If This is His Topps Card, Then What Card is This?: Ryan Braun

The first installment went so well that I thought we'd do it again. This time, we'll focus on the Milwaukee Brewers wunderkind outfielder, and 2007 NL Rookie of the Year, Ryan Braun.

As of September 14, 2008, Ryan J. Braun (not to be confused with Royals pitcher Ryan Z. Braun), has already hit the same number of home runs (35, 34 in 2007) and driven in the same number of runs (97 RBIs) as he did during his ROY campaign. He was the first round draft pick of the Brewers in 2005, and his rise to the majors has been nothing short of amazing. Originally a third baseman, he was moved into the outfield in 2008, and while his defense leaves a little bit more to be desired, he is only 24, and can only get better as the years go on. With the youth movement happening in Milwaukee, Braun, along with Prince Fielder, J. J. Hardy, Richie Weeks, and Ben Sheets, will be in the middle of pennant races for years to come.

Anyway, back to the cards.

Here is Braun's First Topps card, 2005 Topps Updates and Highlights #UH313:


Beautiful card, taken on the field in Miller Park, probably by the Brewers dugout. So now...


Wait. What's he doing on the infield??? He's not on the official team yet. So if the first card was from the traded (fine...Updates and Highlights set), then

What Card is This?

Well, this card is one of ten cards that were inserted in 2005 Topps Holiday Factory sets. The only way to get this and the other nine cards in this set (it actually is one of fifteen cards, but the cards in the holiday set were numbered # of 10) was to buy one of these sets. Other cards that came along with the Braun were Ryan Zimmerman of the Nationals, Matt Garza of the Rays (then of the Twins), and John Mayberry of the Rangers.

Thanks for playing "If This is His Topps Card, Then What Card is This?"

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama