Purchased only 1 card during the World Series and she’s been in redemption since. Worth the wait. I wasn’t going to grade. But it looks very clean. I might have to reconsider.
Purchased only 1 card during the World Series and she’s been in redemption since. Worth the wait. I wasn’t going to grade. But it looks very clean. I might have to reconsider.
Purchased only 1 card during the World Series and she’s been in redemption since. Worth the wait. I wasn’t going to grade. But it looks very clean. I might have to reconsider.
Purchased only 1 card during the World Series and she’s been in redemption since. Worth the wait. I wasn’t going to grade. But it looks very clean. I might have to reconsider.
I just returned to the hobby after 25+ years away and have been struggling to figure out my PC.
Of course I collect Griffey. He was my generation’s GOAT.
Of course I collect Ohtani. Who doesn’t? He’s the new GOAT.
I also collect team cards in various parallels.
But I was struggling to get passionate about much else. I tried set building, and that was fun… but 700 base cards? Meh.
Then I figured it out.
And boy is it dumb. But it’s also so, so much fun.
Topps Gold /2001 through /2026 — but only specific serial numbers.
Player? Who cares.
Team? Doesn’t matter.
I’m hunting:
0125/XXXX
1018/XXXX
1206/XXXX — Angels only (Don’t ask)
Does anyone else collect serial numbers tied to birthdays, anniversaries, or other dates?
And obviously… if you’ve got one of mine, obviously DM me 🤣
Right after ordering this card I made myself a new hard rule. I can now only buy Shohei Ohtani, and big moments like #1 draft selection, #1 pick debut, awards, and championships. So this was last card magic.
This is a set I will be building every year. So much nostalgic fun.
My first set build is finished (outside of buying the annual flagship boxed set of course)!
Never. Ever. Ever. Ever. Again.
But honestly… I’m glad I did it. It was a blast, and I think every collector should complete a Heritage set at least once only once in their life.
And I’m putting the finishing touches on the 2nd as we speak! Set building is sneaky fun.
I set an alarm for the end of an eBay auction on a Shohei Ohtani card that was sitting at $2.99.
I have absolutely no business buying more cards right now (I’ve bought like 20 megas over the past 60 days), but I told myself, “Eh… what the heck. It’s basically free.”. It’s what we do, I don’t make the rules!
The clock hits 60 seconds.
I quickly type in my max bid of $6.32 because I wanted to dodge the typical $5–6 last-second bids.
Hit Place Bid.
My phone decides…
Periods are optional.
The confirmation pops up:
Maximum bid: $632.00
I immediately yell:
“NONONONONONONONO… FUUUUUUUUCK!!”
Now I have 45 seconds left in the auction, and every time someone bids, eBay happily informs me:
“Your maximum bid has increased.”
And let me tell you, it was the longest 45 seconds of my life!
At that point, I just set my phone down and accepted whatever fate had planned for me.
Thankfully… I won it for $21. More than I intended. But considerably less than six hundred and thirty-two freaking dollars.
I don’t think I’ve ever been so relieved to spend $21 on a baseball card. 🤦🏻♂️
Don’t be an idiot like me! I’ve got to work on my auction sniping skills!
Thinking about starting a new project and looking for some advice from other set builders.
I just finished the complete 2026 Topps Series 1 1991 insert set (100 cards) and now I’m debating my next move.
Option 1:
Build the complete 2026 Topps 1991 Crackleboard Foil set.
Option 2:
Build a different 1991 variant set.
Option 3 (much much more ambitious):
Build the complete 2026 Topps Gold /2026 set.
I’m leaning heavily toward the Crackleboards. I picked up a few and they look fantastic next to the base cards.
For those who have built parallel sets before:
Which project would you choose?
What’s the best way to track progress?
Did you buy singles, lots, or trade your way through it?
Also, if anyone has random 2026 Topps 1991 sitting in a box that aren’t part of their PC, I’d be interested in trading or buying. I suspect a lot of these are collecting dust in monster boxes after almost a year’s worth of rips.
Would love to hear from anyone who’s attempted a full parallel set before.
I’ve never really been a set builder.
I’ve mostly collected specific players, rookies, prospects, and the occasional weird card that made me laugh. Recently I’ve completed the 2026 Topps Heritage base set (including SPs), and I think I’ve also completed the 2026 Topps Series 1 base set.
Now I’m looking for another project and I’m torn between two ideas as I want something that’s a bit more of a chase but not unobtainable:
Building the complete 2026 Topps Gold /2026 parallel set.
Building the complete 2026 Topps 1991 insert set.
The Gold set appeals to me because every card is serial numbered to the year and it feels like a cool “first year back in the hobby” project. And it’s something I could do every year.
The 1991 set appeals to me because it’s only 100 cards and it’s loaded with stars, legends, rookies, and prospects. I also really like the design. And 1991 was the last time I was actively collecting. It’s nostalgic. And IF I felt crazy, I could chase color variants as well.
For those of you who build sets, which do you think would be the more interesting collection when it’s finished? Which would you rather have in your collection?
Also, if you’ve built either a modern parallel set or a modern insert set, what did you learn that you wish you knew before you started?
Trying to avoid accidentally signing myself up for another Heritage prison sentence. The SPs were a nightmare. 😂