Night Owl Cards

  Yesterday while shopping for furniture I knew that this would be my chance to finally get to Target to see if the 2024 cards were there. I had checked for cards once before last week during a quick spin through Walmart. The area where the cards were was being replaced by Easter baskets and decorations for sale. The new card station was vacant except for some fantasy something or other. So I don't know what's going on at the Walmart nearest me but it doesn't matter because Target's got cards! Look, 2024 Topps has its own separate display of jumbo packs! I don't think I've seen that stand-alone display for cards since I was trolling for cards 2006-08 in Walmart. They used to have them in the main aisle in individual kiosks along with the other kiosks for hair care products and batteries and acid relief. It makes it look like Target's treating the hobby seriously again rather than let the card shelf deteriorate in disarray. I guess it wasn't inviting enou...

This is my first 2019 card. It's tradition around here to show the first card of the year and that is about all I have time to do today. I bought a hanger box, a fat pack and one single pack of 2019 Topps earlier today, braving the very sketchy snow-covered roads and other weather-related issues. But the full picture must wait until tomorrow because, as I've recently mentioned, Topps has to dump its release date in the middle of an overflowing plate. What I will mention is that old familiar pack frustration has returned for another year. Those who don't buy retail packs warn me against this stuff and, really they don't have to warn me. I know what I'm getting into, I've been doing this for 40-plus years. The thrill of opening the first packs of the year is one of the greatest highs in this hobby. I refuse to cut myself off from that. However ... I opened 117 total cards. I saw the Porcello card twice. Same with the Steven Souza Jr. card. And the Jak...

Slowly unpacking and working my way back to speed. Let's start with some cards I received on my recent trip. As I mentioned before there were no cards under the tree for Christmas. That's not a problem, except for a bit of hurt feelings. There was cash under the tree and we all know what to do with that. The results of that cash are still to come. But meanwhile my sister-in-law bestowed upon me one of those glorious Target gift cards (I hear people get ridiculous things like wicker baskets and pillows with that bit of plastic. Just mind-boggling). And, for good measure, she wasn't scared to give me actual cards, too. But let's start with what I bought with the gift card. I grabbed a box of this year's Stadium Club and a discounted box of last year's Archives. Yes, yes, I know, last year's Archives. I'm powerless in the face of a green $12.99 sticker. As you know, those were the four designs chosen last year. Not great decision-making by Top...