2015 Topps Heritage Value Pack

I won't apologize for liking Heritage, I liked it when it first emerged back in the early 2000's and when we had a choice of Bowman and Topps. Plus there was Upper Deck vintage sets, which were also pretty impressive. But now we are limited to Heritage and at a push Archives.
The 2015 Topps Heritage Baseball base set uses the 1966 Topps Baseball design. The main part of the set has 425 veterans, rookies and managers plus 75 short prints, bringing the 'base set' to 500 cards.
There are a number of variations to the base set including  Action Image Variations which are exclusive to hobby packs. There are Throwback Uniform Variations showing players in old uniforms. There are other limited variations such as Error and new Traded Player variations.
The inserts include: New Age Performers, Baseball Flashbacks, News Highlights and Then and Now, which show 1966 league leaders with the 2014 league leaders.
One of the nicer inserts is the 35 card 1966 Bazooka set.

The Red Sox available are:
#37 John Farrell MG
#44 Edwin Escobar / Matt Barnes RC, RS
#45 Mookie Betts
#84 Bryce Brentz / Steven Moya
#88 Dan Butler / Carlos Rivero
# 98 Clay Buchholz
#111 Garin Cecchini
#152 Joe Kelly
#214 Allen Craig
#231 Brock Holt
#243 Pablo Sandoval
#248 Wade Miley
#259 Boston Red Sox
#281 Mike Napoli
#289 Will Middlebrooks
#293 Rick Porcello
#315 Koji Uehara
#356 Anthony Ranaudo / Rusney Castillo
#380 Daniel Nava
#391 Christian Vazquez
#427 Xander Bogaerts
#438 Hanley Ramirez SP
#480 David Ortiz 3 variations
#499 Dustin Pedroia
#527 Eduardo Rodriguez RC
#597 Justin Masterson
#629 Shane Victorino
#712 Blake Swihart RC, SP 3 variations 

So far behind I haven't even had a chance to update the Red Sox wants list...

This is a value pack of 20 cards.
The Value pack included:
#5 Ryan Vogelsong Giants
#13 Stephen Vogt Athletics
#19 Checklist 1-34
#33 Dan Harden Marlins
#37 John Farrell Red Sox Mrg
#104 Miguel Montero Cubs
#119 Trevor Rosenthal Cardinals
#123 2015 Rookie Stars
#127 2015 Diamondbacks Rookie Stars
#153 Tyler Clippard Nationals
#168 Jarred Cosart Marlins
#199 Pittsburgh Pirates Clubbers
#200 Martin Perez Rangers
#220 RBI Leaders American League
#229 Buck Showalter Orioles Mrg
#241 Ivan Nova Yankees
#254 2015 Phillies Rookie Stars
#313 Gregor Blanco Giants
#400 Joe Mauer Twins
#NAP-3 Billy Hamilton Reds

2015 Topps Heritage

It has been  a little while, but I have a number of packs sitting on my desk that I have yet to open and Big B just sent me a few more so I will continue to open packs in search of Red Sox. 

I joined a box break of the 2015 Heritage here in the UK last year-so there are no base cards I still need except the higher numbered short prints.  

Pack 1:

#104 Miguel Montero

#131 Checklist

#209 Tigers Rookie Stars

#238 Checklist

#251 David Peralta D-backs

#253 Arismendy Alcantara Cubs

#269 Bryan Price Reds

#369 Brandon Belt Giants

#400 Joe Mauer Twins

Pack 2:

#2 Melky Cabrera White Sox

#96 Tim Lincecum Giants

#183 Terry Francona Indians

#269 Bryab Price Reds

#271 J.J.Hardy Orioles

#275 Yadier Molina Cardinals

#285 Omar Infante Royals

#301 Erick Aybar Angels

#NR14 Nolan Ryan Rangers

Pack 3:

#38 B.J.Upton Braves

#63 Brett Lawrie Athletics

#107 Tigers Rookie Stars

#131 Checklist

#193 Chris Iannetta Angels

#287 R.A.Dickey Blue Jays

#308 Salvador Perez Royals

#377 Nick Swisher Indians

#THC449 Matt Harvey Mets

Pack 4:

#110 Anthony Rizzo Cubs

#120 Brian Dozer Twins

#144 Aaron Hill D-backs

#164 Rookie Stars

#190 Oswaldo Arcia Twins

#279 John Gibbons Blue Jays

#330 Carl Crawford Dodgers

#401 Rookie Stars

#485 Chris Carter Astros

A few other teams to spray around other collectors but not a single Red Sox in 4 packs- unfortunate. 

2015 Bowman Baseball Value pack

This one has been sitting for a while gathering, dare I say it, dust. Shame on me.
The 2015 Bowman set consists of 150 base cards, including 30 Rookies. This is a reduction from last year,which had a 220 card base set. There are a number of base parallels including Silver, Purple, Blue, Gold, Retail-only Green, hobby-only Orange, Red, Black, Silver Ice, jumbo-only Red Ice and White Ice.  
Traditionally Bowman is known for its prospects, which has grown to 150 cards. These are also available in a number of parallels; Purple, Blue, Gold, Retail-only Green, hobby-only Orange, Red and Superfractor. There are also parallels that were released in the Asian market only Black and Red. 

The Red Sox checklist contains:
#27 Mookie Betts
#76 David Ortiz
#81 Xander Bogaerts
#117 Mike Napoli
#122 Anthony Ranaudo
#125 Rusney Castillo
#126 Bryce Brentz
#133 Edwin Escobar
#143 Matt Barnes
Prospects 
#BP34 Rafael Devers 
#BP57 Jantzen Witte 
#BP64 Jordan Betts 
#BP70 Carlos Asuaje 
#BP92 Henry Owens
#BP133 Trey Ball 
#BCP215 Simon Mercedes 
#BCP230 Manuel Margot
As of yet I have not collected any of the Bowman cards.

I have a value pack that contains 3 packs of 10 cards plus 3 yellow parallel cards (which are retail exclusive parallels).

Pack 1:
#69 Victor Martinez Tigers
#85 Kurt Suzuki Twins
#101 Greg Holland Royals
#126 Bryce Brentz Red Sox
#128 Cory Spangenberg Padres
#BP56 Hunter Dozier Royals
#BP84 Nick Petree Cardinals
#BP122 Hunter Renfroe Padres
#BCP26 Hunter Harvey Orioles
#BCP68 Raimel Tapia Rockies

Pack 2:

#18 Jarrod Saltalamacchia Marlins

#24 Alex Cobb Bay Rays

#75 Jacob DeGrom Mets

#84 Henderson Alvarez Marlins

#117 Mike Napoli Red Sox

#BP14 Marco Gonzalez Cardinals

#BP45 James Dykstra Whie Sox

#BP101 Rio Ruiz Astros

#BCP49 Sal Romano Reds

#BCP104 Robert Refsnyder Yankees

Pack 3:

#20 Paul Goldschmidt D-backs

#29 Ian Kinsler Tigers

#99 Ian Kennedy Padres

#145 Xavier Scruggs Cardinals

#BP10 Logan Moon Royals

#BP49 Sal Romano Reds

#BP138 Mike Yastrzemski Orioles

#BP150 Carlos Rodon White Sox Silver Ice

#BCP65 Gabriel Quintana Padres

#BCP118 Domingo German Marlins

Bonus pack:

#BP48 Erik Gonzalez Indians

#BP57 Jantzen Witte Red Sox

#BP142 Albert Almora Cubs

Not a bad couple of packs, three Sox and a famous Red Sox sibling.

The first pack had way too many 'Hunters'.

2015 Panini Donruss Value pack

One of the many joys of being a baseball card collector in the UK is that you are fairly unique. So when colleagues from school travel across the pond they now actively search for cards. 

My school had two lovely weeks off, while many others had a single week. I won't go into the details but will say we do extra 'nights' (yes nights) during the term and join all our training days together. 

This colleague, who also a parent, purchased the only cards she could find in Florida. She said this as a way of describing the desperate search she made looking for cards in various shops, including a recommended 'garden' shop. Eventually she bought the last two packs she could find in Walmart. 

I am glad really for any packs and the fact that she actively searched makes me even more appreciative. What my colleague found was a value pack of 2015 Panini Donruss and a 2015 Topps Heritage value pack Sandy Koufax exclusive.   

There are a number of Red Sox base cards and inserts that I still need:

Base
#62 Xander Bogaerts

#151 Pablo Sandoval
#190 Wade Boggs
Inaugural 1981 Edition
#213 Dustin Pedroia
#220 David Ortiz

Rated Rookies                                    
#31 Rusney Castillo

All-Time Diamond Kings

#18 Wade Boggs
#20 Carl Yastrzemski

The Rookies

#1 Rusney Castillo

#6 Anthony Ranaudo

There are 30 Pro baseball Trading cards in the Value Pack.

The pack:

#33 Dalton Pompey Toronto RR

#55 Chris Davis Baltimore

#59 David Ortiz Red Sox

#64 Junior Lake Chicago
#70 Adam Eaton Chicago
#73 Devin Mesoraco Cincinnati 
#77 Michael Brantley Cleveland
#80 Yan Gomes Cleveland
#85 Justin Morneau Colorado
#88 Victor Martinez Detroit
#97 Alex Gordon Kansas City
#106 Yasiel Puig Los Angeles
#114 Ryan Braun Milwaukee
#121 Phil Hughes Minnesota
#127 Brett Gardner New York
#154 Kyle Seager Seattle
#151 Pablo Sandoval Boston

#158 Matt Adams St.Louis
#163 Matt Holliday St.Louis
#168 Adrian Beltre Texas
#173 Jose Bautista Toronto
#178 Jordan Zimmermann Washington
#186 Frank Robinson Baltimore
#239 Bob Gibson St.Louis

#2 Jake Lemoine Collegiate National Team
#2 George Brett Kansas City Preferred
#5 Jorge Soler Chicago Studio
#10 Victor Martinez Detroit  Elite
#14 Jake Lamb Arizona The Rookies
#28 Bo Jackson Kansas City Diamond King

At first I didn't like these cards but they are slowly growing on. From the 30 cards there are 7 inserts, all different. Some lovely shiny cards too! 

2015 Topps Heritage hanger pack

There is an expression that goes- 'Does exactly what it says on the tin.' Which means there shouldn't be any surprises. 

Heritage is that sort of product. There are some inserts, autographs and relics but Heritage is not chock full of surprises, it's all about the base cards. 

They have the look and feel of vintage cards. It is not for everyone, especially the 'hit hunters'. Although there is enough other 'stuff', minis, gum stains, punch cards, variations and intentional mistakes to keep the product interesting. Don't expect them in every pack, some of those inserts are very difficult to pull. 

Heritage hasn't changed much over the years as it makes it nostalgic way through the decade. This year we are still in the sixties, which means cards in the News Flashbacks set include Star Trek, Batman and Jimi Hendrix. What a combination! 

I have collected all the Red Sox base cards but I still need the following short prints and inserts;

Short prints
#427 Xander Bogaerts 
#480 David Ortiz 
#499 Dustin Pedroia 
1966 Bazooka
#66B-DO David Ortiz 
News Flashbacks 
#NF-1 Batman 
#NF-2 Lunar Orbiter 1 
#NF-3 Star Trek 
#NF-4 Metropolitan Opera House 
#NF-5 Jimi Hendrix Experience 
#NF-6 Ronald Reagan 
#NF-7 NFL/AFL Merger 
#NF-8 Indira Gandhi 
#NF-9 Marvin Miller 
#NF-10 Sheila Scott 

There are 20 cards in the rack/value pack, which contains exclusive Sandy Koufax cards. 
The Value Pack:
#12 Jean Segura Brewers
#52 Power Plus! Trout Angles/Cabrera Tigers
#87 Torii Hunter Twins
#90 Jonathan Schoop Orioles
#92 Yankees
#118 Jonathan Papelbon Phillies
#122 John Danks White Sox
#281 Mike Napoli Red Sox

#296 Joe Girardi Yankees
#340 Garrett Richards Angels
#355 David Robertson White Sox
#361 Zack Wheeler Mets
#372 Juan Lagares Mets
#383 Mike Moustakas Royals
#387 Shelby Miller Braves
#406 Tom Koehler Marlins
#416 Glen Perkins Twins
#424 Royals Rookies
#SK-15 Sandy Koufax Dodgers
#NAP2 Jose Abreu White Sox

There are meant to be Get Smart, Lost in Space and Batman buybacks but at odds of 1 in 22,000 packs (1 in 100,000 for Lost in Space) I don't like my chances of pulling one of these. A shame really since they are all readily available on ebay and COMC.

2015 Topps Baseball Series One

The cards that I have featured over the last few days have all come from the same store and when opened have a very interesting appearance. The cards have all been shifted in a step configuration, which leads me to believe that the cards have been searched. Bastards...
Still I have eight unopened packs, so I will complain not further.
Taking part in a box break of Series One, pretty much cleared the Red Sox checklist. Although I do not need any base cards, there are a number of Red Sox inserts that I need:

Free Agent 40 
#6 David Ortiz
Gallery of Greats
#8 Roger Clemens
Highlight of the Year 
#6 Ted Williams 
#8 Ted Williams 
#26 Nomar Garciaparra 
Robbed
#15 Mookie Betts
The Babe Ruth Story 
#3 Red Sox Double Threat 
#4 Postseason Pitching Phenom
#5 From Hurler to Hitter 

Although I will take any Highlights of the Year inserts, as they remind me of another set I collect - 1994 Upper Deck All-time heroes

Pack 1:
#59 Jake Odorizzi Bay Rays
#85 NL win leaders
#104 Bud Norris Orioles
#128 Anthony Swarzak Twins
#171 Mike Foltynewicz Astros
#175 Adrian Beltre Rangers
#199 Eric Young Jr. Mets
#204 Eduardo Escobar Twins
#329 Logan Forsythe Bay Rays
#311 Jhonny Peralta Cardinals
#335 Matt Barnes Red Sox
#349 NL RBI leaders

Pack 2:

#9 2104 World Series -Game 4

#37 Arismendy Alcantara Cubs

#52 Fernando Rodney Mariners

#56 Matt Garza Brewers

#57 Lyle Overbay Brewers

#106 Pedro Alvarez Pirates

#169 Adam Jones Orioles

#207 Bryce Harper Nationals

#298 Rymer Liriano Padres

#308 Carl Crawford Dodgers

#I1 Manny Machado/Cal Ripken Jr. Orioles

#JR3 .387 with Kansas City

Pack 3:
#15 Joey Votto Reds
#35 Brandon Moss Athletics
#42 Todd Frazier Reds
#66 Vance Worley Pirates
#110 Tony Sipp Astros
#153 Josh Reddick Athletics
#184 B.J.Upton Braves
#260 David Peralta D-backs
#271 Pittsburgh Pirates 
#310 Jake Lamb D-backs
#8A '74 Gerald Ford
#F40-7 Andre Dawson Cubs

Pack 4:
#61 NL ERA leaders
#78 Yordano Ventura Royals
#86 Tim Hudson Giants refractor?
#94 Tommy Kahnle Rockies
#208 Wilin Rosario Rockies
#209 Daniel Corcino Reds
#232 Andrew Susac Giants
#253 Gregory Polanco Pirates
#276 Conor Gillaspie White Sox
#278 David Phelps Yankees
#342 San Diego Padres
#H12 Roger Maris Yankees

Pack 5:
#28 Alex Cobb Bay Rays
#73 Freddie Freeman Braves
#101 Scooter Gennett Brewers
#119 Anibal Sanchez Tigers
#146 Tony Watson Pirates
#147 Andrew Heaney Marlins
#223 Angels
#257 Jarrod Saltalamacchia Marlins
#330 Brain Duensing Twins
#334 Gerardo Parra Brewers
#FP06 Agnes McKee
#H30 Miguel Cabrera Tigers

Pack 6:
#2 AL batting average leaders
#22 Tyler Flowers White Sox
#30 Tanner Roark Nationals
#33 Oakland Athletics
#62 Nolan Arenado Rockies
#89 Michael Choice Rangers
#234 Brandon Belt Giants
#266 Brandon Phillips Reds
#274 Ryan Zimmerman Nationals
#304 Shawn Kelley Yankees
#322 Phil Hughes Twins
#JR-4 Signs for the Dodgers

Pack 7:
#2 AL batting average leaders
#22 Tyler Flowers White Sox
#33 Oakland Athletics
#86 Tim Hudson Giants
#89 Michael Choice Rangers
#100 Clayton Kershaw Dodgers
#156 Santiago Casilla Giants
#234 Brandon Belt Giants
#266 Brandon Phillips Reds
#274 Ryan Zimmerman Nationals
#322 Phil Hughes Twins
#A3 Steve Carlton Phillies

Pack 8:
#8 Miguel Gonzalez Orioles
#26 Bryce Brentz Red Sox
#84 Jonathan Schoop Orioles
#87 Eric Sogard Athletics
#123 Ben Revere Phillies
#133 Daisuke Matsuzaka Mets
#135 Matt Dominguez Astros
#170 Tommy Medica Padres
#172 Didi Gregorius D-backs
#186 Rex Brothers Rockies
#261 Lance Lynn Cardinals
#I6 Joe Mauer/Rod Carew Twins

No major surprises from these packs, although the repetition within packs 6 and 7 is odd or poor quality control.
Come on Series 2!

2015 Topps Opening Day

Opening a few packs of Topps Opening Day well behind the official opening day. 

I have 4 value packs (more value compared to the single pack)that each contain 24 cards, although packs that contain inserts may contain 22 cards. 

Not that I would ever try myself to collect the whole base set of Opening Day, there is a fellow collector here in the UK who is doing just that. He gave himself a mountain though, as he wants a master set with all the inserts and parallels. These packs are to help him out before he leaps onto COMC...

Value pack (rack pack/jumbo?) 1:

#15 Gregory Polanco Pirates

#17 David Ortiz Red Sox

#38 Johnny Cueto Reds

#40 Clayton Kershaw Dodgers

#58 Starlin Castro Cubs

#59 Paul Goldschmidt D-backs

#63 Adrian Gonzalez Dodgers

#78 Garrett Richards Angels blue border

#90 Daniel Murphy Mets

#98 Adam Wainwright Cardinals

#117 Hector Santiago Angels

#128 Chase Headley Yankees

#136 Drew Smyly Bay Rays

#138 Gragor Blanco Giants

#139 Marcell Ozuna Marlins

#142 Zack Wheeler Mets

#151 Rusney Castillo Red Sox

#152 Ian Desmond Nationals

#160 Kevin Kiermaier Bay Rays

#174 Michael Brantley Indians
#177 Billy Hamilton Reds
#184 Guiler Rodriguez Rangers
#SC08 Bryce Harper  Nationals
#M01 Baxter the Bobcat

Value Pack 2:
#7 Matt Garza Brewers
#11 Anthony Rizzo Cubs
#22 Gerrit Cole Pirates
#34 Michael Pineda Yankees
#49 Jonny Gomes Athletics
#54 Jeff Samardzija White Sox
#64 Anibal Sanchez Tigers
#65 Michael Wacha Cardinals
#67 Josh Harrison Pirates
#78 Garrett Richards Angels
#82 Joey Votto Reds
#84 Troy Tulowitzki Rockies
#101 Edwin Encarnacion Blue Jays
#108 R.A.Dickey Blue Jays
#110 Dalton Pompey Blue Jays
#110 Dalton Pompey Blue Jays blue border 
#122 Justin Verlander Tigers
#149 Jason Castro Astros 
#156 Daniel Corcino Reds
#167 Mike Minor Braves
#195 Carlos Gomez Brewers
#196 Brandon Phillips Reds
#HTD15 Dustin Pedroia Red Sox
#STA-DD Nationals Park

Value pack 3:
#16 Jake Lamb D-backs
#23 Greg Holland Royals
#26 Buster Posey Giants
#29 John Lackey Cardinals
#33 Eric Hosmer Royals
#39 Albert Pujols Angels
#47 Jacoby Ellsbury Yankees!
#61 Yovani Gallardo Brewers
#81 Aroldis Chapman Reds 
#86 Giancarlo Stanton Marlins
#88 Christian Yelich Marlins
#92 Mark Teixeira Yankees
#95 Jonathan Papelbon Phillies
#115 Jason Kipnis Indians
#116 David Freese Angels
#119 Craig Kimbrel Braves
#123 Victor Martinez Tigers
#124 Henderson Alvarez Marlins
#141 Julio Teheran Braves
#155 Xander Bogaerts Red Sox
#157 Cory Spangenberg Padres
#159 Jusitn Morneau Rockies
#HTD-05 Jacoby Ellsbury Yankees (that is just depressing two Ellsbury's in one pack-in the wrong uniform!)
#STA-DA Citi Field

Value pack 4:
#14 Michael Taylor Nationals
#18 Pablo Sandoval Red Sox
#24 Tim Lincecum Giants
#30 Danny Santana Twins
#37 Chris Archer Bay Rays
#45 Bryce Harper Nationals
#50 Rougned Odor Rangers
#62 Jose Bautista Blue Jays
#68 Joe Mauer Twins
#73 Kyle Seager Mariners
#75 Jimmy Rollins Dodgers
#99 Evan Longoria Bay Rays
#103 Ryan Zimmerman Nationals
#104 Anthony Ranaudo Red Sox
#127 Francisco Cervelli Pirates
#129 Angel Pagan Giants
#133 Jose Molina Bay Rays blue border
#143 Freddie Freeman Braves
#148 Freda Howard Phillies
#169 Matt Adams Cardinals
#185 Maikel Franco Phillies
#188 Javier Baez Cubs
#HTD-14 Denard Span Nationals
#M17 Mr Met

Hopefully this will help Matt before heading onto COMC. 
A great selection of Red Sox spread across the packs and one awful pack containing two Jacobt Ellsbury's. Why didn't this happen when he was with the Red Sox? 

2015 Gypsy Queen baseball trading cards

I have ummed and ahhed (an usual expression to show reluctance)about Gypsy Queen for a number of years. It is without doubt a lovely design with the vintage 'feel' featuring an interesting border and picture, although there is some repetition from previous years both in design and photography used. But I have always opted to collect something else, often a set where packs are easier to obtain or just concentrating on a particular insert.
There are 350 base cards including 50 short prints available in a number of different parallels.  There is also a 100 card mini variation set and 50 variations of the base cards featuring pointing, clapping, cheering and hugging- I kid you not.

Freddie sharing the love.

For me the Queen's Throwbacks insert is another beauty like the N174 of 2014. 

These packs, which were obtained out of a loose box from a Walmart in North Carolina,I suspect have been thoroughly searched and I will be surprised if there are any hits.

I have eight packs and each pack contains 6 cards.

Pack 1:

#66 Joe Mauer Twins

#91 Javier Baez Cubs mini

#139 Jason Kipnis Indians

#239 Victor Martinez Tigers

#267 Trevor Bauer Indians

#GS5 Mike Aviles Indians

Pack 2:

#53 Prince Fielder Rangers

#78 Charlie Blackmon Rockies

#131 Zack Wheeler Mets

#163 Willie McCovey mini

#248 Jose Quintana White Sox

#GWO7 David Freese Cardinals

Pack 3:

#9 Hank Aaron Braves

#138 Greg Maddux Braves mini

#194 Alex Gordon Royals

#199 Mike Zunino Mariners

#279 Jered Weaver Angels

#76 Gio Gonzalez Nationals Bronze paper frame 383/499

Pack 4:

#93 Max Scherzer Nationals

#167 Ian Kinsler Tigers

#158 Rymer Liriano Padres

#196 Travis D'Arnaud Mets

#261 Hunter Pence Giants

#BBMR8 Infield Shift mini

Pack 5:

#40 Jorge Soler Cubs

#111 Adrian Gonzalez Dodgers

#174 Chase Utley Phillies

#191 Pablo Sandoval Red Sox

#268 Elvis Andrus Rangers mini

#336 Mariano Rivera Yankees

Pack 6:

#51 Anthony Rendon Nationals

#52 Nelson Cruz Mariners

#148 Anibal Sanchez Tigers mini

#200 Mike Napoli Red Sox

#233 Bartolo Colon Mets

#QT10 Rougned Odor Rangers

Pack 7:

#35 Nolan Ryan Rangers mini

#65 Devin Mesoraco Reds

#221 Jean Segura Brewers

#238 Carlos Beltran Yankees

#271 Lance Lynn Cardinals

#PC-DO David Ortiz Red Sox

Pack 8:

#90 Carlos Santana Indians

#100 Willie Mays Giants

#103 Taijuan Walker Mariners

#203 Nick Castellanos Tigers mini

#204 Jake Odorizzi Bay Rays

#214 Daniel Murphy Mets

 Well a pretty good selection. Three Red Sox, a few inserts, a mini in every pack, a short print and a numbered insert. Some of the inserts- Bronze frame and Pillars are listed has having a ratio of 1 in 27 packs! So I am fairly content, nice looking cards too.

2015 Donruss Baseball Jumbo Pack

I purchased this 'Value pack' from a fellow collector in the UK, mainly out of curiosity. I think we should support Panini in their attempt to give collectors a choice over Topps. The baseball monopoly has allowed Topps to produce some half-hearted products in the past.

Panini has tried extremely hard with sets like Americas Pastime, Cooperstown, Golden Age, Prizm and even ultra expensive National Treasures. They appear to be thinking carefully about the collector.

I even liked the short lived Triple Play, although aimed at children, it was a refreshing take on card design.

That being said, Donruss cards from the 1980’s are not of the greatest design. The inserts; Studio, The Rookies and Donruss Preferred are by far the best in this set. I suppose we should be thankful they didn’t rehash '88 or '89 Donruss. 

There are a number of Red Sox base cards and inserts available:

Base
#59 David Ortiz
#60 Dustin Pedroia

#62 Xander Bogaerts

#151 Pablo Sandoval
#190 Wade Boggs
Inaugural 1981 Edition
#213 Dustin Pedroia
#220 David Ortiz

Rated Rookies                                       
#31 Rusney Castillo

All-Time Diamond Kings

#18 Wade Boggs
#20 Carl Yastrzemski

The Rookies

#1 Rusney Castillo

#6 Anthony Ranaudo

There are 30 Pro baseball Trading cards in the Value Pack.

The pack:

#40 Brandon Finnegan Kansas City RR

#60 Dustin Pedroia Boston

  

#65 Starlin Castro Chicago
#71 Joey Votto Cincinnati
#78 Corey Kluber Cleveland
#86 Justin Verlander Detroit
#95 Eric Hosmer Kansas City
#104 Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles
#117 Francisco Rodriguez Milwaukee
#127 Matt Harvey New York
#130 David Robertson Chicago
#135 Ryan Howard Philadelphia
#139 Gregory Polanco Pittsburgh
#142 Starling Marte Pittsburgh
#144 Gerrit Cole Pittsburgh
#145 Seth Smith Seattle
#155 Mike Zunino Seattle
#164 Evan Longoria Tampa Bay
#169 Yu Darvish Texas
#174 Melky Cabrera Toronto
#187 Kirby Puckett Minnesota
#190 Wade Boggs Boston
#214 Felix Hernandez Seattle 

Inserts
#7 Joe Altuve Houston Studio
#10 Dalton Pompey Toronto The Rookies
#15 Brandon Finnegan  Kansas City Donruss Preferred
#17 Taylor Ward  Collegiate National Team
#29 Mark McGwire St. Louis All-time Diamond King
#33 Yasmany Tomas Cuba Elite

So a couple of Red Sox. I'll take a Wade Boggs card any day. 
There is a number of  'hidden' variations in this set, which I didn't mention earlier. But there was none in this value pack.