Chris Davis and Adam Jones, 2014 Topps #153

Alright, alright. I broke down and bought myself a hanger box of 2014 Topps at Target, just so I could try it before I knock it. It's at least a better value than the blasters ($10 for 72 cards as opposed to $20 for 81 cards). The design is inoffensive, the inserts are boring, and there are too damned many parallels. I'm not telling you anything you haven't heard elsewhere, probably. But I'll do you a solid and share the first Oriole card that I pulled in 2014...it's a two-for-one deal! It's still a rare thrill to see orange and black on league leader cards, and Chris Davis' race to 53 homers was such a marvel that it's easy to overlook the fact that he also edged Miguel Cabrera in the RBI ledger, 138 to 137. Adam Jones was a distant third with 108 driven in, but who cares? I didn't do too badly with my box in all, as I also plucked out a Chris Tillman base card, a Manny Machado insert, an Ian Desmond bat relic, and the early clubhouse leader for non-O's card of the year. Now, back to my regularly-scheduled programming, which is filled with days of not buying new Topps products.