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Friday, November 10, 2023

Random Wax: 2021 Topps Opening Day Blaster

2021 Topps Opening Day: As with Mr. Red, the Cincinnati Reds mascot, we're all waiting on opening day as we endure our first week without baseball in a long time.  Opening Day is a favorite brand of mine but unfortunately I'm in the minority and it's no longer produced. This photo from 2020 transports us back to when fans weren't allowed in the stands.
Can't complain with this pull. Matt Olson is now with Atlanta and put up some crazy numbers in 2023 hitting 54 home runs while driving in 139.  Ohtani won't be able to pitch in 2024 due to injury but the man is still a freak of nature.
Josh Hader and his awesome hair had a great season posting 33 saves with a 1.28 ERA as the Padres' closer.  I really like this photo.
Luis Robert had a breakout season with 38 homeruns while batting .264.  Bart and Aquino still haven't made their mark on the league.
Enjoy these fun Opening Day inserts.
Both of these inserts aren't favorites of mine, but I do like seeing retired greats on new cardboard.
More mascot fun.  They are staples of Opening Day.
I've always been a fan of Zack Greinke.  2023 might have been his last of 20 seasons in the league.  Some say he is a Hall of Famer.  I'm not sure and only time will tell.
Nice photo.
Fun box of cards.  Picked it up in April of 2021.  I miss this set but I can still enjoy looking back at these cards.  This Mookie Betts card is an Opening Day Edition parallel.
BREAKDOWN:
77 – Total Cards
13 – RC
4 - Mascots
4 – Future Stars
3 – Legends of Baseball
2 – Opening Day
2 – Outstanding Opening Day
1 – Rookie Cup
1 – Retired Great
1 – Opening Day Edition


 

 

8 comments:

  1. Nice Mookie and Ohtani pulls. I enjoyed the OD brand, bummer that Fanatics discontinued it ;/

    I think Greinke will be a Hall of Famer. He's a bit below Scherzer/Verlander/Kershaw and might have to wait until those guys get in, but his career numbers and accolades are good enough IMO.

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    Replies
    1. Can't wait to see Greinke's career looked at in this light. Will be some interesting conversations.

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  2. I still don't get why some of the mascots are just called Mascot.

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    Replies
    1. Love the mascots! But like Jafronius... it's a mystery why Topps didn't write the A's mascot's name (Stomper) on his card.

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  3. Shohei wins it. Several good cards though.

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