Site: Westchester County Center; White Plains, NY.
I've got two ten-page research papers due in the next month -- neither one I've actually started. But screw all that, it's White Plains weekend, and I'm there!
No sightings of the infamous, deplorable, Keith Olbermann, but the crowds were noticeibly smaller than in January. Kind of unusual considering that baseball is right around the corner, and White Plains is in the heart of Yankee country.
Two boxes of 2007 Upper Deck Series One (paid $55 each)
'07 UD was tops in my list for this show, and I was able to snag two Hobby boxes from the same dealer for $110. Box breaks forthcoming, but due to my academic studies, do not expect a formal review anytime soon -- if ever.
This dealer had both Hobby and Retail -- even though (as he said) Retail wasn't expected until later this week. The Retail boxes (which have 24 packs of eight cards) were $45, and Hobby (16 of 15) were $55/box. Considering that the cost-per-card were roughly the same for both formats (about $0.23-per-card) and Hobby promises two gamers and an autograph, I went with Hobby boxes.
A stack of '01-'04 Topps and Bowman Heritage singles (Paid $125)
Another case of "Animal Spirits." The dealer whom I bought the two '07 UD boxes from had a couple of boxes of old Topps Heritage singles, and I just couldn't help myself. (And yes, I paid $5 for another Marlon Anderson card: '02 Topps Heritage SP). This stack also included a bunch of '06 Ultra non-parallel inserts I needed.
Speaking of Topps Heritage, it is NOT selling like it used to. I mean, for Christ sake, I saw boxes of '07 Heritage going for $50! Which begs the question: Has Topps Heritage finally run its course? I'm not suggesting that Topps abandon Heritage altogether, but maybe put it on hiatus for '08.
One big ol' stack of late-90s and early-00s era inserts and short-prints (Paid $50)
This from the same dealer that I bought a bunch a late-90s and early-00s era short-prints and inserts from at the last White Plains show. If you were there, he was the big dude with the Reggie Bush jersey and the Bluetooth headset. I got three more '01 Donruss cards from this stack (a Nick Johnson SP, and McGwire and ManRam Rookie Reprints), and a crap load of other "junk" inserts.
Total spent on cards: $285
Admission: $7
Parking: $4
Tolls: $17.20
Grand Total: $313.20
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
1st Impressions: Topps Moments and Milestones
Ladies and Gentlemen: We have a winnah!
Yes, I'm calling my shot now. When all is said and done, Topps Moments and Milestones will be the worst product of 2007. Not only that, it may finally snatch the title of "Worst Product of the Decade" away from 2001 Donruss. Yes folks, it's that awful.
With TM&M, Topps is taking the "mirror" card to the "next level," and by that I mean to a level bordering on self-parody.
To give you an example, there will be 364 different variations of Randy Johnson's base card -- one for each of his strikeouts during his '99 season. Just like with the Barry Bonds and Mickey Mantle inserts (the worst inserts of 2006), all of them look virtualy identical with the exception of a foil-stamped number, and some minor details regarding that specific strikeout. There will be a grand total of 12,475 variations of the 193-card base set, with many of the same players on multiple mirrored cards.
Oh yeah, one other thing: Each base set card is serial numbered to only 199 copies. So even if you actually wanted to collect all 364 different variations of Randy Johnson's card, you probably won't be able to. Oh, and don't forget the one-per-pack parallel numbered to 40!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Gripes about the new Beckett
I received the new Beckett (Apr. 2007) on Monday Mar 19th -- about a week later than usual. I hope this an abberation, but in the dozen years I've been a Beckett Baseball subscriber, I don't recall ever getting it this late. Am I the only one?
Nonetheless, I was very disappointed with this month's issue. I figured that the reason Beckett was late this month was that it was being held up to include pricing on 2007 Topps. Well, guess what set isn't in the new Beckett?
Not only that, but there are no new reviews and previews for two products (Fleer and Topps Heritage) that have been out for weeks now -- one of which your correspondent has already reviewed!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Spring Break Reading List
Well, it's Spring Break at Rutgers-Camden, and I've got nothing to do for the next week. So to kill some time, figure I'd go back and re-read Card Sharks by Pete Williams. It is a bit dated -- it was published in 1995 -- but nonetheless, Williams' book is still a "must read" for any and all serious collectors.
Although Williams' primary subject is the first five years of Upper Deck, he brilliantly describes the zeitgeist of The Hobby in the '80s (the rise of "rookie" cards, counterfeiting, the addition of Fleer, Donruss, and Score, et al), and gives the most comprehensive history of The Hobby you'll ever read.
Although a dozen years old, Card Sharks has aged pretty well, and is still a good read. You probably won't be able to find it at your local book store, but you can get a used copy on Amazon, or try to look for it at your local library.
Although Williams' primary subject is the first five years of Upper Deck, he brilliantly describes the zeitgeist of The Hobby in the '80s (the rise of "rookie" cards, counterfeiting, the addition of Fleer, Donruss, and Score, et al), and gives the most comprehensive history of The Hobby you'll ever read.
Although a dozen years old, Card Sharks has aged pretty well, and is still a good read. You probably won't be able to find it at your local book store, but you can get a used copy on Amazon, or try to look for it at your local library.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Box Break: 2007 Fleer
One Box of 2007 Fleer Baseball. (paid $33)
36 packs per box, ten cards per pack.
The Details
Base Set: 400 cards
Die-Cuts: 400 cards (1:2)
Die-Cut Golds: 400 cards
Inserts:
Rookie Sensations: 25 cards (one-per-pack)
Crowning Achievements: 20 cards
Year in Review: 20 cards
In the Zone: 10 cards
Perfect 10 AL: 10 cards
Perfect 10 NL: 10 cards
Autogamers:
Genuine Coverage: 42 cards
Fresh Ink: 24 cards
Autographics: 26 cards
The Pulls
Base Set: 243 of 400 (60.75%)
31 doubles
18 Die-Cuts
Inserts:
One full 25-card set of Rookie Sensations (14 doubles & 2 quads)
7 Crowning Achievements: F. Thomas, Maddux, Griffey, Jr., J. Santana, Thome, M. Cabrera, & Piazza
7 Year in Review: F. Liriano, F. Sanchez, R. Howard, J. Dye, J. Mauer, J. Reyes & J. Velander
4 In the Zone: D. Ortiz, D. Wright, Griffey, Jr. & M. Cabrera
3 Perfect 10 AL: Jeter, I-Rod & J. Dye
4 Perfect 10 NL: Pujols, Beltran, Utley & J. Bay
Autogamers: NONE
The Bottom Line:
I have absolutely no interest in doing a full review of 2007 Fleer. Hey, if UpperFleerDeck can phone this one in (which they obviously did), why can't I? Oh well, I guess I have to write something....
The 50 "ROOKIE CARDS" are all double-printed -- as opposed to being short-printed. That's different. Also, the Rookie Sensations inserts are about as common as the base set rookies are -- which doesn't make them very "common" at all. In fact, I pulled four Scott Olsen and Kenji Johjima Sensations out of this one box.
For some strange reason all the Rockies' players have "COLORADO ROCKIES" spelled out in full on their cards, while all the other players only have their team nicknames. Did the state of Colorado pass a law mandating that all baseball cards of Rockies' players must mention that the team is, in fact, located in the state Colorado?
Product Rating: 1 1/2 Gumsticks (out of five)
36 packs per box, ten cards per pack.
The Details
Base Set: 400 cards
Parallels:350 card Short Set
50 "ROOKIE CARDS" (two-per-pack)
Die-Cuts: 400 cards (1:2)
Die-Cut Golds: 400 cards
Inserts:
Rookie Sensations: 25 cards (one-per-pack)
Crowning Achievements: 20 cards
Year in Review: 20 cards
In the Zone: 10 cards
Perfect 10 AL: 10 cards
Perfect 10 NL: 10 cards
Autogamers:
Genuine Coverage: 42 cards
Fresh Ink: 24 cards
Autographics: 26 cards
The Pulls
Base Set: 243 of 400 (60.75%)
31 doubles
Short Set: 193 of 350 (55.14%)Parallels:
"ROOKIE CARDS:" 50 of 50
18 Die-Cuts
Inserts:
One full 25-card set of Rookie Sensations (14 doubles & 2 quads)
7 Crowning Achievements: F. Thomas, Maddux, Griffey, Jr., J. Santana, Thome, M. Cabrera, & Piazza
7 Year in Review: F. Liriano, F. Sanchez, R. Howard, J. Dye, J. Mauer, J. Reyes & J. Velander
4 In the Zone: D. Ortiz, D. Wright, Griffey, Jr. & M. Cabrera
3 Perfect 10 AL: Jeter, I-Rod & J. Dye
4 Perfect 10 NL: Pujols, Beltran, Utley & J. Bay
Autogamers: NONE
The Bottom Line:
I have absolutely no interest in doing a full review of 2007 Fleer. Hey, if UpperFleerDeck can phone this one in (which they obviously did), why can't I? Oh well, I guess I have to write something....
The 50 "ROOKIE CARDS" are all double-printed -- as opposed to being short-printed. That's different. Also, the Rookie Sensations inserts are about as common as the base set rookies are -- which doesn't make them very "common" at all. In fact, I pulled four Scott Olsen and Kenji Johjima Sensations out of this one box.
For some strange reason all the Rockies' players have "COLORADO ROCKIES" spelled out in full on their cards, while all the other players only have their team nicknames. Did the state of Colorado pass a law mandating that all baseball cards of Rockies' players must mention that the team is, in fact, located in the state Colorado?
Product Rating: 1 1/2 Gumsticks (out of five)
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
The End of an Era.
It's official. The Shorin dynasty is about to come to an end. Topps has agreed to be purchased by a group headed by former Walt Disney CEO Michael Eisner. Asking price: $385 million.
Sports Collector's Daily is all over it, as are Beckett and ESPN.
Sports Collector's Daily is all over it, as are Beckett and ESPN.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
What I Got at the Philly Show: 3/3/07
Site: Greater Reading Expo Center; Reading, PA
The economist John Maynard Keynes coined the term "animal spirits" to describe a state of collective over-confidence, bordering on naivete. Personally, I'd call it something else: "stupidity." Such naivete/stupidity was on full display at the 97th Philly Show, and most of it revolved around one single card: the now infamous 2007 Topps Derek Jeter.
How much were '07 Topps Jeter's going for at the Philly Show? How about $35-$50 for a base, $75 for the Red Letter and -- and hold onto your armchairs for this one -- a Gold was reportedly sold $1100! '07 Topps wax (or what's left of it) has shot up to $75/box, and I couldn't find a single HTA or rackbox anywhere. (For the record, in the hobby waxbox I purchased last weekend for $50, I pulled a base and a Red Letter.) I don't ever recall seeing such demand for a non-rookie, non-short-printed, non-error, base set card since the 1990 Score Bo Jackson card. Animal spirits, indeed!
Also, 2007 Topps Heritage is now live, but nobody seemed to care.
Stack of 22 different 2006 Upper Deck Update SPs and 19 different UD Update commons (paid $100)
Speaking of animal spirits...
There's one particular Philly Show dealer who always brings a boatload of current and previous year baseball singles. Being the set builder that I am, he's usually the first table I scope out.
This time, he brought with him a three-fifths-full 5000-count monster box full of '06 UD Update singles, with all the SPs in individual sleeves. Upon seeing the monster box, my "animal spirits" had me thumbing through them all trying to finish off my set, cost be damned!
When I bought and broke my two boxes, I had no idea that UD had short-printed 50 of the cards. In fact, it wasn't until after Update was listed in Beckett that I even found this out. (I was tempted to revoke UD title as 2006's "Best Base Set," but the set is just too damn good. And so it shall remain.) To their credit, UD didn't just SP all the usual suspects. In addition to all 30 Team Checklists and a few rookies, a couple of the veteran players (and even a manager) were short-printed. Naturally, I would up buying all the ones I had on my wantlist -- including paying $5 for a SPed card of former Phillie and current Dodger second baseman Marlon Anderson. Yes, I paid $5 for a card of MARLON F'N ANDERSON!
The buyer's remorse didn't kick in until I spotted a stack UD Update waxboxes a couple of tables over. Price: $30 each. Now I just bought a stack of singles to (nearly) finish off my set for $100; but I could have bought another two boxes (and taken my chances) for $40 less. That's animal spirits for you. I now need only four cards to complete my 1250-card 2006 Upper Deck set, and they're all Update SPs.
Stack of 83 different 2007 Topps commons (paid $25)
Sorry, but I refuse to pay $75 for another waxbox of '07 Topps. Even if it's possible to get my $75 back by pulling another Red Letter Jeter and immediately flipping it, I'm not doing it. I'll gladly fill out the rest of my set out of somebody else's commons box for a third of the price, thank you very much.
These were purchased from the same dealer as the UD Updates.
One retail waxbox of 2007 Fleer (paid $33)
I had no idea this was a retail box until after I opened it up and noticed the word "RETAIL" printed on each wrapper. From what I understand, the only difference between Hobby and Retail in this year's Fleer is a one-per-box autograph in Hobby. In both versions you get two MLBPA "ROOKIE CARDS" and a Rookie Sensations insert in every pack -- which should make for an interesting break. Break forthcoming -- but keep in mind, that I still have two boxes from the last Philly Show that I still have yet to post breaks on.
One hand-collated 1981 Donruss set (paid $40)
Early-80s sets have been on my wish list for a while, and (believe it or not) even after grossly overpaying for all those UD Update singles, I still had enough left over for this beauty. Alright, 1981 Donruss wasn't exactly a "beauty," but it's still better than the Donruss set that came twenty years later.
Can you believe that a complete set of quarter-century old baseball cards can be had for less than the price of a comparable set of today's cards? I should've been charged with theft for buying this set.
Total spent on cards: $198
Admission: $6
Tolls: $3
Grand Total: $207
I still can't believe I paid $5 for that Marlon Anderson card!
The economist John Maynard Keynes coined the term "animal spirits" to describe a state of collective over-confidence, bordering on naivete. Personally, I'd call it something else: "stupidity." Such naivete/stupidity was on full display at the 97th Philly Show, and most of it revolved around one single card: the now infamous 2007 Topps Derek Jeter.
How much were '07 Topps Jeter's going for at the Philly Show? How about $35-$50 for a base, $75 for the Red Letter and -- and hold onto your armchairs for this one -- a Gold was reportedly sold $1100! '07 Topps wax (or what's left of it) has shot up to $75/box, and I couldn't find a single HTA or rackbox anywhere. (For the record, in the hobby waxbox I purchased last weekend for $50, I pulled a base and a Red Letter.) I don't ever recall seeing such demand for a non-rookie, non-short-printed, non-error, base set card since the 1990 Score Bo Jackson card. Animal spirits, indeed!
Also, 2007 Topps Heritage is now live, but nobody seemed to care.
Stack of 22 different 2006 Upper Deck Update SPs and 19 different UD Update commons (paid $100)
Speaking of animal spirits...
There's one particular Philly Show dealer who always brings a boatload of current and previous year baseball singles. Being the set builder that I am, he's usually the first table I scope out.
This time, he brought with him a three-fifths-full 5000-count monster box full of '06 UD Update singles, with all the SPs in individual sleeves. Upon seeing the monster box, my "animal spirits" had me thumbing through them all trying to finish off my set, cost be damned!
When I bought and broke my two boxes, I had no idea that UD had short-printed 50 of the cards. In fact, it wasn't until after Update was listed in Beckett that I even found this out. (I was tempted to revoke UD title as 2006's "Best Base Set," but the set is just too damn good. And so it shall remain.) To their credit, UD didn't just SP all the usual suspects. In addition to all 30 Team Checklists and a few rookies, a couple of the veteran players (and even a manager) were short-printed. Naturally, I would up buying all the ones I had on my wantlist -- including paying $5 for a SPed card of former Phillie and current Dodger second baseman Marlon Anderson. Yes, I paid $5 for a card of MARLON F'N ANDERSON!
The buyer's remorse didn't kick in until I spotted a stack UD Update waxboxes a couple of tables over. Price: $30 each. Now I just bought a stack of singles to (nearly) finish off my set for $100; but I could have bought another two boxes (and taken my chances) for $40 less. That's animal spirits for you. I now need only four cards to complete my 1250-card 2006 Upper Deck set, and they're all Update SPs.
Stack of 83 different 2007 Topps commons (paid $25)
Sorry, but I refuse to pay $75 for another waxbox of '07 Topps. Even if it's possible to get my $75 back by pulling another Red Letter Jeter and immediately flipping it, I'm not doing it. I'll gladly fill out the rest of my set out of somebody else's commons box for a third of the price, thank you very much.
These were purchased from the same dealer as the UD Updates.
One retail waxbox of 2007 Fleer (paid $33)
I had no idea this was a retail box until after I opened it up and noticed the word "RETAIL" printed on each wrapper. From what I understand, the only difference between Hobby and Retail in this year's Fleer is a one-per-box autograph in Hobby. In both versions you get two MLBPA "ROOKIE CARDS" and a Rookie Sensations insert in every pack -- which should make for an interesting break. Break forthcoming -- but keep in mind, that I still have two boxes from the last Philly Show that I still have yet to post breaks on.
One hand-collated 1981 Donruss set (paid $40)
Early-80s sets have been on my wish list for a while, and (believe it or not) even after grossly overpaying for all those UD Update singles, I still had enough left over for this beauty. Alright, 1981 Donruss wasn't exactly a "beauty," but it's still better than the Donruss set that came twenty years later.
Can you believe that a complete set of quarter-century old baseball cards can be had for less than the price of a comparable set of today's cards? I should've been charged with theft for buying this set.
Total spent on cards: $198
Admission: $6
Tolls: $3
Grand Total: $207
I still can't believe I paid $5 for that Marlon Anderson card!
Friday, March 02, 2007
When Bad Things Happen to Good Cards: 2007 Topps
And now the first of a new continuing Stale Gum series: "When Bad Things Happen to Good Cards." The first set up on the docket: 2007 Topps.
Quick, what does George W. Bush have in common with the drummer from Def Leppard? They both only have one arm! Go ahead, see for yourself on Derek Jeter's 2007 Topps card.
"Now batting for your Chicago Cubs, number 12, Alfonso Soriano!"
"Correction. Now batting for your Chicago Cubs, number 12, Daryle Ward!"
Mike Piazza? Or the head of Mike Piazza poorly Photoshopped onto a ten-year-old picture of Mark McGwire? I report, you decide.
See what I mean. IT'S THE SAME CARD!
(All pictures lovingly ripped off of eBay)
Quick, what does George W. Bush have in common with the drummer from Def Leppard? They both only have one arm! Go ahead, see for yourself on Derek Jeter's 2007 Topps card.
"Now batting for your Chicago Cubs, number 12, Alfonso Soriano!"
"Correction. Now batting for your Chicago Cubs, number 12, Daryle Ward!"
Mike Piazza? Or the head of Mike Piazza poorly Photoshopped onto a ten-year-old picture of Mark McGwire? I report, you decide.
See what I mean. IT'S THE SAME CARD!
(All pictures lovingly ripped off of eBay)
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
The "Gretzky" Wagner sets a new record.
Ladies and gentlemen, a new record for the T-206 "Gretzky/McNall" Honus Wagner. $2.35 million! Read all about it here:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2781059&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
and here:
http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/latest/holy-honus-t206-wagner-sold-for-2.35-million.html
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2781059&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
and here:
http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/latest/holy-honus-t206-wagner-sold-for-2.35-million.html
Box Break and Review: 2007 Topps series 1
One box of 2007 Topps Series One (paid $50)
36 packs per box, ten cards per pack (MSRP: $1.99)
The Details
Base Set: 330 cards
Parallels:
"Red Letters": 330 cards (2:1*)
Gold: 330 cards (1:11, numbered to 2007)
1st Edition: 330 cards (1:36)
Platinum: 330 cards (1:26,000, one-of-one)
*"Stealth" insert.
Inserts:
Own the Game: 25 cards (1:6)
Hobby Masters: 20 cards (1:6)
Generation Now: 200 cards (1:4)
Mickey Mantle Home Run History: 100 cards (1:9)
Josh Gibson Home Run History: 110 cards (1:9)
The Mickey Mantle Story: 15 cards (1:18)
Distinguished Service: 20 cards (1:12)
ARod Road to 500: 20 cards (1:36)
Unlock the Mick: 5 cards (1:18)
Autogamers:
Distinguished Service Cuts: 30 cards (1:505,600, one-of-one)
'06 Season Highlights Autographs: 36 cards
Generation Now Autograph: 200 cards (1:50,850, one-of-one)
Distinguished Service Autographs: five cards (1:20,000)
ARod Road to 500 Autograph: 20 cards (1:1,111,000, one-of-one)
World Champion Relics: 15 cards (1:7550, limited to 100)
'06 Season Highlights Relics: 40 cards
1952 Mantle Reprint Relic: one card (1:158,700, numbered to 52)
Mickey Mantle Home Run History Relics (1:14,618)
The Pulls
Base Set: 247 of 330 (74.85%)
Parallels:
72 "Red Letters"
3 Golds: R. Hill, Delwyn Young, J. Santana Cy Young
1 1st Edition: P. Nevin
Inserts:
6 Own the Game: Soriano, Berkman, Pujols, Hafner, C. Carpenter, R. Halladay
6 Hobby Masters: D. Wright, R. Howard, A-Rod, V. Guerrero, ManRam, J. Morneau
9 Generation Now: R. Howard (#15, 30 & 32), Utley (#22 & 23), C-M Wang (#14), M. Napoli (#4), J. Morneau (#9), D. Wright (#11)
4 Mickey Mantle Home Run History: #238, 255, 266 & 277
4 Josh Gibson Home Run History: #7, 275, 330 & 390
2 The Mickey Mantle Story: #2 & #4
3 Distinguished Service: Eisenhower, D. MacArthur & J. Doolittle
1 ARod Road to 500: #20
2 Unlock the Mick: #1 & 5
Autogamers:
NONE
The Review
It's Mid-February; pitchers and catchers just reported, and the first series of Topps baseball is now out. Life is good. But while this year's model has much of what you've come to expect from the Topps flagship, there are a few new wrinkles -- not all of which are welcome.
Let's start with what Topps did right (or more accurately, what they didn't screw up): the base set. At 330 cards, the first series is the same size as last year's and has all the subsets that are now standard: 241 regular player cards, 15 managers, 15 team cards, 5 multi-player cards, 24 award winners and 30 MLBPA-approved rookie cards.
The first prototypes that I saw of '07 Topps had navy blue borders (which I thought would be pretty nice looking). Topps must have changed them at the last minute, because all these cards have black borders -- which makes them look a little like Bowman cards. But that's not the only change. All the stars that changed teams in the off season are already pictured in their new uniforms, even before they've even played a game. All of which is nice, but did we really have to have Alfonso Soriano pictured as a Cub before he's even played a game for them? Isn't that what the second series is for?
The big "money card" everybody's going to be chasing after is the first "true" rookie card of Tigers pitcher Andrew Miller. As I mentioned in my review of 2006 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects, Miller -- the sixth player chosen in last year's draft -- could have been included in '06 products as he made his Major League debut in August. But for some reason was omitted.
Now here's where it gets a little silly: the inserts. First of all, each pack contains two of what I'm calling "Red Letter" parallels. There are no references to these cards anywhere on the packaging, nor are there any references to these cards on the Topps website. They look like any other card, but the player's name, position and card number on the reverse are printed in red ink. Hence the name: Red Letters. Yep, I already know what you're thinking: If there's one thing The Hobby needed more of, it's yet another meaningless parallel set.
But wait that's not all. Topps really cranks up the BS with the non-parallel inserts. If the Barry Bonds and Mickey Mantle Home Run History inserts were the worst inserts of 2006, Topps kicks the crap up another notch with not one, not two, not three, but four "mirrored" inserts. (I've coined the term "mirror," for a series where the same card is repeated endlessly, ad infinitum.) In addition to the latest batch of Mickey Mantle Home Run Histories, there's also the beginning of a similar set for Alex Rodriguez. But the early front-runners for worst inserts of 2007 are the Generation Now and Josh Gibson Home Run Histories.
Generation Now is an amalgam of nine different players combined into one massive 200-card mirrored set. For example, the first 50 cards in the set are all of Ryan Howard (for his 58 HRs), and all 50 of these cards look pretty much the same. The next 34 cards are all of Chase Utley, and they too all pretty much look the same. That's all well and fine. But do we really need a card commemorating all 14 of Mike Napoli's home runs -- all of which pretty much look the same?
The worst by far is Josh Gibson's -- which is a shame really. As I mentioned when I named the Bonds and Mantle sets the worst inserts of 2006, nobody knows exactly how many home runs Josh Gibson hit. But did that stop Topps? Of course not. They went ahead with a 110-card Josh Gibson Home Run History insert set anyway.
But whereas the Bonds, Mantle, and A-Rod "mirrors" have some details as to the circumstances of the specific home run -- making each card somewhat unique -- there is nothing of the sort on the Gibson's. In other words, with the exception of a big foil-stamped number (which appears to have been chosen at random), all 110 Josh Gibson cards are exactly the same. Literally. THEY TOOK THE SAME FRICKIN' CARD AND MADE 110 DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF IT!
But not all is lost insert-wise. The popular Hobby Masters and Own the Game inserts return for another year, and (continuing the theme of including non-baseball historical figures) the Distinguished Service cards honor various World War II figures.
The Bottom Line:
With the inclusion of the Red Letter "stealth" inserts, you'll be getting 20% fewer base set cards per hobby box than you did last year -- something to think about if you're attempting to build a set. (Gee thanks Topps! Way to look out for us set builders!) As an alternative, you may want to consider an HTA box. (10 packs of 50 cards, with promises of two autogamers.) But $85-$90 for a box of regular ol' Topps may be out of your price range. And besides, Topps isn't about autogamers, it's for set builders.
As it is, this particular box yielded three-quarters of the base set -- compared to about 90% for last year's -- and all the inserts ran accordingly. Don't get me wrong, 2007 Topps isn't all that bad. It's just that it would have been better without the bothersome Red Letters and needlessly repetitive mirror inserts.
Product Rating: 2 1/2 Gumsticks (out of five)
... and another thing.
Apparently Topps (wisely) let its exclusive contact with Barry Bonds expire, as he is nowhere to be seen in this product.
To refresh your memory, in 2004 Bonds became the first established "star" to withdraw from the MLBPA's group licensing agreement. Later that year, he came to terms with Topps, giving them the exclusive right to print Barry Bonds cards through the 2006 season. (Topps reportedly paid $2 million to Bonds.) Unless Topps and Bonds come to terms soon, or if Bonds signs with the PA, we may not see him in any set this year.
36 packs per box, ten cards per pack (MSRP: $1.99)
The Details
Base Set: 330 cards
Parallels:
"Red Letters": 330 cards (2:1*)
Gold: 330 cards (1:11, numbered to 2007)
1st Edition: 330 cards (1:36)
Platinum: 330 cards (1:26,000, one-of-one)
*"Stealth" insert.
Inserts:
Own the Game: 25 cards (1:6)
Hobby Masters: 20 cards (1:6)
Generation Now: 200 cards (1:4)
Mickey Mantle Home Run History: 100 cards (1:9)
Josh Gibson Home Run History: 110 cards (1:9)
The Mickey Mantle Story: 15 cards (1:18)
Distinguished Service: 20 cards (1:12)
ARod Road to 500: 20 cards (1:36)
Unlock the Mick: 5 cards (1:18)
Autogamers:
Distinguished Service Cuts: 30 cards (1:505,600, one-of-one)
'06 Season Highlights Autographs: 36 cards
Generation Now Autograph: 200 cards (1:50,850, one-of-one)
Distinguished Service Autographs: five cards (1:20,000)
ARod Road to 500 Autograph: 20 cards (1:1,111,000, one-of-one)
World Champion Relics: 15 cards (1:7550, limited to 100)
'06 Season Highlights Relics: 40 cards
1952 Mantle Reprint Relic: one card (1:158,700, numbered to 52)
Mickey Mantle Home Run History Relics (1:14,618)
The Pulls
Base Set: 247 of 330 (74.85%)
Parallels:
72 "Red Letters"
3 Golds: R. Hill, Delwyn Young, J. Santana Cy Young
1 1st Edition: P. Nevin
Inserts:
6 Own the Game: Soriano, Berkman, Pujols, Hafner, C. Carpenter, R. Halladay
6 Hobby Masters: D. Wright, R. Howard, A-Rod, V. Guerrero, ManRam, J. Morneau
9 Generation Now: R. Howard (#15, 30 & 32), Utley (#22 & 23), C-M Wang (#14), M. Napoli (#4), J. Morneau (#9), D. Wright (#11)
4 Mickey Mantle Home Run History: #238, 255, 266 & 277
4 Josh Gibson Home Run History: #7, 275, 330 & 390
2 The Mickey Mantle Story: #2 & #4
3 Distinguished Service: Eisenhower, D. MacArthur & J. Doolittle
1 ARod Road to 500: #20
2 Unlock the Mick: #1 & 5
Autogamers:
NONE
The Review
It's Mid-February; pitchers and catchers just reported, and the first series of Topps baseball is now out. Life is good. But while this year's model has much of what you've come to expect from the Topps flagship, there are a few new wrinkles -- not all of which are welcome.
Let's start with what Topps did right (or more accurately, what they didn't screw up): the base set. At 330 cards, the first series is the same size as last year's and has all the subsets that are now standard: 241 regular player cards, 15 managers, 15 team cards, 5 multi-player cards, 24 award winners and 30 MLBPA-approved rookie cards.
The first prototypes that I saw of '07 Topps had navy blue borders (which I thought would be pretty nice looking). Topps must have changed them at the last minute, because all these cards have black borders -- which makes them look a little like Bowman cards. But that's not the only change. All the stars that changed teams in the off season are already pictured in their new uniforms, even before they've even played a game. All of which is nice, but did we really have to have Alfonso Soriano pictured as a Cub before he's even played a game for them? Isn't that what the second series is for?
The big "money card" everybody's going to be chasing after is the first "true" rookie card of Tigers pitcher Andrew Miller. As I mentioned in my review of 2006 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects, Miller -- the sixth player chosen in last year's draft -- could have been included in '06 products as he made his Major League debut in August. But for some reason was omitted.
Now here's where it gets a little silly: the inserts. First of all, each pack contains two of what I'm calling "Red Letter" parallels. There are no references to these cards anywhere on the packaging, nor are there any references to these cards on the Topps website. They look like any other card, but the player's name, position and card number on the reverse are printed in red ink. Hence the name: Red Letters. Yep, I already know what you're thinking: If there's one thing The Hobby needed more of, it's yet another meaningless parallel set.
But wait that's not all. Topps really cranks up the BS with the non-parallel inserts. If the Barry Bonds and Mickey Mantle Home Run History inserts were the worst inserts of 2006, Topps kicks the crap up another notch with not one, not two, not three, but four "mirrored" inserts. (I've coined the term "mirror," for a series where the same card is repeated endlessly, ad infinitum.) In addition to the latest batch of Mickey Mantle Home Run Histories, there's also the beginning of a similar set for Alex Rodriguez. But the early front-runners for worst inserts of 2007 are the Generation Now and Josh Gibson Home Run Histories.
Generation Now is an amalgam of nine different players combined into one massive 200-card mirrored set. For example, the first 50 cards in the set are all of Ryan Howard (for his 58 HRs), and all 50 of these cards look pretty much the same. The next 34 cards are all of Chase Utley, and they too all pretty much look the same. That's all well and fine. But do we really need a card commemorating all 14 of Mike Napoli's home runs -- all of which pretty much look the same?
The worst by far is Josh Gibson's -- which is a shame really. As I mentioned when I named the Bonds and Mantle sets the worst inserts of 2006, nobody knows exactly how many home runs Josh Gibson hit. But did that stop Topps? Of course not. They went ahead with a 110-card Josh Gibson Home Run History insert set anyway.
But whereas the Bonds, Mantle, and A-Rod "mirrors" have some details as to the circumstances of the specific home run -- making each card somewhat unique -- there is nothing of the sort on the Gibson's. In other words, with the exception of a big foil-stamped number (which appears to have been chosen at random), all 110 Josh Gibson cards are exactly the same. Literally. THEY TOOK THE SAME FRICKIN' CARD AND MADE 110 DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF IT!
But not all is lost insert-wise. The popular Hobby Masters and Own the Game inserts return for another year, and (continuing the theme of including non-baseball historical figures) the Distinguished Service cards honor various World War II figures.
The Bottom Line:
With the inclusion of the Red Letter "stealth" inserts, you'll be getting 20% fewer base set cards per hobby box than you did last year -- something to think about if you're attempting to build a set. (Gee thanks Topps! Way to look out for us set builders!) As an alternative, you may want to consider an HTA box. (10 packs of 50 cards, with promises of two autogamers.) But $85-$90 for a box of regular ol' Topps may be out of your price range. And besides, Topps isn't about autogamers, it's for set builders.
As it is, this particular box yielded three-quarters of the base set -- compared to about 90% for last year's -- and all the inserts ran accordingly. Don't get me wrong, 2007 Topps isn't all that bad. It's just that it would have been better without the bothersome Red Letters and needlessly repetitive mirror inserts.
Product Rating: 2 1/2 Gumsticks (out of five)
... and another thing.
Apparently Topps (wisely) let its exclusive contact with Barry Bonds expire, as he is nowhere to be seen in this product.
To refresh your memory, in 2004 Bonds became the first established "star" to withdraw from the MLBPA's group licensing agreement. Later that year, he came to terms with Topps, giving them the exclusive right to print Barry Bonds cards through the 2006 season. (Topps reportedly paid $2 million to Bonds.) Unless Topps and Bonds come to terms soon, or if Bonds signs with the PA, we may not see him in any set this year.
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