2021 Topps Series Two Blaster Break!

It's time to open another one of these! I've been opening a few of the "big blasters" lately, but now we'll go back to the standard size. Does fewer cards mean less to talk about? Guess we'll have to see. You know what the cards look like, but not what I got this time!

Let's see how it went!

Yup. Remember the box? It sure screams excitement to me.

Same thing with the packs...in a creepy sort of way.

Red Sox all-star closer Matt Barnes. Here's hoping he finds that firm from the first half of last year. The Sox sure could use it. Nice use of the horizontal format with this shot.

This one too, naturally. I can just feel the joy oozing out from the sides of this card. Wonder which moment this one is capturing.

Xander in the throwback design. I'm on record as enjoying the throwback design, even if Topps does overuse them a bit. I'd just prefer variety...which I think the 2004 design provides, and that Topps not put a player in a design they've appears in before. Especially in that year's base set. So this works for Xander here. But, Topps shouldn't put Pujols in this style.

We got an all-star, and now the opening day starter. While this year didn't start the way we'd all prefer for Nate, I think we can all expect big things from him this year.

So, there's how it went. Nothing super exciting, but some fun Red Sox cards.

What did you like?

2021 Topps Series Two Big Blaster Break!

It's time to open another one of these! I know. I just opened a 2022 blaster. Why am I going back in time? Well, because that's what I had sitting around to open. So there. Again, I'm guessing that these aren't called "big blasters" but I don't know what else to call them. So, that's what I'm going with. You know what the cards look like, but not what I got this time!

Let's see how it went!

Once again, here's the box showcasing the motorcycle stunt man.

See? It really is one of the bigger blasters.

Packed in such a weird way.

A shot of Chris Sale will all the computer graphics threatening to attack him. Maybe that's how he broke his rib.

Number 36 will always have a special place on this blog.

When I opened the 2022 blaster, I mentioned that I didn't mind the insert sets being throwback designs. I think they're much better/cleaner than most of the insert designs and themes that might be used otherwise. I'm perfectly happy with this different looking Dalbec RC. I don't need an overdone "Smoke and Fire" theme or whatever garbage they come up with. It would just be nice if they mixed up the designs a bit. With 70 to choose from, you think they could have lots of variety.

Nice action shot here.

Chavis holding at second. A different sort of action shot. Not batting, not fielding, not running...but still action.

Not the best shot of Houck here. 

Much better photo for a RC. And, a great example of using past designs. Honestly, if every year there was an insert set showcasing the 20th, 40th, and 60th anniversary sets I think that would be great. Let archives use the 10th, 30th, 50th, and 70th. Then there would always be variety and players wouldn't be repeated on designs as much.

Bogaerts defying gravity. How can you not extend a guy who can fly?

Glad he's back. Excited to see what role he fills on the team.

Love this celebration shot.

See? This is great. Ortiz on a '94 design. I have no problems with this. Not sure Topps has used this design very much either. It's the third retro design of the box, and I'm not tired of them at all.

Speaking of players whose role I'm excited to see...will Barnes be back to all-star form?

So, there you have the results. 

What do you think?

2021 Topps Series Two Big Blaster Break!

It's time to open another one of these! Again, I'm guessing that these aren't called "big blasters" but I don't know what else to call them. So, that's what I'm going with. You know what the cards look like, but not what I got!

Let's see how it went!

There's the front of the box. Tatis sure looks happy.

Here's the top of the box, proving that this is the bigger blaster. A whole 256 cards! I also like the caveat that "packs with a special insert contain 9-14 cards". For one thing, that's quite a range. Second, they don't define what a "special insert" is. So, if you get a pack with out ten cards in it, Topps can say, "Um yeah...that Connor Wong card you got...that was a special insert."

As mentioned, sixteen packs.

Included in the packs was this great Michael Chavis card. He looks ready to take the next base if available.

Red Sox all-star Matt Barnes.

Rookie star Bobby Dalbec on the '83 Topps design. It's fun to be able to collect a rookie on different classic designs. 

Speaking of hotshot rookies, here's one on the more standard design.

Another Chavis! If I'm going to get shiny cards, couldn't they be of players still on the team?

Xander midair.

Another former Sox. At least this one is now a current Sox. 

Speaking of Dalbec on different designs, here's another one. At least it's a chance for some variety in the collection.

Vazquez looks ready to catch a runner napping. Wonder if it worked.

Everyone looks very excited on this card. I'm guessing the Red Sox won.

Eovaldi looking much more serious than the previous card.

Arroyo as well. I have to admit, I'm surprised they let the empty stands stay that way on these cards. Glad, but surprised.

for the 36th time, Topps, that's a laundry cart...not a shopping cart!

And, there it is. For 256 total cards, not exactly an impressive haul. But, that's a good chunk of Sox cards. So I guess I can't complain too much.

Have you ever opened one of these?

2021 Topps Series 2 Blaster!

It's time for another blaster! I know the update set is already out, so series two might be old news. But, that doesn't mean I can't talk about it, right? Right?

Let's see how it went!

As always, here's the box.

And here are the packs. 

As much as these "patch" cards grow one me, I still can't quite like them. They don't give off the "fake memorabilia" vibe that they used to give. They're more of a "whatever" sort of thing. If the "patch" or the theme is a good one, I can tolerate them. Neither is true in this case.

Topps using its 70th anniversary to show off their old designs. Which is lucky, because they never do that anywhere else.

Again.

Here's the current design! On a rookie even.

Why on earth would you put a card of JBJ in a Sox uni in series two? 

This may be the best card picture of the year. If not ever.

Or, you know, this one is. Oh, and Topps, it's a laundry cart...not a shopping cart. How much shopping do they think players do in the dugout during a game? Do they really need a cart for it?

And those are the highlights! A few fun cards, but nothing close to a super hit. Still a fun collection of Sox cards, though.

How did your box go? 

2021 Topps Series 1 Blaster!

 Sick of this set yet? I hope not, because packs are always fun to open. Even if it's the same set over and over, there's always the chance the next pack will be the biggest hit yet. Will that happen in this blaster? Only one way to find out.

Let's see what's inside!

Or, you know, Outside...in this case.

Yup. There were packs inside.

Rafael Devers! While I love the fact that the design and all the jagged spikes don't block anything on the picture...I think this one is cropped just a bit too close. I'd like to see all of his arm at least.

Another Devers! This one is cropped much better. It's still zoomed in mighty close...it just allows us to enjoy the entire image.

This one too! I can excuse missing a few fingertips. But, the rest of JD Martinez is there to see.

A Devers hot box! Three Devers cards, in three different designs. That's pretty close to too many, isn't it? This may be the best of the bunch. We can see everything in the picture, and it's a fantastic action shot. I wonder what the result of the play was.

So, there we have it. No, nothing was the best hit I've ever had. But, three cards of a Red Sox superstar is a pretty box.

Which Devers card is your favorite?