So here's something different:
Recently there was an offer on Trading Card Database to join a free group break of hockey cards. Specifically, two hobby boxes and a blaster box of 2021-22 Upper Deck MVP.
I knew of MVP. I'd seen a card or two on other blogs and YouTube channels. I even knew what a blaster box was. But I'm not a modern collector, so I don't have anything like MVP in my personal collection.
In fact, if you were to look through all the posts I've made on
this blog since its beginnings in 2019, you'd find a total of maybe three posts that feature modern
cards. Three.
However, this was a FREE group break. And I happened to find the post on TCDB at a time when a few teams were still available to claim. So I claimed one: The New York Islanders. Then I waited for the remaining handful of teams to be claimed, and for a date of the break to be announced.
Well, those teams were claimed pretty quickly, and the day of the break came soon after, by way of a video that was posted on YouTube. I watched as the host opened up pack after pack, hoping there'd be some good Islanders cards inside some of them. Here's my haul:
In that last trio we've got an Anders Lee silver script card and a mascot card, the style of which is based on a typical "gaming" card. Here's the text:
The Islanders' ice is extra cold to protect it from the cheers of this fearsome fire breather.
I really have nothing else to say about that. But now that I've had the cards in hand, I will say that the
design is not bad. And the card stock is nice. It's not the typical UV
coating that you worry might brick up over time. It feels more slick. As for the mascot card, it's got much more of an iridescent look than the scanner provided.
In any case, the group break was a fun experience. Watching it online was kind of exciting. And some hits did appear for other teams, which was cool. But will I do it again sometime? I don't know. Like I mentioned, I'm not really into modern cards. I also don't collect any specific teams. And I'm not looking to expand my collection unnecessarily. But I wouldn't rule it out.
How about all of you readers and collectors? Have you participated in group breaks? Do you enjoy them? What's the best card you've received from one?
Share in the comment section, and thanks for reading!
Yep, I've participated in group breaks, although it's a very once-in-a-while thing because they're not cheap. I once received a signed Duke Snider card from a break, but that wasn't a video break (they weren't very big back then). Finding a free group break is a nice discovery.
ReplyDeleteWow, a signed Duke Snider card is a fantastic result from a group break. Congratulations on that one!
DeleteMostly I've done Nachos Grande's breaks and a few of Cardboard Collection's. But I'm cheap about shipping so I haven't actually received any yet! But I finally had Nachos ship me mine this week, so I'm looking forward to going through everything soon. I'm pretty sure the best card of the bunch is a Pete Alonso auto. I do have a Tom Glavine relic from another blogger's break. I've bid on a couple eBay breaks but never won one.
ReplyDeleteThose are some pretty good results, Brett! Nice work finally coughing up some money for shipping, heheh.
DeleteI typically stay away from group breaks... just because it's hard to justify hoping for the a's, padres, or in this case... the sharks in one. But I have joined a few over the years. My best card was a Lou Gehrig relic. Colbey over at Cardboard Collections opened up a box of 2004 Topps Clubhouse Collection and I bought the Yankees in hopes getting one of the legends. Ended up with Posada and Mariano relics too. Best $18 I ever spent on a group break.
ReplyDeleteWow, you guys are sharing some great results. A Lou Gehrig relic? Plus Posada and Rivera? That's unreal!
DeleteI have no idea who any of these guys are. And the mascot reminds me a bit of Barney. Kind of interesting that they did a gaming style insert in a hockey set though.
ReplyDeleteI haven't followed the NHL nearly as much over the past two or three years, so I'm with you on the names. I know all the guys on the cards above because I did follow the Islanders more closely and more recently, but it sure seems like there are many new guys in the league, and players seem to change teams a lot more often than they used to.
DeleteFunny link to Barney there. I hadn't thought of that, but now that I look again, I see what you mean. It's like Barney with teeth and horns.
These will brick...don't ask me how I know. 😉
ReplyDeleteHahah. Alright, I won't ask you how you know. But thank you for the information ;-)
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