Group Break: Crackin' Wax - 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter

The 2016 set releases are in full swing, so I need to get out last year's sets that I received.  For the 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter release I went back to Topher at Crackin' Wax for his group break.

I like the look of this release.  Every one, but Jon Niese, is shown in posed picture.  Juan Lagares sticks out the most to me as my favorite of the base cards.

 

I seem to forget that Carlos Gomez started his career as a New York Met and only get reminded when I see one of his Mets cards.  It was not too much later after this group break that he became even more linked to the Mets folklore.  He is now forever known as part of the aborted trade that led to our beloved Wilmer Flores becoming our beloved Wilmer Flores.

Speaking of Wilmer, I ended up with two hits from this break.  Both being Wilmer jersey cards.  Topher described the one on the left as a dirty jersey, which it is of course.  Do dirty jersey cards hold more value?  Is it because it comes with game-used dirt, too?  Does it make it a double hit?  The dirt does make the jersey card look a little cooler, though. 

I nearly got a master set from this break.  I think I am still looking for the Lucas Duda Starting Points insert.  

I am sort of at a crossroads with group breaks right now.  I like to help out fellow bloggers and traders with their breaks (and I love how Topher uses his to support charities), but I can see how they are a gamble.  It took me three attempts before I got something more than a bunch of base cards and some inserts.  Not that I am ungrateful for what I got from this and past breaks.  I guess I just haven't found the right way or combination of ways in acquiring cards.

Group Break: Crackin' Wax - 2015 Topps Finest

I participated in another group break with Topher over at Crackin' Wax.  This was my second group break with him and was for the 20015 Topps Finest release.

I like the look and design of this Finest release.  The cards look even better in hand versus image scans.  There are only 111 cards in the set (11 being short prints) and the Mets got four of those slots.  Kind of surprised not to see Matt Harvey anywhere in this set. 

I did not get much more than a team set with this break.  Not a big deal as that is how group breaks go sometimes.  This was a charity break, so the proceeds went to good cause. 

Group Break at Crackin' Wax: 2015 Topps Heritage

Let us pause the trade posts and check out a group break.  This break was a number of months ago, but at least I am now in the current year with my posts.

I have known of Topher over at Crackin' Wax for a while now.  I read his blog, follow him on Twitter, and like how he does his group breaks for charity.  He always comes off as a good dude.

I decided to join one of his group breaks.  The spots in his breaks go fast with the Mets spot being among the fastest to get claimed.  I was able to claim a spot in the 2015 Topps Heritge group break as you can see below.

It was a fun break.  Topher makes his breaks enjoyable as he and his wife discuss things while he is crackin' the wax.  I generally do not watch breaks because they get boring for me (probably because I would rather be the one opening the packs).

As you can see, I ended up with a complete Mets team set (including the deGrom, Harvey, and Wright short prints), a deGrom insert, and a deGrom chrome parallel.  I did not get a hit, but still enjoyed what I got during this break.  I also like the look of this year's Heritage release.  The blue sky background works very well with the Mets uniforms and the shots are mixed up well enough to keep each card looking fresh.

2014 Topps Stadium Club Group Break at Nachos Grande

The 2015 Topps Stadium Club was released last week.  In honor of the release, I figured I would go ahead and finally post about my 2014 Topps Stadium Club experience (because I am a procrastinator and that is how I roll).

Back in October, Nachos Grande hosted a group break for 2014 Topps Stadium Club.  If you happen to look at the pictures before reading this post, you may notice a lack of the headlining product.  Well, that is because there was not a single Met pulled.  This was my first skunk in three tries with group breaks.

I did not walk away empty handed, though.  Mr. Grande was nice enough to make up for the skunk by sending some Mets my way.  I must say he did a great job with a good mixture of old and new.  He also threw in some custom Allen & Ginter cards.

He also threw in this nice auto card of Lee Mazzilli.

I would eventually get my hands on the Mets cards from the 2014 release.  Decent cards, but it sounded like the release was poorly executed by Topps.  From what I have read and seen, so far, it seems like Topps has improved on this year's release.

I am on the lookout for the 2015 Topps Stadium Club Mets cards.  I will keep you all posted...eventually.

2014 Topps Chrome Group Break

With 2015 Topps Series One being released next month, I thought what a better time to put up a post featuring some 2014 product.

Alex over at Chavez Ravining held a group break for 2014 Topps Chrome.  This was my second group break I have participated in, so far.  Of course, I selected the Mets, but was also randomly given the Yankees.  I fared a little better with the Yankees, as far as inserts and refractors go.  I am not complaining about the Mets cards that I received, though.

Alex was kind enough to throw in a few extra cards, too.

I also participated in a fantasy league that Alex started last season.  It was my first time doing fantasy baseball since something like 2006.  I was not any good then, so I expected something similar.  Well, I ended in a tie with Alex for first place!  He was kind enough to send some Mets my way for my finish that I will show off in a future post, so thank you Alex for the cards!  I still have to get a package back out to you for hosting the league and allowing me to participate.

Group Break at Waiting 'til Next Year

There were some "new" aspects of the hobby I had to experience when I started back collecting.  Group breaks were one of those aspects.  

Thanks to Tom over at Waiting 'til Next Year I was able to participate in my first group break.  The break took place over the summer and included 1989 Swell, 1990 Swell, 1991 Swell, and 1990 Pacific Legends.  Sure, it is not the high-end product that most seem to like participate in for group breaks, but it was perfect for me to test the waters of group breaks.

I, of course, chose the Mets for my team in the break.

1990 Pacific Legends and 1991 Swell

1990 Swell

1990 Swell cont. and 1989 Swell

From this break I learned that Harvey Haddix was a pitching coach for the Mets from 1966-1967.  You may have heard of Mr. Haddix as having pitched an unprecedented 12 perfect innings for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Milwaukee Braves in 1959.  His perfect game was ultimately stopped in the 13th inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates lost 1-0.

Tom also threw in a stack of SSPC that I will show in a future post.  Thanks for the extras and for hosting this group break!