This month I participated in my first group break with Nachos Grande, Chris Reed. I put in for the Tigers. Although I've wanted to participate in other breaks, usually I'm late to the table. I was very happy with the results!
Chris broke a case of 2015 Heritage and a box of 2004 Topps Clubhouse Collection. The Clubhouse was devoid of Tigers and many other teams for that matter. No tears shed as the Heritage case did not disappoint.
I completed a base team set with base shortprints, and nearly completed two additional sets with extra short prints, missing only a few cards. Here's the haul:
I had no real intentions of purchasing more than a blaster of Heritage. This year's design was nothing special. Although it might have been had I grown up with 66 Topps. I have to admit it's slowly growing on me. The simple design is appealing in comparison to many products on today's market. What will keep me from purchasing more Heritage? Short prints. I know I'm not alone here. Hits are great but should these include star players? Variation short prints I can live without, having no real desire to obtain them on my own. I will say these make for awesome pulls in a trade package. ;)
If I could have just one of the Heritage super short prints, it's this Throwback variation:
Tiger shortprints: Kinsler, Price, Scherzer, Cabrera, Martinez and Verlander
Heritage Chrome #d/999
All were great pulls! Chris sent a neatly packaged priority box with all my Tigers including the auto below - and a couple of fun surprises:
Munnatawket-backed minis based on 2008 A&G! I've seen these around the blogs thinking I'd never get my grubby tiger paws on one. Apparently the creator of these cards is Ryan, friend of Chris's. The look and feel of the minis is the same as original Topps. The personalized and signed card featuring Chris is a keeper! And so is the case hit red-auto of Ron Nischwitz. What's a Nischwitz? Well, I asked the same question. He was a Tiger reliever in 1961, 1962 and 1965. In 1965 he made appearances in 20 games for the Tigers, going 1-0 with a 2.78 era. Overall fun pull but certainly not a star player like Kaline, also a Heritage red ink auto. Thanks for a fun break Chris!!
Am I hooked on breaks? No. Will I participate in another? Most likely! As far as Heritage goes, I'm waiting for the 72s and 75s! Two particular years that could very well having me building my first Heritage base sets. I wonder what changes are in store for Heritage over the next six years.
Have you participated in group breaks? Why or why not?
I have in the past. The problem for me is when the group break is priced the same for every team, because the Brewers don't get as many cards/inserts/hits as other teams do. So, going forward, I probably won't unless there is variable pricing of sorts.
ReplyDeleteYes, I can understand the need for variable pricing, or the option to choose a couple of teams for one price. Doing so well in this break gives me fever. This is why I don't gamble!
DeleteGreat haul Julie! I've had a good time participating in two of Chis' breaks so far, glad to see it was a good experience.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to another opportunity, perhaps with some older product. I missed out on 2002-2013.
DeleteGlad you enjoyed your first break! As for Tony's comment, he's right in that a lot of times the teams aren't all represented evenly in products so it can be tough to decide whether or not to jump in. I usually try to get around that problem by lumping "lesser teams" together but even that isn't easy since Topps rarely posts their full checklists much before the product is released!
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job, even feeling poorly. You trouped it out! Hope I get another opp to participate in your breaks.
DeleteYeah, Chris, my post definitely wasn't a post directed at you. You do a good job in grouping teams together -- especially at the end to get teams sold. I blame Topps, personally.
DeleteYeah, Chris, my post definitely wasn't a post directed at you. You do a good job in grouping teams together -- especially at the end to get teams sold. I blame Topps, personally.
DeleteI haven't but I'd like to. Too slow, my team gets taken quickly. I should start following the Rockies or something.
ReplyDeleteHow about the Rays, Marlins or Nats? Rockies are usually taken. 8^P
DeleteI love joining group breaks. This has really helped scratch the itch of trying to build to many sets. I built the Heritage set last year, but vowed to take a break from it as it is very expensive and time consuming. The high number sp's carry a nice secondary market price.
ReplyDeleteI like too many higher end cards for the beauty of the base design, Tribute for example. Heritage had plenty of Tigers so the case break worked well. When it comes to the higher end product, I become a player collector. A Tribute case break would likely not be worth the money invested against the odds.
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