Still "On Notice"

I have in my formerly nicotine stained hands (crunch, crunch, crunch) a press release from Topps. It appears that the 2008 Topps baseball factory sets will have a "bonus card" of Koskue Fukudome. Whether or not this "bonus card" will be numbered as part of the base set -- and therefore a true "rookie card" -- is unclear.

So let me get this straight. Topps posted to their website (and it's still there as of 7/14) that the second series of Topps baseball WOULD have a Kosuke Fukudome rookie card. Then, they pull the card at the last minute without bothering to tell anyone until after the fact. To add insult to injury, they stealthily insert into packs a gimmicked Fukudome card, and now they're finally getting around to issuing a Fukudome rookie (we think), but only in factory sets.

What a fustercluck.

If you're a collector, you have to be asking yourself: "Why did I buy those 2008 Topps waxboxes, again?"

And if Topps is going to pull a stunt like this next year -- and given their recent actions, you know they will -- why would anyone collect next year's Topps baseball?

Topps, it's because of crap like this I haven't bought any of your products in seven weeks. With this (and other) actions, I don't see myself collecting Topps anytime soon.

You are still "On Notice."

The Beckham/Razor Deal. Good for The Hobby?

The Razor/Tim Beckham deal is good for The Hobby.

There, I've said it.

Even though I'll never purchase a single pack of Razor -- acquisition of a Major League license notwithstanding -- their exclusive deal with Beckham and two other first-round draft picks is a win-win for everyone in The Hobby. It's a win for Razor for obvious reasons; a once-obscure start-up bought itself instant credibility. It's a win for future first-round draft picks who'll now be able to sell their likeness on the open market to whomever they want (Razor, D'Russ, Topps, et al), for whatever they think they're worth.

Believe it or not it's a win for Topps and Upper Deck, as players like Beckham will now have the novel concept of having their "true" rookie cards issued the same year they make their Major league debut; thereby spurring demand of all Major League products, across the board. This, of course, was the original intent of the Players Association "Rookie Card" rule of a few years ago.

And it's a win for the collector. Based on what they've said thus far, Razor's going to give card collectors what they actually want, instead of what they think they want. Granted, they haven't actually issued anything, and this may be all empty rhetoric. Actions, after all, speak louder than words. But in an era where the legacy companies have skimped on quality and customer service, settled for mediocrity in most of their products (especially on the low-end of the scale), and have put most of their creative efforts into gimmicks, this is refreshing.

What do you think of 1/1s?

Well, what do you think of 1/1s?

Cool?

Crap?

Overdone?

Just right?

LMK in the comments.

Cutting into Topps.

Razor Entertainment -- best known for its Signature Series Poker trading cards -- is branching out. The three-year old company has signed a trio of 2008 MLB first-round draft picks to exclusive contracts.

Tim Beckham, the first overall pick in this year's draft, Kyle Skipworth (#6) and Reese Havens (#22) all signed three year contracts with Razor. The threesome will not appear in any other trading card product (Major, Minor, or otherwise) until they make their respective Major League debuts.

In other words, 2008 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects WILL NOT have the #1, #6 and #22 overall draft picks.

No word yet on whether Razor has acquired the proper licensing, or what the company's future baseball card plans even are.

(h/t Wax Heaven)

David Wright: Flip--Flopper.

Oh sure, David Wright says "education has always been a priority." But on this issue, David Wright's just another flip-flopper.

David Wright was offered a full scholarship to attend Georgia Tech. But did he take it?

NO!

He sold out his principles and signed a $960,000 contract with the New York Mets.

Is this the kind of role model we want our children to emulate?

PUT OUR CHILDREN AHEAD OF GREED. VOTE "NO" ON DAVID WRIGHT.

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Pat Burrell to the All-Star Game; Chris Harris, Treasurer

Vote NO! on Corey Hart.

Some fans think they can get away with anything.

Oh sure, Corey Hart may be leading the National League Final Vote standings. But what has he done this season to deserve it?

Brewer fans would have you believe that Corey Hart is worthy to represent the National League in the All-Star Game. But did you know that Hart has only 14 homers and an OPS only .852?

.852? For a National League All-Star?

Does an .852 OPS reflect your values?

Corey Hart: Wrong for the National League. Wrong for the All-Star Game. Wrong for baseball.

Wrong for America.

---

We need a National League All-Star who actually is in the top-five in homers, and has an OPS of just under 1.000.

We need a hitter who will stand up to the strong AL bullpen and deliver that clutch late-inning pinch hit.

We need a candidate who will make the National League proud and lead the NL to victory in the war on terror All-Star Game.

Pat Burrell: Because the National League, and America, can do better than Corey Hart.



Paid for by The Committee to Elect Pat Burrell to the All-Star Game; Chris Harris, Treasurer.

Skills.

We only want All-Stars who have great skills.



You know, like home run skills, RBI skills, getting pinch run for in the 8th inning of a tie game skills.



Vote Burrell. He's got skills.

Pat The Bat Offers You His Protection

C'Mon now! After the first half he's put up, you know he deserves it. Vote Pat Burrell for NL All-Star Team!

America, Fuck Yeah!

Because nothing says "Happy Birthday America," than the Swedish Chef.



Yeah, this has nothing to do with baseball cards. But dammit, it's the 4th of July!

Video Box Break and Review: 2008 Upper Deck Series Two Blaster

Nope, I still ain't buying Topps.

One Blaster box of 2008 Upper Deck Series Two (paid $19.97 + tax)
Ten packs per box, eight cards per pack.

The Pulls



Base Set: 64 of 400 (16.00%)

Inserts
7 Common StarQuest: C. Granderson, P. Martinez, "I", A. Dunn, C. Beltran, P. Konerko, C. Pena
2 Un-Common StarQuest: A. Dunn, D. Jeter
1 Rare StarQuest: Captain Cheeseburger Sabathia
2 Superstar Scrapbook: The World's Fattest Vegetarian, The Big Unit
1 Team USA: D. Espinosa
1 Presidential Predictor: Hillary & McCain

Mirrors
2 Yankee Stadium Legacy: W. Ford, Y. Berra

Gamers
1 UD Game Jersey: D. Jeter