3 Jumbo packs of Opening Day 2013

Three lovely JUMBO packs of 2013 Opening Day, each containing 24 packs (what a terrific invention JUMBO packs are), from the Alley Family in North Carolina.
There are 220 cards available in the base set.
There are two parallel versions; blue border #2013 and purple border -obtainable only in Toys'R'Us packs.
There are a short printed variations of a number of the base cards, which appear to show the player not playing baseball but involved in activities like press conferences and hand shaking.
There are a number of inserts available; 25 Opening Day Stars, 25 Play Hard, 10 Highlights, 25 Baseball Fun, 25 Celebrations, 24 Mascots and 5 Mascot autographs( aren't they just guys in suits?)
Topps finally succumb and included autographs, 10 players possible.
Besides the Red Sox (which shouldn't be too difficult as there are very few), there is one particular insert that I intend to collect - Opening Day Stars. These lenticular cards, which had been a feature of some of Topps products in recent years, have really captured my interest.
The intention is to collect the whole set of these 3D inserts (plus the Red Sox).
The Red Sox available are:
#20 Jacoby Ellsbury
#41 Dustin Pedroia
#42 Jon Lester
#143 David Ortiz
#171 Jarrod Saltalamacchia
#210 Will Middlebrooks
#BF1 Dustin Pedroia
#BF12 David Ortiz
#M22 Wally the Green Monster
#PH7 Dustin Pedroia
#PH11 David Ortiz
#SC25 David Ortiz

Jumbo Pack 1:

#33 Trevor Plouffe Twins

#39 Heath bell D-backs

#44 Gio Gonzalez Nationals

#80 Anthony Rizzo Cubs

#82 Carlos Santana Indians

#88 Edwin Encarnacion Blue Jays

#89 Drew Stubbs Indians

#93 Justin Upton Braves

#100 Matt Kemp Dodgers

#101 Adeiny Hechavarria Marlins blue border 1806/2013

#106 James McDonald Pirates

#114 Mike Olt Rangers

#133 Billy Butler Royals

#150 Derek Jeter Yankees

#156 Adam Dunn White Sox

#159 Mike Moustakas Royals

#172 Manny Machado Orioles

#189 Austin Jackson Tigers

#190 Chris Carpenter Cardinals

#191 Johnny Cueto Reds

#210 Will Middlebrooks Red Sox

#M-2 Phillie Phanatic

#PH- 5 Brett Lawrie Blue Jays

#SC-25 David Ortiz Red Sox



 Jumbo Pack 2:

#10 Mat Latos Reds

#17 John Axford Brewers

#20 Jacoby Ellsbury Red Sox

#26 Howie Kendrick Angles

#28 Albert Pujols Angels

#67 Marco Scutaro Giants

#72 Shelby Miller Cardinals

#73 Ryan Vogelsong Giants

#96 Jordan Zimmermann Nationals

#106 Trevor Sauer Indians

#113 Carlos Gonzalez Rockies

#120 Alex Rodriguez Yankees

#142 Jarrod Parker Athletics

#143 David Ortiz Red Sox

#158 J.J.Putz D-backs

#151 Torii Hunter Tigers

#157 Madison Bumgarner Giants

#166 Tyler Clippard Nationals

#170 Stephen Strasburg Nationals

#188 Coco Crisp Athletics

#200 Evan Longoria Bay Rays

#M-12 Baltimore Orioles

#PH-15 Andrew McCutchen Pirates

#SC-5 Giancarlo Stanton Marlins

 

Jumbo Pack 3:

#2 Ricky Romero Blue Jays

#28 Prince Fielder Tigers

#30 Jayson Werth Nationals

#43 Pedro Alvarez Pirates

#51 Elvis Andrus Rangers

#53 Addison Reed White Sox

#54 Starlin Castro Cubs

#56 Josh Hamilton Angels

#57 Cliff Lee Phillies

 #59 Matt Harvey Mets

#63 Jonathan Niese Mets

#99 Vernon Wells Angels

#108 Hunter Pence Giants

#109 Ian Desmond Nationals

#116 Norichika Aoki Brewers

#130 Chase Headley Padres

#136 Ian Kennedy D-backs

#145 Giancarlo Stanton Marlins

#179 Wade Miley D-backs

#199 Craig Kimbrel Braves

#217 Carlos Ruiz Phillies blue border 0938/2013

#219 Troy Tulowitzki Rockies

#BF-13 Albert Pujols Angels

#ODS-13 YU Darvish Rangers

 Wow , I like Jumbo packs. A fair smattering of Red Sox, nice to pull a Jacoby Ellsbury, it's rare that I ever get his cards from packs. Two blue bordered cards and a good start to the lenticular collection Yu Darvish.



2013 Topps Opening Day Lenticular insert Opening Day Stars

The lenticular insert has become a staple of recent Topps products; 2011 Lineage, 2012 Archives and 2012 and 2013 Opening Day. There is just something about these types of cards that interests me. The Lenticular process, which is used to create movement or depth in a picture, is nothing new. Topps tested lenticular /3D baseball cards in 1968 and 3D became a regular feature of Kellogg's cereals through-out the 1970's and early 80's and every collector has Sportsflix tucked away in there collection somewhere.
These modern inserts are showing depth rather than movement, nevertheless, this is a collection for the odd-balls amongst us or anyone who appreciates diversity in their baseball collection.
The insert set contains 25 cards and I intend to collect them all.
#1 Prince Fielder - Detroit Tigers
#2 Justin Verlander - Detroit Tigers
#3 Miguel Cabrera - Detroit Tigers
#4 Buster Posey - San Francisco Giants
#5 Derek Jeter - New York Yankees
#6 Robinson Cano - New York Yankees
#7 Evan Longoria - Tampa Bay Rays
#8 David Ortiz - Boston Red Sox
#9 Joe Mauer - Minnesota Twins
#10 Albert Pujols - Angels
#11 Mike Trout - Angels
#12 Josh Hamilton - Angels
#13 Yu Darvish - Texas Rangers
#14 Felix Hernandez - Seattle Mariners
#15 David Wright - New York Mets
#16 R.A. Dickey - Toronto Blue Jays
#17 Adrian Gonzalez - Los Angeles Dodgers
#18 Cole Hamels - Philadelphia Phillies
#19 Bryce Harper - Washington Nationals
#20 Stephen Strasburg - Washington Nationals
#21 Joey Votto - Cincinnati Reds
#22 Ryan Braun - Milwaukee Brewers
#23 Andrew McCutchen - Pittsburgh Pirates
#24 Matt Kemp - Los Angeles Dodgers
#25 Yadier Molina - St. Louis Cardinals

Completed 22nd April 2015

2012 Topps Series baseball blaster

It seems like such a long time ago that I received this blaster. With 2013 Series 2 closer to hitting the shelves, eBay, COMC and blogs, it might appear a little late in the day to post, but there are still a few Red Sox from Series 2 waiting to be added to the collection:
#368 Carl Crawford
#441 Mike Aviles
#506 David Ortiz
#631 Ryan Kalish

The blaster has 10 packs, each containing eight cards.

Pack 1:

#357 Aaron Harang Dodgers

#369 Huston Street Padres

#481 Matt Harrison Rangers

#547 Jason Giambi Rockies

#615 Luis Marte Tigers

#634 Jose Contreras Phillies

#ACA-17 Tim Lincecum Giants

#MD-5 Dennis Eckersley Athletics

 

Pack 2:

#385 David Murphy Rangers

#442 Johnny Giavotella Royals

#580 Tony Campana Cubs

#569 Travis Hafner Indians

#592 Carlos Lee Astros

#651 Ryan Sweeney Red Sox

#CD-24 Troy Tulowitzki Rockies

#TW-66 Cole Hamels Phillies

 

Pack 3:

#371 Jim Thome Phillies

#394 Bryan LaHair Cubs

#496 Jorge De La Rosa Rockies

#508 Brandon Phillips Reds

#554 Raul Ibanez Yankees

#611 Neftali Feliz Rangers

#640 Jemile Weeks Athletics

#GM-48 Ryne Sandberg Cubs

 

Pack 4:

#367 Chris Volstad Cubs

#395 Jonathan Lucroy Brewers

#485 Carlos Marmol Cubs

#594 Ricky Romero Blue Jays

#617 Jimmy Rollins Phillies

#633 Chris Narveson Brewers

#GGC-16m Johnny Bench Reds

#GM-10 Ryan Zimmerman Nationals

 

Pack 5:

#455 Jed Lowrie Astros gold sparkle

#467 Juan Francisco Reds

#490 Chris Carpenter Cardinals

#498 Joey Votto Reds

#511 Ervin Santana Angels

#524 Martin Prado Braves

#610 Cody Ross Red Sox

#GF-26 Jesus Montero Mariners



 

Pack 6:

#346 Dillion Gee Mets

#395 Rod Barajas Pirates

#477 Edison Volquez Padres gold sparkle

#523 Jim Johnson Orioles

#544 Josh Collmenter D-backs

#552 Kyle Drabek Blue Jays

#555 Alex Presley Pirates

#622 Daniel Hudson D-backs

 

Pack 7:

#355 Mark Buehrle Marlins

#363 Fernando Salas Cardinals gold sparkle

#378 Brandon League Mariners

#469 Vinnie Pestano Indians

#505 Fautino De Los Santos Athletics

#577 Dallas Braden Athletics

#650 Prince Fielder Tigers

#GGC-12 Felix Hernandez Mariners

 

Pack 8:

#376 Carlos Quentin Padres

#377 Brandon Inge Tigers

#454 Michael Cuddyer Rockies

#503 Tyler Clippard Nationals

#548 Charlie Furbush Mariners

#609 Lorenzo Cain Royals

#GS-39 Frank Robinson Orioles

#MD-13 Jon Lester Red Sox

 

Pack 9:

#389 Alexi Casilla Twins

#449 Shane Victorino Phillies

#494 Darwin Barney Cubs

#514 Brain Roberts Orioles

#527 Aaron Hill D-backs

#570 Zach McAllister Indians

#GF-45 Lonnie Chisenhall Indians

#GM-3 Eric Hosmer Royals

 

Pack 10:

#339 Clayton Richard Padres

#350 Evan Longoria Bay Rays

#426 Eric Hinske Braves

#471 James Shields Bay Rays

#483 Alex Gordon Royals

#487 Eric Sogard Athletics

#ACA-11 Nolan Ryan Astros

#TM-83 Joe Mauer Twins

 

Exclusive Patch Card:

#HS-HK Harmon Killebrew Twins

 

There you go, still no closer to completing the Red Sox team set. Plenty of nice inserts, gold sparkly cards too. Not convinced by the Historic Stitches, although I doubt I could say no if it was Carl Yastrzemski.

2012 Topps Archives 3D inserts

In retrospect I think that I should have just tried to collect the whole set of 2012 Archives. The inclusion of 1980 Topps design, Deckle Edge and stickers weren't enough, there was one set of inserts that definitely captured my imagination -the 3D set. Similar in design to 2011 Topps Lineage, which were also based on the experimental 1968 3D Topps release, only slightly larger.
The set contains 15 cards featuring some stellar names from past and present.
They were inserted in 2012 Archives at a ratio of 1in 8 packs.
Since there are only 15, why not collect the whole set?

AK Al Kaline
BR Babe Ruth
CS CC Sabathia
CU Chase Utley
DP Dustin Pedroia
FH Felix Hernandez
JU Justin Upton
JV Joey Votto
MC Miguel Cabrera
MK Matt Kemp
MM Mickey Mantle
NC Nelson Cruz
RC Robinson Cano
RCL Roberto Clemente
WM Willie Mays

COMPLETED

Even more 2012 Panini Triple Play

The final 8 packs from this box of 24 packs.
Still more cards needed to complete the whole set. Only 11 cards from the 90 card base set, but I set the goal of all inserts too, which leaves the total at 124 cards- the puzzle cards are proving to be the most difficult. There are 144 cards (9 cards for the 16 players) and I still have 85 to collect.

Pack 17:

#60 Yoenis Cespedes Oakland

#86 Jose Bautista Toronto

#138 (3/9) A-Rod New York

#226 (1/9) Jose Bautista Toronto

#250 Ryan Braun Milwaukee

#11 Slugger sticker

#5 eye black

Pack 18:

#25 Carlos Gonzalez Colorado

#33 Carlos Lee Miami

#65 Joel Hanrahan Pittsburgh

#111 (3/9) Carlos Lee Miami

#168 (6/9) Andrew McCutchen Pittsburgh

#245 Brett Wallace Houston

#16 Great Catch sticker

Pack 19:

#7 Adam Jones  Baltimore

#72 Tim Lincecum San Francisco

#165 (3/9) Andrew McCutchen Pittsburgh

#218 (2/9) Josh Hamilton Texas

#253 Derek Jeter New York

#11 Slugger sticker

#1 eye black

Pack 20:

#14 Geovany Soto Chicago

#51 Justin Morneau Minnesota

#57 Derek Jeter New York

#108 (9/9) Starlin Castro Chicago

#183 (3/9) Buster Posey San Francisco

#16 Great Catch sticker

#4 Tattoo

Pack 21:

#19 Brandon Phillips Cincinnati

#22 Asdrubal Cabrera Cleveland

#67 Chase Utley Philadelphia

#126 (9/9) Albert Pujols Los Angeles

#200 (2/9) Matt Holliday St.Louis

#269 Baseball 101 Pitcher's Mound

#21 Brandon Phillips sticker

Pack 22:

#31 Brett Myers Houston

#39 Jered Weaver Los Angeles

#80 David Price Tampa Bay

#169 (7/9) Andrew McCutchen Pittsburgh

#222 (6/9) Josh Hamilton Texas

#243 Carlos Gonzalez Colorado

#26 Clayton Kershaw sticker

Pack 23:

#6 Dan Uggla Atlanta

#50 Joe Mauer Minnesota

#71 Buster Posey San Francisco

#112 (4/9) Carlos Lee Miami

#154 (1/9) Roy Halladay Philadelphia

#261 B.J.Upton Tampa Bay

#1 flaming ball sticker

Pack 24:

#9 Matt Wieters Baltimore

#53 Ike Davis New York

#74 Felix Hernandez Seattle

#107 (8/9) Starlin Castro Chicago

#164 (2/9) Andrew McCutchen Pittsburgh

#236 Brian McCann Atlanta

#1 Flaming Ball sticker

Well that is 48 packs and I think I still short a few of the base set of 90 cards, but the puzzle pieces are proving to be very difficult. Only 1 of the 9 pieces of the Roy Halladay set.

Not more 2012 Panini Triple Play

Oh yes...I have 16 more packs to get through.

Pack 9:

#1 Ian Kennedy Arizona

#26 Todd Helton Colorado

#66 Pedro Alvarez Pittsburgh

#121 (4/9) Albert Pujols Los Angeles

#207 (9/9) Matt Holliday St. Louis

#248 Matt Kemp Los Angeles

#26 Clayton Kershaw sticker

Pack 10:

#34 Alex Gordon Kansas City

#75 Ichiro Seattle

#82 Ian Kinsler Texas

#178 (7/9) Orlando Hudson Chicago

#225 (9/9) Josh Hamilton Texas

#267 Baseball 101 Double Play

#21 Brandon Phillips sticker

Pack 11:

#46 Rickie Weeks Milwawkee

#90 Stephen Strasburg Washington

#152 (8/9) Yoenis Cespedes Oakland

#209 (5/9) Matt Holliday St Louis

#260 Lance Berkman St Louis

#11 Slugger sticker

#6 Eye Black



Pack 12:

#40 Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles

#44 Jose Reyes Miami

#87 Ricky Romero Toronto

#94 (4/9) Justin Upton Arizona

#136 (1/9) A-Rod New York

#16 Great catch sticker

#5 Tattoo

Pack 13:

#2 Miguel Montero  Arizona

#67 Carlos Quentin San Diego

#110 (2/9) Carlos Lee Miami

#227 (5/9) Josh Hamilton Texas

#241 Joey Votto Cincinnati

#292 Jacoby Ellsbury Red Sox

#6 Flying Catch sticker

Pack 14:

#23 Carlos Santana Cleveland

#62 Roy Halladay Philadelphia

#64 Andrew McCutchen Pittsburgh

#137 (2/9) A-Rod New York

#179 (8/9) Orlando Hudson Chicago

#273 Cal Ripkin HoF

#1 Flaming ball sticker

Pack 15:

# 8 Brian Matusz Baltimore
#52 David Wright New York
#73 Dustin Ackley Seattle
#153 (9/9) Yoenis Cespedes Oakland
#192 (3/9) Ichiro Seattle
#272 Baseball 101 Tag Play
#21 Brandon Phillips sticker

Pack 16:

#15 Matt Garza Chicago

#20 Joey Votto Cincinnati

#58 Jemile Weeks Oakland

#95 (5/9) Justin Upton Arizona

#214 (7/9) Evan Longoria Tampa Bay

#26 Clayton Kershaw sticker

#2 Tattoo

Some more from the wants list but with only eight packs to go it will be cutting it awfully fine to complete the set.

2012 Panini Triple Play

With the increase in postage prices from America, and my mishap with a previous purchase from Dave and Allen's Cards, I decided to go down another route altogether to complete this Triple Play set. There was the possibility of purchasing the cards from Germany, but it didn't work out any less expensive than purchasing through the USA, so I purchased a box of the Panini Triple Play from O Canada.
Big B from Waxaholic may be pleased to know that the purchase from a fellow country man went as smooth as silk- no hidden charges and they arrived super quickly.
Here are the first 8 packs from the box of 24 packs. There are 7 cards per pack.
I need a 'few' more cards to complete the whole set.including all the inserts.

Pack 1:

#24 Grady Sizemore Cleveland

#63 Ryan Howard Philadelphia

#125 (8/9) Albert Pujols Los Angeles

#229 (4/9) Jose Bautista Toronto

#257 Chase Headley San Diego

#11 Slugger sticker

#3 Eye black

 

Pack 2:

#30 Prince Fielder Detroit

#38 Dan Harden Los Angeles

#79 B.J.Upton Tampa Bay

#123 (6/9) Albert Pujols Los Angeles

#180(9/9) Orlando Hudson Chicago

#238 Dustin Pedroia Red Sox

#16 Great Catch sticker

 

Pack 3:

#13 Alfonso Soriano Chicago

#18 Paul Konerko Chicago

#56 Curtis Granderson New York

#96 (6/9) Justin Upton Arizona

#204 Matt Holliday St.Louis

#6 Flying Catch sticker

#1 Tattoo

Pack 4:

#16 A.J.Pierzynski Chicago

#21 Mat Latos Cincinnati

#59 Kurt Suzuki Oakland

#149 (5/9) Yoenis Cespedes Oakland

#212 Evan Longoria Tampa Bay

#6 Flying Catch sticker

#1 Tattoo

 

Pack 5:

#5 Chipper Jones Atlanta

#10 Brian Wilson San Francisco

#49 Francisco Liriano Minnesota

#166 (4/9)Andrew McCutchen Pittsburgh

#208 (1/9) Evan Longoria Tampa Bay

#288 Baseball 101 Diamond

#21 Brandon Phillips sticker

Pack 6:

#12 Jacoby Ellsbury Red Sox

#17 John Danks Chicago

#55 Alex Rodriguz New York

#142 (7/9)A-Rod New York

#209 (2/9) Evan Longoria Tampa Bay

#26 Clayton Kershaw sticker

#5 Tattoo

 

Pack 7:

#35 Brett Lawrie Toronto

#37 Albert Pujols Los Angeles

#43 Giancarlo Stanton Miami

#127 (1/9)Jose Reyes Miami

#184 (4/9) Buster Posey San Francisco

#277 Willie Stargell Pittsburgh

#1 Flaming Ball sticker 

Pack 8:

#32 Brett Wallace Houston

#81 Evan Longoria Tampa Bay

#122 (5/9) Albert Pujols Los Angeles

#196 (7/9) Ichiro Seattle

#263 Rickey Romero Toronto

#287 Tim Lincecum San Francisco

#6 Flying Catch sticker 

A few more taken from the wants list. Packs 9 to 16 to follow.