Highlights From the 2nd Half

In an effort to speed up the process of this box in order to get to some newer posts a bit sooner, I've decided to recap the 2nd half of my 2002 Topps 206 hobby box in 1 efficient post dedicated to the top 10 cards of the next half of the box.

I won't lie, the clicks and comments have not been strong for these posts which is another reason why I've decided to make this post. The comments issue could be due to an issue within Blogger since I have been unable to respond to comments for the last few days. 

Anyway, for the reasons listed above I've decided to do a quick top 10 cards post showing what the 2nd half of the box was like. As you'll see, I did not hit any relics or autographs, but it was a pretty fun break overall. In the future though, I'd probably stick solely to a set like Topps Gallery for my art cards.

As I mentioned, I have some cool posts I intend to share within the next few days, including my very first card purchase on Twitter. But for now, enjoy the best of the best from the 2nd half of the 2002 Topps 206 hobby box.

#88 Andruw Jones

The vibrant colors on this card really pop out to me in a way not many others have. The navy blue jersey and the bright yellow background at the top of the card truly stand out to me in a very positive way. Additionally, the artist got the little details like the jersey in the back and the facial details right which has proven to be an issue in this set.

#9 Raul Mondesi

I think more than anything, I like the attention to detail and simplicity of this card. In the case of so many cards in this set, the amount of color used can sometimes be overwhelming. So, I think it's nice to have the occasional card like Raul Mondesi where the colors are minimal, but it is clear that attention was paid when this card was created.

#8 Ernie Banks

Because I already have one of these cards in my Ernie Banks PC, I didn't think all too much about this card when I pulled it. However, when determining the cards that were to be included in this post, I thought more and more about including Ernie Banks' card and the more I thought about it, the more I agreed it would be a good choice.

#7 Tris Speaker

There are vintage players included in this set like Ernie Banks, and then there are old-timers like Tris Speaker. Not only am I crazy about the simple yet iconic early 1900's jerseys, but the teal blue background is truly an exceptional choice of a background color for this card.

#6 Bobby Abreu

It's something about the perfectly encapsulated details on Bobby Abreu's helmet and jersey that cause this card to stand out to me. Okay, it's not exactly something we haven't seen before, but the way it's created with such details added, even as little as the blurred background colors, help to make this card a standout, and not just because of the all-red uniform.

#5 Sammy Sosa

Even though I don't like giving recognition to cards of proven PED users, I couldn't help myself with Sammy Sosa's card here. Out of everything on this card, my eyes instantly jump to the reflected Cubs logo on Sosa's batting helmet. Such a small detail was given such emphasis and really turned out well along with the rest of the card as well.

#4 Reggie Jackson

There isn't really much to say about this card other than the fact that Jackson is wearing the classic bright gold and green A's jersey while also holding not one, but two bats in his hands, making this not only one of my favorite Topps 206 cards but favorite A's cards of all-time.

#3 Tony Gwynn

One of the greatest hitters of all-time can be seen tipping his hat in another example of the excellence that can be represented by the artwork in the 2002 Topps 206 set. In this card, it's not as much the art that I enjoy as it is for the others (although the art is fabulous), but I'm way more into the photo chosen to be painted instead.

#2 Kazuhiro Sasaki

The light blue sky background is one of the best choices made in this set, though it isn't represented all that much. Combined with the confident pose that Mariners relief pitcher Kazuhiro Sasaki is taking that makes this an absolutely brilliant card.

#1 Ichiro

With the Mariners represented in the #1 and #2 spots, they definitely dominated the box or at least the 2nd half. As for the Ichiro card, the minimalistic details go a long way for me here. The lime green background is a great choice, but the best part is definitely the comic book-style artwork chosen for Ichiro's face. I don't know about you, but I think this was a great choice.

2002 Topps 206 Box; Halfway There

With packs #9 and #10 about to be shown in this post, I will have officially made it to the halfway point of my 2002 Topps 206 hobby box by the end of this post.

Breaking a box pack by pack and showing it on the blog over the course of a few days is something I had never done before prior to purchasing this box last weekend at my LCS. I'm still debating whether I want to do this in the future, but I'll have a decent amount of time before the next product I would consider doing this for comes out (2019 Topps Heritage would be the likely candidate).

I won't ramble too much more about my feelings towards the set as I believe I've expressed them enough over the first 4 posts. Instead, I'll be trying to concentrate on what I think of each individual card. What to expect from the packs is the same as it's been for the first 8 with the hope of pulling a relic or autograph still growing.

Pack #8

#52 David Justice

#100 Mark McGwire

Ever notice that even though he's a proven PED user, McGwire is shown in many modern-day Topps sets like Archives and Stadium Club. Although he was never fully convicted, the same could be said for Roger Clemens. However, players like Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds examples of players contrary to McGwire and Clemens, having not appeared in any Topps set since their playing days.

#17 Brian Jordan

If you zoom in on the upper part of Brian Jordan's bat, you can see a name that doesn't appear to be his. I can't quite make it out, so I can't tell exactly whose bat Brian Jordan is holding on this card, but it's an interesting detail nevertheless.

#66 Hideo Nomo

In a set so heavily devoted to art, sometimes the baseball elements can get a bit lost. That's what makes it so great to see more realistic photos in the set such as ones showing players warming up before the game like the Hideo Nomo card above.

#107 Mike Hampton

#176 Eddie Plank

I can't tell if the early 1900's players' cards with different backs are SPs or just a subset that's a continuation of the base set. Regardless, I usually stumble upon one of these every few packs, and Eddie Plank could be the best one I've seen so far.

#55 Jeff Weaver Mini Polar Bear Back

#T206-17 Shawn Green Team 206

Though Shawn Green isn't exactly a name I'm familiar with, his Team 206 insert card is one of the most realistic ones I've pulled so far. There aren't any shaky elements or parts that they messed up. Overall, it's very artistic and a real looking picture.

Pack #10

#118 Pokey Reese

When I was listing jerseys similar to these in a post last week, I completely left out the Pirates. The Pirates, in addition to the Dbacks, Marlins, and Reds, all sported uniforms similar to those with short black sleeves back in the 2000's. Having had a chance to look at them all recently, I would have to narrowly say that the Pirates' uniforms are my favorites.

#206 Rafael Palmeiro

#31 Cliff Floyd

The only other set in which I've seen a player actually in the clouds and not just on the ground in front of a cloud background was the 2005 Fleer Tradition set where multiple players were chosen to be in front of the same background that Floyd is right now.

#103 Cristian Guzman

#119 Derek Jeter

This is a perfect example of the caliber of art that this set is capable of, and it really emphasizes how good these 2 packs have been for art. Every single detail, even the amount of light being reflected off the helmet, is perfected. The makings of a strong art card are truly all conveyed here.

#169 Dave Winfield

I feel like I've already pulled this card before, either as a mini or maybe even a base card. I'll have to check later, but it's a decent card either way. I just wish they'd go for a more interesting background, especially for a retired player like Winfield who would work incredibly well in front of a more interesting background than just a light blue block.

#150 Rich Thompson Mini Black Tolstoi Back

Here's the first look I'm giving at one of the variation backs. Most packs, you get the standard black polar bear backs. However, a slightly more rare mini back can be found in a pack every once in a while. All in all, they're not too eye-catching but rather a way to include some slightly rarer cards in the set.

#T206-13 Albert Pujols Team 206

Though not as realistic-looking as the Shawn Green card, Pujols' Team 206 insert is certainly not a bad way to cap off these 2 packs as well as the first half of the box. Though my feelings have been mixed so far, I've enjoyed opening this product thus far and discovering all sorts of surprising and detailed artwork along the way.

Heritage High Number is Not High on My List

In what has become a common occurrence, a simple trip to my LCS for supplies has turned into yet another card purchase, this one for a single pack of the new 2018 Topps Heritage High Number product. 

All I needed to pick up was an empty 4-row box which ended up costing $4. I had $10 to pay for it with, so I decided to treat myself to a pack of something that peaked my interest. Then, I saw the bright orange packs of Heritage High Number combined with a sign that said "NEW" in big black letters.

I guess I'm a sucker for new stuff because I forked over $6 for the pack to bring my total to an even $10, hoping I'd pull a nice rookie card and maybe a chrome card if I'm lucky.

Spoiler alert; that didn't happen. I've seen other collectors break packs of Heritage High Number in which they pulled rookies of Acuña, Soto, and Torres along with Reggie Jackson insert cards and even a decent name out of the chrome portion of the set. Unfortunately, as you'll see momentarily, I didn't have as good of luck.

#636 Jacoby Jones 

The set picks up where the regular 2018 Topps Heritage set leaves off. Cards 501-700 make up Heritage High Number while 701-725 are the short prints of the High Number set. I had never realized this until now, but if you count Heritage and High Number as 1 continuous set, you have a set of baseball cards that are actually larger than Flagship. That, to me, is pretty crazy to think about.

#627 Colin Moran

The problems I had with Heritage High Number last year are emerging once again just 2 cards into the 2018 Heritage High number product. As someone who knows baseball pretty well, I don't typically run into many cards of players I've never heard of, but Heritage High Number always contradicts that.

#509 Alex Blandino

See what I mean? I haven't heard of 2 of the first 3 players in the pack so far, and that's something I have a bit of a problem with. Also, for a set that's supposed to be full of rookie cards, I was actually quite surprised to see that this Alex Blandino card was the only rookie card I pulled in the entire pack.

#675 Colby Rasmus

Getting back to players I've heard of before reminds me of exactly what draws me to Heritage High Number each year in the first place and that's the recognition it gives to lesser players. Over time, you start to see more and more players like Colby Rasmus show up in the set. Players who used to be more well-known and were playing at a higher level, but fell off the map. I really do enjoy the fact that this set still gives these players the recognition they deserve.

#MO69-RS Miracle of '69 Ron Swoboda

The relative rarity of these cards (1 per box on average) and the very 60's-style set design helps me to get excited over this Ron Swoboda Miracle of '69 insert card, commemorating the 1969 New York Mets expansion team that shockingly won the Fall Classic. Despite it being a pretty interesting card, I'd be more than happy to trade it, especially if anyone has any Reggie Jackson inserts in return.

#690 Derek Holland

For one reason or another, this is the standout base card of the pack to me. I guess the background not being a blue sky really does a lot for me and from there, the card is able to go to a different level rather than the same old pose with the light blue sky that we've seen constantly in 2017 and 2018 Topps Heritage and High Number.

#575 Alex Hansen

To a slightly lesser degree, this Alex Hansen card does the same thing for me that the Greg Holland card does in terms of the different background and the nice-looking Giants jersey. Pulling these 2 cards back to back reminds me of how most cards from a certain team are taken at the same spot, with the Red Sox in 2017 and 2018 Heritage being a good example of this.

#596 Hector Rondon

It stinks that Rondon wasn't able to maintain the closer role when he was with the Cubs, because it seems like that was what threw him off his game in Chicago. After losing the job to Aroldis Chapman at the deadline in 2016, he was turned into a late reliever with the acquisition of Wade Davis for the 2017 season. His 4.24 ERA in the 2017 season showed he was declining, and so he was not brought back to Chicago this year.

#667 Jeremy Hellickson

I'm sorry but it's just really difficult for me to get into the set. Maybe I came across a bad pack, but the names in this set are simply not enough for me to hand over $90 for a hobby box or $20 for a blaster or even $6 for another hobby pack. Don't get me wrong, there are some good names in the set. I just don't think there's enough of them that would cause me to put Heritage High Number high on my list of products to purchase.

Frankenset Page 21

After a game and a series that went back and forth between the 2 teams too many times to count, it ended exactly the way I wanted it to. Last night, the Boston Red Sox clinched the American League East division with a win over the New York Yankees.

The first 2 games of the series were pretty hard to watch. Hell, even the first half of game 3 made me doubtful. Eduardo Rodriguez walked 7, yes 7! Not to mention Heath Hembree gave up a grand slam after E-Rod walked the bases loaded. Nevertheless, the usual names like Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts were able to carry Boston to an 11-6 victory.

With the AL East and Central locked up, I'm turning my attention to the other 4 divisions to see what will happen. The A's seem to be posing a threat to the Yankees for the #1 Wild Card spot and even the Astros for the division title. Meanwhile, the Braves seem like they have the NL East division within their grasp with their magic number being only 4.

As for the NL Central, the Cubs, Brewers, and Cardinals are still in contention for the top spot while the 2 who fall short will certainly be in Wild Card contention. The same can be said for the NL West regarding the Dodgers, Rockies, and Diamondbacks.

There are only about 10 games left in the MLB season. After next weekend, all eyes will be on the Wild Card teams, and the playoffs will officially be upon us. Since I likely won't be doing a frankenset post for another week or so, this is my last chance to talk about the playoff race before it becomes set in stone.

The 21st frankenset page features cards 181-189. It has a couple of the best cards we've seen in a while, so let's get it underway.

#181 2016 Topps Allen & Ginter Alex Wood

With endless colors and shades to choose from, I wonder why Topps chose such an unattractive shade of brown for Alex Wood's 2016 A&G card. I mean, the color can work in other instances, but I just don't think it belongs on a baseball card.

#182 2017 Topps Gypsy Queen Sam Dyson

While I'm still not a big fan of the 2017 Topps Gypsy Queen set, I will say they did a pretty great job in making rather simple cards stand out through colorful backgrounds and lots of small details. As you can tell, Sam Dyson's base card is a nice example of these features.

#183 2007 Fleer Ervin Santana

Santana looks a lot younger than 25 in this card from 2007 Fleer. To me, he looks more like a 20 or 21-year old prospect rather than a 25-year old pitcher who already had 2 full seasons under his belt prior to the 2007 season with the Angels.

#184 2016 Topps Stadium Club Byron Buxton

Though I haven't taken a close look at the 2016 Topps Stadium Club set in a while, I can say with a lot of certainties that this Byron Buxton card is easily one of my 3 favorite cards from the set, and that's saying quite a lot given the quality of Stadium Club, especially in 2016.

#185 1973 Topps Jim Wynn

The lone vintage card on the 21st frankenset page does an excellent job of representing the vintage era. It perfectly encapsulates everything that the 1970's were for baseball and baseball cards by showing an awesome image of Jim Wynn in what appears to be near the on-deck circle before a game.

#186 2004 Fleer Tradition Raul Mondesi

Earlier in the week, I talked about how big a fan I was of the Diamondbacks, Marlins, and Reds jerseys that took on this style in the early 2000's with the dark sleeves and slim stripes. I hope to see them brought back as throwbacks a little more often, even though a throwback to something that happened barely a decade ago is a bit much.

#187 2008 Upper Deck Goudey Marlon Byrd

If I could pick any Upper Deck product to be revived, I would have to consider Upper Deck Goudey more so than any other product due to the fact that there's never been another product quite like Goudey. The base set was a perfect size and blend of retired and current players and featured a colorful design every single year. From 2007-2009, it was fairly hard to beat Goudey.

#188 2001 Topps Fernando Tatis

Even with a set as simple as Topps Flagship, the landscape-style cards really allow for far more detailed and interesting photos to be used on cards. The Buxton from '16 Stadium Club and now the Fernando Tatis from 2001 Topps showcase photos that would not be able to work on a standard portrait-style card.

#189 1991 Fleer Mark Whiten

Closing out the 21st frankenset page is a card from a set that seems to be either loved or hated, 1991 Fleer. I personally like the set quite a bit as I find the yellow borders truly unique. I just hope there's not a card in this set with an all-gold Pirates uniform. I don't think my eyes could handle all that yellow on one card.