2014 Topps Series One

Picked up a few more packs of 2014 Topps recently in the search for Red Sox.
Still need the following base cards:
#11 Mike Carp
#22 Mike Napoli WS
#48 Jarrod Saltalamacchia
#53 Clay Buchholz
#131 Junichi Tazawa
#133 Xander Bogaerts RC 
#136 Will Middlebrooks FS 
#146 Jonny Gomes WS 
#166A Dustin Pedroia
#166B Dustin Pedroia SP/In dugout
#194 Joel Hanrahan 
#206 Jon Lester WS
#258 Jon Lester
#259 David Ortiz WS
#274 Jonny Gomes 
#289 Matt Thornton 
#301 Shane Victorino
#307 Jake Peavy 
#475A David Ortiz SP/Goggles on face
#475B David Ortiz SP/Goggles on head

There are 10 cards in a pack and I have 5 packs.

Pack 1:

#3 Jarrod Dyson Royals

#67 Yasmani Grandal Padres

#183 Darwin Barney Cubs

#184 Yunel Escobar Bay Rays

#220 Ryan Doumit Twins

#260 Zoilo Almonte Yankees

#274 Jonny Gomes Red Sox

#302 Carlos Gomez Brewers

#FN-27 Yu Darvish Rangers

#TM-5 Tim Raines Expos

Pack 2:

#132 checklist

#186 Clayton Richard Padres

#197 Onelki Garcia Dodgers

#205 Seth Smith Athletics

#214 James Shields Royals

#327 Pablo Sandoval Giants

#271 Justin Ruggiano Marlins

#305 Steve Cishek Marlins

#FN-30 Bryce Harper Nationals

#TM-28 Mike Trout Angels

Pack 3:

#106 Shin-Soo Choo Reds

#146 Jonny Gomes Red Sox WS

#190 Kevin Gausman Orioles

#210 Jose Altuve Astros

#228 Jayson Werth Nationals

#257 C.J.Wilson Angels

#289 Matt Thornton Red Sox

#313 Brad Peacock Astros

 #RCT-5 Derek Jeter Yankees

#TM-38 Johnny Bench Reds

Pack 4:

#8 Coco Crisp Athletics

#44 Matt Carpenter Cardinals clear 9/10

#102 Matt Lindstrom White Sox

#179 Gerrit Cole Pirates

#209 Carlos Quentin Padres

#245 Ross Detwiler Nationals

#251 Sergio Romo Giants

#282 Rex Brothers Rockies

#296 Domonic Brown Phillies

#UC-29 Felix Hernandez Mariners

Pack 5:

#34 Buddy Boshers Angels

#58 Dan Straily Athletics gold 1123/2014

#79 Garrett Jones Pirates

#133 Xander Bogaerts Red Sox RC

#136 Will Middlebrooks Red Sox

#122 Jonathan Papelbon Phillies

#155 Daniel Murphy Mets

#199 Matt Davidson D-backs

#265 Yordano Ventura Royals

#316 Mike Minor Braves 

Well, two packs containing two Red Sox. Oddly the final pack didn't contain an insert card, but I'm not complaining. A very nice 'plastic' parallel and I think I have found a new favourite player, 

Buddy Boshers !

What a name, pity he isn't a Red Sox player as he would have his own pursuit going today.

2013 Topps Series 2 jumbo packs

Just before I open another of these jumbo packs, let's take a moment to take a view at the available Red Sox from this series, the checklist is extensive;
Base cards:
#348 Jonny Gomes
#382 Jackie Bradley Jr. RC
#399 Shane Victorino
#401 Ryan Dempster
#432 Jose Iglesias
#503 Clay Buchholz
#508 Felix Doubront
#541 Jon Lester
#548 John Lackey
#555 Joel Hanrahan
#595 David Ortiz
#618 Koji Uehara
#644 Ryan Lavarnway
#659 Mike Napoli

Inserts
1972 Topps Minis
#TM11 Dustin Pedroia
#TM46 Jim Rice
#TM50 Ted Williams
#TM77 Fred Lynn
#TM89 Will Middlebrooks
#TM94 David Ortiz
Calling Cards 
#CC4 David Ortiz
#CH33 Ted Williams
#CH59 Fred Lynn
#CH75 Dustin Pedroia
#CH101 Jackie Bradley Jr.
#CH104 Nomar Garciaparra
#CH110 Ted Williams
#CH119 Pedro Martinez
#CH133 Dustin Pedroia y
#CH137 Wade Boggs
#CH138 David Ortiz
Chasing the Dream
#CD3 Will Middlebrooks
Cut To The Chase
#CTC9 Ted Williams
#CTC15 Dustin Pedroia
MVP Award Winners Trophy
#DP Dustin Pedroia
#TW Ted Williams
Making Their Mark
#MM16 Will Middlebrooks
#MM40 Jackie Bradley Jr.
The Elite
#TE18 Ted Williams
Topps The Greats 
#TG5 Ted Williams
#TG6 Jimmie Foxx
Rookie of the Year Award Winners
#CF Carlton Fisk
#DP Dustin Pedroia
#FL Fred Lynn

This Jumbo pack:

#340 Franklin Gutierrez Mariners
#341 Lonnie Chisenhall Indians
#356 Greg Dobbs Marlins
#370 A.J.Griffin Athletics
#371 Jeremy Affeldt Giants
#386 Brandon Phillips Reds blue border
#392 Tom Koehler Marlins
#399 Shane Victorino Red Sox

#409 Logan Morrison Marlins

#419 Matt Moore Bay Rays blue border

#428 Kyle McPherson Pirates

#429 David Price Bay Rays

#437 Dayan Viciedo White Sox

#451 Pedro Florimon Twins

#466 Jerome Williams Angles

#481 Justin Wilson Pirates

#498 Martin Prado D-backs

#539 Phil Coke Tigers

#576 Julio Teheran Braves

#577 Matt Harvey Mets

#585 Homer Bailey Reds

#609 Scott Baker Cubs

#611 Drew Storen Nationals

#626 Gio Gonzalez Nationals

#628 Martin Maldonado Brewers

#629 Trevor Plouffe Twins

#634 Drew Smyly Tigers

#645 Luis Cruz Dodgers

#CD -10 Jon Jay Cardinals

CH-60 Derke Jeter Yankees

#CH-92 Mike Schmidt Phillies

#CH-83 Willie Mays Giants

#MM-17Anthony Rizzo Cubs

#TM-65 Manny Machado Orioles

million dollar chase card

One solitary Red Sox.Hmmmm.

2014 Topps Series 1 baseball

Here is another quick few packs of 2014 of series 1 in search of Red Sox.
The Red Sox base checklist is:
#11 Mike Carp
#22 Mike Napoli WS
#48 Jarrod Saltalamacchia
#53 Clay Buchholz
#131 Junichi Tazawa
#133 Xander Bogaerts RC
#136 Will Middlebrooks FS
#146 Jonny Gomes WS
#166A Dustin Pedroia
#166B Dustin Pedroia SP/In dugout
#194 Joel Hanrahan
#206 Jon Lester WS
#258 Jon Lester
#259 David Ortiz WS
#274 Jonny Gomes
#289 Matt Thornton
#301 Shane Victorino
#307 Jake Peavy
#475A David Ortiz SP/Goggles on face
#475B David Ortiz SP/Goggles on head

Each pack conatins 10 cards.

Pack 1:

#6 Josh Beckett Dodgers
#14 Yoenis Cespedes Athletics
#15 Paul Goldschmidt D-backs
#17 Todd Helton Rockies
#32 Reymond Fuentes Padres
#99 Melky Cabrera Blue Jays
#116 Hiroki Kuroda Yankees
#156 Kendrys Morales Mariners
#174 Bobby Parnell Mets
#UC-49 Al Kaline Tigers

Pack 2:
#60 Jon Niese Mets
#74 John Mayberry Phillies
#83 Jonathan Schoop Orioles
#117 AL ERA leaders
#149 Miguel Cabrera Tigers checklist

#208 Dayan Viciedo White Sox
#261 Michael Brantley Indians
#324 Elvis Andrus Rangers
#328 James Loney Bay Rays
#RCT-6 Jim Rice Red Sox

Pack 3:

#18 Jurickson Profar Rangers

#49 Enny Romero Bay Rays

#75 Brandon Barnes Astros

#141 Chris Tillman Orioles

#194 Joel Hanrahan Red Sox

#221 Brian Dozier Twins red hot foil

#236 Joel Peralta Bay Rays

#256 Abraham Almonte Mariners

#297 Max Scherzer Tigers

#330 Evan Longoria Bay Rays

Pack 4:

#100 Bryce Harper Nationals

#114 Francisco Liriano Pirates

#128 Erasmo Ramirez Mariners

#169 Nick Franklin Mariners

#275 Nolan Arenado Rockies

#290 Chad Bettis Rockies

#303 Andres Torres Giants

#304 Juan Lagares Mets

#307 Jake Paevy Red Sox

#UC-48 Hank Aaron Braves

A nice smattering of Red Sox.

2013 Topps Series 2 Jumbo packs

Opening anotehr 2013 Topps Jumbo pack in search of Red Sox.

The pack contains 36 cards, which will include 3 blue bordered cards and most definitely some inserts.

The Pack:
#333 Santiago Casilla Giants
#346 Aaron Hicks Twins
#347 Brett Anderson Athletics
#360 Khristopher Davis Brewers
##372 Jeff Locke Pirates
#374 Miguel Cabrera Tigers
#378 Joe Kelly Cardinals
#386 Brandon Phillips Reds
#395 Alexei Ramirez White Sox
#402 Tom Wilhelmsen Mariners
#412 Everth Cabrera Padres
#419 Matt More Bay Rays
#425 Josh Donaldson Athletics
#436 Elvis Andrus Rangers
#438 Yasmani Grandal Padres
#444 Jordan Walden Braves
#457 Nate Schierholtz Cubs blue border
#494 Alberto Callaspo Angels
#495 Joaquin Benoit Tigers
#511 Rob Brantly Marlins
#532 Todd Helton Rockies
#533 J.J.Hardy Orioles
#535 Philip Humber Astros
#550 Matt Joyce Bay Rays
#574 Corey Hart Brewers
#616 Grant Balfour Athletics blue border
#634 Drew Smyly Tigers
#645 Luis Cruz Dodgers blue border
#647 Adam Dunn White Sox
#CH-54 Anthony Rizzo Cubs
#CH-81 Cliff Lee Phillies
#CH-99 David Wright Mets
#CTC-1 Mike Trout Angels
#MM-24 Manny Machado Orioles
#WBC-15 Ryan Braun  USA
#TM-89 Will Middlebrooks Red Sox

Left it very late but thank fully there was a Red Sox in the pack.
At least a Brave this time too Big B and it was Yankee free pack.

2013 Topps Series 2 baseball Jumbo pack

With the imminent arrival of 2014 Topps Series 2, these packs(there are a few) may seem a tad delayed. However I am still after the majority of the Red Sox from the flagship Topps, series1 and update included. The inclusion of 3 blue bordered parallels signify that these jumbo packs, containing 36 cards, were purchased in Wal-Mart. A Walmart somewhere in New York state.
My boss, soon to be ex-boss, was on a break in New York last year and returned with 9 jumbo packs, with an apology saying 'this is all she could find!'
I wasn't disappointed. Her departure from my school may mean these generous gifting are a thing of the past.
Four of the jumbos remain unopened, but not for long. I thought about selling them on eBay but I just enjoy opening packs far too much.

The Topps Series 2 was a 330 card continuation of the series 1 set.
The base cards are available in a number of parallel versions; Emerald Foil, Blue (Wal-Mart), Purple (Toys R' Us), Red (Target), Emerald Blue, Gold, Desert Camo Foil, Black, Pink, Silver Slate, and Platinum.
There are also the short printed base variations.
The inserts include; 1972 minis, Silk collection, Chasing History, Cut to the Chase, Making their Mark, Chase it down, World Baseball Classic stars, the Elite and Elite Gold. Most of the inserts come in an autograph/relic version.

Jumbo pack 1:

#354 Casey Janssen Blue Jays

#366 Ervin Santana Royals

#367 Carlos Ruiz Phillies

#382 Jackie Bradley Jr Red Sox

#389 Phil Hughes Yankees

#397 Mike Aviles Indians

#427 Chris Nelson Rockies

#431 Blake Beavan Mariners

#433 Andrew Werner Athletics

#453 Troy Tulowitzki Rockies

#469 Adam Warren Yankees

#493 Johnny Giavotella Royals

#506 Andy Pettitte Yankees

#527 Carlos Beltran Cardinals

#536 Mike Trout Angels blue border

#536 Mike Trout Angels

#538 Brett Wallace Astros

#548 John Lackey Red Sox

#553 Josh Rutledge Rockies

#563 Nate Eovaldi Marlins

#572 Lorenzo Cain Royals

#583 Alejandro de Aza White Sox

#587 Matt Cain Giants

#600 Mariano Rivera Yankees

#617 Fernanado Rodney Bay Rays

#647 Adam Dunn White Sox blue border

#634 Drew Smyly Tigers blue border

#644 Ryan Lavarnway Red Sox

 #CD-8 Chase Headley Padres

#CH-52 Gary Sheffield Dodgers

#CH-74 Stan Musial Cardinals

#CH-75 Dustin Pedroia Red Sox

#CTC-34 Ernie Banks Cubs

#MM-25 Stephen Strasburg Nationals

#TM-71 Reggie Jackson Yankees 

Ignore the fact that I pulled more Yankees from this pack, this was still a great Red Sox jumbo!

2013 Topps Update hanger box?

As I move closer to moving all the items back into my (almost) completed kitchen, some baseball product is surfacing. If you follow this blog, you will no doubt be aware of building work taking place at my house. This unfortunate experience has rendered me completely on a deserted island, without baseball cards. However, every building project has a silver lining- I placed various cards, boxes and packs in boxes, so while unpacking random products are appearing.

Today this surfaced, a box, actually I'm not sure what to call this. It isn't a jumbo pack, nor is it a box containing packs, just 72 cards from the update series. This particular box also contains 5 blue-bordered parallel cards, which could mean that the box was purchased in Wal-mart.

The Update series, like most of Topps recent product, is jammed full of inserts and parallel cards. 

The base set consists of 330 cards, which are available in a number of parallels, Red, Emerald Foil, Gold, Desert Camo Foil, Black, Pink, Sapphire Foil, and Platinum. There is also a Boston Strong Parallel Set.

The cynical amongst you will also be aware of the number of base variations in the set, including the mind boggling Prince Fielder variation featuring Prince George! Good Luck finding one of those. Cardboard Connection has a complete list of variations.

The inserts include; 1971 minis, Chasing History, Making their Mark, Postseason Heroes, Franchise Forerunners, and League Leader pins.

The pack/box:

#7 Yoenis Cespedes A's

#16 Alex Gordon Royals

#21 Junior Lake Cubs

#24 Ryan Raburn Indians

#32 Adeiny Hechavarria Marlins

#34 A.J.Pollock D-backs

#44 Jason Bay Mariners

#47 Matt Garza Rangers

#55 Pete Kozma Cardinals

#56 Kyuji Fujikawa Cubs

#59 Hishashi Iwakuma Mariners

#60 Chris Tillman Orioles

#68 Nick Franklin Mariners

#77 Kelvin Herrera Royals

#85 Pedro Strop Cubs

#98 Salvador Perez Royals

#101 Jonathan Villar Astros

#104 Matt Carpenter Cardinals

#106 Clayton Kershaw Dodgers

#113 Samueal Deduno Twins

#114 Dustin Pedroia Red Sox

#119 Felix Hernandez Mariners

#123 Tom Gorzelanny Brewers

#131 Josh Phegley White Sox

#137 Yoervis Medina Mariners

#145 Michael Cuddyer Rockies

#151 Shawn Kelley Yankees

#154 Kyle Gibson Twins

#155 J.B.Shuck Angels

#157 Marco Scutaro Giants

#159 Donald Lutz Reds

#161 Jim Henderson Brewers

#172 Blake Parker Cubs

#175 Carlos Martinez Cardinals

#184 Dioner Navarro Cubs

#191 Ricky Nolasco Dodgers

#206 Reid Brignac Rockies

#208 Juan Uribe Dodgers

#209 Anthony Swarzak Twins

#213 Matt Adams Cardinals

#227 Carlos Gonzalez Rockies

#243 Marwin Conzalez Astros

#245 James Shields Royals

#255 Alex Wood Braves

#259 Nolan Arenado Rockies

#262 Jayson Nix Yankees

#266 Jed Lowrie A's

#273 Jeff Keppinger White Sox

#280 John Lannan Phillies

#281 Jonathan Pettibone Phillies

#288 Maicer Izturis Blue Jays

#295 Sean Burnett Angels

#297 Chris Narveson Brewers

#298 Luis Avilan Braves

#304 Patrick Corbin D-backs

#308 J.P.Howell Dodgers

#311 Craig Stammen Nationals

#313 Mariano Rivera Yankees

#316 David Wright Mets

#321 Grant Green Angels

#330 Yasiel Puig Dodgers

Parallel

#53 Craig Kimbrel Braves emerald

#116 Mike Kickman Giants blue

#174 Jose Mijares Giants blue

#177 David Ortiz Red Sox checklist blue

#249 Madison Bumgarner Giants blue

#276 Torii Hunter Tigers blue

#328 Eric Sogard A's gold 0384/2013

Inserts

#CH-114 Tom Seaver Mets

#MM-38 Yasiel Puig Dodgers

#PH-10 Bob Gibson Cardinals

#TM-15 Clayton Kershaw Dodgers 

Two Red Sox! Two cards of the 'man of the moment' Yasiel Puig. Some parallels and a 'few' inserts. The minis are my favourite particularly if they are of 70's designs like the 1971Clayton Kershaw.

2013 Panini Cooperstown Blaster

Not sure why I purchased this blaster of 2013 Cooperstown, just saw it on e-bay and thought 'Why not!' Initially opening the box, I was impressed with the bright red packs, but a little underwhelmed by the actual card design. At first glance the sepia-toned pictures were good but didn't excite. However since putting the packs to one side and then getting them out again to write this post, I am more impressed, not just by the depth of players included and the inserts but also the actual card design.
If you're a enthusiast of the backs of cards, then Cooperstown may interest you. Each back features a box score and a short description of the participation of the player depicted.
The addition of the Colgan's Chips is brilliant. At 1 per pack and a 165 card checklist, it is very tempting to go after the entire set. I love this sort of insert in baseball product.

The base set consists of 100 cards, which come in a number of parallels; Green, Blue, Red, Gold, Black Crystal Shard and Matrix. Plus a further 10 colour short printed base cards.
There are inserts; Colgan's Chips, Lumberjacks, Lumberjacks Die Cut, Historic Tickets, Induction, Museum Pieces, Numbers Game and International Play.
There is an interesting looking box topper insert called Pennants, which comes in blue and red.
I purchased a blaster box, which includes 5 packs each containing 6 cards. As a bonus each blaster has three crystal shard parallels. You may notice the box above is a little beaten and battered, the cards were safe except for one pack, which suffered some corner damage.

Pack 1:

#18 Miller Huggins New York

 #39 Dizzy Dean St.Louis

#75 Al Kaline Detroit

#96 Mike Schmidt Philadelphia

#4 1922 World Series historic ticket insert

Satchel Paige  St.Louis chip

 Pack 2:

#14 Honus Wagner Pittsburgh

#27 Paul Waner Pittsburgh

#43 Bobby Doer Boston

#51 Bob Feller Cleveland

#71 Frank Robinson Cincinnati

Jim Bunning  Detroit chip 

Pack 3:

#1 Lou Gehrig New York

#25 Lefty Grove Philadelphia

#56 Stan Musial St.Louis

#82 Rod Carew Minnesota

 #12 Hank Aaron Museum Pieces 

Al Lopez Cleveland chip

 Pack 4:

#9 Johnny Evers Boston

#28 Buck Leonard Homestead Grays

#67 Hoyt Wilhelm Baltimore

#85 Joe Morgan Cincinnati

#20 Catfish Hunter Induction insert

Rickey Henderson chip

Pack 5:

#13 Dan Brouthers Detroit

#41 Carl Hubbell New York

#70 Jim Bunning Philadelphia

#84 Bob Gibson St.Louis

#98 Dave Winfield Toronto

Monte Irvin New York chip

Bonus Crystal Shard pack

#41 Carl Hubbell New York green shard

#84 Bob Gibson St.Louis green shard

#98 Dave Winfield Toronto green shard

I nice enough cross section of inserts, the historic ticket in particular was interesting and I am even more tempted to try and collect the set of Colgan's Chip.