Random Wax: 2023 NASCAR Donruss

 2023 Donruss:  NASCAR playoffs start today at Darlington.  Darrell Waltrip is not only a 3X champion but was one of the great personalities in the sport.  He went toe-to-toe with Dale Earnhardt for a long time and had some great head-to-head races.  He also finished top 10 in the standings 18 times in his amazing career.

Bubba Wallace had a huge win at Indy this year and is locked into the playoff field as is his team owner, Denny Hamlin.

Young drivers from the different levels within NASCAR (Cup, Xfinity, and Truck) all get their time on cardboard.

Another nice Bubba pull on this Optic 1990 Donruss Carolina Blue Parallel.  There are three Optic cards per pack.

Car photos are always fun.

Ben Rhodes is a 2X NASCAR Truck Series Champion.  I'm a big fan of the 1990 Donruss design and like its inclusion here.

Race Queens and Race Kings are always fun.  The diamond is representative of NASCAR's 75th anniversary.  Not a favorite design of mine but I do get a Kyle Busch pull and he's my favorite driver in the sport today.

I like the thought here but more times than not I don't get the "Under the Lights" vibe from the photos.  Kevin Harvick is retired and now an announcer but is a past champion and was top 10 in the standings 18 times including his rookie year.  

Kyle Larson has struggled of late but is one of the great racers in the sport today.  I'm not sure about  the Elite Series inserts.  The design isn't Elite to me, but I like the Dale Jr. pull.

Inclusions of retired greats like Mark Martin is a big part of this set.  Always fun.  I'll be rooting for my favorite drivers, Bubba and Chase Elliott, in the playoffs which run through 2 November.

BREAKDOWN:
30 – Total Cards
11 – 1990 Donruss 
4 – Retired Greats
3 – Optic
3 – Race Kings/Queens
3 – Carolina Blue Parallel
2 – Elite Series
2 – Under the Lights
1 – Car
1 – Unleashed
1 – Silver Parallel
1 – Bronze Parallel
1 – Checker Parallel

1996 Donruss Baseball

1996 Donruss:  Dennis Martinez played 23 seasons winning 245 games with a 3.75 ERA.  He won a World Series title with the 1983 Baltimore Orioles though he did not play in the playoffs.

This is my first look at 1996 Donruss.  Not a bad design but the foil can make it tough to see all that is going on right there.  I think I like it but that might change from day to day.  I did pull one of my favorites in Chili Davis and I of course love Javy Lopez from those great 90s Braves teams.  Reggie Sanders played one year for the Arizona Diamondbacks but helped them win their only world championship.

I really like these backs.  Tons of stats, a great recessed logo, lots of color and a second photo.  All great stuff.

Photos are fine on these.  But the more I look at the cards, that big block at the bottom seems to be in the way.  I know it's not that much in the way, but my mind is having a hard time with it being in the center.

Martinez led the league in wins, ERA, complete games, and innings pitched at least once in his career.

1995 was Johnny Damon's rookie year in which he hit .282 over 47 games.  Fun pack of cards.  Not some I'll chase outside of singles, but it was still enjoyable.

BREAKDOWN:
12 – Total Cards
1 – Rated Rookie

Random Wax: 2024-2025 Donruss Basketball

24-25 Donruss:  I'm a big fan of Domantas Sabonis as well as his dad.  He's led the league in rebounding for the last three seasons and is just so solid and consistent at the center position.  He's also averaged over 7 assists per game over those same three seasons.  He's just does really good things at the center position and he's a lot of fun to watch.  Not sure if the Kings turn a corner this season but I'll be rooting for them.

Nice pull in this pack.  You can never argue with James, Cunningham or AD pulls.

Kyshawn George had a solid first season in Washington averaging 8, 4, and 2 as a rookie.

I love Star Wars nerd Brook Lopez.  He's a Clipper now and he should be a great asset off the bench for Los Angeles while no longer having to be a starter.

More great players.  Joker is the most fun player to watch. He never ceases to amaze me when I see him play.  Even with a lack of inserts, I have no arguments with this pack.  Lots of fun and star power.

BREAKDOWN:
30 – Total Cards
5 – Rated Rookie
2 – Holo Green Laser Parallel
1 – Great X-Pectations

Random Wax: 2023 Donruss Football

 2023 Donruss: Justin Herbert and the Chargers had a good 2024 season, winning 11 games.  Herbert threw 23 touchdowns while only throwing 3 interceptions.  I'd like to see the Chargers take another step forward this year and maybe win a game or two in the post season.

Tight end love!  George Kittle had another great season with 78 receptions, 1100+ yards and 8 touchdowns.  This is not a favorite design of mine, but we've seen worse Donruss designs.

Paku Nacua has been nothing short of great starting with his rookie season.  Nice Press Proof Blue Parallel for him.

There were four of these parallels in the pack.  Tee Higgins got paid in the offseason.  Hope Cincy can avoid their slow start this season.  

I'm not sure about these Action All-Pros but I'm okay with it being different.  And I pulled a kicker...nothing against kickers but still.

Mike Evans started his career with 11 straight 1,000 yard seasons which hasn't ever been done before.  He's an amazing receiver and has been very durable throughout his career.  

BREAKDOWN:
30 – Total Cards
4 – Rated Rookie
4 – Press Proof Blue Parallel
1 – Action All-Pros

Rust (2024)

 

Rust: Pop and I watched this recently and we really enjoyed it.  It follows Alec Baldwin as Rust who gets his grandson, after his grandson is convicted of killing a local rancher.  Plenty of good characters and the story is good as well.  Lots to enjoy here for anyone who likes westerns.  Due to the tragedy that happened during the filming of this movie, I think maybe it's release didn't get much fanfare.

Random Wax: 1994 Ted Williams Baseball 4 Packs

1994 Ted Williams:  Who doesn't love Gary Carter?  He was an amazing defensive catcher, he hit well including 324 home runs.  Only negative is his winning a World Series with the Mets.

Yes, the names on these are almost impossible to read.  It is very frustrating.  Catfish Hunter is a 5X World Series champion winning three with Oakland and two with the Yanks.

A young looking Jason Giambi on the The Campaign insert which highlights a player's journey to the majors.

Floyd and Salmon are part of the Dawning Legacy inserts.  Both had good careers and had been in the league only a few seasons when this set came out.

Etched in Stone inserts look at specific accomplishments or milestones within a player's career.  We get ladies of the sport with this Women in Baseball insert.  Bob Horner graces the Swinging for the Fences.

Negro Leagues inserts give us cards for greats from the era we don't normally see on cardboard.

The backs are fine with plenty of information and they highlight top seasons from the players.

Rod Carew in those great old school Minnesota unis.  I really enjoy looking at his stats.  He was so good.  Rookie of the Year, 18X All-Star, 7X batting champ and a 1X MVP.  Amazing career.

BREAKDOWN:
48 – Total Cards
6 – Negro Leagues
5 – The Campaign
3 – Checklist
3 – Dawning of a Legacy
1 – Etched in Stone
1 – Women of Baseball
1 – Swinging for the Fences

Random Wax: 1990-1991 SkyBox Basketball (3 Packs)

90-91 SkyBox:  I think Reggie Miller could play in any era.  Yes his shooting would play today, but his drive and grit would work on any court during any time.

What a pull in these packs.  These three were all great in their own ways.  But all were dynamic.  All three are also all-time favorites of mine.

Mark Aguirre was a big part of the Pistons' championships in the late eighties/early nineties.  He was passed his prime when he was traded for Adrian Dantley, but he was a perfect fit with Detroit.

The backs are great.  Yep more stats would be better but I'll still not complain.

Some good guards of the era.  Tucker is the lesser known but an excellent shooter.  Probably been a Kyle Korver type in today's game.  Spot up shooter that didn't really find his own shot much.

Walter Davis was just smooth.  John Stockton needs no introduction.  He owns a good chunk of the assist section of the record book.  He was a quintessential point guard.  There'll never be another one like him.  It was great watching him run the Jazz offense.

BREAKDOWN:

Total Cards - 45

Random Wax: 1990 Pro Set Football (4 Packs)

1990 Pro Set:  Bernie Kosar only had one, maybe two good seasons but you can't think of Browns quarterbacks without thinking of him.  In his best season he was 12-4 as a starter 17 touchdowns and over 3,800 yards passing.

Some really good photos here.  Hard to say if the Banks or Haley is my favorite but each are really good.

Not a great start to his career but obviously Troy Aikman landed on his feet.  The backs of these cards are really good.

A League Leader card and Award Winners.  I like both of these.

I love these Super Bowl Collectibles inserts.  The art has always been a favorite of mine.

Some big names in the league back in the day.  Mark Kelso was a high motor guy on defense who dealt with concussions and started wearing a padded helmet which eventually ended up in the Hall of Fame.  He had 30 interceptions in 8 seasons.

Coach cards are great too.  Jerry Burns took Minnesota to the 1987 NFC Championship game before losing to the Washington Redskins.

Absolute all-time favorite of mine.  Pro Bowl cards with in game photos.  Doesn't get any better.

These are always fun cards and one of my all-time favorite sets.

BREAKDOWN:
60 – Total Cards
6 – Pro Bowl
5 – Award Winners
4 - Coach
4 – Super Bowl Collectibles