Grade the Break(s) - 2018 Topps Chrome Jumbo Boxes
Greetings all! I apologize for not getting these done sooner. Since I am behind, and we have broke 4 Jumbo boxes of Topps Chrome, for this post, I am going to combine the four breaks into overall summary of what we cracked open. These four boxes were opened in 3 different breaks: 1 Jumbo PYT, 1 Jumbo Random, 2 Jumbo PYT.
Topps Chrome is usually the most anticipated product of the year, and maybe even more this year because of the hot rookies that can be found. If you are new to collecting chrome, this is the flagship Topps set shortened and done with the chrome finish. Usually it's the same image as the Topps set, but not all the time. Chrome revolves around the rookies but there are insert autos of veterans and stars. This year Topps didn't change format much from previous years. This set features their typical run of refractor parallels, numbered refractors, variations, and insert sets. This year they added a RC Medallion card that is really nice for a manufactured "relic".
PROS
* Beautiful Card Design and quality
* Refractors! Refractors! Refractors!
* All of the top rookies (Ohtani, Albies, Acuna Jr, Flaherty, Verdugo, Torres, and More)
* Sharp Inserts (Future Stars, Superstar Sensations, Freshman Flash, 83 Insert, and the RC Medallion)
CONS
* Easy Smudging and surface scratching
* Team Distribution was very bad for some teams, For some teams to not have any autos in a set is frustrating.
* Always want more base!
Topps Chrome and I have not had the best relationship in the past. That all changed for me with these first 4 boxes of Chrome Jumbo that was opened. This was a lot of fun to open for a lot of reasons. There was nice inserts and refractors. There was some really nice numbered refractors as well. We got all of the good rookies, including some different Refractors of Ohtani. Lastly, we got really nice autos. Let's get to the highlights. I'll try not to show too much so the post isn't unnecessarily long:
Our Best Card
Rhys Hoskins RC Blue Wave Refractor Auto /150
Our Big Hits
Trevor Williams RC Gold Wave Refractor Auto /50
Jackson Stephens RC Gold Wave Auto /50
Other autos included base autos of: Allen (Indians), Fried (Braves), Sisco base (Orioles), Davis (Astros), Granite (Twins), Nido (Mets), Delmonico (White Sox), Caratini (Cubs), Peters (Marlins), Cooper (Marlins), Santander (Orioles), Mahle (Reds), Sanchez (Nationals), Gomez (Giants), Herrera (Rangers)
Some other highlights
Alex Verdugo SSP RC Variation Refractor (All Variations are Refractor)
Some Ohtani
No Ohtani ink unfortunately, but in addition to this 83 Insert and Prism Refractor, we also opened number base rookies, and a base refractor, and the Freshman Flash insert.
That wraps up the highlights of the first four jumbo boxes, I spared some of the rookies and inserts. Overall, I couldn't be happier with how these breaks have gone so far #nojinx. Our autos were the best we have pulled. The numbered refractors were above-average and we got loads of nice inserts. The Verdugo Medallion and variation were very nice surprises.
GRADE THE BREAK!
A+
We have had some good luck lately on our breaks, but this was definitely an A+ grade. Sure there is always room for improvement, but overall it would be greedy to expect more than this. I am looking forward to the next run of Chrome. The next break is posted and then there are three boxes left that I'll decide how to break. stay tuned!
Thanks to everyone that joined the break - hope everyone had fun with the first round of Chrome. I think people overall were impressed by the quality of cards we were getting.
Thanks for reading! - Aaron B