From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there’s a box you’d want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2016 Topps Series 2 baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
Packs per box: 36
Cards per pack: 10
Cards in this box: 360
Base set completion:
321 of 350 (92 percent)
Duplicates: 0
Notable players on base cards – Stephen Strasburg, Prince Fielder, Yoenis Cespedes, Albert Pujols, David Price, David Ortiz, Francisco Lindor, Madison Bumgarner, Ichiro Suzuki, Steven Matz, Alex Rodriguez, Addison Russell, Yu Darvish, Byron Buxton.
Rookie Cards (44) – Notables include Adam Duvall, Kenta Maeda, Max Kepler, Raul Mondesi.
Insert cards: 43
Berger’s Best (9) – Greg Maddux, Ozzie Smith, Cal Ripken Jr., Tony Perez, Roberto Clemente, Wade Boggs, Alex Gordon, Carl Yastrzemski, Kyle Schwarber
Black parallel (1) – Carl Edwards Jr. (/65)
Chasing 3K (4) – Ichiro Suzuki
First Pitch (4) – Billie Joe Armstrong, Jim Harbaugh, Spencer Stone, Geoff Britten
Gold parallel (7) – Adam Duvall, Wil Myers, Tyler Flowers, John Lackey, Ben Zobrist, Jurickson Profar, Ramon Cabrera (/2,016)
Hallowed Highlights (5) – Nolan Ryan, Willie Mays, Frank Thomas, Robin Yount, Wade Boggs
Negative (1) – Carson Blair
Rainbow parallel (3) – Justin Bour, Matt Moore, Steven Matz
Tribute to The Kid (4) – Ken Griffey Jr.
Wrigley Field 100th Anniversary (5) – Ronald Reagan, Greg Maddux, Jon Lester, Lou Gehrig, Billy Williams
Topps Bunt free pack code (1)
MLB The Show pack code (3)
Autographs/Memorabilia: 1
Scouting Report Relics (1) – Albert Pujols
What’s Buzz-worthy: The second series of the Topps flagship is a blast to open simply because of the variety of insert cards that have plenty of modern-day power but also historic potential. The non-traditional design is one that may not work for some but it helps showcase some strong photos and makes for some stronger parallels than we have seen in a long time from the flagship set for the hobby. The second series base set does run a bit dry — plenty of players you won’t see elsewhere are found here — but that allows for guys like Reds rookie Adam Duvall, who has been a break-out player this year power-wise, to get carded. The Gold parallel in this box is a solid find, though it may not resonate with as many collectors as it could as this is a Rookie Card that’s lacking an RC logo. … For the most fun — and a guaranteed auto — the jumbo box is the best way to go here, though there’s a lot to collect. This box over-delivered a bit with both a Black and Negative parallel while also offering up a strong player on a Relic. … The First Pitch cards are once again fun highlights as are the autograph and Relic versions of the Ichiro Suzuki and Ken Griffey Jr. inserts. … With this release leaving some big names like Trevor Story out, Topps Update will be one to look for this fall giving us a solid final chapter for the main brand of the year.
Product Grade: A-
Box Grade: A-
Fun Grade: A
Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
BlowoutBuzz.com 