First, there are a number of auctions for the 2009 Topps Mickey Mantle #7 card (I do NOT want to put links to the offending auctions here, they do not deserve the publicity) on the Bay stating that this card is a short print variation card.
WHAT??! The Mantle card is a short print??! There's a variation??? SINCE WHEN??!
Maybe it's because his Topps card lists him as a shortstop, and the picture does show him in a possible shortstop throwing pose (think turning a double play). Maybe it's because there are 17 other legends short printed in the set. Maybe it's because some message board poster linked one of my posts, where I wrote, "And yeah, Mickey Mantle comes back as card #7. This time though, there is no current player that gets short printed as a variation...YET!!!"
BUT IT IS NOT ONE!!! STOP SAYING THAT IT IS!!!
Please repeat after me...
THE 2009 TOPPS MICKEY MANTLE CARD #7 IS NOT A SHORT-PRINTED VARIATION CARD!!!
There has been no news about this card being short printed, nor is there an actual living player who is listed as card #7 in the set. There is no second card of Mantle in 2009 Topps showing him as an outfielder. In fact, until Topps no longer has Mantle as an "Exclusive", card #7 will be reserved for Mantle in the big eponymous set. He was not part of the 17 player CMG deal. Stop calling this card a short print!!! And besides, even if it was one, don't you think (and I'm talking to you eBay Sellers!!!) it would be a good idea to put in the "regular" number 7 card for comparisons sake??? Here, I'll even put a picture of it here to show you what it looks like:
Please compare this card to the scan of your "short-printed" variation card, and tell me if there are any glaring differences between the two? Guess what??? You can't!!!
So I am asking all of you, imploring all of you, buyers and sellers alike, on eBay or otherwise, please stop calling this card a short print. Please don't buy it or treat it like any of the other 19 cards. It is not a short print. It is not a variation card. I can't say it enough.
Rant over. Stepping off the soapbox. We now return you to your regularly scheduled blog posts.
Sincerely,
JayBee Anama
P.S. For those who think I'm nuts for posting this, if you do indeed have a short printed Mantle card and want to prove me wrong about the whole thing, please send the card to me. Send an e-mail to bdj610@hotmail.com, provide me a scan, I'll give you my mailing address, send me the card, and I will cease and desist all further posting about this topic. jba
