I'm way late on this Blog Bat Around that I believe was originally going around this past spring. I like the concept of them since it can help cure writer's block and I enjoy reading all of the different perspectives on the selected topic from fellow bloggers. I'm going to cheat a bit and have 6 of my best pack pulls over the years. Here goes:
2023 Topps Series 1 Stars of MLB Red Parallel Adley Rutschman #d 5/75.
A lot has been said about the Stars of MLB inserts into flagship over the last few years. Honestly, when I pulled this Red Parallel, I didn't know that there even were parallels of Stars of MLB! I don't really mind the design of the insert set but I just wish there weren't as many of them. I don't think they need to be one per regular retail pack, or a whole pile of them out of the value or hanger packs. I was pretty damn happy when I pulled a rare card of a hot rookie on my favorite team and also because I only opened 2 hanger packs of 2023 Topps series 1 total.
2017 Topps Fire Autographs Green Parallel #d /75 Cody Bellinger.
I don't open nearly as much product as I did back in 2017. 2017 Topps Fire was in its maiden voyage (even though it was an insert set in 2016) as a retail only product and I bought a couple blasters. 2017 was a busy year because we moved our family from one side of town to the other twice so it didn't leave much time to "play" with cards. Most of them were in stacked in a corner at my in-law's house and I didn't have much time to even think about baseball. I do remember hearing off and on about Cody Bellinger's rookie season. I did end up selling the card on my COMC account but I don't remember exactly for how much. I can only imagine if I pulled a parallel autograph #d to 75 of one of today's hot rookies, and how much it would go for.
2024 Topps Chrome Jackson Merrill Blue Raywave #d 130/150
This is my most recent best pull from this past summer. I went into Dick's Sporting Goods to buy some new shoes and also came out with a Topps Chrome blaster and some fishing tackle. They had the Topps Chrome blasters sitting right on the checkout counter so I couldn't resist. Dick's knew exactly what they were doing. Crazy thing this blaster also had a Elly de la Cruz pink refractor and a no name A's Chrome Rookie autograph. I made out like a bandit on this blaster where most of my breaks these days end in self-loathing and tears. This Merrill is on its way to the upgrade shop (PSA) so I can maximize the value.
2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects Purple Refractor Stephen Strasburg #d out of 250(?)
I had to dig deep into the archives to find this scan. Strasburg was the original player that started cardboard hysteria. I was that guy who called out of work and drove all around town snatching up all of the 2010 Bowman I could find to resell on ebay. I "got high on my own supply" and opened a few of the rack packs when I got back home and pulled this beauty. The Purples were retail exclusive so it was a big pull that I sold for about 200 bucks IIRC. I profited big time on 2010 Bowman to say the least.
2013 Topps Chrome Red Hot Rookies autograph #d to 25.
Long time readers of the blog may remember that I once did group breaks. I used to type out every card. I had a metric shit ton of time on my hands in 2013 I guess. Either way I pulled this during the group break that featured 2013 Topps Chrome and couldn't have been more excited. The odds of pulling this card were astronomically low and I don't want to think about it too much. Just take the W's when you get 'em. Bundy was a top 5 MLB prospect at the time and I can only imagine what I could have gotten for it at the time. Bundy was good but fizzled a bit at the end of his career. The most recent sale on COMC was for $6.28.
WOMP WOMP. 2022 Bowman Chrome Green Refractor Rookie Autograph Wander Franco #d 94/99.
This is where the tragedy of this countdown begins. When 2022 Bowman first came out in May of 2022 Wander was the about hottest player on the planet at the time. I went down to Target on my lunch break to buy a blaster if they had any. Cards were really hard to find in retail outlets at the time (still kind of are) so to my surprise, they did have blasters and a box of loose retail packs. I had worked some OT that week so decided to treat myself. I stuck to the plan and bought 1 blaster, and the treat was 4 (big spender) of the 24 packs in the fresh retail box. Checked out, and ran back to my car in a total downpour. It wasn't safe to really leave the parking lot and drive right back to work so I sat there and opened the 4 retail packs. First pack and BOOM: Wander Green Auto. I texted my closest card collecting buddies with shaking fingers. The main dilemma was how to protect the card 'til I got home. This card is the reason I now carry a team bag full of penny sleeves and toploaders in my car and truck! It was really tough to focus on getting work done for the rest of the afternoon. I did the math and to Pull a green Wander was like 1 in 596,000 packs. I estimated at the time I could have sold it for about ~$2000 and the wife said we could go on a nice vacation off the profits. (sighs, DEEP sighs). I remember telling her the sky is the limit for him. No reason to sell because I learned my lesson by selling my 2011 Topps Update GOLD Mike Trout FOR ~$80 back in 2012. (Deep Breaths). Fast forward to 2023 Wander was one of the best players in the league, an All-Star and on his way to stardom. THEN the foot of destiny kicked me in the ass. The only stardom Wander can hope for now is the Dominican Republic Penile League Hall of Fame. Then maybe I can take the wife on a nice vacation to the Burger King drive thru. (hyperventilation ensuing)
So there you have it, every good pack pulled card I've held onto has turned into a pumpkin. I'll probably be selling the high dollar stuff as soon as I pull them from now on and just buy the cards I want with the profits. Anybody interested in a Jackson Merrill Blue Raywave? (Passes Out)
No comments:
Post a Comment