2016 Archives Blaster

[TheGinterGodfather]

Had some time to kill so the toddler and I walked around Wal-Mart. Naturally we had to check out the card section and he practically lunged out of my arms to grab the lone 2016 Archives Blaster amidst a bunch of football and several Series 2 Blasters. (The selection was downright pitiful even by Walmart standards...) I figured it was 1) a sign and 2) a good way to encourage him to love the hobby. Even though I'm not a huge fan of Archives.

He held onto the blaster box for the rest of the trip, and on the ride home and kept asking to open "his baseball". So we did.



The blaster itself would have been a tremendous letdown in most regards given that not every pack even had an insert or a SP... I figured that would have been standard in a product like this by now where you got at least 1 insert or a SP in every pack. Nope. I have nothing against base cards, but at this price point... It's like Cracker Jacks without the prize. But I guess Cracker Jacks are doing away with the prizes now... so... shoot. (And yes, I realize the irony of the guy who loves base cards and hates hits [not really hating hits, but hating that the hobby is driven solely by megahits and garbage like that these days] complaining about a lack of 'hits' [or inserts... they're just inserts] is... ironic)

But it WASN'T a let down because that kid looooves to look at his baseball cards. Carrys them everywhere. Doesn't want to put them in his binder because then he can't carry them around as easily. And since they're just base cards, I don't have to feel guilty about an insert getting beat up! But here's a shot from the first pack, as we DID get a Max Kepler RC and a Trevor Plouffe base card. The simple things...

Best card I *think* was either the base card SP #302 or the Corey Seager RC. Again, nothing terrible but also nothing close to the "value" of the box. But I hate talking about monetary value because you can't put a price on the happiness of a kid. Seriously. Good lesson to be had from this blaster break for me, that's for sure.



Not impressed overall with this set, I love the 1991 design, and I love the presence of the legends (Ted Williams, Carl Yaztresmenski, and is that DiMaggio or Gherig in there... in one pack? Solid) but overall I am not a huge fan of the insert sets. In fact, they're quite boring. So the only thing going for it is the different card designs in one set. That's it. Yuck.

Probably our only blaster of this unless I can get them at a discount in about 9 months, and even then only if there's nothing else available. Never been a huge fan of Archives. Probably never will be. But, I usually say the same thing about Heritage and I've started to come around on Heritage... Who knows!

Thanks for the read! I sincerely doubt anyone wants anything from this break but they're up for grabs via PWE (minus the Seager, Kepler, and Plouffe... can't guarantee the condition of cards after tonight!)

[spuds1961]

Sorry about the break, I can sympathize with not getting value out of an archives blaster as in years past I can't recall ever hitting anything worthwhile, so this year I promised to stay away. P.S. be on the lookout for discounted 2015 A&G blasters as I found one a couple of days ago, unfortunately I didn't get anything worthwhile but it was still a fun break, I might list it later today.

[TheGinterGodfather]

Thanks for the heads up on the discounted 2015 A&G, Steve. I'd snag any and everything 2015 Ginter that's discounted as there is a certain base card in there that is worth solid gold to me.

We did grab a discounted 2015 Gypsy Queen blaster at Wally World yesterday. Again the kid lunged out of my arms and wrapped his tiny little arms around the blaster and declared it "mine!" Well then... at $11.98 + tax, who am I to argue?

I'll try and get a post on that experience up during nap time.

[spuds1961]

What is the base card you are looking for maybe I have it.

[stewart20rulz]

Great story. That brings back memories. I would buy cheap boxes of 'like 88 Donruss and watch my sons tear into them. It's always nice yo have kids remind us adults what collecting is supposed to be truly about