You all know that it's not terribly common to pull an auto or relic from a blaster. Some blasters have a guaranteed relic, but generally the odds are against you pulling a "real" hit from a blaster. Topps has taken to inserting manupatches in blasters, some good, some bad. However, Topps is really giving retail buyers the finger by not even giving us a chance to pull a relic or auto in Series 2 blasters. Well guess what Topps, here's the finger right back. I know you don't care, but I'm not buying anymore more of your beloved blasters.
Take that.
I can almost hear them trembling as they count the lost profits.
Back to the blasters I told you I already bought. Needless to say I didn't pull anything earth shattering. No SSPs or hits. Not even a real card unlocked with the four codes I got.
I did get two of the "guaranteed" manupatches. Luckily for me they were both catchers. Unluckily for me was yet another bird from Topps.
The first blaster gave up this fine looking Yogi Berra Historical Stitches.
I know some people don't like these, but I do like that they went a different direction. At least the Berra is on a fabric that has a vintage feel to it. It actually feels like an old style jersey.
The second blaster regurgitated this bastard child of a card.
Hey, I'm all for using the legends on these things and even though Ivan Rodriguez is freshly retired from baseball, he is a legend at his position. The problem is this is a Washington Nationals card. Pudge's legend was built as a Texas Ranger, not as a National. You can't tell me Topps is treating inserts like the All-Star game and making one for every team. Since when did they care about fairness.
I'm still glad I pulled it for my Pudge collection, I was just a little surprised and a lot upset it wasn't a Rangers card.
What do you think about not being able to hit autos or relic hits from Series 2 blasters and will that keep you from buying them?
I haven't bought a Series 1 or Series 2 blaster since they started putting those manupatch things in them. How long's that been -- 2, 3 years? So they lost me a while ago.
ReplyDeleteI haven't bought any packs (or blasters) of any 2012 Topps flagship (either series). The manupatches don't do it for me either, though I feel compelled to track down any Barry Larkin ones for some reason.
ReplyDeleteI believe Rodriguez was still active when Topps was designing these cards, so that probably influenced the team selection.
ReplyDeleteIt may surprise you, but I don't care about the relic cards at all... and autographs were always so difficult to find that I doubt I'd have noticed they weren't there if you hadn't pointed it out.
My decision to buy blasters is based on the guaranteed insert and the price per card.
I feel the same way and won't be buying anymore Topps Retail.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely do not like the fact that you can't get any hits in blasters. Retail buyers are customers too!! Topps-maybe they are getting into the we are the only game in town mentality a little bit.
ReplyDeletenever bought any before, won't be buying any now.
ReplyDeleteUntil topps gets some competition.... well, it's only going to get worse.
I'll still be buying blasters, as I'm not really looking for a "hit" with those anyways. I can see why others are upset with the inability to pull a jersey or autograph, but it doesn't make much of a difference to me. I just like pulling the base and inserts, especially with a set like flagship.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am with you on the Pudge as a National thing. He's a Ranger, first and foremost.
Topps lost me on Blasters with the whole Wal-Mart Black/Target Retro card parallel fiasco.
ReplyDeleteThey are occasionally good though - they are probably the best value if you're buying Archives retail packs. Slightly dangerous though considering how bad collation is in Archives.
You know I never looked at the odds so until I read your post I didn't even realized I was being shut out! Granted I don't buy more than one (maybe two) blasters of this stuff anyhow.
ReplyDeleteThe Rodriguez looks awful. If it's a "Historical Stitching", why don't they do only HOF or more-than-recently retired players? That way you have a chance of getting something a little more trade bait-ish, at least.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the hanger boxes that have pretty much the same number of cards as a Blaster, but cost $9.99. You still have the chance of pulling a relic/auto, but you don't get a manupatch. They are quite as fun since the cards come in a brick and not individual packs, but for me, it's a nice alternative.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I did pull a relic from a blaster of Archives, which was a nice surprise. I've seen a fair amount pulled by other bloggers too.
I quit the retail lotto awhile back. If you wait you can get the set on ebay, and since I'm primarily a player collector (no funds!) I'm not really even in to that. Diminished chances on relics/autos to trade for guys I collect just put the nail in the coffin.
ReplyDelete