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

 

 

2022 Topps Opening Day Hobby Box

2022 Topps Opening Day: Finally time for some baseball.  Let's kick it off with the Atlanta Braves, the 2021 World Champions. Ronald Acuna Jr. wasn't able to be a part of the World Series due to injury but he's still a great place to start.

You gotta let me enjoy this.  Plenty of Braves in this box which made my day.

These perforated Triple Play cards are pretty cool.  I didn't think I'd care for them but I dig 'em.  I'll never tear them apart but never say never.

I  didn't pull a Franco but there are still plenty of young rookies to go around. 

I really like these full bleed Opening Day inserts.  Great photo here of the great Royals catcher Salvador Perez.

RCs, Rookie Cups and still more young players to come.  

Speaking of...  It really seems like the photography in this year's set is better than last year's. 

Bomb Squad inserts have a good mix of current stars and Retired Legends.  Was really happy to pull Big Papi and Hank Aaron.

I like the design this year.  It's nice and clean.  And they didn't use a two font.

That Cole is an Opening Day Blue Foil parallel.  I do think the set could use a few more inserts.  Like the flagship the packs are dominated by base cards.

The backs are nice.  Just enough color that it isn't plain and we get the awesomeness that is career stats.  And Kershaw's are some great ones to look at.

Another Triple Play to show off.  I can't argue with all three of these studs on the same card.

This was a fun box.  They always are.  We'll end it with more nice photos.  Also hoping Tatis can comeback strong this season.  Enjoy opening day!

 

BREAKDOWN:
252 – Total Cards
37 – RC
19 – Future Stars
12 – Mascot
12 – Bomb Squad
12 – All-Star Rookie Cup
7 – Opening Day
5 – Triple Play
3 – Retired Greats
3 – Opening Day Blue Foil