The year 2012 has come to a close and I had the opportunity to open quite a few products throughout the year and thought I would hand out some awards from the products that I have opened. Remember, these awards are based ONLY on the ones I have opened. All of these are based on design, appeal, and collectability. They include all 4 major sports.
Top Base Card Of The Year
And the award goes to: Panini Gridiron Football
Reason: In a card world of white base card backgrounds and borders so thick they take up most of the base card, Gridiron gives us some amazing photography that makes you feel like you are watching the game live capturing all of the game’s greatest plays, hits and celebrations. It’s what you want to see on a football card.
Top Rookie Card Design Of The Year
And the award goes to: Panini Momentum Football
Reason: The combination of silver cardboard, three small jersey swatches and an autograph is very appealing to the eyes. And it also takes away from the usual rookie photo shoot photos that are used in most rookie cards.
Top Insert Card Set Of The Year
And the award goes to: Panini Elite Hard Hats Football
Reason: Acetate insert cards. Enough said.
Top Memorabilia Card Design Of The Year
And the award goes to: Panini Rookies And Stars Football Crusade Materials
Reason: The design is spectacular. The card is high gloss and thick. And the swatches are decent sized. Combine all of this together and you got a winner.
Top Autograph Card Design Of The Year
And the award goes to: TIE: Panini Elite Hard Hats and Rookie Inscriptions
Reason: Once again you take the acetate and throw an autograph on it, how can it not be a winner.
Top New Product Of The Year
And the award goes to: Panini Prizm Basketball
Reason: With Panini jumping into using the chrome technology they improved upon the Topps formula by making their cards thicker and by this they do not bend over time. With rare hard to find Gold Prizms and 2 autographs per box this is a very good buy if you put all phases of the product together.
Top Returning Product (one that comes out yearly) Of The Year
And the award goes to: Topps Chrome Football
Reason: One of the most hyped years of Topps Chrome football ever and it lived up to its hype. Added refractors, autograph rookie, and if you got a redemption card you could even get a bonus Blue Wave pack to make up for the fact you got a redemption. Not bad at all.
Best Bang For Your Buck Product Of The Year
And the award goes to: Score Football or Hockey
Reason: For a dollar a pack, you get rookies, inserts and even a chance at autographs and now even printing plates (football)
Top Retail Product Of The Year
And the award goes to: Topps Chrome Football
Reason: Refractors, Rookie cards and insert overload makes this a very valuable retail product that brings value with every purchase. Now this year with the inclusion of jersey cards into the Walmart retail blaster boxes it improves it even more.
Product I Wished I Could Have Afforded This Year
And the award goes to: TIE: Panini Black and Topps Triple Threads Baseball
Reason: Panini Blacks rookie cards look terrific with a silver or gold auto on a black card and a patch. And Topps Triple Threads has always been on my want to try list because of the hits you could land.
We have covered all of the positive big awards but not all products were great and that’s where this part of the awards comes in. We have 3 categories:
Worst Overall Product Of The Year (Base, RC’s, Autos, Etc.)
And the award goes to: Bowman Football
Reason: Ugly. This product was one of the worst looking overall products of the year if not in some time. The rookie cards lacked logos on the helmets (though not Topps fault since Upper Deck owns licensing to NCAA) and all of them seem to have been drawn by a cartoon artist. Horribly done. This also includes the autographed and insert cards in this product.
Toughest Buy Of The Year
And the award goes to: Panini Momentum Football
Reason: Though a great looking product, when I say toughest buy it’s not because of the cards, it’s because of the value. You pay close to $200 and may not even get half of that back in value as in my case for the one box I opened. I only put it in this category from my one break. I would be scared to go back again.
Worst Retail Product Of The Year
Biggest Letdown Product Of The Year
And the award goes to: Upper Deck Football 2012
Reason: No star player base cards and are all rookies that are usually the lesser name ones. No auto or jersey card per blaster. Its a really hard sell with this product when there isn't much to get from it. The only improvement in terms of this years retail compared to last is the bonus 5 card insert pack where you could get a good player.
Biggest Letdown Product Of The Year
And the award goes to: Upper Deck Spx Football 2012
Reason: Without an NFL license, the product just doesn’t feel the same like it used to. It seems to be lacking. With a small checklist of a veteran base set, no Andrew Luck in the auto/jersey cards, and a it being tough to hit a top rookie auto it makes this product a little disappointing compared to past Spx brands.
Do you agree with me? Which of these products did you try and would have switched in the categories?
Please remember these are judgements made from products that I opened and do not include ones I didn't try.
Please remember these are judgements made from products that I opened and do not include ones I didn't try.
I think you are right on the money with these picks. Gridiron was awesome with the photos. For the first time in a while I found myself staring at each card for a minute. Took forever to get through a box lol. SPX was a HUGE let down this year. I love SPX and this year only bought 3 packs - that is sad. Bowman bored me to tears. I bought a ton of score, I couldn't get enough of it for some reason lol. Chrome well.... It is just chrome and we expect greatness every year, the parallel's / refractor's always give plenty of excitement.
ReplyDeleteGreat awards!