My First Topps Hobby Rip Night

Finally, after missing the last few of these events, I am finally at my first Topps Rip Party. 

I drove to Buffalo Grove, IL, and walked into Chicagoland Sports Cards and Memorabilia. I've been here a number of times, visiting during the Trading Card Days in the past. I brought with me, but am leaving them in the car for now, about 6 boxes of cards, mostly my 2025 Topps Update Series extras, inserts, and my box of 2026 Topps which I have YET to sort through. I would have loved to be able to trade for base, but I don't even know what I need. I do know I need 133 insert cards, so maybe I can connect with someone.

First thing I noticed, and really really WANT, are the Topps 75 shirts and hoodies. Maybe the shirt for sure. But that hoodie looks really good.

I made it just in time for the Pack Battle. Not paying the 20 bucks though. I just want to take in the environment. 

Someone just left 12 of the Baseball Rip Party cards. Possibly a 25-card set it looks like I could be halfway home on completion. 

Also was standing with a gentleman who offered some inserts I'm looking for. Had to go to the car to get my boxes. He's looking over some of what I have now. To get the 11 insert cards that I needed, I had said goodbye to my 2025 Carlton Fisk auto, the Acuna 1991 parallel, and...sob...the Miz auto. It's a sacrifice I am willing to make. The guy, David, said he is a fan of Jacob Misiorowski, and has even travelled to Milwaukee a number of times last year to see him pitch. So, yeah, it's going to a good home. 

The event is starting to wind down, and it's getting less crowded. The layout of this place made it really hard to move around when it was busier an hour ago.

So overall, it was a good night. Didn't spend any money, got some cards to whittle down the want list (but in exchange, now the hunt is on for the 11 cards from the Rip Night set). The store itself, I just found out, will be moving to a bigger location some time later this year, closer to where I live (still a drive, but more convenient). Will this place take over for my local card shop? No. But at least I know there are options. 

Now that I am out, it's time to head for dinner at the KFC/Taco Bell on the way home. 

Maybe now I can get to sorting the base cards.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Live Blogging a Jumbo Box Break

Finally getting around to opening the 2026 Topps Jumbo Hobby box that I bought last week. I've been waiting until now before doing my sorting to determine if between the random Target packs plus this Hobby box will get me to a complete set. Based on what I've seen so far, I am not confident. 

First things first though. What are we getting in these bonus packs? Obviously, they will be Chrome 1991 Topps cards. But of whom? And will there be parallels? An autograph? With my luck? Doubt it. But, these will be the start of the trade bait. So let's see what I get.

Pack 1:

• #91C-20 Otto Kemp, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies
• #91C-32 Ozzie Smith, SS, St. Louis Cardinals
• #91C-74 Colby Thomas, OF, Athletics
• #91C-36 C. J. Kayfus, 1B/OF Cleveland Guardians

Thoughts: Three rookies and a Hall of Famer. The best card in the pack? Smith should be it. But nothing against the Wizard, but I think that Topps 75 Promo card looks awesome.

Pack 2:

• #91-C45 Nathan Church, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
• #91-C33 Trea Turner, SS, Philadelphia Phillies
• #91-C55 Fernando Tatis Jr., OF, San Diego Padres
• #91-C41 Pedro Martinez, P, Boston Red Sox Purple #184/250

Thoughts: Wow. I did get a parallel. It's numbered, and it's of a Hall of Famer. I've just added the Pedro card to the TCDB. So...win?

Before I continue, again, I'm sorry. These aren't the best pictures. My phone's camera is cracked. 

Okay, now for the important part of the program. The 10 packs of 40 cards. Let's see how this goes.

(At this time, I'll be posting highlights of each pack. Inserts for sure, but any key cards will be mentioned as well).

Pack 1: Another Nick Kurtz 2025 All Topps Team card, a Cam Schlitter 1991, and this

2026 Topps 1991 Topps Pete Alonso Bat #91R-PA

Pack 2: Inserts include 1991 Topps Didier Fuentes and 2025 Greatest Hits Manny Machado. The last card in this pack was former Cub Willson Contreras. The last card in pack 1? Brother William Contreras.

Pack 3: Got the 1991 Topps Paul Skenes and 2025 Greatest Hits Jac Caglianone.

Pack 4: Now we're talking. Inserts include a 1991 Dylan Beavers and 2025 Greatest Hits Matt Chapman. But it's the parallel cards that make this pack the winner. 

First, we have a Topps Gold Gunnar Henderson:

2026 Topps Gold Gunnar Henderson #46, #1797/2026

Then a 1991 Topps Blue Border Ronald Acuña Jr #'d to 150

2026 Topps 1991 Blue Border Ronald Acuña Jr. #T91-84, #132/150

Then the Big one...the Big Dumper...in a Team Border:

2026 Topps Team Border Cal Raleigh #140

Pack 5: Inserts include a 1991 Topps Corbin Carroll and a Big Ticket Julio Rodriguez

Pack 6: Along with the Big Ticket Player Juan Soto card, included in this pack is a card of a player that I thought I'd never own a Topps card of. But thanks to Commissioner Manfred's decree that once a player passes away, the lifetime ban is lifted. 

2026 Topps 1991 Shoeless Joe Jackson #T91-27

Pack 7: Inserts include a 1991 Vladimir Guerrero (not Jr), and a Topps ProFiles Elly De La Cruz (which I would be excited about, but I already have this one...so this is going into the trade pile).

Pack 8: Inserts include a 1991 Mookie Betts and a Big Ticket Players Samuel Basallo. Okay, did Adley fall so far that this guy, who is an Orioles catcher, become the better catcher on the team? Did I hold on to that 2024 Auto/Relic card (patch) of Rutschman too long?

Pack 9: Four of the seven All-Star Rookie Team players who are in S1 were in this pack (Jacob Wilson, Roman Anthony, Augustín Ramírez, and Isaac Collins). Inserts included the 1991 Frank Thomas, an Alysha Newman First Pitch card (Alysha Newman is a Canadian Pole Vaulter who earned the Bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics), and an autograph card of Nathan Church

2026 Topps Real One Autograph Nathan Church #24

Pack 10: Inserts included a 1991 Jose Altuve and ProFiles Bobby Witt Jr.

Overall, a pretty average box. I did get the guaranteed auto and relic card. Nothing screaming massive hit, but that's what normally happens with boxes I open. 

So today, we learned that the basic insert sets that will count for the S1 Master set will be:

• 1991 Topps
• 2025 All-Topps Team
• 2025 Greatest Hits
• Big Ticket Players
• First Pitch
• Titans of the Game
• Topps Profiles
• Stars of MLB

The Cover Athletes insert set, which I would have hoped would be a regular insert set, appears to be in the Homefield Advantage, Heavy Lumber, All Kings, and All Aces set. That's disappointing. It's looked to be a unique and quirky insert set that should have been easy to find. But this box had none. Oh well...

Now comes the sorting and figuring out what base cards I am going to need to complete the base set. I'm hoping the damage is minimal. I'll post an update once I get the cards sorted.

The 2026 edition of Topps Rip Night is this Saturday, February 21. I am hoping to get to one of the card shops in the area (most likely in Buffalo Grove) to see if I can find people to trade with (that's supposedly one of the things that happens at these events) before making plans for the Chicago Sports Spectacular in March. 

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Beating the Odds on an Open Hobby Box

Every 2026 Topps Hobby Box (12 cards/20 packs) is "guaranteed" to include one autograph or one relic card. When I bought my jumbo box (which I haven't opened yet, but will soon), I also bought 3 regular Hobby packs from a box that was already opened. The gentleman behind the counter allowed me to pick the ones I wanted. I took three from the top left corner and left.

Last night, I asked my son to pick a number from 1 to 3. He picked 3. The results were posted last night. This evening, I opened the other two packs, plus the four retail jumbo packs. With each pack I opened, the more impressed I was with not only the base cards, with the colored ribbons and really large pictures. So far, I have 2 of the 1991 insert cards, and I am love...LOVE the design. I can't wait to build the set.

But back to the point.

One of the two retail packs included an autograph. 

A 1991 Topps Autograph.

A Gold Topps 1991 Autograph card, #'d 44/50.

A Gold Topps 1991 Autograph card, #'d 44/50 of the Miz!

I'm the Miz...and I Am...

No, not that Miz...

This one!!!

2026 Topps 1991 Autograph Gold Jacob Misiorowski #91A-MIS

So what if it's a card of a Brewers player. So what if he tailed off after the All-Star Break. 

It's THE MIZ!!! 

Even the WWE's The Miz (Mike Mizanin) said it was "Awesome." Okay, not in those words, but these:

Courtesy of the Milwaukee Brewers' Instagram account and The Miz' X account.

There’s just something about being really, really good at what you do and being called The Miz. 

Now, keep in mind, I rarely, if ever get this lucky with my autos and relics. Yes, I've hit some good ones over the years. But I'm actually excited about this one.

Okay, I'm going to settle down now. I think I'll open the hanger box next. Wish me luck. Although I may have already used it up for Series 1. Must admit though, not a bad pull for Friday the 13th...

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

And the First Card of 2026 Topps is Of...

One of these packs, purchased today at Au Sports in Morton Grove, IL, contains the first 2026 card I will feature on this humble, little blog. 

Let's get to it. (Going to ask my son to pick a number from 1 to 3. I'll be right back.)

He picked 3. So the pack on the right will be opened.

And the first card of 2026 is of...

2026 Topps Teoscar Hernandez #251

Teoscar Hernandez of the Los Angeles Dodgers!!!

Let's do a deeper dive on the card. (If you recognize the format below, rest assured that the Randomizer is ready to go, it's just a matter of pulling cards and getting everything going.)

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 2026 Topps #251.
• Player Name, position, team: Teoscar Hernández, outfielder, Los Angeles Dodgers.
• Major League Debut: August 12, 2016.
• Last Line of Statistics: 2025 stats (Dodgers): 134 G, 511 AB, 65 R, 126 H, 29 2B, 1 3B, 25 HR, 89 RBI, 5 SB, 26 BB, .454 SLG .738 OPS .247 AVG, 1.5 WAR..
• Any special information about player: Signed with the Astros as a Free Agent 02/17/2011. Signed with the Dodgers as a Free Agent 01/12/2024. Bats: right. Throws: right.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 11. This is his eleventh Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "Teoscar had a milestone-packed 2025 season, reeling off his 200th homer, 200th double and 1,000th hit. The latter achievement occurred on July 3, when he scalded a single that left his bat at 108.2 mph."
• Commentary: The first card of 2026 is of Hernández. Looking at the design up close now compared to images online, the fabric background and stitches look realistic. The 75th anniversary logo is in foil, but it's not embossed like the 50th anniversary logo from 2001 Topps. While I understand the complaint about the font used for the player's name, at least it's easy to read (looking at you 2025 Topps). The team's primary right fielder, Teoscar is a 2-time All-Star and 3-time Silver Slugger winner.
• Beckett value: n/a.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 36 cards.

The rest of the pack included:

• #161 Michael McGreevy, pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals
• #113 Toronto Blue Jays Team Card
• #104 Samuel Basallo, catcher, Baltimore Orioles, RC
• #16 Casey Mize, pitcher, Detroit Tigers
• #328 Junior Caminero, third baseman, Tampa Bay Rays
• #25 Carson Williams, shortstop, Tampa Bay Rays
• #205 Bobby Witt, Jr, shortstop, Kansas City Royals
• #41 Mookie Betts, outfielder, Los Angeles Dodgers
• #210 Jacob Young, outfielder, Washington Nationals
• #ATT-3 Jazz Chisolm, Jr, 2025 All-Topps Team
• #70 Bob Seymour, first baseman, Tampa Bay Rays

2026 Topps 2025 All-Topps Team Jazz Chisolm, Jr, #ATT-3

The first insert card is off Jazz Chisolm, Jr. of the Yankees, named to the 2025 All-Topps Team as the second baseman. The first of many insert cards that will make up the eventual master set. Looking forward to the chase.

Speaking of chases, Topps is making a big deal of adding a redemption card that could net a collector a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle. It wouldn't be the first time that Topps is inserting one of the most iconic baseball cards in history (oh and is there ever controversy over Topps' picks for iconic cards...that's a topic for another day) in packs of product (see 1991). It is an awesome prize to chase. Time will tell if and when it will be found.

As I said when the design was announced earlier this year, I love this design. Even Sports Card Radio acknowledged this to my surprise (been a fan of these guys for a long time). I can't wait to open the rest of the packs and boxes I bought today. It would be nice if I managed to get a full set from the items I bought today, but I am not holding my breath. Now that product is out, I'm going to start working on my want lists for insert cards. If you have any you want to get rid off, please feel free to contact me. I'll be more than happy to take them off your hands.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

First 2026 Topps Purchase

Okay, I need a new camera...

Went to the closest big box store on my way to work. Normally after the first day or two after the release of a product, it's pretty much hit or miss as to if the store has product on the shelf. Then you add all the scalpers, resellers, and other synonyms that I won't be using (family blog after all), who grab as much as they can, I wasn't getting my hopes up.

But then...the doors opened, and there was no mad line (do you miss those COVID days???). No riots in the store. And as I was walking in, seeing red-colored packs, I thought to myself, "they still have a lot of 2025 Update Series." As I got closer, I realized I was wrong. 

They had plenty of blaster boxes, one hanger box left (which as you can see, I took), and two pegs worth of 36-cards retail packs. I took the plunge and grabbed what you see above.

Thanks to recent events (you know, fights, scalpers, etc), Target has now managed to limit what you can buy when you go to pay at the self-checkouts (and I'm sure this is being enforced at the registers). I could only buy up to two of the same item. That means while I was able to ring up the two blasters, and the one hanger, after scanning the third pack, the register flashed, saying that I could only buy up to two of the same item. It's about time they did this. Who is going to want to stand in front of the same self-checkout (with the camera aimed right at you) trying to buy pack after pack after pack? So I made my first purchase, bought two more with a second transaction, and left. I am not greedy, I will be more than happy to leave cards for others to buy.

I still am planning on going to the card shop later this afternoon (no pharmacy tonight) to buy a box. Note to self: remember to call the shop to get prices.

So here I am, waiting for my lunch break to open at least one or two packs of 2026 Topps? I'll update with a picture of my first card of 2026 shortly. I can't wait.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

It's Opening Day!!!

 

Okay, that's a bit of a stretch. MLB's Opening Day (or night) is on March 26, when the Yankees take on the Giants. The other teams begin competition the next day.

I mean:

2026 Topps Series One is now OFFICIALLY LIVE!!!

Yes, some people have already received their boxes, and showed off their "hits" (or whatever good cards they got out of the packs). Some of the "big dealers" started opening packs as early as last week (spoilsports). But today is the DAY!!! 

Sadly, I won't be able to join in today (work). But tomorrow night, I'll be rushing to the closest card shop (and if not, hopefully the big box store) and get my hands on something!!!

I can't wait to see what everyone gets from their packs and boxes today. Just do me a favor, please...

Save some for me. Thank you.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Update: 2024 Topps Dodgers Team Set Acquired

After months of searching, I finally have the 2024 Topps Dodgers Team Set, which includes one of Shohei Ohtani's first cards as a Dodger. So, okay, it's not the SP from Series 1 that costs way...WAY...too much right now. But still.

Found this on Amazon for $50.00. Normally, I would just pass on this as 50 bucks is too high for ANY team set, regardless of which team. But I've had this gift card sitting on my desk waiting to be used, even though I am not a regular Amazon user (those would be my kids). So I wound up using my daughter's account (did not redeem her points) to order it and only had to pay for shipping. 

I am now down to three team sets to complete the 2024 Topps Team Set album: Brewers, Athletics, and Nationals. 

Now I don't want these in the generic packaging. I need, no...WANT...the sets with the team-specific packaging. I'll get them eventually...hopefully.

If anyone out there has any of the three remaining sets I need, or can direct me to someone who does, please contact me either in the comments, or email me at bdj610@hotmail.com. 

Sincerely, 

JayBee Anama