Pack Break Week: 2017 Topps Archives

How about we start 2018 off on the right foot by presenting "The Return of The Return of Pack Break Week." For those who have joined us for the first time (welcome, first of all to this humble, little blog), the concept is simple: opening packs of cards after the baseball card season ended. In this case, the packs I had bought for Pack Break Week were from the three Hobby stores I visited during National Baseball Card Day.

Now a month ago, I opened and showed off what was inside packs of 2017 Topps Series 1 and 2017 Stadium Club. Today, we'll open up a pack of 2017 Topps Archives, also known nowadays as "Topps Heritage Lite." Let me explain.

Archives as a product used to be about reprints. Reprints of cards of legendary players cards from Topps' library. The first instance of this was 1983 when Topps created a set reprinting the legendary 1952 Topps set. Sets later from the 80's and 90's honored the 1953 Topps set, the 1954 Topps set (with some help from Upper Deck), and the 1952-55 Brooklyn Dodgers. In 2001, Topps brought back the Archives product in honor of the company's 50th anniversary to their first baseball card product. The set consisted of two series, featuring the first and final cards of 200 hall-of-fame and fan favorite players. Other than the hard-to-read card numbers, it was a big hit. In 2002, Archives returned, featuring reprint cards of 200 players from his "best year." It was a good set, with easy to read numbers, but some players' best years were with a different team than what he was depicted (Andre Dawson's 1987 reprint was his Expos card, not his Cubs Topps Traded card). Topps also added the stats of that best year on the card backs. Unusual, yes. But hey, there was a point behind it.

The following three years, Topps mixed things up a bit, creating a run of cards called Topps All-Time Fan Favorites, combining Topps library of designs with never-before-seen pictures. Most of the cards made sense aesthetically, but then you had an old Tommy Lasorda on his 1954 Topps card, or a young Kirk Gibson on an 1995 Topps card. It was hit or miss on the images matching the card designs.

In 2011, now 60 years into the baseball card business, Topps introduced Topps Lineage. A unique set that featured a basic base set design that had not been used in Topps catalog. But the hook on this set were the inserts that honored Topps unique inserts: 1968 Topps 3-D, 1964 Topps Stand-Ups, 1975 Topps Minis for example. Cloth stickers, 80's designed Rookie sets, and card backs written in Spanish, honoring the 50's and 60's Topps Venezuelan sets, were also included in packs of Lineage. The product was a hit, thanks to the nostalgia factor Topps was pushing. The following year, the concept returned, but instead of Lineage, it was called...

Topps Archives.

But thanks to the MLB Properties rules, Topps could no longer create a set featuring retired players. There had to be current players as well. So instead of reprints, Topps picked 4 classic designs (in this case 1954, 1971, 1980, and 1984) and matched 50 players with each design. The insert sets once again came from Topps library of products (1977 Cloth Stickers, 1967 Stickers, 1968 3D, 1969 Deckle Edge, 1982 In-Action, and 1958 Classic Combos. There was an insert set of reprint cards that used the Archives logo. Since then, Topps has continued the Archives line, featuring 4 classic designs with their classic insert sets.

The problem:

Didn't some of these guys have Heritage cards using some of these same designs? I haven't done a study, but I'm sure if it hasn't happened yet, it will happen soon. Heritage is a product that has a strong following (not me, but I know people). To me, it just doesn't seem right.

But anyway. I do own the first two sets of this new incarnation. But for some reason, I had no interest getting the last four sets.

That was until the Derek Jeter reprint retrospective that was added to the 2017 set. Well, I did get the Jeter set, but I still have no plans to go after "Topps Heritage Lite."

On to the point (if I haven't bored you to death already...)

So what's inside this pack of 2017 Topps Archives?

Opening pack now...

Here are the eight cards that were in the pack above:

• #60 Catfish Hunter, P, Athletics, 1960
• #74 Corey Kluber, P, Indians, 1960
• #206 John Lackey, P, Cubs, 1992
• #252 Evan Gattis, C, Astros, 1992
• #236 Braden Shipley, P, Diamondbacks, 1992
• #45 Javier Baez, 2B, Cubs, 1960
• #122 Willie Stargell, OF, Pirates, 1982
• #193 Tony Clark, MLBPA Executive Director, 1982

Thoughts: Two Cubs cards. That makes up for the first two packs. No inserts, no short prints, no Jeter anything. Ehhh. You can call the Stargell card an ATFF because he does have an 1982 Topps card (could be a future "What Card is This?" subject). But still...TWO CUBS CARDS.

Tomorrow's pack will be from 2017 Topps Series 2. Want to know what's inside? Stay tuned.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

The 2017 Topps Archives Derek Jeter Retrospective Set...Update

Before going on my long hiatus from card blogging, I wrote about my thoughts regarding the Derek Jeter reprint set that Topps was going to include into its 2017 Topps Archives product.

As we all know, Topps created reprint sets in the past, honoring legendary players such as Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Nolan Ryan, and Hank Aaron, with reprint sets of their respective baseball cards. Jeter was included in such a set for their 2015 Topps Update Series product. But there were frames, and parallels, and for whatever reason, trying to get a complete set of reprinted Jeter base cards was not something I was planning to do, especially since...well...I have all of his regular cards. Why would I want to spend money on reprints that were being sold for more than the base cards??!

Back to the point.

I was waffling between going after the reprint set that was part of Archives, even if I had no intention of going after the actual Archives set. The Jeter reprint set was to consist of 23 cards (1993-2015), with three cards being short-printed: the 1993 Rookie/Draft Pick card, the 2015 final card, and that infamous 2007 Jeter card with Mantle and President Bush photoshopped into the picture. As it turns out, Topps never did include the 2007 card as part of the base set (there are autograph copies out there somewhere apparently...). And yes, there are parallel cards based on the color of the foil used for the DJ logo. So the most basic set consisted of 22 cards, including the two short-printed bookends.

Well, in my hunt for cards on the Bay, I did find a Jeter set in my price range (anything under a hundred bucks...which some of these sets were going for). And...

It's mine.

The guy I bought this from was nice enough to throw in a 2007 Jeter card anyway to make it feel complete. Even though this is not part of the official Topps set (it is part of Archives, after all), I am adding these cards to the big 2017 Topps binder. I might seriously have to buy a second binder for all of the insert sets before the Update Series comes out later in the year.

Other business:

Now that I am taking a bit more of a proactive role in maintaining the Sports Card Blogroll, it's time once again to remove blogs that haven't been updated after six months of inactivity. While my humble, little blog was almost on the edge of that cliff, I'm happy to be back blogging a bit more frequently.

So this time around, two blogs will be removed from the Sports Card Blogroll:

• Catching Up With Collecting
• My Baseball Card Blog, written by friend of the blog Craig from Texas.

Removing these two sites from the big blogroll brings the site down to 221 active blogs about the Hobby we all share.

So as always, if you, or someone you know has a blog about sports cards, please send me an email, or drop me a line on Twitter.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

What Would Make Me Want to Buy 2017 Topps Archives...Maybe

I'd like to thank everyone who has left comments, sent me emails and DM's regarding my dad. He had his first chemo cocktail this past Tuesday, and seems to have been in great spirits since. Yes, he was in pain, and it was noticeable on Monday when my family did see him. But he put up a brave front and carried on as if nothing was going on. He's been a symbol of strength and we continue to pray that as the treatments continue, he will continue to fight this and, more importantly, win.

Now, this was what I was trying to write about last week.

The product called Topps Archives really tugs at my heartstrings. I loved the concept of it when 2001 Topps Archives was launched.

For those unfamiliar with the product, The first time the words Topps and Archives were put together, it was in 1983, when Topps created a set honoring their iconic 1952 set. With certain exceptions (because they could not get the subjects or his estate's permission) it was a standard-sized reprint set of all 1952 Topps cards. It was an alternative for those who could not afford the actual cards.

In 1991, Topps reprinted it's 1953 set, again with a couple of omissions. But this time, Topps added a number of "what could have been" cards had they thought doing them. Among the subjects were a young Hank Aaron (imagine if he had a card in the 1953 set).

Two more editions were unleashed to the masses. In 1994, Topps Archives put out a 1954 revival that needed help from that other card company. Because it had the rights to Ted Williams' likeness and images, Upper Deck included card #'s 1 and 250 in it's 1994 All-Time Heroes product. Along with these two cards, UD was nice enough to make a card #259 (Topps did create card #'s 251-258, including a "rookie card" of Roberto Clemente)...of Mickey Mantle.

Finally, in what was to be a foreshadowing of what would eventually the Topps Archives I'd come to love in the first part of the new century, 1995 saw the creation of a Brooklyn Dodgers commemorative set, featuring reprints of all the Brooklyn Dodgers (plus some new ones created just for this product) that graced its cardboard.

Fast forward to 2001, Topps' 50th anniversary. Part of its year-long celebration was the return of Topps Archives. The concept of recreating the first and last cards of 200 retired players was pure genius. Yes, there'd be reprint rookie cards of Hall of Famers (many of whom I'd never be able to afford), but there were also the "Fan-Favorites." Role players, as well as those legendary in the collective hearts and minds of their fans and franchises, were included in this production that took two series to complete. This is the set I loved and cherish so much that I have it stored in a Topps binder that has, what else, Topps cards on the front of it. The following year, Topps brought back the Archives name, featuring reprinted cards from 200 player's "best seasons." It was a great concept. It featured a number of players that didn't appear the previous year. The only drawback was the fact that Topps "included" the player's stats from that year's design. This was great for cards from the 50's through 70's. But cards of players who were "traded" or signed as free agents, and had actual cards from the Traded era were relegated to their cards before the transaction. So you had a 1987 card of Andre Dawson, not as a Cub, but as an Expo.

Now fast forward to 2011. Topps Lineage was introduced in 2011. Although the base cards included had a generic design, the big draw of the product was the tribute to past insert sets, cards included in packs from the 60's and 70's. Although Lineage was a one-year wonder, Topps thought to bring back the Archives name the following year. This time, the concept consisted of featuring four designs from the company's history, featuring a mix of current and past players, as well as featured inserts from the past as well. The insert sets featured throughout the years not only consisted of cards from the eponymous product, but from other brands as well (Stadium Club) and other sports (I think there was a basketball insert one year...and some were from Topps' NFL product).

This was all well and good. But Topps already has a Heritage line honoring past sets. Why create a second set that utilizes past designs with present players. I have the first two years' sets of this current revival. But after 2014, I stopped. It's become "Heritage Lite" to me. The inserts and autographs are fine (at least the first year's worth), and some of the inserts themes are great (one year included cards from the movie Major League), but I couldn't see my self continuing buying this set other than a few packs. I wasn't then, nor am I now, a Topps Heritage collector, and this set was just a reminder of it.

By now, if I haven't bored you with Archives' long celebrated history (at least you must be wondering what's my point??!), you're asking yourself why did I waste my time...

Well, I'll tell you (and now for more backstory).

From 1996 through 2000, Topps included a retrospective set of cards, honoring one player. In 1996, as he had passed away the year before, Topps included reprinted cards from Mickey Mantle's legendary Topps cardboard career. The set consisted of 19 Topps and Bowman cards featuring the Commerce Comet, split into two series. Card #20, a reprint of the Mick's 1952 Bowman card, was included in 1996 Bowman. Another 16, featuring Mantle and other players, were inserted the following year in packs of 1997 Topps. Not only did Topps include reprints of Mantle, but they also included reprinted cards from Willie Mays' career, split into two series, from 1952 through 1973. In 1998, reprints of Roberto Clemente's cards from 1955 through 1973 were inserted into packs. Nolan Ryan, and his 27 Topps cards, were featured in 1999. Finally, Hank Aaron was honored with a commemorative set of his own.

Last week, Topps announced that a 23-card Tribute to Derek Jeter will be among the inserts in its 2017 Topps Archives product. It will consist of reprinted cards of Derek Jeter's Topps cards from 1993 (the draft pick card) through 2015.

But there's a catch.

There will be 20 cards that will be easy to find. Three will be short-printed:

• His 1993 rookie card

• His 2015 card (his final card)

• His infamous 2007 card, complete with Mickey Mantle in the dugout and President George W. Bush in the stands

Remember that one?

Now, this isn't the first time Topps has honored Jeter in this way. A couple of years ago, Topps included "framed reprint" cards of the Yankee legend. These cards were more expensive individually than the cards they were honoring.

I think if anyone tried hard enough, he or she can get all of Jeter's cards, from rookie to final - including the Bush/Mantle version - for just under 100, and that's being liberal. It's bad enough that Topps is putting this set (with variations, parallels, and the like) in Archives, but as I have every Topps set since 1976, I have every single one of Derek Jeter's eponymous cards.

Now I know he's been retired for a couple of seasons now (and he'll be a first-time dad to boot). But is it too soon for a Jeter retrospective? Was there nobody available? Were there no other players whose name could have been uttered in the same breath as Mantle, Mays, Clemente, Ryan, and Aaron that could have gotten the reprint treatment? Is there not another player with enough of a card library that could have been featured?

So I have to ask myself: do I want to have a go at trying to complete this set (or getting one off the Bay)? Should I do it? Would it be worth the time, money, effort? If I find one on the auction site, should I just focus on the reprint set? Or should I swallow my pride and buy an Archives set?

It's early yet. The product doesn't come out until later in the year. Maybe I will...maybe I won't. I don't know.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

The Results Are In...And a 2-Pack Break of 2015 Topps Archives

On Friday, I went to the local big box store, hoping to find packs of 2015 Topps Series 2.

Didn't find any.

Terribly disappointed.

But I did find the 2015 Topps AL All-Star Team Retail set, so I bought that, and two packs of 2015 Topps Archives.

Now I'll be honest, I've been really disappointed with Topps Archives since the concept was brought back in 2012. Not because of the cards themselves (I do have the 2012-2013 sets in my collection), but because it has lost its focus. It has become Topps Heritage Lite honestly.

I know there are restrictions to what Topps can produce regarding products with retired players (which is probably the only thing I didn't like about the deal that was made in 2006), but creating cards of current players in designs from that were already used in Topps Heritage is very uninspired. Even the "Fan Favorites" subset, which was the only thing good about this product (for me anyway) became a letdown in last year's product when you added current players to the SP mix.

The autographs, with the faded in section so that players can sign on-card, turned me off. The ATFF's were probably the only autographed cards I actually look forward to trying to get, especially if the subjects weren't part of the base set.

But I'm glad to see that Topps repeated the things I didn't like for this year's Archives set (end sarcasm). It's probably why I wasn't motivated enough to buy a set last year, save for a few packs. And after looking at today's cards, I'm just as motivated. I may come around...especially when set prices fall dramatically about a year or two later.

So what did I get in my pre-Father's Day packs of 2015 Topps Archives? Here are the results:

Pack 1:

• #59 Yadier Molina, Cardinals 1957
• #176 Zach Wheeler, Mets 1976
• #203 Yu Darvish, Rangers 1983
• #64 Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers 1957
• #174 Trevor Bauer, Indians 1976
• #90ASIMT Michael Taylor, Nationals 1990
• #6 Alexei Ramirez, White Sox 1957
• #130 Aramis Ramirez, Brewers 1976
• #278 Alex Cobb, Rays 1983
• #52 Dilson Herrera, Mets 1957
• #106 Brandon Finnegan, Royals 1976
• #253 Whitey Ford, Yankees 1983
• #22 Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays 1957
• #158 Kole Calhoun, Angels 1976
• #293 Josh Harrison, Pirates 1983
• #71 Matt Holliday, Cardinals 1957
• #198 Michael Brantley, Indians 1976
• #215 Mark Teixeira, Yankees 1983

Nothing much to write home about here. You know you're old when even the Sell Sheets are "honoring the 25th anniversary of the 1990 Topps set." Don't get me wrong, the cards look nice up front, but to me it seems like I'm looking at previews of Topps Heritage cards. Bring back the good old days when you're featuring retired players in the designs that make sense (Whitey Ford in a 1983 design...REALLY??!)

Pack 2:

• #53 Roberto Alomar, Indians 1957
• #125 Babe Ruth, Yankees 1976
• #202 Johnny Bench, Reds 1983
• #88 Lenny Dykstra, Phillies 1957
• #189 Roberto Clemente, Pirates 1976
• #23 of 33 Bryce Harper 1968 Insert card (Fly Out, Runners Do Not Advance)
• #90ASIJS Jorge Soler, Cubs 1990
• #1 Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers 1957
• #146 Danny Salazar, Indians 1976
• #244 Cole Hamels, Phillies 1983
• #70 Jake Arrieta, Cubs 1957
• #112 Jesse Hahn, Athletics 1976
• #236 James Shields, Royals 1983
• #134 Duke Snider, Dodgers 1976
• #32 Robin Yount, Brewers 1957
• #213 Brooks Robinson, Orioles 1983
• #35 Eddie Murray, Orioles 1957
• #197 Bob Lemon, Indians 1976

Pack two was the absolute winner between the two. Any pack that contains Babe Ruth, Roberto Clemente, Johnny Bench, and six other Hall of Famers, plus two Cubs cards AND a Bryce Harper insert makes this a very loaded pack (okay, most are base, but come on now...four out of the first five cards were of Hall of Famers).

Thinking of putting the Harper card on the Bay, possibly the Soler too. All cards are up for grabs though...make offers or take them off my hands.

But it's Father's Day. This morning, my beautiful wife and two fantastic kids made a huge breakfast and even went to Starbucks to get me a Frappuccino.

While my family was at church to witness the baptism of my nephew Charlie, my in-laws were out in beautiful Crown Point, Indiana, to honor the patriarch of the family with a barbecue. Beautiful day for both events. It's the longest day of the year, no less...so the sun should be up until what 9 pm tonight? And the Cubs won (and those guys from the south side did too apparently). So all in all, a great day.

Good to see some childhood friends today. I hope to see them again tomorrow as they encounter a Chicago Deep Dish Pizza for the first time ever. Trying to convince both to come down to my neighborhood for a killer burger before hand though, but we'll see how that goes.

Happy Father's Day to all Dads, Dads-to-Be, Fathers-In-Law, Grandfathers, Great Grandfathers, Foster Dads, Stepdads, and Just-Like Dads.

"Anyone can be a Father, but it takes a special man to be a Dad!!!" - Maury Povich

Until next time, America.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

RIP Ralph Kiner 1922-2014

2003 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites Archives Autographs #RK.

Just heard this afternoon that Ralph Kiner, who did most of his damage in the mid 1940's through the early 50's with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and after a stint with the Cubs and Indians became a long-time broadcaster with the New York Mets, passed away today. He was 91 years old.

From the year he made his MLB debut through 1952, Kiner led the National League in home runs, hitting 294 during that seven season run, becoming the player to lead the NL in home runs in seven consecutive seasons. He was also a six-time All-Star (five times with the Bucs, one with the Cubs), and was inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame in 1975.

I bring all of this up because of the card above. Kiner was one of 21 subjects who were not included in the 2003 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites set but had an autograph card (and one that was part of that elusive Group A - limited to 50 cards). The following year, Topps included him in the base set...and used the same picture above for the base card. On the checklist, he was included as an autographed card...meaning that this card was used for two consecutive years.

Regardless of all of that, this humble little blog sends its condolences to Mr. Kiner's family, the Pirates organization, the Mets organization, and Major League Baseball.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Pack Break Week 2013: Topps Archives

I woke up early this morning, as has been the routine since the kids have gone back to school. My wife, normally pressed for time and wanting to rush out of the house, found herself done with her routine early enough to make the family French toast. Thanks dear. So now that everyone has left the house for work or school (except for me...I'll be doing that shortly)...

How about a pack break?

Today, I'll be opening the random pack of 2013 Topps Archives.When Topps announced that they were bringing back the Archives brand in 2012, I was excited. For one, it had to be better than the Lineage effort they pulled the year before. Second...it's Archives. There was a hope that they'd be able to do a set full of retired players again. Unfortunately, the execution was disappointing because the formula became just an offshoot of Heritage. With current players on designs like 1954 Topps...wasn't that the concept of 2003 Topps Heritage??!

The real draw to this set for me was not the current players in older Topps designs, but the fact that they were able to include the "All-Time Fan Favorites," retired players who don't usually get cardboard love after their playing days ended, in the set using Topps' library of past designs. This was the core of the ATFF sets in the early 2000's and I was happy that Topps brought this back. It also helped that Topps' autograph library not only included most of the "Fan Favorites" but of players who did not make the "base set." I have all but one of the cards from the 2012 set (Hank Aaron) and have decided to "kinda actively" look for the 13 or so subjects who are auto-exclusive players in the 2013 set.

Now hoping for a Fan Favorite autograph card, here - in order - are the cards that came inside my 8-card pack of 2013 Topps Archives:

• #54 Cliff Lee, Phillies 1982
• #131 Salvador Perez, Royals 1985
• #172 Freddie Freeman, Braves 1990
• #36 Wade Miley, Diamondbacks 1972
• #83-DE Darrel Evans, Giants 1983 All-Star Card
• #60 Robinson Cano, Yankees 1982
• #127 David Price, Rays 1985
• #164 Dan Uggla, Braves 1990

Okay, so not the best pack in the world. No short-printed legends to speak of, that would have made this pack a winner. But with 200 base cards (not counting the 50 sp's), every player had to be a star. So cards of Cano and Price, as well as up and comers Freeman and Perez, plus the 1983 All-Star card makes this a decent break.

Tomorrow, I'll open the pack of 2013 Topps Series 2 and the pack of 2013 Topps Chipz (because it's Friday). Will there be an auto or shortprint in my future? Tune in tomorrow when I open the pack at another unique location.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

RIP Andy Pafko 1921-2013

I found out thanks to my twitter feed that Andy Pafko passed away last night at the age of 92 in a nursing home in Stevensville, Michigan.

He was a veteran of seventeen major league seasons, making his major league debut on September 24, 1943.

He was an All-Star for four straight seasons (1947-1950) with the Chicago Cubs.

He won a World Series title with the 1957 Milwaukee Braves.

He played in 1,852 games, hit for a cumulative .285 average, hit 213 home runs, drove in 976 rbi's, had OBP/SLG/OPS percentages of .350/.449/.799.

Until his passing, he was one of two players still alive who played as a Cub in a World Series.

But for all of his contributions to the game of baseball, he will be remembered by collectors for one thing...one very important thing...

When Topps created their now famous 1952 baseball card product, they had the presence of mind to make Andy Pafko, then a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers, card number 1. Because his was the top card in many players collections (those who sorted their cards by number and then placed them in rubber bands...no plastic sheets back then), his card would get the brunt of wear and tear. Thus making his card an extremely valuable (hence expensive) card to find in good or better condition.

It is what makes Andy Pafko's card one of the most valuable common cards in the history of baseball card collecting (can't really consider his cards commons though...he was a star after all).

He signed the above page of a book called 300 Great Baseball Cards by Mike Payne and the staff of Beckett Baseball Card Monthly a number of years ago (thanks to Brian Proulx...wherever you are) at a card shop near my work. Unfortunately, the day he was to appear at the shop, I was in Indiana. So I left the book at the shop for Mr. Pafko to sign. I never met Mr. Pafko, and regret it to this day. But I will always have his signature (look how clean it is...and he was in his 80's when he signed the book).

My condolences go out to the Pafko family and friends.

May you find your way to the Field of Dreams.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Happy Father's Day. Now, Who's Up For a 2-Pack Archives Break

Father's Day 2013 started with a quick breakfast in bed, some coffee, and a nice present from my wife and children. They bought these wooden letters D A D and each of them painted one of the letters in their own unique way. I really like these home-made crafts because it shows that they took time out of their busy days to make something nice for me. But what was more important was the gifts I received...the two kids that have been my world for the last 13 years.

We are right now sitting in the social hall next to the church. Mass ended a bit more than an hour ago, and while my wife back in the church practicing with the choir, the kids are re-discovering the joys of Nintendo DS. They haven't played with these devices since spring break, using their parents' smartphones for their gaming escape. Now that summer is here, hopefully they'll play their games as sparingly as they did during the school year. But I digress. While everyone is busy, what better time than now to do a pack break?

Yesterday, while my wife was with her dad, and my daughter was at a dance audition, my son and I went to our local big box store in hopes of just hanging out and finding any of the newest Lego Minifigures. On the minifig note, series 10 is out and so far we have the Roman Commander and Warrior Woman. Sure enough, we found the minifigs and selected five at random (I mean, what would the odds be of getting the same two figures, right)? Okay, not so random, we did feel for the prop. We picked five, and along with a Kreo Donkey Kong Mario Kart car, we now own the Trendsetter (with dog), the Skydiver, the Motorcycle Mechanic, the Paintballer, and Tomahawk Warrior (so many figures with weapons in these series...it's like watching that Deadliest Warrior show to see which would win in a one-on-one duel). I also bought two packs of the newest Topps sensation (at least before series 2), Topps Archives and one jumbo pack of 18-cards. Let's see what's in these packs.

Pack 1 (in order of appearance):

• #184 Kyle Seager, Mariners, 1990 design
• #041 Doug Fister, Tigers, 1972 design
• #057 Todd Frazier, Reds, 1982 design
• #69S-BBMP Yogi Berra, Johnny Bench, Joe Mauer, Buster Posey 4 in 1 mini stickers, 1969 design
• #004 Marco Scutaro, Giants, 1972 design
• #078 Johan Santana, Mets, 1982 design
• #141 Adam Jones, Orioles, 1985 design
• #151 Jason Motte, Cardinals, 1990 design

Comments: For those who do not like the 1990 Topps design, the cards in this pack make a great argument as to why this design is awesome. The Motte card uses the red design, reminding me of some of how the red color really worked when the subject was from the Cardinals. The stickers look nice. Glad that there was a theme to the subjects (all-star catchers). Otherwise, nothing much to write home about.

Pack 2 (in order of appearance):

• #110 Josh Hamilton, Angels, 1985 design
• #187 Alex Gordon, Royals, 1990 design
• #032 Wade Boggs, Red Sox, 1972 design
• #085 Tony Perez, Reds, 1982 design
• #214 Fred McGriff, Blue Jays, 1989 design (All Time Fan-Favorites subset SP found 1:4 packs)
• #175 Yogi Berra, Yankees, 1990 design
• #018 Jon Lester, Red Sox, 1972 design
• #062 Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox, 1982 design.

Comments: Now we're talking. An SP card, and the card design is my favorite of all-time, 1989. Three Red Sox cards in the pack though...not that there is anything wrong with that but I didn't get any Cubs or *cough* White Sox cards in either pack.

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads in my life: Leslie Anama, Charles Mok, Anamite Anama, Richard Lee, Charles Mok Jr., Sam Bell. Happy Fathers Day to all Dads, Dads-to-Be, Grandfathers, Great Grandfathers, Foster Dad's, Stepdads, and Just-Like-Dads out there. Remember, anyone can be a father, but it takes a real man to be called "Daddy."

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

The Checklist for the 2013 Topps Archives Cubs Set is Now Live!!!

Friend of the blog tdlindgren sent me an e-mail today stating that the Cubs have posted the checklist for the 2013 Topps Archives Cubs cards that will be distributed over a four game stretch during the season.

For those who don't want to click on the link, here is the official list (with the year of the card design being used):

• #1 Ernie Banks 1954 Topps
• #2 Fergie Jenkins 1996 Topps
• #3 Ron Santo 1984 Topps
• #4 Don Kessinger 1965 Topps
• #5 Shawon Dunston 1996 Topps
• #6 Starlin Castro 1971 Topps
• #7 Bobby Murcer 1996 Topps
• #8 Andre Dawson 1971 Topps
• #9 Fergie Jenkins 1954 Topps
• #10 Sammy Sosa 1956 Topps
• #11 Jeff Samardzija 1971 Topps
• #12 Anthony Rizzo 1984 Topps
• #13 Starlin Castro 1987 Topps
• #14 Ernie Banks 1977 Topps
• #15 Darwin Barney 1965 Topps
• #16 Billy Williams 1987 Topps
• #17 Mark Grace 1964 Topps
• #18 Starlin Castro 1956 Topps
• #19 Andre Dawson 1954 Topps
• #20 Ernie Banks 1982 Topps
• #21 Dave Kingman 1996 Topps
• #22 Aramis Ramirez 1961 Topps
• #23 Ryne Sandberg 1962 Topps
• #24 Glenn Beckert 1984 Topps
• #25 Kerry Wood 1977 Topps
• #26 Ron Santo 1990 Topps
• #27 Steve Stone 1964 Topps
• #28 Greg Maddux 1963 Topps
• #29 Jeff Samardzija 1956 Topps
• #30 Mark Grace 1972 Topps
• #31 Greg Maddux 1971 Topps
• #32 Jon Lieber 1962 Topps
• #33 Randy Hundley 1982 Topps
• #34 Kerry Wood 1962 Topps
• #35 Don Kessinger 1990 Topps
• #36 Alfonso Soriano 1954 Topps
• #37 Rick Sutcliffe 1956 Topps
• #38 Sammy Sosa 1965 Topps
• #39 Bill Buckner 1977 Topps
• #40 Ryne Sandberg 1972 Topps
• #41 Billy Williams 1996 Topps
• #42 Bruce Sutter 1963 Topps
• #43 Dennis Eckersley 1961 Topps
• #44 Anthony Rizzo 1956 Topps
• #45 Ryne Sandberg 1965 Topps
• #46 Billy Williams 1982 Topps
• #47 Starlin Castro 1962 Topps
• #48 Rick Rueschel 1972 Topps
• #49 Ernie Banks 1990 Topps
• #50 Jeff Samardzija 1965 Topps
• #51 Mark Grace 1956 Topps
• #52 Glenn Beckert 1987 Topps
• #53 Rick Sutcliffe 1962 Topps
• #54 Darwin Barney 1977 Topps
• #55 Andy Pafko 1990 Topps
• #56 Hank Sauer 1954 Topps
• #57 Rick Monday 1956 Topps
• #58 Jeff Samardzija 1982 Topps
• #59 Ernie Banks 1996 Topps
• #60 Jose Cardenal 1972 Topps
• #61 Bruce Sutter 1961 Topps
• #62 Lee Smith 1963 Topps
• #63 Ken Holtzman 1965 Topps
• #64 Jerome Walton 1971 Topps
• #65 Scott Sanderson 1964 Topps
• #66 Sammy Sosa 1977 Topps
• #67 Ivan DeJesus 1963 Topps
• #68 Ryne Sandberg 1982 Topps
• #69 Larry Bowa 1961 Topps
• #70 Milt Pappas 1987 Topps
• #71 Billy Williams 1990 Topps
• #72 Sammy Sosa 1971 Topps
• #73 Keith Moreland 1964 Topps
• #74 Greg Maddux 1954 Topps
• #75 Bruce Sutter 1956 Topps
• #76 Ernie Banks 1984 Topps
• #77 Fergie Jenkins 1990 Topps
• #78 Gene Baker 1954 Topps
• #79 Greg Maddux 1972 Topps
• #80 Rick Sutcliffe 1971 Topps
• #81 Soler, Almora, Baez 1982 Topps
• #82 Steve Trachsel 1956 Topps

Again, the set will be distributed to the first 10,000 fans who go through the turnstiles before four specific games as follows:

• Cards 1-20 will be given out on Fri. May 3 vs. Cincinnati Reds
• Cards 21-40 will be given out on Fri. July 5 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
• Cards 41-60 will be given out on Fri. August 2 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
• Cards 61-82 will be given out on Fri. August 30 vs. Philadelphia Phillies

I am really looking forward to seeing these and making the attempt either to get to the games or go on the Bay to get them. Thanks for the tip Tim.  I wonder if eBayer mediaguides is still around...

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Hey Cub Fans!!! Topps Has Card Giveaways in 2013!!!

For the first time since 2004, Topps and the Chicago Cubs are reuniting to giveaway cards during select home games.  According to Topps' Twitter account, an 82-card set of what looks like exclusive Topps Archives cards that will be given out over 4 home games in 2013.

Here is a scan of the cards (in sheet form):

Looks like there will be a variety of years (I see 1996, 1990, 1987, 1984, 1982, 1979, 1972, 1971, 1965, 1964, 1963, and 1962) here.

According to the Cubs' website, the first 10,000 fans in attendance will get these sets.  The dates:

• Friday, May 3, 2013 vs. Cincinnati Reds
• Friday, July 5, 2013 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
• Friday, August 2, 2013 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
• Friday, August 30, 2013 vs. Philadelphia Phillies

As much as I'd prefer to have the reprint card program return (similar to the giveaways from 2001-2004), this is a nice alternative.  At 82 cards, it's going to be a fun set to go after.  No word yet as to how the cards will be distributed.  

Now I'm off to see if the other 29 teams are going to have similar giveaways.  Or at least that Topps will be involved in somehow.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

P.S.:  Tim, sorry, I get my 66's and 65's mixed up sometimes.  It is now fixed.

Twitter Pictures I Missed

Apparently the Topps Company is counting down the days until pitchers and catchers report for spring training. Until that day comes, they have been showing pictures of what is to come in 2013. While they have been showing preliminary sheets of products like Heritage, since I don't really collect that brand, I'm skipping them.

What I will be showing instead are things that are of interest to me, and may be to you as well. Here we go.

Hey, we get a sneak peek into what to expect for 2013 Topps Archives. By the looks of things, 1972, 1982, and 1985 Topps designs look to be a contenders for one of the four designs used for the pseudo-Heritage base set.

The 1972 Topps minis look really good. I guess they couldn't photoshop a Blue Jays jersey fast enough on Jose Reyes.

The yellow field on these minis (which I'm guessing are for autos) really defeats the purpose of utilizing the 1972 Topps design. Why couldn't they stick with the original plans of just fading the bottom portion of the card for the stickers???

Now this is what I'm talking about. These look nice with or without autographs.

Topps Black parallel cards. Maybe later they'll show the green, or the camouflage, or even pink.

What every collector will be looking for once they hear 2013 Topps cards are on shelves everywhere.

On an unrelated note, with all the commotion that has taken place within the last couple of days in LA (for both Dodgers and Angels) should we be expecting super-short print cards of Josh Hamilton in an Angels jersey and Zack Greinke in a Dodgers uniform?  You never know.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Pack Break Week 3: 2012 Topps Archives

So this week, I decided to go ahead and open one pack of cards that I bought last weekend at Target. Today, it's my first ever pack of Topps Archives.

When Topps announced that they were bringing back the Archives name to their 17-product roster (replacing Lineage), I was excited.  I loved the Archives sets from 2001 and 2002 because the Company was honoring their roots.  Back then, they had 50 years worth of designs and players to choose from, and for a guy who never owned a 1952 Mays, or a 1954 Banks, it was nice to see how they looked up close, albeit with the gold Archives foil on the cards.

Because MLB Properties and the MLB Players Association restricted Topps from doing an all-retired player set, the new Archives would feature current players to go with retired legends, using four iconic Topps designs:  1954, 1971, 1980, and 1984.

One problem.

Doesn't Topps already have a product that combines a card design from the past with current players?  Oh yeah...HERITAGE!!!  A handful of the players whose cards are part of the '54 subset were actually was around for the 2003 Topps Heritage set (Konerko, Berkman, Pujols).  I'm  pretty sure we'll see a handful of players featuring the 1971 Topps design in the 2020 Topps Heritage set someday.

The inserts, from what I read in the sell-sheet, paid homage to past Topps insert concepts and designs, from 3D, to stickers, to Deckle Edge.  There was even an auto subset that hearkened back to Topps 2003-2005 effort...All-Time Fan Favorites (which I liked back then, and based on the checklist, would have loved to take a shot at if I had the funds).  It was clear to me at this point, that short of the base cards that used older players in past designs, that the heart of the product wasn't going to be the base set that used the four Topps designs, but the inserts.

Rant done, here is what I got in my pack of 2012 Topps Archives:

• #106 Alex Gordon, Royals, 1980
• #157 Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies, 1984
• #39 Jackie Robinson, Dodgers, 1954 (believe it or not, he actually had a 1954 Topps card...#10...would this count as a Fan Favorite?)
• #89 Lou Gehrig, Yankees, 1971
• Justin Upton 3D card (no number)
• #149 Dustin Ackley, Mariners, 1980
• #196 Andrew Bailey, Red Sox, 1984
• #7 Cole Hamels, Phillies, 1954

I'm kind of shocked...I would have sworn Topps would have assigned the #7 card to Mantle instead of Cole Hamels.  Instead, he's card #22 in this set.  Also, the 3D card doesn't seem to scan well (or do the card justice...it looks great up close).

Overall, it's an okay pack.  Would it make my kids want to buy more packs?  Not at $3.19 at Target.  I think I'd be better off trying for a master set, with the reprint/fan favorite cards.

Tomorrow, it's a pack of 2012 Topps Series 1.  Yes, I have a complete set, but who knows.  I might get that squirrel card after all.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

I Was Wondering Why Jose Oquendo Had 9 Different Autograph Cards in 2012 Topps Archives, Then It Hit Me...

Perusing the Bay, I was looking at the auctions for the autograph cards found in the latest and greatest 2012 Topps Archives set.  I'm not looking for anything in particular, just waiting for the day I actually have money that I don't have to use to pay for plumbing (those who friend me on facebook already know what I'm going through as I've already posted on there about my latest round of home dilemmas), mortgage, bills, etc...

Okay back to the point.

So I'm online, looking at the pictures of the Fan Favorite Autos, thinking that I could take a shot at a majority of these because after the set collectors finish their feeding frenzy, the rest should be easy to find on the cheap.  Then I noticed something about the Jose Oquendo autograph cards that did not seem to be prevalent with the rest of the checklist:

2012 Topps Archives Jose Oquendo Base Card #238

So here is the Oquendo base card.  Yes, the fonts are way off from the 1988 Topps design (the font used on the name is giving me fits...don't they keep a record of what fonts they used??!)  All seems normal here right?  Then I saw the autos.

2012 Topps Archives Jose Oquendo Autograph Card #FFA-JOQ

Nothing out of the ordinary here as it was common in the ATFF cards to have autographed versions of the base card.  But what about this:

And this:

What about this:

And another one:

One more:

I lied...here's another:

And another:

Are we done???  Finally:

Nine Jose Oquendo autograph cards.  Why?  No offense to Cardinals fans (yes, this Cubs fan has been dying a slow death this year...and it's not even June yet)...but why nine cards of Jose Oquendo.  Yes, he had a great career as a Redbird, but why?  Then I went to his Baseball-Reference page and it hit me.  Take a look a the positions he played in 1988 (the year Topps used for his card): 4563/98721 (in 1987 his positions were the same except for 2).  This means that in 1988, he managed to play every position possible, including pitcher and catcher.  Was he really that versatile?  Was this madness?  Or did he really play every position that year?  The answers to the questions are yes, no, and absolutely.

Now while the novelty has been done that a player could change positions in every inning, Oquendo was asked to play all 9 positions at one point or another during the 1988 campaign.  Primarily an infielder, so not surprisingly he would play be comfortable in all four positions, he was sent to the outfield, caught a game late in the season, and during a 19-inning affair with the Atlanta Braves, left his position at first base to take the mound for three innings (took the loss, but still...).  Here is a recap of his year on the field (games played):

• Second Base (69 games)
• Third Base (47)
• Shortstop (17...hey, even Ozzie had to take a break somehow)
• First Base (16)
• Right Field (9)
• Center Field (4)
• Left Field (2)
• Catcher (1)
• Pitcher (1)

So if you're wondering why Jose Oquendo was honored with not one, not two, but NINE different autograph cards, there's your answer.  On the back of each card, it lists him at a different position to boot.  So you could easily obtain all nine cards and put it on a baseball diamond frame (yes, they made those).  Or put all nine on a sheet for your collection.  

Heck, I might even take a stab at attempting this (anyone willing to help me???) if I had the funds.  Maybe.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

2012 Topps Archives Sell Sheets are Live!!!

I was wondering how Baseball Cardpedia was able to get their hands on a preliminary checklist for the highly discussed 2012 Topps Archives product (that is now the official name of the set), when I remembered that Mr. Stale Gum himself, Chris Harris, now works with Sports Collector's Daily as a writer. If you haven't noticed, he had been spending less time on his blog and (because I'm guessing he is being paid) is now writing for the hobby website. Hey, have to make a living somehow, right???

Anyway, while both of the usual sites that I view sell sheet information did not yet have them posted, SCD did, and Chris was kind enough to include links to both sell sheet .pdf and the prelim checklist. Below are the sell sheets for 2012 Topps Archives.

















The details on the products have been previously discussed. And it looks like the Fan Favorites "set" will contain 40 cards while the autograph checklist contains 75 cards. If all 40 base players have auto card parallels, that means that there will be 35 autograph exclusive players that, if I had the funds, I would have to collect (if I was just as crazy as I was in 2003). Well, here's hoping that these autos will be actual fan favorites (stars on the lower end of the Hobby spectrum) than of legends that warrant heavy prices on the secondary market.

The first page of the sell sheet looks like the images were placed on a fruit roll-up. And you have to like the wild colors used onthe rest of the sheets.

Enjoy.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

As More Details Emerge...

Based on the news that appeared on Topps' Facebook account and the number one source in the Hobby, I find myself a bit let down.  Yes, Charlie, I knew that MLB Properties would not allow Topps to do an all retired player set.  But I had hoped that this restriction would be lifted for a product like Archives/Fan Favorites.

Alas, I was wrong.

2012 Topps Archives will contain a 200 card set of retired (yay) AND current MLB players (ugh).  Nothing against today's ball players, but I was hoping for a full-fledged retired set that would either be reprints of players cards (like 2001 or 2002 Topps Archives) or previously unused photos (ala 2003-2005 Topps ATFF).  And while the autographs had given me hope, I don't really collect autos.  I was hoping for a base set that would have been similar to the autographs. 

And again, I became disappointed.

It turns out that what is being called Archives will consist of just four designs:  1954, 1971, 1980, and 1984. 

That's it.  I'm going to go on a hunch that there will be 50 cards per design.  I can only hope that for the 1954 design that Topps uses players that did not appear in 2003 Topps Heritage, otherwise, it becomes repetitive. 

And looking at the Pujols preview card on Facebook (do you know how to download videos to Facebook???), it looks like a mockup of what 2020 Topps Heritage is going to look like, and that is exactly what I wrote in the comments for that photo.

In what appears to be the replacement for Topps Lineage, the inserts that will be included in this set feature tributes to past insert concepts, like 1967 Topps Stickers, 1968 Topps 3D, 1969 Topps Deckle Edge and the 1977 Topps Cloth sets.

The article on Beckett goes on to say that while the base set is 200 cards in number, "There will be 40 short-printed (unsigned) Fan Favorites cards capping the set found one in every four packs."  This may be what I had in mind.  And if this is what I'm hoping it is, then I might consider just buying a full set of just these 40 cards on the Bay.  But then what if the Autographed FF cards feature more than just the 40 cards from the base set?  Should I dare go for it like I did in 2003 (I have 19 autographed cards, of just the players who had auto cards that did not appear in the base set...Tug McGraw would have been 20, but I doubt he signed his cards...something about failing health at the time...)?

So it turns out that I might not necessarily be on the hunt for this set after all.  What I had hoped for when the first images showed up as a dream set turned out to be just that...a dream. 

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Topps Archives/All-Time Fan Favorites is Back!!!

The number one source in the Hobby reports today that the above images appeared on @toppscards twitter feed this morning. If these are what they look to be, that means that Topps All-Time Fan Favorites is back. But perusing the article a bit further, there might be more to it. To wit:

"Fan Favorites, which first arrived in 2003, was a set comprised of past favorites in new photos on varying card designs from past Topps sets. The real draw? Certified autographs — signed on-card — along with the old looks with new (cleaner) printing technology. Oh, and there were Chrome cards — and Refractors, too. This time, though, they will be found as an insert set in an also-revived and not-yet-unveiled Topps Archives product.

"Yes, Fan Favorites is coming back as autograph insert in new Topps Archives in 2012," said a company official via Twitter. "Awesome product, I think will be a really fun break."











Questions abound though:

• Okay, so while I can definitely figure out the design for the Griffey, Clark, and Kingman cards above, what design is the Mattingly card supposed to represent? The Glossy Send Ins from the mid-late 80's?
• And does this mean that Topps is finally allowed to sell a product featuring retired players only? Or will there be current players mixed in too?

Regardless, this is just great news is you're a fan of Topps Baseball Cards. And this is one set that I'm looking forward to reading more details about when they come.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama