Ever Feel Like You Are Being Watched?

 

I have tried to look away...but I can't. They keep looking at me. I keep waiting for their eyes to follow my every move when I am in my card room.

 

These cards are simply....creepy. 

I get what Panini was trying to do with these with mocking T206, but they didn't quite turn out the way they should have. Every one of these cards is either spooky or a Caption This card moment waiting to happen.

Is this Aaron Judge or a gangster from the 1920's? Maybe a model?

It appears George got into the "good stuff"

Nolan appears he has seen a ghost or the Otahni card watching him.

And finally, Jose Aluve is about to join up with Marv and rob some kid who is Home Alone. Probably looking for their trashcans.

These inserts are from 2020 Diamond Kings and are rightly named DK206. There are 20 cards to chase for the set and each features similar pictures to these. The checklist is mix of legends and players of today. So if you're looking for a good time or a blog post to use as a Caption This, these work perfectly.

These cards came from my mail day from SCC reader Grady M. So thank him for today's post if it made you giggle at all....or frightened.

Trying The Off Brand

*iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttts cofffffeeeeee and blog time!!!*

Sometimes it's not always the brand name items that brings out the best product. Sometimes it's the off brand that not only packs a punch, but gives you your best value back for your money.

It's that way sometimes for food, household cleaning items and even for your coffee.

There are the headliner brands such as Maxwell House, Folgers, Eight O'Clock, Seattle's Best and Chase and Sanborn just to name a few. All of these are fine brews.

But, they also cost about $12+on the bigger cans that hold 22 oz. I need to buy the bigger cans so I am not running to the store all of the time especially in today's world having to wear a mask, follow footsteps on the floor and trying to stay at least 6 ft from everyone.

Followed by a hand sanitizer bleach down in the card.

*takes a sip*

However, this off brand Best Yet coffee still tastes pretty darn good, has 22.6 Oz and is under $10.

It still tastes just as good, has more in it and is cheaper. So a lot of the times I will go that route. Who doesn't love something just as equally good that can save you money?

*takes the next sip*

I feel the world of baseball cards can relate to that scenario.

There is Topps who headlines the baseball card world with it's never ending MLB license, the Maxwell House and Folgers of the collecting world, and then there is that Best Yet brand in Panini who doesn't have the MLB license, but still has MLBPA and USA licenses.

Is Topps more appealing to the crowds because of it's MLB logos? Yes. But, does it pack the punch for the value like Panini does? No.

I think Panini doesn't get enough respect for their baseball card lines. I hear you guys grumbling, I know there is no logos on the helmet or team names even for the player, but if you can push past that, take a look deeper into Panini baseball products, there is so much more you're missing out on.

Not only are most of their products cheaper, but they also come with more hits and have more value per your purchase. This goes for both hobby and retail.

One of their best products with the biggest value/punch is Donruss. Everyone grew up collecting some form of Donruss in their lifetime. I know it was a regular, and still is, in my household.

Let's compare 2020 Topps Series 1 to 2020 Donruss hobby box style.

2020 Topps Series 1 is $130 per hobby box and you get the following,

• One Autograph or Relic Card Per Box (98% of the time that is going to be a single color relic)
• One Silver Pack Per Box

vs

2020 Donruss Hobby Box that goes for $118

• Three Autographs or Memorabilia Cards Per Box (all three will not be autographs, but they also all won't be single color relics either)
• Seven Parallels Per Box
• Four Independence Day Parallels Per Box
• Five Inserts Per Box

They both have the same key rookies to go for as well and the equally good headlining signers for their autographs as well such as ken Griffey Jr, Acuna, Judge and Otahni just to name a few.

I don't know about you, but that cup of Best Yet is looking pretty good in comparison.

*takes another sip, okay, you caught me gulp and now onto cup number 2*

If you still are not convinced by now, well, I brought some examples of their inserts in here thanks to my buddy Grady who recently sent me some. They are not the bland reprints of designs past or those annoying Topps Now fillers, they are bold, bright and creative.

As Seen...it's supposed to make reference to As Seen On TV. A baseball player on TV, what else can you ask for? The only thing these cards are missing is Billy Mays in the corner.

Dominators a long standing line in the Donruss re-created by Panini. Spectacular!

Same goes for Elite Series (the Arenado is a parallel)

And Donruss HIghlights that's been around forever.

Not convinced yet? Let's see one more shall we?

 

Now Playing (I know a lot of us wished this was true). Creative play on words and once again a great looking card.

Don't tell me that these didn't spark some interest for you and that you sat there looking at the team logos the whole time either. I bet you didn't even notice they were missing and are probably going back to look now.

*halfway done cup number two*

I should probably clarify that not all off brands are equal to the name brand. One of those that comes to mind is immediately Kraft Mac and Cheese. There isn't a single off brand that comes close to it and most are pretty nasty. Take my word on this at least.

Once again though, that is my opinion. Everyone has different tastes.

But, the examples I gave above of coffee and cards (this seems to be a thing on here), are more equal or better than the name brand. Don't take my word for it, you will have to give it a try yourself to experience the full flavor.

Breakin Wax:2019 Topps Holiday Box

I am going to admit something I am not sure I have before on here. I am a Christmas addict. I love the holiday. The feeling it brings. The pure joy. The scents, the tastes and the true meaning of it with the birth of Jesus Christ. He's the meaning for the season.

But, I go all out with decorating. No, not like those people who put up millions of lights or like the house in Christmas Vacation, but enough that people who come over take notice. Not that I wouldn't go big if I could afford the added electric bill.

Everyone comes to expect my Christmas decorations decked out and they also expect it before Thanksgiving, something I have done since I met my wife. It's not a knock on Thanksgiving and not that I am not thankful for everything in my life, it's the fact I love Christmas and it takes me a lot of work to decorate to not enjoy it over a long period of time. I also take my decorations down the day after Christmas. I am not one to prolong to New Years or longer.

So when I saw this years Topps Holiday edition cards, it put me right there in the spirit of Christmas. Past designs didn't cut it for me with the snowflake, but this years designs hit me right in the Christmas gut like my mother in laws french toast bake we eat every year for Christmas.

I was fortunate to hit up my local Walmart right a day after the lady had stocked it and was able to grab one of the first boxes on the shelf.

So, let's check it out.

Each 2019 Topps Holiday box comes with 10 packs and 10 cards per pack.  There is one autograph, one relic or one autograph relic per box. Boxes run just under $25.

The garland/mistletoe border design this year just hit me in all the right spots and then it topped off with a white garland touch around the player really put me in the spirit. As soon as I saw other collectors busting these, I got jealous and had to have it. Probably in the running for my favorite Topps design of the year!

Acuna

Vlad Jr. I landed all key rookies except Pete Alonso. Will need to find that one.

 

1:2 packs are the metallic parallels. I pulled the expected five.

Here's a closer look at them. A raised glittery upgrade to its base card counterpart.

Base Sp of Gleyber Torres. Check out those wristbands

Yelic Base Sp and boy can he swing a sweet candy cane stick

 And also a rare, 1:20 pack pull of Jose Altuve who likes to stick candy canes in his back pocket like Santa.

My hit of the box was a disappointment. I REALLY WANT A SANTA HAT WORN RELIC!!!. But instead got David Price plain white relic. I do like the design on these as gift boxes.

My Santa hat off to Topps on this product this year. That was money well spent with the joy it brought me opening it. Even my wife had a good time busting packs with me and she isn't usually a baseball card person as she prefers football.

This left me wanting more and I may go back to see if there is anymore before they sell out. We will see. In the meantime, I will enjoy these and if you any of you happen to pull a Santa Hat worn relic and want to trade or donate one to me, I would be grateful.

Hope everyone has a Merry Christ....I mean, Merry Day.

CARDBOARD REVIEW:2019 Topps Allen And Ginter

It's here folks! It's here! The wait is over and the anticipation of the latest Allen And Ginter release has arrived.

Allen and Ginter has been a fan favorite of not only mine, but many, many other collectors who like to rip on in to a box or some retail packs.

My success with Allen and Ginter hasn't been great in terms of hits, but it's still one of my favorite rips of the year so let's check it out.

In each box of 2019 Topps Allen and Ginter baseball, you will find yourself having fun with 24 packs of 8 cards. Each box comes with three hits that can be autograph cards, relic cards, rip cards, printing plates and booklets. Boxes currently run roughly $95-$100. Not really a bad price.

 Each box also comes with a box topper that can be just a regular one, a rip card, autograph, etc.

Mine was a base one. Looks great in terms of design. Toughest part was the nick on the side of it.

The base set design sticks to the basics as always. Nice clean surface with a focus on the player or non sport add ins. The 300 card base set is made up of rookies, players from the past such as this great photo of my boy Griffey Jr, and some non sport additions which for some reason or another collectors have been complaining about this year.

 I don't get it. Allen and Ginter has always been this way, same format, same ole same ole. If you liked it in the past , you will again. Just go into a box with an open mind knowing not everything you find will be baseball related. That's what makes this product more fun.

Here is a gallery of some of the base cards,

Before continuing on with my review, I should also mention that there are no base card numbers 301-350, however there are Sp's in the base set from cards 351-400. Not sure why there is a gap, but there is.

Now onto the minis that you will find one of in every pack.

 

Base Mini's

 Black border that falls 1:10 packs

Allen and Ginter back that falls 1:5 packs

 

An un-announced SSP of Thomas Fish of Blowout cards doing his best Honus. The fun of Ginter!This card isn't in the main base set. He does have autographs in the set as well.

Overall look at the mini cards:

Base Mini

• Base Mini fall 1 per pack
• Allen & Ginter fall 1:5 packs
• Black Bordered fall 1:10 packs
• No Number are limited to 50
• Brooklyn Back numbered to/25
• Wood are 1/1
• Glossy are 1/1

Mini SP

• Base Mini falls 1:13 packs
• Allen & Ginter falls 1:65 packs
• Black Bordered falls 1:30 packs
• No Number is numbered to 50
• Brooklyn Back numbered to/25
• Wood numbered  1/1
• Glossy numbered 1/1

Now time to take a look at the full sized inserts.

 Baseball Star Signs with 50 to collect in the set

 

Ginter Greats with 50 cards in the set to collect

 Incredible Equipment with 20 cards to collect

 The History Of Flight with full blown color, really like these, with 15 cards to collect

 Mares and Stallions with 15 cards to seek out

Now some mini inserts as well

 Lost Languages with 10 cards to find

 Look Out Below with 15 cards to collect

Collectible Canines with 25 cards to collect

Other mini inserts include,
New To The Zoo
In Bloom
In Bloom Plant Me Variation where you actually plant the card, How cool?!!
Dreams Of Blue Ribbons
Chugging Along

Now onto the hits. I kinda wished there was a guaranteed auto in every box, that would be nice. Hitting three relics, ugh. And for the second straight year thats exactly what happened to me.

Mike Oz. This is a neat pull for me. I have followed Mike a long time on Twitter and enjoy his series of ripping Old Baseball Cards with players. You can check them out HERE. You're living the dream MIke to be in a pack of cards. Top bucket list item is for me to make it in this product. Enjoy!

 Trea Turner bat relic

Mini Framed jersey of Jose Altuve.

Other hits you can find include,

• Non-Baseball Full-Size Autographs (wanted the Harrison Ford bad)
• Non-Baseball Dual Autographs
• Baseball Framed Mini Autographs
• Full-Size Autographs
• Topps Employee Mini Framed Autographs
• Autograph Relic Book Set
• Dual Autograph Relic Book Set
• Cut Signatures (so, so many of these I want!!!)
• Arrowhead Full-Size Relics
• DNA Framed Mini Relics (something else I have always wanted to pull)
• Have Ball, Will Travel Token Framed Mini Relic
• Incredible Equipment Mythical Memorabilia Relics
• Presidential Pieces Framed Mini Relics
• A&G Framed Originals Buybacks
• Rip Card (another card I wished to ever pull)
• Double Rip Card
• Artist Originals

Many great hits to find out there folks!

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Pulling three relics in this box for $100 was a bummer, other than that, I was happy once again with Allen and Ginter. Being both a sports and non sports collector this product has a lot to offer. You just have to be lucky and pull them.

There are many great names on the checklist to pull for autographs for both baseball and non sport.

And one more toss in, PLEASE TOPPS, PLEASE PUT MY NAME ON THE CHECKLIST NEXT YEAR!!!!

Don't want to pay full price for a box, I suggest Midwest Box Breaks for box breaking needs as they pull fire!

Please make sure to take a minute out to thank Topps for providing this box for me to review and to be able to add cards to the giveaway on Twitter I am hosting. Please follow me there to enter @SportCardCollec. Also follow Topps on all social media sites and visit their SITE, as well.