Random Wax: 2019 Topps Update

2019 Topps Update:  There's more concrete rumors of the return of baseball.  In what shape and time frame is still to be determined but it's still fun just having the discussion.  I like the update packs with the All-Star Game cards.   These are always favorites of mine.  This guy is a great player.  His and the Astros legacy has been tarnished mightily of course.  I'd love to see some if these great young players bounce back with really good seasons.  Definitely a story worth watching.

I'm already a big fan of Freddie Freeman but the more I hear him like when he was mic'd up during the all-star game I like him even more.

Verlander happened to be pitching to Freeman when he was mic'd up.

I like the '84 throwbacks and Perennial All-Star cards.  The Bryce Harper cards made sense while this year's Rhys Hoskins inserts are a head scratcher.

I really lke that photo of Avisail Garcia.  Not sure why but hey it works.  Joe Kelly hasn't quite excelled in L.A. but I'll always remember him for his great work for the Red Sox in their World Series victory over those same Dodgers.

Some nice photos on these horizontal cards - especially that Pence.  A Fun pack of cards.  Hopefully we'll get more details soon on MLB is hoping to do.  

BREAKDOWN:

34 – Total Cards
1 – RC
6 – All-Star Game
3 – Veteran Combos
1 – 1984 Topps
1 – Rookie Debut
1 – Homerun Derby
1 – Perennial All-Stars
1 – Welcome to Philly
1 – Rainbow Foil Parallel

Random Wax: 2019 Topps Update Baseball

2019 Topps Update:  This was a fun pack.  I love the photo on this Ronald Acuna Jr. card.  I like the All-Star Game cards already but this card is so cool.  Ball, bat, and bubble gum.  

I also pulled three other Braves.  Wow what a pack.  Love it.  Keuchel and Donaldson each had a very short time in Atlanta but were a big part of their 2019 97 win season.  I really wanted to see Josh Donaldson be resigned by the Braves but it wasn't meant to be.  During the All-Star game Freddie Freeman was mic'd up and it was great fun.

  Another nice photo for that Michael Chavis card.  Really happy to pull that Gwynn as well.  I like the Perennial All-Stars design.

  

I can't believe Yasiel Puig hasn't found a home yet.  I get he is injury prone and can be a head case sometimes but he hit .263 or .267 with 23 to 28 homers the last three seasons.  Seems like someone would want him in their outfield.

The Greatest Seasons/Moments/Players are pretty cool inserts.  This was really fun pack.  I enjoy the All-Star Game cards and all those Braves is a big win.

BREAKDOWN:

34 – Total Cards

9 – RC

2 – All-Star Game

1 – Rookie Debut

1 – Gold Parallel #/2019

1 – Greatest Seasons

1 – Perennial All-Stars

1 – Welcome to Philly

1 – All-Star Stitches Relic

1 – Topps All-Star Rookie Homerun Derby

2019 Topps Update Carl Yastrzemski (Variation) and Mike Yastrzemski

2019 Topps Update:  Game 2 of the World Series is tonight so a couple of Yastrzemski's seems appropriate.  I picked these up from someone who works down the hall and I couldn't be happier.  One I didn't even know Yaz was a variation on his grandson's base card (US245).  Two, he mentioned Monday he had pulled the Yaz variation and he was going to sell it while throwing in Mike Yastrzemski - SOLD.  I'm real happy to have both these cards.  As always seeing my favorite all-time player in Yaz on new cardboard is great.  Yaz running isn't something I see a lot of either.  I also collect his grandson and this is one of his first.  Good day for this fan.

  

2019 Topps Update w/Relic

2019 Topps Baseball Update:  The World Series starts tonight so why not some baseball?  The appeal of the Update cards for me are teh All-Star Game cards but it also features young players, players in their new team's unis, and insert sets.  Gleyber Torres who had a great October starts us off here.

The big surprise for me in this set was this Josh Hader relic.  He had another good year for the Brewers but gave up a few more homeruns than the Brewers would like and struggled mightily in Milwaukee's Wild Card game loss to the Nats.

The All-Star Game cards.  Using "ASG" for these cards don't thrill me.  I'd appreciate something along a logo or even the National and American League logo designating these players as all-stars.

Perennial All-Stars has a nice checklist of current and former greats.  I like that card.  The Harper and Baez are the other two inserts I pulled.  I wish the Greatest Seasons cards had something else on the front like the year that is being focused on.

The youngsters are of course key in this release each year.

A little horizontal All-Star game love.

Players in their new team's unis like Robertson and Lynn are a big part of this set and that Dietrich is a Topps 150th Anniversary.  The design for this year is good and the Update didn't disappoint though there is something about the All-Star Game cards that is lacking.  I'll probably grab more of these but at my leisure.

Cavan Biggio is one of two sons of MLB Hall of Famers on Toronto Blue Jays and is expected to be a big part of Toronto's hopes for contending in years to come.  

BREAKDOWN:

34 – Total Cards
11 – RC
8 – All-Star Game
1 – Relic
1 – 150th Anniversary
1 – Greatest Seasons
1 –Perennial All-Stars
1 – Topps All-Star Rookie
1 – Bryce Harper Highlights