2012 Topps Finest Baseball - incredibly shiny, incredibly new!

Big80s

I very rarely buy any new product, but I picked up a box of this stuff looking for a possible Darvish rookie auto (I live in Rangers country). Anyways - with a lot of luck, I actually pulled a jumbo relic Darvish auto.




Considering this year's class of rookies - I've decided to buy more of it. Has anyone else opened any of this product? And if so, I'd love to hear your thoughts?

08HALA20

I opened a box today and pulled a Brett Lawrie orange auto jumbo relic /99.

Is that Darvish the orange version #rd to 99?

If so, an awesome pull.

Joe

Big80s

Thanks Joe! It's actually numbered to /50. I was super happy to pull it from my first box. Now I've got several more on the way. I'm hoping to pull some Trout autos.

cpamike

Jeff, Nice pull!!! Good luck finding some Trout autos.

I don't even open the shiny new stuff so I have nothing to add.

Big80s

Thanks, Mike! I'd send you an unopened pack of this for your collection, but it might have my Trout auto 1/1 in it. I just can't risk it

cpamike

<< <i>Thanks, Mike! I'd send you an unopened pack of this for your collection, but it might have my Trout auto 1/1 in it. I just can't risk it >>



That's o.k. My active unopened collection ends with 1986. Everything after that year is new and shiny to me.

Don't tell anyone, but I'm sitting on a few 1991 Fleer rack boxes though.

grote15

I opened 2 boxes of 2012 minis and the cards are so shiny I could hardly make out who was in the pack I was blinded, LOL!

Big80s

I was actually signaling aircraft yesterday with a gold refractor.

epatmythes

I busted 5 boxes... my best hit was a redemption for a Will Middlebrooks green jumbo relic. One of the boxes was missing a Jumbo Relic hit, so I submitted the UPC's electronically to Topps and am awaiting to see what kind of a replacement gem they sent me!

I really like the design this year. Nice, clean, shiny design with a good rookie crop. I've been buying green & orange refractors on eBay... going to try to put together a set of each... still a long way off on the Orange, but only 14-15 cards short on the green set so far.

Big80s

Let me know what refractors you need - I'm about to bust a ton of this stuff!!

TNP777

anyone who is busting this stuff, please keep me in mind for any Dodgers you pull. Every year since '06, I've done a Dodgers rainbow set (excluding autos).

thanks much!

GB5HOF

I love this stuff...really good looking this year. I did a case....and in the last box pulled a Bauer red refractor to 25...and then the Harper Red Refractor auto to 25. Needless to say I was stoked.

Big80s

<< <i>I love this stuff...really good looking this year. I did a case....and in the last box pulled a Bauer red refractor to 25...and then the Harper Red Refractor auto to 25. Needless to say I was stoked. >>



Wow - that Harper is HUGE! Nice work. So far, it sounds like everybody is happy with this particular product. That makes me feel a heck of a lot better about going back for more.

Cakes

What does a pack/box cost? Looks like a good year to collect. Would it be wise to buy a box and sit on them un opened?

Big80s

I've seen boxes selling anywhere from $110-$140 a pop. I'm honestly not very well-versed in modern products, but this particular release seems to have some nice potential thanks to the big rookies that came out this year. Someone else could better answer your question regarding investment potential for the long-haul. I personally think Harper, Trout & Darvish show long term potential as players.

bouwob

Awesome card and Go Rangers!!!!!

If only the technology existed to get the stickers strait ::faceslap::

vladguerrero

Congrats, whats with the funky soft sleeve? did it come like that?

Big80s

<< <i>Congrats, whats with the funky soft sleeve? did it come like that? >>



Yep - the sleeves come like that (the card does not). They're called "easy grade" sleeves. The cut corner is supposed to keep you from dinging the card when you're putting it into the sleeve.

Toro

<< <i>The cut corner is supposed to keep you from dinging the card when you're putting it into the sleeve. >>



For modern cards, they've been a problem in Card Saver 2s. The part that isn't covered by the penny sleeve stuck to the card saver and peeled off when removed. Too much pressure on anything with a glossy photo coating.

As for this year's rookie class. Harper and Trout have huge upside. I dont recall if Lawrie still has his rookie status. Darvish has temporary upside if the Rangers make a run to the Word Series and he plays a big part. I tend to shy away from pitchers over the long term.

GB5HOF

Here is the Harper...I really like it because the photo is a variation of the base card as well...

Big80s

Nice work. She's a beaut!!

Big80s

These cards seem to be heating up. I went by the local card shop (Triple Cards for you Dallas area folks), and the guy was completely sold out. While I was in there two customers came in looking for it. Pretty interesting. To top it off - I guess the Topps Finest Football hits stores tomorrow.

GB5HOF

I really like it...picking up my football today. Will post some scans is anything crazy comes out of this case...

epatmythes

Here is my current list of Green Refractor Needs:

5 - Derek Jeter, 8 - Cliff Lee, 24 - Jacoby Ellsbury, 31 - Mark Teixeira, 33 - Steve Lombardozzi, 49 - Dustin Pedroia, 50 - Clayton Kershaw, 53 - Buster Posey, 58 - Chipper Jones, 63 - Eric Hosmer, 67 - Matt Moore, 71 - Dellin Betances, 76 - Wade Miley, 77 - Liam Hendriks, 80 - Joey Votto, 95 - Brian Wilson

Interested in trading for any of these... I've busted 5 boxes, so I have plenty of base cards, inserts, and regular & x-fractor refractors available to trade.

I'm also willing to buy. So far, I've completed the first 84 cards at an average of $2.53 each shipped... which is only pulled up from right around $2 each considering I've already landed the Big 4 this year (Trout, Harper, Darvish & Cespedes)... So I'm not looking to spend more than about $2 a card (Up to $3 on Jeter, Posey & Votto).

Big80s

I'm expecting a shipment today, and ripping to commence shortly after.

epatmythes

Also need these base cards to complete my set...

19, 25, 27, 47, 66 & 69

GB5HOF

PM sent. (I thought you needed 16 cards when I sent the note...based on your mention of having 84 cards in the previous post). If you just need the six you have listed above...would be the same deal either way)

nonpareil

Re: the easy grade penny sleeves, I can attest to some "stickage" in cardsavers on the modern (shiny) stuff. i loved the theory behind the easy grade sleeves (being able to insert cards into penny sleeves without dinging corners. I came up with my own solution (as have others, I am sure). i have a really sharp kitchen scissor. I use that scissor to cut regular penny sleeves along the seam, starting at the top (open end) and down about half an inch. This separates the sleeve (makes it wide enough) to insert a card without risking damage to the card. I just slide the card across the penny sleeve through the slit I made, then push the card down until it reaches the bottom. Haven't had a problem with either sticking or corner damage since. (sorry for the rather long winded explanation for a rather simple process, but it helps!)

Alan

cwazzy

<< <i>Re: the easy grade penny sleeves, I can attest to some "stickage" in cardsavers on the modern (shiny) stuff. i loved the theory behind the easy grade sleeves (being able to insert cards into penny sleeves without dinging corners. I came up with my own solution (as have others, I am sure). i have a really sharp kitchen scissor. I use that scissor to cut regular penny sleeves along the seam, starting at the top (open end) and down about half an inch. This separates the sleeve (makes it wide enough) to insert a card without risking damage to the card. I just slide the card across the penny sleeve through the slit I made, then push the card down until it reaches the bottom. Haven't had a problem with either sticking or corner damage since. (sorry for the rather long winded explanation for a rather simple process, but it helps!)

Alan >>



I just cut off one of the top corners. Does the same thing and saves you a couple of seconds. Plus you can do multiple penny sleeves at a time to make things go a bit quicker if you have several cards to do.

nonpareil

<< <i>

<< <i>Re: the easy grade penny sleeves, I can attest to some "stickage" in cardsavers on the modern (shiny) stuff. i loved the theory behind the easy grade sleeves (being able to insert cards into penny sleeves without dinging corners. I came up with my own solution (as have others, I am sure). i have a really sharp kitchen scissor. I use that scissor to cut regular penny sleeves along the seam, starting at the top (open end) and down about half an inch. This separates the sleeve (makes it wide enough) to insert a card without risking damage to the card. I just slide the card across the penny sleeve through the slit I made, then push the card down until it reaches the bottom. Haven't had a problem with either sticking or corner damage since. (sorry for the rather long winded explanation for a rather simple process, but it helps!)

Alan >>



I just cut off one of the top corners. Does the same thing and saves you a couple of seconds. Plus you can do multiple penny sleeves at a time to make things go a bit quicker if you have several cards to do. >>



I tried that, and for normal people, that would be a perfect solution. However, for us OCD types (read: me, lol) I hate seeing a missing piece of penny sleeve when I look at the card saver, LOL. Yes, I know, there is something SERIOUSLY wrong with me. I should seek help...immediately. But thank you for taking the time to make the suggestion. I appreciate it.

EDITED TO ADD: my OCD knows no bounds as I throw away cardsavers that have slight imperfections, and I can't re-use the cardsaver after I have already "used" it once. Seriously, WHAT is wrong with me?

Big80s

OCD runs rampant amongst the collecting community. We know our own

GB5HOF

They also make 130 pt penny sleeves to accomodate thicker cards so you don't have to snip the corners, etc.

cwazzy

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Re: the easy grade penny sleeves, I can attest to some "stickage" in cardsavers on the modern (shiny) stuff. i loved the theory behind the easy grade sleeves (being able to insert cards into penny sleeves without dinging corners. I came up with my own solution (as have others, I am sure). i have a really sharp kitchen scissor. I use that scissor to cut regular penny sleeves along the seam, starting at the top (open end) and down about half an inch. This separates the sleeve (makes it wide enough) to insert a card without risking damage to the card. I just slide the card across the penny sleeve through the slit I made, then push the card down until it reaches the bottom. Haven't had a problem with either sticking or corner damage since. (sorry for the rather long winded explanation for a rather simple process, but it helps!)

Alan >>



I just cut off one of the top corners. Does the same thing and saves you a couple of seconds. Plus you can do multiple penny sleeves at a time to make things go a bit quicker if you have several cards to do. >>



I tried that, and for normal people, that would be a perfect solution. However, for us OCD types (read: me, lol) I hate seeing a missing piece of penny sleeve when I look at the card saver, LOL. Yes, I know, there is something SERIOUSLY wrong with me. I should seek help...immediately. But thank you for taking the time to make the suggestion. I appreciate it.

EDITED TO ADD: my OCD knows no bounds as I throw away cardsavers that have slight imperfections, and I can't re-use the cardsaver after I have already "used" it once. Seriously, WHAT is wrong with me? >>



Trust me, I feel your pain. I HAVE to replace the penny sleeve and top loader of any card I get. I don't care if you are standing in front of my and put the card in brand new sleeve and loader I will swap them out and throw away the sleeve as soon as I get home. I do save the top loader to put cards in when I sell them, though. LOL

epatmythes

<< <i>PM sent. (I thought you needed 16 cards when I sent the note...based on your mention of having 84 cards in the previous post). If you just need the six you have listed above...would be the same deal either way) >>



Gotcha... didn't see this until after I already responded to your PM... so that might be a little confusing as well.

The 16 I need mentioned above are the Green refractor parrallels of the base set... as for the base set, I just need those 6 mentioned above.

epatmythes

Needs
Base: 19, 25, 27, 47, 66 & 69
Green Refractors: 5 - Derek Jeter, 8 - Cliff Lee, 33 - Steve Lombardozzi, 49 - Dustin Pedroia, 71 - Dellin Betances, 77 - Liam Hendriks, 95 - Brian Wilson

Available To Trade/Sell
Base: 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9, 11, 12, 12, 13, 14, 15, 15, 16, 17, 17, 18, 18, 18, 21, 21, 22, 22, 22, 23, 24, 24, 26, 28, 28, 29, 30, 30, 30, 32, 34, 36, 36, 37, 38, 38, 39, 41, 41, 41, 42, 42, 42, 44, 44, 45, 46, 46, 48, 49, 49, 50, 52, 52, 53, 53, 53, 54, 54, 54, 55, 55, 56, 56, 56, 57, 57, 57, 58, 58, 59, 61, 62, 62, 63, 63, 64, 64, 65, 67, 67, 68, 70, 71, 72, 72, 74, 74, 75, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 84, 84, 85, 86, 87, 87, 88, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 94, 98, 98, 99, 100
Green Refractors: 4 - Jay Bruce, 7 - Justin Upton, 7 - Justin Upton, 11 - Ichiro, 16 - Wilin Rosario RC, 20 - Ryan Braun, 28 - Jered Weaver, 30 - Prince Fielder, 40 - Matt Kemp, 46 - Lance Berkman, 51 - Brad Peacock RC, 52 - Tyler Pastornicky RC, 60 - Jose Bautista, 74 - Tsuyoshi Wada RC, 75 - Cole Hamels, 79 - Ian Kinsler, 81 - Austin Romine RC, 91 - Brett Pill RC, 91 - Brett Pill RC, 99 - Alex Liddi RC
Red Refractors: 31 - Mark Teixeira 20/25

Big80s

I received mine in the mail yesterday and I'm hoping to do some ripping tomorrow!

TNP777

Still looking for almost all cards of #40 Kemp and #50 Kershaw

Needed for Kemp
base
base refractor
green refractor
orange refractor
red refractor
atomic refractor
xfractor

Needed for Kershaw
base
base refractor
green refractor
orange refractor
atomic refractor
xfractor

brian26

Geordie- Do you go for the insane 1/1 Superrefractors or just give up on those?

I think the rainbow consists of: base, refractor, xfractor, orange, red, gold, green, & atomic

TNP777

I've got a few supers from '06 and '07 (or is it '06 and '08?), but I don't feel the need to chase them to have the rainbow. I'd do it if I was only chasing one player, but when I decided to do the entire team rainbow staring in '06 I made the quick & easy decision to not chase the 1/1s. The ones I've tracked down were obtained at a low enough price that it was a no-brainer to pull the trigger.

I'm very close to finishing up 2011 - the only low-numbered card I need at this point is the /10 Dee Gordan mosaic. After that I'll chase down the mass-produced base card, base refractor and x-fractor. All the rest is done.

I really, really wish Topps hadn't discontinued the blue refractors after 2010. Blue is the coolest.

Big80s

My mission for the day...

jimrad

Jeff

Big80s

Thank you, Jim! I've only got a couple of hours before the wife returns.

Big80s

Box #2 was a Hot Box - every card was a refractor. Pretty cool. No huge hits yet, though.

Matt Moore auto /198
Drew Smyly auto /199
Ryan Lavarnway jumbo relic auto /99
Devin Mesoraco jumbo relic auto /50

nonpareil

Good luck, my friend!