My first 2015 Topps

I finally grabbed some 2015 Topps on Saturday morning. We needed a few groceries and a birthday present for a 3-year-old, so naturally I urged the family unit to hit up Target because I needed some Series One.

I grabbed a hanger box and loose pack. I wanted a blaster, but decided I'd be better served by a hanger. I just wish the giant brick was as fun to break as individual packs.

I opened the loose pack first, and here's my first card:

Yep, former Yankee Vidal Nuno. I had no idea Nuno went 0-7 with Arizona, although he pitched better than his record indicated. I don't miss him though.

After flipping through the cards a few times, here's what I think:

1. I like the design as much as I hoped I would. Well done, Topps.
2. I hope a signature sticks nicely to them. They feel a little slick. Might need to rub them down a touch.
3. I'm surprised by how treated the photos are. They look like a Gypsy Queen photo.
4. I like the Topps Gold parallels. They remind me of 2001 Topps Gold. The border looks great.
5. The inserts are underhwhelming and all blend together. Kind of like Gold Standard/Golden Moments/Golden Futures a few years back, they all just seem so similar and the sets are so large. I miss the 12-card "RBI Kings" insert sets from Fleer Ultra. Admittedly, I'm not in it for the inserts, but I do wish they offered a little more sizzle.

That's all I've got. I'm excited to get the Yankees team set a few Pineda parallels.

Interesting day in Yankeeland

I was just about to write a "welcome Brandon McCarthy" post when I saw that Alfonso Soriano had been unsurprisingly DFA'd as well. I'm not surprised by either move. McCarthy is a definite upgrade over Vidal Nuno, who was horrendous (for the most part). Plus, Nuno never signed my cards TTM. I tried him twice. C'mon, you're Vidal Nuno.

McCarthy is a fan-favorite and terrific Twitter personality. His advance metrics indicate that's pitched better than his record and ERA suggest. Regardless, I'd rather see him out there every fifth day than Nuno.

That wasn't the only move today.

Soriano is a tough one. He was one of the best hitters in the AL last year after the Yankees reacquired him. His bat speed looked as quick as ever. That disappeared this season. He was awful. I hate seeing a guy like him go; someone who could change the game with one swing. But he's just not that guy any longer. I hope he goes somewhere else (the NL so he doesn't come back to haunt the Yanks) and enjoys the last few months of what will likely be the end of his big league career.

Listia, sometimes you are my friend

I'm still pretty active on Listia. I do tend to come and go, but I enjoy turning cards I don't want into things I do. I have a decent amount of credits, but am still pretty stingy on what I buy. Over the past month or so, here's how I've done:

The below lot was for 25 2013 Bowman Chrome Yankees. I needed these badly for TTM, plus this set has some of my favorite Yankees prospects. There were some dupes, but it was a great lot that I got at way too low of a credit price. Not sure what everyone was doing passing this one up.

 

I'm always looking to add to my PCs when I can, and I did just that with this cool 1980 Cramer card of Phil Rizzuto. It's a cool looking card. I also picked up another Michael Pineda card I didn't have.

I've seen a few sellers offer up lots of nine cards, and they just fold the binder page three ways. This is interesting. This was a nice nine-card lot I snagged, complete with a Gary Sanchez (another PC guy!) Bowman Platinum Purple Refractor. I love the Jeter Prizm. It's amazing how much nicer logos make cards look.

 

Right before he signed with the Twins, this Phil Hughes jersey card set me back 900 credits, which is nothing for a Yankees jersey card on Listia. The Pinstripe is impeccable.

Here's a nice Whitey Ford from a high-end Topps product (Tribute). I was the only bidder at 200 credits.

Lastly, while I don't collect football, Ryan Nassib was one of the best QBs to ever come through Syracuse, so I felt it appropriate to grab a card of him.