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.

The New Fairfield Repack

A trip to Walgreens netted me a repack box and it changed a bit. They didn't list the amount of cards in it so its a random guess. My box got 41 cards with one non-baseball one and a pack of 1990 Fleer.

1985 Topps: Lynn Jones, Doug Rader
1987 Donruss: Steve Crawford, Rick Honeycutt
1987 Fleer: Ron Oester, Dave Parker, Danny Jackson (X2), Jorge Orta
1987 Topps: George Hendrick, Ron Cey (traded and in A's uniform)
1988 Score: Bob Welch
1989 Donruss: Tony Gwynn
1989 Score: John Kruk
1990 Fleer: Bryn Smith, Gary Gaetti, German Gonzalez, Tim Crews,
1990 Upper Deck: Tim Laudner
1991 Upper Deck: Darren Daulton, Sid Bream, Steve Finley
1992 Topps: Brady Anderson
1992 Donruss: Bruce Hurst, Mike Felder
1992 Fleer: Dickie Thon, Jose Lind
1992 Leaf: Juan Samuel, Bobby Ojeda, David Justice
1992 Upper Deck: John Burkett, Bruce Ruffin, Kevin Tapani
1994 Sportflics: Yorkis Perez
1994 Leaf: Andy Benes, Armando Reynoso, Jim Eisenreich
1995 Select: Roberto Kelly (in an Expos uniform)
1995 Pinnacle: C.J. Nitkowski
2003 Upper Deck 40 Man: Pete Walker
Non-baseball: 1991-92 Skybox LA Clippers

The cards I got from 1990 Fleer: Jose Lind, Gene Larkin, Jody Davis, Neal Heaton, Jerry Reed, Ken Dayley, Wade Boggs, Dave Gallagher, Danny Jackson, Otis Nixon, Mike Schooler, Rick Reuschel, Kevin Ritz, Alfredo Griffin, Ben McDonald, sticker w/ Orioles, Reds Sox, White Sox, and Angels logo.

Not sure if every repack box contains 40 cards, half from the 80 cards from they used to put out, and a pack. I wonder what is everyone experiences with the new Fairfield repacks.

2022 Topps Baseball Hanger Box Break

2022 Topps Baseball been out for two weeks. I bought two hanger boxes through Walmart.com. Time to start that yearly set build that will likely not be finished for a year or two mainly I'm too lazy to buy/trade for singles. Here what I pulled for my 134 card starter set.

Hanger Box 1:
Yasmani Grandal, Brandon Crawford, Eduardo Rodriguez, Archie Bradley, NL East Division Smiles/checklist, Charlie Morton (CharMo as I called him), Gio Urshela, Stuart Fairchild, Eduardo Escobar, Kevin Pillar, Emmanuel Rivera, Whit Merrifield, Bo Bichette, Zac Lowther, Minnesota Meetup/checklist, AL Wins Leaders, LAA Angels, Tyler Stephenson, John Means, Greg Holland, Eli Morgan, Josh Naylor (was a miserable prick in AA ball), Taijuan Walker, Matt Manning, Eddie Rosario, Anthony DeSclafani, Kyle Tucker, Kwang-Hyun Kim, Miguel Cabrera, Aaron Ashby, Travis D'Arnaud, Rougned Odor, Josiah Gray, Jake Arrieta, Adam Frazier, Liam Hendricks, Tommy Pham, Jesse Winker, Ty France, Matthew Boyd, Luis Robert, Alex Bregman, Mike Yastrezemski (Topps Quality Control; see picture below), Hanser Alberto (always called Hanser the Answer), Chris Flexen, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Garrett Hampson, Mike Zunino, Cesar Hernandez, Adam Wainwright, Anthony Rizzo, Fernando Tatis Jr., Christian Vazquez, Bryce Harper, Patrick Mazeika, Pedro Severino, Chad Pinder, Jake Cousins, Christian Walker, Michael Conforto

Inserts: Framer Valdez (Royal Blue base Walmart exclusive)
87 Topps: Joey Votto
Stars of MLB: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ke'Bryan Hayes, Luis Robert, Chrisitian Yelich 
Welcome to the Show: Eddie Murray

Hanger Box 2:
Yan Gomes, Corey Seager, Ian Happ, Brian Anderson, Alek Manoah, Travis Shaw, Tony Santillan, Wade Milley, Mauricio Dubon, Carlos Rondon, Steven Brault, Ryan McMahon, Double Bath/checklist, NL Wins Leaders, Miami Marlins, Jacob DeGrom, Mike Foltynewicz, Reid Detmers, AL Batting Leaders, Atlanta Braves, Taijuan Walker, Matt Manning, Eddie Rosario, Anthony DeSclafani, Kyle Tucker, Kwang-Hyun Kim, Miguel Cabrera,  Aaron Ashby, Ian Kennedy, Willi Castro, Corbin Burnes, Wander Franco (I might be rich!), Christian Yelich, Jackson Kowar, Shane Bieber, Kyle Seager, Yermin Mercedes, Johnny Cueto, Lucas Giolito, Buster Posey (sunset card), Danny Jansen, Mookie Betts, Bobby Dalbec, Omar Narvaez, Jake Burger (great name!), Ronald Acuna Jr., Avisail Garcia, Riley Adams, Austin Riley, Kyle Higashioka, Jake Rogers, Kyle Gibson, Robbie Grossman, Nick Solak, Will Smith, Alcides Escobar, Trevor Rogers, Alex Kirilloff, Keston Hiura, Kyle Muller

Inserts: Jorge Mateo (rainbow base)
87 Topps: Luis Robert
Stars of MLB: Byron Buxton, Javier Baez, Yadier Molina, Joey Gallo
2021's Greatest Hits: Wander Franco (double Francos in one hanger box)

Out of 134 cards about 8 are repeats. Not a bad starter set from two hanger boxes. Hope there's a blaster box somewhere at Target or Walmart. I don't think I should get a hobby box right now with prices still high. It might go down with the lockout continuing.

A Checkered Past

Al Unser, Jr. was one of my favorite drivers growing up. I remember him driving Galles Racing Valvoline car to Penske Racing Marlboro car dominating in late 80s through early 90s with two CART championships and two Indy 500 victories along 27 wins during that stretch. Late 90s happened with the open wheel split and he was no longer winning and struggling to finish inside the top 5. At twilight of his career he would jump to IRL in 2000 getting three victories in four full time seasons. But during that time news of his personal demons became public. He would call it a career with his final race in 2007 Indy 500.

He wrote his autography and released it late last year. I picked it up and was it a ride to read. Al Jr. exposed his soul throughout the entire book. The first chapter starts off of him at his darkest period contemplating on committing suicide. He would talk about his personal life growing up in a racing family with his famous father (late Al Sr) and uncle (late Bobby), getting into racing, the good and bad times with late ex-wife, the elation of victories and the agony of defeat and disappointments especially not qualifying for 1995 Indy 500. The big one was his alcohol/substance abuse on when he started dabbling it to getting to a point of spiraling out of control and hitting rock bottom. One of his admissions that surprised me was he and his late ex-wife partied for four weeks straight on drugs going into final race at Miami where he had a shot at the CART championship in 1985. He end up runner up in the championship behind his father the late Al Sr. There be times he didn't show up in testing or be hung over if he did. His drinking and partying became open secret in the CART paddock. In his later chapters he talked about alcohol addiction and how difficult to stay sober. He admitted to having a relapse just hours after getting out rehab. The hits kept coming with DUIs arrest as well domestic violence, broken relationship, and suicidal depression. Yet he fighting back his demons spiritually knowing the struggle is still there while he's clean and sober.

It's depressive but informative read. Away from being a race car driver Al Unser, Jr. showed he's a flawed human being just like everyone. Hope he's strong enough to get away from his vices for good. I also hope he's doing fine after losing both his father and uncle last year months apart. If you a race fan its a good pick up.

You can order his book from a link down below.
https://octanepress.com/book/al-unser-jr-checkered-past

Opinions on Recent Hall of Fame Exclusion

I been trying type this out but it kept turning into bunch of non-sense rambles and having to delete. My opinions on recent baseball Hall of Fame exclusions.....

- Barry Bonds SHOULD BE in the Hall of Fame
- Roger Clemens SHOULD BE in the Hall of Fame
- Curt Schilling SHOULD BE in the Hall of Fame
- Mark McGwire SHOULD BE in the Hall of Fame
- Pete Rose SHOULD BE in the Hall of Fame

You got the best homerun hitter, one of best pitchers, and the best hitter all of baseball and all of them are not in the baseball hall of fame is a travesty. If the athletes don't kiss enough ass or suck enough sport writers dick they hold it against them. Lose sport writers as Hall of Fame voters. I hope all five of them get in the Hall by committee soon. I hope Alex Rodriguez gets in the hall of fame soon in the upcoming years.

My 10 Favorite Wrestling Shots I Took This Year

Another year in the books. Pandemic still going on, but things opened up slowly at start of the year and by mid-year it got little bit back normal. Also back are local independent shows popping up once every month. I been to many shows around the state taking photos, and record matches fan-cam style. Of the thousands of shots I took there are ones I enjoy. I give you my 10 favorite shots from the shows I attended in order of the dates.

From January 16 New Texas Pro Show in Colorado City. This one is a favorite because you have NTPW Lonestar champion the hated Teflon John Bedlam getting booed and thumbs down from a fan in front of him. But behind him are the few fans still cheering for him. It shows even bad guys in wrestling will have a cult following. 

From April 30 Global Wrestling Federation in Halthom City. After sea of masked Nasticos enter the ring to fight Scotty Master Blaster this one pinned him after hitting him with a loaded mask to win GWF Texas title. When this Nasitco unmasked it was revealed to be Ocho Camacho who faked being injured earlier on the show. The sinister laugh with Nastico holding GWF Texas over his head captured that moment as one of my favorites shots. I reminds me when Vince McMahon revealed to be the Higher Power and Jim Ross let out, "Aw son of a bitch!" in response.

From June 5 Adrenalina Lucha Libre show in Odessa. This is their first ever show with them featuring wrestlers from El Paso area. The main event is Skybird and Sayrus vs Minotauro and Utopia in 2/3 falls lucha libre match. The four delivered a solid 20 minute performance. After the match fans in the building show their appreciation and respect to all four wrestlers tossing them money in a ring, a custom in lucha libre feds. This shot capture the moment of a well-deserved reward for their hard work.

From July 17 MPX wrestling show in Bedford. This is Dave Segan. For five years in MPX he found ways to reinvent himself for the weekly Saturday night shows first as The Solution and being a member of Impact Players. Then he became Emo Dave and leader of his group House Segan. He follow it up with Friendly Neighbor Dave and teaming up with Tatum Manning before turning on him and becoming this final MPX incarnation: Living Legend Dave. This his first night showing off this gimmick and its a freakin' hit that I loved it despite him being a heel. This shot showed how wrestling characters should be: larger than life.

From the same MPX show, the main event feature Dexter Hardaway retirement match. His opponent MPX Prospects champion Exodus Prime took Thank You Dexter sign and gave it the Pope treatment ripping it in half. Look at how serious he looks and his focus going into this match complete with shades.

Also from the same MPX show. This is Dexter Hardaway send off after his retirement match and a speech. After over a decade of being on the roads balancing between real-life and weekend warrior to end it on his own terms Big Dex deserves to celebrate in style. This moment captured it.

From August 14 ICW No Holds Barred show in San Antonio. New York-based ICW (run by Danny DeManto) made their tour down in Alamo City for the weekend of deathmatch style mayhem. One of matches feature San Antonio's own "King of the Underground" Scot Summers and Shlak. It was Summers first return to the ring in few years. It almost went bad when Summers got hurt during the match, but he still made it through. I took this shot after his match. It shows Scot Summer in deep thought and reflection after the bloody war he went through against Shlak. This shot is very deep and one of my favorites.

From ICW No Holds Barred show Orin Veidt and Dale Patricks simultaneously smashing light tubes on each other to a puff of smoke and hundreds of shards from the light tubes. It's another night in the deathmatch arena.

From November 20 Squared Circle Pro show in Lubbock. After a chase for the title which began from the first show of the year back in January, Reggie Lincoln achieved his goal defeating Jastin Taylor to win SCP title in their final event of the year. Here, you have half of the locker room coming out and lifting Reggie on their shoulders with promoter Rick Elsey pointing at him as he's the man of the hour in his fed. This captures the blowoff of a year long feud build and the final result is a happy storybook ending.

From December 18 Rampage Wrestling show in Abilene. The former Skip Terrific went on a gimmick change to this character: a 1920s noir-like wrestling detective named Phil Noir. This is my first time watching this gimmick in action. In this is gold momemt Phil Noir takes a drink before entering the ring. It's the over-the-top that sold me on this.

Hope you enjoy my shots from Texas independent wrestling scene. I wish you all a Happy New Year.