REVIEW:2018 Finest Baseball

Finest has been one of my favorites since the 90's. Any product from that era that still exists is. Even though Finest has had many changes over the years from when I first started collecting it, I still want to go back and give it a go.

Let's take a look at 2018

In every hobby box of 2018 Topps Finest, there are 2 mini boxes. Each mini box comes with one autograph, 6 packs of cards with 5 cards in each pack. Boxes run around $110.

The base set no longer comes with the protective peel from the 90's I used to see which may lead to surface scratching, but still has the wacky type background designs. I like it.

The base set is 100 cards with veterans and

rookies. This was my top rookie find from the box.

The base set also takes an interesting turn. There are 25 Sp cards in the master set. Cards 101-125 fall 1:28 packs to make your set chase a tad tougher. I like the idea as it reminds me of my chase of 1997 Upper Deck base set with their short prints. At least there aren't any variations to look for. These ones are obvious finds just by their numbering.

With anything chromed, you will always find refractors.And I love me some shiny chrome!

Here were my regular refractor finds. Solid names in the mix.

Purple Refractor of some guy named Mike Trout. Possibly the hit of the box at 1:17 packs.

Other parallels not in my box include,

• Blue /150
• Green /99
• Gold /50
• Orange /25
• Red /5
• SuperFractor 1/1.

The inserts are chromed like the base. Most have refractors parallels of Gold /50, Red /5, and SuperFractor 1/1.

Some of plain designs like this Finest Firsts that fall 1:12 packs. Got a good one of those here,

And some look really cool like these Sitting Red that falls 1:6 packs. Found that Trout guy again.

And some look nice. Like these Corner Stones that fall 1:3 packs and makes it look like a gem in the background.

Each mini box comes with an on-card autograph. Both of my finds were rookies and Finest autographs.

Jack Flaherty

Greg Allen

 

Other hits that you can find but not in my box include,

• Finest Mystery Redemption (I think these should be done like the ones in the 90's where you peel back the black film to reveal player and card. Imagine having four players on the back of the card and having to peel back to reveal which autograph you got. Epic.)
• Finest Careers Die-Cut
• Finest Careers Die-Cut Autographs
• Finest Cornerstones Autographs
• Finest Firsts Autographs
• Finest Hour Autographs
• Sitting Red Autographs
• Finest Originals Buyback Autographs 

OVERALL: I have always been a fan of Finest. I like the designs, especially on those couple inserts, and the autographs being on card. The tough part is like it is with any products, every box you buy is a gamble. This one wouldn't have paid off for it's cost either.

Other than that, there are some incredible hits and big names to find in Finest including a Finest Careers set that focuses on Cal Ripken jr and has autographs.

Please take a minute out to thank Topps for providing the box to review. Some of the cards you see above will be included in the Fantasy Baseball contest! Follow Topps on all social media sites and check out their website HERE for cards and more!