Manny Machado 2014 Topps Archives

Manny Machado 2014 Topps Archives

No, I am not trying to turn myself into a ‘Machado Super-Collector’.  At least not yet…

But, when I saw this card, I had to grab one for my collection.

As you see below, the colors and the Topps 1986 design are simply a perfect match.

Have a look:

 

First off, you have the three main colors of the card – Black, Orange, and White.  It all just works well toegther – from the lettering on the top of the card to the bill on Machado’s helmet and everything in between.

And the image selection is sweet too.  Not only did Topps give us an image that works, but they centered it perfectly.  We’ve all seen #13 make this sign after connecting for a home run, and Topps captured it perfectly.

Nicely done, Topps.  Nicely done.

Million Dollar Question – Is The Discolored 2014 Gypsy Queen Border Bothering You?

Million Dollar Question – Is The Discolored 2014 Gypsy Queen Border Bothering You?

There is no modern baseball card release that I look forward to more than that of Gypsy Queen.  For me, the set offers a great blend of legend and modern players on the checklist and I also find the GQ inserts and subsets to be among the best around.

I also really like the style of the cards and the interesting tweaks that Topps employs to make each version different yet keeping them similar enough so we know that the cards are all from the same brand.

This year however, I noticed that some of the coloring of the card’s borders was off.  Some looked more Yellow while others looked more like a Creme color.  And when I unveiled my recent box break results from this product, it was also mentioned by reader Matt.

And it is really starting to bother me, and I am just building a team set, not the full 350-card set.

Here are two Miami Marlins cards that I pulled that will be part of my team set:

See how the one on the left is bolder and more Yellow in color while the one on the right is more faded and less vibrant?

Kind of sucks doesn’t it.  And I am not sure what I intend to do about it…  Do I go after both the Yellow team set and the Creme team set?  Or do I just forget about it and be happy with what I can find?

Give me your thoughts.  Are you also irked by the differing border colors from this product?

Come See The Hits From My 2014 Topps Gypsy Queen 2-Blaster Break!!

Come See The Hits From My 2014 Topps Gypsy Queen 2-Blaster Break!!

If you know me and you know my blog, than you know that Topps’ Gypsy Queen brand is my favorite release of the year.  I am a big fan of the card design and I think that the spectrum of inserts and subsets in GQ offers the best selection in the hobby today.

GQ was scheduled to hit the streets last week and I was unable to find any on the official launch day.  But, I did finally find some this weekend so I grabbed two retail blasters and set aside some time to relax and enjoy what has become my favorite modern release.

And I did pretty well.  I was a little surprised as to the small number of modern-day stars I pulled from the base 350-card set, and a little surprised as to how many legends I pulled from the same checklist too.  But, I think I did very well with the minis and the inserts – I LOVE THIS SET!!  And I plan on putting together a checklist of all of the cards I need from the base and subsets.

But first, let me show you the hits!!

My Marlins

Modern Stars

Legends

Blue-Frame

Short Prints

Dealing Aces

Glove Stories

Debut All-Stars

N174 Inserts

Mini’s – Solid mix of old and new

Mini Parallels – Supreme Mix!!!

And Cards for my Player Collections:

Reggie Jackson base

Giancarlo Stanton mini

*

I am very happy with these breaks and if there was ever a release that I was going to invest in a hobby box of, it would easily be Gypsy Queen.

Now, time to chase the rest of them!!  Thanks for reading.

Million Dollar Question – Are You A ‘Gypsy Guy’ OR A ‘Ginter Guy’

Million Dollar Question – Are You A ‘Gypsy Guy’ OR A ‘Ginter Guy’

I know where I stand on this, but I am eager to see where the readers of the blog are.

So, my question tonight is very simple:  Are You A ‘Gypsy Guy’ OR A ‘Ginter Guy’??

Sound off now.

Manny Machado 2013 Topps Allen & Ginter ROOKIE CARD!!

Manny Machado 2013 Topps Allen & Ginter ROOKIE CARD!!

During a recent purchase on Ebay, I picked up a Jim Palmer card that I will show off later this week.  The seller was offering FREE Shipping on all single card purchases so I perused what he had to offer and I ran across this card of Manny Machado from the 2013 Topps Allen & Ginter set.

I scooped it up for just $1.99.

And now, it is home with me.

I am eager to see how Machado does during Spring Training this year.  Coming off of major surgery, I hope the team plays it right and slowly gets him acclimated back to becoming an everyday player again.

I pray that he/they do not rush this process.  I’d much rather see him play in 150+ games during the regular season than rush through the Spring and suffer any setbacks.

And after 2014, the O’s need to strongly consider extending his contract through the remainder of the decade…

2013 Topps Gypsy Queen ‘Glove Stories’ Subset – Travis Snider

2013 Topps Gypsy Queen ‘Glove Stories’ Subset – Travis Snider

Topps’ Gypsy Queen brand offers up some pretty sweet 10-card subsets that feature intense action.

One of my favorite parts about the GQ subsets is that they don’t simply throw in the top players – they truly find incredible images regardless of the player’s star power.  What this does is introduce us to other talents that perform at high levels while also allowing for players that are not always in the spotlight a chance to shine for a bit.

The ‘Glove Stories’ set primarily features outfielders with 8 cards, and has 2 infielder cards as well.

This is the Travis Snider card from the set:

 

On September 27, 2012, Travis Snider scaled the wall at Citi Field and pulled  a home run out of the air to help his Pittsburgh Pirates team win a game.  The ball was crushed by Mike Baxter of the Mets and when hit, both he and pitcher Kevin Correia both thought that the ball was leaving the field.

Travis Snider had other plans…

2013 Topps Gypsy Queen ‘Glove Stories’ Subset – Manny Machado

2013 Topps Gypsy Queen ‘Glove Stories’ Subset – Manny Machado

Topps’ Gypsy Queen brand offers up some pretty sweet 10-card subsets that feature intense action.

One of my favorite parts about the GQ subsets is that they don’t simply throw in the top players – they truly find incredible images regardless of the player’s star power.  What this does is introduce us to other talents that perform at high levels while also allowing for players that are not always in the spotlight a chance to shine for a bit.

The ‘Glove Stories’ set primarily features outfielders with 8 cards, and has 2 infielder cards as well.

This is the Manny Machado card from the set:

 

Manny Machado is one of just two infielders in this Glove Stories set.  Derek Jeter is the other.

Manny Machado won his first Gold Glove in 2013, his first full-time season in the major leagues.

The play captured on this card was from a game played between the Orioles and their divisional rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays.  In the ninth inning of the game, and with the score tied 2-2, Machado bare-handed a soft roller and faked a throw to first then pivoted and threw to third base securing the out for Baltimore.  The O’s would go on to win the game 3-2, with the defense of Machado leading the team to victory.

2013 Topps Gypsy Queen ‘Glove Stories’ Subset – Gregor Blanco

2013 Topps Gypsy Queen ‘Glove Stories’ Subset – Gregor Blanco

Topps’ Gypsy Queen brand offers up some pretty sweet 10-card subsets that feature intense action.

One of my favorite parts about the GQ subsets is that they don’t simply throw in the top players – they truly find incredible images regardless of the player’s star power.  What this does is introduce us to other talents that perform at high levels while also allowing for players that are not always in the spotlight a chance to shine for a bit.

The ‘Glove Stories’ set primarily features outfielders with 8 cards, and has 2 infielder cards as well.

This is the Gregor Blanco card from the set:

 

Nice grab, Gregor!!!

He may not be a household name, but if Blanco keeps making plays like this, he will certainly be found in more highlights!!

The catch that is featured on this ‘Glove Stories’ card happened in the 7th inning of what eventually became Matt Cain’s perfect game.  Blanco made a leaping dive deep in the outfield that turned out to be the defensive gem of the game which preserved the win for the Giants and history for Cain.

Finally, My 2011 Topps Gypsy Queen ‘Wall Climbers’ Subset Is Complete!!!

Finally, My 2011 Topps Gypsy Queen ‘Wall Climbers’ Subset Is Complete!!!

Yessir, I have completed the 2011 Topps Gypsy Queen Wall Climbers’ subset and it is a sweet looking set of cards.

The action images that Topps captured for this set really is exceptional.  And while I did not know it when I first considered collecting this set, the cards included in the set actually celebrate the ‘Wall Climbing’ that occurred during the 2010 baseball season that gave us these stellar images.  And the card backs, help tell the story as well – depicting the scene and providing the details of the occasion.

The set is ten cards deep – and as I mentioned before, it is action-packed!

Have a look:

I told you it was sweet.

Among the players included in the set are rookies, all-stars, MVPs, and legends.  And the player mix just goes to show you that at any time, an outfielder can become a ‘Wall Climber’ and put his stamp on any game.

What a fantastic addition to my subset collection – This one is GREAT!!!!

2013 Topps Gypsy Queen ‘Collisions At The Plate’ Subset – Salvador Perez

2013 Topps Gypsy Queen ‘Collisions At The Plate’ Subset – Salvador Perez

The theme of ‘Collision At The Plate’ is one that I think all baseball fans could get excited about. The play in which two players collide with completely opposite goals: 1 putting their body on the line in an effort to score a run for their team. 1 putting every ounce of energy, strength, and will into defending their plate.

Oh yes, the ‘Collision At The Plate’ is the perfect place for baseball drama to be born. And as soon as I saw that the 2013 Topps Gypsy Queen set was going to include a subset of cards with the title of ‘Collisions At The Plate’, I knew I would be going after it.

This is the Salvador Perez card from the set:

 

Perez has only been in the major leagues for three seasons, but he has started to establish himself as a solid catcher.  In his first full-time season in 2013, Perez was an All-Star.

He has a career fielding percentage of .991 and is catching just a tad more than 25% of the players trying to steal bases against him.