Even though my first day back to work has kept me busy-- if you missed it, you can read about my fun little New England vacation here in a post I just published like an hour before this one-- I still found a moment to run to Target. They had a few Archives blasters, so I grabbed one. I couldn't even wait till I got home, so I ripped it at work and typed up this quick post.
Pack 1...
Off to a good start with a few guys I collect. Happy to see Satchel included in the checklist. The George Brett is a grey parallel (Topps probably calls it "silver".. eh, I shouldn't be too hard on them, as this one is more silvery that past silver parallels they've put out) and is numbered /99.. so that's a decent pull.
Pack 2:
The star of this pack is the Kershaw rookie reprint.
Pack 3:
Cepeda on the Cardinals is a nice change of pace (most of his post-career cards seem to have him in a Giants uniform). And the Canseco '77 Turn Back The Clock is kinda neat.
Pack 4:
Love the 3-player '81 rookie card.
Pack 5:
Looks like just base cards here. I should mention the card stock feels good this year; I think collectors are going to be happy with it.
Pack 6:
The '59 combo with Posey and Cutch is a nice touch. Glad they included some subsets from the sets they're paying tribute to this year.
Last pack... Pack 7:
I had been getting worried that I might get shutout on a Sandlot insert-- I assumed they were one-per blaster, but hope was fading. But thankfully in the last pack, I pulled one. Bertram Grover Weeks isn't going to be among the most sought-after of these inserts, I'm pretty sure of that, but happy to check it off regardless, as I plan to go after the full Sandlot set eventually.
The blaster also included a 2-pack of coins. I don't care much for collecting coins, honestly. I didn't open it, but I could tell by looking through the wrapper that Donaldson and Albies are inside.
Man, I rarely go to Target, but the one downtown definitely has a legit card section. I know I've got an extra gift card or two at home, so maybe I'll remember to grab one and go back for another blaster tomorrow.
"(D)efinitely has a legit card section."
ReplyDeleteI don't see any hockey >:(.
Upper Deck in blue near the upper right. But yeah, I don't think Portland, OR is much of a hockey town.
DeleteYou're the first one to show off Archives and wow ... those are some super nice looking cards (and that's a pretty legit card section as well!) I can't wait to tear into it myself. I stopped at a Target by my work during my lunch break today in search of Archives but no luck. I'm hoping the one by my house will have them in stock tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteAny blaster with a George a Brett numbered to /99 is a success in my book! Cards look nice and you got a good mix of players. Weird that Acuna has a multiplayer rookie and a solo card in the same set, but Topps has to milk the star rookies for all they're worth.
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested in Albies coin, I should have the team set soon.
ReplyDeleteThe card section at my local Target is horrendous - this makes me so jealous.
ReplyDeleteThe first time I've seen these this year Nice scoop. I look forward to the Archives brand every year. I have to say I'm not that excited about these but have to give them a chance. The '59 set is a dud. Doesn't mean I won't got chasing these. I always like what they do with these cards and won't let one of designs keep me down. I have a Target up near I work and it never disapoints in the card section and my wallet is always lighter when I walk out of there. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI like the choices for the sets they mimic this year, but they're just off enough to make me still cringe a little. Why can't they match the fonts better? Or just the proportions. The '77 names look a little small, as do the '59s. They'll have to grow on me. Can't figure out why they don't match up better to the originals.
ReplyDeleteThe '59 name is oddly placed to the right instead of being closer to the center, but other than that these all look good to me in the scans. If I wanted to be really picky I could say that the '77 dimensions are all off kilter as well. I will blame the trademark requirements for the odd proportions.
ReplyDeleteBert is probably my fave, not just because he's a Twin, but that's a very 1959 Topps looking pose.
Yeah, I've just accepted that they're gonna get some design aspects wrong, as Topps always seems to tweak something to make one scratch their head pretty much anytime they copy one of their old designs. I have to shrug it off at this point. Would be great it they got it perfect, but oh well.
ReplyDeleteHoly crap, someone actually straightened this section up for once! I've never seen it so organized.
ReplyDeleteIt'll probably a chaos-laden hellscape by the time I check it out again on Friday. I had no idea Archives was out, but I guess it makes sense. I wish they'd spread out the releases a little better.
Wow, I have never seen a more organized card section in my entire life. Beautiful. :')
ReplyDeleteYeah I've been a bit annoyed by the off-center names on the 59 design too (also the font treatment on the longer names feels off). The white text on yellow for the position on the 1977 Tigers cards is also distressingly unreadable.
ReplyDeleteOn the plus side, I really like that Bashers by the Bay card and I'm enjoying the new caps that they created for the 1981 design for the Nationals and Diamondbacks although I kind of wish they'd updated the other caps to match the current ones.
That Turn Back the Clock design looks familiar. I want to say that either Cards that Never Were or When Topps had Balls came up with that design and posted some customs.
ReplyDeleteI still wish Topps would make Archives in the ‘03-‘05 format, but from your sampling, it looks like a nice set this year.
It’s all about the sandlot inserts for me in Archives this year. Thanks for sharing your break!
ReplyDeleteYou're not the only one! I'll be scoring some singles of this set, but I think the Sandlot cards are what will be the most sought after.
DeleteI learned first hand that your Targets have amazing card sections. I ended up bringing home two A&G blasters and two Stadium Club blasters. Didn't see any Archives when I was there. If I had... I would have picked up two of those as well.
ReplyDelete