2016 Allen and Ginter blaster

Before opening this blaster, I had a look at what people were saying about the years offering. Some real mixed reviews and collectors have tired of the same format after 11 years.

I collected the whole set in 2010, firstly the base set, knocking out a few short prints along the way and then going after the inserts and I will admit, once is enough. 

Allen and Ginter is always a lovely looking set and an eclectic mix. Where else would you find a Hot Dog eating champion, fitness instructor and political analyst and that is not the start of a joke however there are a fair few comedians thrown in for good measure. 

Though if you are a baseball card collector, these obscure cards might be of little or no interest. 

Saying that,  I really like cards that are printed on material other than card and this set includes wood, metal and cloth minis. 

The 2016 Allen and Ginter base set consists of 351 cards,including the 51 short prints.

There are five different parallels: Mini, Glossy, Mini Exclusives, Mini Cloth and Mini Metal.

There are many inserts, The Numbers Game, Baseball Legends, Natural Wonders, Mascots in the Wild, Ferocious Felines, Laureates of Peace, Subways and Streetcars, US Mayors, Skippers, Artist Originals, Rip Cards and Double Rip Cards.

There is also a very limited 1/1 Greenland Explorer insert.

The Red Sox checklist includes:

#57 Jim Rice

#81 Brian Johnson RC

#87 Craig Kimbrel

#109 Eduardo Rodriguez

#134 Henry Owens

#151 David Ortiz

#184 Mookie Betts

#187 Carl Yastrzemski

#237 Dustin Pedroia

#255 Nomar Garciaparra

#263 Hanley Ramirez

#264 Xander Bogaerts

#270 David Price

#322 Ryan LaMarre SP, RC

#346 Pablo Sandoval SP

I have a blaster, which contains 8 packs and each pack has 6 cards.

Pack 1:

#86 Adam Jones Orioles

#154 Ervin Santana Twins

#179 Jen Welter Coach mini

#228 Colin Cowhead Sportscaster

#NG81 Wade Boggs Yankees

#NW5 Amazon Rainforest

Pack 2: 

#174 Frankie Montas Dodgers

#190 Jon Gray Rockies

#253 Ozzie Smith Cardinals

#314 Starlin Castro Yankees

#MIW9 Parrot

#USM23 Carloyn Goodman Las Vegas Mayor mini

Pack 3:

#18 Kolten Wong Cardinals

#31 Brad Ziegler D-backs

#131 Brooks Robinson Orioles

#132 Leigh Steinberg Agent

#138 Cord McCoy Rodeo Champion mini

#NG53 Zack Greinke D-backs

Pack 4:

#117 Robin Yount Brewers

#195 Joey Votto Reds

#230 Jesscia Mendoza Sportscaster

#318 Yasiel Puig Dodgers mini

#326 Peter O'Brien D-backs

#BL22 Rod Carew Twins

Pack 5:

#1 Jorge Soler Cubs

#97 Kyle Scwarber Cubs

#198 Ari Shaffir Comedian

#214 Justin Bour Marlins

#FF3 Canadian Lynx mini

#NG58 A.J.Pollack D-backs

Pack 6:

#5 Kyle Waldrop Reds

#153 Jung Ho Kang Pirates mini

#235 Chetenne Woods Golfer

#254 Bryce Harper Nationals

#331 Taijuan Walker Mariners

#NW12 Dead Sea

Pack 7:

#22 Francisco Rodriguez Tigers

#113 Alcides Escobar Royals

#186 Morgan Spurlock Filmaker

#261 Carlos Carrasco Indians mini

#297 Corey Kluber Indians

#NG21 Mookie Betts Red Sox (finally!)

Pack 8:

#79 Dustin Garneau Rockies mini

#136 Matt Kemp Padres

#245 Dwier Brown Actor

#287 Andre Dawson Cubs

#302 Trevor Brown Giants

#BL6 Duke Snider Dodgers

Plenty of insets but sadly only 1 Red Sox and no trains.