08 Topps Series 1 Blaster Break: Bonus Pack

The final pack from our box break is the "BONUS PACK!" I didn't realize what the bonus pack was until I opened it. It consists of three cards from a ten card set featuring Dick Perez artwork. These are just okay. I've never been a huge fan of the Dick Perez cards.

Bonus Pack

Prince Fielder
Micky Mantle
Cameron Maybin

Favorite card from bonus pack: Mickey Mantle

08 Topps Series 1 Blaster Break: Pack Five

Here is what we got in our fifth and final regular pack...

Pack # 5

Ivan Rodriguez - Tigers
Jarrod Washburn - Mariners
Clint Sammons - Braves
Bob Geren - Athletics
Scott Olsen - Marlins
Bretty Myers - Phillies
Cesar Izturis - Pirates
Ross Ohlendorf - Yankees
Ramon Vazquez - Rangers
Ichiro - Mariners

Favorite card from Pack # 3: Ichiro

08 Topps Series 1 Blaster Break: Pack Four

Are you ready for pack # 4?

Pack # 4

Robinson Cano - Yankees
Bob Melvin - Diamondbacks
Nyjer Morgan - Pirates
Brad Penny - Dodgers
Boston Red Sox - 2007 World Series Champions
Kevin Kouzmanoff - Padres
Mark Grudzielanek - Royals
Corey Hart - Brewers
Troy Patton - Astros
Roy Halladay - Blue Jays

Favorite card from Pack # 3: Corey Hart

08 Topps Series 1 Blaster Break: Pack Three

Without further delay... here is pack # 3...

Pack # 3

Gavin Floyd - White Sox
Eric Wedge - Indians
Dustin Pedroia - 2007 AL ROY
CC Sabathia - 2007 AL Cy Young
Andy Sonnanstine - Rays
Prince Fielder - 50th Anniversary
National League Leaders
Jose Lopez - Mariners
Emilio Bonifacio - Diamondbacks
Nyjer Morgran - Gold parralel

Favorite card from Pack # 3: Nyjer Morgan

08 Topps Series 1 Blaster Break: Pack Two

Ready for Pack # 2?

Pack # 2

Garrett Atkins - Rockies
Michael Barrett - Padres
Johnny Estrada - Brewers
Jake Peavy - Padres
Adam Wainwright - Cardinals
Jerry Owens - White Sox
Tim Hudson - Braves
J.D. Durbin - Phillies
Billy Buckner - Royals
Casey Blake - Indians

Favorite card from pack 2: Tim Hudson

Check back tomorrow for Pack # 3!

08 Topps Series 1 Blaster Break: Pack One

Since alot of the other blogs do pack/box/blaster breaks I thought it was about time I did one too.

On a late night trip to Wal-Mart the other night I found this:

A five pack 2008 Topps Series One blaster with a bonus 3 card pack with a BIG red 50% off sticker stuck right on the front. There's nothing I like more than discounted baseball cards so there was no way I was passing this up.

Without further delay, let's see what I got:

Pack # 1

Alex Rios - Blue Jays

Jose Bautista - Pirates

Miguel Tejada - Astros

Luis Mendoza - Rangers

Ramon Hernandez - Orioles

Lyle Overbay - Blue Jays

Chris Duffy - Pirates

Marco Scutaro - Year in Review

Vladimir Guerrero - Angels

Kameron Loe - Rangers

Favorite card from pack 1: Lyle Overbay

Check back tomorrow for Pack # 2!

# TR-SK - Scott Kazmir - Relic Card

The third 08 Topps relic card I won is of Scott Kazmir. This is my favorite of the three. Scott is a 2x All-Star and led the American League in strikeouts in 2007.

# TR-SK - Scott Kazmir

# RR-AB - Angel Berroa - Relic Card

The second of the three 08 Topps relic cards I won was of 2003 American League Rookie of the Year, Angel Berroa.

I was really excited to when Angel signed three cards for me in person before Spring Training game back in 2004. He really hasn't been able to recapture the magic from his 03 season but he has managed to stay around for the past 6 years. That's an accomplishment in itself.

# RR-AB - Angel Berroa

# TR-BG - Brian Giles - Relic Card

I picked up three 2008 Topps relic cards off eBay. They were cheap and I thought they would be a nice addition to our set.

The first is a jersey card of San Diego Padres outfielder, Brian Giles. I'm pretty sure his time is running out in San Diego. Honestly his time might be running out entirely. I wouldn't be surpirsed if he retires soon but if he's still around next Spring maybe I'll try to get him to sign this one.

# TR-BG - Brian Giles

2008 Topps Opening Day Set

My son's first birthday has come and gone. One of his birthday presents was a complete set of 2008 Topps Opening Day. Most of the cards are exactly like the regular 2008 Topps set but with a red border. I did notice that a few have different pictures from the regular release so that's kind of cool. There are a few players who were traded during the off season who have the same picture (Andruw Jones, Josh Hamilton) that weren't airbrushed and are featured on their old team.

I'm not planning on trying to get the entire set signed for him but I'm certain more than a few will be done. I'm espescially looking forward to trying to get a few of the Diamondbacks cards signed. The red boarder and their red jerseys combine to make a pretty cool card.

Below are a few of the cards that are slightly different from the regular release or ones that I would like to try to get signed. Enjoy!

# 501 - Elliot Johnson

Had a GREAT surprise at the P.O. Box yesterday. Zach from Autograph Cards sent me a signed card from Elliot Johnson for our set. It was signed during a recent Durham Bulls game. Sweet! Thanks, Zach!

# 501 - Elliot Johnson

Progress: 134/990

# 22 - Ron Washington

Texas Rangers manager, Ron Washington took time out of his busy schedule to sign a card for our set.

I have been really big on the Rangers since I saw them during Spring Training. They are a strong team that will only continue to get better over the next year or two. I remember watching an interview with Nolan Ryan on the MLB Network back in January or February where he was discussing the team's outlook. He felt that they were at least two years away from being competitive.

Nolan must be a little surprised since his team is currently in the middle of a close pennant race. As of today, the Rangers are 4.5 games back in the AL West and a half a game back in the Wild Card race.

I'm already getting my cards of guys like Josh Hamilton, Scott Feldman, Neftali Feliz, and Justin Smoak ready for next Spring Training. Go Rangers!

# 22 - Ron Washington

Progress: 133/990

# UH 292 - Ryan Dempster

2008 National League All-Star, Ryan Dempster signed his card from the U&H set for us. Back in May graciously signed his regular card TTM. That was our 62nd signed 08 Topps card. This one puts us at 132 out of the 990.

# UH 292 - Ryan Dempster

Progress: 132/990

# 276 - Brad Ausmus

Long-time catcher and current Los Angeles Dodger, Brad Ausmus signed an 08 Topps card for us TTM. Brad made his big league debut back in 1993 with the San Diego Padres. He has also played with the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros.

# 276 - Brad Ausmus

Progress: 131/990

# 319 - Joey Votto

Another good one... Cincinnatti Reds first baseman, Joey Votto signed a card for our set. Joey's MLB career is off to a great start. He's currently hitting .328/17/53. Not bad for a guy who missed a few weeks on the DL.

# 319 - Joey Votto

Progress: 130/990

# UH 210 - Joe Saunders

Got this one back a few weeks ago but never scanned it. 2008 American League All-Star Joe Saunders signed his regular card from the U&H set. Very nice.

# UH 210 - Joe Saunders

Progress: 129/990

# UH 260 - Emil Brown

Picked up a signed card of big-time slugger, Emil Brown in a 50/50. I heard a rumor before this season started that Emil was headed to Japan. I guess that didn't pan out as he is currently patrolling the outfield for the Buffalo Bisons.

# UH 260 - Emil Brown

Progress: 128/990