Worth The Wait Part 2

Coffee is ready, dentist appointment is done-no cavities- and I have some cards to show off finally.

Without further ado, let's do some Cards Over Coffee.

I hope this post was Worth The Wait for you guys, I know I have been biting my time to show this one off.

But, here we go. 

This is a follow up part to the first half of my mail day from @90sNicheFBCard. There is actually a third part to, but you will have to read and check out Big Blue Cardboard to see that part when it's posted.

Today, it is strictly baseball heavy and I know there are plenty of baseball card readers out there.

Let's kick it off with this beautiful Double Relic autograph of Dave Winfield.

I am probably one of the few collectors out there who actually likes the manufactured relics more than a plain colored jersey card.

I always liked Robinson Cano, this is my first autograph of him.

Nick Nelson is a Philly now, sounds like it's a good thing looking at his stats. Yankees traded him off to make room for prospects on their 40-man roster.

 

Gleyber Torres autograph! This will replace the one I traded off. I regret doing that, and even though this one is not in Yankee uniform, it's a rookie one so that's cooler.

And the final card in this post, not final card overall as there will be some cool cards posted on Big Blue Cardboard and there were also many others I didn't post here, was a BIG SURPRISE and wasn't a part of our trade.

It was shocking. It was beautiful. It was like that instant first sip of coffee in that morning that takes you to heaven.

It was my first Juan Soto autograph!!!!

Yes, I am as blown away as you are. Try not to spill your coffee.

I think Bryan sent it because he felt bad I waited so long for the mail day even though I was fine with it. But, I believe he sent it because he is a good friend with a big heart.

Thanks so much again Bryan!

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

This mail day was so worth the wait. There was so much fun in the box and a lot of cards I didn't either remember or recognize as a part of our trade. And of course, finishing out the package with the surprise Soto autograph is never a bad way to end.

I think we are on our way for our newest trade, and I bet this one will also be worth the wait when it's completed.

I hope everyone has a great Tuesday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Coffee Break:2022 Topps Inception

Dealing with a little bit of a stomach bug today hasn't stopped me from posting for the first time in a week.

Nor has it stopped me from having a cup of coffee with today's post.

Today's Coffee Break will be a box of 2022 Topps Inception baseball which recently was released.

*takes a sip, gets ready to rip*

In every box of 2022 Topps Inception baseball is one pack of 7 cards. Each box comes two base card parallels and one autograph or autograph patch card. Boxes run roughly $175-$200.

BASE CARD:

The base card set is built up of 100 cards featuring today's stars and tomorrow's future.

The design this year is a bit wonky compared to past releases that had artsy looks to it. This background looks like something out of the 80's and 90's.

PARALLELS:

You will find two parallels per box and here are the ones you can find,

Green /125, Magenta /99, Red /75, Orange /50, Blue /25, and Inception 1/1.

  

I pulled two greens, but I don't see where they are numbered. Hmmm......Either way, that Gleyber is a sharp card.

HITS:

 

I don't have a lot of luck with this product with pulling top players, at least this year I pulled a non pitcher in Andrew Vaughn. The card is also an Orange parallel /25.

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

Inception is a nice-looking product, but, if I was going to completely honest with you, buy into a box break on this one. There are some really tough boxes to swallow out there for the price. 

Your thoughts on this product and my break welcomed below.

I hope my stomach starts to feel better as the day goes on, I am better now than I was yesterday. Maybe the coffee is helping.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Coffee Break:2021 Inception Baseball

*box of newer product, cup of fresh coffee, it's time for some Cards Over Coffee in today's Coffee break*

Inception was a brand I wasn't sold on when it first released. Being a collector with action photography in mind I pushed off products that didn't include real photography. But, after giving it a couple of years and landing some of the cards actually in-person, my perspective changed and I realized I don't always need those full action shots. I could deal and enjoy the cards with an artistic touch.

So here we are today with a box of 2021 Inception to show off. Let's see how this Coffee Break goes. Grab a cup yourself and sit down and enjoy.

 

Every box of 2021 Inception Baseball comes with one pack of seven cards. Each box comes with one autograph, two parallels and four base. Each box is $185 currently so it's a gamble.

*takes a sip, begins to rip!*

The base set is made up of 100 cards and contains key rookies and veterans.

The design sticks to similar design of the past couple of years.

The back has a small write up along with one year of stats and career stats. 

Other base I found in my break were,

Ozzie Albies

Devin Williams

Alex Bregman

Now onto the parallels.

*takes a sip, moves onto the next part of the break*

There are multiple parallels to be found in Inception this year. These parallels include, Green, Purple /150, Magenta /99, Red /75, Orange /50, Blue /25, and Inception 1/1.

I got two base parallels in the Green.

Blake Snell

And Ronald Acuna Jr.

That does it for my two promised parallels. Now onto the last card of the box which is the hit.

*takes a sip before showing off the final card*

I have not had much success in hits in past breaks of Inception. It usually is a rookie pitcher autograph which does not tickle my funny bone.

This time however, I lucked out.

Pulled a PC card of one of the few Yankees I still collect in Gleyber Torres. It also marks the first time I pulled a patch autograph from the product as well. So not too shabby of a hit.

*takes another sip, then another because coffee is getting cold. Moves onto finishing up the post*

Inception looked good again this year especially that patch auto. That's a really sharp card. But, once again in the "new hobby era" with prices going up, the risk is there more than ever. You just gotta hope that one hit will be a big one.

*Here's to another Coffee Break, hope everyone has a great day and remember, coffee is best served warm. Coffee Card blogger out*

Ratings (ratings based on 1-5 🍵 on this break. Ratings are not based on overall product run)

Design 🍵🍵🍵

Photography N/A

Inserts N/A

Hits 🍵🍵🍵

Price 🍵🍵

Value 🍵🍵

Tips On Investing In Sport Cards

*takes a sip of coffee, smiles behind the mug feeling a little better today and knowing that Christmas is only a week away*

Investing is a major part of the "New Hobby" as I call it.

Who's going to be the next big player? Who is already in a spot to turn things up to invest into in hopes of making big bucks?  Which product should be cleaned off shelves to invest in so I can flip it for more?

INVEST! INVEST! INVEST! MONEY...MONEY...MONEY!!!!! (picture Andy voicing the pig off from Toy Story)

I have never touched on my investing in this hobby so figured while the topic arose, I would.

So here are some of my HOT investment tips,

• INVEST YOUR MIND: Invest your mind into the hobby and decide which path you want to go in collecting. There are many roads to travel in what you want to collect and why you were brought into collecting. Invest your mind into what you like to collect and not follow the path of those most followed. Be yourself in the hobby by investing your mind into what you like, not what others do.
• INVEST YOUR TIME: Invest your time in your collection. Sort, trade, enjoy, and do it all over again. Investing your time into what you collect is the best investment you will make.
• INVEST IN OTHERS: Spending time with others online, if you have an LCS or store closer do that to, has been a great investment for me. I have made serious friendships over my time online and these friends have become better friends then the ones I supposedly have in real life. Not that these online friends are not real people.
• INVEST IN STORAGE: Investing in the way you store and showcase your collection will give you that happy feeling that your collection won't get ruined and gives you a way to "show off" your masterpiece.
• INVEST IN SHARING: There is no greater feeling than sharing your hobby with others and what you collect. On top of that, sharing can also mean sharing cards with others. If you have something that you don't want and you know someone else will enjoy, trade it or simply just send it to them. Putting smiles on others is a worthy investment that will make you and the other person feel amazing.
• INVEST IN CHILDREN IN THE HOBBY: The only way this hobby can continue to grow and survive is if we invest our time in the next generation. Telling them to collect to make money isn't the best approach. Share with them why you enjoy collecting. What collecting can mean to them. You know, memories, nostalgia, etc. Buy them cards, send them cards, help them learn and enjoy the hobby and all that it has to offer.

I hope these tips were handy for you. It's how I abide in the hobby every day and strongly believe in my investments. 

Oh, wait, you wanted to know about how to make money off cards by investing in the hobby and which players or products will give you that. My bad, I don't do that here. I am a collector. I collect, trade and show off sport cards. I don't buy cards to flip. I don't sell cards even. I hoard little pieces of cardboard with players pictures on them and I enjoy doing so.

I may also invest my into blogging about the hobby, Tweeting about the hobby, Facebook pages I run about the hobby and coffee that I drink while I do all of that about the hobby. I invest so much into coffee. 

*takes a sip of the investment. So worth it*

I think the closest to that kind of investing, or what others may consider investing money wise, I get is grabbing some Bowman Chrome baseball every year. That's not to buy and flip, that's simply just to add some rookie cards to my collection. I try to have one of every player.

This year I was able to land a 2020 Bowman Chrome Mega Box. This is only the second Mega Box I have ever opened. The first one was very successful with 2020 Prestige football so hoping this baseball Chrome is just as lucky.

*takes a sip, begins to rip*

 

Each box of 2020 Bowman Chrome comes with 35 cards. There are five 5-card packs of  Bowman Chrome baseball along with two 5-card packs of mojo refractors. Each of these boxes range from $45 to $60 per mega.

The base card design is just chromed up Bowman.

I pulled a Trout and Gleyber as my best base. Both are PC players so that works out perfect.

Now onto the rookies or as some may call them, investments.

Dubon

Aquino

And Robert. I was surprised to find him honestly.

 

and all of the rest

Now onto the two mojo refractor packs *takes a sip to rip again*

(Jackson is a name I have heard)

And I even pulled an autograph. Not sure if they are guaranteed but it was a nice find regardless.

 

Encarnacion autograph. On card. I don't know this player but looking at the team I can't imagine he is a very hot prospect.

*enjoyed the rip, so takes a sip*

To close, I don't want it to sound like I judge those that do choose to invest money in the hobby. That wasn't the point of this post. I just think my investments are less riskier and more rewarding for you in the long run. Take my advice or not, I will still be standing by it and be sipping on my biggest investment while I do so.

Coffee Break:2020 Topps Opening Day Baseball

*looks out the window, sees wind whipping and a cold breeze coming through the house. Thinks back to when Opening Day 2020 was supposed to happen when it was starting to be sunshine and green grass. Misses those times already. Grabs a cup of joe and has a box of 2020 Topps Opening Day in front of him and is ready to go.*

Just like Opening Day in 2020 for the baseball season, I am behind on my Opening Day of the Topps Opening Day product breakdown for you. That's a lot of Opening Day words used that I wouldn't dare ask you to say five times fast or should I? Let me know how that goes if you do.

As for this box break, it's better late than never.

This product released back in March, back when things were starting to take a turn for the worse, and is still somewhat popular now. It's also one of the cheaper hobby offerings out there right now as supply and demand in the hobby has taken over and driving hobby box prices to outer space or in coffee terms, prices at Starbucks.

It has been a few months since I have opened any baseball hobby product, so I couldn't wait to dig in.

*takes a sip, begins to rip*

Every hobby box of 2020 Topps Opening Day comes with 36 packs of 7 cards each. Boxes have no guarantee hits and box prices have doubled from what they were from roughly $30 to $60 pushing $70 a hobby box.

*takes a sip of coffee*

The base card set consists of 200 cards. It uses the same design/photography of flagship Topps just a condensed checklist. The only other difference is the Opening Day logo in the bottom corner.

Gleyber for the PC!

Was expecting big things from Acuna this year, hopefully it will still come

 

Where did Vlad go...

 

The same strong rookies led by these guys above make an appearance on the Opening Day checklist as well. Luis Roberts first official rookie card made it's debut in this product and was one of the hottest cards in the hobby for quite some time. However it's a short print that falls 1:360 packs and is card 201. So if you're building the base set, no need to worry about adding it.

*takes another sip, begins to think about breakfast*

Parallel offerings in Opening Day are small, which isn't a bad thing. The following parallels can be found in this product, Red Foil (Target), Purple Foil (Meijer), Blue Foil, OD Black Foil 1/1, and Printing Plates 1/1.

 

These Opening Day blue foils fall 1:12 packs. I got excited to see a Bellinger.

*decides to wait a little longer on breakfast as a final decision on it still lingers*

There are multiple insert offerings in Opening Day with many in every box to find.

There are 15 Opening Day inserts, 1:2 odds, to collect. What's Opening Day without some form of Opening Day pictures within?

24 Mascots fall 1:5 packs. This has been a standby insert in this product line since the beginning

2020 Topps Sticker previews are featured in here as well. There are 10 cards/stickers to collect that fall 1:10 packs

 

Spring Has Sprung falls 1:7 packs and has 25 cards to collect. The checklist features players from the past, from today and rookies.

Then I found this card backwards in the pack...

Come to find out, I pulled an extremely rare insert find of one of the hottest players in baseball. At 1:740 odds, The Lighter Side Of Baseball falls with a 25 card checklist featuring those other fun moments in baseball you don't always see on cards.

*was excited to find the Tatis Jr, but was surprised to pull first ever hit from Opening Day*

What's this?? A hit from Opening Day? They do exist!! Does that mean that Big Foot does too? These Opening Day relics fall 1:937 packs which is completely insane. I was hoping for one of those dirt relics (always wanted one) from the Diamond Relic line but a hit is a hit from this product.

*a bagel with veggie cream cheese it is. toasts bagel, refills coffee and gets ready to close out this post*

The Cabrera relic hit and Tatis Jr short print were nice surprises and I was happy to also add some rookie cards I needed and a Judge and Gleyber for the PC. One of my favorite inserts in here are the Opening Day cards with it's photography and the parallels used in Opening Day are sometimes, including this years, better than flagships.

I know for the most part this product is aimed at the kids, but I think it's a fun break with surprises within. I also know plenty of adults who enjoy this one as much as I do. Or maybe we are just adult/kids. Either way, go give this one a try.

Ratings (ratings based on 1-5 🍵)

Design 🍵🍵🍵
Photography 🍵🍵🍵
Inserts 🍵🍵🍵
Hits 🍵🍵🍵 (most of the times, 9/10, this is non applicable)
Price 🍵🍵(based on today's values. If release time value this is a five cupper)
Value 🍵🍵(same as above)

Coffee Break:2020 Donruss Optic Baseball Blaster Box

*has already finished his morning coffee as it is now mid-morning, how can this be Cards Over Coffee today when I am already running late on the coffee part. Should I make a cup just for this post? contemplating....*

I feel like I am on a rare tear on here with four posts in a row. Something I haven't ever done on this blog as these posts take a good amount of time to write. But, today, I have some extra time on my hands and I am trying to catch up on a couple of recent breaks I had thanks to a couple of trades with my father. So here we are.

Today's break is a 2020 Donruss Optic baseball blaster box. This a newer Panini product that released not too long ago. So I was a little surprised how quickly I was actually able to get my hands onto some the way things are going in the hobby currently.

 

*still thinking over the coffee idea, but will break into this box some first*

In every blaster box of 2020 Donruss Optic baseball there are 27 cards. Those 27 cards are split up to 6 packs of 4 cards plus a 3 card pack of Pink Parallels and blasters are $20. There are no guarantees in here other than the pink parallels.

The base set and basis of this product is basically chroming everything that the regular Donruss offered. That's the easiest way to put it.

 

The base set is made up of 200 cards. First are the Optic Diamond Kings in the base set

Next are the Rated Rookies. Two things to note, Luis Robert is in here for you prospect chasers (I think some form of Jasson Dominguez as well) and what is up with my run of Brendan McKay cards?! That's the fourth I have found recently in my breaks.

The Rated Rookies are followed by the base cards and ending with All Stars which I didn't get any of in this break to show off.

 

Another thing I didn't get a lot of to show off in this break are the parallels which are aplenty in this product.

 

So if you're looking to build a rainbow, good luck.

They include,

BASE:Holo, Pink Velocity /199, Red/White/Blue /150, Black Stars /125, Orange /100, Spirit of 76 /76, Blue /75, Red /60, Carolina Blue /50, Teal Velocity /35, Black /25, Gold /10, Green /5, Eagle 1/1, and Gold Vinyl 1/1.

FOTL PARALLELS: Pandora /99, Pandora Blue /99, Pandora Purple /99, Pandora Red /99, Cracked Ice Blue /7, Cracked Ice Green /7, and Cracked Ice Red /7.

CHOICE PARALLELS: Red Dragon /88, Green Dragon /84, Liberty /45, and Freedom /45.

RETAIL PARALLELS: Carolina Blue & White, Lime Green, Pink, and Red Wave.

 

If you're keeping track at home, that's 30 parallels including two 1/1's. Though it would look amazing to build one, it will be quite the challenge.

I was just happy to find this Aaron Judge holo silver in my first pack. It's pretty stunning.

Which was my only other parallel besides the three promised pinks which were,

Joe Palumbo. I have no idea who this is

Shane Bieber. Which song does he sing again?

And Jorge Polanco. Those aren't the strongest names in the hobby.

Now that we have taken a look at those, time to move onto inserts!

*before I do that I gotta finish making my coffee, yeah you knew this was coming. I expect you to do the same*

 

Inserts have their own form of parallels but nothing like the base cards...fortunately. Just three to find with Holo, Gold #/10, Gold Vinyl 1/1.

There are 25 of these Retro Donruss 1986 inserts to chase.

Illusions looks really cool, I would imagine the parallels to it helps it stand out more. There are 15 of these to find.

Mike Trout! Alright! These Mythical have 15 cards to chase as well. Solid design here too.

Stained Glass. This card is eye popping. This is actually the holo silver parallel to it. My PC guy Gleyber and all. Solid way to end this break. 

*takes a sip of very hot coffee, then moves onto finishing up this post*

Well my first break of Donruss Optic baseball in some time was okay. The Trout, Judge and especially the Gleyber will be going straight to the PC. I am pretty happy with those. The base and other parts were weak, but overall was a fun break regardless.

However, don't think I felt strongly enough about it to go back for more. I haven't ever been a huge fan of Optic like I am with Prizm. Which coincidentally enough will be our next Coffee Break. Til then, drink your coffee while it's warm and have a good day.

Ratings (ratings based on 1-5 🍵)

Design 🍵🍵
Photography 🍵
Inserts 🍵🍵
Hits Not applicable
Price 🍵🍵
Value 🍵🍵🍵