2023 Topps Series 1 Uninterested Whatever

2023 Topps came out a few weeks ago, and I debated what I wanted to do about that. The design isn’t something I was overly wild about, and from what I’d seen of it online, nothing was blowing me away as a must buy. 

A few days after the official release, I made a stop at the LCS for penny sleeves, Top Loaders and album pages, with supplies being my main point of going. There was one lone Jumbo box of 2023 Topps Series One left on the shelves, with a price tag of $150 on it. Less that I was expecting to pay, so I bought it. Brought it to work, with it sitting on my desk for my entire shift, taunting me. 

Just to spite that box, I waited until the next afternoon to open it.

And yeah, it was a box of 2023 Topps. 

Even though I was thoroughly uninterested in 2023 base Topps, it’s always fun to see the first new cards of the year. I could probably get a “Whatever” out of buying it, and that's worthwhile. Pack by pack, I was getting more and more bored by the product. It wasn’t a let down, it was exactly what I expected. But I was expecting to be completely underwhelmed, and I completely was. 

So I went right back to my current sorting project. At the end of last year, I decided it was finally time to pare down the 2020-2022 cards. Which was this shelf, and two more 5000 count Monster Boxes, full of loose cards and opened packs. I’d been holding off on sorting those until after I finished the years of 2005-2019, which will now wait. 

I’m not going to get into the point of the whole new sorting project. If you’re even somewhat interested, It’s all spelled out between cards of legendary failed New York Yankees prospect, Kevin Maas Whatever.

So now that I’ve got the 2020-2022 cards in the process of being sorted and thinned out, let’s take a look at 2023 Topps Series 1. A set I was so unimpressed by, I only found 48 cards that I wanted to write anything about. I was more excited by some my other new card purchases, since the calendar flipped 2023. And I'd rather write about those...

Yup… There they are…

February 18, 2023. The first 2023 Topps card pulled from a pack was Milwaukee Brewers megastar, Ethan Small. 

Who I didn’t feel like scanning.

Or writing about.

But there were more than enough that I did feel like scanning. Enough that I was able to compile...

The Top 48 2023 Topps Series One Cards From a Hobby Jumbo Box!

#48 - 2023 Topps City Connect - Brendan Rodgers - Relic?

This wasn't in any of the Jumbo packs, but was a gift from one of the guys at the LCS. I totally appreciate it, and it will have a permanent home in the Rockies collection. But the card itself...

I've made no secret over my disgust with Nike's intrusion on Major League Baseball. A great deal of which is centered around their insistence that damn swoosh is just as prominent as the team logo, across the front of the jersey. Next up would be those "City Connect" uniform abominations. (Think Saved By The Bell presents the San Diego Padres...) Which are bad enough when you see pictures of them on cards, now they've reached new heights of disgusting with these "Commemorative City Connect Patch" cards. 

Patch is now interpreted to mean a small plastic disc, with a sticker placed at an annoying angle, then glued to an extra thick card. Basically Topps isn't even trying anymore. It wasn't that many years ago their cheap "Commemorative Patch" cards featured actual miniature stitched patches. Sure they had nothing to do with anything, and were a cheap excuse for Topps not providing a real "hit" in hobby boxes. Even last year, they did individually molded uniform numbers on a plastic home plate shaped thing. 

Now we're down to a tiny frisbee with a sticker.

Wish this Whatever was longer so I could rank this card even lower.

But thanks Paul, I do appreciate the card!

#47 - 2023 Topps - Carlos Rodon

As the offseason was playing out, seemingly nothing was going Minnesota's way for the first two months. I was getting worried the Twins were going to get desperate and throw a ridiculous amount of money to sign Rodon. Nothing against Rodon, when he's on, he's definitely one of the best pitchers in baseball. But that left shoulder is a time bomb.

Let the Yankees pay for that torn rotator cuff.

Which may make me hypocritical in how the Twins offseason ultimately played out, but I'll get to that. 

Two cards in and I'm already bored with 2023 Topps.

So lets talk about 2020 Topps Chrome!

My LCS recently put a case worth of 2020 Topps Chrome Jumbo boxes on the shelf. Pushing $500 a piece, that's nowhere near my card buying territory. But it means when someone else takes that plunge, and sells back their disappointment, I can buy stuff like this...

2020 Topps Chrome - Zac Gallen - Autograph

Rookie autograph of an up and coming pitcher on a bad team for $10?

Yes! Please!

2020 Topps Chrome - Colin Poche - Autograph Purple Refractor

Beautiful Purple Parallel Refractor of a slightly below average, left-handed relief pitcher for $5?

Absolutely!

Whatever...

#46 - 2023 Topps - Kyle Farmer

Before the Twins spent a big buncha money in re-signing our shortstop, we traded for Cincinnati's. Beyond Minnesota's newfound fascination with acquiring Reds players, Farmer was a good addition. He can play multiple positions while backing up Carlos Correa, and would have been an acceptable replacement had any of Correa's other 2023 contracts worked out.

I would have had zero problem using Farmer as our every day shortstop until Royce Lewis was healthy.

Or this guy was ready...

2022 Bowman Chrome Draft - Brooks Lee - Refractor

Judging from what he showed after signing, Lee could force his way onto the Major League Roster before 2023 is over. Brooks Lee was the star of 2022 Bowman Chrome Draft, as far as I was concerned. I got one of his paper base, and one of his Chrome cards from the box I bought, shortly after it was released. This slightly better parallel showed up in a pack. Last week I pulled another of his Chrome Draft cards. 

Don't care that they're not any of the high dollar cards available. As long as I'm getting a Lee card out of any 2022 Bowman Chrome Draft product I buy, it was a worthwhile pack!

Not saying I wouldn't like a low numbered refractor, or an autograph, by any means. 

Not to mention he's impressed team management and the main roster. Finding a defensive home for Lee may be the only obstacle keeping him out of the majors, before long. Would be really nice for our season to have a nearly ready top prospect, in our back pocket. Especially knowing how fragile some of our stars are...

#45 - 2023 Topps - Yadier Molina

Nice card to close out a Hall of Fame career.

His rookie year was 2004.

I feel so old...

#44 - 2023 Topps - Randall Grichuk

Nike's City Connect uniforms are so bad that this green and white abomination isn't the even worst thing they did in 2022. One good thing about this picture is the way Grichuk's jersey is bunching up, that damn Nike swoosh becomes part of the mountains. 

Too bad it didn't fall off in the on deck circle...

I'm bored by 2023 Topps...

Let's look at some of the 2022 Topps Chrome Black, that I've recently bought out of the LCS team bins. At $150 per 4 card pack, I'm not buying any packs of that. But I'll buy singles at $1 or $2 of players I like all day long. The fact that I can buy cards of the players I like for (in most cases) a lot less than $10, is exactly why I won't buy a pack for $150.

2022 Topps Chrome Black - Kris Bryant

Glad the Rockies signed Bryant for one reason. It will give Colorado a veteran representative for small checklist sets. With Arenado and Story elsewhere, and Charlie Blackmon aging into replacement-level production, Bryant almost assures the Rockies of a non-rookie appearing in a set of less than 100 cards.

Something the Oakland A's aren't going to be able to say in 2023...

2022 Topps Chrome Black - Vidal Brujan

Sure it's not the rookie card of the Rays middle infielder that everyone wants to buy, but there's enough potential in Vidal's game to warrant throwing $1 at this card. 

2022 Topps Chrome Black - Bryson Stott

Stott for $2 was a no brainer.

2022 Topps Chrome Black - Cal Raleigh

Raleigh cost me $5, but I'll pay a little more for that game winning home run. 

Putting the Seattle Mariners in the playoffs, for the first time since 2001.

And I'll gladly pay even more because his nickname is "Big Dumper". 

2022 Topps Chrome Black - Lars Nootbaar

Nootbaar was $8. I'm starting to think the LCS is onto my budding Nootbaar collection. But I'm not taking the bait on the Gypsy Queen Nootbaar autograph in the case for $35. I've already got 2 Nootbaar autographs, so I don't necessarily need another. Come down a bit and it may change priority...

Topps did not include Nootbaar in Series One.

Guess that's their way of making sure I'm not going to buy any more. 

2022 Topps Chrome Black - Bryan De La Cruz - Gold Refractor

$8 also brought home this. Serial numbered out of 50! I'm not sold on De La Cruz's future, but he's shown something in his Marlins chances, that he could have a productive career.

I may not have bought it had I not pulled this from a box of Finest, a few weeks earlier...

2022 Finest - Bryan De La Cruz - Autograph - Green Refractor

While green isn't a Miami Marlins color, it fits the card well.

A scan can't do this justice. This is probably my favorite card, pulled from a pack, so far in 2023.

Whatever...

#43 - 2023 Topps - Hunter Brown

Nike uniforms uglier than what they dressed the Rockies in...

#42 - 2023 Topps - Hunter Greene

I like green more than brown. I like the Reds more than Houston. 

But I don't know which pitcher has more potential.

Leaning towards Hunter Greene. Not just because I want the Astros to lose. 

2022 Bowman Chrome -  Nick Lodolo - Aqua Lava Refractor

Speaking of rookie Cincinnati Reds pitchers, I dropped $10 on this mainly because of his potential, but that HORRIBLE gap between the foil has to be seen to be believed. Never seen a Refractor with a printing flaw this bad. 

Whatever...

#41 - 2023 Topps - Dylan Bundy

Of all the players who logged time with the Minnesota Twins in 2022, there were three that you knew had virtually zero chance on being with the team in 2023. Dylan Bundy would be tied for first with fellow rotation mate, Chris Archer. Bundy wasn't as terrible as I'd expected, but he wasn't what we needed either.

Neither Bundy nor Archer, have found jobs for 2023.

But Topps still printed a 2023 Dylan Bundy Twins card. 

Bless their hearts!

2022 Topps Triple Threads - Carlos Correa

The third player you would've expected that would never be back with the Twins in 2023. Topps knew enough to hold off on a Correa card until Series 2. Then he could have a brand new one, showing him with the Giants or Mets! Correa also appears in very few insert cards as well. He gets a slot in the 1988 anniversary sets, and a couple relics, but no autographs.

Almost like Topps expected him to be a Giant or Met.

So the big Series 2 reveal will just show him in those new ugly Nike created Twins uniforms. 

#40 - 2023 Topps - Christian Vazquez - Gold

Along with this guy, our other big free agent acquisition.

We needed a catcher, and Vazquez was the second best one available.

This was one of two Gold parallels in the box. Noah Syndergaard being the other. 

#39 - 2023 Topps - Nolan Jones

Cleveland traded Jones to the Colorado Rockies, in a surprising move this offseason. Jones was a former first round pick (2016) and a top prospect throughout his time in the organization. Now he'll get a chance to hit at altitude, and patrol the vast Coors Field outfield. The Rockies traded infielder Juan Brito, a decent looking prospect, who is a few years younger, to pick Jones up. Interesting move, with Cleveland needing offense, to trade a young talented offensive prospect for one that is even further away.

2022 - Optic - Ryan Vilade - Auto - Red

Jones wont have competition from Vilade in trying to make the Rockies.

He was claimed on waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates, in November 2022.

#38 - 2023 Topps - Vinnie Pasquantino

It's no Nootbaar, but Pasquantino is a pretty cool name in its own right. May have to collect his cards, as my new designated Royals collection representative. He'll be cheaper than Witt...

#37 - 2023 Topps - Brayan Bello - Gold Foil

Hot Red Sox prospect!

Gold Foil Parallel!

Blah Blah Blah!

#36 - 2023 Topps - Vaughn Grissom

Hot Braves prospect!

Not a parallel whatsoever!

Blah Blah Blah!

2021 Topps ProDebut - Vaughn Grissom - Refractor

This a much nicer Refractor parallel, numbered out of 99, that I found a month ago. Tucked safely away, still inside the 2021 Topps ProDebut Jumbo Pack I unearthed it from, about a year and a half ago. Playing in the Gulf Coast League -for the Braves- in 2021 didn't hit my radar as something I need to immediately care about. 

Now I do.

Vaughn Grissom's 2021 Topps ProDebut Refractor is now tucked safely away in a Top Loader, with a bunch of other Braves I didn't intentionally collect.

#35 - 2023 Topps - Michael Harris II

I don't have any flashy parallels of Michael Harris II. 

Probably will before too long.

I strongly dislike the Atlanta Braves.

#34 - 2023 Topps - Aaron Judge - Greatest Hits

This looks like it would be far flashier as a parallel. Well, they are. But I didn't pull one from this box.

Congratulations to Aaron Judge for the 62 Home Runs last season. A truly impressive feat that resulted in a $400 million contract, to re-sign with the Yankees. That means it is now safe to say that I was COMPLETELY wrong about him. 

Back in 2017, I made the statement: "I believe when all is said and done, Yoan Moncada will have had a better career than Aaron Judge."

Yup...

That is why I write snarky stories about baseball cards instead of scouting actual talent for an MLB organization...

#33 - 2023 Topps - Trevor Larnach

Oh look, here's a Twins player! Now I can change the tone from a bunch of players on teams I actively dislike, and talk about a big buncha new (to me) Twins cards! Unfortunately this box was light on Twins. No parallels and only one insert that will show up later in the Whatever.

Getting away from 2023 Topps for a while, because it's really starting to boring me again.

1999 Bowman - Jacque Jones - Autograph

1999 Bowman... Back when Bowman prospect autographs were a tough pull. Not one per box lottery tickets. Jones was a 1996 2nd Round Draft pick by the Twins. He went on to a decent 10 year Major League career, seven of which were spent with the Twins. Jones played a significant part in our comeback run from 2001-2010, manning left field from 1999-2005. 

Jacque was resting comfortably on the top shelf of one of the cases, and the Twins Bins had some other new old stuff that caught my eye...

1995 Studio - David McCarty

Surprising to find any base David McCarty cards I didn't already have. 

But I'm not going to re-write my David McCarty Junk Wax Prospector story.

This 1995 Studio would easily rank in the top quarter, had I ranked them. 

Damn... Maybe I should re-write that story...

1995 Flair - Scott Erickson

Looking dreamy...

Never bought much 1995 Flair. And I don't have a lot of Twins from that set. So this Erickson was not only a card I needed, but one I’d never seen before. 

2022 Topps Archives - Harmon Killebrew

Also didn’t buy a whole lot of 2022 Topps Archives, after buying tons of last year’s set. Topps really annoyed me by putting EVEN MORE of that played out 1987 design. I’m so sick of seeing 1987 Topps, that if that design appears ONE MORE TIME in a new Topps set, in the next five years, I will buy none of that product.

That being said, I do like this Killebrew photo quite a bit…

2005 Ultra - Johan Santana

I only bought one pack of 2005 Ultra. There wasn’t a Johan Santana card in that pack, so this was completely new to me. And I still need the rest of the 2005 Ultra Twins... Except Justin Moreau. I do have his card. Which didn’t come from that pack either.

2006 Upper Deck - Johan Santana

2006 Upper Deck was a different story. I did buy a few packs here and there, but the set is a MASSIVE 1250 cards. I never even thought of trying to put one together, but is to this day a set I would absolutely love to own. Because I liked the idea behind this set so much, I did complete the full 2007 Upper Deck set, but that was only a meager 1020 cards. I need to cover that set some day. Too bad it all took place during a stretch of years I really don't like to think about.

2006 Upper Deck - Justin Morneau

Just like not previously having the Santana card, I didn’t have Morneau.

2006 Upper Deck - Joe Mauer

Mauer either.

Which wraps up the three biggest Twins stars of the team set, that I didn't already have.

Whatever...

#32 - 2023 Topps - 1988 - Ronald Acuna Jr.

As much as the 1987 Topps 35th Anniversary cards irritated me last year, I’ve been anxiously awaiting 2023’s 1988 Topps 35th Anniversary cards, for several years now. 1988 was the first year that I was buying a lot of wax packs, and 1988 Topps were everywhere! You could get them at the Dentist. I remember getting Rack Packs and Jumbo packs at nearly every discount, grocery and drug store around the greater Coon Rapids area. Plus the 3 wax packs deal at the local SuperAmerica gas station for $1.19, nearly every time we stopped for a fill.

That design itself isn’t particularly special, but it brings back just the right amount of warm fuzzies. 

Until… The name banner! 1988 Topps didn’t mess around with the font size between the first and last name. Nor did they mess with the kerning, to better fill the in the diagonal name panel, in the lower right corner, depending on the player’s name. So of course 2023 Topps had to! I guess Fanatics simply couldn’t find any 1988 Topps to base this year’s throwbacks on, because they just shouldn’t have done this. RONALD should not but 33% larger than ACUNA JR. 

I doubt this bothers anyone else as much as it does me, but it really does bother me. I was hoping for something that captured the look of 1988 Topps, without nonsensically changing something just to change something. Now I’m tempted to find a wax box of 1988 Topps, just to open that and get those warm fuzzies again.

At least a full unopened wax box of 1988 Topps should only cost me about $1.19 these days...

Probably could get another Matt Nokes rookie card too...

#31 - 2023 Topps - Kris Bryant - Home Run Challenge

Well, he’s had a decent Spring so far, but the real Home Run Challenge will be if he’s healthy enough to play... I’m not even going to try and pick a date, this goes right into the Rockies album unscratched.

#30 - 2023 Topps - Jhoan Duran

Of all the things that went wrong for the Twins in 2022, Jhoan Duran was not one of them. Provided he can stay healthy, Duran could become one of the best closers in baseball very fast. 

#29 - 2023 Topps - Bryce Harper

Watching Harper (and Rhys Hoskins) lead the surprising Phillies to the World Series last year, was one of my favorite stories of the 2022 MLB season. I was really hoping the Phillies would have beaten Houston (besides the obvious reasons), so Harper could have silenced his critics. Dude toughed out a productive season while injured, and was a beast in the playoffs. He's taken a lot of flak over his career. Some unfairly, some of it brought on himself, but 2022 cemented me as a fan.

#28 - 2023 Topps - Adam Wainwright - Green Ice

This was one of those boxes where I can't complain about the quantity of parallels, I got what I was supposed to get. Just the bigger cards are all of the wrong teams. Don't like the Cardinals, but there's a possibility of Wainwright ending up in the Hall of Fame. 

#27 - 2023 Topps - Chicago Cubs - Silver Foil

Don't really like the Cubs either. But I do like this card. Only because of how the Silver Foil scanned.

The base doesn't even rank.

#26 - 2023 Topps - Mike Trout

I don't hate the Angels Nike City Connect by Nike, Nike uniforms. The cheesey 1970 style almost works. Looks okay, but don't quite get the connection between 1970's style and Los Angeles. At least they're not green and orange or something else completely ridiculous.

#25 - 2023 Topps - Wander Franco

Just today, I watched Wander swing at bad pitches and ground out weakly to first base, in a game against the Twins. Yeah, it was March 2nd, and far too early in Spring Training to read too much into it. But I Wander if he's going to try too hard to become a megastar, just to live up to that contract. Wish him the best, the Rays need a star to build around.

#24 - 2023 Topps - Jermaine Palacios

Jermaine Palacios signed with Minnesota in July 2013, as a 16 year old shortstop out of Venezuela. He was developing into a decent -but not top- prospect, when the Twins sent him to the Rays, for Jake Odorizzi. Palacios tanked over the next two seasons, sat out the Covid season of 2020, then didn't re-sign with Tampa. In February 2021, Palacios signed with Minnesota, and went to AA Wichita. He had a pretty good season, and played most of 2022 with AAA St. Paul, posting even better numbers than in AA. 

In June 2022, the Twins called him up due to rampant injuries to the Major League 26 man squad. He went back down to St. Paul after a week, but was back for the entire month of September. He was clearly overmatched at the plate, and seemed nervous in the field at times. Without any legitimate shot at a roster spot in 2023, Minnesota put him on waivers, in October 2022. He was claimed by the Detroit Tigers, and may get a chance to play there.

Thank you Topps, for making a Palacios Twins card. I have his Bowman stuff, but I needed an official MLB Rookie Card for him. I'm sure there will be autographs that I can purchase for a very reasonable price later this year.

2022 Bowman Platinum - Royce Lewis

This is the first time in 3 years that I’ve been able to find a decent amount of the “retail only” Bowman Platinum product. While I haven’t gone nuts buying it, I’ve bought a few Mega Boxes of it. And done pretty well. (Although I seem to get boxes that are very heavy on Colorado Rockies, not that it’s a bad thing…) The last box I picked up had a nice looking Royce Lewis rookie card. 

2022 Panini Immaculate Collection - Royce Lewis - Game Used Glove

“How much for the Royce Lewis, jersey number match, game used burrito card? $30? Awesome!”

2022 Finest - Royce Lewis - Refractor

And another $10 for the Finest Rookie Refractor.

2022 Finest - Jose Miranda

And another $10 for the Finest Jose Miranda Rookie non-Refractor.

Seems like a good days Twins purchase!

Whatever...

#23 - 2023 Topps - Mark Appel

It was cool to see Mark Appel finally make the Major Leagues, after the beginning of his career was sidetracked multiple times. Appel was first drafted out of high school in 2009, by the Detroit Tigers. He didn’t sign, instead opting to attend college. He was then drafted in the first round, 8th overall, by Pittsburgh in 2012. He didn’t sign and went back to college. In 2013, he was the first overall pick, by Houston, and he actually signed with the Astros. 

But he didn’t fare overly well.

In December 2015, the Astros traded Appel to Philadelphia, where he was both injured and unproductive. In February 2018, Appel announced that he was leaving baseball. The Phillies placed him on the retired list, meaning they still had his professional rights. He took the next three years off, until deciding to work on a comeback, in March 2021. The Philadelphia Phillies assigned him to AA Reading (PA), for the 2021 season. He pitched well, advancing to AAA Lehigh Valley by the end of the year. The same assignment where he began the 2022 season. 

On June 29, 2022, Philadelphia promoted Mark Appel to the Major Leagues for the first time. He was just a few weeks from his 31st birthday when he made his debut. Appel pitched in only 6 games for the 2022 Phillies, but did re-sign with Philadelphia for the 2023 season.

Another player that I’m glad got a Major League card.

#22 - 2023 Topps - Tyler Mahle

Mahle didn’t get a Twins card in last year’s Topps Update set. Meaning I had to wait for 2023 Topps for the first card of the guy we traded a few intriguing prospects to Cincinnati to acquire. He only pitched in 4 games for Minnesota, after the trade, and was reasonably effective, before shoulder injuries took him down. Seemingly healthy in Spring Training, I’m hoping for a big season from him. 

Where a comeback season would be highly welcome, combined with a full healthy season from this guy...

2021 Mosaic - Kenta Maeda - Pink Refractory Prizm Thingy

$1 pickup for something like this, all day every day. But I noticed something as I was sorting all of these different colored Mosaic Refractory Prizm Thingies, last month. Looking at a decent quantity of them will give you a pounding headache before too long. Shuffling through a stuck of them in your hand, while your eyes try to adjust to read and recognize each card quickly became painful, and I was glad when I was finished with them.

Guess grandpa’s eyes are getting worse...

#21 - 2023 Topps - Juan Soto

Hmmm… Gonna be a while before I’m used to seeing Juan Soto as a San Diego Padre.

#20 - 2023 Topps - 1988 35th Anniversary - Kris Bryant

So this would be the color pallet if the Colorado Rockies had existed for original 1988 Topps.

At least they didn’t stretch “Kris” to be twice as long as “Bryant”.

#19 - 2023 Topps - 1988 35th Anniversary - Max Meyer

Guess these would be the Marlins chosen 1988 colors.

I like Colorado’s better. 

Former Minnesota Golden Gopher, Max Meyer, only got into 2 games in 2022, before catching a nasty case of Tommy John Surgery. So now I’m glad the Twins didn’t take my advice and try to trade a catcher for him last offseason.

However, I really do like their trade for fellow fish, Pablo Lopez. While there are no superstars in Minnesota’s starting rotation, I think we have the deepest rotation in the AL Central, going into the 2023 season.

#18 - 2023 Topps - Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Subsequently, Jazz is moving from second base to center field in 2023. It’ll be interesting to see how he does, but I bet he flourishes. If he can stay healthy. 

#17 - 2023 Topps - Trevor Story

I was a huge Trevor Story fan from his run with the Rockies, 2016-2021. 

Seeing him on a Boston Red Sox card hurts my soul. 

#16 - 2023 Topps - Ryan McMahon

Ryan McMahon has been almost as good defensively at third base, as the guy he replaced. So in traditional Colorado Rockies protocol, he will now play second base in 2023. Due to an injury to Brendan Rodgers. Rather than keep McMahon at third (where they have no real replacement), they’ll move him to second base for the year, while Rodgers is out. You’d think it would make sense to keep him at third and find any warm body to stick at second base. After all, Jose Iglesias (last year’s Rockies shortstop) is still an unsigned free agent. Throw him a million or two and you should be good to go. 

With each passing year, the Colorado Rockies make less and less sense. As much as I miss watching games at Coors Field, it’s a relief to not have the baffling Rockies management running my hometown team anymore.

I’ll never complain about anything the Twins do, when held against what the Rockies come up with.

Hey Minnesotans, the Twins aren't the Pirates, A's or Marlins either. Be greatful.

2020 Topps Chrome - Nolan Arenado - 1985 35th Anniversary 

$2 for a really sweet card of the guy Ryan McMahon replaced at third.

 Even though he’s a Cardinal, Nolan Arenado will always be one of my favorite players. 

So who is playing third for Colorado in 2023?

Kris Bryant?

Please no…

#15 - 2023 Topps - Shohei Ohtani

This guy’s pretty good.

But where does he play in 2024? Everyone think he’ll be a Dodger (I do too), but a sleeper team that may have almost as good of a chance at signing him, could be the Seattle Mariners. I’d really like to see him in Seattle.

2022 Topps Triple Threads - George Springer - Jersey Bat

I’ve become a fan of these multiple relic, low serial numbered cards. If I can find them for a reasonable price, of a player/team that I don’t actively hate, I’ll pick them up. Don’t care much about George Springer, but I like the Toronto Blue Jays. For $10, this seems like a card I could keep and not feel bad about it.

Let’s stay in Toronto for a bit.

#14 - 2023 Topps - Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

I doubt he struck out before this picture was taken...

2022 Panini Obsidian - Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

For unlicensed Panini stuff, the Obsidian cards are really cool.

And for $2, they’re even cooler!

2022 Finest Aura - Vladimir Guerrero

And here’s his father, on a token 2022 Expos insert card.

At least Topps is doing something to keep the spirit of Montreal alive.

He even found a spot in a 2023 Topps insert set...

2023 Topps Welcome to the 30/30 Club - Vladimir Guerrero

The LCS had a big box of 2023 Topps singles on the counter. I was immediately drawn in by finding two Rockies parallels I didn’t already have, mixed in with the first 50 cards in the box. Then I found a big bunch of nothing and was about to give up, when I found this. Well, if there’s a possibility of hidden Expos, I have to see the rest of the box through. So I shuffled through at least 1500 2023 Topps singles, for this card and the two Rockies parallels.

Total cost for three cards, $1.50. Plus about ten minutes of my time.

As much as I love the token Expos cards, I just wish the Fanatics/Topps people would recognize someone else. 

1990 Bowman - Larry Walker

After all, this guy is in the Hall of Fame…

Every time I see this card, I forget I already own it. This was sitting in the Expos bin at the LCS, and I bought it for $1 thinking it was a need. I get home and I already had 6 of them. 

Whatever…

#13 - 2023 Topps - Gunnar Henderson

According to MLB Network, Henderson is the number one prospect in the game, heading into the 2023 season.

Well, he wins the title of dirtiest card in the set…

#12 - 2023 Topps - Adley Rutschman

Rutschman is probably the top rated catching prospect of the last decade, probably since Buster Posey in 2010.

If the Orioles had any pitching, they could be dangerous over the next few years.

2022 Bowman Platinum - Colton Cowser - Autograph

This came out of the same 2022 Bowman Platinum Mega Box that contained the Royce Lewis I talked about earlier. It’s my second Cowser autograph, so I guess that means I’m collecting him now.

#11 - 2023 Topps - Julio Rodriguez

Don’t yet have a scribble of last year’s biggest rookie sensation, hope to someday. Rodriguez is the latest Mariners center fielder to evoke memories of Ken Griffey Jr. If he ends up even half the player Griffey was, that’s a big success for Seattle. He’s already signed through his early 30’s, so he should be there a while. Hopefully the Mariners can find enough pieces to build winner around him.

That Ohtani guy could help…

#10 - 2023 Topps - Albert Pujols

It was really cool seeing Pujols return to St. Louis for his final season, and hit well enough to crack 700 career home runs. A much better ending point for his career than pinch hitting for the Dodgers, after being unceremoniously dumped by the Angels.

#9 - 2023 Topps - Tanner Scott

This card ranked high, not because he’s good, or that I like his mustache, just that after all of the pitchers pitching and batters batting, this photo stood out to me. 

#8 - 2023 Topps - Steven Kwan

Another photo that stood out, for a team I can’t stand.

Going into 2023, I don’t think Cleveland will be a strong as they were in 2022. They took advantage of Minnesota’s absolute collapse to run away with the division, after the Twins handed it to them on a silver platter. I see 2023 ending differently, unless we get hit by the same plague of injuries. Looking at both of the teams side by side, I don’t see anywhere that Cleveland is all that far ahead of Minnesota. If it comes down to roster depth, Cleveland has nowhere near the depth the Twins have. The AL Central will absolutely come down to which team stays healthier. All that equal, I still don’t see the Guardians as better than the Twins.

2022 Topps Triple Threads - Triston McKenzie - Auto Patch

Minnesota sure could use a guy like this in our rotation though... You could build your staff around a pitcher like McKenzie, he'll be very good for many years. I paid $30 for this card. Possibly an overpay, but I really like McKenzie. Even if he is a Guardian.

#7 - 2023 Topps - 1988 35th Anniversary - Bobby Witt Jr.

Just like the number on his jersey reads.

This card would REALLY benefit from the Topps All Star Rookie cup logo, in the corner under his name. It's already giving off strong 1988 Topps Kevin Seitzer vibes. The cup would put it over the top.

Bonus!

Since the Silver Pack cards were the biggest draw in my buying a Jumbo box, here's a mini-Whatever, inside a Whatever. So before we get to the 2023 Topps Top Five, let me present the...

Top 8 Silver Pack Cards from that Jumbo Box of 2023 Topps!

2023 Topps Silver Pack #8 - Caleb Kilian

Pure set filler to provide additional low-level prospect cards for autographs. Kilian was one half of the return the Cubs got for Kris Bryant. He looks like a fringe reliever/5th starter with poor command. But I'm sure he scribbled several thousand times.

2023 Topps Silver Pack #7 - Oswaldo Cabrera

A bigger prospect, but that's more than likely because his uniform has an NY on it.

2023 Topps Silver Pack #6 - Darick Hall

Given the retro Phillies uniforms, if it wasn't for the Parquetflooringfractor texture, this absolutely could be a 1988 Topps card.

2023 Topps Silver Pack #5 - J.J. Bleday

The Fish traded Bleday to the Oakland A's, for the 7 Foot Hippie, just before Spring Training started. Now the Hippie is reunited with The Jesus Lizard, who went from Oakland to Miami in July of 2021. Just another case of small market swapping (Miami isn't small) until one of the players become a superstar, and can go to New York or the Dodgers. 

2023 Topps Silver Pack #4 - Mookie Betts

Where they can join Mookie!

2023 Topps Silver Pack #3 - Francisco Lindor

Or Lindor!

2023 Topps Silver Pack #2 - Ken Griffey Jr.

Nice attention to detail in getting the era-appropriate jersey for Griffey. I'll never not be a Ken Griffey Jr. collector, so pulling cards like this from a pack is very pleasing.

The only thing that makes it better is if it's your team!

2023 Topps Silver Pack #1 - Byron Buxton

My first thought after pulling this from the pack was: "Awesome! Now I wont have to buy one!" 

Then I thought about it and realized that I'd just want duplicates anyway...

Whatever...

#6 - 2023 Topps - Byron Buxton

Byron Buxton has never had a bad Topps base card in his career. I get worried when I see him this hyped up after hitting a go-ahead home run, that he'll accidentally rip his shoulder open while pumping up the crowd/dugout.

He has yet to play in a game this spring. There are positives and negatives to that. If he's possibly hurt, don't play. If he isn't hurt, don't risk it by playing. And don't toss out the bubble wrap. 

Seriously though, what could 150 games of Buxton (in one season) look like?

#5 - 2023 Topps - Clayton Kershaw - Aces

Of the lowest tier insert card, Aces are by far my favorite. The simple playing card design, with the artistic Refractory suit behind the pitcher, is a great element. And I'll always collect Kershaw cards after pulling his 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft X-Fractor Autograph out of a WalMarts Blaster, back in 2006. You can't get a card like that and not stick with the player for his entire (Hall of Fame) career.

Even if it is a Dodger.

2022 Bowman Platinum - Norge Vera - Auto - Blue

Maybe one day he'll be joined by Norge?

After all, I pulled this from a 2022 Bowman Platinum WalMarts Mega Box, so that's similar... I just wanted to show this card because of that great autograph. Instead of a lazy wavy scribble, he drew me a little picture!

I have no idea what it is, but I really like it!

Sticking with the White Sox, we're finally up to #4!

#4 - 2023 Topps - Luis Robert - Major League Material

Lou Bob's Bat Chunk! 

As a breed, the speed/power combo centerfield guys always seem to be injury prone. Buxton is an obvious example, but you even have Mike Trout of late. Lou Bob has seen similar problems, and 2020 AL Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis, has already fallen to fifth outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Hopefully Robert can shake that trend, because he has a skill set that's a lot of fun to watch.

#3 - 2023 Topps - Luis Arraez

"But can he pitch?" was the sarcastic response from the majority of the fanbase, when it came to ANY move the club made. (And the Twins have had a VERY smart offseason.)

"The clowns running the team need to get us some pitching!" 

We trade Arraez for Lopez.

"No, not like that!"

Of all the Twins 2022-23 offseason moves, none is more controversial than trading Luis Arraez to the Miami Marlins. We needed pitching in return, and you have to give something to get something. The Fish sent us Pablo Lopez, who slots into our rotation perfectly. Not a number one, but another 2-3, with potential.

Arraez is a great hitter. Unquestionable. His plate appearances were fun to watch. I know I will miss watching him bat. But therein lies the problem. Arraez is a great hitter, but has a lot of negatives against him. His knees are ticking time bombs, which affects his baserunning, so he can't be a speedster. He also has very little power. He's such a good hitter that he'll luck into hitting 5-10 home runs in any given season, but 20 isn't a possibility. Arraez also he no realistic defensive home. He wasn't even an average second baseman. Injuries allowed the Twins to keep him in the lineup every day at either first base or designated hitter, in 2022. Traditionally, those are positions where you want a power hitter. 

So yeah, Arraez was a great hitter, with no position to play. After winning the 2022 AL Batting Title, his trade value would likely never be higher. One for one for Pablo Lopez seemed a tad light, but realistic. However, we talked Miami into also sending along their #6 prospect (19 year old SS, Jose Salas) and another lottery ticket in the Dominican Summer League (17 year old CF, Byron Chourio). Making this trade an absolute steal for the Twins.

Nothing against Arraez. But I doubt he'll have as good of a season in Miami (perhaps the rest of his career) as good as his 2022 Twins campaign was. The Marlins have already said he will be their every day second basemen. Apparently their scouts didn't see much of his second base game in 2022? Which makes it almost cool that Arraez's final Twins card shows him making a play at second, instead of slashing a line drive to right field.

Speaking of former Twins second basemen...

2022 Panini Spectra - Chuck Knoblauch - Autograph

Almost three years ago, I wrote a Junk Wax Prospector story about Chuck Knoblauch. Our much maligned second baseman from 1991-1997, had an interesting run with Minnesota. With several legal issues since his exit from the game. Including a near blacklisting from the Twins, after a domestic assault arrest coming shortly before he was to be inducted into the team Hall of Fame. An honor quickly rescinded. Knoblauch has also wanted nothing to do with baseball, since retiring after the 2002 season, as he explained in a 2007 interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune. 

To each his own, but it still strikes me as a sad end for Knoblauch. Probably my favorite Twin of that era. 

So it kind of blew my mind when I saw this card in the case at the LCS. I knew Knoblauch signed a few Topps cards over the years for their Archives sets, but that was years ago. This was $30. But the perfect definition of who cares, this card is an absolute must have!

Chuck Knoblauch's autograph has really gotten lazy, compared to the nice signature he wrote in 1991. 

20 of 25 even!

I bought that card without even realizing it was serial numbered, I found that out when I got home.

#2 - 2023 Topps - 1988 35th Anniversary - Don Mattingly

Why is "Don" that big?

Back in 1988, Don Mattingly cards were what I was looking for in any packs I opened. He was the first non-Twins player to fully register on my radar. So the chance to pull a psuedo-1988 Topps Mattingly card, from a 2023 pack, was actually one of my biggest hobby goals coming into this year. Thankfully it happened on the first packs I bought. I doubt that I'll buy much more -if any- of Series 1.

But why is "Don" so damn big?

Only one card could beat a 1988 Topps 35th Anniversary Don Mattingly, and that would have to be something like:

#1 - 2023 Topps - Wade Boggs - 1988 Topps 35th Anniversary Autograph

When I was first collecting, I imagined there was a semi-rivalry between Wade Boggs and Don Mattingly, given the whole New York vs Boston deal, and they were both considered the best hitters in the American League for a time. Then Boggs left Boston to sign with the Yankees in 1993, becoming Mattingly's teammate for two seasons.

That was back when I liked the Yankees. 

A sentiment that died in 1995. After making the playoffs for the first time since 1981, the Yankees lost fantastically to the Seattle Mariners, in that classic American League Division Series. Don Mattingly retired afterward, and took my Yankee fan-dom with him. 

Wade Boggs hung out with the Yankees through 1997. Then he signed with the expansion Tampa Bay Devil Rays, to wrap up his career in 1998 and 1999. Finishing with over 3000 hits, 2 World Championships and a Hall of Fame induction, Boggs is one Red Sox autograph I'd always wanted.

For my collection, this is the perfect card to represent Boggs.

Well, good enough. I don't feel compelled to buy much more for Series One. 

One the positive side, I wanted to get the 1988 cards. Just for a slight replication of that sweet Junk Wax feeling.

And this was a very good box for that. 

The base and pretty much everything else was really boring. Not bad, just boring. 

I'll buy some Series 2 and Update, but I'm done with Series 1.

Except 1988 Topps 35th Anniversary cards. 

Good thing those are a lot cheaper as singles than searching for them in packs.

Wake me when Bowman comes out...

Because I'm mostly going to sit out on 2023 Topps Heritage, as well.

Never was overly excited about the 1974 Topps design either. 

1974 Topps - Tim Foli

Besides, I'm sure Topps will mess up the fonts just enough to irritate me into hating it....