Easter Eds and More

All it took was two weeks post-vacation to get the workin' man blues, so a visit to the LCS was just what I needed after a long week at work. But with it being Good Friday, I wasn't sure if the owner would be open for business. Thankfully, he was.

The first order of business was to look through the Eddie Mathews. Despite holes in my collection from the Hall of Famer's playing days, my intention was to look for either the 2002 or 2003 Heritage Clubhouse Collection cards. I didn't find either.  But I did find a different relic that I couldn't pass up- the 1957 World Series commemorative patch from 2010 Topps. There was a different box of cheaper Mathews that I didn't look through, but I can't imagine the relic cards being in there. And as you can tell by the first photo, I did get a '58 Topps All-Star. Man, I can't emphasize enough just how much I love this subset.

The shop owner was busy helping a mom and her two kids as I was looking through the 'M' box, so after completing that search I began looking through four monster boxes that were out on the counter. These were boxes that were part of a collection he had purchased recently and hadn't gotten around to sorting and putting into their respective spots. Mostly 1990s-modern cards, but lot of cool stuff. It was like I was at a card show, looking through the dime/quarter boxes. 

But before I show off those deep dives, let's look at another vintage I picked up. 

It's well worn but that doesn't matter because it will fit in nicely with many of the other 50s and 60s cards in my team sets. Maybe one day I'll find a nicer conditioned card for a good price. If not, I'm content.

I've never been a big fan of Score and its various brands. Sure, there was the occasional set design that I liked but thought it mostly whiffed. Inserts, in my opinion, was its forte. This 'lit' (as the kids say) Red Hot Maddux insert was just 1 of the 24 cards I pulled out of the four monsters I mentioned earlier. As much as I like it, I'm more eager to find the White Hot version.

Finest is a set that I've always had a love/hate relationship with. Mostly hate. At least for anything post-1990s. To me, the set has become one of those which has long run its course and should be put to bed. But the earlier years? Yes, please. Especially the 1996 set. So I was thrilled to find four more to add to the team set. 

Speaking of 1996... I finally finished off the Topps team set. Well, it was already complete but the Chipper and Smoltz cards needed replaced. Now I can officially say it's done.

If I had to describe Fleer's Rookie Sensations insert set, I would compare it to the musical act whose debut album is so good that it could never be topped. And no matter how many years the manufacturer ran out this insert set, nothing could top the 1992 design. This Andruw Jones card isn't too bad looking. I wouldn't want a whole set of these, but I can stomach one or two of them.

Three other cards from 1996. You can add Chrome to that list of sets that I have a love/hate relationships with. Unless the photo differs from a player's base flagship card (or they weren't included in the set), I typically don't chase after Chrome. But the inaugural set is a beautiful one, I can't help but want to complete the team set. Gallery debuted that year as well, and was equally as stunning. 

JHey. The one-time Braves phenom is with the Padres now, and played in the two games against the Braves that we attended a couple of weeks ago. And though it's been years since he last don a Braves uniform, I had a hard time rooting against the guy. 

Various Stadium Club cards and an Andruw Jones Chrome Platinum Anniversary. Nothing too special. 

Finally, a Spencer Strider All Aces. While I'm not overly fond of the look of this year's set, I really dig the 2023 version. After picking up this card, I'm left just needing the Tom Glavine to finish off the team set.