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: 2024 Topps Update

2024 Topps Update:   Freddie Freeman is having another good season as a top 5 hitter in the league.  I've always been a fan of the former Braves' first baseman.  He's 36 this season and has 2500+ hits in his career.  Maybe he doesn't get to 3,000 but I won't rule it out.  I'm rooting for him and I'm assuming he'll be a Hall of Famer once he retires.  Just nobody hitting nowadays like he has in his career.  And I like these All-Star cards.

Update can be a mixed bag focusing on youngster and players in new unis. I do like the 2024 design.

Jackson Holliday has taken a step a back this season but I'm hoping he can bounce back.

Nice looking Rookie Combo card.  And who doesn't like a Skenes pull?

Stars of MLB.  Not my favorite design but it's in line with previous ones.

Great checklist card.

We have a Royal Blue Parallel and Purple Holo Foilboard #/799.

Veteran Combo card.

Elly De La Cruz is having another good season. I enjoy seeing players with speed doing well even if his stolen bases are down this season.

BREAKDOWN:
36 – Total Cards
11 – RC
2 – Stars of MLB
2 – Veteran Combos
1 - Checklist
1 – All-Star Game
1 – Rookie Combos
1 – Royal Blue Parallel
1 - Purple Holo Foilboard #/799

Random Wax: 2024 Blaster

2024 Topps:   Ronald Acuna Jr. recently returned to the Braves' lineup after recovering from injury.  Felt like he was getting his swing back before the injury and the lineup needs his bat.  Hoping for good things in the second half of the season.

Nolan Arenado is a 10X Gold Glove winner and recently reached 2,000 hits for his career.  He's currently playing for the D-Backs.

Speaking of...  A nice photo on this horizontal card.

Gabriel Moreno has hit at or above .300 most of this season.  Nice bat to have in your lineup especially as a catcher.  While he's helped my fantasy team, in truth there is no helping my fantasy team this season.

2023 Greatest Hits, Home Run Challenge and Grand Gamers.  The latter gives a chance to see all-time greats like Ichiro who truly is one of the greatest hitters we've seen.  Maybe someone breaks his streak of 10 consecutive 200 hit seasons but it feels like it will be near impossible to beat.

Checklist, Holiday Parallel (Easter), and Blue Parallel.

The backs on the '89 Topps inserts are solid and seeing Jose Ramirez stats are always fun.  Such a good hitter.

Really good collection of hitters including two 1989 Topps inserts.

Team card.

Stars of MLB are okay but getting a bit stale by 2024.  No complaints with my pull though.

2024 Topps backs are good.  Love seeing all those stats.

More stars of the game and what a fun box.  Mike Trout is having a really good year.  Average is still down but he's hitting with power and getting on base.

BREAKDOWN:

84 – Total Cards

17 – RC

7 – Stars of MLB

4 – Future Stars

4 – Holiday Parallel (Easter)

1 – Checklist

1 – Team Card

1 – Grand Gamers

1 – Blue Parallel

1 – 1989 Topps Baseball

1 – Home Run Challenge

1 – Topps All-Star Rookie

Random Wax: 2024 Topps Hanger Box

2024 Topps:  Aaron Judge is having another great season.  Stupid Yankees.  Enough said.

Pretty good star power in this pack.  Bryce Harper has been able to stay healthy and is having a good year for the Phillies.

Nice horizontal photo on this Eugenio Suarez card.

Youngsters on different offerings.  Riley Greene is having a good season in Detroit.

My Houston Astros Team Card with a fun photo.

Yellow Parallel, Rainbow Foil Parallel, Royal Blue Parallel.  I'm on board with all three of these options though the blue is the one I like most.  Really works on that Rays card.

Another good photo. 

Nice pull on my Stars of MLB inserts.

Checklist.

1989 Topps Baseball insert.

Man, he had some good years with the Red Sox.

Good pack of cards.  Good pull and I like the design.  I really like the Superstar Blueprint cards.

BREAKDOWN:

59 – Total Cards

14 – RC

4 – Stars of MLB

2 – Future Stars

2 – Yellow Parallel

1 – Checklist

1 – Team Card

1 – Royal Blue Parallel

1 – Superstar Blueprint

1 – Rainbow Foil Parallel

1 – 1989 Topps Baseball

1 – RC/Topps All-Star Rookie Cup

Random Wax: 2024 Topps Update Hanger Box

2024 Update:   Can't say enough about Paul Skenes.  He's a great pitcher and easy to root for.  He already has a Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and ERA title.

Update boxes can be hit and miss with star power but I do like the 2024 design so it's still fun.

Jackson Holliday hasn't been who the Orioles were hoping they'd see but he's still only 21.

Rookie Combo card.

Here we have my Blue Holofoil Parallel #/999 and a Royal Blue Parallel.

Yellow Parallel on this Veteran Combo card.

1989 Topps Baseball, Milestone card and Autumn Tales.  I like all three of these.

More Stars of MLB which include rookies as well.

Going horizontal.

Andrew Abbott has been a good starter for the Reds.

Two more Veteran Combo cards and a Shohei appearance which is always appreciated.  Fun box.  Plenty of options and variety.

BREAKDOWN:
59 – Total Cards
21 – RC
7 – Rookie Debut
4 – Stars of MLB
4 – Veteran Combos
3 – Rookie Combos
2 – Yellow Parallel
1 - Checklist
1 – Autumn Tales
1 – Retired Great
1 – Royal Blue Parallel
1 – Rainbow Foil Parallel
1 – 1989 Topps Baseball 
1 – Topps All-Star Rookie Cup
1 – Blue Holofoil Parallel #/999