Constructive. Constructive. B. E. Constructive.

Growing up my parents tried to instill values in me. You know, morals, the difference between right and wrong, kindness, compassion, etc....
One of the things my mother always said was; "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."
I miss my mom. But I can still see the expression on her face after I've said something I perhaps should've thought more about... and then there it was...
"If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

I was a quiet child.

Moving on.

As you all know, the new 2016 Topps baseball product hit the streets this past week. I've read a LOT of reviews on the product. From Night Owl on down.... everyone seems to have their opinion on it. I have yet to find anyone who actually likes it though. This may go down with '87 Topps and '91 Donruss as one of the worst sets of all time if believe what you read.

But in the interest of fairness, I say No. I will not just believe what I read on the internet. I will make my own decisions, have my own opinions, and NOT be influenced by others. (thanks mom.)

So here it is, my first pack of 2016 Topps.

Kevin Pillar as my first card. I think I had him in PATP's contest. I wonder if this gets me a consolation prize or something.

The gas seems to have overwhelmed Sanchez....

My first Brave! Matt went 8-8 last year.... I think we got him from the Padres...

look at the damage on that Greinke!!! That's not from Topps, that's from a card shop owner who happens to be a Dodgers fan.

A local boy! (According to MLB, Toronto is my "local" team here in Calgary.)

Who the hell is the Prince?????

ugh.

Okay. So I've ripped open my pack and now, keeping in mind my mom's instructions, I will give you my review on 2016 Topps baseball.


....



Welp. There's always next year.

2011-12 Adrenalyn XL - a Manchester United pack break

my buddy dayf sent me a package last week. Included in the awesomeness that I'll share later, was a pack of 2011-12 Adrenalyn XL Manchester United.

 

 look at those guys! Rooney, Giggs, Vidic, and Nani... plus special Power Up cards!

Did I get any of those guys?

No.

But let's see who I did get.

Striker Dimitar Berbatov. He won the Golden Boot Award two season's ago.... he's now playing for Fulham.

 Fabio Da Silva. Left back. He's currently on loan to Queen's Park Rangers in order to get some playing time. His twin brother Rafael plays right back for Manchester United.

 Michael Carrick, midfielder for United. Michael has played really well over the last few games. Very good player.

 Tom Cleverly, midfielder. Young Tom is really carving out a place in the starting eleven for himself. Rapidly becoming a crowd favourite.

 Darron Gibson, midfielder. The young Irishman currently plays for Everton.

 Federico Macheda, striker. The 21 year old Macheda is currently in his 5th season with United. Unfortunately, he's 5th choice among strikers behind Rooney, van Persie, Hernandez, and Welbeck.

Well, only two starters, but all in all, some cool cards. I now have to try and get the rest of them!

Happy New Year!

You may want to cover your eyes...

so it's official... the entire planet is opening Allen&Ginter. I get it. Well, I used to get it. I don't anymore. I can just go buy the 350 card set online for $15. In fact, I just did. But, to each their own. Have fun busting boxes and in a few instances, cases. Nutjobs......

I went to my LCS last week to pick up some more packets of stickers to bust during the World Cup Finals. He had Ginter sitting on the counter for $5 a pack. I grabbed two packs. This is where I need a sidekick. Someone to say to me at times like this.... "Are you sure you wanna do that?"

May I present to you, the worst pack of baseball cards ever.

264 Captain Nemo.
248 Jason Marquis

273 David DeJesus

112 Tyler Bradt

125 Hideki Matsui regular back mini. All I heard is how hard it is to get a regular back mini and

I get one first pack. Of course Matsui is shown doing something he hasn't done in 7 years. Wear a glove. And to think, there are still a few out there who like the DH.

269 AJ Burnett - no scans of a Yankee

TDH51 Gordon Beckham

Crack the Code Advertisement

This is why I don't buy this crap anymore.

In Pack Two, I did get a hit and an SP.

Shane Freakin' Reynolds.

with an authentic game used bat used by Shane to strike out at least three times.

other cards....

18 Jose Lopez

142 Ubaldo Jiminez

61 Michael Cuddyer

TDH23 Dan Haren

292 Chris Pettit mini A&G back

327 Vernon Wells SP

all cards are for trade.... you know the drill.

Pack busts... You choose

Shane from Shoebox Legends sent over some cards the other day, and like me, he likes to include a little extra in each package.
He sent over a few random packs to keep me entertained until my damn OPC gets here.

Take a look at the poll on the right... choose which pack I bust first.