Player Profile 4: Todd Helton

Player Profile is a series that breaks down players I have pulled from my collection and designated as a player collection. These are mostly stars from the past and present and only include base cards and inserts. Hits and rookie cards are not counted. Some players I pulled because I was a fan of their game, others are obvious because of their play. Some players I actually look for cards of in packs while others get just placed in these boxes. This series will break down how many cards I have of the player, what my Top 5 favorite cards are of the player and why I pulled the player for a player collection.

This series will also cover all four sports I collect. 

Player By The Numbers For Todd Helton: 57 Different Cards.

Playing 17 MLB seasons as number 17 of the Rockies, I feel the same way about Helton as I did about Konerko being a "under the radar" player. Of course in Helton's case, I feel it's more. Mostly because he played for an under the radar team in the Rockies. Not exactly the hobby hot spot.

Despite that, Helton put up some great numbers for the Rockies. He was a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, and three-time Gold Glove Award winner plus holds many of the Rockies club records.  In 2000, he was MLB Batting champion, MLB RBI Champ, and won the Hank Aaron award.

Let's take a look at my Top 5 favorite cards of his.

#5. Ultra put out some great photographed cards and this is another with a Helton follow-through

#4 we go from one Fleer product to another. Fleer Tradition put out this nice ground ball chasing Helton.

#3 is from 2004 with Helton circling the bases. Or doing some dance ritual.

#2 Helton in hiding. Gotta appreciate the oddball photos.

#1 Retirement photo. A treasured moment on the field and on this piece of cardboard.

 

I wonder if Todd will find himself in baseball again as either managing or in the booth. Only time can tell but one can only expect it.

Which Todd Helton card above do you like the most and which card do you own is your favorite of his? Let me know in comments!

Review: Topps Opening Day Baseball 2013 Blaster Box

I always like to try new things...Topps Opening Day is not usually a brand I try but it was sitting on the shelf and staring at me.

So here are my thoughts on my first break of this product in blaster form.

Box Break Down:

• 24 Packs Per Box, 5 Cards Per Pack
• Most inserts are 1:5 odds, you can look for autographs and printing plates
• $10 a Box 

 

 

BASE CARDS:The base cards are pretty much the same as the regular Topps issue except the names, logo are not in silver. And the base cards themselves feel a bit thinner. But for 99 cents a pack..what do you expect? The photography is still nice however and probably some of the best photography I have seen on Topps cards in a long time. This product also includes mascot cards and top rookies as you can see above.

INSERTS: The inserts for this product make it worth the buy. The Blue Glitter parallel are beautiful. There are other inserts we pulled not pictured (once again our apologies with picture issues) and the Opening Day Stars are in 3D appeal.

AUTOGRAPHS: N/A (though can be found at hard odds and of the Mascots as well)

JERSEY/PATCH CARDS:N/A

OVERALL THOUGHTS: I will recommend this product. Appealing inserts, top rookie cards, some players that you won't see til Series 2 Topps and a price you can't argue with. The value is there as well. Great product for beginning collectors or collectors looking for a fun bust.

RATINGS:  Bloggers Note: Our ratings are based specifically on the blaster, box or packs we opened and do not express what the overall product could bring. Ratings based on a 1-5. 1 Being the lowest and 5 being the highest.
                Packaging: 5
                Base Design: 4
                Insert Design: 4
                Memorablila/Autographs: NA
                Blaster, Hobby Box, or Pack Value: 4