Addiction as Therapy Giveaway #3 – 2017 Topps Heritage
It’s time for my annual thank you giveaway to my readers!
On Wednesday I’ll be purchasing my first hobby box of the set and shipping out a sealed pack from the box to anywhere from two-four lucky readers!
To be in the drawing for a pack all you need to do is comment on this post once. I’ll be posting a video of the drawing on Wednesday March 1st 6pm CST so the chance to enter will be cut off about twenty minutes before then.
Thank you for reading and keeping the addiction alive!
Hobby Box Break #19 – 2017 Topps Series 1
I’ve already changed my mind.
In an earlier post I stated I wasn’t going to buy boxes of the main release this year and was just going to enter some box breaks online for the Cubs and Twins and then purchase the complete set at the end of the year.
eBay prices have forced me to change course. The Cubs have been selling for obscene prices – $77, 83, 68, 65, 87, 74?!?! for a 3 box Jumbo break! Sure, they have more cards since they won the WS but in 3 Jumbo boxes you’re going to get about three base team sets, a few inserts, possibly a variant, and the really lucky ones will pull a relic. Most of them will not get an auto.
So, I took my $65 to the LCS and bought my own Hobby Box.
Kris Bryant gets the box again to start his 3rd season. Is a 40 HR year coming?
My first card showcases a modern angular perspective design for the cards. I like it, just not as much as the 2015 cards. The backs have a nice bold color scheme as well as some players’ twitter and instagram account tags so fans can follow them on such. (Hopefully being cordial and respectful, never harassing!)
The Golds are pretty lackluster this time around with a small patch as shown.
Same goes for the blacks. This is a 66/66, though, which is kind of neat!
The foils standout to me once again with the full picture bleed. My pic doesn’t really show how cool they are. If you have any Twins or Cubs of these please send them my way!
Sigh. These are reprints of classic cards with advertisements on the back. I’m not sure if these counted towards my cards per pack but I’d of preferred them to be simply ads and not to have them disguised as cards.
1:36 pull. I don’t watch the MLB Network but I can see how this would be kinda cool for those who do. Maybe Topps recognized this and that’s why they made them scarcer then the ad cards!
I have a strong feeling that the First Pitch inserts are going to be included in every main release set for eternity. I love them. There does seem to be a Wrigley Field bias.
I love the 5 Tool set as well. Great design, nice player selection, interesting write-ups. I’m only going to collect certain players since the checklist on this is 50 cards so the Kemp, Kindler, and Moncada are available for trade.
My first year of collecting cards was 1987. This is going to be an ambitious undertaking but I’m going to try to complete this 100 card set. Please send me any you can spare!
I have no interest in Bowman cards but I’m going to keep these except the Machado.
This seems to be overkill. There already is an insert set with a huge checklist and then they include this Topps Salute set as well with another 100 cards. I feel like they should have just concentrated on the holidays for this one and left out the Legends and Rookies. These are available for trade except the Sano.
Another sigh. I’ve never been a fan of relics but I have become used to their appearance. What bothers me with this one isn’t the design. I think that looks great. In my mind I was pretty sure Ryu was injured last year. I checked Baseball Reference. Yep. One game. ONE GAME! He went 4.2 innings and allowed 6 runs! If he’s healed and ready to pitch this year – Great! Save these for Series 2. Over 900 players played in 2016 and Topps includes a relic of the guy who played in one of them. Sigh.
And, yeah. Buybacks are now called Rediscover Topps. I did get a 1974 card in a Jumbo but this is what I pulled from the hobby box. My 3rd sigh.
Final Tally
311 of 350 base
47 inserts
0 doubles
I don’t think I’m going to buy anymore so it’ll be interesting to see if I can trade for the set, especially the 87 inserts. If you can help, let me know! I did buy two judo packs so I do have some base doubles and a few more inserts.
Thanks for reading!
2017 Collecting Goals & an A&G Rip Card
2016 is long gone and the new year will bring several new sets. I’ve broaden my collection from the Topps Main release and Topps Heritage to now include Gypsy Queen and Allen & Ginter.
In an attempt to limit my spending and the quantity of cards in my home I think I’m going to pass on buying any hobby boxes of the 2017 series 1 & 2. At the end of the year I’ll probably buy the complete set box from Target and call it a day.
However, I do collect the team sets of both the MN Twins and the Cubs so I’m going to enter box breaks for each of them. If you have a favorite breaking group – let me know!
That leaves 2017 Hobby boxes of Heritage, Gypsy Queen, Allen & Ginter, and Topps Update.
Trading will continue to be a huge part of this blog, even though I rarely post my trades anymore (sorry about that trading partners!).
In 2016 I sent out packages 48 times! This year I’ll try and break the 50 mark!
For older sets, I still need to start 2003, 2005, and 2006 Heritage but I’d really like to cross a few of the other sets off my needs list first. My Heritage needs are here. Most likely I won’t be starting any more Heritage sets this year besides 2017.
Of course I will continue the blogs tradition of sending out some 2017 Heritage packs to my readers!
I’d also love to complete any of the Gypsy Queen sets. My needs for GQ are here.
When I started Allen & Ginter last year I only went back to 2011. This gave me a nice 5 year catch up mark. I grabbed some boxes of 2011 & 2014 since they seemed to be more reasonably priced than the rest. I then grabbed complete sets of 2012 & 2015 on eBay for less then $25 each. I had picked up a large 2013 insert lot on eBay but hadn’t purchased any boxes until Blowout Cards had a special a few weeks ago. I just broke up the box yesterday. Out came this –
What should I do??????????????????????????????????
I feel like a have a few options.
1- Rip it
2- Don’t Rip it.
Yea. I think those are my options.
I’m going to marinate in those options for a few days. I’d love your feedback on what you think!
Back to my collecting goals – If I’m able to finish up one of the 2011-2016 A& G sets I’ll probably buy a complete set of either 2009 or 2010 (2008 set was purchase in 2016 Once I figured out I could get the earlier years for under $50/set).
I’ll also take part in the Gint-A-Cuffs competition. It added a new joy to opening a hobby box last year. If you are into A&G, I’d highly recommend checking the blog out!
As always, thank you so much to anyone who reads this as well as all of my trading partners. I truly appreciate all of the help and support!
Adieu!
Year End Wrap Up 2016
There are a few sets I’d love to complete thru trading.
I only need 4 cards! If you have any let me know!
- 444 Rizzo SP
- 481 Pujols SP
- Baseball Flashback BF-RM Roger Maris
- Then and Now TAN-CC Cabrera / Clemente
I need a bunch, still. Follow the link for my needs!
Also a pretty vast list.
These are mostly SPs but there are a few base, as well. I do have some 2004 Heritage SPs I’d be willing to trade for the 2007.
This past year has been great from a set collecting standpoint! I’ve made almost 50 trades with other collectors!
I also started set building Allen & Ginter from 2011 to current. I have a box set aside with a hundred or so inserts and minis ready to be traded. Let me know what you need and hopefully you could fill in some of my needs here.
Also, if you are a collector of Gypsy Queen minis I have several stacks I’d like to find a new home.
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and here’s to a Happy New Year of the hobby!
Hobby Box Break – 2016 A & G part 4 – Gint-A-Cuffs VIII
75% of the box done and I have 87.3 points in this years Gint-A-Cuffs. Let’s see how the box wraps up.
Pack 19.
The Casilla mini is a SP for +3 and the Bench Insert gives another +2 which is quickly cancelled out by the two Yankees.
90.3 Points
Pack 20.
+3 for the black Andrus mini and another +2 for the Sale insert, and Kluber is on the favorite player list +2 but those Yankees keep popping up for another -1.
Point total 96.3 – 96.3 FM is the radio station of the MN Twins!
Pack 21.
No Yankees! Hurray. Votto gives +2 for being a favorite player.
98.3 points.
Pack 22.
Subways & Streetcars is a mini set I shan’t be collecting but it gives me +2. I will be piecing together the Natural Wonders, though. +2. Mr. Ichiro 3000 bumps me up another +2
104.3. I’ve broken a hundred!
Pack 23.
My final hit is another plain Relic +5, but there’s a mini Yankee -1.
108.3 points.
Pack 24.
Finishing up the box we have a measly +2 for the Stargell insert.
So, depending on any new amendments to the rules it looks like my Gint-A-Cuffs VIII points total sits at 110.3
Hobby Box Break – 2016 A & G part 3 – Gint-A-Cuffs VIII
Half-way thru my box and my Point Total stands at 43.
Here you can read Part 1 and Part 2 . Gint-A-Cuffs competition can be found here.
However, the Commissioner of Gint-A-Cuffs ruled that the Numbers Game inserts will be worth 2 points each. I pulled 6 in my first 12 packs so my point total now sits at 55.
Pack 13.
Luke Jackson gives me +2 as a Favorite Player and the Baseball Legends also adds 2. Zoinks! It’s a Yankee though -1. Up to 58 points
Pack 14.
Ferocious Feline +2, Numbers Game +2, Yankee -1.
61 Points.
Pack 15.
Natural Wonders +2, Schirripa +1.
64 points.
These posts may be getting pretty boring. My apologies. I’m trying to hurry up and finish it before the MIA/ COL game starts since I want to watch Ichiro get his #3000.
Pack 16.
SANO! +1 for being a Twin. Tanaka -1 for being a Yankee. Numbers Game +2, Baseball Legends +2, and an A&G backed mini +2 that is also a SP +3.
73 points.
Pack 17.
My 2nd relic is on the Favorite Player list! Votto gives me a nice 8.5 points.
81.5 pts
I also noticed in the rules post that I get an additional 2.8 for my Rizzo box loader. I’ll add that now.
84.3 points
Pack 18.
Eaton is on the Favorite Players Lists +2, Bird is a Yankee -1, Numbers Game +2.
87.3 is where I stand with six more packs to go.
Hobby Box Break – 2016 A & G part 2 – Gint-A-Cuffs VIII
Here are the next six packs of my hobby box break for the Gint-A-Cuffs competition.
7th pack.
After the first quarter of the box my points stand at 19. Cowherd gives my a negative but Drury (Favorite Player List), Natural Wonders, and an A&G back mini each bump me up +2. Point Total = 24
8th Pack.
Nothing.
9th Pack.
The Mayor mini and Natural Wonder give me a total of +4 = 28 PTS.
10th Pack.
Laureates of Peace mini is a nice pull (1:38) and is worth +2 but gets cut in half since I pulled my first Yankee! 29 points total.
11th pack.
My first relic hit is worth +5 and the SP mini gives me +3. Points = 37.
12th Pack.
My favorite player makes an appearance! Kershaw gives me +4 but there’s another Yankee to deduct 1. The Price is a black-bordered mini though so that gives me another +3.
Half-way thru my box and my Point Total stands at 43.
At this time only one person has posted their total on the Leader Board. That total is 81 so I’m on pace to surpass that. However, there are a total of 17 participants so chances are someone will get a nice hit to pop them over 100.
Thanks for reading!
Hobby Box Break – A & G 2016 -Gint-A-Cuffs VIII
2 x 3 Heroes recommended I join a fun little competition called Gint-A-Cuffs. This is the VIII installment and I believe the winner and the last place loser each will take home a shiny box of 2016 Allen & Ginter. Sign-up ended a few days ago and now I need to post the break of my 2016 A & G box, tabulate my score, and see how I fare in the battle. FIGHT!
This is the first current year of Allen & Ginter for me. I think about 2-3 months ago the sets peaked my interest and I’ve decided to collect starting at 2011. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
A player I collect! Awesome! This box loader puts me at 4 pts. I’ll have to check with the commissioner to see if I get a bonus since he’s on the Favorite Player List.
My first card pulled. Simply design, thick card stock, and a newness for me give this set high marks in my book. Other’s have been collecting A & G for ten years and are not too impressed with this year’s design. I like it, though.
Here are the base cards from my 1st pack. According to the rules pulling Rick Klein give me a negative point so I’m now at 3.
Ist insert. This is a cool little set that lists players from the same team and other greats who wore the same number. No points for Gint-A-Cuffs, though.
Each pack contains a mini parallel but this also provides no point adjustment.
2nd pack base. No points.
Here’s a SP. Also, worth 0 points.
A mini US Mayors card gives me +2, though! I’m up to 5.
Pack #3. Nothing to see here.
Another SP. Moving on.
+2 for the Natural Wonders insert. 7 points for me.
The Reddick mini does me no good or evil.
Pack the fourth. Hamels (which auto corrected to “camels”) is a favorite player. +2 points rocking’ me to 9 pts.
Another SP.
+2 for a Baseball Legends insert. I love these types of sets. This Ginter box goes to 11.
And a Black-Bordered mini. +3 = 14 points.
Pack Five. Schwarber is a Favorite Player. +2 = 16 points. I’m wishing I would have picked Cubs as my favorite team. I think I’ve pulled 5 or 6 already and each would have been worth an additional point!
Another Number’s Game.
And a Pope mini.
6th pack. A Twin! Since I picked MN as my favorite team I get +1 for Perkins. 17 points.
Yep.
A & G back on this mini gives me a nice +2. And I’m going to stop there on this post. After 25% of the box I’m standing at a respectable 19 points.
This is fun!
Hobby Box Break #17 – 2016 Gypsy Queen
I’ve been buying the 3 packs + 3 blue frame cards hangers at Target since the set came where I pulled this beauty –
It’s numbered 11/25 and should sell for somewhere between $30-100. Here’s the auction link – Schwarber auto.
With that pull I justified the purchase of a hobby box. Here’s my break!
I really like the box and pack design.
My first card. When I first saw the design a few months back I wasn’t too impressed but now I’m really digging the color and simplistic design. It reminds me of Greek or Roman Marble architecture
Six short prints all of retired players. I think Kenta Maeda was the only current player listed as a SP. I’m going to hang onto the Satchel Paige but the rest are available for trade. I also have 346 Alomar and 350 Seaver for trade.
I have a streak of pulling THOR SPs! In my 2016 Heritage box I pulled his regular SP and here I nabbed his action variant. I’m going to hang onto this as well.
I didn’t collect these in 2015 but I like the design enough to hold onto these this year. I do have a double of the Votto for trade, though.
Who wants to see some dingers?
I love this insert set! I think there are 30 total cards to collect (no Bonds, though!) so I’ll need some help! Let me know if you can help me out!
And since there are only ten to collect for this set I might as well go for it. I do have an extra Donaldson for trade if you need him.
I picked the Kluber box! Any fans out there? These could be part of a nice trade package for you!
My other two hits weren’t too exciting for me. I’ll gladly ship these out to you, too!
I’m collecting the blue Retail frames and will have my wantlist needs updated shortly. This purple will likely find it’s way to A Cracked Bat.
I don’t usually collect minis but these are awesome! I’ll need some help with these, too!
These are available for trade.
As is this!
These are from the mini box and are all photo variants. I’m going to keep the Ichiro but the others are for trade.
FINAL TALLY –
185 of 300 base
34 minis
26 inserts
Zero doubles!
My wantlist can be found here – 2016 Gypsy Queen!
Thanks for reading and God bless!
addiction as therapy 