The Blogger National 2022

*sits down, takes a sip of coffee. opens keyboard, begins to type today's newest post*

This week kicks off the 42nd time I will be missing The National Sports Collectors Convention. It's not that I don't want to go, but it's too expensive, too far away and now with Covid starting to ramp up again, I don't want to expose myself to sickness to the thousands that go.

I am good with where I will be instead. Sitting behind the keyboard, not spending money I don't have, or traveling to a place I don't know and not exposing myself to sickness.

Doesn't that sound good to you too?

So instead, I thought that those of us who aren't going and just sitting behind our keyboards or phone could host a Blogger National. What is a Blogger National? Well, it's a blog-bat-around where you just take one post (or multiple if you so choose) in the next few days and dedicate it to showing off your coolest cards or your most favorite cards or a recent mail day you hadn't posted yet using the blog post title, The Blogger National 2022. 

Try to find the cards that are show worthy to you. You know, the dazzling cards that would attract all of the people over to your table (blog).

I received some show worthy cards in my latest mail day from blog reader Oren and will start The Blogger National 2022 today with them.

*takes a sip before continuing on with today's post*

My latest mail day from Oren was a fun mixed bag of goodies. Not that my previous mail day from him that included cards from The Lion King and Batman were bad, but this one stands out.

IT'S SHOW TIME! (picture this line being done in the voice of Jim Carrey from The Grinch)

A new pink Unleashed Pink Fireworks parallel of Luis Robert. I am still collecting all of these and the 2021 version looks better than the 2022 one.

Not sure what this is, but I like it. Shiny, kind-of non-sport.

This basic parallel looks better than some of the parallels that are produced today. I still add these when I can. Someday I need to add the Griffey.

I don't like many inserts before 1995, but the ones I do are usually from basketball. Basketball has always had the best-looking inserts.

Speaking of best-looking inserts, I can't remember a time I actually like an insert or anything from Gypsy Queen. These Gypsy Gems look great. I didn't open any GQ this year so this is my first card from it. If only the gem included was a relic of a gem, how great would that be??

For all of you 1995 Fleer haters, I guess you don't remember these inserts. Together these make a puzzle. I already have one set, when Oren offered up another almost complete one, I took it. Will hopefully add the Marshall Faulk again and finish this one up again.

This card was a great add to the trade just as it was.....

But adding the parallel to match it, wow. That refractor pops!! If that card isn't show-worthy, then I don't know what is.

And you have to include this Sweet Strokes card to that list as well.

Thanks again to Oren for the trade and the "show" cards.

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

I am hopeful many of you will join in on this. Usually my Blog-Bat-Arounds go nowhere but maybe this one will catch your attention.

And for those of you who read this and don't have a blog, feel free to post them on social media and use the hashtag, #TheBloggerNational2022. I will be on the lookout for that hashtag on all social media platforms. Well, except TikTok. I haven't joined that at all yet and don't plan to.

Hope everyone has a great day. Remember to tell a loved one you love them today. Maybe even visit them for a cup of coffee.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Coffee Break:2022 Topps Heritage Hobby Box

*takes a sip, gets ready for the newest post on #CardsOverCoffee which is another fun Coffee Break. takes another sip and let's go!*

It's early I know, but it's time for another Coffee Break on Cards Over Coffee. I hope you have your brew in hand and are ready to check out the latest post. I know I have my coffee and I have my cards so let's see how today's break goes.

*takes a sip...or two, begins to rip*

Every hobby box of 2022 Topps Heritage baseball comes with 24 packs of 9 cards. Each box comes with 1 autograph or relic and a box topper (not pictured in this post but it was Pete Alonso) and each box costs roughly $100.

This years product also takes us back to 1973 for it's base card design.

BASE:

HUGE base set is what Topps Heritage is all about with 400 cards plus 100 short prints making it a 500 total card set.

There are veterans like Mike Trout with posed photos (some veterans have action photos)

Along with Rookies (yes Wander to)

World Series

A little surprise by adding a legend into the mix

Topps Gold Cup

Home Run Leaders

League Leaders

Rookie Trios

And then the High Number Short Prints make up the last 100 cards that fall 1:3 packs. As a set collector myself, I like the challenge and it puts added value on base card sets. That's something we don't see in today's collecting society.

*takes a sip before moving on with this post. some breakfast sounds good as well*

PARALLELS/SP'S

Parallels,

French Text /73, Black Border (50 copies), Flip Stock (5 copies).

Base Card Variations,'
Error Short Prints, Player Icon Color Swap, Team and Name Swap, Throwback Uniform, Image, and Nicknames.

Usually, each box will come with one, mine is an Image Swap.

Back of the card near the number tells you what variation it is. The card was also in the pack backwards so I knew I had one. I must also note since we are looking at the back of the card, with the black backs, these cards get damaged very easily. Just by looking at this through the screen I am sure it has whiting somewhere on it now. That was an issue I had in every pack.

Topps Heritage Chrome

Each box usually has one of these /999, I wished they would make this a set, and they come with the following parallels,

Hot Box Refractor, Refractor /673, Red /573, Silver /373, Green /273, Black /73, Gold /5, and SuperFractor 1/1.

Green /273

INSERTS:

New Age Performers has 25 cards of the newest players in the league.

News Flashbacks and Baseball Flashbacks bring you back to the biggest news of 1973. I like the News Flashbacks myself for my non sport PC. Each one has 15 cards in their respective sets.

Then and Now has 15 cards and features a player of today compared to one of the past. Not quite sure if Robbie Ray is a good one in this case. Or if anyone is.

HITS:

9.9 percent of the time, you will pull a relic card. 9.8 percent of that time, it will be a plain swatch Clubhouse Collection.

 

And that's what I find every time. At least it's a Game Used relic.

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

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

I always enjoy opening Topps Heritage and even though there are some massive hits to be found, I don't focus on that part as I never pull one. I treat the hit as a bonus. It's all about the base, inserts and especially chrome for me.

I know many of you will hate this thought, but a chromed Heritage product would be beautiful. I would probably shorten the base set down some. Maybe 150 veterans and legends, 25 rookie and 75 short prints kind of set.

Thoughts on this product is welcomed below.

Have a great Friday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Ripping 2021 Before 2022

*sits down finally to do today's post. electricity was out so no coffee until now as well. it was a long start to the morning but here I am and ready for a new post*

*takes a sip*

This week is the long-awaited arrival of a new baseball card season as 2022 Topps Series 1 kicks off. Though we may not have baseball for a while, we can at least anticipate the excitement that the new baseball card season can bring.

Today, a lot of group breakers are celebrating by ripping packs a day before tomorrow's release. So, I thought I would join in on the fun, except I am ripping a Hobby Box of last year's Series 1. Either way, let's join in on the celebration, sit down with a cup of coffee and let's see some #CardsOverCoffee.

Each hobby box of 2021 Topps Series 1 baseball comes with 24 packs of 14 cards along with one autograph or most likely found relic per box. There is also one four-card silver pack that tags along. Boxes are still hanging around just under $100.

*takes a sip, begins to rip*

I have never once pulled an autograph from the silver packs and most of mine have provided poor player results as well.

 

I am happy to inform you that luck continued with today's break. Don Mattingly was as good as it got in the pack. By the way, when seeing the last 15 years of '86 Topps being included in its flagship and update series as a celebratory insert, if it's done this way, I am okay with it.

*takes a sip before showing off the rest of the break. I need my coffee infusion before doing so*

You usually end up with a few parallels, nothing like it used to be, in every break. Out of the parallels I will say that Rainbow Foil still remains my favorite.

Here's another rainbow foil and my one and only gold /2021 of Austin Riley.

A new Griffey for the PC....

Mo knows how to "cut" down the batters

They haven't revisited this design for an insert...oh wait....

Short Print! I didn't pull one in my box break last year for Series 1. I know of a person I will send this too!

And DRUMROLL for my hit...it came in the last pack and I felt this was the moment I was going to pull an autograph....

And nope. Another relic card. At least this time it wasn't Albert Pujols. Needed to pull this in 2020 Topps and not 2021. At least there is a stripe on the relic.

Well, not too much happening with this break. I do like the Williams Sp and Robert wasn't a terrible pull. It's also numbered too.

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

I am not sure when I will get my hands onto any 2022, but hopefully sooner rather than later. I will be hunting down the Franco rookie card for my rookie collection.

In comments today, thoughts on my break, thoughts on 2022 Topps Series 1 and what are you looking for in the product when it releases.

In the meantime, have a great Tuesday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Coffee Break:2020 Topps Chrome Baseball Value Pack

*coffee is poured, pack is ready to be open and I am ready for some Cards Over Coffee*

I have stated this many times how much of a fan I am of Topps Chrome. I have been a Chromie since 1996 and don't ever expect to change. I still wished that Topps had a slice of the football action and made Topps Chrome football but for now Prizm will have to do.

I didn't have a lot of success with Topps Chrome up to this point with the little bit I was able to find, but maybe today is the day.

*takes a sip, begins to rip*

In every Value Pack of 2020 Topps Chrome baseball, there are 3 packs of 4 cards of Topps Chrome and a 3 card pack of Pink Parallels. Each Value pack currently goes for $35.

Summary: The base set of Topps Chrome is a condensed Flagship set. There are 200 base card of veterans and rookie content led by Luis Robert who I have a Chrome rookie card of in a previous break.

There is plenty of refractors in the product knowing its chrome. There are, Refractor, Prism, Pink, X-Fractor , Negative, Purple /299, Blue /150, Green /99, Green Wave /99, Blue Wave /75, Gold Refractor /50, Gold Wave /50, Orange /25, Orange Wave /25, Red /5, Red Wave /5, SuperFractor 1/1, and Printing Plates 1/1.

There is a half dozen inserts in Chrome but all look spectacular and come with parallels of Green /99, Gold /50, Orange /25, Red /5, and SuperFractor 1/1.

Rookie and veteran content make up the on-card autographs in Topps Chrome.

Let's see how the break goes,

 

*takes a sip, thinks about something sugary for breakfast. Sugar and non caffeinated coffee mix well together.*

I was pretty happy with this break. Two Roberts including an insert and rookie, and a couple other cards I know that I can easily use for trade bait. I would rank this up there pretty high when it comes to retail ripping for me in terms of a value break.

I hope everyone enjoyed a cup during this break, if not, don't let your coffee get cold.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Coffee Break:2021 Donruss Blaster Box #2

 *Cup of joe is ready and so am I, let's do this Coffee Break!*

 

2021 Donruss Baseball Blaster Box

88 Cards Per Box

11 Holo Purple Per Blaster

5 Rapture Parallels Per Blaster

$19.99 Per Blaster

Summary:Donruss comes hard hitting with shiny inserts and parallels once again. I know the logos don't exist but I am huge fan regardless especially of the inserts and this years Unleashed.

The base set consists of 262 cards which is base, Diamond Kings, Rated Rookies and 1987 Redux. 

There are also multitude of parallels to find, which many you will find in a blaster box. These include, Holo Blue, Holo Orange, Holo Pink, Holo Purple, Holo Red, Independence Day, Liberty, Red /2021, Career Stat Line /500 or less, Season Stat Line /400, One Hundred /100, On Fire /75, Presidential Collection /50, Mask Emoji /19, Artist Proof /10, Press Proof /5, Number One 1/1, and Printing Plates 1/1.

Donruss also brings back plenty of past insert themes along with new ones in 2021 along with a powerful lineup of hits with autographs from Sammy Sosa to relic cards of Babe Ruth.

*takes a sip, begins to rip*

Here are the key cards I found in this break:

 

 

 

This break wasn't quite as good as the first blaster box, but I still managed to land a solid PC card in the Aaron Judge parallel. Also a new Unleashed for my possible set chase, which I will elaborate on that another time.

Thanks for stopping by, hope you had a good time and hope you had a great cup of coffee.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*