Random Wax: 2023 Topps Archives Blaster

2023 Archives:  We'll keep it going with more baseball as games kicked off around the league yesterday.  Admittedly more of a fan after the fact with Kirby Puckett but I am all in on the man.  He's one of the best right-handed hitters that we've seen in the modern era. I like this 1965 Topps base design and it fits Kirby well.

First look of the 1956 Topps design.  I'm a fan of Robin Yount as well.  Love all the retired greats in this set.

Not a fan per se of the 2003 design.  The blue borders feel out of place.  Overall I'm okay with them but I'm still figuring it out.  Great pull though including new teammates Shohei and Mookie.

Spencer Strider was the opening day pitcher for the Braves this year.

Vaughn Grissom was traded to the Red Sox for Chris Sale.  I really hope that works out for both teams and players.  Always appreciate seeing Roger Clemons as a Blue Jay.

Love Freddie so this is 1969 Topps Single Player Foil Rainbow is a nice pull.  That is a 1957 Topps Hits All-Star Jose Ramirez card while Justin Verlander is gracing a 1989 Topps Doubleheader (Max Scherzer is on the back).

Holy cow was Warren Spahn good.  Led the league in wins eight times including five times in a row.  Love looking at card backs like this.  The stats alone are worth it but I do like the color and logo as well.

The look on Ted Williams face in the inset photo?  hmmm.  Carlton Fisk's inset photo is great with the mask on the head, eye black and look.

Another Shohei appearance on this 1979 Topps Comics insert.  Archives is always fun.  Lots of retired greats and variety.

BREAKDOWN:

56 – Total Cards

19 – 1956

18 – 1965

17 – 2003

13 – Retired Greats

11 - RC

3 - 1969 Topps Single Player Foil Rainbow

1 – 1979 Topps Comics

1 – 1957 Topps Hit Stars

1 - 1989 Topps Doubleheaders

1 – Rainbow Foil Parallel #/199

2023 Topps Archives Blaster

2023 Archives:  I always enjoy Topps Archives and it's no different this year.  These hit our local shelf last week.  This 1965 Topps design is my favorite of the three showcased in Archives this year.  And you can't go wrong with Randy Johnson on the mound in a D-Backs uni.

Matt Olson was a beast this year.  A-Rod was in the day as well and Xander Bogaerts is no slouch.  Great looks of all three of these guys.

Randy Johnson stats greatness.  Love seeing all the stats on the backs of these cards.  The design here is simple but it works.

The 2003 cards are intriguing.  I'm still trying to figure out how much I like these but I think I'm good.  It checks most of the boxes with a logo, nice second photo and plenty of room for nice pictures.  The blue border is different.  Not bad but different and an interesting choice.

The backs are clean and again show us career stats which are great.  Eddie could hit.

Inserts.  That Albert Pujols is a 1989 Topps Doubleheader.  There is a card of Paul Goldschmidt on the back mirroring the front design.  No bad.  The Bill Mazeroski is a 1969 Topps Single Player Foil Rainbow while the Miggy card is a 1957 Topps Hit Stars.  The '89 is my favorite of these though it wasn't really the best design back in the day.

This 1956 design is one that is growing on me. I really like having two good sized photos here.

Could use a team logo of course.

Simple backs.  No lifetime stats but a decent write-up.  Brett's career totals are fun to look at.  And look at the emphasis on fielding back then.

More youngsters including this Green Parallel Baby Boomers #/99.  The Baby Boomers design feels out of place with the Archives brand.

This was a fun box.  I'll end it with a personal favorite of mine, Dale Murphy.  Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

BREAKDOWN:

56 – Total Cards

18 – 1956

17 – 1965

17 – 2003

13 – RC

11 – Retired Greats

3 - 1969 Topps Single Player Foil Rainbow

1 - 1957 Topps Hit Stars

1 - 1989 Topps Doubleheaders

1 – Baby Boomers Green Parallel #/99