The Second Best Card I Have Ever Pulled

Yep, the second ...

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The dread starts to build. You’re guaranteed a hit from a box, but as each pack is opened without it you wonder if this is the time you go hitless.

It’s happened to me before. If you’ve opened enough product, it’s happened to you.

Sure, there are steps to get that missing card. But it doesn’t feel the same as pulling it from a pack.

Several nights ago, Dan and I opened hobby boxes of 2022 Topps Heritage Baseball. As we got deeper into the boxes, I got that sinking feeling. While Dan had a Purple Refractor Hot Box, my box had been a dud. Dan pulled a Ronald Acuna Jr., color swap parallel, and I pulled a chrome card of some rookie pitchers I had never heard of. That was my highlight through 23 packs.

But it was ok. I love opening cards. I am not in it for the hits, but there’s always that whisper in your mind, “What if I get something big?”

I held the last pack, gave it a slight bend and said, “I either got an autograph or nothing.” I was sure it was nothing.

I love the slow burn. I went through each card slowly because I didn’t want to ruin the potential surprise.

Blue ink peeked from the middle of the pack. I inched down the Corey Dickerson card on top and saw “08/25” written in blue ink on the top right corner of the card.

Even further down … two Angels caps.

My dread quickly turned into excitement. Dan and I freaked out a little at the possibility of what the card could be. I took a picture. I text my friend Marie, who already knew I was on my last pack without a hit, and then sent it out on Twitter.

I’ll be honest: I did not think this would be a monster. Or at least I was talking myself into believing it wasn’t so I wouldn’t be disappointed when I saw Jared Walsh and David Fletcher staring back at me (no offense!)

Then, we saw the card in all its glory – a dual signed card of Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, numbered “08/25.” Two of the most exciting players in baseball and possibly the best card in the entire product.

We yelled! My poor son was in bed wondering why he was missing the fun. “Did you pull an ultra rare?” he yelled from his bedroom. He understands cards in Pokémon terms.

Even though I prefer buying singles over opening boxes. We still open them. I opened 2022 Topps Baseball Series 1 for the fun of the rip. I love looking at the cards, seeing the new card design and, of course, the potential for a big hit. I don’t even remember the random relic card I got inside of that box — or the countless of other mid-reliever autographs I pulled.

And I will keep opening hobby boxes.

For these types of moments – for the hope of these types of moments.

What’s the best card you ever pulled?

Loving Topps Throwback Thursday

I’m loving this grouping of Throwback Thursday featuring the 1972-73 Topps Basketball design. First, we got Wander Franco and this week’s features my PC guy Derek Jeter. If you want to get a three-card set for yourself, check it out here.

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