Monster Pulls That Gave Collectors Goosebumps
At Replay Sports Cards, few things bring a shop to life like a monster pull. That moment when someone rips open a pack and reveals a card so rare, so unexpected, that everyone in the room freezes for a second before the cheers start. It’s part adrenaline, part luck, and 100% what keeps the hobby exciting.
To celebrate Halloween, we sat down with Replay Co-Founder Mike Martin to revisit some of the craziest, scariest, and most unforgettable pulls from across Replay shops — the kind that give collectors goosebumps.
🎯 A 1-of-1 That Started It All
One of Mike’s favorite monster pulls came just months after the Boca Raton shop opened. A customer’s young son cracked open a pack and revealed a Jordan Addison Rookie Black Finite 1/1 Auto — an absolutely jaw-dropping hit for any collector.
“The shop was stunned,” Mike said. “Finite 1/1s are incredibly valuable, and when that one came back from PSA as a 10, it tripled in value. Seeing that moment between the dad and his son was what Replay is all about.”
💎 Legendary Pulls That Still Get Talked About
Some cards take on a life of their own. A few weeks ago, NBA player Grant Williams stopped by the shop in Boca, grabbed the last box of Optic Basketball, and hit a Victor Wembanyama Gold Downtown — his first-ever Downtown pull.
“Customers still talk about that one every week,” Mike laughed. “It’s one of those hits that instantly becomes part of Replay lore.”
And just when you think it can’t get crazier, another Replay collector recently pulled a Bo Nix / Javonte Williams / Troy Franklin Triple NFL Shield Rookie 1/1 — an unbelievable find and perfect timing for Denver fans.
🧢 The Thrill of the Rip
For Mike, the energy after a big pull is contagious. “Once someone hits a monster, everyone feels like it’s their turn next,” he said. “You can feel the excitement building in the shop — it’s what makes days like that so special.”
Trade Nights are often where the magic happens. “Our luck during Trade Nights is wild — we’ve seen some sick case hits and low-numbered autos pulled during those events,” Mike said. “It brings the whole community together.”
Of course, not every pull goes as planned. “We once ripped a Bobby Witt 1st Bowman box at a card show,” Mike recalled. “Didn’t hit anything. A few hours later, someone told us they pulled the Red Auto from the same vendor we bought ours from. Bad box choice by us!”
🔥 Why Monster Pulls Matter
“The potential of hitting something huge is what keeps collectors hooked,” Mike explained. “You see cards sell for six or seven figures, like the Paul Skenes recently doing over $1 million. It’s that thrill — the mix of hope and excitement — that makes this hobby so much fun.”
Replay shops are built to make those moments even better. “Our layout is meant to be inviting,” Mike said. “We’ve got tables with break mats, free supplies for anyone ripping in-shop, and even started a 5% off ‘rip in store’ promo for Topps Basketball Release Day. We want people to hang out, connect, and experience the excitement together.”
That sense of community is what Replay is all about. “Replay is for the people,” Mike said. “Those moments — the big hits, the laughs, the high-fives — that’s what keeps this hobby alive.”
👻 The Scary Side of the Hobby
Not every pack has a happy ending. When asked about the scariest pull he’s seen, Mike didn’t hesitate. “We were ripping 2024 Prizm and hit a gold Commanders rookie. Could’ve been Jayden Daniels… but it was Ben Sinnott,” he said with a laugh. “Good player, but that value drop between the two is terrifying.”
And if cards were Halloween monsters? Mike’s got jokes for days.
“If you hit a monster, it turns into a ghost — gone right away, sold ASAP. But if you have a bad box? Those cards are vampires… because they suck,” he laughed. “Honestly, the hobby as a whole is a zombie — it just keeps coming back and it’s totally infectious.”
From 1-of-1s to father-son moments, Replay’s “monster pulls” are more than just lucky hits — they’re the stories that connect collectors and bring the magic of the hobby to life.
Because at Replay, we’re not just selling cards — we’re creating memories that give everyone in the shop a little bit of those goosebumps.