Blog Bat-Around: Best Pack Pulled "Hits"

I'm not a big autos & relics guy, but I have some.  I'm also not a big pack ripper, especially after 2020, since I only buy a couple products and only one of them consistently.

Having said that, here is my stab at Diamond Jesters' Best Pack Pulled Hits.  He limited his original list to five, but what fun is that?

When ranking these cards, I considered rarity and player star power.  Autographs trump jersey swatches, and unless it's another piece of something from the playing field, no other "relics" really count.  I'm combining football and baseball.

OK let's quit wafflin' and get crackin' with the list...  (Twelve bonus points if you know where that expression comes from.  Hint ~ YouTube.)

A few Honorable Mentions first.  I've got plain jersey swatches from Dan Marino, Barry Sanders, Bob Griese, and a few others that didn't make the (scan) cut. 

 

H1 - Aaron Judge 2023 and Yaz 2022 A&G mini relics

I also have similar ones from Vlad Guerrero Jr. and a couple other decent names.  That's always better than pulling some no-name rookie from an inferior team, though.  Between these two, I like the Yaz better because Vintage players > Modern guys.

 

H2 - 2014 Topps Valor Tajh Boyd Heart patch

I know what you're thinking - "How can you put a 1/1 in the Honorable Mentions???"  If Boyd had turned out to be the next Warren Moon, than this would be huge.  Unfortunately, he didn't, so it's not that fantastic.  It's still the only 1/1 I've ever pulled.  Still working on the rainbow for this one.  I mean, why not?  I have the tough one.

H3 - 2013 Topps Archives '65 Tall Boy Robert Griffin III autograph

This signed oversize card was a miraculous pull from a box of Archives that was purchased by friends on my pool team.  They had no idea about cards, but managed to pull me a box with the exact autograph that I was looking for.  (Just noticed there's also an Alfred Morris in the checklist too.  That just went on my wantlist.)

OK, on with the really good stuff:

#10 - 2023 Allen & Ginter Carlton Fisk mini bat

I know the Honorable Mentions were basically the same thing (even down to same team, HOF'er, bat swatch.)  But this guy is one of my PC's.  That's more points in my book.

#9 - 2012 Piece Of History Nolan Ryan ERA Leaders jersey

Biggest name I could have pulled from a set about Vintage guys, especially pitchers.  One point off for plain white swatch.  

 

#8 - 2015 Gridiron Kings Jameis Winston Rookie Studio Signature
(/75)

Kicking off the autographs, I felt lucky to get this one at the time because he was the #1 overall pick.  I also got a jersey of Teddy Bridewater out of the same box.  I rooted for both guys to have great careers.  They did OK, but this card won't buy a Maserati.

#7 - 2017 Topps Manny Machado patch (/25)

When Manny was tearing it up for the Orioles, I unwrapped this patch card from Topps flagship.  Nice to get a fancy patch - even better if it's the hometown favorite guy.

#6 - 2006 UD Artifacts Satchel Paige Awesome Artifacts (/45)

I somehow obtained several boxes of this product and pulled a couple dozen relics and a few autos as well (more later).  But this jumbo swatch of a vintage legend was mind-blowing.

#5 - 2016 Panini Classics Ronnie Lott autograph (1/15)

I actually didn't remember pulling this one when I was searching through my hits.  (Also got a Jalen Ramsey auto from this product).  But figured it makes the cut being #1 out of only 15 and a HOF'er.  I know a TCDB trader who collects him heavily.  I'll have to see if he has this one.

#4 - 2006 UD Artifacts Reggie Jackson Auto-Facts (/200)

Yes, it's a HOF'er out of 200, not 15, but it's Reggie.  Told you there was going to be more from this set.  (I should go back and see who else I got - might be a big name that wasn't so big in '06).

 

#3 - 2008 Topps Heritage Bill Mazeroski red ink autograph.

I thought these red ink versions were much rarer than their non-crimson counterparts.  Could have sworn I read that the autographs were all the same and only the last few were red ink.  Not the case now that I look at the database listings.  Regulars are not numbered, and reds are  /59.  Oh well, still a great pull, and probably one of my oldest.  I opened some of the others years after those products were brand new.  This one I got in 2008.

#2 - 2011 Topps Legends Stamp Of Approval Joe Flacco auto/relic (1/10)

2011 Topps Gridiron Legends is one of my favorite products.  I don't remember how many boxes I opened, but this was an incredible pull.  A stamp relic - which is a bit weird - but it's the signed version and #1 of ten.  And local dude Joe Flacco.  (It's just fun to say "Jooooe Flakko!")

#1 - 2021 Allen & Ginter Manny Machado metal mini (/3)

Had to hold it to keep the reflections at bay.  These metal minis were inside rip cards - mine was Kyle Lewis.  They're not marked as such, but are stated to be print runs of only three.  too bad he wasn't still in Baltimore at the time.  Machado gets the #1 spot since he's both super rare and was physically birthed from another card.

 

I still prefer to buy my "hits" in the secondary market (and that's rare).  I buy boxes to collect the set.  Any nice hits are just a bonus.  I'm probably forgetting a couple more that would bump some of these, but it's not a bad list.

Got In Early On The Ginter

Just opened three boxes of 2022 Allen & Ginter, which will probably be the only new product I buy this year (or many of the following years.)  I like the base design a lot, and some of the inserts are really original, but those are the ones that are harder to pull, apparently.  It's nice that some of the insert sets are only 10 cards, and the biggest one is only 50.

Here's a couple shots of two of my boxes right after opening.  At least you can get an idea what all the different things look like.  Don't worry, I have closeups and scans of all the hits.

Unfortunately, the shots of two of these laid out so you could see the names of the inserts came out like this:

This one came out OK...

But anyway, each pack generally had six base (or five and a short print), a mini, and an insert.  I got worried in box #2 when a few packs came out with less:

A few had one or the other between the mini and the insert...

But then in the last box, I got a few bonus cards in some packs.  I counted the full size inserts from each box, and they were all around the 23-24 count range, so it all works out in the end.  I was afraid I was missing a hit, but got three from each box too.

As usual, all my player minis are for trade.  And now, here are the hits...

Got a bunch of Yankee-centric stuff in these.  I have a Yankee collector that I trade with regularly, so he gets first dibs.  Might keep the Rachel Balkovec jersey, she's an historic manager in the minors.  Have no idea who the Twins pitcher guyer is, but was cool with Captain Cheeseburger.  Bonus points for no white swatches.

Acuña came out first.  It's a nice bat piece.  Reminded me of the Stadium Club auto I pulled a few years ago.  Then I got the "other" Rivera. (stay tuned for more on that).  Ended with a bang with the Senior Yastrzemski.  That's definitely a keeper!

Ended with Hosmer, Verlander, and the big time Rivera.  (Only one better would have been the coach of the Commanders for me, but not likely)  Again, no white swatches and some very big names.  I could part with all these for the right ones.  Looking for Autos or GUs from Fisk, Palmer, Bo Jackson and Malika Andrews.

I have my insert wants posted on my site, but haven't yet set up the magnifier and sorted my base and SPs.  Those card numbers are microscopic this year!

I'm looking for all parallels and minis of Lou Piniella from this set.  He's the only player collection guy in it this year.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Collecting, ripping and hunting!

3 Boxes Of Ginter, Just For Laughs (cont'd)

Since I haven't seen an overabundance of Ginter breaks on the blogs (I'm probably missing 60% of them since I'm not on Twitter or anything), I'll lead you through a quick look at my other two boxes' contents...

Freeman topped off the second box.  And can top off any trade...

Again the minis, regular and two black ~ again all trade bait.  Some great names.  There's that Dobbins guy again.

All newer guys in the A&Gs.  And that dude from Great Britain.  I didn't need to see him any more.  Probably a delightful fellow.  Just have no clue who he is.  Contest winner?

The best of the inserts this year.  Monsters I mentioned last time.  I like the Booming Cities look, and I finally got one of the "9 Ways to First Base", which is the ultimate example of the twists on the familar game themes that Ginter comes up with regularly that flagship wouldn't ever fathom.  Please trade me more of these!

A stroke of luck in the Field Generals - I was going to have to get an extra Munson to send in trade, but got two in the same box!  Worked out very well for both of us!

Full size inserts flowing right along.  Got a dupe or two along the way, but not a lot, which makes me happy.

Second Bale Of Hay, but it's good trade bait for the ones I didn't get.

Double Debuts and Rocks.  No real tie-in unless Griffey owns some Opals.

Nice dark swatch from Sano.

Red Sox fans!  I must say I like the round swatch designs better.  the "diamond" ones almost look like they're framed in two-by-fours and barbed wire.

Mr. Joc for the trifecta.  Don't guess Night Owl is wanting this one?

And the "bonus" hit (-ish) is this Brooklyn back mini /25 of another Red Sox dude, Verdugo.  Tradeable for Soto, Mussina, Robles, Scherzer, Turner, Palmer, Torre, Fisk, Kieboom, Kendrick, Strasburg, Weaver, or in their absence, any of the HOF'ers.

On to Box 3!

Greg G., ya got first dibs, but I don't think you want this one, unless it's for the PC binder.  Let me know...

Minis - Glavine in mini form before I got the base card.  (Still need 31 base cards after three boxes! And only half that many SP's!)  More Cubs love (vs. Expos etc.) with Dawson.

Robles is staying with me.  Rest are trade bait, as are all the other player minis.

Nobody spectacular in the A&Gs, though I'm decent at pulling David Price over the years.

Monsters still awesome...

And Lagos, Nigeria.  I used to work with a guy from Lagos.  Good dude.

Safaris offset again, and a castle near the Pennsylvania / Jersey border?  Ok maybe not.

Really vivid images of some cool architecture.  Have a double of one of these.

Any home run series would be incomplete without Aaron.

Silos, chickens and an extra Tractor.

A pitcher Debut finally, and more minerals.  Wonder which Labrador dog the first one is named after?

Three users of "the tools of ignorance" and one for my PC...

The Fisk trifecta in one box!

Two non-sport obscure guys as "hits".  Ok, so the one on the right could be a "set-worn" piece, as in comedy set performance, or tv/movie set, but is the other one worn while typing out a Goosebumps or Garbage Pail Kids book?  That's a new twist on "GU".  I think I'd still like non-sport relics to be of babes instead.

At least Andrus keeps it honest with a bat relic.  Don't think this is the first piece of his that I have available.  

My lists are at the top of this page.  Send me your wants and trade offers!

And as a special reward to all those who have made it this far.  Yesterday was a trifecta of Birthday Beauties.  

Monica Belucci from the Matrix movies and several more....

Hallmark Channel heroine Lacey Chabert

(And yes, I watch the Hallmark channel now and then when certain gals are starring.  It's an attempt to increase my belief that all that romantic stuff happens in real life.  Can't say it's worked very much so far.)

And finally, a lady whose beauty I hadn't really discovered until watching a biography about ~ Fran Drescher.