2013 Topps Series 1 Reaction and Thoughts:
As I began busting the boxes, I was overcome, overcome by appreciation. Not only did I have my hands on one of my favorite products, but I was blessed enough to have the opportunity to purchase a case. As a father, husband, and teacher, I ask that you take it or leave it, I rarely take for the granted the opportunity to open cards, given the realization of the hard work it takes to get to do what I love. I was not only overcome by appreciation, I was also overcome by my senses, in particular, my sense of smell. If you have never experienced it, the smell that comes from factory direct cards is amazing, now one may say, what the hell is this guy talking about?? What Im getting at is the fact that you are immersed in an experience, and when those experiences mean something to you, your brain tends to remember those extraneous things that surround you-and there's just something about new cards, whether it actually IS the smell, or it's simply the appreciation of the experience.
Ok, with that out of the way, lets move on to the good stuff, 2013 Topps Series 1 Jumbo.
Initial Reaction: Clean but simple borders where the photography is the star
Card Backs: Very cool Chasing History factoids where Topps lists how many Hits, Runs, Steals, etc they are away from breaking a record.
Inserts: Nice mix of inserts; Calling Cards, Minis, Chasing History, to name a few.
Parallels: The golds are back, which is a nice touch with numbering to /2013, Emerald (Green vibrant sparkle) parallel of the 330 card set, Silk Collection /50, Camo /99, black /61, printing plates.
SP's: Pulled at a ratio of 2 per jumbo case (Out of Bounds). The ones I pulled were Brett Lawrie, and Eric Hosmer.
Hits: Chasing History Autos and Relics, Cy Young Award Winner Manufactured, MVP Trophy Manufactured, Proven Mettle (Steel, Copper, Wrought Iron all serial #ed to varying amounts), and of course (sly smile) ONE OF ONES!!!
Topps Wrapper Redemptions
Spring Fever Redemptions (Hobby Shop Redemptions)
Million Dollar Chase Giveaway Code Cards: 1 per Jumbo pack.
Complete Sets Produced: 6
Damaged Cards: 2
Odds and Ends: Some base cards had dimpling on the back, im not completely sure why, chalk it up to machine errors??
Overall: I would rate this product to be one of the better Series 1 products in the last 3-4 years!
