2018 Topps Update Series Baseball Hobby Box Break & Review

Whenever Update rolls around the Frank Sinatra song “My Way” starts to play in my head.  It marks the end of the current flagship design.  I’m a fan of the pixelated-look Topps went with this year.  It translated well over to Chrome.

Update Series showcases players in their new uniforms, and rookies who didn’t make it into Series 1 or Series 2.  A hobby box comes with (1) autograph or relic, and costs just under $60.  Jumbos yield (1) autograph and (2) relics, with a cost of a little over $100.  As usual, retail options are also available.

(300) cards make up the base set.  Parallels include: Rainbow Foil (1:10) packs, Gold #’ed/2018, Vintage Stock #’ed/99, Independence Day #’ed/76, Black #’ed/67 (Hobby/Jumbo), Mother’s Day Hot Pink #’ed/50, Father’s Day Powder Blue #’ed/50, Memorial Day Camo #’ed/25, Negative (Hobby/Jumbo), Platinum #’ed 1/1, and Printing Plates #’ed 1/1.  (100) cards have Clear parallels #’ed/10.

There can’t be a Topps product like this without SP and SSP variations.  2018 Topps Update Series has a ton.  CMP codes can easily help you identify them.  SPs end in #30, while SSPs end in #32.  Autograph variations also exist.  My favorite variation is that of card #107.  Normally this card is of Craig Kimbrel, but for some lucky breakers #107 will feature the Rally Goose.  This bird means business.  Examples sell for $30-$75.

Inserts are plentiful.  You’ve got 1983 Topps Baseball 35th Anniversary, 2018 Hall of Famer Highlights, An International Affair, Bryce Harper Highlights, Don’t Blink, Legends in the Making, Postseason Preeminence, Storybook Endings, and Topps Salute.  All have Blue, Black, Gold, Red, and Platinum parallels along with autographed counterparts.  Those Don’t Blink inserts look really cool.

Lots of high-end hits can be pulled, but that’s not the main reason why you bust this product.  Most of the time your hit will be a one-color relic.  Its mainly targeted towards set collectors.

Here is what I pulled:

Relic

• Carlos Correa MLB Postseason 2017 Logo Manufactured Patch Gold #’ed/99

SP

• J.D. Martinez #195

Parallels

• Dereck Rodriguez RC Mother’s Day Hot Pink #’ed/50
• Nick Markakis Gold #’ed/2018
• Francisco Liriano Gold #’ed/2018
• Tyler Skaggs Gold #’ed/2018
• Tommy Pham Rainbow Foil
• Kyle Schwarber Rainbow Foil
• Sam Gaviglio Rainbow Foil
• Denard Span Rainbow Foil

Inserts

• Whit Merrifield Don’t Blink
• Tim Raines Don’t Blink
• Honus Wagner Don’t Blink
• Mookie Betts Don’t Blink
• Shohei Ohtani An International Affair
• Ozzie Albies An International Affair
• Jose Altuve An International Affair
• Gift Ngoepe An International Affair
• Jose Quintana An International Affair
• Freddy Peralta RC Salute
• Edwin Encarnacion Salute
• Juan Soto RC Salute
• Cal Ripken Jr. Salute
• Scott Kingery RC Salute
• Willson Contreras Salute
• Didi Gregorius Salute
• Joe Morgan Salute
• Rod Carew Salute
• Andy Pettitte Storybook Endings
• Cal Ripken Jr. Storybook Endings
• Jackie Robinson Storybook Endings
• Chipper Jones Storybook Endings
• Sandy Koufax Storybook Endings
• Aaron Judge 1983 Topps Baseball 35th Anniversary
• Patrick Corbin 1983 Topps Baseball 35th Anniversary
• Mitch Haniger 1983 Topps Baseball 35th Anniversary
• Willy Adames RC 1983 Topps Baseball 35th Anniversary
• Christian Yelich 1983 Topps Baseball 35th Anniversary
• Jack Flaherty 1983 Topps Baseball 35th Anniversary
• Steven Souza Jr. 1983 Topps Baseball 35th Anniversary
• Johnny Cueto 1983 Topps Baseball 35th Anniversary
• Scott Kingery RC 1983 Topps Baseball 35th Anniversary

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2018 Topps Archives Signature Series Retired Player Edition Baseball Hobby Box Break & Review

2018 Topps Archives Signature Series Retired Player Edition.  Wow!  That’s quite a mouthful.  Buybacks are awesome.  Especially when you have a company like Topps who has such a rich history of classic sets to choose from.  I don’t think a buyback product such as this could exist without that long history to draw upon.

Round #2 of this brand covers a wide array of retired stars and Hall of Famers.  Back in July we got the version full of active players.  Its a very quick-thrill box to bust.  A single box costs just under $40 and contains (1) encased buyback autograph.  Players have multiple buybacks with each varying in numbering.  Cards can be numbered anywhere from (1) to (99) copies.  Signed relics and special buyback autographs of deceased players can also be pulled.

As I mentioned before, Topps dives deep into their vault and gets these players to sign lots of neat stuff.  Not just cards from the mainstream sets either.  Its not uncommon to find Topps cards that were made for Kay Bee Toys, Toys “R” Us, and even Cap’n Crunch cereal.  Any set can bring back memories, but sometimes these really make collectors feel nostalgic.  And that’s a feeling that drives the industry today.

Here is what I pulled:

Auto

• Bo Jackson ’89 Topps Royals Leaders #789 Buyback Auto #’ed 1/1

When it comes to opening boxes, I’ve had a lot of luck this year.  This card goes right up there with some of my other awesome pulls.  Bo Jackson is one of the greatest athletes of all-time.  If he hadn’t gotten hurt, there is a good chance he would’ve made it into both Canton and Cooperstown.  I like that Topps chose this card for him to sign.  Bo Jackson’s name isn’t anywhere on the card other than his signature.  ’89 Topps featured these “Team Leaders” cards.  On the back they list batting and pitching leaders from the previous year.  The person pictured on the front doesn’t necessarily have to be mentioned on the card.  It makes for a nice conversation piece.  You couldn’t ask for a better picture.  And no.  That isn’t a picture of Bo Jackson throwing out Harold Reynolds at home plate.  That game was played inside the Kingdome where Bo wouldn’t have needed sunglasses.

2018 Topps Garbage Pail Kids Series 2 Oh, The Horror-ible! Hobby Box Break & Review

Now this is a change of pace.  I’ll admit, I have never opened a box of Garbage Pail Kids stickers before.  Why not give it a try?

Garbage Pail Kids have been a pop-culture sensation since they debuted back in 1985.  They’re a parody of those Cabbage Patch Kids dolls that had crazy parents fighting with each other in the malls.  Since then, these parodies have gone on to parody other people, places, and things in pop-culture.  Nothing is off the table when it comes to these little guys and gals poking fun at someone or something.  The artwork is incredibly entertaining to look at, and I love the whole idea about taking something so innocent and making it vile and disgusting.  That’s it’s selling point.  They’re the anti-Cabbage Patch Kids.

Just in time for Halloween, we have 2018 Topps Garbage Pail Kids Series 2 – Oh, The Horror-ible!  If there is any genre that Garbage Pail Kids connect to the strongest, its horror.  These dudes are cute and horrifying all at the same time.

The main set consists of (200) sticker cards.  (100) characters each having an a and b version.  The categories covered include ’80s Horror, ’80s Sci-Fi, Modern Horror, Modern Sci-Fi, Classic Film Monsters, Retro Horror, Retro Sci-Fi, and Folklore Monsters.

Outside of hobby boxes, you have retail options and Collector’s Boxes.  A Collector’s Box is the only place you’re guaranteed a hit.  Hits can be Printing Plates, Manufactured Patches, Artist Autographs, and Sketch Cards.

Parallels:

• Bruised (1 per Collector’s Box pack)
• Jelly (1 per Fat Pack)
• Phlegm (retail)
• Puke (1 per retail/hobby pack)
• Spit #’ed/99 (Collector’s Box)
• Bloody Nose #’ed/75 (Collector’s Box)
• Fool’s Gold #’ed/50
• Printing Plates #’ed 1/1

With Halloween right around the corner this made for a fun break.  Very refreshing from what I’m use to opening.  Sketch Cards and Printing Plates seem to be the biggest hits.  Even parallels where the subject matter is a parody of a popular movie or television franchise like Friday The 13th or Halloween get quite the attention.

Here is what I pulled:

Parallels

• Elimi Nate Fool’s Gold #’ed/50
• Jaded Joel Puke
• Hairy Mary Puke
• Mucky Michael Puke
• Prince Prints Puke
• Lepre Shaun Puke
• Askew Lou Puke
• Jawin’ Jimmy Puke
• Sicko Sissy Puke
• Amy T. Ville Puke
• Morphing Murphy Puke
• Vaporized Vincent Puke
• Hollow Dean Puke
• King Ghid-Dora Puke
• Dale From The Crypt Puke
• Twilight Tone Puke
• Predatory Penny Puke
• Joyless Jason Puke
• Pickin’ Peter Puke
• Inva-Shawn Puke
• Alien Alan Puke
• Moth Manuel Puke
• Living Ed Puke
• Gianna Squid Puke

Other Favorites

• Full Moon Boone
• Gassy Gaston
• Boogey Manny
• Bathroom Boris
• Kris Krampus
• Handed-Over Hannibal
• Insomni Zach
• Robin’s Egg
• Dexter Terrestial
• Wrapped Ron
• Brain Freeze Brian
• Splittin’ Sigourney

Card of the Day: Nolan Arenado 2013 Topps Update Series #259

Upper Deck Shows Off Gritty’s Rookie Card

The Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty has been making his rounds lately.  From The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to appearing with the Phillie Phanatic at Citizens Bank Park, he has been all over the place.  He’s already a pop culture legend that will bring endless amounts of entertainment to fans for years to come.  Gritty is awesome!!!

Last night Upper Deck surprised collectors with a preview of 2018-19 Upper Deck NHL Series One.  The preview contained an image of Gritty’s Young Guns rookie card.  On the back is Gritty’s complete origin.  Apparently he has been living under the Wells Fargo Center for years, and sneaking hot dogs.  Recent construction disturbed his hideout.

If you’re hoping to pull a Gritty rookie from a pack of 2018-19 Upper Deck NHL Series One, that doesn’t look like its going to happen.  This particular card will be given away as a promo.  How it will be given away is still a mystery.  Please follow the Upper Deck Blog and Upper Deck on Twitter for those upcoming details.  2018-19 Upper Deck NHL Series One will be released in November.

Card of the Day: Von Hayes 1990 Donruss Learning Series #18

2018 Little League World Series Pin Pickups

All eyes are on Williamsport, PA for the next week as the Little League World Series takes place.  Baseball fans from all over the world have made their way to Williamsport.  Hotels are booked.  Restaurants are packed.  Parking lots are full.  And pins have become the next best thing to currency.  Pins are all over the place.  They’ve got commemorative pins made for everything.

While the Little League World Series is going on, I usually pick a day to go up and look around their campus.  There is always a lot happening.  I’m a big pin collector.  I’ve got lanyards full of them.  Over the last few years I’ve found it a bit more difficult to score free pins from the corporate sponsors.  This is mainly due to you having to register with an electronic bracelet, and use all types of cell phone apps.  Perhaps that stuff is all great for the kids, but for an older pin collector like myself I find it to be an inconvenience.  Luckily, I take a handful of my Sports Card Info pins with me and use them to barter with these sponsors in order to get around all of that.  In some cases it works, and others not.

Dunkin’ Donuts was my first stop.  Little League came next.  Following that was 4th Street downtown, Penn College, The Thomas T. Taber Museum, and then some more businesses on Williamsport’s Golden Strip.  Pins just popup everywhere.  I was able to get a lot more pins from the corporate sponsors setup at Little League than originally thought.  My Sports Card Info pins really helped out.

Pin collecting at Little League is like opening a pack of cards.  You don’t know what might happen.  A man walked over and randomly handed me a pin.  I didn’t catch his name, but I believe it was Troy Lare.  He had what looked like a Little League World Series ring on.  Judging by the pin, he is an umpire from Maine.  Very cool find, and not something you can just pickup anywhere.  I have very few umpire pins.

At the end of the day, I ended up with (24) new pins that filled up (3) lanyards.

The Phillies lost to the Mets 8-2 in this year’s MLB Little League Classic.  Next year’s MLB Little League Classic takes place on 8/18/19 between the Pirates and Cubs.

I’d really like to see Topps have a corporate booth at Little League.  It seems like a perfect fit.  Hopefully someday they can work something out.  Topps could have pins, special cards, make your own baseball card, and perhaps bring in a big league player to sign autographs.

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Chick-fil-A