Miracles

*brews an afternoon cup of hot joe, coffee not someone actually named Joe, to do a quick post for Cards Over Coffee. Let's get to this!*

Miracles happen every day. 

I haven't ever witnessed a big miracle in person, but have seen and heard stories of them happening. Things such as deaf babies hearing for the first time, Bible miracles where Jesus healed many with a simple touch from impossible situations, unsolved cold cases getting solved after decades, 105 year old's catching Covid-19 twice and surviving it, or missing people getting found are just a few examples of every day miracles.

*takes a sip, begins to tell a story*

I witnessed a very small miracle compared to those examples today myself.

Here is my story:

My wife randomly wanted to take the hour drive to Walmart today before my sister-in-law arrived for the weekend and I wasn't really feeling it. I don't really have the interest I once did in taking the trip to Walmart only to be disappointed checking out the card section and other than cards, I have no reason to even want to go. I have no other hobbies.

However, I said "let's do it anyways" and I went along for the trip. 

It was probably the McDonald's coffee I had just gotten doing the talking and convincing of me to go. Actually, I wasn't doing much talking after the first sip burned my tongue off. How does their coffee get so hot in comparison to others?!!

We arrived to the Walmart and I found myself in the store wanting to leave as soon as I entered, especially seeing the amount of people were shopping. Since Covid began, I don't like being anywhere near big crowds. 

I wanted to so badly rush out of there and started to turn away to leave before my wife insisted that I go and check out the card section while I was there and while she shopped. I figured might as well since the section was near the way out and that's when I witnessed my minor miracle.....

Donruss, Series 1 Tin, Topps Heritage, Leaf and Sage Hit 2021 football, oh my!

For the first time in months, I found cards at my local Walmart (the one box of Optic football I found awhile back was at a further away Walmart). I was in both shock and awe as I stood there staring at the section like I was staring at a supermodel. I could even feel the drool hang from the corner of my mouth.

*takes a sip; dripping some out of the mouth from seeing this picture again. In comparison, this picture was 90's Cindy Crawford good*

I immediately called, literally used my phone since she was in another section, my wife to come over to reassure me it wasn't a mirage. She not only pinched me, but assured me what I was seeing was actual cards. Even put one in my hand and I could feel it.

Wow.

Wow.

Did I say Wow yet?

Wow.

*takes another sip*

Knowing my funds are never great, I knew I couldn't take everything, not that I would ever do that anyways. I was actually hopeful that some kid or someone like myself who collects would land some of it after I left. Odds are though, some flippers came through after I left and bought it all like they usually do. Except it usually happens before I arrive.

At least my timing and payday helped me land a few fun things for myself. I plan to open those for future posts on here. Honestly and surprisingly, I still haven't opened a single pack yet as I am going to soak this in for awhile as I know I may never see this again.

*takes another sip feeling pretty good for once about the Walmart trip*

My miracle today was more comparable to to a bald man finding one strand of extra hair on his head then it is to something bigger such as someone beating Cancer, but it's still a miracle I got to witness and be apart of. It counts for something I think.

*takes another sip and smiles this time knowing some wax is awaiting to be opened, Coffee Card Blogger out!*

Coffee Break:2021 Topps Opening Day

*warm weather, baseball is underway, and cup of coffee. Does life get any better? Well, it does when the football season kicks off for me. But, this is definitely 1B*

I have never been to Opening Day in my life and have only been to a ballpark four times. But, it doesn't mean I don't celebrate opening day from home the way that most would at the ballpark.

Grilled hot dogs were the agenda for Opening Day this year. I don't know about you, but you have to darken them up a little to fully bring out their full flavor.

And before you ask, I didn't eat all of these to myself :)

Another thing I like to do around Opening Day is to open some Opening Day. Yes, this product isn't for the flippers, but it's for fun. Remember those days??

I didn't find any retail but am glad to at least have this chance to open some hobby.

*takes a sip, begins to rip*

Every hobby box of 2021 Topps Opening Day has 36 packs of 7 cards. Boxes are a little steep this year, once again like every product is, falling at $60 on average. But, it depends where you buy it I suppose. Boxes have no guarantees either.

*takes a sip before digging more into the product*

The base set is built up of 220 cards using the Series 1 design.

This is a great photo.

These are a bit hairy....I mean great as well.

There are some of the top rookies to be had as well and I was impressed to find them all. Though my Bohm sadly had an iffy corner.

*takes another sip, moves onto parallels*

Only two parallels to be found in Opening Day but they are stunners in Blue Foil OD Edition and Opening Day 1-of-1. I absolutely love these blue parallels that put every parallel in Series 1 to shame. They fall 1:9 packs. 

*now onto the inserts*

Mascots fall 1:3 packs. Even though these are in here every year, I never get tired of seeing them.

Legends Of Baseball fall 1:3 packs as well.

Opening Day falls 1:5 packs.

 

Outstanding Opening Day falls 1:8 packs

And my final insert..

At first what I thought was a subset card, turns out to be a Walk This Way insert that falls 1:321 packs!

Not a bad pull!

Usually I am all done with this review but for the first time ever in any Opening Day break I have had...I found a HIT!

Falling at 1:810 packs is Major League Momentos. This one I landed is of Joey Bart.

*takes a sip before finishing up this post and break*

Opening Day was fun. That's really what the product has always been about for both kids and kid adults. I do wish they would bring back the Ballpark foods insert, I really liked those. Maybe I can send in a suggestion or simply send a picture of my hotdog stack and try to get myself into the set. What do you guys think?

*time to get on with the day, Coffee Card blogger out*

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

Design 🍵🍵🍵

Photography 🍵🍵🍵

Inserts 🍵🍵

Hits 🍵🍵🍵

Price 🍵🍵

Value 🍵🍵

Coffee Break:2021 Topps Heritage Baseball Hobby Break

*takes a sip, begins the day. Another new post on Cards Over Coffee is heading your way!*

It was only just a few days ago when I posted my blaster box break of 2021 Topps Heritage, now I am going to show off what you could find in a Hobby Box break.

So sit down, enjoy a cup of coffee and let's see how we do with this rip.

*takes me a sip, begins to rip*

There are 24 packs of 9 cards in every hobby box of 2021 Topps Heritage baseball. There is one autograph or relic card per box with most boxes giving you that relic. At least that's my past experience with breaking Heritage. Each Hobby Box will run you $130.

Boxes will also come with a box Topper that could be either a Oversized 1972 Topps Baseball or a 1972 Topps Baseball Posters or a

1972 Topps Baseball Originals which literally popped out of the box into my hands when I opened it. Luckily for me the coffee was on the other side.

*takes another sip feeling fortunate that Fergie didn't take dive into coffee, though I wouldn't blame him this morning if he is as tired as I am*

The product takes you back to the 1972 design and is also a pretty large set for modern day collecting. I believe Heritage is the biggest base set out there with this one coming in with 500 cards. Say it with me....FIVE....HUNDRED. That's 5 and two 00's.

The base set focuses on player poses more than actual action photography. It also breaks down into Veteran Base and subsets of

League Leaders

Postseason Highlights

Boyhood Photos Of The Stars

In Action (and another League Leader appearance)

Rookie Stars

 

MLB Awards

There are also short prints, no surprise there. Cards 400-500 are short printed and found 1:3 packs. It will be a challenge to complete this set, fortunately for me I have no interest in chasing it. I also didn't include a picture this time of the short prints because they look just like base.

As in past releases of Heritage, there are Variation cards to find as well.

I pulled this Action Variation of Fernando Tatis Jr. These fall 1:52 packs.

What I like most about their Variations is you don't need to stare down the codes on the back as they tell you what the variation is up by the card number on the back. Most of the time the variation cards will be facing downward in your pack letting you know you pulled one.

*takes a gulp and thinks about what the breakfast plans could be*

Now to take a look at parallels. Parallels in Heritage are not crazy like in other releases out there.

Here are the base cards parallels you could find, Red Border (3 per Target Mega Box), Black Border (50 copies), Flip Stock (5 copies) and French Variation for Cards 1-400.

There are also chrome parallels to find as well. I think most consider these inserts more than parallels, but not me. It's a parallel of the actual base card, so it's a parallel people!!

 

I pulled a base Chrome of Keston Hiura. These fall 1:92 packs now.

Of course with anything chrome, you find more parallels. The ones you could find are,

Blue Sparkle, Purple Hot Box, Base Refractor /572, Red /372, Black /72, Gold /5, and SuperFractor 1/1.

*takes another sip before moving onto the inserts*

The Great One is a 25 card set of Roberto Clemente falling 1:18 packs.

New Age Performers. There are 25 of them to chase and they fall 1:15 packs.

Baseball Flashbacks that fall 1:25 packs.

News Flashbacks have 15 cards to collect and fall 1:25 packs. I like the non sport version of these and need to find the Price Is Right version for my collection at some point.

And my final insert,

Then And Now of Seaver and DeGrom. Overall there are 15 cards in the set to collect and fall 1:15 packs.

*takes another sip, gets up to stretch since this review has already taken an hour to type. Goes and grabs some Cherry Turnovers to bake. Turns on the oven, gets ready to finish up the box breakdown*

Well, as I thought would happen, I pulled a relic. Picture my shocked face.

*done typing, needs to get on with the day as a lot of things to do around the house now that the sun and warm weather has finally appeared.*

I like the base card design for this years Heritage. Box prices are a tad high for one hit but it's expected with the way the market has been as of recent.

There are some really nice hits to find in Heritage, you just need to have better luck with it than I do.

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

Design 🍵🍵🍵
Photography 🍵🍵
Inserts 🍵🍵
Hits 🍵
Price 🍵🍵
Value 🍵

90's On The 9th:1997 Revolution Ring Bearer Mark Brunell

*takes a sip of fresh coffee, I prefer to brew a cup just before I sit down to do my latest post and not let it sit around. Cold coffee is only good if it's iced coffee from Dunkin*

Yesterday was 80's On The 8th so today only made sense to have a 90's version of it.

Just like with the 80's on the 8th, every 9th of a month I will post a 90's card or card set and elaborate some information on it.

So let's check out today's card.

*takes a sip before the show off*

Today's card I grabbed very cheaply compared to most sales of these snagging it for only $4.

The 1997 Revolution Ring Bearers inserts were rare finds falling at 1:121 packs.

These cards are die cut into a championship ring and have foil and is embossing. There is also some laser cut technology around each of the "jewels" on the ring bringing this overall design together. 

The back of the card talks about the featured player but doesn't possess the pizzazz the front of the card has. It's still a great looking card on the back as well.

There are 12 of these in the set and its a set I don't plan to chase as it could get very expensive.

*takes a sip as closes out today's post to publish*

*coffee card blogger out*

80's On The 8th:1986 Topps Bruce Smith

*takes a sip, begins to think through how to begin the latest new series on here. Takes another sip, then another and well you know*

Today kicks off a new segment on here. Every 8th of every month I will be posting an 80's card or 80's set and try my best to elaborate on said item.

Today I kick it off with a 1986 Topps Bruce Smith rookie.

When I think of 1986 Topps, I mainly think of Jerry Rice. But sometimes I forget about all of the other star rookies that were in the set such as Reggie White, Andre Reed and Bruce Smith.

Bruce Smith was elected to the NFL Hall Of Fame in 2009 after spending his time in the NFL from 1985-2003 recording 200 sacks and over 1200 tackles. He was a force along that Bills defensive line but sadly was a salary cut in 1999 where he then ended his last few career years with the Washington Redskins. It was really weird to see him in anything but a Bills uniform.

 

Smith is card number 389 in the 396 card set.

I have most of the key cards now from the '86 set thanks to Wes for sending along the Smith. I have Reed, Young, White and one of the very few graded cards in my collection in the Jerry Rice rookie which I won in a contest years ago.

I don't plan to chase the '86 Topps set but I will admit I do like the design.

*takes a sip to finish up this post*

*coffee card blogger out*

Easter

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life

*sits down for a cup of coffee and to type today's post. It's Easter, a special day for me. Before reading on, be sure to know ahead of time that this post will not include any cards.*

Easter. It hasn't always looked the way it does to me now. 

Growing up, my parents were far from religious so Easter for me was always about the candy and some creepy bunny who would bring it to me. I had the same grouping of candy every year to look forward to. Some I liked more than others but knowing I come from a poor family it was usually the knock off/cheaper chocolates.

I would always find one of those 12 foam egg carton of chocolate covered marshmallow eggs, a package of Peeps (back when they were just normal flavors), and some knockoff brand Jelly Beans which I only picked the black ones out of. Yup, I am a rare breed who only likes the black Jelly Beans. I actually used to trade baseball cards on recess for them and kids were more than happy to oblige and trade them to me.

John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

The final candy I would get is still one of my favorite Easter treats in a Cadbury's Creme Egg. I know just as many people who love and hate these. To me, it's the difference between being right and being wrong. Be on the right side :)

The inner creme is kind of disgusting to look at, but is heaven to eat. I would always save this treat for last as it's meant to be savored.

*takes a sip, craves to eat one of those right now with my coffee*

As an adult, Easter has a deeper meaning for me. After I married my wife I came to know Easter time as the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I won't dig into all of the details of the Easter Story on here, but all you really need to know is that Jesus died for our sins on a cross on Good Friday, otherwise known as the Friday before Easter, and was not found in the tomb he was buried in on that Sunday or as we know it as Easter and it was all according to scripture. He was resurrected! Jesus has Risen to save us!

And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. Luke 24:34

So today, we thank the Lord for all that he has done for us and I think during these trying times we need Him more than ever now. My wife's family usually gathers together for a Easter celebration lunch. However, just like last year, there won't be any get together because of the pandemic but we will be sharing food from afar and thanking Jesus for it and for saving us.

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

Now just because Easter doesn't have the same meaning to me it did when I was a child doesn't mean I go candy-less.

My wife found me this rather large egg full of those Cadbury Creme Eggs. I believe there was were 16 of them in here. I am currently working on eating the last one right now.

And yes, I still get black jelly beans, this time I just buy the bag straight up that way. If I didn't, I would need to make a trading card tab on here to see if I could acquire some like the old days.

Happy Easter everyone!

*God bless,coffee card blogger out*

"Now don't be afraid, and go tell my brothers, And they will spread word to all of the others. If you have faith and truly believe, I'll live in your heart, And your life I won't leave.”

100

*cup of coffee ready, computer up and running and now it's time for some Cards Over Coffee*

100 is a special number. It's a nice round crisp number and I love my numbers.

It's probably the amount of cups of coffee I had for the month of March. It's probably close to the number of cards I added for the year so far as well. And it's now the number of posts that you guys have read on Cards Over Coffee. 

Welcome to post number 100.

Today, I will be showing off my latest trade with Cards Over Coffee reader, Oren, who I have now completed three trades with.

*takes a sip, maybe I can do 100 of those before this post is over*

Oren knows I am a huge non sport card collector. It doesn't matter if I have watched the show or movie. It doesn't even matter what company produced the item as I have non sport cards from Cryptozoic, Topps, Panini, and Leaf just to name a few. It also doesn't matter if I already have the item. I will take it all.

Oren had emailed me of two non sport card items he recently found and knew they would fit my collection.

First up is this wardrobe relic of a Terminus Resident from the AMC show, The Walking Dead. I have never seen an episode of the show, but know of it. It's one of those I hope to watch later on in life. I was a huge horror fan growing up and enjoyed movies like Night Of The Living Dead, Day Of The Dead and Dawn Of The Dead but since I have become an adult I have fallen more for comedies.

The second card has a Stamp Relic from 1969 embedded from it from 2019 Historic Autographs 1969 product. I think this is super cool and it's just like coins in cards with it being two hobbies in one.

Two very nice additions to the non sport collection. I would try to use the 100 here, but I know I am well above 100 non sport autograph/relic cards.

What do you guys think about the stamp relic cards like this by the way?

*takes a sip before finishing up this post*

Thanks again to Oren for yet another great trade. I look forward to our next one.

As a closing statement, thank you to every one of you coffee and card heads who have come here and read my keyboarding rambles for 100 times. Stay tuned for another 100 or more posts that I hope you come back for.

*tips my mug towards the computer to give you cheers, coffee card blogger out*