Hammering Out Those Inserts

 I recently heard a collector talk about how he was narrowing the focus of his collection. Like the empty-nest couple, he wanted to downsize. I totally get it; in fact, I’ve said the same thing multiple times over the years, even as recently as the end of 2024. But I’m a collector, and collectors collect. 

To wit, my collection increased by 40 cards on Friday after making my first visit to the LCS in three weeks. 

After vacationing in San Diego for the past week, I was hesitant to making what is typically a weekly or every-other-week trip to the shop. The vacation cost more than I had anticipated, we have two birthdays to celebrated this month, and well, times is uncertain and a bumpy road might lay ahead.

Egil, the shop owner, was busy waiting on a few different customers, so upon being asked what I wanted to look at, I didn't hesitate in saying "Hank Aaron's," knowing it would keep me busy for a while. Two boxes of the Hammer were placed in front of me and I immediately began finding much-needed inserts and oddballs.

I've never been much of a fan of the 1982 Cracker Jack set. While it has a great checklist, the front design leaves a lot to be desired. I do like the cursive team script and the ribbon for the name plate. And Sailor Jack, I could give or take; it's fine. But the quality of the photos are very reminiscent of older Topps cards, which in itself isn't bad, but when set within a border of Crack Jack... total failure. Card back is very cool.

Upgrade is the word to define the next three cards. All three are 80s gold and were, like the Cracker Jack cards, produced by Topps. For many collectors in their 50's, K-Mart was a part of our childhood. And for me (during the 1970s, in particular), it was a place were many of my packs of cards were purchased. And by 1980, Circle K replaced K-Mart as the main source of all my trading card needs. You can joke all you want about Blue Light Specials, but I'll always look back fondly on those days. 

Reprints have never been high on my priority list, so the five Aaron Commemorative cards from 2000 Topps are new to me. Unsure if I'll add any of the other 18 cards from the set to my collection, I couldn't pass these up, especially considering the average cost of each of the 40 cards I bought was just 60 cents.

More reprints- these from the Berger's Best insert set. And one of those annoying 'advertising' cards. 

Other various insert cards, as well as two great photos from Stadium Club. The horizontal photo is fire, as the young 'uns say.

Finally, a few new Acuna's. My return to the Hobby came back in 1991 so the '91 Topps set is one of the most frequented places on memory lane. I may have to buy a second Acuna Topps 70 card for the 1991 shelf.