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The box: 2017 Topps Fire baseball cards (collector’s box)
Where to buy: Initially only at Target ($69.99)
Packs per box: 20
Cards per pack: 6
Cards in this box: 120
Base set completion:
98 of 200 (49 percent)
Duplicates: 0
Notables on base cards – Bryce Harper, Chipper Jones, Anthony Rizzo, Corey Seager, Ken Griffey Jr., Fergie Jenkins, Derek Jeter, Greg Maddux, Dave Winfield, Eddie Mathews, Warren Spahn, Ted Williams, Manny Machado, Carl Yastrzemski, Nolan Ryan, Mike Piazza, Kris Bryant, Andre Dawson, Jose Canseco, Pedro Martinez, Cal Ripken Jr.
Rookie Cards (25) – Cody Bellinger, Andrew Benintendi, Matt Olson, Dansby Swanson, Alex Bregman, Ian Happ, Ryon Healy, Lewis Brinson, Rob Zastryzny, Joe Musgrove, Hunter Dozier, Luke Weaver, Yulieski Gurriel, Orlando Arcia, Jake Thompson, Carson Fulmer, Braden Shipley, Jose DeLeon, Raimel Tapia, Seth Lugo, Jorge Alfaro, Gavin Cecchini, Renato Nunez, Hunter Renfroe, Tyler Glasnow
Insert cards: 20 (all inserts and some base in gallery below)
Walk It Off (2) – Bryce Harper, Kris Bryant
Monikers (4) – Frank Thomas, Goose Gossage, David Ortiz, Cecil Fielder
Flame Thrower (1) – Justin Verlander
Golden Grabs (2) – George Springer, Kevin Kiermaier
Fired Up! (1) – Mike Trout
Flame parallel (5) – Robinson Cano, Pedro Martinez, Joe Musgrove, Kyle Schwarber, Carl Yastrzemski
Orange parallel (2) – Roberto Osuna, Greg Maddux (/299)
Green parallel (1) – Francisco Lindor (/199)
Purple parallel (1) – Ender Inciarte (/99)
Magenta parallel (1) – George Springer (/25)
Autographs/Memorabilia: 2
Fire Autographs (1) – Reynaldo Lopez (/500)
Fire Relics (1) – Alex Reyes (/110)
What’s Buzz-worthy: This is a brand that will initially only be found at Target stores in this size of box, blasters and then jumbo with packs (full details here). It’s a colorful with a definitely different feel even for the Fire brand, which has had spot starts in the past. The basic cards here have a few looks that have colors corresponding to the team. It’s definitely high-energy and it’s definitely rookie-loaded as a fourth of the base cards here were RCs (no Aaron Judge in this one, though). You get two hits per box and a number of inserts. The real highlight here among the non-hits might be the parallels with their flashy foilboard and added color that makes the basic cards even crazier. Some of the insert sets here work, some seem forced but I think the overall feel for this release is one that could appeal to an audience that’s not typically as interested in traditional cardboard. While I don’t think one’s a home run, trying something very different does get extra bases in my book. The biggest draw here are probably a number of the autos on the checklist and the price point — two hits for less than $70 could pay off well if your ink includes Judge, Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Bellinger, Carlos Correa, Ernie Banks, Greg Maddux, Hank Aaron, Kris Bryant, Ken Griffey Jr., Manny Machado and Sandy Koufax. This box? None of those, but there will be boxes out there that do.
Product Grade: B+ (thanks to the ink and price)
Box Grade: B-
Fun Grade: B
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