Random Wax: 2024 Topps Baseball

 

2024 Topps:  Tyler Glasnow's health is a big subject for the Dodgers as the playoffs loom.  Ohtani isn't pitching so he could factor big into their postseason pitching.  Glasnow had a great 1.69 ERA for LA in last year's playoffs.

Bregman recently took a foul ball to the face while in the on deck circle.  The Blue Jays were eliminated from playoff contention this week.  Still plenty to be decided this weekend as teams are still jockeying for wild card position in the NL and the AL West is still up for grabs.

Riley Greene had another solid season for Detroit.

The 1989 Topps backs.  And aren't they glorious with all those stats.

Team card.

Good photos.

Stars of MLB and a Rainbow Foil Parallel.

Nice checklist.

Pete Alonso had a really good year in Baltimore after signing a deal there as a free agent.  Cutch looking good in the retro Pirates look.  

BREAKDOWN:

36 – Cards

6 – RC

2 – Team Cards

2 – Stars of MLB

1 – Checklist

1 – Future Stars

1 – 1989 Topps Baseball

1 – Rainbow Foil Parallel

1 – Topps All-Star Rookie Cup

Random Wax: 2021 Score Football

2021 Score:  Josh Allen and the Bills have high expectations again this season.  Hopefully some of the small tweaks and coaching change can get them over the hump.  He passed for 3600+ yards and 25 touchdowns.  He also added 14 touchdowns rushing.  Not his greatest year but one almost any team would take.

Wow, the quarterback landscape has changed in the last 5 years.  And yes, I bought this pack 5 years ago and showing it off for the first time.

None of these three made their mark on the NFL.

These 3D inserts are pretty cool and include retired greats.

I really like that Deion card.  I'm a fan of him and he looks great in the GOAT Falcons red jerseys and all the red works for me on this Game Face insert.  I do like the Next Level Stats but I'm not sure those stats are really "Next Level Worthy".  No offense to Chase Claypool and maybe I'm missing something.  Derrick Henry on a Score Team insert.  Henry is still a beast.  He rushed for over 1500 yards and had 16 touchdowns last season at age 31.  

Good looking Collegiate Champions insert.  I'm a big fan of these with photos from both college and the NFL.  Reggie Bush was also part of that 2009 New Orleans Saints Super Bowl winning team.

I like all three of these photos.

NFL games start tonight and I can't wait!  Some great tight ends and another retired legend.  We'll end it with a great Davante Adams photo.

BREAKDOWN:

40 – Total Cards

7 – RC

4 – Next Level

3 – 3D

3 – Red Parallel

2 – Score Team

2 – Retired Greats

1 – Game Face

1 – Throwback Rookie

1 – Collegiate Champion

The Odyssey

 The Odyssey:  I was looking forward to this one and was able to see it in the theater while on vacation.  I enjoyed this movie.  Done well all around and the cinematography was great.  Did it have to be 3 hours?  Probably not but it went by pretty quick.  The casting, story, visuals were good.  I suggest this movie when you get the chance.

Random Wax: 2024 Topps Stadium Club Blaster

Stadium Club 2024:   We like us some Stadium Club photos and it's hard not to like Jose Ramirez.  He is struggling this year but he's a 6X Silver Slugger and has a career batting average of .277 with 1700+ hits and 295 home runs.  And it's hard not to like this photo.

So many excellent photos and we get Austin Martin on a Red Parallel.  Love the Trident the Mariners use as part of celebrations.

Mike Yastrzemski laying out.

I think of Stadium Club as having an old school feel, so these inserts feel a bit out of place for me.  Still, there are some good looks here.  Here we have Chief Fantasy Professionals, Chrome Triumvirates (diecut) and Special Forces.

Sepia Parallel.

This is Steven Kwan's 5th season with the Guardians and in his career, and he already has 4 Gold Gloves and a career .280 batting average.

The backs are good.  Lots of color, a different photo and player info even if we don't get career stats.

Another of my 4 Chrome Parallels from the blaster.  Ozzie knows a thing or two about Gold Gloves with 13 in his Hall of Fame career.

Mariner greats.  Enough said.  Great box of cards and lots of fun.

BREAKDOWN:

40 – Total Cards

16 - RC

6 – Red Foil Parallels

4 – Chrome

3 – Retired Greats

1 - Triumvirates

1 – Sepia Parallel

1 – Chief Fantasy Parallels

Random Wax: 2025-2026 Topps Basketball

25-26 Topps:   Kevin Durant is nothing short of amazing.  One of the best scorers in his era, if not the best, he could shoot from anywhere on the court and is just a baller.  So happy I was able to see this guy play and he ain't done yet.  He was 37 years old last season but still scored 26 points per game while shooting 41% from deep.  He's led the league in scoring 4X in his 18-year career.

Happy Tyrese Haliburton will return from injury this year.  Last time we saw him, he was hurt in the 2025 NBA Finals against the Thunder.  He only played 7 minutes in game 7 before getting hurt.  Man, we wanted to see that game with a healthy Haliburton.

Walter Clayton Jr. averages 7 points and 4 assists per game for the Utah Jazz.  The Jazz have made plenty of moves and look to make a big move this next season.  Should be fun to watch.

Everyone's excited about Dylan Harper and the San Antonio Spurs who made it to the NBA Finals this year.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is one of those new pieces in Utah meant to take them to the next level.  

Nice Checklist card.  Neither Zaccharie Risacher (Mavericks) nor Trae Young (Wizards) are still with the Hawks as have both been traded.

Big man Alex Sarr took a step forward this year averaging 16 and 7 for the Wizards in 2025-2026.

My other Checklist.

Guard love.  One of the all-time greats in Chris Paul, shooter Trey Murphy and Kyrie who can do so much.

All-time greats!  Always a favorite of mine.  Nice pull with KG and Dirk Nowitzki.

8-Bit Ballers is an okay insert.  Not really my thing but Topps is doing a retro thing which is fine.  Great pack of cards.

BREAKDOWN:
36 – Total Cards
4 – Retired Greats
3 – RC
2 - Checklist
2 – Generation Now
1 – 8-Bit Ballers

Random Wax: 2021 Prestige Football

2021 Prestige: Myles Garrett was traded to the Los Angeles Rams during this offseason.  He had 23 sacks during the 2025 season at age 30.  This guy is a beast, and the Rams D just got a lot better.

Not a huge fan of all that white on these cards.  This pack was bought in 2021!  Just now showing it off.  Sounds like Tyreke Hill's injury was pretty nasty, and we may not see him this season.  Tough for such a good player.

Prestigious Pros is a good-looking insert.  Ben Roethlisberger would go 9-7 and make the playoffs in his final season with Pittsburgh in 2021.

Zach Wilson is the only player of these three who is still in the league.

I like the photo on this Highlight Reel insert.  And crazy we are talking about Justin Herbert's debut.  Six years ago already.

Xtra Points Parallels and a Time Stamped insert.  These aren't bad cards and I like that Jonathan Taylor pull.  He recently got a nice contract extension.  I'm a big fan of his.

Seasons Greetings inserts are good looking cards.  I like how they did these.  Fun pack of cards.  Enjoy today's first slate of Sunday games!

BREAKDOWN:
30 – Total Card
4 – RC
2 – XTRA Points Parallels
1 – Time Stamped
1 – Highlight Reel
1 – Seasons Greetings
1 – Prestigious Pros