes a sip*

Wes always sends so much cardboard that I usually don't post it all, not that I don't appreciate it all, but it's way tooooooooooo much to post.

So, instead, I am splitting it up. There will be some NY Giants posts on Big Blue Cardboard featuring some 1/1 Rodney Hampton love along with a few other players, and on here, I am doing a countdown of my favorite Top 30 cards. Which that alone wasn't easy, I could have done many 1A, 1B and 1C kind of cards, but I just stuck with the 30 the best I could.

Let's kick it off with 30-16.

#30 1997 Score Complete Player Brett Favre. 90's insert with some shine is always a win.

#29 Santa Claus under center. This card has been on my want list a long time.

 

#28 Aaron Judge and Anthony Volpe Platinum parallels. I couldn't put one ahead of the other.

27.1998 Presss Pass Kick-Off Die Cut. 

26.1998 Topps Gunslingers Steve Young. Look at this beauty!

25. 1994 Upper Deck Holojam Reggie Miller. Despite my hatred of the player, holograms are always winners. Give me all of them!

24.1993 Pro Set College Connections Drew Bledsoe/Mark Rypien. The original Cracked Ice.

23. A new card towards my set, as I said earlier, holograms are always winners.

22. 2020 Panini Stickers Blue Foil Patrick Mahomes /299. Love me some Mahomies! I still side PC him.

21. 1998 Stadium Club Chrome Refractor Steve Young. They sure don't even make these like they used to.

20. 2017 Leaf Patch Auto of TY Jones. Not any player I have ever heard of, but it's a nice swatch and autograph.

19. 2014 Panini Country Music Tom Gossin

18. 2014 Panini Country Music Barry Knox. I don't know what it is, but I just like this product. Both 18 and 19 have no meaning to me other than that. Wonder how far I am along with the autograph set if I was to look since I have quite a few from this product. Hmmm...

17. 2019 Topps Allen And Ginter Autograph mini Burton Rocks. Sports attorney, agent and writer. Sounds like the career I would want other than being a coffee inspector.

 

16. 2018 Topps Star Wars Galactic Files Reborn Barion Raner Autograph. I am not familiar with this character from Star Wars, but a Star Wars auto is a Star Wars auto and it's a new one to my collection.

And that's it for this round. I will continue my countdown with cards 15-1 next time and it will be quite an ending, so I hope you have your coffee hot and ready for that one.

Til next time!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*