Alright, folks, gather ’round and let me tell you about my latest adventure in the land of cardboard dreams. I recently decided to spice things up by grabbing a 2024 Topps Chrome Tennis blaster box and a Panini Prizm blaster box. Why, you ask? Because I clearly have no idea what I’m doing with tennis cards, but hey, who doesn’t love a bit of chaos?
First up, the Topps Chrome Tennis blaster box set me back $23. This was a first for me since I’ve never ripped any tennis product before. And guess what? I still don’t know a thing about tennis, but that didn’t stop me. As I tore into the packs, I realized these inserts are a whole new world compared to my usual Topps, Bowman, and Allen & Ginter rips.
The biggest hit in the tennis box? A Coco Gauff base rookie and a Hugo Gaston autograph numbered 413/499. Pretty cool, right? So, I did a bit of digging on this Hugo guy before checking the card’s value and learned he once ranked #58 in the world. Now I know a tiny bit more about tennis…sort of.
Next, the Panini Prizm blaster box, which was a $19 gamble. Panini baseball products aren’t my usual go-to, but variety is the spice of life, right? The big hit from this box was a Green cracked-ice Dylan Lesko, unsigned and unnumbered. Sure, it’s cool, but let’s talk value. The real stars were classic players in the base inserts like Ken Griffey Jr., Andre Dawson, and Willie Mays. Yet, despite the shiny Lesko card, the most valuable cards were a Ceddanne Rafaela and Druw Jones base cards.
All in all, it was a mix of highs, lows, and “why did I buy this?” moments. But, like I always say, “I don’t always rip packs. BUT when I do…I have fun.” And that’s what really counts.
So, whether you’re a seasoned collector or just someone looking for a good laugh at my expense, remember this: the fun is in the ripping, the unpredictability, and the little nuggets of knowledge you pick up along the way. Happy collecting!
