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Sunday, May 3, 2015

Saturday Night Fever - 2015 Diamond Kings

I've wanted to bust a box for weeks!  Twelve 8-card packs lookin' for a good time!  Who am I to deny them?  Two autos or memorabilia cards; 2 framed parallels with 96 total cards - variation rookie cards possible too - 200 card set.

Shout out to The Card Papoy
Put on your best white suit and crank up the Bee Gees - we're looking inside a box of the brand new 2015 Diamond Kings! 

PACK ONE:


Gorgeous cards!!  Nice mix of veterans and newbies.  The framed Chapman is an unnumbered version.  I wanted a nice Matt Szczur RC.  At 25, this is his time to break out.  Matt made an impression on me when I learned he'd given a life-saving bone marrow donation to a patient on another continent. 

PACK TWO:


Two insert series here: DK Originals - a design I personally don't care for.  This Abreu is a parallel version  numbered 22/25 and  HOF Sluggers - da Babe!  Nice design and a keeper!

PACK THREE:


Another HOF Slugger!  Such a colorful lot, printed on canvas-feel cardboard. I'm still likin' 'em!


PACK FOUR:


DK Originals McCutchen and one of them fancy cards - I haven't picked up a Texas accent but it does show itself at times when writing - a framed Adrian Gonzalez dual patch auto numbered 42/49.   This is a great pack of cards!  Ripken, Feller, Appling and the young Bogaerts.


PACK FIVE:


What have we here?  A traitorous Max $cherzer, at home with the politician$ of Washington. A new insert series Aficianado - Gerald Dempsey Posey.  Buster  it is!  I recently began adding his cards to my collection.  Our first little card, a MINI Mauer!  I'm not sure of the print run except to say minis are definitely not one per pack!

PACK SIX:


Ok - WOW!  My Giants' trade pals are going to want this one, no doubt!  Madison Bumgarner, super thick Studio Portraits holofoil.  This gem is numbered 01/10!  Super nice card!  I'm holding on to it for now but at some point it may be used to fund a nice Tiger exchange. 

We are halfway through our my box and we've pulled the hits.  What could be left but inserts and base cards?  I'd be happy with these of course.  Need to take a potty break?  Shall we continue?

PACK SEVEN:


I've said more times than not - I'm a sucker for the old guys.  This pack has some familiar faces: Lajoie, O'Doul and Gehrig - and dupes from pack five.   I can live with a handful of doubles but 96 cards per box should be 96 different  paper heroes at this price level.  My LCS - $70 cash price.

PACK EIGHT:


Well, I'm not sure what to think - except YESSS!  Another  nice dual patch auto relic!  Deven Marrero is paper framed and numbered 16/49.  Let's not overlook the new insert: Also Known As. This AKA is the Revered Rivera.  Mariano was an amazing closer!  What opponent looked forward to facing the Sandman?  Kevin Millar?  No, not even him.

PACK NINE:


Joe Jackson, you are forgiven and beloved.  A simple pack splashed with color!

PACK TEN:


A mini sighting!  Eric Hosmer.  Bryce Harper - how did I not own a rookie card?  Picked one up this weekend, a nice Chrome.  Nothing fancy but it is MINTy!  One more HOF Slugger Frank Thomas, and an AKA Lou Gehrig!  I've already decided to complete both of these insert sets.

We're down to the last two packs...

PACK ELEVEN:


 Our second framed parallel, an unnumbered Corcino.   Inserts: HOF Slugger Mel Ott and Aficianado Mike Trout. Maris and Crawford are welcome pack mates. Nice cards.

I have to congratulate Panini for an elegant and affordable product. At an average of $6 per pack with boxes selling in a $70 price range,  I'm comfortable with the cards pulled so far.  An extra relic card helped of course.  Let's finish this thang!

THE TWELFTH AND FINAL PACK:


BUTTER MY FREAKIN' BISCUITS!!!  I think we have a hot box!  or a fluke.  I'll take either any day.  Kelly, Goldschmidt and Freeman were a nice finish but who is the attractively framed mini????  Super thick, acrylic backed Robert Refsnyder and patch.  This card is numbered almost as low as they come... 4/5! 

Nachos Grande Chris chose a DK box as part of his five box break coming later this week.  I can't wait to see what he hits!  The box we just opened had some sweet pulls.  None are for trade just yet while I investigate the product a bit more, and then decide what to part with.  Thanks for joining me in the anatomy of 2015 Diamond Kings!

How was your Saturday Night?


19 comments:

  1. That had to be awesome to bust that box open! Congrats!

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    1. the cards were in my favor, most definitely! :)

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  2. As much as I keep hating on Panini, I have to admit I really like those ! great job and you definitely chose wisely (well, sure, luck can be wise too)

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    1. hate is ugly and hurts the hater most. ;) The box chose me, I think.

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  3. I feel like it's been forever since I've commented on your blog...

    Awesome box! I've really wanted to try Diamond Kings, but unfortunately, I'm broke. In fact, I'm in the negatives! Are you trading any of the inserts or base, or the Gonzalez? Please send me an email if you are. The cards are beautiful!

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    1. Good to hear from you! Hope you're playing ball again! I'm not trading any of these at this time but will keep you in mind. Thanks for commenting.

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  4. Those are just beautiful! I think you may have also got a photo variation card of Kendall Graveman. I don't know who he is, but go back to Packs and Eight and Nine and you'll see what I mean.
    That was a full box to rip... I mean, that must have been a fun box for YOU to rip. Thanks for posting all of the pictures... I felt like I was there!

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    1. You are correct regarding the variation! thanks! It was fun, and went much too quickly! Such gorgeous cards deserved a visual sharing! I had two Szczurs. I'll set one aside for you in case you don't pull one in the break.

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  5. Great box Julie! Please keep me in mind if you happen to decide that the Refsnyder is available.

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    1. why certainly I'll keep you in mind Tim! Refsnyder's card is pretty sweet, a surprising pull for a great finish!

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  6. Looks like a great Saturday night. A fun box to open. Is the Cronin up for grabs.

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    1. it was a fun bust and kept me off the streets for another night. ;) Cronin is yours if I don't build the set.

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  7. I've been anxiously awaiting this set. Thanks for sharing. I might have to do a box of this for my breaks with Kevin.

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    1. I watched a couple of box busts this weekend with an of/15 Frank Thomas double patch auto pulled from one. The boxed I chose came from the middle of the case. Depending on how the break goes, I may need another box. ;)

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  8. Agreed. I thought the box was priced nicely and was happy with the card assortment before the extra relic cards were pulled.

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  9. Panini is crushing it this year. Great designs, great relics, 2015 is a good year for cards.

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    1. I think you're right! This product is sweet and affordable! It's all I can do not to bust a few more boxes! Thanks for reading Bru!

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  10. That framed relic looks amazing. (prepare for the obvious...) Just wish Panini had logos ;)

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    1. I wish they had logos too. Flawed but still gorgeous.

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