Best Set Yet

I made my weekly trip to Target for groceries last week, though I did so at a different time and day than typical. While my Target trips typically take place on Friday afternoons, I took a few days off last week and decided to head to the store on Wednesday morning. 

The card aisle vindicated this decision, as the shelves were filled with hanger packs and blaster boxes and a new display for Series 2. There was probably close to fifty blaster boxes/hanger packs and another several hundred single packs of various products. I should have taken a photo considering how unusual the sight was in the current card climate, but I was too stunned at the sight before me to do so. 

I didn't want to be that bro who clears the shelves and resells everything online, but there was some good variety and plenty of stock, so I grabbed more than a few things. I ended up going home with three Series 2 hanger packs, a hanger box of Diamond Kings, and blaster box of Big League. 

There's a lot of fun stuff here, but I'll be splitting what I got into three posts, starting with Big League today. 

Big League has already been talked about extensively on the blogs, so I won't get too into the details about the set here; I'd highly reccommend checking out Nick's post on Big League though. 

The base design is simple and clean, and as many have pointed out, looks similar to the 2009 Upper Deck OPC set. It's a much nicer and cleaner looking set then, say, 2020 Flagship and just looks more like a traditional baseball card to me. I don't mean to compare it to Flagship to illustrate its merits (it's a different set after all), but this iteration of Big League is a reminder of what Flagship should be. 

The backs of the cards are stellar as well. Clear card numbers, interesting descriptions, and a fun "Did You Know?" feature. Who would've thought going up and down stairs would calm an infant?

One of the reasons I enjoy this set so much is the beacuse of the borders. I don't typically go gaga for Dodger cards featuring this much orange, but I love how it pops. 

Maybe the real reason I enjoy Big League is because it contains what I think is Mookie Betts' first card in a Dodger uniform--not one that is photoshopped on. I didn't find his base card in the blaster box, but I this orange parallel does just fine. 

I told myself I wouldn't, but I bringing up Flagship again. Do any of the origianl insert designs from recent years stand out to you? Can you picture one? I sure as hell can't and I just opened up several packs last night. 

Big League packs a punch with their insert sets, bring some memorable designs, fun imagery, and great color. That Muncy at the top of the post is great fun and reminds me of a license plate. This Cody Bellinger sketch card also stands out (though it is a bit creepy), and I'm totally into mispropportioned sketch cards. 

I'm not as enthusiastic about the design on these Flipping Out inserts, but I applaud the color and theme of the set. I'm fully onboard with bat flipping/pimping/etc. 

The blaster box promised several blue-bordered cards, and here they are. The scans came out a bit dark but you get the idea. Dodger cards would look great with these borders, and I dig that Alonso card on the top left. 

I was so amped about the design of this set that I almost forgot to mention the blaster box held two autographs! 

Both of these have decent resale value, so I promptly posted them on eBay and they both sold as I typed this sentence. 

As if picking up great new cards wasn't enough, I recouped most of the money I spent at Target from this one blaster box of Big League alone. 

You can't beat that.