Box Break: 2009 Topps Platinum Football (Blaster)

I know, I know. A football box break on a baseball card blog--this is not what we're paying you for Bud. Of course, I'm not actually being paid by anyone, so I will continue on with little no regard for the wants and needs of my readers. I guess I'm just callous like that.

Besides, what were my other options? 2010 Topps or Topps Heritage? Sorry, if I wanted bland I would eat Wheaties for breakfast--I'm a Crunch Berries kind-a-guy. 2008 Upper Deck X at 50% off? Maybe if it were 100% off. Press Pass? Not in this lifetime.

So I did the only logical thing, going back to the well that had produced some beautiful autographed patch cards of NFL stars past and present. Was I greedy hoping for more? Probably, but dammit, I was too proud not to try one more time. Had the water finally run dry? Read on and find out brave blog followers, read on and find out...

Mark Sanchez Rookie Variation #590/1459: After the first two packs of this blaster I was left staring at a Jason Smith Rookie Variation (we all know the resale value of offensive tackles) and a Jarrett Dillard (who?) refractor numbered to 999. Clearly, I made a mistake, and the card gods were punishing me for it. But in the third pack, a glimpse of hope emerged, shining bright in a sea of platinum. A numbered card of one of football's hottest rookies and a pro player I know personally (more on that in a Brush with Greatness type post); maybe all was not lost after all.

Ramses Barden Rookie Autograph #190/850: Well, Ramses Barden won't win any awards for penmanship (I bet Sign Here and Here would have a field day with this one), but an autograph from a blaster is nothing to scoff at, even if "the Pharaoh" only caught one pass all season. Barden was a third round pick, so there's still hope he turns out. After this card I figured the blaster was spent, but it still had one more treasure for me to unearth. Behold!

Mike Wallace RC Blue Refractor #50/99: Though the card may be blue I certainly wasn't after pulling a low-numbered refractor of one of football's most underrated rookies. Come football season this card alone would likely pay for the entire blaster but it's so pretty I might have a tough time parting with it. Mike looks great in blue.

Closing Thoughts: Just like Arnold in Conan the Barbarian I turned to the card gods, bought this blaster, and screamed "if you won't help me now...then the hell with you". Good luck or fate had nothing to do with it; I willed this box to be a winner and against overwhelming odds it was.

Will I punished for my insurrection with a 2010 Allen and Ginter hobby box full of Fred Lewis relics? Without a doubt. But until then I'll bask in the calming blue glow of Mike Wallace and the knowledge that my twenty dollars was well spent.

Bud out.

One Last Impassioned Plea for Topps Platinum

I'm not exaggerating when I say that this is the most loaded retail product ever. Out of two blasters and a handful of packs I've pulled two rookie autographed patch cards (including one of ROY Percy Harvin), tons of big name rookies (Stafford, Sanchez, Maclin, McCoy, Harvin, Cushing, Curry, Orakpo, etc), and this gorgeous Javon Ringer Red Refractor RC #10/25 that I scored yesterday. If I were looking to flip these cards (I'm not), I would easily make my money back. How often can you say that about blasters? I'm not getting compensated by Topps for this advertisement (although it sure seems like it), but rather just trying to help fellow collectors find a fun (and valuable) alternative to their usual card purchases.

I know that not everyone who reads this blog collects football cards (and that's okay), but if you do, you'd have to be crazy to pass up the chance to buy one of these blasters. The base cards are well designed and shiny, there's at least one rookie card per pack and you've got a great chance to walk away with an autograph or patch card from a diverse and talented group of players (Dan Marino, Adrian Peterson, Dwayne Bowe, etc.) I'm not saying you need to rush out and buy one, but if you find yourself at Target sometime soon, why not try something new and exciting rather than another ho-hum blaster of Heritage? Just my two cents...

Retail Topps Football Continues to Play the "Hits"

I don't buy football or basketball cards often but occasionally I get tired of whatever baseball offerings are at my local retailers and I try and branch out to other sports (even hockey when I'm really desperate). I read on the Blowout Cards forums that Topps Sterling retail had been providing some pretty nice hits (especially for retail) so I thought I would try my luck with a few packs. I didn't get much of note out of the first few but the last pack yielded the beauty you see on the left: a Juaquin Iglesias 3-color patch autograph RC #322/350. I realize he's not a star (he didn't even play a game last season) but gosh that's a pretty card. It's probably the nicest looking patch I've ever pulled from a pack (not difficult considering that I've only pulled two) and I think I'll hang onto it and see if Iglesias breaks out next season; he was a very good receiver at Oklahoma. Sometimes trying new things pays off...it sure did this time.

If there are any Chicago fans interested in this card you can e-mail me to work out a deal. I'd like it to find a good home rather than selling it on fleabay.