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

 

 

Random Wax: 2021 Topps Opening Day Blaster

2021 Opening Day:  We are so close to playoff baseball it's hard not to be excited.  We'll kick off this Friday with a blaster of 2021 Topps Opening Day and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols.

Freddie Freeman is having a historic season hitting doubles like nobodies' business.  Unfortunately, Mike Trout's season ended due to injury....again.  Harper dealt with some injuries as well but bounced back with a really good year leading the Phillies to the playoffs.

Some of the young players in the box.

You get retired legends which is always a good thing.  I won't say these designs wow me but I like seeing these guys on fresh cardboard.

I really like these inserts and Yadi is a an all-time great and PC guy.

Mascots are a fun part of the set.  That Dubon is an Opening Day Edition parallel.

Even the backs of the mascot cards can be fun.

An all-time Royal fan favorite in Alex Gordon and another Yadi card.  I've always been a fan of Opening Day and sorry Topps went away from it.  Hopefully it comes back some day.

BREAKDOWN:

77 – Total Cards

13 – RC

4 – Legends of Baseball

3 - Mascots

3 – Opening Day

3 – Future Stars

2 – Opening Day Edition

1 – Rookie Cup

1 – Outstanding Opening Day

2021 Topps Opening Day Hobby Box

 2021 Topps Opening Day: Did someone say it's opening day?  Time for a hobby box of Topps Opening Day which I've made a tradition for myself.  Why?  Because I really like Opening Day as a brand.  The logo is great and I enjoy the small set size and inserts.  These hobby boxes don't guarantee hits and the last one I had was a Kyle Freeland auto in 2019.  Doesn't ruin the fun.  Just have to know that going in.

Plenty of star power in this set as you'd expect from a set of 220 base cards.

We'll give catchers some love here.  Was really hoping for a photo with the Yadi stare down.  Topps will really miss out if they don't have a card in next year's set noting Yadi throwing out the youngster after he gives Yadi the finger wag this spring training.  Maybe a Great Spring Training Moments insert?  If you haven't seen it click on that link

  Mascots are always a favorite of fans and collectors.

Youngsters are well represented as well.  

I really like the inserts this year which have a heavy retired legends presence.  Legends of Baseball is all about the retired greats.  Outstanding Opening Day showcases present and past players who had notable opening days.

These Opening Day cards highlight notable 2020 opening days by team.  Doesn't mean they always won but the write-ups always have a way of still making it cheerful.  Dugout peeks, Opening Day Origins and Walk this Way are three inserts I didn't pull.  Those are all short printed but I'm disappointed I didn't get at least one.

This is opening day so these Outstanding Opening Day inserts deserve more blog time.  I like the design and the backs are simple but provides details of the player's highlight.

These are the Blue Foil Opening Day Edition cards which have today's date on the front.  

A little horizontal swag.

Fun box.  I like this year's design and the insert choices.  I'll show off another Opening Day hobby box tomorrow...but from what year?  Come back tomorrow to find out.  Play ball!

BREAKDOWN:

252 – Total Cards

47 - RC

18 – Future Stars

14 – Retired Greats

12 – Mascot

12 – Legends of Baseball

7 – Team Opening Day

6 – Outstanding Opening Day

5 – All-Star Rookie Cup

4 – Blue Foil Opening Day Edition

2 – All-Star Rookie Cup/RC