Best 30 Cards From All 30 Teams; AL West

After a few days of Mansfield show recap and a frankenset post to boost, I'm back on schedule with the best 30 cards from all 30 teams mini-series. Today, the division that I'll be overviewing is the AL West.

Like every other division that I have or will be showcasing cards from, the AL West is unique in a few different ways. Unlike the AL Central, it wasn't a challenge to find cards from each team to include in this post. In addition, while a few AL East teams had multiple candidates, there seemed to be 1 standout card from every club in the West.

Thus, it was manageable for me to craft this list for the AL West, for each team had just the right number of stellar cards that made deciding on the top 5 relatively easy.

Moreover, I'm also proud of the variety of cards featured in this post. Unlike the past division, the crown jewels of the AL West aren't just jersey relics. In fact, only 2 of the 5 team's greatest cards are hits (relics/autos). All the rest are rookie cards of iconic players from those teams.

Just as it was for the first 2 posts of this series, I thoroughly enjoyed creating this list of cards for the AL West, and I'm excited to see what the posts for the NL divisions will look like in the coming days.

For the time being, however, let's concentrate on the division at hand; the AL West and the #1 card from each of its 5 teams.

Houston Astros

Originally a dime box pickup, Jose Altuve's 2011 Topps Update card has quickly become one of the most cherished rookie cards in my entire Baseball card collection. Although he's had his fair share of struggles so far in 2019, Altuve is a perennial All-Star and former AL MVP award winner. 

Thus, it was a no brainer for me to get this card graded towards the end of 2018, and I was thrilled that it came back at a BGS 9.5. Out of all the top tier cards in my collection, I can't recall paying less than a dime for any of them.

That's the reason why, to this day, Jose Altuve's 2011 Topps Update rookie card reigns supreme as my greatest dime box pickup of all-time.

Los Angeles Angels

While we're on the subject of superstar rookie cards, let's move onto the next team in the AL West, the Los Angeles Angels, and my best card from this team. I may not have a rookie card of Mike Trout, but I arguably do have the next best thing; Shohei Ohtani's action image variation rookie card from 2018 Topps Heritage.

I pulled this card myself from a box of Topps Heritage last year, and I also sent this card off to Beckett and got it graded at a 9.5 towards the end of 2018. I don't stay up to date with Baseball card values, but this card, graded at a 9.5, was worth a solid amount following Ohtani's AL ROY win.

At the top of this post, you'll see another sensational card that I pulled from a pack of cards last year; Jo Adell's gold Early Indications auto, numbered out of 50, from 2018 Bowman's Best. 

If he develops and becomes the superstar that he's expected to become, I could foresee the Jo Adell auto taking Ohtani's place as the best Angels card in my collection.

Oakland Athletics

I've already shown this card on the blog a handful of times before, but I couldn't choose any other Oakland Athletics card to take its place on this countdown. This beautiful Dennis Eckersley autograph relic from 2017 Topps Gypsy Queen, numbered 45/50 on the back, cannot be beaten.

I have my reservations with the '17 Gypsy Queen set design as well as how the set is formatted, but I tend to ignore those problems as soon as I'm faced with this stunning card. Once again, I pulled this HOF hit from a box of 2017 Gypsy Queen, and I got it graded at The National last year.

While I wish it had earned a 9.5 like the Altuve and Ohtani cards, it's hard to complain about this eye-catching autograph relic. The attention to detail used when creating these cards is extremely evident.

Seattle Mariners

As far as the Seattle Mariners are concerned, I'm not blessed with as many fabulous cards as I am for the other teams in the AL West. Thus, my choice for the best Mariners card in my collection isn't as valuable as the card chosen for the other 4 teams, but it's still a card that I'm proud to feature at this spot.

Granted, I could've gone with a Gypsy Queen framed relic card of Ken Griffey Jr for the Seattle Mariners spot instead, but the Ichiro card stood out to me in a few different ways. Although it's not incredibly valuable, the 2001 Upper Deck card above is a true base rookie card of Ichiro, the only one that I have in my collection.

Texas Rangers

There were a ton of different Ivan Rodriguez relic cards that I could've chosen for this post instead of the one above. There were more glove relics, standard jersey cards, a dual relic with A-Rod, and all sorts of oddball options. 

However, I'm confident in the card that I selected for this spot; a 2002 Donruss studio dual relic, featuring a piece of his bat and batting glove. The card, numbered out of just 50 copies, is one of the coolest relic cards in my entire collection.

If it's able to achieve that status as it pertains to my whole collection, this card certainly deserves to be recognized as the best Texas Rangers card that I own. 

Coins & Chronicles; Card Show Recap #18 Part 2

After spending the first 45 minutes or so of Monday's card show finding cards from 1976 Topps, I knew it was necessary for me to look around and see what other vendors had to offer. 

Ultimately, this search brought me back to the same dealer that I purchased the vintage dime cards from. Amongst a stack of junk wax packs, I spotted a bunch of 1989 Topps Baseball Coins for only 25 cents a pack.

In what eventually became the easiest decision I made all day, I grabbed 8 packs for a mere $2 with each pack promising 3 coins. Oh, and a 30-year old stick of bubble gum as well.

Before I found these bargain packs at Monday's card show, I had only opened 1 pack of coin cards in my life, and the pack was from the mid-1980s. The 1989 Topps Baseball coins also inspired the blaster-exclusive coins from 2018 Topps Archives with both products utilizing the same design. 

Though I ended up with a few duplicate coins, I have zero room to complain at 25 cents a pack, especially since I ended up with an Eddie Murray coin on the LA Dodgers since he was one of the 3 players I pulled in my previous coin pack.

Even though this set was released just before the 90s officially began, the design still looks reminiscent of the late 70s and early 80s, featuring stars and bright colors. While the silver coins use a light green "wave," the gold coins' design features warmer colors like orange and yellow that, like the silver coins, change shades from beginning to end. 

The gold coins were where I had the must duplicate cards and the least amount of luck, yet even my dislike of steroid user Mark McGwire can't interfere with how well-made and sharp his '89 Topps coin appears.

After opening all 8 packs, I ended up with 2 All-Star coins that consist of much more colorful borders and a star-filled background. Walt Weiss isn't a player I'm super familiar with, but Tony Gwynn is a player that I collect, and his blue-bordered coin is instantly eye-catching.

I'll probably send out some in future team collectors packages, but 25 cents a pack is a heck of a deal for these sweet looking coins. However, the '89 Topps Baseball coins weren't the only packs that I opened at Monday's show.

Despite being unlicensed, 2018 Panini Chronicles will go down as one of my favorite Baseball card sets in recent memory, and I felt lucky to have picked up 3 blasters of the product at my local Target. 

I stayed away from hobby boxes and even hobby packs of the set due to the high prices, but I wasn't feeling incredibly inspired at the Mansfield show to search through dime boxes or Red Sox bins. 

After spending almost an hour looking for '76 and '79 Topps set needs, I didn't want to spend much more time looking through boxes. Because of that, I tested my luck with a single hobby pack of the Chronicles set and later returned to the same dealer for her final 2 packs from the product.

Among the dozen or more Panini products included in 2018 Panini Chronicles, there's Spectra, cards that fall at 2 per hobby box and feature numbered parallels and even autographs and relics. 

While my card isn't numbered, landing a card of Gleyber Torres, one of the top 5 rookies of 2018, demonstrates that you get a ton of bang for your buck when buying Panini Chronicles. Certainly, this is helped by the sheer strength of the 2018 MLB rookie class.

While I pulled either 3 or 4 numbered cards per blaster of 2018 Panini Chronicles, each hobby pack delivers a similar number, usually around 2 per pack. After all, with 15 or so products and 25 or more players per set, there's bound to be a surplus of numbered cards, especially when it comes to rookies. 

As far as the design goes, Crusade is easily one of the more creative products within the Chronicles set, a unique style that is aided by the untraditional choices for parallels. 

Numbered out of 199 copies, this ruby wave Rafael Devers rookie parallel is my 2nd serial numbered Devers card out of this product, the 1st of which being a blue cracked ice card from Contenders Optic.

While they don't have the licensing rights and won't until at least 2025, in the case of Chronicles, Panini more than makes up for it with unorthodox parallels, unique set designs, and one of the most creative products I have ever seen in my life.

While the "purple' parallel is only evident through the changing of the word Classics to purple, the card is nevertheless a serial numbered parallel. Better yet, it's numbered 10/10, tying it with a few other cards for one of the lowest serial numbered cards in my entire collection.

I don't know all that much about Mets shortstop Amed Rosario, but if I remember correctly, he was a high-ranked prospect before his rookie season in 2018. If he makes it big, I'll have a valuable card on my hands, and even if he doesn't, it's pretty cool to have a card that's numbered out of only 10 copies.

With hits falling at 4 hobby packs per 6-pack box, I was guaranteed at least 1 relic or autograph after purchasing 3 total packs, and it was the thinnest pack of the bunch that landed me an autograph card. 

This is the Panini Phoenix set design, one of a couple chrome stock card sets within Panini Chronicles. I'm not incredibly upset that I didn't land a huge name. Instead, I wish the autograph was on-card since a chrome set like Phoenix is basically perfect for on-card autos.

I happen to have 1 more hit to display to wrap up this post, but I felt it was necessary to show this card as well, the highlight of the 3 packs when it comes to parallels that I pulled. I couldn't care less about Panini not having the licensing rights, especially when I pulled this card. 

After all, it's a Shohei Ohtani pink parallel, numbered 8/25. Given what other copies of this same card appear to be going for on eBay, it looks as if I could pay for all 3 packs that I opened solely from this card. Because it's a rookie card, however, I'll likely be hanging on to this one.

As for the 2nd hit, it's hard to find a more beautiful card than this, and it's of a well-respected rookie from 2018 as well, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher, Jack Flaherty, from the hobby-exclusive Cornerstones set.

I can count on 1 hand how many autographed relic cards I have in my collection, nevermind an on-card auto with 4 relics, 2 of which are patches. Better yet, it's a rookie auto and a granite parallel as well, numbered 22/25 on the back which just so happens to be Flaherty's jersey number. 

With all the different elements of this card, you don't even notice the fact that it's unlicensed right away, and that's the sign of an excellent Panini Baseball card. All around, it's truly a fantastic card, and along with the Ohtani, was the highlight of this 3 hobby pack break.

After all, when you have a set as creative and loaded with as many top tier rookies as Panini Chronicles is, it's difficult, for me, to care all that much about there being no logos or team names.

2018 Panini Chronicles Take 2

Due to time constraints on Monday, I was unable to attend the Mansfield card show, a fairly large show a little bit of a drive away from me that takes place around 1-2 times per month. If you've seen my recap posts from the past trips to the Mansfield show, you know I've had a great time and have done very well there.

Like I said, I wasn't able to go Monday due to not having enough time, but that doesn't mean I completely shut myself out of having cards. After having very good luck in my first Chronicles blaster and picking up another handful of cards from the set at my local card show on Sunday, I found myself taking another trip to Target for not 1 but 2 additional blasters of Chronicles.

The way I figured it was over this weekend, I spent around what I would've spent at the Mansfield show, just not all in one place. Additionally, besides my birthday coming up in a little over a week, I won't be buying many new cards until Black Friday where I'm debating between a trip to the same Mansfield show or taking part in the annual COMC Black Friday Sale.

The first blaster delivered 2 numbered cards, and I was interested to see what the next 2 blaster boxes would bring. Needless to say, they did not disappoint. 

While I love the light purple color that showed up on the scan, this is actually one of the parallel cards I ended up pulling during this 2-blaster break. Granted, it's difficult to get overly excited over Chronicles base parallels, but at least it's a low numbered card (77/99) and a rookie card as well. Plus, the Chronicles base cards from this year are ten times better than last years', so there's definitely something to be said about that.

It seems as if it's pretty easy to get lucky with certain rookies in this set, even if it gets to the point where you pull 2 cards of the same player in 1 pack. While that happened to me in the first blaster with Ozzie Albies, blaster box #2 delivered the same luck, only this time it was with Red Sox 3rd baseman Rafael Devers who I also pulled 2 cards of in 1 pack with those cards being from the Illusions and Phoenix sets.

The early parallel card pulls and landing 2 of the same rookie in 1 pack clearly show how the 2nd Panini Chronicles retail break is similar to the 1st, and the number of veteran cards pulled also help to demonstrate how similar these breaks have been, though only 2 doubles were pulled. This time around, each blaster brought with it 4 veteran cards with the highlights shown above, including my first veterans from each and every one of the 4 subsets shown above.

While the Ohtani cards per box did not stay the same after pulling 2 in the first blaster, I still landed a couple of them in this 2nd Panini Chronicles break. The Status card at the top of this post is from one of my favorite sets in Chronicles, but it's the Classics Ohtani that shows the 2-way player hitting instead of pitching that became my absolute favorite Shohei card pulled.

Even with the purchase of a few revolution cards at Sunday's show, this subset remained duplicate-free until I pulled matching J.P. Crawford cards in the 2nd and 3rd blasters. Regardless, these 2 new boxes also delivered some nice new cards that I need from the 25-card checklist, specifically Ronald Acuña Jr.

And speaking of the future 2018 NL Rookie of the Year.

The baseball card gods sent me a numbered card of Acuña to go with the Revolution card, making this Prizm Hyper parallel my very first card of Ronald Acuña Jr. of the entire Chronicles set. I have to say, I really love the way these Hyper parallels look, especially with the Prizm set design. A testament to what Panini is capable of, you wouldn't necessarily notice right away that this card if unlicensed.

As for the next numbered card, the big names kept on coming as Mike Trout and this Select Aqua parallel was the next numbered card to come my way. Also numbered to 299, the bold color choice for this Mike Trout card is one that I can definitely get behind, even if it is a little bit of an odd choice for a parallel. Although it doesn't do as good a job of covering up the no logos as the Acuña card, it's a numbered card of Mike Trout. There's really not much else I can say.

Well, besides the fact that this wasn't the last numbered card of the box, nor was it the lowest numbered card, and it didn't end up being the last of the big name numbered cards either.

As if pulling numbered cards of Acuña and Trout wasn't enough, the 4th and final numbered card to come my way, proving the theory that numbered cards are about 2 per box, is a Contenders Optic Pink Wave parallel of the 2018 AL Rookie of the Year, Yankees 3rd baseman Miguel Andujar. 

After pulling the Devers Blue Ice parallel in box 1, this becomes the 2nd parallel card I've pulled from the Contenders Optic subset and the 3rd rookie parallel pulled (Devers, Acuña, Andujar).

I really do comprehends that I've probably just had very good luck thus far, but I strongly recommend taking a small gamble with the purchase of a $20 blaster box of 2018 Panini Chronicles if you don't mind the no logos. It definitely wins the award for most improved product of 2018, and it's very easy to make back every penny you spend on it just by selling a couple of the nice rookie cards you pull.