2013 Topps Series 1 baseball Jumbo Pack 2

The second Jumbo (rack pack) I received.
Hopefully I will have better luck pulling some Red Sox from this pack of 36 cards.

 

Jumbo pack 2:

#11 Yu Darvish Rangers

#21 Lucas Duda Mets

#33 Cliff lee Phillies

#55 Tim Lincecum Giants

#74 Kenley Jansen Dodgers

#77 Dustin Moseley Padres

#81 2012 NL leaders

#98 Gaby Sanchez Pirates

#119 Chris Davis Orioles

#132 Ryan Vogelsong Giants

#134 Jake Arrieta Orioles

#147 Ivan Nova Yankees

#174 Jason Grilli Pirates

#185 Rob Scahill Rockies

#291 David Hernandez D-backs

#222 Jason Heyward Braves

# 242 Matt Kemp Dodgers

#269 St Louis Cardinals

#271 Jeurys Familia Mets

#311 Rajai Davis Blue Jays

#320 Michael Young Rangers

#321 Allen Craig Cardinals

#331 Jose Reyes Blue Jays

Retro Rangers

Blue-bordered parallel

#130 Jason Motte Cardinals

#205 Ryan Theriot Giants

#280 Rafael Dolis Cubs



 

Emerald parallel

#266 Albert Pujols Angels

 

Gold-bordered parallel

#73 Brandon Crawford Giants 0912/2013

 

Inserts

#CTC-1 Babe Ruth Yankees

#CD-20 Tommy Milone Athletics

#CH-3 Ian Kinsler Rangers

#CH-41 Johan Santana Mets

#CH-49 Jackie Robinson Dodgers

#TM-42 Willie Mays Giants

Million dollar chase

Two jumbos -no Red Sox! 72 cards and not a sniff...

 

1997 Score Hobby Reserve baseball packs

The 1997 Score set consisted of 551 cards split into two series. Series 1 #1-330 and Series 2 #331 - 550. card #551 was a short printed card of Hideki Irabu in both English and Japanese.
The Hobby Reserve was distributed exclusively to the Hobby was printed on premium stock card, Series 1 had a grey border.
There are two parallel versions: Showcase and Artist Proofs. A parallel set called 'Reserve Collection' was only available in Series 2 reserve packs.
There are a number of inserts: Pitch Prefect, Titanic Taters, Hightlight (sic) Zone, Franchise, All-Star Fan fest, Stellar Season, Heart of the Order, Blast Masters, Heart of the Order and Stand and Deliver. Because of the unusual insert methods, certain inserts are only available in either retail, hobby or jumbo packs. Insertion ratios differ depending on the 'type' of pack purchased.
The Red Sox available in Series 2 are:
#344 John Wasdin
#395 Aaron Sele
#450 Steve Avery
#461 Tim Wakefield
#471 Rudy Pemberton
#473 Nomar Garciaparra
#510 Mo Vaughn Going Yard

I have 4 packs of Hobby Reserve, which contain 15 cards.

Pack 1:

#372 Edgardo Alfonzo Mets

#389 Midre Cummings Pirates

#393 Quilvio Veras Padres

#422 Shane Andrews Expos

#426 Felipe Crespo Blue Jays

#430 Roger Clemens Blue Jays

#432 Ernie Young Athletics

#434 Jeff Blauser Braves

#436 Carl Everett Mats

#465 Mike Bordick Orioles

#495 Albert Belle White Sox

#522 Hideo Nomo Dodgers

#534 Rusty Greer Rangers

#542 Roberto Alomar Orioles

#HR487 Chris Holt Astros RC

Pack 2:

#349 Chad Curtis Indians

#359 Allen Watson Angles

#364 Mark Clear Mets

#375 Steve Karsay Athletics

#388 John Smiley Reds

#407 Phil Nevin Tigers

#414 Jeff Fassero Mariners

#460 Mel Rojas Cubs

#461 Tim Wakefield Red Sox

#492 Kevin Orie Cubs RC

#502 Jeff Bagwell Astros

#526 Charles Nagy Indians

#528 Tom Glavine Braves

#529 Randy Johnson Mariners

#544 Jason Giambi Athletics

 



Pack 3:

#341 Alex Fernandez Marlins

#342 Ruben Sierra Blue Jays

#370 Brad Ausmus Astros

#379 Lee Smith Expos

#420 David Segui Expos

#427 Jason Bates Rockies

#435 Lenny Dykstra Phillies

#437 Russ Davis Mariners

#445 Jose Valentin Brewers

#449 Jose Vizcaino Giants

#472 Keith Lockhart Braves

#480 Wilton Guerrero Dodgers

#491 Ray Montgomery Astros

#499 Ken Griffey Jr. Mariners

#541 Paul Molitor Twins

 

Pack 4:

#341 Alex Fernandez Marlins

#342 Ruben Sierra Blue Jays

#370 Brad Ausmus Astros

#420 David Segui Expos

#423 Gary DiSarcina Angels

#427 Jason Bates Rockies

#431 Deion Sanders Reds

#435 Lenny Dykstra Phillies

#437 Russ Davis Mariners

#445 Jose Valentin Brewers

#454 Roberto Kelly Twins Artists Proof

#472 Keith Lockhart Braves

#489 Vladimir Guerrero Expos

#491 Ray Montgomery Astros

#499 Ken Griffey Jr. Mariners

You may have noticed a similarity between packs 3 and 4, 12 of the cards were in both packs- excellent quality control.

2013 Topps Series 1 baseball Jumbo Pack 1

Two Jumbo Packs of 2013 Topps Series 1 from the Alley Family in North Carolina.
Each pack contains 36 cards of which three are exclusive blue bordered parallels.
There are 330 cards in the series 1 base set.
There is a staggering number of parallel variations available: Emerald, red border, blue border, purple border, gold, desert camo, black, pink...wait a minute pink..?, platinum.
Plus some 'Out of Bounds' short prints
There are inserts: 1972 minis, Calling Card (which look pretty impressive at first glance),Chasing History, Chasing the Dream, Cut to the Chase, Silks and hobby only-The Greats.
There are also relics and autos linked to the parallel cards and a wider number of manufactured relic patch, coin, etc, etc.

The Red Sox available in this set are:
#15 Dustin Pedroia
#32 Craig Breslow
#64 Will Middlebrooks
#66 Daniel Nava
#91 Alfredo Aceves
#118 Daisuke Matsuzaka
#241 Jacoby Ellsbury
#279 Vicente Padilla
#291 Ryan Sweeney
#301 Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Jumbo Pack 1:

#10 Adam Jones Orioles

#26 Jered Weaver Angels

#45 Travis Ishikawa Brewers

#70 Todd Frazier Reds

#80 Ryan Zimmerman Nationals

#88 Jamey Carroll Twins

#89 Johan Santana Mets

#102 Denard Span Twins

#123 Rickie Weeks Brewers

#126 Dan Uggla Braves

#136 Tyler Clippard Nationals

#146 Kyle McClellan Cardinals

#149 Yovani Gallardo Brewers

#172 Nyjer Morgan Brewers

#176 Justin Maxwell Astros

#191 Chris Capuano Dodgers

#200 Scott Downs Angels

#217 Brain Matusz Orioles

#225 Will Venable Padres

#227 Jose Altuve Astros

#232 Jake Odorizzi Royals

#237 Brandon Lyon Blue Jays

#255 Tyler Colvin Rockies

#282 Russell Martin Yankees

#318 Hiroki Kuroda Yankees

Lovely retro Astros

 Blue-bordered parallel

#114 Casey McGehee Yankees

#129 Ike Davis Mets

#259 Bartolo Colon Athletics

 

Emerald parallel

#330 Ryan Raburn Tigers

 

Inserts

#CC-13 Arnold Chapman Reds

#CD-8 Josh Reddick Athletics

#CH-7 Carlos Santana Indians

#CH-13 Don Mattingly Yankees

#CH-14 Lou Brock Cardinals

#TM-8 Dan Uggla Braves

Million Dollar Chase

No Sox- again!

1995 Topps Dimension III baseball packs

In line with the direction my collecting habits have taken of late, I purchased some packs of Topps Dimension III, of 'D3' as it became known.

I ignored some sensible advice, such as avoiding this product like a plague infested cat. However I wanted to see Topps's attempt at 3D/lenticular technology for myself .

Maybe it's a weak extraocular muscle or just my poor eyesight but these things look bloody awful... from any distance.

It begs the question. What were they thinking?

 

There are 59 base cards in the set and 6 Zone inserts. There are only two Red Sox in the set;

#9 Roger Clemens
#34 Mike Greenwell
I purchased 5 packs from e-bay for about $1.00 a pack (which is a little better than the original price of $5 a pack).

Pack1:

#3 Ruben Sierra Athletics

#12 Andy Benes Padres

#26 Paul O'Neill Yankees

#44 Doug Drabek Astros

#DIIIZ 1 Frank Thomas White Sox

 

Pack 2:

#10 Cal Eldred Brewers

#23 Mike Stanley Yankees

#32 Ivan Rodriguez Rangers

#34 Mike Greenwell Red Sox

#57 Orlando Merced Pirates

 

Pack 3:

#23 Mike Stanley Yankees

#32 Ian Rodriguez Rangers

#41 Tim Wallach Dodgers

#57 Orlando Merced Pirates

#DIIIZ 3 Jeff Bagwell Astros 

Pack 4:

# 7 Albert Belle Indians

#18 Scott Leius Twins

#20 Brian Anderson Angels

#37 Don Mattingly Yankees

#47 Bip Roberts Padres



 

Pack 5:

#10 Cal Eldred Brewers

#11 Dennis Eckersley Athletics

#14 Andres Galarraga Rockies

#22 Bobby Bonilla Mets

#32 Ivan Rodriguez Rangers 

 

These cards look better scanned than they do in the flesh, but the pictures still appear to be out of focus rather than three dimensional. Pinnacle's UC3 was apparently a much better product, which couldn't have been too difficult.

At least I pulled an Eck.

2013 Topps Baseball Series 1

A quick couple of five card Topps Series 1 cards, that came enclosed within a birthday card. Nice little birthday surprise.

The Red Sox available in Topps Series 1 are:
#15 Dustin Pedroia
#32 Craig Breslow
#64 Will Middlebrooks
#66 Daniel Nava
#91 Alfredo Aceves
#118 Daisuke Matsuzaka
#241 Jacoby Ellsbury
#279 Vicente Padilla
#291 Ryan Sweeney
#301 Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Funny that these cards will be part of the 2013 Red Sox in particular Dice-K. Hadn't the Red Sox decided a while ago not to resign him.

Pack 1:

#221 Heath Bell D-backs

#260 Giants Game 5 NLDS

#303 Alex Rodriguez Yankees Checklist

#309 Endy Chavez Orioles

#312 Scott Hairston Mets

 

Pack 2:

#153 AL League Leaders

#239 Ramon Santiago Tigers

#276 Luis Ayala Orioles

#305 Shelby Miller Cardinals

#323 Michael Brantley Indians

 

1990 Sportflics Magic Motion baseball cards

I have become strangely obsessed with the 3D/ Lenticular cards both past and present. It may be the strange combination of plastic and cardboard or the 'oddball' nature of these cards, but I have been feeling the urge to add a few to my collection.

So what better way to add to the lenticular collection than 'Sportflics'.

By 1990, Sportflics Magic Motion cards were in their fifth year and had not been the spectacular success that the producers had hope they would be.

The 250 base card set only featured 6 Red Sox players;

#2 Wade Boggs
#50 Mike Greenwell
#72 Nick Esasky
#80 Ellis Burks
#149 Roger Clemens
#217 Dwight Evans

I have six packs of these 3D marvels. Each pack contains three superstar cards and two trivia cards.

Pack 1:

#7 Ken Griffey.Jr Mariners

#76 Jose Deleon Cardinals

#158 Julio Franco Rangers

 

Trivia #24

Trivia #151

1. Pick out the MVP who smashed the most home runs in the 70's?

A. Jim Rice

B. Dave Parker

C.Willie Stargell

D. Reggie Jackson

 

Pack 2:

#43 Greg Briley Mariners

#161 Joe Magrane Cardinals

#185 Mike Moore Athletics

 

Trivia #81

Trivia #142

2.What MVP holds the record for most home runs in a four game World Series?

A. Reggie Jackson

B. Mickey Mantle

C. Lou Gehrig

D. Hank Greenberg

Pack 3:

#6 Tony Fernandez Blue Jays

#35 Bob Welsh Athletics

#167 Mike LaValliere Pirates

 

Trivia #63

Trivia #150

3.What MVP was the first switch-hitter ever to win a batting title?
A. Rod Carew
B. Pete Rose
C. Mickey Mantle
D. Frank McCormick

Pack 4:

#2 Wade Boggs Red Sox

#46 Pat Borders Blue Jays

#163 Ricky Jordan Phillies

 

Trivia #11

Trivia #144

4.What MVP has the most RBIs in a four game World Series?
A. Yogi Berra
B. Reggie Jackson
C. Lou Gehrig
D. Mickey Mantle

Pack 5:

#24 Tom Glavine Braves

#156 Len Dykstra Phillies

#190 Dan Cladden Twins

 

Trivia #62

Trivia #149

5. Who was the only pitcher ever to win back-to-back MVP Awards?
A. Hal Newhouser
B. Bob Gibson
C. Sandy Koufax
D. Carl Hubbell

Pack 6:

#18 Glenn Davis Astros

#93 Roberto Alomar Padres

#176 Jeff Huson Expos

 

Trivia #38

Trivia #119

6.What MVP had the most career walks in the NL?
A. Willie Mays
B. Henry Aaron
C. Joe Morgan
D. Maury Wills

answers
1.C Stargell , who bashed 256 homers
2.C Gehrig , who hit four home runs in the '29 series
3.C Mantle, who won the AL hitting title with a .363 batting average in'56
4.C Gehrig, who had a record nine RBIs in the '28 series
5.A. Newhouser, in '44 (29-9) and '45 (25-9)
6.C. Morgan, who holds the NL record with 1,799 walks in his 22 year career.
(answers as of 1990)

2013 Topps Heritage packs

A few more packs, 5 to be exact, to clear some more cards off the wants list. It currently stands at 117 cards needed to complete the 425 card base set.
These packs come from the generous Alley family in North Carolina. There are 8 cards per pack.

Pack 1:

#18 Adam Lind Blue Jays

#46 Ian Desmond Nationals

#107 White Sox Rookies

#205 Howie Kendrick Angels

#253 Sergio Romo Giants

#255 Salvador Perez Royals

#296 Rafael Soriano Yankees

#341 Luis Ayala Orioles

#485 Starlin Castro Cubs

Pack 2:

#16 Cliff Lee Phillies

#50 Curtis Granderson Yankees

#61 Kirk Nieuwenhuis Mets

#88 A.J.Ellis Dodgers

#97 Erick Aybar Angels

#169 Elvis Andrus Rangers

#222 J.P.Arencibia Blue Jays

#284 Yasmani Grandal Padres

NAP-JV Justin Verlander Tigers

 

Pack 3:

#17 Nick Markakis Orioles

#62 Starling Marte Pirates

#113 Johan Santana Mets

#241 Geovany Soto Rangers

#304 Paul Goldschmidt D-backs

#325 Rafael Betancourt Rockies

#347 Carlos Marmol Cubs

#410 John Lackey Red Sox

#490 Buster Posey Giants

 

Pack 4:

#23 Josh Johnson Blue jays

#39 Brandon League Dodgers

#147 Kyle Lohse Cardinals

#156 Dayan Viciedo White Sox

#335 Jonny Venters Braves

#370 Bud Norris Astros

#376 Steve Cishek Marlins

#399 Dale Sveum Cubs Mng

#479 Ian Kinsler Rangers

 

Pack 5:

#110 Mark Trumbo Angels

#181 Jose Valverde Tigers

#278 Shaun Marcum Brewers

#340 Paul Konerko White Sox

#350 Matt Cain Giants

#353 Chris Heisey Reds

#383 Mike Scioscia Angels Mng

#394 Brandon Inge Athletics

#439 Evan Longoria Bay Rays red border



There were 12 cards that I needed, excluding the high numbered short prints. Not bad.
I funny thing occurred when I opened these packs, all of the cards in each pack had been pushed so that the cards formed a small step, (I should have taken a picture-it was odd), and every pack was exactly the same. It was either some sort of packaging malfunction or some sort of pack searching method?