Random Wax: 2020 Contenders Football

2020 Contenders Football: Tonight we'll find out if this guy and the Rams are headed back to the Super Bowl.  I'm a big Mahomes fan, I like former Georgia alum Matthew Stafford and Joe Burrow as one of the next great quarterbacks in the league.  Any of those guys making it to the big game would be a plus for me.

I like the Contenders brand, which is not something I can say for most collectors, but the 2020 design while overall is good to me though it leaves very little room for the photo itself.  Didn't turn me off from picking these up.

A couple of nice MVP inserts.  I'm hoping both these guys can bounce back with better years next season.

Pretty good pull in this pack.  With the Bears struggles it's easy to forget about Khalil Mack but he was still able to total six sacks in seven games before injuries shut him down for the 2021 season.

These guys will all be front in center in any success their team will have in the championship games tonight.

Always fun cards.  Can't wait to see the games today.  Good luck to your teams and let's hope for good games on par with last week's.  Or even just somewhat close to those.

BREAKDOWN:

22 – Total Cards

2 – MVP Contenders

1 – Round Numbers

1 – Rookie of the Year Contenders

3Bros Baseball Pack

3Bros Baseball:  I was familiar with 3Bros but this is the first time I've seen any of their packs in the wild.  I picked up four from Dollar Tree for some fun.  You won't get rich off them but you might find some cards that surprise you.  This one starts off with Hall of Famer Dave Winfield.

I'll show off the packs in individual posts.  Each pack has 10 cards ranging from the 80s to today.  Half the cards from this pack was from the 90s.  I do enjoy old Upper Deck and I always liked that design on the Morandini card.  I think the Electric Diamonds were a parallel but I'll admit that while I remember them I don't have anymore information on them.

A couple of Fleer offerings.  Each pack comes with a sticker.  I think the price on these packs were $1.  Seems like I had 10 cents per card in my head.

Who had more Manager of the Year awards?  Yep - Lou Piniella 3-2.  Who woulda thunk?

What the packs look like.  The 3Bros website offers a wide variety of options for purchasing cards.  Baseball, football, basketball, hockey, college, non-sport.  Packs, boxes, unopened original packs.  Even autos are included in some.  Just have to know you won't be getting top shelf cards.  I'm still intrigued and I might grab a box from them at some point. 

These are  fun and cheap.  Not sure I'll pick up more given the chance but I wouldn't bet against it either.  Curt Schilling is still not a Hall of Fame member but you have to think he would be in by now had he not shot himself in the foot.  Multiple times. 

BREAKDOWN: 

10 – Total Cards

5 – Cards from the 90s

4 – Cards from the 80s

2 – Hall of Famer

1 - Sticker

1 – Cards from the 00s

Scream (2022) (NO SPOILERS)

 Scream (2022): I'm a big fan of Scream.  The sequels, like in most movie franchises, don't do it justice but I'm still in.  I was able to get away to see the newest part of the franchise yesterday.  This one does something we've seen before in other franchises where there is a combination of the established characters as well as newer younger characters who I assume will help carry the torch moving forward.  I hardly ever see horror movies in the theater.  I really enjoyed getting to see this in on the big screen.  I enjoyed it and would rank it behind the first one.  There was nothing groundbreaking in this movie but it was fun to watch.  You can always nitpick but I just wanted to be entertained and I was. They did a good job with showcasing new characters while taking us back to what we enjoyed. Just wanted to throw out a few words and would like to hear what others think if they've gotten to see it.

Random Wax: 2020 Prestige Foootball

 2020 Prestige Football: My Bills will hope to upset the Chiefs today.  I think they have a good chance but only if their offense is clicking on all cylinders.  I think the defense will be solid.  Not saying they'll stop Mahomes and that offense but I think they'll represent well.  We'll start this one off with Dak Prescott who was upset in the Wild Card round by the 49ers.  The offense really disappointed.  I'm curious if there'll be any major changes with Dallas in the offseason.

Not a bad pull but I feel it could have been stronger.  Julio Jones made the playoffs thanks to the trade that sent him to the Titans.  Was sorry to see him go but hopefully he'll do well.

Obwuegbunam had a solid second season while Patrick Queen has started all 33 games of his career with the Ravens.

This dude will be a big part of any chance the Rams have of stopping the Buccaneers this weekend.

Campbell is in the twilight of his career but still had some great years in his career.  Old School is always fun as we get to see some retired greats. 

Fitz is a favorite of mine so I'm always happy to pull him.  Derek Carr didn't win last week but did have another good year.  OBJ will be catching passes this weekend for the Rams.  Fun pack.  Design isn't bad sans no team logo on the verteran player cards but I've seen worse. Go Bills!

BREAKDOWN: 
30 – Total Cards
6 – RC
2 – Rookies Xtra Points Green Parallel
1 – Old School
1 – Honor Roll
1 – Prestigious Pros
1 – Inside the Numbers

2021 Topps Gallery Blaster

 2021 Gallery Baseball: I always like picking these up and they were on the shelve this morning so here we go.  Normally billed as an art release this year's set seems to have a lot more regular photos included in it.  We'll kick it off with the reigning A.L. MVP on a good looking card.

The design is one I like but why we don't have a team logo I don't know.  They could fit nicely in a corner. Maybe no color to keep them in the tone of the card.

Love seeing retired greats and there were some good ones.  The Big Unit and that hair is hard to beat. 

The back of the card highlights some of the things Paul Goldschmidt does to "Master his Craft". 

About a third of the cards are rookies.  The backs are okay.  Due to the delay on these coming out it took me a bit to wrap my head around there only being three months of stats.  I was like "what..oh yeah..."

Four Printer Proof parallels come in each blaster.

That blue parallel Ichiro is numbered to 75. The Babe Ruth is a MLB Originals insert while the Eric Hosmer is a Rainbow Foil Parallel.

Fun box of cards.  The variety and retired greats are pluses for me.  I wish there were more art as opposed to photos but I know the art in past releases were hit and miss.  I can't call myself a Gehrig guy per se but I love his cards.  He looks like a guy you want in your lineup.  

BREAKDOWN:
28 – Total Cards
9 – Retired Greats
4 – RC
4 – Printer Proof
2 – Rainbow Foil Parallel
1 – MLB Originals
1 – Blue Parallel #/75
1 – Masters of the Craft

Buffalo Bills defeat New England 47-17

The Bills destroyed the Patriots last night 47-17.   I was really worried about New England.  As much as any other team.  Playing them and Bilicek a third time seemed like trouble but the Buffalo offense shook off the inconsistency seen at the end of the season and dominated the Patriots.  I loved that Devin Singletary was the focus of the run game and he responded.  Allen did have a masterful game as well throwing for 300 yards while only throwing four incompletions.  He also added 66 yards on the ground.  And the Bills' defense was as good as advertised.  The Bills will need all of this going for them in the Divisional round.  They'll play in KC which isn't a surprise.  I figure they would have to play them sooner or later.  Hopefully they are firing on all cylinders.

Georgia Bulldogs defeat Alabama for the National Championship

 What a feeling.  Georgia winning the championship was so much fun to watch.  It was a good game and seeing your team win is a special feeling.  Especially after 40 years of waiting.  And beating 'Bama to do it?  Priceless.  The game itself was not what I expected but what I had hoped for as the Bulldogs defense shined.  In the first half I was so frustrated seeing the Crimson Tide live in the Bulldog offensive backfield.  The good news is the Georgia defense was frustrating Alabama at the same time with some timely stops on promising drives.  The second half it looked like the Bulldogs came out reinvigorated and wow that fourth quarter.  So much fun.  It was closer than the final score of 33-18 suggests but Georgia was on a mission.  The Alabama running game never got going and Bryce Young didn't have the time he needed in the pocket.  The Bulldog running game really took off.  For the game they rushed 30 times for 140 times thanks to Zamir White and James Cook.  Stetson Bennett struggled in the first half but came up huge in the second half with both his touchdowns coming in the face of pressure.  The 40 yard pass that put them up for good was great.  

I know the game was up in the air until the last minute but it really felt like Georgia was going to win after that long touchdown.  Alabama just didn't have an answer for the Bulldog defense.  I came down with a stomach bug the next day so I'm just now getting around to putting my feelings here.  It was a tough playoff with my two teams, Michigan and Georgia, playing each other in the semis.  What are the odds?  I did think Georgia was the better team which played out.  And now they have their championship.  After seeing them lose to Alabama, and their backup quarterback in the 2017 Championship, this felt so sweet.  Not to mention they avenge their loss in the SEC Championship game just last month. I'm so happy and in overload with both Georgia and the Braves bringing home championships within three months of each other.  I'm loving it!!!  Now to the important stuff...  www.fanatics.com

2021 Illusions Football Blaster with Autograph

2021 Illusions Football:  These weren't even on my radar but saw them at the store yesterday and didn't hesitate to pick up a box.  I've liked Illusions for the most part historically.  This blaster netted me this sweet Patrick Mahomes King of Cards insert.  Illusions likes acetate cards and this is one of the four different acetate inserts I pulled.

I'm good with the design though as always I'll say a team logo would help.  These don't always scan that great or look inconsistent.  Overall I'm happy.  My pull was good as well.  That Cook is a green parallel.

Just over a third of the box is dedicated to rookies.  Never complain about that nor pulling a Mac Jones who looks like the real deal in New England.

That Joe Tryon-Shoyinka auto was unexpected.  He was a first round pick of the Buccaneers.  He started six games and finished with four sacks.  Really happy to pull a Deion.  The Sanders and Fields are more acetates.

Nice insert of the Falcons star rookie tight end.  I'd prefer a color scheme on this more in line with the team colors.  I think that would make these a bit more impressive.

This was a fun box.  Great pull, good design, and an all-time favorite of mine.  Nice surprise to say the least.

BREAKDOWN:

36 – Total Cards
14 – RC
3 – Green Parallel
1 – Illusionists
1 – Clear Shots
1 – Shining Stars
1 – King of Cards
1 – Retired Great
1 – Rookie Signs Autograph 

Spider-Man: No Way Home (No Spoilers)

 Spider-Man: No Way Home: Finally got to see this one and hadn't seen any spoilers which was a big bonus.  I will say No Way Home lived up to the hype.  This movie is soooo good.  Honestly I can't find anything to knit pick at the moment.  Nothing.  It's a roller coaster ride with so many moments that'll take you across the emotional spectrum.  

Tom Holland has done such a great job as Spider-Man and I love Zendaya as MJ.  Dr. Strange is a big part of the movie as well and as always he is a really good character.  The movie is centered around the multi-verse and while that is hard to pull off this one does it really well.  And in doing so they've set up future Marvel moments as is teased in one of the post credit scenes.  There is so much more but I don't want to ruin anything for anyone.  If you are a Marvel or Spider-Man fan it's a must see.  

Random Wax: 2020-2021 Contenders Draft Picks Basketball

2020-2021 Contenders Draft Picks: Still have a few of these packs from last year to show off so let's knock one out.  Jimmy Butler has been in and out of the lineup for the resurgent Heat but he is having another good year in Miami.

No complaints with my pull.  Love seeing these old photos.  Can't wait to see Klay Thompson back on the court with the Warriors in the new year for the already dominant Warriors.  This design isn't my favorite of the Contenders brand but I still like them.

Retired greats are always appreciated.  Okoro is a wing for the Cavs but still hasn't found his shooting touch from deep though he has averaged nine points per game in his two seasons.  Some Sparty love.  

This was a good pack and always a fun brand to open.  The Ja Morant looks even better this year for the Grizzlies averaging 23 PPG, shooting 35% from three, and averaging almost seven assists per game.  

BREAKDOWN:
18 - Total Cards
2 – Game Ticket Green Parallel 
1 – Mascot
1 – Winning Ticket
1 – Front Row Seat
1 – Purple Game Ticket Parallel

2021 WWE Heritage Blaster

2021 WWE Heritage:  Finally found a box of this in the wild and couldn't be happier.  After seeing breaks on twitter I was excited to get some in hand.  Wrestling lends to good photos and combined with the design and show it works.

They went with the 1990 baseball base design which I like here.  The colors work.  It's pretty simple. I dig it.  I do like that they added the WWE logo.  Topps missed having one in the origin design in '90.  I'm a big Alexa Bliss fan so I was glad to grab her base card.  

I won't say I've always been the biggest A&G fan overall but I love adding them here as an insert.  The Rock and Macho Man were two guys I wanted and boom there they are.

There are RCs to find though not many.  That Xia Li is a blue parallel #/25. 

This MVP art card is from the 10 card insert set Ruthless Aggression Art.  The Booker T is a Superstars Speak insert which goes to their taglines.  That colorful Jeff Hardy is a sticker.  Those colors clash with his persona there but it is alright.

About what we expect from Topps nowadays on the backs and it's fine.  I would appreciate the addition of something like "Titles Won" with the dates they held the belts.  Maybe just at the bottom under the write up.

More than happy to show more of these off.

There are 77 cards in a blaster so there are plenty of cards here.  I don't feel cheated like I have with some brands that have so few cards in them.  That AJ Styles is a rainbow foil parallel though you can't tell from the scan.

These are some of The Miz Superstar Tribute inserts.

More Alexa Bliss goodness!  This was a fun box.  I like the designs and inserts.  The fact you get so many A&G is a big plus.  Some may not be as excited as I was.

BREAKDOWN:

77 – Total Cards

22 – Allen & Ginter

6 – Rainbow Foil

5 – Miz Superstar Tribute

4 – Retired Greats

2 – RC

2 - Stickers

1 – Superstars Speak

1 – Blue Parallel #/25

1 – Ruthless Aggression Art Card