2011 topps box(es) results

So the packs are ripped, the cards sorted (sorta) and 2011 Topps is well underway. I know many of you have ripped your own haul and shared the results, so here's mine. Starting with the hobby box and blaster from Thursday:

The only real good thing that came out of this was the Gehrig short print. The Sandoval patch was from the blaster and the Carmona relic was from the box. Yay. More boring Topps base relic fare but relics are not why I buy Topps' flagship set. The Maddux and Marichal are both original backs but the Marichal is damaged in the corner, along with the Morrow mini, which lost a fight with the pack sealer. The Jeter and Hill diamond parallels were the best of the bunch of all the parallels.

Now, the jumbo box. Hey, I know what you're thinking, "Where is that second relic?". Well, I didn't get one. Again. Thanks Topps, this is like the third or fourth box without a promised hit. I know, I know, I can contact them and get it but its not worth the effort for a three dollar relic of a guy no one cares about. I'll count the two original backs, Castro diamond and Pavano gold as my third 'hit'. Oh and a Kevin Jepsen auto. Whoever he is.

I'd like to point something out that I haven't seen posted as of yet. Check out the Gehrig and a regular card close-up:

It appears that on the legends short prints, they made the ball dirty and old looking, while the current players are that nice white. A nice touch there by Topps, plus it makes it a little easier to identify a legend...I guess if you had trouble with that...probably not but nice to know regardless.

Well, totally lame box hits but I did finish off the set. I haven't inspected every card yet to see if I pulled and sparkle shines (or whatever we should call them) variants. I looked at every card when opening the packs but a thorough inspection was not given. I'll have to run through them again. I have gotten a few requests about the diamond parallels and I think for now I am going to keep them. I highly doubt I'll try for the set, so they may go up for trade. When they do, I'll let you guys know.

2011 topps (who isn't sick of it yet?)

Ok, I'm not tired of 2011 Topps yet. As I bust my jumbo box, I am hoping to finish the set off and make a nice dent in the inserts I care enough to finish. Lets find out whats in and whats out, shall we?

Well, this is the reason we buy all this isn't it? The set itself is quite nice with a clean front, great photo quality and well designed back. Hopefully I'll have it complete by tonight.

Topps 60. Nope, won't be collecting these. Kinda boring if you ask me.

Diamond Duos. Won't be doing these either, as I did them last year in the form of Legendary Lineage.

Topps History, or typing in 'Topps' on Wikipedia. Yeah, even though I can just type up Topps on Wikipedia, I would like to see what they have to say on the backs about themselves, so I think these will be collected but not too hard.

Kimball Champions. Oh yeah, these are the best insert set of the entire run. I saw these online and totally wanted to have them all right then and there.

60 Years of Topps and Lost cards. I'll be collecting both these sets but not the original backs. One set to chase of an insert set is enough.

Reprints. I am definitely collecting these, I really like the retro feel to them, plus I'm just a big ol' sucker for old timey reprints.

Topps Town. 50 cards, could care less. I am not collecting these this year, although they do look way better than they have the past two years.

Well, there you have it, some good inserts, and some silly. The inserts I won't be chasing I'll have for trade. As for parallels, I am not collecting those unless they are of Jays. I really like the Diamond parallel, and would want a full set but I know I shouldn't dare do so. Tomorrow I'll show what I got in the hobby box, blaster and packs from yesterday and the jumbo from today.

and the first 2011 card is...

Card #248, Wade LeBlanc. Right after work I went over to the other hobby shop, hoping they'd have the 2011's in stock. They did. I picked up a box and three packs (Wade came from the first of those three packs). Then we made it on over to the Wallymart that is up the road from there (the wife had the car today so I was driven home by a co-worker). I picked up five packs and he bought me a blaster for my birthday (awesome!). I am in the process of opening and sorting right now. I will post the box results and anything else post worthy (and what I think of them), tomorrow. Normally today is reserved for the Random Pack Monday vote but I have something REALLY cool on slate for Monday (no, it's not 2011 Topps...). Until then!

itching, i tell you

I am home from work on this rainy, snowy day which seemingly everyone in the country is facing at the moment. I've caught up on all your blogs and various posts about 2011 Topps. It has really gotten me itching for some packs. I'd be as excited as that Nintendo 64 kid is above to find some packs at my local Wallymart or Target (btw, if you haven't seen the video in that link there, its hilarious). Unfortunately, my local Target seems to either get things late or just put them out late. When card products get released, I don't see them at my local Target for about two weeks. It really stinks. Wallyworld on the other hand is usually (sometimes) on top of things, although their card section is embarrassingly small. Its seriously just the small rack right before the express line checkout, where candy and other impulse items may be. I guess cards can be an impulse item, I know when I seem them, I want to buy them. Oh yeah, plus its really crummy out right now, so it looks like I'll be going NOWHERE, and just have to deal with my negative 2011 Topps gain. :(