Go Red! 2021 Topps Fire Flame Alex Verdugo

February is American Heart Month. As a nod to the Go Red for Women activities going on this month to help raise awareness, I thought I'd contribute several "red" themed posts sprinkled throughout the month. Here's the next one.

Let's talk about this card...

I think we're all hoping for a little more from Verdugo this season. As the major leaguer the Sox got in return in the Mookie Betts trade, we all hoped he would be Mookie's replacement. Of course, a one-to-one replacement was unfair. But, maybe at least an all-star caliber player? Which, he's been pretty close to thus fast. He had an pff year last year, but the first two were definitely solid building blocks. As he enters his age 27 season, hopefully he can take that next jump in a solid lineup.

The card itself is really interesting. As Fire always does, there are several different designs showing up throughout the set. This one, with the green elements, makes the red foil cards look a little too christmasy for my liking. Otherwise it's a nicely cropped shot of Alex in his Boston Strong jerseys. Nothing much to complain about there.

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Support the efforts to Go Red for Women!

2021 Topps Fire Blaster

Let's open some more cards! How about another blaster of 2021 Topps Fire? I wonder if we can do better than last time.

How did this one turn out? Let's see!

Here's what the box looks like. Why doesn't Pete Alonso get more hobby love? Topps seems to wonder that too.

I mean, there he is on every pack. That's supposed to make you want to buy more packs!

The first Red Sox card from the box is a good one! Not the best picture of Mr. Houck. But, it's a nice looking card. And, it's a solid rookie of someone who should be a big part of the Sox rotation going forward.

Speaking of future stars, we have Dalbec here! Two players who made big contributions in their rookie seasons, and are expected to be stars for the Sox. Not bad.

Of course, you'd prefer to get card with writing on them, or perhaps some fancier foil. But, I can't complain about probably the two best Red Sox base cards in the set.

Not bad at all.

2021 Topps Fire Blaster

Let's open some more cards! How about another blaster of 2021 Topps Fire? I wonder if we can do better than last time.

How did this one turn out? Let's see!

Here's the box. I went with the landscape side this time.

And the packs. Both the box and the packs give you an incredible feel for what the cards look like, without showing an actual card. Impressive. 

Ugh. Starting things off with a friggin Yankee. This one looks odd, though.

Oh, that's why. I guess if I'm going to get a numbered parallel of a non-Red Sox...might as well be of a Yankees "star".

And, finally, a Red Sox!

But, yeah, if those are the only two cards worth talking about, this isn't exactly the best box of all time.

Or this month.

How did your box go?

2021 Topps Fire Blaster

 Let's open some more cards! This is my first blaster of 2021 Topps Fire, so it was fun to be able to do. I've always enjoyed the Fire brand, so let's get going.

How did this one turn out? Let's see!

Here's the box. I will be sure to look for "autographed cards"!

And the packs. For a guy featured so prominently on the box and packs, I'd expect Pete Alonso's cards to be more popular.

Xander! When I first opened these packs, my first reaction was surprise. I thought Fire was a more premium brand. Is my memory off? Or, have things changed? Because the cards seem cheap and flimsy in hand. The design is just like all Fire designs, crazy shapes and patterns dominate the card.

A "flame" parallel of Arenado here. Basically, it';s shiny foil with a name in keeping with the "fire" theme.

While the "flame" name makes sense...not sure the "liftoff" one does. I guess flames and fire ignite rockets? This card is photographed properly. It really is that bland, colorwise.

There will come a time where I can stop getting this guy is sets. Right? Please?

Another bland insert. But, at least the "smoke" goes better with "fire". Not sure I need this, though.

And there we have it. The one Red Sox card is probably negated by the dang Jeter card. And I didn't get any of those autographs I was supposed to be looking for.

Better luck next time.

How did you do with yours?