Pitch count

Last month, I went to Tokyo with some friends. An important thing for us was to watch World Baseball Classic games at Tokyo Dome. Indeed, watching baseball games was fantastic. We saw fans from different continents.

2025 Topps Chrome Update Blaster box

Around 4 or 5 weeks ago, I was exploring on Amazon because I had some balance on my gift card. After checking for a few minutes, I decided to order a value box of the 2025 Topps Chrome Update because a vendor sold it at a price that looked reasonable for me. I never bought a value box of this product before. So, I decided to have a try and see if I could find something interesting.

2024 silver pack

About 2 weeks ago, I went to a sports card shop in Tokyo. In the shop, they were selling mystery boxes. In the boxes, you might find a hit and there are several hobby packs. I bought 2 mystery boxes, trying to see if I could find something interesting.

Tough opponents? II

A couple of days ago, we took a look at a few teams that caused some troubles for Clayton Kershaw. Well, only a few. This time, let’s look at some hitters who actually hit well against Kershaw.

Good start?

The 2026 season will begin soon. On Opening Night, the Giants will host the Yankees. Logan Webb will take the mound for the Giants. At the same time, Max Fried will start for the Yankees. While looking at the matchup, I’m just wondering about their opening day starters over the last several seasons. Did those starters do a good job on the first day of the regular season?

Good German?

Around 3 or 4 weeks ago, I read a post on X. It’s a post about German Marquez, who spent 10 years with the Rockies. Marquez was the ace of the Rockies. However, this year, he’s going to pitch for the Padres. Marquez inked a one-year deal with the Padres in February. It will be surely interesting to see how well he will pitch in the 2026 season after leaving Coors Field.

Tough opponents?

In a week, the 2026 regular season will start. Well, things have become a little bit different because Clayton Kershaw is not on the Dodgers roster. For me, it’s been a bit weird that we won’t see Kershaw in the Dodgers uniform this year. A couple of days ago, I was watching some videos on YouTube. A video was the highlights of Clayton Kershaw’s performance in 2025.

2025 Stadium Club

The 2025 Topps Stadium Club was released in February 2026. Well, I don’t know if we can call it a delay or if it has become normal. The high quality photos help us capture key baseball moments again. However, this time, there are some changes in this brand.

The 2014 draft

I went to a sports card shop and said hello to the owner. He was going to take a trip soon. We chatted a little bit about life and sports cards. While chatting, I saw that there were some old hobby packs available.

​​Massive extension?

In mid-February, the Dodgers and Max Muncy agreed to a 1-year contract extension. Muncy’s extension is guaranteed to run through the next season and it will be his 10th season as a major leaguer with the Dodgers.

2026 Topps Series 1 Mega box

The 2026 Topps Series 1 arrived in mid-February. Around a week after this product was released, I went to a sports card shop to see if this product was still available there. Well, the only choice there was some mega boxes. I didn’t have many options. Hence, I chose a mega box of the 2026 Topps Series 1.

Will this happen?

A few weeks ago, I listened to a podcast show. In the show, the host and guests talked about Shohei Ohtani and his achievements. Without a doubt, Ohtani has done so many great things thus far in his career. He’s a 5-time All-Star, Rookie of the year award winner, 4-time Silver Slugger award winner and 4-time MVP award winner.

OK OK, not a blast

A few weeks ago, I went to a sports card shop that I used to go to. I hadn’t been there for quite a while, perhaps more than 1 year. I looked around and was thinking what to buy this time. Well, I didn’t see something so attractive. A key reason is that the prices of some hobby packs aren’t what I expected. But let the market decide. In the end, I decided to buy a blaster box of the 2025 Topps Archives.

Coming home and?

Before the spring training began, the Detroit Tigers announced that they signed Justin Verlander on a 1-year deal. This is a huge reunion. Verlander was drafted by the Tigers in the first round of the 2004 draft. Very soon, he made his MLB debut in 2005. In 2017, he was traded to the Astros. After playing for the Astros, the Mets and the Giants, this year, he returned to Detroit.

Boston and Brewers, deal?

Last month, the Boston Red Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed to a huge deal. In the trade, the Brewers sent Caleb Durbin, Andruw Monasterio, Anthony Seigler and future considerations to Boston. In the meantime, the Red Sox traded Kyle Harrison, Shane Drohan and David Hamilton to the Brewers.

Top arms from Cuba

Not so long ago, I was on the way to a friend’s office. A sports card shop is near my friend’s office, so I decided to stop by that store and see what was available there. There are truly a lot of sports cards. However, some hobby packs of the 2020 Topps Fire truly drew my attention.

New ace for the coming seasons?

Earlier this month, the Detroit Tigers and left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez agreed to a 3-year deal. Valdez will be reunited with A.J. Hinch, who was the manager of the Astros. While seeing Valdez signing with the Tigers, I was thinking if this is a great deal.

This is my field?

A friend sent a message in a group chat. He shared his opinions on Corey Seager. That friend indicated that Seager will probably reach some career milestones. While seeing other friends also chatting about Corey Seager, I’m just thinking about his performance.

Julio vs. Junior

I read a post a few days ago. The post is about top center fielders in the majors. Julio Rodriguez, without a doubt, is on the list. While seeing Julio Rodriguez’s name, I began to think about one thing.

The Dodgers shortstops

Just a few weeks ago, I listened to a podcast show. In the show, a guest mentioned Hanley Ramirez, who was a star shortstop and used to play for the Dodgers. After listening to the show, I was just thinking about a question.

Road to 3-peat?

The 2026 spring training has already begun. Most of the MLB teams have begun full squad workout. For the Dodgers, they would like to defend the World Series title and lots of attention is certainly on them. After the off-season, it will be worth watching if the players are gradually ready for the new season, a season in which they are trying to become another 3-peat team.

Great trade partners?

In late January, the Brewers decided to send ace Freddy Peralta and pitcher Tobias Myers to the Mets for pitcher Brandon Sproat and infielder Jett Williams. This is surely a huge trade because the Brewers sent their ace to New York.

What to expect on the mound in 2026?

A couple of days ago, we saw that several hitters might reach career milestones in the 2026 season. This time, let’s shift our focus on the mound. Let’s see which pitchers will reach key career milestones soon.

What to expect in 2026?

Pitchers and catchers are about to report. The 2026 spring training will begin soon. The baseball season is gradually back. In the new season, we might witness something cool.

The postseason hero?

A few weeks ago, I ordered some lucky bags and I found some cool relic cards. Interestingly, I found a Manny Ramirez relic card. It’s from the 2006 Upper Deck. On the front, we can see that Manny Ramirez was in the Red Sox jersey with a huge piece of game-used jersey.

All Rise for 10 years

Aaron Judge made it into the big leagues on August 13, 2016. He played 27 games in 2016, hitting .179/.263/.345 with 4 home runs and 10 RBI. It wasn’t a great start. However, since 2017, Judge has been one of the most dangerous hitters in the majors. He has played in the majors for 10 seasons. In these 10 seasons, he has become a 3-time MVP award winner, 7-time All-Star and 5-time Silver Slugger winner. Moreover, he just won the batting title last season.

The final stop?

In mid-January, a huge trade happened. The St. Louis Cardinals sent 8-time All-Star Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks and acquired Jack Martinez. While watching the news about the trade, I just think about Nolan Arenado’s career.

The solution?

Earlier this month, huge news about the free agent market is probably that Alex Bregman and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a 5-year deal. Bregman has played in the majors for 10 seasons and is a 3-time All-Star.

9th round, nice?

Around 2 or 3 weeks ago, I received some lucky bags that I ordered. After opening the first pack, I found a Thomas Pannone autograph card. It’s from the 2019 Topps Chrome.

2025 Topps Chrome Update

The 2025 Topps Chrome Update was released in December 2025. This brand has been a popular choice in the market because collectors are looking for rookie patch autograph cards. Well, it’s not that easy to find a rookie patch autograph card. So, my expectation is modest.

The best choice for the high leverage situation?

I read a post on Threads a few weeks ago. It was about a rookie player’s performance. His performance wasn’t impressive in his first season in the majors. However, it demonstrated that something is worth watching. That rookie’s performance in the high leverage situation was good.

Sosa bomb

A few weeks ago, I found that some lucky bags were available on an online sports card shop. I decided to buy 2 lucky bags. A week after placing the order, the lucky bags arrived.

2025 Topps Heritage High Number

Around 3 weeks ago, I went to a sports card shop. The main reason to go to that shop was that I would like to say hello to the owner. Secondly, I wanted to check what’s new there.

2025 Topps Archives

The 2025 Topps Archives arrived in mid-December 2025. This brand is one of my favorite series. Every year, I buy some hobby packs of this brand or a value box product. For me, I like to look back at different designs from different years. At the same time, it’s an interesting brand to collect baseball cards that include modern stars, rookies and baseball legends.

Misson completed

Recently, I watched some highlights of the 2025 postseason. In the 2025 playoffs, Yoshinobu Yamamoto made 5 starts and 1 relief appearance. He threw 37.1 innings with 33 strikeouts, a 1.45 ERA and a 0.78 WHIP. In particular, he tossed 2 complete games last postseason.

Lee will lead?

Two weeks ago, I met with a friend and he told me that he planned to watch World Baseball Classic games in Tokyo. He already booked flight tickets. For him, a key thing is to watch the Korea National baseball team. In particular, he would like to see Jung Hoo Lee’s performance in the tournament.

2025 Topps Allen and Ginter

In early December 2025, the 2025 Topps Allen and Ginter was released. I normally buy this product. Sometimes, I buy hobby packs. Someitmes, I tried a blaster box as well.

Best shortstops?

I listened to a podcast show a few days ago. In the show, a host mentioned a player because he thought that the player is one of the best shortstops in the majors. Playing shortstop isn’t easy in the MLB. After listening to the show, I was just thinking about a question.

Good to pay a lot to first baseman?

Last month, Pete Alonso and the Baltimore Orioles agreed to a 5-year contract. Without a doubt, Alonso is a star player. He has shown that he can crush baseballs and he’s a 5-time All-Star. Nonetheless, he’s a first baseman. After seeing him ink a 5-year deal. I’m just thinking about one thing.

2025 Topps Update second round

A few weeks ago, I shared the result of opening a blaster box of the 2025 Topps Update series. Well, there’s the other blaster box that I ordered. In total, I ordered 2 blaster boxes of the 2025 Topps Update.