2024 Series 1

The 2024 Topps Series 1 was released in mid-February. Once this product is released, you know that the baseball season is coming back soon. In mid-March, I bought some hobby packs of the 2024 Series 1.

Chase rate over 40%?

A few weeks ago, I listened to a podcast show. In the show, a reporter indicated a player’s main problem last season. That player is an All-Star. However, in 2023, his chase rate was over 40%, which was really high.

​​A better slider?

At the end of March, I watched some highlights of spring training games. In a highlight, a pitcher who was a rookie last season struck out the side in an inning. In that inning, his slider was absolutely fantastic.

Home run teams?

In late March, I watched some highlights on the MLB website. In a highlight, it showed that a team had crushed a lot of home runs in spring training games. That team didn’t have a great season in 2023. In the 2024 spring training, it seemed that the team was ready for the new season, in particular, the batters looked well prepared.

Most durable pitchers?

A few weeks ago, I listened to a podcast show. In the show, an analyst indicated that a pitcher has been the most durable over the last 7 seasons. The analyst kept saying that the pitcher has been one of the best pitchers in the majors.

Padres, White Sox and blockbuster trades

Before the Padres departed for Korea, they agreed to a blockbuster deal with the White Sox. In the trade, the Padres acquired Dylan Cease, who finished 2nd in the 2022 AL Cy Young voting. At the same time, the White Sox got 3 prospects and pitcher Steven Wilson. This trade is certainly a huge move for the Padres. While reading the news about this trade, I began to think about a question.

The bigger, the better?

Before the 2023 season, the MLB announced three rule changes. One key change is that the size of the bases gets bigger. The base-size change has several impacts on baseball. An important change might be that bigger bases could lead to more steals.

Second in the Cy Young voting

A month ago, I listened to a podcast show and in the show, a guest indicated that a pitcher deserved more attention. The reason why she said that is because that pitcher used to finish 2nd in the Cy Young voting and he’s been one of the most reliable pitchers in the majors.

Slump at the wrong time?

It’s been 3 weeks since the first game of the regular season was played in Korea. A lot of fans were watching the game between the Dodgers and the Padres. There are so many stars between these 2 teams. While I was watching the Opening Series, I was chatting with some friends about Mookie Betts’ performance. Mookie Betts moved to shortstops in the 2024 season and by far, he’s hitting .380/.530/.780 with 5 home runs and 11 RBI over 14 games. He’s certainly one of the hottest hitters in the majors now. However, it’s just the beginning of the season and it’s still too early to tell if it’s a good season for him.

Josh Donaldson, what a career

In the first week of March, Josh Donaldson, who won the 2015 AL MVP award, announced his retirement. Donaldson made it into the big leagues in 2010, however, he didn’t play any games in the majors in 2011. In 2012, Donaldson played 75 games for the Oakland Athletics. Since 2013, he had been an infielder that drew a lot of attention. The last game he played was on October 1, 2023. In total, he spent 13 seasons in the majors, slashing .261/.358/.489 with 279 home runs and 816 RBI.

Next player to reach 70 HRs?

Not so long ago, a friend sent a message in a chat group. He indicated that a player would crush 70 home runs in 2024. Well, that message is a pretty interesting one. It’s not so easy to blast 70 home runs in a single season. By far, only 2 players used to smash 70 home runs in a single season. While reading that friend’s message, I began to think about a question.

The higher, the better?

A couple of weeks ago, I was watching some highlights on the MLB website. In a highlight, a pitcher threw a fastball in the top of the strike zone and the hitter swung. Boom! The ball was gone. It was a home run. While watching that home run, I began to think about a question.

2023 Topps Holiday Mega Box

Last November, the 2023 Topps Holiday was released. When this product is released, you know that the holiday season is coming.