2024 A&G Box 2 of 3 - Welcome Back, Carter

So on to Box 2 of my 2024 Ginter break.  Now I'll at least get a start on the regular base set.

Box Topper is Vlad Jr.  I tend to pull something of his out of every few boxes of new stuff I open - which means Ginter at this point.  As well as Blue Jays.  My toppers are spoken for already, though.

First pack and there's that Carter guy again, as well as the #1 drafted quarterback last year.  I'm looking for the guy that was called next.  Shiny Adley is cool - I got a couple different ones of his in this break.  I'm tempted to go for the rainbow.  Has his superstardom hype settled down yet?  I tend to pull the big names just after they are hot sellers, as you'll see in a bit.

First hit was former National (and relevant star?) Anthony Rendon.  This one is very flowery.  I don't dislike it, but the other relic style looks cooler this year.  Sample is pending....

Player/people minis....got both the regular and A&G back of the top guys in the middle.  Also take note of the second dude named Carter in the blacks.  Shiny Austin Riley might be what I mentioned earlier - was he a hot commodity last year?  I don't pay attention any more....

Here's why I brought up Evan Carter.  Nice looking mini auto, but I don't know him from Gary, Joe, Jimmy the former president, or Sergeant Carter on Gomer Pyle.  

Mini inserts include another sniffy one - this time it's peppermint!  I think they made up the Swamp Creatures lineup - never heard of this bird, but he's more likely to live in a swamp than the previously pulled one - a shark?  Anyone else who doesn't live near there default to the quote from Hunt For Red October when Sam Neill gets shot and says "I would have liked to have seen Montana..."?  Couldn't find the clip online.

More X-Ray'd's.  A couple new ones and a couple dupes.

Dogs and bees and sister cities.  Gotta love the service dog inclusion.

Last hit.  Like I said, I think these look the best, though they appear to be player portraits against a cork board, while the whole thing sits on a pile of unwound cassette tape (or poodle clippings for those of you too young for cassettes).  Sorry if I've now made you unable to unsee those things.

And finally, the shiny.  Carroll refractor would have been good last year, right?  

Glad to get regular base cards this time.  I have found another lot of the silver hot box ones, so I'll probably go ahead and try to make that set.  I'll have to be quick though, I'm sure they will fade from existence by the end of the year or so.  Don't have a lot of trade bait from these at this point.  Two people are sending me the remainder of my base, SP, and full size insert needs already.  One of them wants my minis.  Doubling up wasn't my plan, but it's what's happening.

Stay tuned for the third rip.  That's a hint....