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.

2016 Stadium Club Blaster

2016 Stadium Club is a 300-card set. All 300 base cards are available in the following parallels.
Gold, Black, Black & White, Members Only, Rainbow Foil and First Day Issue.
The inserts include: Contact Sheet, Isometrics, Legends Die-Cuts,  Beam Team,  Triumvirates and Instavision.
Unfortunately Topps chose to include 25 short printed  gimmick variations as well. Pity as the photography and card stock alone make this an excellent product for collectors.
The Red Sox checklist consist of:
#21 Carson Smith
#60 Carl Yastrzemski
#82 Blake Swihart
#112 Curt Schilling
#114 David Ortiz
#133 David Price
#141 Mookie Betts
#147 Henry Owens RC
#223 Nomar Garciaparra
#240 Brock Holt
#241 Rick Porcello
#248 Ted Williams
#254 Dustin Pedroia
#256 Rusney Castillo
#273 Brian Johnson RC

#297 Wade Boggs

The blaster has 8 packs, each pack contains 5 cards.

Pack 1:

#30 Jose Bautista Blu Jays

#70 Dennis Eckersley Athletics

#191 Frank Viola Twins

#197 Zack Greinke D-backs

#221 Jacob DeGrom Mets

Pack 2:

#15 Ozzie Smith Cardinals gold

#72 Tom Murphy Rockies

#157 Mike Leake Cardinals

#273 Brain Johnson Red Sox

#278 Khris Davis Athletics

Pack 3:

#55 Stephen Stasburg Nationals

#80 Nolan Ryan Angles gold

#168 Javier Baez Cubs

#233 Robinson Cano Mariners

#282 Joe Mauer Twins

Pack 4:

#128 Dallas Keuchel Astros

#147 Henry Owens Red Sox

#235 Russell Martin Blue Jays

#253 Paul Molitor Brewers

#293 Cal Ripken Jr. Orioles 

Pack 5:

#61 Miguel Almonte Royals

#225 Trea Turner Nationals

#231 Starlin Castro Yankees

#299 Kyle Seager Mariners

#CS-6 Kris Bryant Cubs

Pack 6:

#120 Mike Moustakas Royals

#141 Mookie Betts Red Sox

#148 Danny Salazar Indians

#242 Collin McHugh Astros

#274 Giancarlo Stanton Marlins

Pack 7:

#3 Matt Kemp Padres

#28 Dee Gordon Marlins

#146 Johnny Bench Reds

#181 Manny Banuelos Braves

#261 Johnny Damon Royals

Pack 8:

#38 Frank Thomas White Sox

#220 Jung Ho Kang Pirates

#286 Harmon Killebrew Senators

#289 Anthony DeSclafani Reds gold

#297 Wade Boggs Red Sox

Well, nice looking cards as Stadium Club tends to be, good photography, thick card stock and a mixture of new and old players- just like this great Wade Boggs card.

2016 Topps Heritage Hanger pack

The cards in the Red Sox Heritage set are:

#45 Hanley Ramirez 3 variations

#74 Brock Holt

#88 Xander Bogaerts 2 variations

#91 Jackie Bradley Jr.

#96 Blake Swihart

#178 Henry Owens / Dariel Alvarez RC

#192 Rick Porcello

#219 Carson Smith

#239 Miguel Cabrera / Xander Bogaerts / Jose Altuve

#296 Eduardo Rodriguez

#333 Craig Kimbrel 2 variations 

#342 Boston Red Sox

#402 Joe Kelly

#409 Pablo Sandoval

#414 Clay Buchholz

#438 David Ortiz SP 2 variations

#456 Dustin Pedroia SP

#469 Mookie Betts SP 3 variations

#477 David Price SP

#486 Rusney Castillo SP

#503 Travis Shaw

This hanger pack contains 35 cards.
#6 Aaron Hick Yankees
#21 Did Gregorius Yankees
#22 J.T. Realmuto Marlins
#35 Jeurys Familia Mets

#47 Darin Ruf Phillies
#57 Trevor Plouffe Twins
#73 Jonathan Papelbon Nationals
#102 Scott Kazmir Astros
#129 Cesar Hernandez Phillies
#143 Josh Reddick Athletics
#161 Cubs Rookie Stars
#174 Padres Rookie Stars
#176 Rays Rookie Stars
#177 AL Rookie Stars
#207 Brett Lawrie White Sox
#209 Ubaldo Jimenez Orioles
#221 Christian Bethancourt Padres

#249 Lucas Duda Mets
#256 Josh Harrison Pirates
#257 Skip Schumaker Reds
#270 Terry Collins Mrg Mets
#274 Bruce Bochy Mrg Giants
#298 Yohan Flande Rockies
#311 Jason Motte Rockies
#318 Dexter Fowler Cubs
#319 Archie Bradley D-backs
#320 Madison Bumgarner Giants
#325 Matt Holliday Cardinals
#342 Boston Red Sox
#345 Toronto Blue Jays
#364 Pittsburgh Pirates
#411 Lance Lynn Cardinals
#433 Prince Fielder Rangers
#NAP-SG Sonny Gray Athletics
#NF-B737 Boeing 737

A set filler type of pack, one Red Sox , no variations and still have yet to find 1967 Topps Disc card, which are meant to be 1 in every 2 packs.

2016 Wacky Packages First Edition Blaster

So I went ahead a bought two blasters of the Wacky Packages as I was impressed, although that may be a little too strong, with the inserts in 2016 Topps Series One. 

The set consists of 90 base cards, which includes Franchise cards,  MLB Event cards, Minor League cards and Ballpark Food cards. 

There are some parallels available in 'Hobby' boxes: Grass coloured, baseball seamed, Ludlow backs and Gold. In the 'collector' boxes parallels are available in Sepia,  Black Ludlow Back,  Red Ludlow Back and Wood.

There are a number of relics available as well, Active Stars autographs, Mascot autographs, Ticket stubs and Stadium Set relics.  

The Red Sox checklist consists of:

#42 Red Sox Tea Party Bags

#44 Red Sox Boston Cream Pie.

                                               

Each blaster contains 4 packs of 10 cards and two exclusive stickers. 

Blaster 1:

Pack 1:

#18 D-backs Back Scratcher 

#30 Mets Matzo Ball Soup

#33 Orioles Feather Dusters 

#39 Pirates Eye Patch

#40 Pirates  Parrot Crackers grass 

#42 Boston Tea Party bags

#43 Rays Florida Orange Juice

#54 Tigers Flea Collar

#71 Asheville Tourists Selfie Stick

#88 Chuckin' Strips

 Pack 2:

#5 Astros  O’s grass

#9 Braves Bubble Gum

#15 Cubs Catcher’s Mitt

#50 Royals Dazzler

#62 All-Star Game Telescope

#64 MLB Record Breaking Hits

#75 Charlotte Stone Crabs Cakes

#78 Richmond Flying Squirrels Caramel Corn

#83 Nacho High Cheese

#85 Pop Fly Corn

The backs of the stickers create bigger versions of the stickers. 

 Pack 3:
#1 Athletics Body Spray

#8 Blue Jays Blue Crayons

#25 Mariners Cocktail Sauce

#48 Rockies Road Game Ice Cream

#53 Tigers Big Cat Litter

#55 Twins Cookie Cutter grass

#61 7th Inning Stretch Taffy

#67 Bowling Green Hot Rods Pretzel Rods

#82 Bench Fries

#84 Soda Pop Foul

                                                         

Pack 4:

#6 Astros Model Rocket Kit

#13 Cardinals Eggs

#28 Marlins Fish Food

#41 Rays Tanning Lotion

#57 White Sox Laundry Detergent

#58 White Sox Relish

#66 Akron Rubber Ducks Bubble Bath grass

#69 Myrtle Beach Pelicans Storage Bags

#80 Vermont Lake Monsters Maple Syrup

#90 Grand Slam Burger

Exclusives:

#3 Angels Halo Polish

#60 Yankees Big Apple Juice

Blaster 2:

Pack 1:

#10 Braves Cutlery Set

#17 Diamondbacks Snake Oil

#18 Diamondbacks Back Scratcher grass

#20 Dodgers Sushi

#22 Giants Magic Beans

#24 Indians Summer

#35 Padres Deep Friar

#36 Padres Head Shavers

#44  Red Sox Boston Cream Pie

#56 Twins-icle Ice Pops

Pack 2:

#28 Marlins Fish Food

#41 Rays Tanning Lotion

#46 Reds Catch-Up

#49 Royals Blue Cheese

#57 White Sox Laundry Detergent

#58 White Sox Relish

#64 MLB Record Breaking Hits grass

#69 Myrtle Beach Pelicans Storage Bags

#80 Vermont Lake Monsters Maple Syrup

#90 Grand Slam Burger

Pack 3:

#31 Nationals Monument Polish

#40 Pirates Parrot Crackers

#43 Rays Florida Orange Juice grass

#45 Reds Mustache Wax

#52 Rangers BBQ Sauce

#55 Twins Cookie Cutter

#66 Akron Rubber Ducks Bubble Bath

#72 El Paso Chihuahuas Hot Dog

#81 Hot Dogger

#89  Peanut Gallery Peanuts

Pack 4:

#5  Astros O’s

#14 Cardinals Red Wing Sauce

#23 Indians Can O’ Corn
#30 Mets Matzo Ball Soup grass
#32 Nationals Gnats Bug Spray
#47 Rockies Rock Candy
#51 Rangers Oven Range
#70 Nashville Sounds Ear Plugs
#79 Biloxi Shuckers Oyster Crackers
#88 Chuckin' Strips

Exclusives:

#18 Diamondbacks Back Scratcher

#30 Mets Matzo Ball Soup

My interest in these has definitely peaked. I now have the two Red Sox stickers from the set.

Although someone had a great time creating these stickers - Reds Catch-Up, Nashville Sounds Ear Plugs, as my son would say they need to be locked in a 'punitentiary'. 

2016 Topps Archives Baseball Blaster

2016 Topps Archives is a 310-card set divided into three 100 card subsets each replicating a previous Topps design. The designs featured this year are the 1953 Topps, 1979 Topps, and 1991 Topps. 10 additional shorted printed cards bring the whole base set to 310 cards. 

There are a number of inserts available, the most interesting for collectors possibly the 1998 design Bull Durham inserts, although the 1969 Topps Super insert looks pretty good as well. Other inserts included are the 1985 Topps #1 Draft Pick insert and the 1985 Father-Son insert. 

The Red Sox checklist includes a mixture of old and new:

1953 design

#31 Henry Owens RC

#35 Jim Rice

#39 David Price

#56 Brian Johnson RC

#74 Dustin Pedroia

#89 Hanley Ramirez

#90 Carl Yastrzemski

1979 design

#101 Babe Ruth

#125 David Ortiz

#146 Mookie Betts

1991 design

#239 Xander Bogaerts

#251 Bobby Doerr

#271 Ted Williams

#288 Nomar Garciaparra

#293 Craig Kimbrel

1969 Super

#69TS-DO David Ortiz

I have a blaster which contains 8 packs of 10 cards with one guaranteed Bull Durham insert per blaster. These were purchased from a Walmart in New Hampshire, Derry to be more exact. 

Pack 1:

#7 Ketel Marte Mariners

#24 Bert Blyleven Twins 

#27 Jim Abbot Yankees

#117 Craig Biggio Astros

#120 Juan Gonzalez Rangers

#131 Jim Palmer Orioles

#215 Yoenis Cespedes Mets

#261 Joe Mauer Twins

#285 Maikel Franco Phillies

#309 Kris Benson Pirates

Pack 2:

#1 Albert Pujols Angels

#47 Jorge Lopez Brewers

#84 Gregory Polanco Pirates

#92 Bartolo Colon Mets

#140 Jung Ho Kang Pirates

#147 Travis Jankowski Padres

#195 Mark Melancon Pirates

#212 Gaylord Perry Indians

#271 Ted Williams Red Sox

#275 Corey Seager Dodgers

Pack 3:

#42 J.D.Martinez Tigers

#67 Lorenzo Cain Royals

#82 Justin Bour Marlins

#139 Carlos Beltran Yankees

#155 Jeurys Familia Mets

#194 Garrett Richards Angels

#237 Miguel Sano Twins

#263 Eddie Matthews Braves

#265 Warren Spahn Braves

#69TS-MS Miguel Sano Twins

Pack 4:

#29 Russell Martin Blue Jays

#30 Manny Machado Orioles

#58 Glen Perkins Twins

#126 Yu Darvish Rangers
#149 Brain Dozier Twins
#157 Jose Abreu White Sox
#223 Goose Gossage Yankees
#282 Lou Block Cardinals
#291 Kaleb Cowart Angels
#BD-T Tony

Pack 5:

#32 Kevin Pillar Blue Jays

#99 Masahiro Tanaka Yankees

#100 Buster Posey Giants

#146 Mookie Betts Red Sox

#148 Zack Greinke D-backs

#150 Kris Bryant Cubs

#160 Joc Pederson Dodgers

#225 Clayton Kershaw Dodgers

#230 James Shields Padres

#248 Anthony Rizzo Cubs

Pack 6:

#13 Jason Heyward Cubs

#39 David Price Red Sox

#68 Trea Turner Nationals

#154 Jon Gray Rockies

#184 Carlos Martinez Cardinals

#186 Peter O'Brien D-backs

#214 Adam Jones Orioles

#276 Nolan Arenado Rockies

#300 Sandy Kofax Dodgers

#85DP-BS B.J.Surhoff Brewers

Pack 7:

#12 Robin Yount Brewers

#25 Kyle Schwarber Cubs

#83 Satchel Paige Indians

#104 Evan Longoria Bay Rays

#139 Tom Seaver Mets

#200 Bryce Harper Nationals

#274 Michael Brantley Indians

#286 Willie Mays Giants

#288 Nomar Garciaparra Red Sox

#FS-AAL Sandy/Roberto Alomar 

Pack 8:

#4 Bret Boone Mariners

#57 Charlie Blackmon Rockies
#66 Shelby Miller D-backs
#101 Babe Ruth Red Sox
#141 Stan Musial Cardinals
#188 Brandon Crawford Giants
#225 Ryan Braun Brewers
#267 Carlos Gonzalez Rockies
#294 Andrew McCutchen Pirates
#69TS-FF Freddie Freeman Braves

Oh Archives you didn't disappoint. Great to see my (second) favourite player gracing the cardboard again- Nomar please come back.

2016 Bowman MORE VALUE rack packs

More of the 'Prospectors Dream' set. Bowman is the First Place to find the Game's Future Stars in all the colours of the rainbow. 

The Red Sox available are:
#10 David Ortiz
#13 Mookie Betts
#15 Dustin Pedroia
#16 Xander Bogaerts
#92 David Price
#111 Craig Kimbrel
#129 Henry Owens RC
plus these prospects:
#BP40 Anderson Espinoza
#BP42 Mauricio Dubon 
#BP62 Andrew Benintendi 
#BP109 Rafael Devers 
#BP115 Michael Kopech 

#BP148 Yoan Moncada 

There are 22 cards per Value pack and I have two packs.

Pack 1:
#15 Dustin Pedroia Red Sox
#17 Jon Lester Cubs
#35 Justin Verlander Tigers
#39 Jose Altuve Astros
#45 Zack Greinke D-backs
#46 Adrian Gonzalez Dodgers
#50 Ichiro Marlins
#60 Masahiro Tanaka Yankees
#71 Gregory Polanco Pirates
#136 Miguel Almonte Royals
#BP20 Ruddy Giron Padres
#BP25 Dillion Tate Rangers
#BP39 Corey Black Cubs
#BP46 Kevin Kramer Pirates
#BP136 Brett Phillips Brewers
#BP141 Luke Weaver Cardinals
#BCP42 Mauricio Dubon Red Sox
#BCP109 Rafael Devers Red Sox
#BCP137 Lewis Brinson Rangers
#BCP144 Yoan Lopez D-backs
#BCP150 Lucas Giolito Nationals 065/499
#SS-6 Jorge Soler Cubs

Pack 2:
#29 Corey Kluber Indians
#31 Charlie Blackmon Rockies
#37 Carlos Santana Indians
#40 Clayton Kershaw Dodgers
#63 Billy Butler Athletics
#93 Edwin Encarnacion Blue Jays
#98 David Peralta D-backs
#103 Jay Bruce Reds
#112 Kyle Seager Mariners
#121 Matt Reynolds Mets
#141 Peter O'Brien D-backs
#BP17 Fernando Tatis Jr White Sox
#BP22 Iolana Akau Athletics
#BP44 Mikey White Athletics
#BP61 Tyler Jay Twins
#BP64 Ian Happ Cubs
#BP70 Trent Clark Brewers
#BCP18 Starling Heredia Dodgers
#BCP33 Sal Ramano Reds
#BCP133 Max Fried Braves
#BCP148 Yoan Moncada Red Sox
#SS-14 Daniel Norris Tigers

Excellent four Red Sox from the two packs. 

2016 Topps Heritage MORE VALUE Pack

Today's Stars in the 1967 design. A week or so ago I opened a solitary pack of 2016 Heritage. Since then I have come into possession of two rack (value) packs, which each contains 20 cards. The Red Sox checklist for this set is very extensive, so with any luck I should be able to improve my chances of extracting a Red Sox player from either pack.

There is also the added bonus of  being able to procure a 1967 Disc card, which were only attainable in these Walmart packs. 

A reminder of the Red Sox checklist:

#45 Hanley Ramirez 3 variations

#74 Brock Holt

#88 Xander Bogaerts 2 variations

#91 Jackie Bradley Jr.

#96 Blake Swihart

#178 Henry Owens / Dariel Alvarez RC

#192 Rick Porcello

#219 Carson Smith

#239 Miguel Cabrera / Xander Bogaerts / Jose Altuve

#296 Eduardo Rodriguez

#333 Craig Kimbrel 2 variations 

#342 Boston Red Sox

#402 Joe Kelly

#409 Pablo Sandoval

#414 Clay Buchholz

#438 David Ortiz SP 2 variations

#456 Dustin Pedroia SP

#469 Mookie Betts SP 3 variations

#477 David Price SP

#486 Rusney Castillo SP

#503 Travis Shaw

There are 20 cards per hanger pack.

Pack 1:

#90 Sonny Gray Athletics

#91 Jackie Bradley Jr Red Sox

#97 Carlos Beltran Yankees

#116 Wade Miley Mariners

#118 Giovanny Urshela Indians

#183 NL Rookie Stars

#188 NL Rookie Stars

#189 NL Rookie Stars

#201 Luis Valbuena Astros

#219 Carson Smith Red Sox

#230 James Shields Padres

#246 Logan Morrison Bay Rays

#303 David Murphy Angles

#338 Jay Bruce Reds

#339 Darren O'Day Orioles

#346 White Sox checklist

#363 Brewers checklist

#389 Jeff Samardzija Giants

#NAPSP Stephen Piscotty Cardinals

#TAN-YO Carl Yastrzemski Red Sox/Chris Davis Orioles

Pack 2:

#53 Cameron Maybin Tigers

#69 Freddy Galvis Phillies

#75 Yangervis Solarte Padres

#81 Kendall Graveman Athletics

#124 Derek Dietrich Marlins

#128 Mike Moustakas Royals

#163 Dodgers Rookie Stars

#164 Reds Rookie Stars

#204 Adam LaRoche White Sox

#243 AL Home Run Leaders

#255 Jorge Soler Cubs

#264 Terry Francona Mgr Indians

#286 Wei-Yin Chen Orioles

#233 AL ERA Leaders

#324 Anthony Rendon Nationals

#332 Ben Paulsen Rockies

#340 Mark Teixeira Yankees

#436 Masahiro Tanaka Yankees

#CCR-SMAR Starling Marte Pirates

Wow-nice three Red Sox pack and a Game Used.