Project 70 David Ortiz

I haven't purchased many of the made-to-order cards from the Topps website. They're not something I chase, mostly because I'm not sure what they "are". As something printed and distributed the way they are, I'm not sure they're "cards" as opposed to "pictures" or "novelty items". So it's not something I've been chasing. I don't buy the Topps NOW cars unless they feature a game I attended or a really special event...like a championship. I was tempted by the Topps 2020 set last year. But, the 20 cards size of the Ted Williams set was too daunting. Especially if I wouldn't love every design. With the Project 70, I had the same feelings. But, decided that if they did any Pedro Martinez cards, I'd grab those. 

I bet you've figured out by now that I got more than those. I ended up grabbing a couple Ortiz cards as well. Since we've been celebrating Ortiz lately, I thought it might be fun to take a look at those today.

Here we go!

1954 David Ortiz by Distortedd. This is a fun card. I'll admit, though, that the only reason I got it was that I got the Pedro by Distortedd and thought the pair would go well together. I was right.

2013 David Ortiz by Naturel. I had to get this one too. Not only was this one of David Ortiz's most iconic moments with the Sox (my guess it this is what his statue looks like someday), but I was at this game. So, I do try and pick up related items when they're available. One day the SSP version of his standard 2013 Topps card will also be available. Judging by the low 810 print run, I might be the only person who feels this way.

This one's not a Project 70. Obviously, but it was a Topps website purchase this year. And, it illustrates the point that I try to pick these up when I can. There's nothing special about this card. It's a standard picture in an overused design. But, it was something I just needed to have.

What about you? Do you jump to purchase any of the cards from the Topps made to order section?

My Favorite Ortiz Games

I know you probably all had the same reaction after hearing the news that David Ortiz was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame...how does that personally impact me? I immediately began thinking of Ortiz collectibles I owned, and times I'd seen him play. And I began to wonder...what were some of the best Ortiz games I had attended? That was a question I felt I could explore more here. Let's do that, shall we?

I hate starting a post like this with a bunch of rules. But, my mind immediately wondered if I meant games where he performed well, or important games where he happened to play? I decided to just go with whatever games came to mind...in no particular order.

Here we go...

July 26, 2003. NY Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox. Yup, a random July game. But, it's my very first Ortiz walk-off. I think. Definitely the first I remember. Ortiz came into the game as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the ninth in a tie game. There were two outs, and men on first and second. Ortiz was pinch-hitting for the second baseman Damian Jackson who had previously pinch run for Todd Walker. At the time, part of me was hoping Ortiz would make an out. I was pretty sure the Sox were out of infielders at this point and wondered if Ortiz would need to play second. But, of course, Ortiz didn't make an out. He slapped a single to win the game. 

October 23, 2004. St. Louis Cardinals vs. Boston Red Sox.
This was game one of the 2004 World Series. I've said before that I dislike the definition of "clutch" to mean "late and close". You can absolutely have a "clutch" hit in the first inning. Ortiz did it in game seven of the ALCS, and he did it here. The Cardinals went down scoreless in the top of the first, and Ortiz came up with two on and one out. His home run to right really set the tone for the game and, eventually, the series.

October 17, 2004. New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox.
Game four of the ALCS. The Key to it all. Without this win, the seven that followed it don't happen. How did Ortiz contribute? Well, if you don't know I'm not sure why you're reading this blog. His extra-innings home run won the game and really started to make us all realize he was something special.

October 30, 2013. St. Louis Cardinals vs. Boston Red Sox.

The World Series clincher. To be honest, this game was as much about what Ortiz didn't do as what he did. Ortiz had a monster series that year. He was torturing the Cardinals, and they kept letting him. People were demanding that they walk Ortiz every time he came to the plate. They wouldn't. Until this game. This time they walked Ortiz four times in five plate appearances. The results? Ortiz ended up scoring twice as the people behind him pulled their weight. It was like the Cardinals couldn't win.

April 20, 2013. Kansas City Royals vs. Boston Red Sox. Speaking of games where Ortiz Didn't do anything, in this one he didn't even play. Of course, that didn't matter. As the Sox prepared to play their first game following the Boston Marathon bombing, Ortiz took the microphone to share a few words with the crowd and the city. What followed was legendary.

And there are five that came to mind immediately. I'm sure if I thought about it, I'd come up with more.

How about you? What are great Ortiz games you attended? Saw?

2020 Topps Chrome Update Blaster!

Another box that I picked up at some point when I found them. When I stumble upon blaster, I grab a few and open them up when the mood hits. Hopefully you still care about these cards...if you ever did.

Let's check it out!

As always, here's the box.

And here are the packs. Four cards per pack still amazes me. You're done with the cards before the cast off wrapper hits the table.

This would have been an exciting pull if I opened this last October. Is it still a good pull?

A Numbers Game insert of Ryne Sandberg. And, look...there's his number. While I don't mind an occasional retired player, I'd prefer there be a decent reason other than "here's his number"

I seem to get this card a lot. And, there's a reason for his inclusion. We're celebrating past all-star games in this set since 2020 didn't have a game itself. Perfect reason to include Ortiz.

Always nice to get a card with writing on it! No idea who this guy is. Hopefully it will turn out to be a good pull.

Another Red Sox! While I'll always enjoy adding a Devers, I'm curious about the set. The Decade's Next...what exactly? Definitely a "mail it in" set with no real theme and no real design.

Nice card of Red Sox bullpen ace Josh Taylor.

Another card that would have been great to pull last October. Still enjoy grabbing one now.

So, there's the box. Some hot rookies, an auto, and a couple Red Sox. I'd say it was a success.

How did your box go?

2020 Topps Update Blaster!

It's time to open another blaster! This time we'll go with 2020 Topps Update! I've had this one hanging around for a bit. With the way sportscards sell out so quickly, I find myself buying a few when I stumble upon them, and then opening them when the mood strikes. At this point you're probably no longer interested in this set. But, I'm writing about it anyway. So there. How'd I do? Let's see!

Here are the highlights...

As always, here's the box.

And the packs. Don't sleep on the special coin card pack!

See? A very nice card of Cody Bellinger with a coin type thing in it.

And not just any old Bellinger coin card. But, a rare, numbered Bellinger coin card. Once again, cards like these make me question my collecting hobby. My first instinct is that these are somehow "fake" memorabilia cards. They're not special coins. They're coins made to be put in cards. Why would anyone want that? And, why would anyone care if it's numbered? Then I often remember that all cards are simply cards made to be collected. Why am I so bothered by these? Why are "base" cards more "real" than cards with coins? Why do I like it so much more when those are numbered? Who am I? Why am I here?

The first Red Sox, an honest to goodness update card featuring Kevin Pillar.

I don't know why companies insist on putting Yankees players on my Red Sox cards.

A nice pink card of Nico Hoerner.

And it's numbered! Also, to 50! And, see? I don't mind the numbering on this base card. I don't understand my distaste for the coin cards. Am I the only one who feels this way?

Topps using past all-star appearances as filler cards in this set since the 2020 game didn't happen. I'm not mad about that. 

Especially when it means cards like this. I was lucky enough to attend this game, and will always love getting reminders of it. 

So, there's my blaster. Three Red Sox, and two cards numbered to 50. I'd say that's a good box.

How did you do?

2020 Topps Chrome Update Blaster!

I'll be honest, I'm not 100% sure when I opened these. I've had the pictures ready to go for a bit now. So, you may be bored at looking at these. But, it must still be fun to see what came it my box, right?

I thought so.

Let's check it out!

As always, here's what the box looks like. They've nicely shown me some key players I should be looking out for.

And here are the packs. Again, keep those players in mind!

He's not one of those players. He's even better. Again, with no All Star Game in 2020, Topps had to get more creative with their filler cards. Celebrating ASGs from the past is a great idea. Any time I can get another Pedro is a good time.

Another all-time great.

Another Red Sox legend! This time celebrating a prior home run derby. I did get cards of current players in the box. promise.

See? Not a Red Sox. Not a very exciting card. But, a fun insert.

Hey! He's on the box! That must mean he's a good pull...right?

And finishing it off with another legend. Not really I see the point of this insert. (Or, the Decade's Next one above.) I guess it's just trying to find ways to use the players they have. At least it's a decent looking design.

So, there's the box. Pedro and Papi were the clear highlights. 

How did your box go?

A Swing and a Trade Post

A few months ago I got a note from Swing and a Pop-Up saying he had some Red Sox dupes that I could probably use more than he could. I'm always willing to get new Red Sox cards, so I graciously accepted and a swap was made. I couldn't believe the generous pile that arrived at my door! Let's check out just some of the highlights.

The "Trading Places" card is funny to me. I don't remember that subset being all inclusive. So, the fact that they decided to make a card celebrating Mark Loretta changing teams seems like an interesting choice. The UD Masterpieces is another oddity. The whole idea of the set, I thought, was to make the cards look like classical paintings. The added inset seems out of place, even if I understand that they wanted to show off the ankle.

Jay Payton looks scared, to me.

Rickey Henderson was 43 years old with the Red Sox in 2002. He only saw limited action, but I remember being blown away by how he terrorized pitchers on the base paths. When he was on first, you could just feel the game change. I can't even imagine what that would have been like in his prime when he was stealing 100 bases a year. He should have been MVP every year. Sort of like Pedro. Always fun to get a card of his I don't have.

Nomar too. I know he has a TON of cards out there, but I have a ton of Nomar and Pedro cards in my collection so it always surprises me to find ones I don't have.

Look! Two more! I don't know if I've ever seen 2001 Opening Day before. That logo isn't exactly subtle.

More Nomars!

These are the Opening Days I'm used to seeing. The small logo making them basic duplicates of the base Topps sets. Can you even tell which one of the four isn't Opening Day?

Papi was supposed to be a utility guy and ended up a legend. Ball was supposed to be a legend...but wasn't.

A picture of Will Middlebrooks diving on a 2013 card. That, of course, reminds me of the terrible interference call on Will during the 2013 World Series. I don't like being reminded of that.

What did I JUST say?

That's better. Hard to remember a more dominant pitching performance than Beckett during the 2007 postseason. (Well, other than Pedro during every stretch of his career.) 

Always enjoyed the Bowman Platinum brand, even when it features Ryan Kalish.

A couple more Sox stars.

Love that Lester card.

And, of course, the Pedro card.

Not sure if there was a more overrated player during his tenure. For some reason Boston fans prefer dirt to talent. I may never understand that.

This set basically escaped me. So glad to be able to add some to the binder.

Way back to the early years of Topps Gold.

Even a little earlier.

Lots of pitchers. Some good, some not so good.

So, there are the highlights of an incredible shipment. I can't thank SAAP enough for sending them along.

Hopefully more Red Sox swings lead to line drives.