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2021 Topps Opening Day

Topps Opening Day is one of those releases I enjoy every year. One of the cheapest releases every year, relatively easy to put a master set together, nice blue and red parallels, and an outside chance at a relic or autograph. My son also enjoys ripping these, probably because it was the first cards we every opened together. Just like everything else this, year, costs for hobby boxes were way up. There were rumors that 2021 Topps Opening Day would not be released in retail formats this year, so I broke down and bought 2 hobby boxes the day after release. A few days later, I was surprised to find blaster boxes at my local Target, so I bought 3. The cost of 3 blasters we less than a hobby box, and only 3 less packs.

Overall, I’m very happy with 2021 Topps Opening day and my breaks this year. I hit a non-guaranteed relic in one of the hobby boxes as well as one of the blasters. I also hit a Walk This Way SP, which are pretty low odds. Unfortunately, no big names on the blues, and it doesn’t appear there are red parallels this year. The best part was I am only 4 cards away from a master set and about 20 on a second base set.

If I’m lucky enough to find more retail, I may pickup a another blaster or two., otherwise, time to hit ebay and the local cards shows to pickup a few for my PC and to finish my sets. Considering the cost of hobby this year, two of those is enough for me.

2021 Topps Heritage – 1 Hobby box & 6 Blasters

I used to enjoy ripping Topps Heritage and putting the set together, until last year. The 2020 Topps Heritage breaks were brutal; minimal inserts, variations, chromes etc in each format, and not to mention most of the stars were short printed, making completing a set with the SP’s very expensive. I gave up on completing 2020 Topps Heritage SP set pretty quickly. Here’s to hoping completing the 2021 Topps Heritage set will be a bit easier.

My plan this year was to just buy a hobby box for something to rip, not expecting much. I picked up a hobby box at Blowout’s The Fantastic Store the other day and then happened to unexpectedly find a fresh Target restock full of 2021 Topps Heritage Blasters an bought 6.

2021 Topps Heritage Hobby Box

My hit was a Real One Auto instead of the standard Clubhouse Collection and the box topper was a Mike Trout poster, but other than that, not much to write home about. The box was light on inserts compared to past years. No chrome, colors or variations, other than a Max Scherzer Action Image Variation. I cannot say I’m surprised by these results, considering the production increase. All of this, combined with the rather hefty price increase means it will by my last Heritage Hobby Box this year.

Blaster Boxes

My luck on the blasters was much better. Out of 6 blasters, I pulled a chrome black border refractor, Clubhouse Collection Relic, two 1972 die cuts, the expected number of inserts and SP’s, and some of the better Rookies of the total break.

Overall, if was fun to open some packs and the results were about as expected. I was happy to see some of the stars this year are in the base set and not SP’d. I’m not likely to recoup my costs, but that wasn’t the intent. I will probably buy some more retail if I’m lucky enough to find any more at MSRP, otherwise, that’s it for Heritage this year.

2021 Topps Series 1 – 3 Hobby Boxes

I was able to get to get 3 hobby boxes of 2021 Topps Series 1 on release day at a very reasonable price. Although I didn’t hit any monster cards, and the odds for just about everything are higher this year, I am happy with the results. I will likely hold on to most of the rookies for my personal collection. That being said, if I were to sell off everything, I feel like I could recoup pretty close to the $350 I spent for the 3 boxes so I can definitely not complain. I’ve seen much worse breaks.

With two #’d cards, and a few rookies out of the 3 silver packs, I feel like I beat the odds there.

I also feel like I did fairly well with the “hits” for 3 hobby boxes in hitting a premium relic and a rookie auto!

I did get my 1 gold and almost 3 rainbows per hobby box, along with a few other #’d and a SP

Finally, lots of inserts, some of the better ones below

I have not sorted all of the base, but I’m pretty sure I will end up with at least one complete set and close to a second. I’ve also got at least 2 of each of the rookies and 3-4 of most. Overall I’m happy with this break and cannot wait to open more 2021 Topps Series 1. Here’s to hoping I can find some retail.

2020 Topps Chrome Update

I have not been actively searching Targets or Walmart lately for retail as it has typically been a waste of time. Unless you are there when the shelves are stocked, there is almost no chance of getting anything. I just happened to stop at a local Target the other day to pick up a few things when I saw a long line at the card aisle. With nothing pressing on the schedule, I decided to wait and see what was being stocked. After being about 20th in line, my turn came and I was surprised to still see cards on the shelf. I noticed a new sign that indicated this Target was now limiting each customer to 2 per SKU per visit. I was happy to see plenty of 2020 Topps Chrome Update left so I grabbed 2 Blasters and 2 value packs. I went back the next morning to pick something else up and stopped by the card aisle, not expecting to find anything left, and to my surprise there were 2 blasters and 2 value packs left, so I grabbed both. Everything was purchased with a Target gift card I received for Christmas so I was already ahead before opening anything. With one exception, not a ton of value here, but still a fun break. Some of the highlights are:

And then in the very last pack of the very last box, this:

2020 Bowman Draft Super Jumbo

My second break on Christmas was a super jumbo box of 2020 Bowman Chrome that I bought myself a few weeks ago. This is the first time I’ve ever opened any Bowman Draft and while I hadn’t kept up with the draft, I was familiar with who the top 2 or 3 best hits were, but that’s about it. It seemed like a pretty good box as I was ripping, but didn’t know quite how good until I looked up recent sales on some of these cards a few hours later. Four out of the five autos where numbered, some decent color and a few good refractors. I don’t know if I should quite while I’m ahead or go back for more.

Other Color

Some of the better refractors

2020 Topps Stadium Club Chrome – 4 Blasters

My boys got me 4 blasters of 2020 Topps Stadium Club Chrome that my wife got lucky to find at our local Target. Due to lack of retail and, and a focus on filling in some PC cards recently, it’s been almost 2 months since I’ve busted any wax. The only notable base card was a Kyle Lewis RC. I did get 10 refractors and 16 X-fractors in the 4 boxes, however no notable rookies. The lack of notable rookies, or even stars was more than made up by the 2 autos I was lucky to pull; a Juan Soto base auto and a Keston Hiura Gold #’d /50. Overall I’m definitely happy with the break and would certainly pick up a few more blasters if I’m ever lucky enough to find them again.