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Tuesday, August 21, 2018

2018 Topps Chrome "Monster" Blaster Box Break

Before I get to my box break I want to thank all of you for the belated birthday wishes, and I hope you enjoy your prizes. Reading your reactions to each gift will be more exciting than cracking open a dozen packs of cards. 'Tis better to give than receive, after all.


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I was in Connecticut this past weekend, visiting my family for what amounted to a second birthday. On Sunday - after having lunch with my mom - I popped into Wal-Mart to check their card aisle, since I don't have a Wal-Mart near me here in Jersey. I've read that some bloggers have had better luck there anyhow. 

The sports card selection at the West Haven Wal-Mart wasn't great, but they did have fat packs of 2018 Topps series 2. I bought one of those, and with my last $40 I grabbed this:



This "monster" box of 2018 Topps Chrome was dented (hence the lousy scan) and it was the last one on the shelf. But that's one more than my Target has had, so I gave it a shot. 

I assume that these are called "monster" boxes because they are the physical size of two standard blasters. But the contents aren't that different: 10 packs plus two X-Fractor packs. The four-card packs allow me to scan the complete contents of each pack two at a time. 

Packs 1 and 2:


A pair of Dodgers, a pair of Phillies, and a pair of star third basemen. Are the purple refractors a Wal-Mart exclusive? 


Packs 3 and 4:


Gleyber Torres RC! I'm obviously not a Yankees fan, and Miguel Andujar has sort of stolen the hype from him, but I'm not complaining about this pull. Chris Taylor starts a trend of pulling the same card in base and refractor form. 


Packs 5 and 6:


A little bit of everything here - the first insert of the box, a Conforto prism refractor (I think?) and a Victor Robles RC. Also another Rendon, and another Yankee. 


Packs 7 and 8:


Manny Machado in back-to-back packs. I really like the '83 insert in Chrome refractor form. This Rafael Devers Freshman Flash insert is the only Red Sox card in the box. 


Packs 9 and 10:


Not a great finish here, the Buehler RC is nice and the Eugenio Suarez completes the base + refractor trend, joining Taylor and Rendon. Good thing I've got the X-Fractor packs to fall back on...



There are five cards per pack here. I've scanned them all together:



Wait...that's only nine cards. Where's the tenth card?



There's your 2018 American League Rookie of the Year right there. It seems like he's had a clutch home run in just about every Yankee win this month. I'll probably hold onto this until the season ends but it will eventually end up in the hands of a Yankees fan. Most of the other cards in this post are available for trades (except the Devers of course). If you're interested in anything, let me know.


Thanks for reading!


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10 comments:

  1. I am interested in the andjuar and gleyber. I

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    1. I have Sox from chrome I can send ya

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    2. Just saw you want to hold the andjuar for seasons end, but I would tempt you with a Devers Sp from Chrome

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  2. I could use the Schwarber base & x-fractor if you'd be interested in a trade!

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  3. I think I'm finally seeing the appeal of Chrome.. I have some of the cards from previous years and just didn't see it..

    BTW, I really like that Urena.. lol

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  4. I would be interested in tbe Cody Allen (Indians) card.

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  5. Nice cards you got there, especially the Devers Freshman Flash. Only if you're interested, I'd love to trade for that card.

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  6. Great product. I busted three blasters of this stuff and had a blast. It was fun opening packs and pulling refractors for the first time in what seems like years.

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  7. Hey Chris, been a while since I saw any activity so just checking in and saying hello. Will have a thank you post up this week for your contest package. Hope all is well!

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