Bill February 18, 2019 2 Comments

This year when 2019 Topps Series 1 was released, at least in my area, all of the stores that had it only had single packs, jumbos, and hanger boxes. The single packs were what I saw first and then I saw the others hit the shelves shortly after. Blasters didn’t show up until last week and even then it didn’t seem like it usually is.

I mostly check Target stores and one of them is redoing a large area that includes where they usually have cards displayed. First I had to find the spot it shifted to, but the reason they didn’t have blasters could always have something to do with how they are changing their card aisle. I know others have seen their card aisle change in recent months. And Topps changed the size of their single packs and the price (I think), so maybe that had something to do with it as well.

But finally late last week I was able to check around again. I just got one blaster since I had been working with the other packs thus far and I’ve already almost gotten to the point where I have more doubles (which is a problem because I don’t feel like I’ve purchased a lot).

Enough of the chit-chat, let’s open some packs!

2019 Topps Series 1 Base

I’m a little torn about this year’s flagship. I like the throwback idea…, I like the backs…, I like the design (in general), but there’s definitely a few things about this year that annoy me a little bit. I think I’m going to save a lot of that for another post. But overall, after going through cards for a couple of week, I think I’d give this year an above average grade.

I picked these three infielders to find a theme for my first pictures, but really it was that Javy Baez picture that got me. There’s always a lot of discussion about why picture quality can’t be like it is in some other sets, but over the last couple years I think there’s been some better, more imaginative images coming in and that Baez is a good example. I mean, the guy is known for tags right?

The Turner I think is interesting. One of the things that I like about the design is that it is a throwback with a modern design touch. One of those touches is the way the picture extends to the top right corner of the card, behind the “swoop” part of the design. That isn’t the case on the Trea Turner card.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

I think there are some who might look at cards like this and think it’s a wasted card. I would imagine if you don’t like these you don’t like manager cards either. I kind of get that, but I’m in the other camp.

For one, as a TTM guy, this is a great card to get signed by a manager, a front office/GM, or anyone else related to the club. The last time I remember these in the flagship was in 2010, but I don’t remember it being the full stadium in all the cards.

What I didn’t like was getting three of these cards (although I don’t think it was these) in a pack one right after the other.

Insert Time

Manufactured patches are the blaster “thing” every year. I’m not into that at all, but whatever. If it’s in there it’s in there. If I happen to get a Met – GREAT! If not, whatever. I mean, could we at least have a picture of Barry doing something besides standing?

The 1984 throwback insert is another “thing” that Topps has had going more recently. I’m not saying I don’t like the cards, but I’ve been feeling like this is a mistake. Heritage does this throwback thing the best. Archives then comes along and does it too (and I feel like it’s half-assed at that). I like and get the concept of throwbacks, but is it being overdone? I know I have throwback fatigue. In addition to the Judge I got Carlos Santana (who was in a Phillies uniform which is almost another problem).

I feel like if I’m going to get a Great Moments card, Jackie Robinson ain’t bad to get.

Rookie (ish) Celebrations

The Verlander rookie tribute is cool, but this is something else that I feel like is getting overdone. How many times have we celebrated rookie cards of the past in recent years?

I also got two Gleyber Torres insert cards. This is another theme Topps has been going with. I think my issue with this one is Yankee fatigue. Didn’t we have Judge last year? Any reason why we couldn’t have done Acuna?

Grapefruits and Cactuses

Man, it really seems like I hate the inserts I’m getting this year. I do like some of them… no… really.  These Grapefruit League (and the Cactus league) are something I like. I only got Grapefruit League in this blaster though so I’m not sure if it’s a blaster only thing or what.

Maybe this is a little Dodger blaster with Piazza in Dodger blue and the Jackie. As a Met fan I like getting the Piazza even if it’s in a Dodger uniform and I don’t think you can get mad at any Jackie you get.

Even though I didn’t get any Cactus League in this blaster, I like those, but I will say I like the Grapefruit League cards better.

Parallel Universe

The parallels I’ve gotten so far out of packs are pretty standard. But I’m opening retail so I think that’s why. The Gold parallels are definitely standard but I’m not sold on how it works with this design. Some of the other “color” or “design” parallels that I’ve seen are REALLY cool though. As for the 150 Years parallel… meh, OK.

I think that the rainbow parallel works really well with this year’s cards. I think I like that a lot last year too. They still keep the “digital” effect on there but it’s harder to see (which I like). I also like how they almost take it completely off on the right and bottom of the card.

Overall, a fun year to open cards, but there are a few things that annoy me. I’m going to save that for another post so we can celebrate this blaster on it’s own. Hope you enjoy your 2019 Topps blasters out there!