So this is where we are

 

I don't think I need to explain where I am at with Allen & Ginter for regular readers. But I've got some new followers on BlueSky today (my Twitter account is not long for this world) so a brief recap:

Started a blog in 2008 and one of my early posts was about my complete-and-total adoration of Allen & Ginter, particularly that year's edition. The years go on and I plunge into Gint-a-Cuffs, an annual blog-wide salute to the A&G product, and make it my mission to complete the set each year. I do so until 2015 when I don't like the set look and am growing skeptical of Topps' checklist selections. I stop trying to complete the set as the checklist turns to reality stars and other blatant pandering, but still try to buy a blaster or two for tradition's sake.

You're caught up.

And this is where we are now:

Four packs. You see them right up there.

That's probably all I'm getting, outside of gathering the Dodgers. This an astounding decision to 2008 night owl, but it shouldn't be a surprise. Topps is still sticking with youtube "sensations" who I have never heard of and the like. Also, this year's design is plain gross to me.

So let's open these four packs and see if I can say something nice.

PACK 1

81 - Owen White, Rangers

76 - Nick Loftin, Royals

209 - T.J. Therrien ("content creator")

106 - Cody Bellinger, Cubs - chrome parallel

331 - Lou Brock, Cardinals, A&G back mini

SOS-13 - Siba, Stars of Show insert

Getting flashbacks to the flagship Series 1 rookie influx with the first two cards. The card design looks like something that would come out of Gypsy Queen, not A&G, and since I didn't like any of GQ's designs at all (save for the first one, a little), this isn't making me want to collect it.

PACK 2

22 - Sandy Alcantara, Marlins

181 - Shota Imanaga, Cubs

213 - Chris Tamburello ("actor & producer," all righty)

316 - Dick Allen, White Sox

BB-13 - Cotton Candy, Ballpark Bites mini insert

SS-11 - New Orleans & Durban, Sister-Sister (Cities) insert

Spoiler alert: the best pack. Got a 1974-era Dick Allen card and a color-coded cotton candy insert.

PACK 3

7 - Luis Robert, White Sox

47 - Justin Steele, Cubs

115 - Cal Ripken Jr., Orioles

244 - Randy Johnson, Diamondbacks

337 - Paul O'Neill, Yankees, gold border mini

XR-7 - Western Pond Turtle, Oregon Zoo, X-Ray'd insert

The X-Ray'd insert is interesting and chromed-up, it has a '90s feel (not really A&G to me) ... The O'Neill mini does zero for me, but it will come in handy.

PACK 4

34 - Jose Tena, Guardians

125 - Charlie Blackmon, Rockies

274 - Travis Scott, rapper

317 - Craig Biggio, Astros

25 - Gerrit Cole, Yankees, gold border mini

SS-2 - Beijing and Washington DC, Sister-Sister insert

Two gold-border Yankees does not help me, but I appreciate the reminder on Cole not covering first! ... The A&G legends are getting old, it's the same guys every year.

And there you are -- that's it.

Nothing much friendly for my collection, just a small amount of trade bait. I suppose it's appropriate since I accidentally shoplifted one pack ... Oops! I thought I bought three packs and when I got home I found four. "So that's why the beeper went off when I went through the exit!" I thought. But no one flagged me down.

It's sad to see how far A&G has fallen with me. Even the former product-release time -- in June or July -- was better than it is now. But I don't need to be buying all these products anyway, so I appreciate saving some money through disinterest.

All I got for you today.