Random Wax: 2022 Topps Opening Day Blaster

2022 Opening Day:   Vlad Jr. and the Blue Jays have their work cut out for them after making it to the World Series last year.  He's started out well though home runs and runs batted in weren't there for him.  I'd love to see this team do well consistently for years to come but it's not easy to do in the AL East.

I miss Opening Day, but I do get why Topps no longer does it.  2022 was a good design for Topps and Opening Day was a good compliment.  Three good photos here.  Juan Soto had a quick start to his season with the Mets.

Really good-looking card.

Plenty of youngsters.  All three of these have had good starts to their career.

Topps Celebration kind of fills the space of Opening Day to some extent now.  You'll at least see mascots there as well as other fun features.  Don't think it is a cheaper option though, but I haven't really researched it or seen them at retail.

Great photo and card.

I know he's struggling but I miss Xander Bogaerts as a Red Sox.  It was fun seeing him get 2 World Championships with Boston though.

Triple Play insert.  Kind of cool and not really perforated.

Another nice horizontal card.

Mascots!

Topps was killing it with the photos on the horizontal cards in this box.

Cutch is now a Texas Ranger and had a good start to his season.

Nice card and cards are always better with Ohtani and Trout appearances.

Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer are pitching this year but with Detroit and Toronto respectively.

Another Triple Play card and all three are no longer with the Red Sox.  It happens.  I picked up this blaster in 2022 and finally showing it off.

Bomb Squad inserts are nice.  Gives us another shot at seeing and pulling stars of the sport.

We'll end it with a few of my favorite current players.

BREAKDOWN:
154 – Total Cards
21 – RC
11 – Future Stars
8 – Bomb Squad
7 – Mascot
5 – Rookie Cup
4 – Opening Day
3 – Triple Play
2 – Retired Greats
2 – Opening Day Blue Foil

Random Wax: 2022 Topps Opening Day Hobby Box Part II

2022 Opening Day: The World Series picks back up in New York tonight and the Dodgers are up 2-0.  New York will need Aaron Judge to be more like Aaron Judge for them to make a comeback in the series.  He currently has 1 hit in 9 at the plate.

I always kind of liked that Dodgers alternate uni.  I bought this box back in March of 2022 but it has so much to offer I wanted to share more cards.  Opening Day is a brand I really enjoyed and miss a lot.

Matt Vierling has been the most productive of these three and plays in Detroit.  Gavin Sheets has found plenty of at bats with the White Sox with a career .230 average.

I liked the design of these Opening Day inserts.  Has a Wild Card vibe to them with being able to see through the words.

Wow things have changed.  Franco is dealing with legal woes.  Bohm is a 1X all-star.  India was the 2021 Rookie of the Year and a starter for the Reds since then.

Mascots were always a fun part of the Opening Day sets.

This Triple Play card is a mixed bag of emotions.  Trout was injured again this season.   Ohtani is now a Dodger, had a historic season, but went out of Saturday's game with a shoulder injury.  Rendon has been on a four-year decline dealing with injuries every yeard.

These feel a bit bland but wow you can't argue with my pull of Bomb Squad cards.  Soto is holding up his end of the deal hitting .429 in two World Series games so far. 

Really nice photo on this horizontal offering.

Lot of Trout in this box which is always a great thing.

Mookie is looking for his 3rd World Series ring, already winning one with Boston and one with LA.

Another great photo with Arenado's bubble gum making an appearance.

Waino and Goldy going Cardinal old school in different ways and I like both looks.  This was fun and there were many players who are key to the tonight's game. Still pulling for the Dodgers.  Hoping for more fun and drama like we've seen through the first two games.

BREAKDOWN:

252 – Total Cards

37 – RC

19 – Future Stars

17 – Total Cards

12 – Mascot

12 – Bomb Squad

12 – All-Star Rookie Cup

7 – Opening Day

5 – Triple Play

3 – Retired Greats

3 – Opening Day Blue Foil

 

 

Random Wax: 2019 Topps Opening Day

2019 Opening Day:  Picked up this pack as part of a recent Blowoutcards purchase.  Ronald Acuna Jr. is injured again this year which hasn't helped the Braves' offense that has struggled all season.  Can't wait to get him back on the field next year.

I'm a fan of Opening Day and I miss it.  I know it's simplistic and a faux copy of the flagship set but still there was something about it I really enjoy.

Andujar didn't work out in New York but is having a good season for the A's.  Hudson had some good seasons in St. Louis before cooling off and ending up in Colorado.  Torres is struggling this season but has been solid for the Yankees.

150 Years of Fun inserts are just that - fun.  And getting to see Gary Carter in action is always great.

Evan Longoria's 16-year career yielded 1900+ hits and 342 homeruns.  He was Rookie of the Year as well as a 3X All-Star and Gold Glove award winner.

Nice shot where you see all three watching the ball take off.

Andrelton Simmons was an excellent defender.  Billy Hamilton was a speedster and favorite of mine.  He never could figure out the hitting thing but he was still exciting.

Opening Day inserts are nice and appropriate.

We'll finish it off with more Atlanta Braves.  Another former Braves shortstop, every fan liked Dansby Swanson.  And then you have the GOAT, Hank Aaron.  I never get bored looking at his stats.  That man could hit like nobody's business and, combined with the power he brought to the plate it's so easy to appreciate his career. 

BREAKDOWN:

24 – Total Cards

3 – Topps All-Star Rookie Cup

2 - RC

2 – 150 Years of Fun 

1 – Opening Day

Random Wax: 2021 Topps Opening Day Blaster

2021 Topps Opening Day: As with Mr. Red, the Cincinnati Reds mascot, we're all waiting on opening day as we endure our first week without baseball in a long time.  Opening Day is a favorite brand of mine but unfortunately I'm in the minority and it's no longer produced. This photo from 2020 transports us back to when fans weren't allowed in the stands.

Can't complain with this pull. Matt Olson is now with Atlanta and put up some crazy numbers in 2023 hitting 54 home runs while driving in 139.  Ohtani won't be able to pitch in 2024 due to injury but the man is still a freak of nature.

Josh Hader and his awesome hair had a great season posting 33 saves with a 1.28 ERA as the Padres' closer.  I really like this photo.

Luis Robert had a breakout season with 38 homeruns while batting .264.  Bart and Aquino still haven't made their mark on the league.

Enjoy these fun Opening Day inserts.

Both of these inserts aren't favorites of mine, but I do like seeing retired greats on new cardboard.

More mascot fun.  They are staples of Opening Day.

I've always been a fan of Zack Greinke.  2023 might have been his last of 20 seasons in the league.  Some say he is a Hall of Famer.  I'm not sure and only time will tell.

Nice photo.

Fun box of cards.  Picked it up in April of 2021.  I miss this set but I can still enjoy looking back at these cards.  This Mookie Betts card is an Opening Day Edition parallel.

BREAKDOWN:

77 – Total Cards

13 – RC

4 - Mascots

4 – Future Stars

3 – Legends of Baseball

2 – Opening Day

2 – Outstanding Opening Day

1 – Rookie Cup

1 – Retired Great

1 – Opening Day Edition