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.

2006 Fleer Greats of the Game

One of the card shops here in town has wax specials on their trade night. It's a random assortment of boxes, marked down to yummy low prices.

 

I picked up a box of (if you didn't bother reading the title...) 2006 Fleer Greats of the Game baseball for $20.

 

I could've bought a 2010-11 SPx baseball for $20, a 2011 UD Football for $20, a 2011-12 Parkhurst Champions Hockey box for $30.... and there was another hockey from this year..... but my memory of it eludes me.

 

No matter. You're here for the baseball.

 

One thing, I cracked the box in the store and then foolishly threw away the wrappers and the box. So I have no idea how many cards per pack etc.... but if you know how to work the interwebs, I'm sure you or your 5 year old will be able to find it.

 

The basecards are kinda cool. They give off an oldtimey feel which is what this set is about.

 I meant to show off a couple of base cards featuring players from different eras but screwed the pooch and scanned Will Clark after I had scanned the Crimedog. Oh well.

 The backs are simple, but simple is good. Lotsa stats. Something I like to see with any set, but especially when featuring older retired players.
(BTW, Whitey wasn't injured or in the minors for those missing years kids. Google 'Korean War' to find out more)

 Of course every set needs a pointless parallel. This is no exception. Instead of green borders, we get a pewter border. But at least you get to see a base card with a guy from the '50's. Ever heard of him?

 A few insert sets to chase as well.... Decade Greats featuring the '50's, '60's, '70's and '80's.... Here's Lefty to demonstrate.

 A few teams get to show off some of their Greats. Detroit, St Louis, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago and Cincinnati. The Bird is the Word.

 Finally, you get 4 hits in each box. Two relic and two autos. I did okay....

Bruce Sutter of the Cubs.

 Yogi Bear's game used bat.

 an Eric Davis auto

 and an auto from the 'Nickname' insert set... Burt Happy Hooton.

A pretty fun break for $20.

and yes, all cards are up for swap. Although I believe the Berra and Hooton may be spoken for already....