Back on July 10th, I got a package in from COMC. Between vacation and a second bout with COVID, I’m a little behind posting. So, here’s what I got.
1997 Donruss Preferred
Once upon a time, I thought this set would be impossible to complete. But now that I have several of the platinum cards, it doesn’t seem such a pipe dream.
Top row: Alex Rodriguez (#92), Derek Jeter (#125), and Ken Griffey, Jr. (#2).
Bottom row: Kenny Lofton as a Brave (#24), John Smoltz (#112), and Manny Ramirez (#38).
35th Anniversary Cards
I’ve posted before about the oddity of Topps 35th Anniversary cards. Anyhow…
Top Row: 2023 Spencer Steer (#2T88-38) and Randy Johnson (#2T88-45), followed by Andrew Abbott from 2024 (#89B-96).
Second Row: 2023 Silver Pack Randy Johnson (#T88C-57), Esteury Ruiz (#T88CU-8), and Spencer Steer (#2T88C-82).
Bottom Row: 2024 Silver Pack Corbin Carroll (#T89C-26), Aaron Judge (#T89C-2), and Zack Gelof (#T89C-1)
2011 70 Years of Topps
More Topps History.
Top Row: Mike Trout (#70YT-3), Barry Larkin (#70YT-7), Ronald Acuna (#70YT-12), and Mark McGwire (#70YT-19).
Second Row: Mike Piazza (#70YT-21), Tony Gwynn (#70YT-24), Ken Griffey Jr. (#70YT-27), and Shohei Ohtani (#70YT-28).
Bottow Row: Fernando Tatis (#70YT-29), Javier Baez (#70YT-33), and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (#70YT-38).
Steve Carlton
In 1982, I felt as though Lefty threw an extra game to ensure he won the strikeout crown over Mario Soto. So, for a long time, I held that against him. Turns out, he’s had some decent cards the last few years.
Left-to-right: 2022 Topps Tribute Red parallel (#43), 2022 Stadium Club Chrome (310#), and 2020 Topps legend variation (#361)
2021 Topps Archives
Joe Carter (#198) and Mickey Vernon (#118)
Grab Bag
Not sure how to describe this group.
Top Row: 2013 Topps Chrome orange refractor Paul Konerko (#68), 2022 Ben Baller Alec Bohm (#89) and Joey Votto (#177), and 2021 Big League orange Luis Castillo (#53)
Bottom Row: 2010 Topps Peak Performers Joe Morgan (#PP-70), 2023 Topps Tribute green auto Dave Stewart (#TA-DS), 2014 Bowman Platinum purple refractor Addison Russell (#BPCP30), and 2020 Bowman Dawn of Glory Nick Lodolo (#DG-4)
1982 and 1981 Topps???
Not really, but I did get two of my favorite designs (the other top three being 1984 Fleer). Here is a 2005 Topps Pristine Legends Walt Weiss 9#116) and a 2023 Topps Archives fan-favorite auto of Alex Gordon (#81FF-AG).
Hodge-Podge
No real theme here.
Top Row: 2001 Donruss ’99 Retroactive Randy Johnson (#19), 2020 Topps Turkey Red Ken Griffey, Jr. (#TR-15) and Luis Castillo (#TR-25), and 2022 Ben Baller ’87 Jesse Winker (#87BC-16).
Bottom Row: 2021 Topps Heritage Then and Now Steve Carlton / Trevor Bauer (#TN-10) and 2008 Topps Trading Card History Joba Chamberlain (#TCH2)
Trading Card History
Speaking of the Trading Card History … I got a few others. The problem with this set is that Topps totally disregarded the previous team color schemes. Which is odd because they had (mostly) followed the previous schemes in 2003-05 Fan Favorites.
Anyhow, here’s Tim Lincecum (#TCH18), Ryan Howard with the Rangers colors (#TCH26), and Ken Griffey Jr. (#TCH30)
Shinies
File under cards Sarah would like.
Top Row: 2023 Topps Inception Matt McLain (#116), 2020 Topps Inception green Luis Castillo (#46), 2022 Bowman Draft Sapphire Victor Acosta yellow (#BDC-70), and 2023 Bowman’s Best Matt McLain (#39)
Bottom Row: 2023 Bowman Platinum pink auto Andrew Abbott (#TOP-35), 2023 Topps Sapphire Ramon Laureano (#581), 2023 Topps Sapphire gold Nick Allen (#521), and 2018 Topps Fire Flame Throwers Luis Castillo (#FT-9)
Randomness
A 1996 Topps Scott Rolen / Scott Spiezio (#434) that almost was a part of a trade, 2004 Leather & Lumber “Leather in Leather” Dave Parker (#LEL-11), 1984 Fleer Update Tony Perez (#U-91), and 2008 Upper Deck X Ken Griffey, Jr. (#28)
Bob Ross
I got more BobRoss cards.
Top Row: Sandy Alcantara (#99), Manny Machado (#19), and Ozzie Albies (#52).
Bottom Row: Luis Castillo (#32), Bubba Thompson (#33), Kerry Carpenter (#68), and Luis Arraez (#7).
Finally .... Wrestling!
I love finding some good wrestling cards.
Top Row: 2017 WWE Legends Retired Championships Rob Van Dam (#15), 2017 WWE Legends bronze Rick Rude (#71), Prizm Stacy Keibler (#152), and 2022 AEW Metal Universe Tay Melo (#139).
Bottom Row: 2010 Topps Platinum green Paul “Mr. Wonderful” Orndorff (#105) and 2014 Road to Wrestlemania “30 Years of Wrestlemania” Hogan & Mr. T (#2)
A total of 75 cards. Lots of Ken Griffey Jr., Steve Carlton, and Luis Castillo.