QUARTER BOX CHRONICLES - PART 2

THE SECOND OF THREE POSTS WHERE I SHOW OFF THE CHRONICLES SHINIES I GOT FROM THE QUARTER BOX. SOME OF THESE DESIGNS I GOT MORE THAN ONE CARD FOR! ALSO APPARENTLY PANINI BASEBALL IS DEAD NOW. LONG LIVE BASKETBALL CHRONICLES

REMINDER ON THE GIMMICK FOR THESE POSTS. FOR EACH DESIGN I WILL ANSWER THESE THREE QUESTIONS: 

• 1) HAVE I EVER HEARD OF THIS PRODUCT?
• 2) WHAT ORIGINAL SET IS THIS RIPPING OFF?
• 3) IS THIS DESIGN WORTH A DAMN OR NOT?

XR DESIGN

1) I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT AN XR IS. IT SOUNDS LIKE A SPORTS CAR MODEL OR A BRAND OF RAZORS WITH 12 BLADES PER CARTRIDGE

2) IT'S GOTTA BE BASED ON SOMETHING BUT IT JUST LOOKS LIKE GENERIC PANINI TO ME. THOSE CONE LOOKING THINGS IN THE BACKGROUND LOOK A LITTLE LIKE SEARCHLIGHTS AT A MOVIE PREMIERE, MAYBE THAT'S IT, IT'S THE EXTREMELY R-RATED TRADING CARD FOR ALL YOU GRINDHOUSE LOVERS OUT THERE

3) IT AIN'T GREAT. WITHOUT THE HOLOFOIL DAZZLING YOUR EYES WITH THE SHINY IT WOULD JUST BE A BIG MESS LIKE THAT PINNACLE CARD FROM THE LAST POST

I GOT CURIOUS AND LOOKED UP PANINI XR AND I STILL DON'T QUITE KNOW WHAT THE HELL IT IS. HIGH END FOOTBALL ROOKIE LOTTERY PACK MAYBE? IT'S WAY OUTSIDE OF MY COMFORT ZONE AT ANY RATE. IT KINDA REMINDS ME OF OLD UPPER DECK SPX CARDS THAT HAD A BIG X IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESIGN SO YOU KNOW IT'S COOL. A HA-SEONG KIM ROOKIE CARD IS DEFINITELY COOL, HE'S KICKING ASS FOR THE PADRES. THIS ENTIRE POST SOMEHOW ENDED UP BEING ALL ROOKIES, I'M NOT SURE HOW I PULLED THAT OFF

BLACK DESIGN

1) YEP, PANINI BLACK IS ONE OF THOSE SUPER HIGH END TWO CARDS PER PACK FOR EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS PRODUCTS I COMPLETELY IGNORE

2) THERE'S PLENTY OF CARDS WITH TWO PHOTOS ON THE FRONT AND EVEN A FEW LIKE 1994 FLAIR OR EVEN 1954 TOPPS WHERE THE SECOND PHOTO ISN'T TINY BUT I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER SEEN A CARD LIKE THIS WHERE ONE SIDE IS A FRONT PHOTO AND THE OTHER SHOWS OFF THE BUTT. I DON'T KNOW IF ALL THE CARDS SHOW OFF DAT ASS BUT THAT'S A HELL OF AN INNOVATION  FROM PANINI IF SO

3) IT'S PROBABLY MY GOTHY SIDE SPEAKING HERE, BUT I'VE ALWAYS KINDA LIKED PANINI BLACK. NOT ENOUGH TO ACTUALLY TRY TO COLLECT THE CARDS BUT I'M GLAD IT EXISTS

I'M JUST GONNA BE HONEST WITH YA, I AM NOT A PROSPECT GUY, I DON'T FOLLOW THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CLOSELY, AND I DON'T REALLY KNOW MUCH ABOUT MOST OF THE GUYS IN THIS POST. THIS WRITEUP ON THE BACK TALKING ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS DOESN'T HELP ME MUCH EITHER. LOOKS LIKE MONTE HARRISON HAS BOUNCED AROUND THE LEAGUE A BIT AND IS CURRENTLY BACK WITH THE BREWERS AFTER ORIGINALLY BEING PART OF THE CHRISTIAN YELICH TRADE

GOLD STANDARD DESIGN

1) ARGH ANOTHER THICK SHINY HIGH-END LOOKING CARD. HOW MANY $500 A BOX PRODUCTS CAN ONE COMPANY MAKE

2) THIS LOOKS LIKE THE ELITE DESIGN FROM THE LAST POST KNOCKED UP THE LEGACY DESIGN AND THEY HAD A VERY CONFUSED LITTLE LOVE CHILD

3) THIS SHIT LOOKS LIKE ALL THE OTHER SHIT. ANGLES. ANGLES EVERYWHERE! I KNOW YOU'RE ALL WONDERING HOW I COULD LOVE CHRONICLES SO MUCH WHEN I AM COMPLAINING THAT SO MANY DESIGNS LOOK THE SAME BUT PLEASE UNDERSTAND I DO APPRECIATE THE VARIETY OF THE CARDS EVEN IF A LOT OF THEM BLUR TOGETHER. PLUS THE SHEER GRIP HOLOFOIL HAS UPON MY SOUL CANNOT BE UNDERESTIMATED

ANOTHER YERMIN ROOKIE CARD HERE, AT THE MOMENT I'M WRITING THIS HE WASN'T SIGNED BY ANY TEAM YET. THIS POST PROBABLY WON'T BE OUT FOR A MONTH THOUGH SO I STILL HAVE HOPE THAT HE'LL CATCH ON WITH SOME TEAM THAT NEEDS SOME CATCHING IN SPRING TRAINING

CLEAR VISION DESIGN

1) THIS IS A TOPPS TEK RIPOFF IF I EVER DID SEE ONE. HOWEVER TOPPS TEK RIPPED OFF THE INNOVATION OF A HUNDRED DIFFERENT ACETATE INSERT SETS THAT CAME BEFORE IT, SO THERE'S NO SHAME HERE

2) LIKE I SAID, IT'S PANINI TEK. I DUNNO IF THERE'S A HUNDRED DIFFERENT PATTERN DESIGNS BUT LET'S HOPE THERE IS NOT

3) THE SHITTIEST ACETATE CARD IS BETTER THAN 99% OF EVERYTHING ELSE EVER PRINTED, SO YAH I LIKE

THE BACK IS A TRAVESTY THOUGH. IF PANINI LEFT OUT EVEN ONE WORD OF THE PALTRY AMOUNT OF TEXT ON THE BACK THEY MIGHT'VE BEEN SUED. I IGNORE THE DIAMONDBACKS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE SO I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT PERDOMO. LOOKS LIKE HE'S A GOOD DEFENSIVE SHORTSTOP FIGHTING FOR A SPOT WITH NICK AHMED ON ONE SIDE AND HOT PROSPECT JORDAN LAWLAR ON THE OTHER

TITANIUM DESIGN

1) HOLY SHIT, THIS IS AN OLD PACIFIC PRODUCT! FOOTBALL AND HOCKEY ONLY, SLIGHTLY HIGHER-END BRAND, NEVER REALLY ESTABLISHED IT'S GIMMICK. I LOVE SEEING ANY OLD PACIFIC REFERENCE THOUGH 

2) THIS LOOKS NOTHING LIKE THE OLD PACIFIC SETS SO I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT'S BASED ON, IF ANYTHING

3) IT'S THICK AND SHINY AND HAS SOME FOIL ON IT AND I'M GOING TO FORGET ABOUT IT THE MOMENT THE TAB IS CLOSED BUT IT'S FUN TO LOOK AT FOR A COUPLE SECONDS. IT ACTUALLY DOES THE X DESIGN WAY BETTER THAN XR DOES

WAS PANINI FORBIDDEN TO DIFFERENTIATE LEAGUES? I GUESSED THIS IS A YANKEES PLAYER THROUGH JERSEY COLOR CONTEXT CLUES BUT THE LACK OF INFORMATION ON THIS CARD IS FRISTRATING. DEIVI HAS ONLY PITCHED 8 GAMES FOR THE YANKEES BUT HE'S YOUNG, HE'S A STARTER AND EVERY TEAM NEEDS AS MANY OF THEM AS THEY CAN GET THEIR HANDS ON

OH LOOK OUR FIRST DOUBLE. I MEAN VALUE ADDED RED PARALLEL. THERE'S NUMBERS ON THIS CARD!

TITAN DESIGN

1) I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS IS AND IT APPEARS TO BE EXCLUSIVE TO CHRONICLES. MAYBE THIS IS AN ACTUAL INSERT SET AND NOT JUST THE 'ALL THE BRANDS ARE INSERTS' TYPE OF THING

2) I DON'T KNOW IF I'VE SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. BLACK & WHITE PHOTO WITH A PURPLISH BACKGROUND? MAYBE A WEIRD OLD SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL

3) I APPROVE OF ANYTHING THAT JUST GOES FOR IT AND TRIES SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM EVERYTHING ELSE OUT THERE. ALSO THE COOL COLOR PALETTE PLEASES MY PEEPERS

I TOOK A LOOK AT SOME OF THE OTHER TITAN RELEASES AND APPARENTLY IT'S BASED ON THE ACTUAL MOON OF SATURN??? I DEFINITELY APPROVE OF SPACE-BASED TRADING CARDS AND I NEED TO TRACK DOWN THE ACUÑA FROM THIS SET NOW. THIS IS MY FIRST JO ADELL ROOKIE CARD, WHICH IS GOOD, BUT HE'S ALREADY BEEN LAPPED BY ABOUT SIX OTHER 'CAN'T-MISS' PROSPECTS SO I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE CARES ABOUT POOR JO ANYMORE

THE SECOND TITAN CARD IS THE ROOKIE CARD OF TAYLOR TRAMMELL WHO LIKE ADELL HAS HAD A ROUGH TIME OF IT IN THE BIGS. HE ALSO APPARENTLY GOT HURT IN SPRING TRAINING WHICH SUCKS. TRAMMELL WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL IN KENNESAW SO I'M ROOTING FOR A BOUNCEBACK SEASON FOR HIM. IT'S A GOOD THING I DIDN'T GET A THIRD CARD FROM THIS SET OR I'D BE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO THINK I COULD MAYBE TRY TO BUILD IT

THESE CARDS KIND OF REMIND ME OF THAT CHRONICLES BASKETBALL DRAFT PICKS PACK I GOT A WHILE BACK. I DON'T KNOW WHO ANY OF THESE PEOPLE ARE BUT IT'S FUN TO FIND OUT. IT'S LIKE FORGETTING THE NIGHT OF YOUR FANTASY DRAFT AND FINDING OUT WHAT PLAYERS GOT AUTOPICKED FOR YOU. SIX MORE SETS TO GO, INCLUDING THE BEST OF THE BUNCH

BLACK FRIDAY COMC PICKUPS - PART 29: COFFEE

SINCE PART 28 WAS POSTED BACK WITH THE CHRISTMAS POSTS, WE ARE NOW AT THE END OF THE 2021 COMC BLACK FRIDAY BINGE! I CAN FINALLY START POSTING CARDS I'VE BOUGHT FROM THEM IN THE PAST YEAR! I SAVED THE BIGGEST CARD FOR LAST

1892 K5 ARBUCKLE BROS. COFFEE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES AND TERRITORIES - GEORGIA

Y'ALL ALREADY KNOW I LIKE 19TH CENTURY TRADING CARDS. I ALSO LIKE CARDS OF FLAGS AND STATES AND COUNTRIES AND SUCH. I REALLY LIKE FINDING CARDS AND ITEMS FOR MY HOME STATE OF GEORGIA. I GOT LUCKY HERE AND HIT THE TRIFECTA FOR NOT A LOT OF MONEY THANKS TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CARD CRUMBLING TO DUST. HERE'S A PIC OF A SLIGHTLY LESS MANGLED CARD. I'VE GOT WORSE LOOKING CARDS, THE MAIN IMAGE IS PRETTY MUCH ALL THERE. I'M NEVER TAKING IT OUT OF THE HOLDER EVER AGAIN THOUGH. ACCORDING TO THE BACK, THE CARD ILLUSTRATES GEN. JAMES OGLETHORPE LANDING ON THE COAST, JOHN WESLEY PREACHING IN SAVANNAH AND GENERAL SHERMAN WRECKING SOME SHIT AS HE MARCHES TO THE SEA. INTERESTING HOW THERE'S A COASTAL FOCUS ON THE CARD AS SAVANNAH WAS STILL THE BIG CITY IN GEORGIA IN THE 19TH CENTURY

THE BACK OF THE CARD HAS A BIG COFFEE AD ON THE LEFT AND A HEAVILY TRUNCATED HISTORY OF GEORGIA ON THE RIGHT. INERESTING BITS THAT CAUGHT MY EYE INCLUDE THE SPANISH HISTORY IN THE STATE WITH HERNANDO DE SOTO'S EXPEDITION, THE PHRASE "WHERE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM SHOULD BE ACCORDED (EXCEPT TO CATHOLICS)", AND THAT AWKWARD JUMP FROM "THE PROHIBITION OF SLAVERY TOOK PLACE IN 1750" TO "THE CHIEF EVENTS OF THE SECESSION WAR".  I'M NOT EVEN TRYING TO DUNK ON THE TEXT, THERE'S PLENTY OF MEDIA OUTLETS WHO WOULD ABSOLUTELY PRINT "WE WILL NEVER SUPPORT ANY COMMENTARY ROOTED IN DISCRIMINATION OR HATE (EXCEPT TO TRANS)" RIGHT NOW. EVERY ERA HAS THEIR BLIND SPOTS AND OVERT SHITTYNESS AND THE STUFF LEFT OUT OF THIS TEXT IS AS ENLIGHTENING AS WHAT GOT PUT IN. WHAT HAPPENED IN THE 1830S FOR EXAMPLE. OR 1877. I'M ALSO INTERESTED IN THE STUFF THAT WAS WRITTEN ON THE BACK OF THE CARD. THE OLDER THE CARD IS THE MORE I LOVE IT IF SOMEONE PUT THEIR MARK ON IT. SADLY SOMEONE TRIED TO ERASE IT AT SOME POINT AND IT LOOKS LIKE CURSIVE BUT I CAN'T REALLY TELL WHAT IT'S SAYING

THIS CARD ADDS TO MY SMALL COLLECTION OF VINTAGE HISTORICAL TRADE CARDS. I ALREADY HAVE A CARD OF HONDURAS FROM THE DUKE'S RULERS, FLAGS AND COATS OF ARMS N126-1 SET AND FLORIDA FROM DUKE'S GOVERNORS, ARMS, ETC. N133-2 SET. THE FLORIDA CARD IS EXTRA COOL AS THAT SET'S CARDS HAVE A MAP ON THE BACK. I FRIGGIN LOVE OLD MAPS AND WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THAT ARBUCKLE HAS A SECOND U.S. STATES AND TERRITORIES SET THAT HAS MAPS ON THE FRONT. A LOT OF THESE CARDS LOOK FRIGGIN GORGEOUS AND I'LL BE LOOKING TO ADD TO MY STATES AND COUNTRIES COLLECTION IN THE FUTURE

2023 TOPPS HANGER PACK

I FINALLY FOUND A FUCKIN PACK OF TOPPS AT TARGET! I EVEN HAD MONEY IN MY POCKET AT THE TIME!! HELL TO THE FUCKIN YEAH!!! NO RACK PACKS, SADLY, BUT THIS SUCKER WAS TWELVE BUCKS, WHICH WAS FIVE LESS THAN THE HOBBY PACKS I BOUGHT AND I GET ELEVEN MOAR CARDS. I'VE GOT 67 MORE CHANCES TO GET THAT MONEY MIKE ROOKIE CARD

HERE'S THE BIG FAT PACK OF GOODNESS INSIDE. GOT A RAYS CARD ON TOP, THAT'S A GOOD OMEN. I'M NOT TAKING PICTURES OF 67 CARDS SO I'M GOING TO COPY NIGHT OWL'S HANGER PACK POST FORMAT AND JUST LIST EVERYTHING OFF AND SHOW OFF PICS OF THE HIGHLIGHTS. THE INSERTS ARE IN THE MIDDLE SO I TOOK THE BOTTOM PILE OF BASE CARDS AND MOVED THEM TO THE FRONT. SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST. LET'S FUKKIN GOOOOOOOOO

267 DEAN KREMER

206 GUNNAR HENDERSON RC

100 PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT

42 FRANCHY CORDERO

FIRST FOUR CARDS WERE DOUBLES. THUS IS THE WAY OF PACK RIPPING. ORIOLE ROOKIE CARD AND GOLDSCHMIDT AIN'T BAD DOUBLES THO. THE FIRST CARD I NEEDED IS:

330 JULIO RODRIGUEZ

A VERY GOOD CARD INDEED! I LIKE HOW THE POSITION BUMP MAKES A LITTLE TABLE FOR THE ROOKIE CUP

113 STAR POWER CHECKLIST

THIS IS MY FIRST CHECKLIST CARD AND I LIKE THE DECISION TO PUT THE MLB LOGO ON THESE. COMBO CARDS ARE LOOKING GOOD

247 GAVIN LUX

180 DOMINIC LEONE

274 MATT DUFFY

295 BRYSON STOTT

THE FIRST FUTURE STARS CARD OF '23. IT LOOKS A LITTLE AWKWARD WITH ALL THE OTHER STUFF GOING ON IN THE DESIGN BUT I ENJOY THE CHEESINESS 

241 AMERICAN LEAGUE RBI LEADERS

YEP, I STILL WANT TO PULL OUT THE SCISSORS AND MAKE SOME MINIS. I HAVE HIT A RUN OF HORIZONTAL CARDS SO WE ARE OFFICIALLY ON A MONEY MIKE WATCH

326 WALK-OFF WATERFALL CHECKLIST

190 BRO TIME CHECKLIST

UH OH WHAT'S THIS

190 MICHAEL HARRIS II RC

I NEVER PULLED AN OZZIE ALBIES TOPPS ROOKIE OUT OF A PACK. 

I NEVER PULLED A RONALD ACUÑA TOPPS ROOKIE OUT OF A PACK. 

I NEVER PULLED AN AUSTIN RILEY TOPPS ROOKIE OUT OF A PACK. 

I NEVER PULLED A SPENCER STRIDER TOPPS ROOKIE OUT OF A PACK.

BUT GODDAMNIT, I JUST PULLED A MICHAEL HARRIS TOPPS ROOKIE OUT OF A PACK. I CAN QUIT OPENING SERIES ONE PACKS NOW. I PROBABLY WON'T BUT I CAN

194 JOSH STAUMONT

220 CHICAGO CUBS

292 TEXAS RANGERS

TEAM CARDS ALSO LOOK NICE. EVERYTHING LOOKS NICE. THIS WHOSE SET LOOKS NICE. NICE NICE NICE. GOD IT FEELS SO GOOD TO REALLY LIKE A TOPPS SET AGAIN

113 STAR POWER CHECKLIST

I FULLY EXPECTED DOUBLES, BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I'M GETTING 1991 UPPER DECK FLASHBACKS. AT LEAST IT'S A DODGER, DODGERS ARE EASY TO GET RID OF

174 CELEBRATION IN SEATTLE CHECKLIST

I WOULDA TOOK A PIC IF ID'A KNOWN THIS WAS A STEALTH J-ROD CARD

70 DARIN RUF

LAST OF THE HORIZONTAL CARDS. MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS CARD IS THE GLOVE PEEKING OUT FROM THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER

260 MATT CHAPMAN

157 CHRISTIAN VAZQUEZ

252 AUSTIN MEADOWS

136 DYLAN BUNDY

203 GARY SANCHEZ

201 TREVOR LARNACH

DON'T THINK I DON'T APPRECIATE THIS BIG RUN OF NON-DUPLICATES, BECAUSE I DO. I SERIOUSLY DOUBT MY NEXT PACK WILL HAVE A RUN AS LONG AS THIS

26 TRENT GRISHAM

I'M NOT A BIG FAN OF CAMO ANYTHING BUT I LIKE THIS CARD. TRENT LOOKS LIKE HE'S HAVING A GOOD DAY

25 BYRON BUXTON

ANOTHER GOOD LOOKING CARD. MAN, I HOPE BUXTON PLAYS AN ENTIRE SEASON THIS YEAR, THAT WOULD BE SO FUN

256 JOSE RAMIREZ

I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS MY FIRST GUARDIANS CARD OR NOT BUT I'M LOVING THAT LOGO. SO COOL. ALSO FUN WITH NUMBERS: CARDS 26, 25 AND 256 ALL IN A ROW

78 SONNY GRAY

36 BRANDON LOWE

287 BRENDAN ROGERS

244 CESAR HERNANDEZ

51 CHAS MCCORMICK

WE NEED A CARD OF MCCORMICK'S CATCH IN THE WORLD SERIES. AND NOT AN SSP GOLD MIRROR WHATSIT, A REAL DAMN CARD

117 EMMANUEL CHASE

280 JULIO URIAS

144 MARCO GONZALES

195 GEORGE KIRBY

45 GERRIT COLE 

225 CORBIN BURNES

104 KESTON HUIRA

SO HAPPY THE BREWERS GLOVE LOGO IS ALL OVER THIS CARD. I WANT A TEAM SET

149 JOSIAH GRAY

53 DYLAN CEASE

AMERICAN LEAGUE SPENCER STRIDER, SWEET

236 SHANE MCLANAHAN

232 IAN HAPP

13 GIOVANNY GALLEGOS

163 MIGUEL VARGAS RC

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THERE BEING TOO MANY ROOKIE CARDS IN THIS SET, THIS IS ONLY MY THIRD OF THE PACK. OF COURSE, ONE OF THOSE ROOKIES WAS LITERALLY THE CARD I WANTED MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE IN THE WORLD, BUT STILL. WHAR'S THE ROOKS

265 ANTHONY SANTANDER

207 PAUL SEWARD

129 NOLAN JONES RC

83 TYLOR MEGILL

31 RILEY GREENE RC

OK, HERE'S TWO MORE ROOKIES. IT PAYS TO COMPLAIN

309 SEAN MURPHY

AFTER 34 STRAIGHT NON-DOUBLES THIS PACK REALIZED IT WAS A PACK OF RETAIL TOPPS AND MADE UP FOR LOST TIME. I DO NOT MIND GETTING A SECOND MURPHY THOUGH AS IT WILL BE THE FIRST OF HOPEFULLY MANY IN THE BRAVES BOX

238 LIOVER PEGUERO RC

268 YASMANI GRANDAL

227 YANDY DIAZ

DOUBLE DOUBLE DOUBLE. THE ANALYTIC FOLKS CALL THIS 'REGRESSION TO THE MEAN'

216 NEXT GENERATION CHECKLIST

THE LAST NON-DOUBLE IN THE PACK. THIS ONE IS INTERESTING BECAUSE THE FOIL STAMPING GLITCHED OUT AND YOU CAN SEE THAT BEHIND THE FOIL IS A WHITE TOPPS LOGO. I WONDER IF ANYONE'S FOUND ONE COMPLETELY MISSING THE FOIL YET

146 ALEX VERDUGO

79 TYLER O'NEILL

275 VAUGHN GRISSOM RC

DOUBLES ARE AWESOME. MORE DOUBLES PLEASE. FOR REAL THOUGH, THE FACT I GOT THE TWO BIG BRAVES ROOKIES ALREADY JUST MAKES ME WANT TO BUY MORE PACKS. I'LL HAPPILY TAKE MORE DOUBLES OF THESE GUYS. NO MATTER WHAT, UNLESS I LUCK OUT AND GET SOME KIND OF BEEG MOJO HIT, I WILL NOT GET A BETTER PACK THAN THIS ONE. TIME FOR THE INSERTS

114 IAN ANDERSON SHINY FOILY

I'VE NEVER BEEN A BIG FAN OF THESE PARALLELS BUT NOW THAT GOLD FOILS ARE HARD AS SHIT TO GET I'LL TAKE WHAT I CAN GET. I HAVE TO ADMIT THE CARD LOOKS REALLY SLICK. IT'S ALSO AS BEAT UP AS IAN IN HIS FIRST SPRING TRAINING OUTING WITH JANKY CORNERS AND A BIG ROLLER MARK RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CARD. IT'S A BRAVE THO, AIN'T GONNA COMPLAIN ABOUT A BRAVES CARD

SMLB-20 JUAN SOTO STARS OF MLB

THESE THINGS ARE RETAIL EXCLUSIVE INSERTS AND WHILE I CAN'T FIND IT IN EXPRESSLY STATED IN THE ODDS ON THE BACK THERE APPEAR TO BE FOUR IN EVERY HANGER PACK ALONG WITH ONE 1988 CARD AND TWO OTHER RANDOM INSERTS. THAT'S WHAT NIGHT OWL GOT IN HIS, AND IT'S WHAT I GOT IN MINE. THESE ARE ALL VERY SHINY, HAVE A DAMN GOOD CHECKLIST AND THERE'S A GIGANTIC JEWEL IN THE BACKGROUND. I'VE SEEN WORSE RETAIL EXCLUSIVE SETS AND IT SHOULD BE PRETTY EASY TO COMPLETE IF THEY'RE PUTTING SO MANY IN EACH PACK

SMLB-26 RILEY GREENE RC STARS OF MLB

RC LOGOS DO NOT BELONG ON INSERTS. I GOT HIS BASE ROOKIE IN THIS PACK SO MAYBE I SHOULD FIGURE OUT WHO THIS GUY IS AND WHY HE'S ON THE SHINY JEWEL CARD INSTEAD OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR. HMM. 22 YEARS OLD, FIFTH OVERALL PICK, DECENT ROOKIE YEAR, PLAYS FOR THE TIGERS SO SHOULD GET PLENTY OF AT-BATS. SOMEONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON FOR SURE

SMLB-10 JAZZ CHISHOLM JR. STARS OF MLB

THE MARLINS ARE THE BIGGEST PISSANT TEAM IN THE LEAGUE AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED AND I GENERALLY HATE THEM, BUT JAZZ CHISHOLM IS AWESOME AND I LOVE HIM AND HATE THAT THE MARLINS ARE THROWING HIM OUT IN CENTER FIELD AFTER AN INJURY. JAZZ RULES SO HE WILL KICK ASS BUT I DON'T LIKE THAT DUMBASS FRANCHISE JERKING HIM AROUND. I DOUBT I HAVE MANY CHISHOLM CARDS SO I AM VERY HAPPY TO GET A SHINY ONE

SMLB-3 RONALD ACUÑA JR. STARS OF MLB

YEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

ANY ACUÑA INSERT IS A HIT AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED. I'M SURE THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE ONLY DOLLAR CARDS IN THE ACUÑA BOX AT THE LCS IN A FEW MONTHS BUT I CON'T CARE, I HAVE ONE NOW. BETWEEN THIS AND THE ROOKIES I WAS ALREADY FLYING HIGH AND THEN THIS HAPPENED

T88-63 OZZIE ALBIES 1988 TOPPS

I DIED. YOU DON'T GET TWO BRAVES ROOKIES AND A SHINY PARALLEL AND A RONALD INSERT AND A 1988 TOPPS OZZIE ALBIES CARD IN THE SAME DAMN PACK. I DROPPED DEAD AND MY BRAIN RELEASED THE REST OF THE HAPPY CHEMICALS AND I'M HALLUCINATING THIS WHOLE PACK AS A LAST JOYFUL MOMENT BEFORE I DROP OFF INTO OBLIVION. HAS TO BE. I DON'T OPEN PACKS LIKE THIS. AT ANY RATE, MY GHOST CAN APPARENTLY STILL TYPE UP BLOG POSTS SO NOT MUCH IS GOING TO CHANGE AROUND HERE. I HAVEN'T COMPARED THIS TO AN ACTUAL 1988 TOPPS CARD BECAUSE THIS ONE IS PERFECT. ABSOLUTELY FUCKING PERFECT. EVERYTHING ABOUT IT, PERFECT. GODDAMN OZZIE 88, HOLY SHIT FUCK YES. 

DID I MENTION I LIKE 2023 TOPPS YET

22GH-4 MOOKIE BETTS 2022 GREATEST HITS

LAST CARD IN THE PACK IS A SHINY MOOKIE. THIS IS YET ANOTHER INSERT CARD PRINTED ON HOLO FOILBOARD AND IT DOESN'T REALLY WORK THAT WELL WITH THIS DESIGN AS ABOUT HALF THE CARD IS MATTED OFF AND YOU DON'T REALLY GET THE FULL RAINBOW EFFECT. IT'S STILL A PRETTY COOL DESIGN WITH SOME EFFORT PUT INTO IT AND I'M GLAD IT'S A NEW TO ME INSERT. RIGHT NOW OF THE INSERTS I'VE PULLED MY RANKINGS ARE:

WORST: ONE-TWO PUNCH

5TH: HOME RUN CHALLENGE

4TH: 2022 GREATEST HITS

3RD: STARS OF THE MLB

2ND: 1988 TOPPS

1ST: ALL ACES

NOW I JUST NEED TO FIND A FEW OF THE ONES I DON'T HAVE IN SOME QUARTER BOXES

AND THAT'S MY FIRST HANGER PACK IN A LONG TIME. GOTTA SAY IT WAS AN UNMITIGATED SUCCESS. AS I SAID BEFORE I DID NOT FIND ANY 2023 RACK PACKS (ALTHOUGH THEY DID HAVE SOME 2022 SERIES TWO PACKS) BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN I DID NOT BUY A RACK PACK. BUT THAT'S A POST FOR ANOTHER TIME

BLACK FRIDAY COMC PICKUPS - PART 27: NEW HOX

I LOVE THE HAWKS BUT THEY DON'T LOVE ME. THEY MAKE MY BLOOD PRESSURE RISE BY BLOWING LEADS EVERY GAME AND CAUSING NON-STOP DRAMA. I'M WRITING THIS A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE TRADE DEADLINE SO WHO KNOWS IF THIS GUY WILL STILL BE ON THE TEAM WHEN THIS IS POSTED. OK SURE IT'S HIGHLY UNLIKELY BUT ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN WITH A TEAM BUILT ON PURE CHAOS

QUICK NOTE FROM AFTER THE TRADE DEADLINE: TRAE'S STILL HERE. ALSO JOHN COLLINS. ALSO WE GOT SADDIQ BEY NOW. NICE.

ANOTHER NOTE FROM AFTER THE ALL-STAR GAME: NATE'S NOT HERE ANYMORE. OOPS 

 2019-20 HOOPS TRAE YOUNG LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

I FRIGGIN LOVE TRAE YOUNG AND EVERYONE ELSE IN THE UNIVERSE HATES HIS GUTS WHICH MAKES NO SENSE BECAUSE ALL HE DOES IS SCORE HOOPS AND DISH ASSISTS. BUT WHAT ABOUT DEFENSE, TEAM CHEMISTRY AND NOT THROWING COACHES UNDER THE BUS, YOU ASK? I JUST SAID ALL HE DOES DID I NOT. HE'S THE BEST PLAYER IN ATLANTA HAWKS FRANCHISE HISTORY* YET STILL EVERYONE BITCHES ABOUT HIM CONSTANTLY. WHILE THIS IS INCREASINGLY IRRITATING ME WHITH EVERY MEAN TWEET I SEE FROM HAWKS FANS, TRAE HAS TAKEN TO HIS ROLE AS NBA HEEL NICELY AND THE MOVIE THEME OF THIS CARD FITS WELL WITH HIS SUPERVILLAIN PERSONA. UNFORTUNATELY VILLAINS ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO WIN FIFTY PERCENT OF THE TIME AT MOST IN THE MOVIES, WHICH IS MAKING THE HAWKS' PLAYOFF RUN  A LITTLE NERVE WRACKING

I KNOW THE DEFAULT POSITION AMONG CARD BLOGGERS IS GENERALLY 'PANINI? HOCK-PTUI' DUE TO BASEBALL LICENSING ISSUES BUT I DO LIKE A LOT OF THEIR ODDBALL NBA DESIGNS. THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF SHINY WITH COOL DESIGNS OUT THERE. THIS ONE GOT CHOSEN FOR THE NEAT MOVIE THEME, I JUST LIKED HOW IT LOOKED. IRONICALLY THIS WAS THE ONLY TRAE CARD THAT COST LESS THAN A COUPLE BUCKS AT THE LOCAL CARD SHOP THE FIRST TIME I WENT LAST YEAR. I BOUGHT THIS ONE BEFORE I EVEN GOT OUT OF LOCKDOWN, WHAT ARE THE ODDS I CHOOSE THE ONE CHEAP CARD AT MY LCS

*I MEANT WHAT I SAID AND I SAID WHAT I MEANT, A TRAE FANBOY IS FAITHFUL ONE HUNDRED PERCENT

UNTIL HE FUCKIN FORCES A TRADE TO THE LAKERS OR SOME SHIT

QUARTER BOX CHRONICLES - PART 1

I FOUND THE BIG PILE OF 2021 PANINI CHRONICLES CARDS I FOUND IN THE QUARTER BOX AT MY SECONDARY CARD SHOP LAST SUMMER AND SCANNED THEM SO I CAN SHOW THEM OFF. I WASN'T A BIG FAN OF CHRONICLES WHEN THEY FIRST CAME OUT BECAUSE THE BASE CARDS WERE GARBAGEY LOOKING BUT I HAVE SINCE BECOME A FAN AFTER PICKING UP A BUNCH OF EM CHEAP. I GOT ABOUT TEN BUCKS WORTH FOR A TOTAL OF 31 CARDS OVER 18 DESIGNS. THAT'S TOO MANY FOR ONE POST SO I BROKE IT UP INTO THREE POSTS OF SIX DESIGNS EACH. FOR EACH DESIGN I WILL ANSWER THESE THREE QUESTIONS: 

• 1) HAVE I EVER HEARD OF THIS PRODUCT?
• 2) WHAT ORIGINAL SET IS THIS RIPPING OFF?
• 3) IS THIS DESIGN WORTH A DAMN OR NOT?

ALL RIGHTY, LET'S GO

CHRONICLES BASE DESIGN

1) YES, I HAVE HEARD OF CHRONICLES

2) IT'S NOT RIPPING ANYTHING OFF I CAN THINK OF, BUT THERE IS A BIT OF A 1994 UPPER DECK VIBE GOING ON HERE

3) IT AIN'T THE BEST LOOKING CARD, BUT IT'S NOT TERRIBLE EITHER. NOT LIKE THE 2017 BASE DESIGN WITH A TINY PHOTO AND A BUNCHA TEXT. THAT ONE PUT ME OFF THE WHOLE PRODUCT FOR YEARS

THE BACK IS AS BLAND AS THE FRONT IN THAT BLANDNESS THAT ONLY PANINI CAN PROVIDE. IS LUIS ROBERT STILL GOOD? I KNOW AT LEAST FOUR OR FIVE NEW CAN'T MISS PROSPECTS HAVE SURPASSED HIM BUT WASN'T SURE IF HE WAS BAD NOW OR JUST HOBBY BAD. ALSO: FOR SOME REASON ALL THE BASE CARDS SHOW THE SET AS CHRONICLES LEGACY BASEBALL WHICH IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THING, AS WE SHALL SEE:

LEGACY DESIGN

1) DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS IS, IT LOOKS LIKE A HIGH-ROLLER GAMBLING PRODUCT THO. EXTRA THICK AND GLOSSY

2) NO IDEA IF THIS IS COPYING A PREVIOUS LEGACY SET OR WHAT

3) THE DESIGN IS OK. THE LEGACY LOGO HAS AN ART DECO KINDA FEEL AND THE BORDERS ARE SUFFICIENTLY FANCY BUT IT MIGHT LOOK BETTER IF THE BORDERS WEREN'T WHITE. MAKE 'EM MARBLED OR RICH MAHOGANY AND IT WOULD LOOK LIKE A RICHY RICH LEGACY CARD

YOU CAN SEE HERE WHERE THE SET NAME MATCHES THE ONE ON THE BACK OF THE BASE CARD. IF THIS WEREN'T THE CARD I SCANNED AFTER THE BASE CARD I PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE EVEN NOTICED. I AM NOT GOING TO HAVE A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THE BACKS AS THEY ARE ALL JUST A SLIGHT VARIATION ON THE FRONTS. I FIND THIS EXTREMELY LAZY WHEN PANINI DOES IT AND COMPLETELY CHARMING WHEN TOPPS FLAGSHIP DOES IT. YES, I AM A HYPOCRITEBUT AT LEAST TOPPS HAS STATS. I THINK THIS MIGHT BE MY FIRST PETE ALONSO CARD? NOT A METS FAN OBVIOUSLY, BUT IT'S NICE TO HAVE AT LEAST A COUPLE CARDS OF BIG FAT SUPERSTARS

PINNACLE DESIGN

1) HELL YEAH PINNACLE!

2) THIS LOOKS A LITTLE BIT LIKE THE 2013 PINNACLE SET THAT FLOPPED LIKE THE DC CINEMATIC UNIVERSE BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK A WHOLE LOT LIKE ANYTHING I RECOGNIZE

3) THIS WHOLE DESIGN CONFUSES ME AND THE MORE I LOOK AT IT THE MORE IT MAKES ME ANGRY. WHY DID PINNACLE BECOME THE SET OF DIAGONALS. WHAT IS UP WITH THE SLASHIES ON THE TOP RIGHT. WHY DOES THE BOTTOM LEFT LOOK LIKE A FANCY CLOTH ZIP-UP BINDER. WHY CAN'T PANINI FIGURE OUT THAT CLASSIC PINNACLE IS BLACK BORDERS OR A SHITLOAD OF GOLD FOIL, NOT SLASHY BINDERS. I WANT TO LIKE PINNACLE BUT I CAN'T WITH THIS

BACK LOOKS BETTER THAN THE FRONT AT LEAST. I LOOKED THIS GUY UP AND HE'S APPARENTLY OUT OF THE LEAGUE AT 24? SO MUCH FOR THAT RC LOGO

TIMELESS TREASURES DESIGN

1) WHAT THE HELL IS THIS? IT AIN'T HIGH-END OR AT LEAST I HOPE NOT

2) THIS LOOKS VERY ODD AND REMINDS ME OF MIX OF A WEIRD ONE-OFF LEAF SET FROM THE 00S COMBINED WITH UPPER DECK ARTIFACTS

3) I DON'T LIKE THIS ONE. TOO MUCH NONSENSE SURROUNDING A SMALL PHOTO REMINDS ME OF TERRIBLE SETS FROM DAYS GONE BY

STILL NOT USED TO GEORGE SPRINGER ON THE BLUE JAYS. I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF SPACE IN MY RAPIDLY DEGENERATING MIND FOR THE AMERICAN LEAGUE AND TORONTO IS EXCLUSIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH VLAD JR. AND DAVE STEIB AT THIS POINT. I HAVE NOTHING MORE TO SAY ABOUT THE DESIGN AS ONCE AGAIN THE BACK IS BASICALLY THE FRONT

ZENITH DESIGN

1) FUCK YEAH ZENITH! I LOVE ZENITH, EXCEPT FOR THAT ONE TIME THEY COMPLETELY REVAMPED IT AND MADE IT A GIMMICKY RIP CARD. OK SO MAYBE I LIKE THAT ONE A WHOLE LOT. BUT I DON'T LOVE IT

2) THIS IS REHASHING A ZENITH FOOTBALL DESIGN FROM THE 90S. I HAD TO LOOK IT UP BUT IT'S 1997

3) THIS LOOKS FANTASTIC ON BASEBALL CARDS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE CIRCLE DESIGN BEING HOLOFOIL INSTEAD OF THE TRADITIONAL GOLD. I REALLY REALLY LIKE THIS ONE

THE BACKS AREN'T GREAT BUT THE ORIGINALS HAD A WEIRD CHART THING FOR THE STATS THAT ONLY WORKED WITH QUARTERBACKS AND RECEIVERS. SO POINTS TO THE BASEBALL VERSION FOR DUMPING THAT BUT THE FOOTBALL SET AT LEAST HAD A DIFFERENT PHOTO ON THE BACK. NORMALLY I'D SAY IT WAS A DRAW BUT THE FACT THAT PANINI HAD THE BALLS TO USE YELICH GETTING BOOED AT WRIGHLY AS HIS HIGHLIGHT IS WORTH SOME EXTRA CREDIT 

ELITE DESIGN

1) I KNOW I'M AN OLD FART STILL LIVING IN THE PAST CENTURY DOES NOT SCREAM 'ELITE' TO ME. ELITE SETS I KNOW WERE FOILBOARD AND THE ONLY ONES AS OVERDESIGNED AS THIS ONE WITH HOLOFOIL WERE ALSO INSERTS, NUMBERED TO TEN THOUSAND AND YOU HAD TO RIP FORTY CASES OF 1992 DONRUSS TO EVEN HAVE A CHANCE AT ONE. I HEAR 'PANINI' REALLY FUCKING LOUDLY THOUGH 

2) I DID DOME DIGGING ONLINE AND THIS IS PRETTY MUCH A CARBON COPY OF OF THE 2020-21 BASKETBALL AND FOOTBALL ELITE DESIGNS

3) I'M OK WITH THIS, BACK IN THE 90S COMPANIES WITH MULTIPLE SPORTS LICENSES ALL RECYCLED THEIR DESIGNS BETWEEN THE SPORTS TO SOME EXTENT. I GOT NO PROBLEM WITH CHRONICLES HOUSING BASEBALL'S VERSION OF 2021 ELITE

THE BACK SUCKS BUT THEY SUCK IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY AS THE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL BACKS EXCEPT IN THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A TEAM LOGO. SOME PRODUCTS JUST HAVE SHITTY BACKS, OR IN THIS CASE, AN ENTIRE PRODUCT LINE WHEN IT COMES TO PANINI. I DON'T LIKE THESE CARDS BECAUSE OF THE BACK, BUT BECAUSE THE FRONTS ARE VERY SHINY AND DAZZLE MY MAGPIE BRAIN. I ALSO NEED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO GIVE A HEARTY FUCK YOU TO TONY LARUSSA FOR TRAINWRECKING YERMIN MERCEDES' WHOLE-ASS CAREER. MISERABLE OLD DRUNK RUINING BASEBALL

A MIXED BAG IN THIS POST, THE ONLY SET I'D ACIVELY ATTEMPT TO COLLECT IS ZENITH. THE BEST IS YET TO COME HOWEVER, ALONG WITH SOME WORSE* AND A LITTLE BIT OF BEWILDERING. IT'S ALL INTERESTING THOUGH, AT LEAST TO ME. INTERESTING ENOUGH TO CRAP OUT THREE POSTS ABOUT IT!

*NOT WORST, THAT'S TIMELESS TREASURES. I FEEL THE NEED TO CLARIFY THIS AS THE MEANING OF WORSE HAS SHIFTED IN RECENT YEARS TO ACTUALLY MEAN WORST. BUT LANGUAGE IS ALWAYS EVOLVING AND WHO AM I TO IMPEDE ITS PROGRESS. MAYBE ONE OF THESE SETS COMING UP IS ACTUALLY THE WORSE