Looking ahead

It’s the end of 2021. A new collective bargaining agreement hasn’t been confirmed yet. However, before the CBA expired, several players already agreed to big-money deals.

First time opening a box of Topps Holiday

Last month, I watched some card opening videos on YouTube and a YouTuber indicated that Topps Holiday is worth trying because a relic, an autograph or an autograph relic card is guaranteed in every mega box. Additionally, the price per mega box is reasonable.

What if?

The 2021 season is over and 2021 is almost coming to an end. MLB’s lockout is still going on and it’s still unclear to know when it will come to an end. However, we can still review the 2021 season.

2091?

Normally, the Topps Archives Baseball is a set to bring back to the past. There are several old designs and retired players in the set. I always buy several packs of Topps Archives each year and, sometimes, I get some autographed cards. This year, I bought several hobby packs of the 2021 Topps Archives. And, very interestingly, some cards are taking a trip in the future.

Two MVPs from the other side of the Pacific Ocean

Shohei Ohtani received 30 first-place votes and won the 2021 AL MVP unanimously. Twenty years ago, Ichiro Suzuki won the AL Rookie of the Year award and the AL MVP award in his first season with the Mariners.

Oh, whiff?

Previously, several coaches taught me to swing at strikes and make contact when I began to play baseball. A swing and miss isn’t ideal and weak contact is slightly better because your opponents might make mistakes in defense. Well, that might be right. However, some swings and misses don’t seem to be a serious problem in the MLB.

Manager of the Year

In 2021, Kevin Cash won the AL Manager of the Year and Gabe Kapler was the NL Manager of the Year winner. Additionally, Dusty Baker and Scott Servais were nominated as finalists for the AL Manager of the Year. In the National League, Craig Counsell and Mike Shildt were finalists for Manager of the Year award.

To become a Hall of Famer?

The 2022 Hall of Fame ballot was revealed and the results will be announced in January. While seeing some familiar names on the ballot, I was just thinking how good a player has to be in his career to be voted into Cooperstown.

On-base Percentage has changed

Moneyball was published in 2003 and the film was released in 2011. In the movie, we frequently saw “on-base” be mentioned. Since 2003, does on-base percentage become even more important?

Problem solver?

Only 4 pitchers threw at least 200 innings in the 2021 season. Bullpen usage has been extremely important for the MLB teams nowadays. However, how to correctly make pitching changes is not an easy task.

How many do you need?

Corbin Burnes won the 2021 NL Cy Young award. However, before the result was announced, many fans were discussing whether throwing considerably fewer innings would become a problem.

First pitch, swing?

Last weekend, I was watching a baseball game with some friends. In the bottom of the 7th inning, the batter swung at the first pitch. Boom! It was a home run and the home team took the lead.

Buster Posey, a future Hall of Famer?

Buster Posey announced his retirement after being with the Giants for 12 seasons. More than 10 years ago, I bought some packs of baseball cards and found a rookie card of Buster Posey. It indicated that Posey was the Giants most-heralded offensive prospect. Back then, I was just thinking how good he would be.

2021 Topps Update

Topps update series for me is a must-collect set because it helps me review the season and I could find some cool All-Star cards or rookie cards. A few weeks ago, I went to a card shop to buy some packs of the 2021 Topps Update series.