A Year Long Delay Box Break

The last of Topps delayed 2021 products got released few weeks ago as in Big League. I never expected to be released after numerous delays that kept pushing it well into 2022. In fact I forgot I pre-order a hobby and collector box last year and due to numerous delays I expected the set to be scrapped. Much to my surprise I got a tracking email from UPS and Blowout Cards saying the items got shipped. Talk about long overdue on one of last year's set.

The collector box comes with a figure along with five packs. Of the 10 collectible figures I received.....

Carl Yastrzemski in 1983 card design. Pretty good. From both collector and hobby boxes I got over half of the base set as 24 orange parallels, 23 inserts, one rainbow foil, but no autograph. Some examples I got:

There you have it the budget little frills set that was suppose to be released last year. I do like the cosmic retrowave look on Defensive Wizards insert set. I would have made this set different due numerous delays. If I was Topps I would have combine both 2020 and 2021 season into this set expanding it from 300 to 500 cards calling it 2021-22 Big League.

Opening Day 2022

Minor league baseball season started last week but the first home stand here was Tuesday night. It was Midland's 50th season as minor league baseball team. They gave away free 50th anniversary team t-shirts to first 1,000 fans as well debut of the team's new look and logo with a different shade of blue to go along. They even got team numbers in front of their jerseys making them easily identifiable to the fans. Midland Rockhounds open the home series against Corpus Christi Hooks.

The Rockhounds opening day roster feature nine players on A's top 30 prospects list: Zack Gelof (3), J.T. Ginn (8), Ryan Cusick (9), Colin Peluse (13), Jordan Diaz (15; 40 man roster), Jorge Juan (25; 40 man roster), Logan Davidson (27), Jonah "Bright Lights" Bride (29; 40 man roster), Michael Guldberg (30). "Bullet" Bobby Crosby returns as manager along with assistant hitting coach Juan Dilone. Todd Takayoshi (hittitng coach) and former MLB pitcher Chris Smith (pitching coach) are the new additions to the coaching staff this season.

As for the game J.T. Ginn struck out 7 batters allowing 2 runs in 3 2/3 innings before getting pulled. I assume pitch count reasons. The relievers didn't fare much better as 4 of the 5 relievers used got scored on. Wandisson Charles didn't get a single out before getting pulled. Only Garrett Acton didn't allow a run. Hooks tee'd off on Rockhounds pitchers getting 13 hits off them with homeruns from Luke Berryhill and Cesar Salazar who went 4-5 with 3 RBIs. Poor fielding from Rockhounds doomed them as well. So far the offense is there, unlike last year, getting 15 hits off Hooks pitchers but stranding 12 on base. Rockhounds lost 11-4 on opening night to a crowd of 3,247 in attendance.

If there's beard of the year award in baseball Rockhounds pitcher Brock Whittlesey is an early candidate. It even moves when he throws a pitch.

Home standing started off bad but it will get better. Hope to catch another game when Frisco Roughriders come down here in two weeks in their only visit here this season.