2007 Topps Chrome Box Break

Sweet blog and readers, I have neglected you. I’ve been swamped with everything from school to sports the past few weeks and it’s reflected by my lack of posts. But the snowstorm that is trapping me in my home has given me time to bring an exciting box break. This 2007 Topps Chrome hobby box (with 2 guaranteed autographs) came at a dirt cheap price, and I’m a fool for anything with A-Rod on it. Let’s roll.


The box came with a boxloader card “sequentially numbered”.
Red Refractor #159: Matt Kemp (Numbered to 99)Got half my money back with this beauty.

Along with the sweet boxloader came another one, this time of 2 Alex Rodriguez Road to 500 cards.
ARHR230: Alex Rodriguez
ARHR248: Alex RodriguezBack in 2007, card makers knew people spending good money on boxes should deserve a little extra. How many boxloaders did I get with my 2009 boxes? I’ll give you a hint, it’s zero.

Now on to the packs.

Pack 1:
#249: Lance Berkman
#89: Carlos BeltranHere Beltran is trying to walk away from the Mets.

GN280: Russell MartinUnlike everyone else in the world, I like the Generation Now inserts. If you’re looking to get rid of them, you know where to send them.

#141: Mark Prior


Pack 2:
#72: Bill Hall
#134: Sean Casey
Refractor #201: Michael YoungMichael Young has won one AL batting title, one Gold Glove, an All-Star Game MVP, and a 6-time All-Star. And how many times was he voted to start for the American League? That’ right, zero. But I digress. The refractors were easier to spot in Topps compared to Bowman, and I like them better overall as well.

#216: Brian Roberts


Pack 3:
#176: Takashi Saito
#289: J.D. Durbin (RC)
MMS23: Mickey MantleThis picture is just scarier in chrome. If you thought Mickey Mantle inserts would stop appearing in the Chrome set, boy were you wrong.

##17: Jared Burton (RC)
Checklist


Pack 4:
#57: Nick MarkakisWould be an All-Star if he played anywhere else.

#15: Bronson Arroyo
Refractor #183: Mike Cameron
#138: Conor Jackson


Pack 5:
#319: Elijah Dukes (RC)
#200: Xavier Nady
Refractor #76: Justin VerlanderDuring the one-game playoff last season, I was rooting for the Twins the entire time. I did not want the Yankees facing this guy in a playoff series.

#18: Paul Konerko

Pack 6:
#171: Dan Haren
#105: Anibal Sanchez
MHR300: Mickey MantleToo much of a good thing.

#204: Matt Garza


Pack 7:
#272: Vernon WellsThe Chrome set included the “Gold Glove Winners” cards that were found in the base set. Here Vernon Wells’ career is about to crash into the wall.

GN283: Justin Verlander
#355: Kory Casto (RC) (Auto)
2007 Topps Chrome had a small autograph list, all of them rookies. My first pull was of Kory Casto, a career minor leaguer who recently signed a contract with the Tigers and was invited to spring training.

#126: Jonny Gomes


Pack 8:
#312: Ryan Braun (RC)Yeah… not that Ryan Braun.

#8: J.D. Drew
Refractor #187: Mike MussinaMany Yankees fan believed in the “Moose” curse. Before Mussina arrived the Bronx Bombers were World Series champions. As soon as he retired the team captured another ring. During his 8 years with the club, the Yankees reached the World Series only once. I still like the guy.

#240: Randy Johnson


Pack 9:
#194: Jhonny Peralta
#267: Brad Ausmus
MMS27: Mickey Mantle
#287: Josh Hamilton (RC)Hamilton’s 15th rookie card.


Pack 10:
#219: Kenny Rogers
Refractor #114: Jorge Posada
#350: Chris Stewart (RC) (Auto)

The second autograph from the box. Stewart was a bit more successful, having reached the majors with the Rangers and Yanks. He signed a minor league deal with the Padres in December.

#162: Josh Willingham


Pack 11:
#207: Tadahito Iguchi
Refractor #151: Placido Polanco
Refractor MMS12: Mickey Mantle (Numbered to 200)The Mick can just do it all can’t he? I originally thought the card was a refractor, but there was nothing that said it was. The 125/200 confirmed my suspicion.

#30: John Smoltz


Pack 12:
#270: Ichiro Suzuki
#248: Brad Wilkerson
MMS29: Mickey Mantle
#228: Jeremy Hermida
Checklist


Pack 13:
#73: Jeremy Bonderman
#290: Jamie Burke (RC)
White Refractor #55: Travis Hafner (Numbered to 660)

The White Refractor cards used an identical white variation design as the Opening Day set from the same year.

#222: Bartolo Colon


Pack 14:
#284: Devern Hansack (RC)
#260: Derek Jeter
White Refractor #115: Vladimir Guerrero (Numbered to 660)Two White Refractors in a row! Guerrero signed with the Rangers a few months ago and could re-establish his slugger status in their park.

#156: Chris Capuano


Pack 15:
#224: Alex Rios
#158: Ichiro Suzuki
MHR210: Mickey Mantle
#144: Cliff Lee
Checklist


Pack 16:
#122: Chris Young
#258: Eric Chavez
GN208: Ryan Howard
#180: Miguel TejadaThe 2002 AL MVP (remember that?) is back for a second stint with the Orioles. Hopefully he remembers to keep his attitude straight. He’s having trouble keeping his age straight as it is.


Pack 17:
#99: Jeff Francis
#177: Victor Martinez
White Refractor #264: Mark Teixeira (Numbered to 660)All of a sudden, these White Refractors are popping up left and right. Not that I’m complaining.

#327: Joe Smith (RC)


Pack 18:
#300: Vinny Rottino (RC)
MHR290: Mickey Mantle
#129: Kenji Johjima

Uh... what? This is the Japanese variation of Kenji Johjima’s card. I believe Ichiro and Dice-K have a Japanese variation card as well.

#254: Justin VerlanderNot sure why the RC logo is on here.


Pack 19:
#9: Jason VaritekVoted alongside Alfonso Soriano as most overrated player in baseball by Sporting News. How he made the All-Star team in 2008 while struggling to bat his own weight, I’m not sure.

#213: J.J. Hardy
White Refractor #232: Jose Vidro (Numbered to 660)Oh no, don’t put any blue refractors in the box, just give me all the white ones.

#6: C.C. Sabathia


Pack 20:
#302: Drew Anderson (RC)
#51: Joe Blanton
Refractor #157: Juan Encarnacion
#308: Josh Fields (RC)Fields found some success with the White Sox through 2007-2009, but unfortunately lost playing to phenom Gordon Beckham and superstar Mark Kotsay. He was traded along with Chris Getz to the Royals for Mark Teahen in November.

Pack 21:
#146: Endy Chavez
#170: Melky Cabrera
MMS2: Mickey Mantle
#305: Shane Youman (RC)
Checklist


Pack 22:
#97: Robinson Tejada
#38: Lastings Milledge
Refractor MMS30: Mickey Mantle (Numbered to 500)Another Mantle refractor, only numbered higher. Hey, a numbered card is a numbered card.

#246: Brian Bannister


Pack 23:
#45: Scott Rolen
#147: Ramon Hernandez
Refractor #329: Jeff Baker (RC)
#108: Jimmy Rollins“Of course we’re going to win. If we’re nice, we’ll let it go to six. But I’m thinking five. Close it out at home.”

Pack 24:
#218: Alex RodriguezRemember what he did last year on a bad hip and a missing month? He’ll be ready on Opening Day, and healthy. Scary.

#277 Chase Wright (RC)
GN364: Nick Swisher
#192: Jose Reyes

Overall, I was pleased with the break, especially since I got it for a very good price. The Matt Kemp red refractor was easily the hit of the box, along with some refractors of solid players. I’m a little upset that I didn’t pull a Halladay, but that’s why God invented eBay.