Surprise Package from "The Sewing Machine Guy"

 While I've been around the Hobby for some time now, I really haven't been very active in the Hobby outside the small breaks I run weekly over in my Facebook group. During the heyday of this blog, I would receive trade packages and care packages on a regular basis. Since this blog here doesn't see the activity that it once did and pulling back from doing trades via the Trading Card Database site, the only mail I get now is bills (ugh) and the cards I purchase on eBay. Well, to my surprise I received a small bubble mailer at the beginning of this week and it was simply addressed to "Hops". I knew immediately who the sender was without even looking at the return address.

Larry, affectionately known as the Sewing Machine Guy, sent a small package of cards my way for no known reason other than he's just a swell guy. Inside was an assortment of Braves, Panthers and a few others. Let's take a look, shall we?

I'm not the biggest fan of Panini's unlicensed baseball releases, but the Unleashed Acuna is a great looking card and I'm glad to have it. The rest of the cards were from 2024's A&G set, which is a perennial favorite of mine. The Austin Riley is a Chrome parallel, an insert of Hank and two minis - the Maddox is an A&G back parallel and the Chipper will look great in my new binder I just made for him.

The next lot of cards contained a few different Carolina Panthers, most of which were RCs! The one that got me most excited was the Goodwin Champions Bryce Young. I've always like that Upper Deck set, just not enough to buy packs/blasters so this card is a very welcomed addition to the collection. The Prizm Draft card of Xavier Leggette is also a nice treat. While I'm not the biggest college football fan, I do live in SC so with him being pictured in his Gamecock carb is pretty cool. Now I just hope he can put his game together and be that #1 receiver we hoped he'd be when he was drafted.

I was already thankful for the cards included in the package, then I noticed there was a One Touch on the bottom of the stack with this 2023 Topps Allen & Ginter Framed Mini auto of Tom Glavine! I don't have many autos of Glavine so this was a very nice surprise!! 

Larry is a great guy and while I know he sent these cards my way because he is a good guy, the Glavine seems a little much to send "just because". Needless to say, I'm very grateful for the gift. The timing was pretty good too because it came on a day that I was rather frustrated and in bad mood...so these little squares of cardboard helped turn around the day just a little bit. Thanks bud!

Pack Break: 1992 Topps Gruesome Greeting Cards

  

If you're visiting this site then you are a fan of trading cards and know that Topps especially has released their fair share of non-sports sets. I can only imagine that the success of Garage Pail Kids led them to "think outside the box" while continue to push the envelope and that led to these Gruesome Greeting Cards. These are your typical trading card size, however each card is a booklet, or a greeting card. A small dot of glue was placed on the inside to keep them closed inside the small 3 card cellophane pack. While I personally don't remember these in the 90's, when I ran across two sealed packs at a antique store I knew they had to go home with me.

I don't recall any trading card post needing a warning, however in today's culture some people may find these cards/images offensive. Please note that these are satire and are only being shared for entertainment/archival purposes.

As the wrapper states, included in each pack is 1 Scratch 'n' Stink card. These cards feature an image on both panels of the inside and have a place for you to scratch and sniff...if you dare! Unfortunately, the glue on this card was extra tacky and took off parts of the image. Bummer. (...and no, I have not scratched or smelled the card!)

Even those these cards were released in 1992, they have more a 50's or 60's vibe to be. I say this because I don't believe kids were playing with marionette dolls or puppets in the early 90's. I found this card to be a little harsh, but this is nothing when compared to the next card.

When I opened up this card in the car riding home from our vacation, I'm pretty sure I was speechless. Man...that's rough. I'm not sure if that's really even funny...and this comes from a guy that isn't really politically correct either. What's your thought on this card? Did Topps push that envelope too far?

I've seen these cards listed over at TCDB.com before, but only the front and backs are scanned, not the inside. I'm a little curious now as to what some of the other cards look like, especially after opening this pack. It's a small set at only 44 cards and they can easily be had for less than $15 on eBay.

After 3 years...WWE Redemption!

I pulled a redemption card for Gran Metalik auto from 2021 Topps WWE Chrome back in October of 2021 and swiftly went to the website to redeem my auto. I knew I'd have to wait, but 3 years?! Of course during this time, Topps lost the WWE license to Panini. I honestly thought that I'd never receive anything, then I heard the news that the license would be reverting back to Topps in 2025. Well right before Thanksgiving, I got a "mystery" package from Topps and low and behold, they finally fulfilled my redemption. While it's not the greatest card, kudos to Topps for not just screwing me. There, a positive comment on the interwebs about Topps!

2024 Topps Now #114 - Max Fried

04/23/24 / Tosses 3rd 'Maddux' of Big-League Career

Southpaw Max Fried put the Atlanta Braves on his back, going the distance to silence the Miami Marlins in the team's 5-0 win. The 30-year old hurler struck out six and allowed just three hits in the shutout victory. Not only did Fried toss all nine innings, but he did so efficiently, only throwing 92 pitches. It's the third career "Maddux" game for the left-hander, not allowing a single walk, the third-most such games since pitches started being tracked in 1988.

2024 Topps Now #111 - Ronald Acuna Jr.

04/22/24 / Swipes Atlanta Braves Record for Most Career SBs

They say that speed never goes into a slump in Baseball, which seems to be something Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. lives by. After singling to left field in the opening frame, the reigning NL MVP Award winner was determined to keep the pressure on the Miami Marlins. Acuna Jr. saw his opportunity and took off to seal second base. It was the 190th of his career, passing Rafael Furcal's mark of 189 for the most by a Braves player since the franchise moved to Atlanta in 1966.

2024 Topps Now #103 - Ronald Acuna Jr.

04/20/24 / Moves into Braves Top 10 in Career Steals

Ronald Acuna Jr. has been a headache for opponents when on the base paths his entire career. Saturday was no different as the Atlanta Braves defeated the Texas Rangers, 5-2. Acuna got to work early, swiping third base at the bottom of the first inning. The steal marked the 189th stolen base of his career, tying him with Rafael Furcal for 10th on the Braves all-time list.

2024 Topps Now #41 - Travis d'Arnaud

04/05/24 / Late-Game Walk-Off Single in Braves Home Opener

With the Braves' #1 catcher going down early in the young 2024 season, veteran catcher Travis d'Arnaud was once again called into action and asked to carry a heavy load. Not afraid of stepping up, Travis came through big for the Braves in their home opener, walking it off in the bottom of the 9th inning to seal the win!