My Kind Of Unboxing

There are a lot of people who like to watch unboxing videos, I am not one of those people, but I do like unboxing stuff and when I get a message from long time reader and friend Grady M that something was on it's way, then I know I must get ready mentally.

Because he always sends the fun stuff.

I received my latest Grady Box for unboxing over a month ago. I have unboxed every box but have not had the time to sort it out and get pictures ready for the blog. The cards remain in the boxes still.

For now the best I can offer all of your eyes is the top card viewing. But, believe me, when I get to actually post from these, your eyes will be exposed to some amazing stuff. Inside of these boxes are base, inserts, and fun stuff galore from all over the sports world and some non sports.

For now, just take a sneak peek. A very minimal sneak peek.

There you have it.....for now.

Hope you enjoyed this sneak peek.

Soon you will see what my kind of unboxing is like.

In the meantime, sip your coffee and have a great rest of your day.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

It's Not Always About Sports

It's not always about sports. 

I also collect a ton of non-sports and probably this year alone, I would say I have almost acquired more non-sports than sports.

One of my latest trades came on X from @CalvinThomas88. He and I pulled off a trade already earlier this year and just like that one, I sent him stuff he wanted (Cubs inserts) and I got exactly what I wanted, these,

Pieces Of The Past dual relic featuring Picasso and Rockwell.

Looks like a newspaper swatch featuring MLK.

Civil War penny relic from Pieces Of The Past

 

My favorite relic of the group, Nelson Mandela. I cannot tell what this swatch is, but I just really liked it.

And finally, 1962 Topps Death To The Enemy vintage card.

Some great pickups, thanks again for the trade @CalvinThomas88.

My collection of non-sports will only continue to grow over time. I am actually working on a big trade right now for a key card for my PC. One I have wanted for awhile and hopefully have enough remaining trade bait to pull it off...because it's not always about sports.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Feeling Nostalgic Recently

I have been feeling so nostalgic recently.

I don't know what's causing it but I have bene picking up a lot of cards recently that focus on that.

Cards such as 90's inserts/parallels, favorite players growing up and even some flashback cartoons for me that I enjoyed.

One set that I felt I had to complete was the 1989 Topps Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles stickers. I was a HUGE TMNT fan in the 80's and 90's between the cartoon series and the two movies. We will ditch the third one, that was bad.

I found the stickers to be really cool mostly because of the yellow, despite how much I can't stand it on 1991 Fleer, its what brings these to life.

It took me a few weeks and a few trades, but I pulled it off. One sticker that was tough to land was Sticker #10 which is the one I am starting off with.

 

This one was actually the last one I needed to complete the set and thanks to @TheRealOmegaDad I was able to complete it. He RAK'd me this one.

Here are the rest,

 

If you flip the cards over, altogether they create a cool puzzle:

 

The back of Splinter helps show us what the puzzle looks like for those of us who can't do puzzles. Raise your hand if you can't because I have both of my arms up high.

Now I am hoping to do the base set as well and I am miles away from it. Just another set goal I can add to my list. I really need to just make a list of sets I want and see if any of you have them available.

In comments today, let me know your favorite turtle. Mine is and always has been Leo. I grew up as Leo. I also like Shredder and Baxter Stockmon for my villains. We all have a favorite villain.

Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Not Going To "Wine" Over These

 Has it really been almost a month since my last post?

Apparently so.

Life has just been busy with sports, "life stuff" and college that I haven't really had the time to come on here and do my thang.

 

But through all of that, one thing has remained, my coffee has been hot.

*takes a sip, burns tongue, then proceeds to take another sip. glutton for punishment in the best way*

A couple days ago, my mother-in-law showed up out of the blue. I think the winds were blowing her broom here, just kidding.

Or am I?

Anyways, I opened the door like I always do and she comes in carrying an assortment of random items like she usually does. Not to get fully into detail since that's not what you came here for, think of it as someone who yard sales for stuff you don't need or want most of the time.

 

Except this time she also came carrying in these two wine boxes that she placed on the table. She looks over at me and goes, "these are for you."

Knowing that I don't drink, I assumed there was something better than wine in these boxes.

 

And I was right!

Both boxes were full to the tilt of baseball cards from what appeared a variety of years. I didn't really have a lot of time to dig through the treasure so I took a quick handful to give myself an idea what I may be looking at.

My concern was that it was going to be full of 1991 Fleer or 1988 Topps. Two of the worst sets in history to me and ones she always seemed to find for me.

However, these boxes weren't that. They me be something I won't "wine" about.

Here is a quick glance and I will let you be the judge,

This is as far as I got with the boxes so far. She told me she spent $10 a piece on them. I assume she got her monies worth but until I have time to do more investigation into that, I cannot say for sure.

I do know for me, it will be worth it. Just being able to look at these few cards was worth the weight in money so far. I am curious what else lies within and she told me the place she bought them from had another seven. If these turn out good, maybe I will have to talk her into getting more.

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

*coffee has cooled off some*

*another sip*

This is one of the weirdest things I have ever received cards in but seems like a good box to store them in. Very sturdy.

What's one of the weirdest things you have received cards in?

It was great being able to drop a new post and a quick hello. Hope everyone is doing great, hopefully another new post soon.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

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*

Card #600 Of 2026 Has Arrived

It's here!

Card #600 of 2026 is in hand and sitting next to me.

As I said with Card #500, these cards may or may not be something mind blowing.

Today's is a simple Stadium Club base card of Derek Jeter from 2025 Stadium Club.

 

This is my first look at 2025 Stadium Club thanks to my buddy Grady M. The weird thing is that these base cards have gone way downhill. He included a few in the box of cards I got from him, and I feel the photography wasn't like it once was and the base cards are made of toilet paper. What happened to the card stock on these? It's non-existent. But I had a feeling Fanatics would find a way to mess up cards.

Let me know your thoughts on 2025 Stadium Club if you had any in-hand. Would love to hear your thoughts in comments!

Other than that, have a Super Sunday!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Card #500 Of 2026 Has Arrived

*coffee is ready, takes a sip*

*feels refreshed*

*gets to posting*

Well, I am not sure if you guys will be ready or not, but I will be going on a streak of these kind of posts just to get caught up on them.

I finally have updated my numbers fully on here now, so with every milestone I hit, I made a note of which card arrived or was counted at that time. Some will be base cards, some may be cool cards.

So, let's get to celebrating Card #500 for today.

 

I have been wanting this base card for some time now and finally am happy to have it. This has to be one of the coolest images ever used on a base card. The fact it looks 3D jumping right out at you and even gets onto the border of the card which I have never seen before, this is a winner.

This is the way to celebrate a 500th card of the year.

Now, I want to know in comments. Is this the best base card photo you have seen or does one overrule it? Let me know in comments if you agree and if you don't, what card you would choose.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Friday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Coffee Break:2026 Topps Baseball Series 1 Easter Egg Tin

*coffee is ready, pictures are in the post, time to party*

*takes a sip*

I am a little late to the party on this post, but here it is anyways for you enjoyment and eyes.

When February hits, it means the Super Bowl, NASCAR, creeping closer towards spring and some girls that set up at Walmart and sell me cookies.

Because they know every year I am buying.

And with every year, I have to get a box of my favorites, Samoas. I wished I had gotten more than one box.

 

Then I had to grab my second favorite cookie, Do-Si-Dos. I am not one for the chocolate covered peanut butter ones, I am all in on these though.

And finally and disappointingly, they didn't make S'mores this year as they replaced it with a new one,

Exploremores, which is terrible by the way. Bring back S'mores!!

I should set up at their location and protest for them to bring it back!

But, I will wait on that. 

At least they have my Somoas still. If those ever leave, well, you will see me walking those picket lines and I will be the one with the microphone on the news.

*takes a bite of Somoa to go with the freshly brewed cup of coffee*

I suppose February also brings along something else. Something that every baseball collector counts down to. What's this? A new season of baseball cards being kicked off by 2026 Topps Series 1.

And even though baseball cards are not on my radar like they used to be, it's still fun to open a new product of a new year and I always find a way to open some version of Series 1 yearly.

So I went egg this time. Usually the only egg I go for are those Cadbury ones that are stuffed with that delicious gooey insides.

Each one of these Easter Eggs comes with 54 base cards, 2 holiday variations, 1 polka dot parallel, 1 1991 Topps insert, and 1 Stars of MLB or Titans of the Game insert. They run about $15 each.

I didn't feel like posting all 59 cards since it was a pretty lame/boring break, but here are the key cards I found in it,

 

The parallels look cool. That's about it. I feel Topps has beaten the Stars Of The MLB insert into the ground and I am tired of seeing it. Just like they did with the 87 and 88 throwbacks.

Overall, it was boring, didn't even hit the one rookie I wanted, Anthony (this is from a Red Sox hater too), and didn't feel like I got my $15 back. But, that's the chance you take and ripping stuff is still fun. I think if I was going to rip Series 1 again, I go blaster. It's much more fun to rip more than one pack. Odds are though, I won't open anymore and will just try to get the Anthony rookie and any Griffey inserts especially the Profiles one of Judge and Griffey.

Ratings (ratings based on 1-5 🍵)

Design 🍵🍵
Photography 🍵
Inserts: 🍵
Hits N/A
Price 🍵
Value 🍵

There are my ratings. Just take them as it is because that's what they are.

Let me know in comments your thoughts on my break, my evaluation of Series 1, the Stars Of The MLB inserts and what your favorite Girl Scout Cookie is.

Hope everyone is having a magnificent Monday. I know I am. I have coffee, cookies and fifty degrees. Couldn't ask for more today.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Coffee Break:2025 Topps Archives Baseball Blaster Box

*it's too late for coffee, but, not too late for a post*

As I sit here finishing up my homework for the week, I decided that maybe I had time for a blog post as well.

Especially since family is visiting and playing Boggle with my wife. I refuse to play word games. No Scrabble, no Boggle. I don't have the brain compacity for that.

So, I will blog which is just enough for my brain compacity.

ESPECIALLY WITHOUT COFFEE.

The easiest thing I have to blog about tonight is a blaster box of 2025 Topps Archives Baseball I got for free from a contest win on Twitter from @NavyYardNats.

Let's rip it!

Each blaster box of 2025 Topps Archives baseball comes with 7 packs of 8 cards. Each blaster is roughly $20-$25 depending on where you buy.

There are no guarantees other than 4 exclusive parallels.

*yawns, hears family laughing over a long word that I don't get*

*tries to join in on the fun, but dropped a lame dad joke*

*back to blogging*

Archives is a fun product seeing new and old players in designs you may not have seen them in before.

This year's has 1964, 1996, and 2005.

Here they are,

 

 

 

Now onto the four black parallels,

 

 

(PC card alert)

and finally,

 

Now onto the inserts,

 

Juan Soto All-Star insert

Brookes Lee Boardwalk

Jazz Chisholm Jr Boardwalk

And that was it. Nothing too exciting and to be honest, it was a boring break. Not something I will go back and break again.

Ratings (ratings based on 1-5 🍵)

Design 🍵🍵🍵
Photography 🍵
Inserts: 🍵
Hits N/A
Price 🍵
Value 🍵

Thanks again to @NavyYardNats for the contest box break!

Hope everyone has a good night sleep, that's where I am heading counting down to coffee in the morning.

Let me know your thoughts on this break and product in comments.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*