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Sunday, April, 21, 2024
Blog Bat-Around: Best Pack Pulled "Hits"
I'm not a big autos & relics guy, but I have some. I'm also not a big pack ripper, especially after 2020, since I only buy a couple products and only one of them consistently.
Having said that, here is my stab at Diamond Jesters' Best Pack Pulled Hits. He limited his original list to five, but what fun is that?
When ranking these cards, I considered rarity and player star power. Autographs trump jersey swatches, and unless it's another piece of something from the playing field, no other "relics" really count. I'm combining football and baseball.
OK let's quit wafflin' and get crackin' with the list... (Twelve bonus points if you know where that expression comes from. Hint ~ YouTube.)
A few Honorable Mentions first. I've got plain jersey swatches from Dan Marino, Barry Sanders, Bob Griese, and a few others that didn't make the (scan) cut.
H1 - Aaron Judge 2023 and Yaz 2022 A&G mini relics
I also have similar ones from Vlad Guerrero Jr. and a couple other decent names. That's always better than pulling some no-name rookie from an inferior team, though. Between these two, I like the Yaz better because Vintage players > Modern guys.
H2 - 2014 Topps Valor Tajh Boyd Heart patch
I know what you're thinking - "How can you put a 1/1 in the Honorable Mentions???" If Boyd had turned out to be the next Warren Moon, than this would be huge. Unfortunately, he didn't, so it's not that fantastic. It's still the only 1/1 I've ever pulled. Still working on the rainbow for this one. I mean, why not? I have the tough one.
H3 - 2013 Topps Archives '65 Tall Boy Robert Griffin III autograph
This signed oversize card was a miraculous pull from a box of Archives that was purchased by friends on my pool team. They had no idea about cards, but managed to pull me a box with the exact autograph that I was looking for. (Just noticed there's also an Alfred Morris in the checklist too. That just went on my wantlist.)
OK, on with the really good stuff:
#10 - 2023 Allen & Ginter Carlton Fisk mini bat
I know the Honorable Mentions were basically the same thing (even down to same team, HOF'er, bat swatch.) But this guy is one of my PC's. That's more points in my book.
#9 - 2012 Piece Of History Nolan Ryan ERA Leaders jersey
Biggest name I could have pulled from a set about Vintage guys, especially pitchers. One point off for plain white swatch.
#8 - 2015 Gridiron Kings Jameis Winston Rookie Studio Signature
(/75)
Kicking off the autographs, I felt lucky to get this one at the time because he was the #1 overall pick. I also got a jersey of Teddy Bridewater out of the same box. I rooted for both guys to have great careers. They did OK, but this card won't buy a Maserati.
#7 - 2017 Topps Manny Machado patch (/25)
When Manny was tearing it up for the Orioles, I unwrapped this patch card from Topps flagship. Nice to get a fancy patch - even better if it's the hometown favorite guy.
#6 - 2006 UD Artifacts Satchel Paige Awesome Artifacts (/45)
I somehow obtained several boxes of this product and pulled a couple dozen relics and a few autos as well (more later). But this jumbo swatch of a vintage legend was mind-blowing.
#5 - 2016 Panini Classics Ronnie Lott autograph (1/15)
I actually didn't remember pulling this one when I was searching through my hits. (Also got a Jalen Ramsey auto from this product). But figured it makes the cut being #1 out of only 15 and a HOF'er. I know a TCDB trader who collects him heavily. I'll have to see if he has this one.
#4 - 2006 UD Artifacts Reggie Jackson Auto-Facts (/200)
Yes, it's a HOF'er out of 200, not 15, but it's Reggie. Told you there was going to be more from this set. (I should go back and see who else I got - might be a big name that wasn't so big in '06).
#3 - 2008 Topps Heritage Bill Mazeroski red ink autograph.
I thought these red ink versions were much rarer than their non-crimson counterparts. Could have sworn I read that the autographs were all the same and only the last few were red ink. Not the case now that I look at the database listings. Regulars are not numbered, and reds are /59. Oh well, still a great pull, and probably one of my oldest. I opened some of the others years after those products were brand new. This one I got in 2008.
#2 - 2011 Topps Legends Stamp Of Approval Joe Flacco auto/relic (1/10)
2011 Topps Gridiron Legends is one of my favorite products. I don't remember how many boxes I opened, but this was an incredible pull. A stamp relic - which is a bit weird - but it's the signed version and #1 of ten. And local dude Joe Flacco. (It's just fun to say "Jooooe Flakko!")
#1 - 2021 Allen & Ginter Manny Machado metal mini (/3)
Had to hold it to keep the reflections at bay. These metal minis were inside rip cards - mine was Kyle Lewis. They're not marked as such, but are stated to be print runs of only three. too bad he wasn't still in Baltimore at the time. Machado gets the #1 spot since he's both super rare and was physically birthed from another card.
I still prefer to buy my "hits" in the secondary market (and that's rare). I buy boxes to collect the set. Any nice hits are just a bonus. I'm probably forgetting a couple more that would bump some of these, but it's not a bad list.
