Friday, October 26, 2018

Box Break: 2018 Topps Update Series (Part Four)


We've got 9 packs to go in this box. We've landed some cool base cards, some cool parallels, and a shitty hit. What more could await us in the last fourth of the box? Let's find out.

 Pack 28-
2018 Playoffs: 2/10
Guys Who Strike Out Too Many Times: 2/10

 Matt Kemp at the ASG, pre-slump, along with Felipe Vazquez holding the Bucs colors by himself.

 Reynaldo Lopez didn't have a base card in flagship? Man, Topps really underestimated some people that were clearly primed for big years in 2018. And Maybin's Mariners base card looks better than his season was.

Gleyber Torres' ASG card is dynamic as hell, and Todd Frazier's 83T insert is another nice one. That may be a personal favorite in terms of inserts, as it doesn't really screw up the design.

 Pack 29-
Cool Rookies: 4/10
2018 Playoffs: 4/10

 Of this bunch of rookies, Dereck Rodriguez had the best year, but Tony Kemp had some great postseason numbers off the bench.

 Some nice NL Central arms. Harvey had the most surprising year, but Hicks' relief numbers are scary. Don't count out Musgrove, though. Guy's stuff is scary.

Hero and villain- Sevvy had great ASG-caliber stuff, while Devers' 83T insert reestablishes how promising the kid is. And he's been great in the playoffs so far.

 Pack 30-
Cards that Make me laugh: 1/10
Cards That Make Me Sad: 2/10
 ...I love this card.

 Chapman deserved that ASG spot, and Asdrubal Cabrera was a fine upgrade for a Phillies squad that underwhelmed.

 Ian Kinsler's postseason stuff isn't bad at all, but the Don't Blink insert of Kris Bryant is definitely one of the more impressive ones I've seen.
Two great shots. Stripling looks ferocious, fighting for a rotation spot. Meanwhile, this is all a walk in the park for Todd Frazier, who's already become a fan favorite in Queens.

 Pack 31-
2018 Disappointments: 3/10
Absolute Legends: 1/10

 Two guys that could have done better to prove themselves this year.

 Greene had a great year as Tigers closer, and while the choice of Ripken for Storybook Endings may be a bit on the nose, I won't be mad with another card of his.

 Soroka had a great bunch of starts before an injury took him out. J.A. Happ continued his fantastic, ASG-worthy season in Toronto...in the Bronx.

 Max Muncy has an ASG card, but no base card. No sense, Topps.
At least this Seung-Hwan Oh card looks cool.

And...this card makes me smile. Just...Bartolo Colon deserves good stuff like this.

 Pack 32-
2018 Playoffs: 3/10
Ex-Rays (HA!): 2/10
 Three guys with unlucky seasons. Drury was just getting good pre-injury.

 Longo and Moose are ones I'd been meaning to snag, and both are great. Hicks' rookie is, sigh, another one of the many Cardinals I've been cursed to land this box.

Whatever, at least Aaron Judge's ASG card saves the day.

 Pack 33-
2018 Playoffs: 4/10
Ex-Cardinals: 2/10
 Joe Jimenez looks sharp in his ASG card, while Randal Grichuk managed to get a nice running shot on his premier Jays card.
Needed base cards of Profar and Vizcaino, a on-the-nose International Affair insert of Freddie Freeman, and a Meadows photo so nice that I think I used it for his custom.

 Pack 34-
BIG TIME ROOKIES: 2/10
Big Time Rookies in like 2014: 1/10
 DeGrom, still without his locks, throwing a great bit of the ASG, and Kingham's actual RC there.

 Sharp photography here on all parts. The Acuna RD is the most eye-catching, but I like the Seranthony.
 Ted Williams' Legends Card is a nice one, because who doesn't love Ted. And Bregman's HRD card is another one for his epic 2018 season.

Annnnd...here's Ohtani's Topps RC. That's gonna be up for serious dollars this Christmas.

 Pack 35-
Truly Great Shots: 2/10

 The Chatwood is a wonderfully dramatic shot, while the Crawford is awesome enough to feel like a Stadium Club snub. And that Reds combo is a reverse negative parallel. Not numbered, just...cool.

 Assorted rookies. Yairo Munoz had the best season, but don't count out McKinney.

Dee's 83T is a cool one. And Rhys' HRD card makes me happy, and hopeful.

 Pack 36-
Phillies Personnel: 2/10
Huge rookies: 2/10

 Two fantastic shots, even though Ramos had the better season.

 Treinen's is a nice summation of his huge year, and Ohtani and Gurriel are great additions to their respective rookie piles.

And we end with an alright Yankees rookie, and a classic Don't Blink insert of Bo Jackson.

That was a fine box. I have to check if I need any base, but I did a pretty nice job, hit notwithstanding.

I'm gonna be away from the blog this weekend, and when I come back...the Red Sox better not have won a World Series.

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