She doesn't even have to pick out the box

  

I've made many references about my sister-in-law's ability to select exactly the right box or packs of cards when she's picking out a gift.

 

It's happened over and over. The cards I get from her, I never pull myself.

 

But this time it was even more impressive. She didn't even have to pick out the box herself.

 

She sent a Target gift card for Father's Day. It took me awhile to decide what kind of cards I wanted. I ended up settling on a Topps Series 2 box, it was the only thing in my wheelhouse and I almost always purchase some Series 2, particularly if it's a set I like, and that's the case for 2026.

 

The box arrived a few days ago and right from the first pack I knew it contained my sister-in-law's magic touch. Yet she didn't touch the box!

 

I don't think most people are interested in seeing every card -- it's Series 2 -- so I'll offer a highlight from each pack. That'll be enough to show that this wasn't the ordinary "full of Diamondbacks and Rockies" blaster that I pick out.

 

 

PACK 1

 

Best card:

 

Adrian Beltre, 1991-themed insert, orange parallels, #3/25

 

The second card out of the pack as I opened it backward with the inserts first. It is a BRIGHT card. I knew immediately this wouldn't be an ordinary blaster.

 

PACK 2

 

Best card:

 

The first indication that this would be a Dodger-centric box. Wrobleski performed quite well at the All-Star Game last night, despite giving up a meaningless HR. The game was lost by that point, thanks to Cristopher Sanchez (and the NL's empty offense).

 

PACK 3

 

Best card:

 

Paul Skenes, 1991-themed relic

 

Zounds. This is a 50-card set. This most-definitely would be a Kyle Teel relic if I had selected this box with my own cash. But since it was my sister-in-law's money, lo and behold, it's Paul Skenes.

 

Honorable mention:

 

Since I'm a Dodger fan. 

 

This is not THE home run. You can see Padres in the distance ... which means it was still very pleasant.

 

 

PACK 4

 

Best card:

 

Shohei Ohtani, 1991-themed insert

 

Doing very well with the 1991 cards. As always, this pull means I save a few bucks from buying this card months later from some online seller. 

 

 

PACK 5

 

Best card:

 

"Risen Sons," Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. There's the World Series reference! If you buy this card on COMC right now it will cost you 10 bucks.

 

 

PACK 6

 

Best card:

 

Freddie Freeman, Glove Work insert

 

I wish this card looked this colorful in real life, but that was a momentary light capture. Still nice to pull a Dodger insert -- my second one of the box!

 

And that's it -- Topps gives you only six packs these days. But that will definitely be my most successful box-opening of the year.

 

Here are the remaining notable cards from the box:

 

And there was one more card I'm keeping for a fellow trader.

 

So my sister-in-law knocked it out of the park again, I don't know how.

 

Also, tomorrow is my birthday (I don't plan on posting) and she just happened to send me another gift card that I can devote toward cards if I wish. Given what this produced, do I have a choice?