At some point in December I was in the nearby Target and because I had heard that some of them had started to stock cards, I took a peek for myself. I nabbed a blaster of Archives and a Panini box called Chronicles, which was absolutely bonkers, yet somehow the two products were essentially doing the same thing.
Both sets took prior designs from their "Archives" and "Chronicled" them in a mish-mash group of sets. Topps went for realism, while Panini had no choice but to opt for surrealism in response.
I thought the lack of logos would have me seeing red, but the inserts and variety of designs certainly threw everything into overdrive. Clearly, this box was making a real attempt at something. I have no idea what that could be, but it was obvious they were trying.
Oh hi there Jesús Sánchez. No, I wasn't talking to you, my son is also named Jesús Sánchez.
Archives, meanwhile, ran out of designs a while ago, but came through the rookies and traded players
And of course they loaded up the checklist with long ago retired players. Wait, Pujols is not retired? Jut kidding, I actually went to a game this past season where he hit a home run! Definitely wasn't expecting that at the start of the year.
Here are 80% of the Twins I pulled, I know how much you like to see Twins! The Kirilloff twins and the Larnach twins may or may not share time on the MLB roster in 2022.
Of course Chronicles came through with a hit, too. My scanner was having a hard time with this one, but you get the idea. The card was super thick, too- I had to dig around for some time trying to find a holder for it.
Chronicles (baseball) has been going since 2017. The first year only had apx 5 brands (not counting the parallels) total within it, this year either 28 or 32 different sets (not counting the parallels). I am building them all so if you have some you don't want check my want lists for Chronicles under the set builds (very bottom). Glad you found some bb to rip.
ReplyDeletePanini seems to have better - or more fun - designs. But the lack of a logo is a deal breaker for me.
ReplyDeleteKiriloff is supposed to have some potential.
Congratulations on pulling the thick relic card. Like Elliptical Man, it's hard for me to get past the lack of logos... so I won't go out of my way to buy a Panini blaster. But I did buy an Archives blaster when I saw them on Target's website.
ReplyDeleteNo, my son is also named Bort! LOL
ReplyDeleteGlad you were able to find some cards at your Target. I would have doubled up on the Archives...Chronicles is like ADHD to me, and the lack of logos, ugh (like that alternate-alternate...black A's jersey?)
ReplyDeleteThe shiny Panini's are more interesting that Topps rehashing the same designs over and over again.
ReplyDeleteI bought a few hanger packs of Chronicles the other night - first cards I've seen on retail shelves in over a year. It's definitely an interesting set, if nothing else.
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