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

Images for the 2014 Topps Retail Team Sets are Live!!!

With the baseball season already underway, and because I've already secured my S1 Master set, the next set of products my attention goes to (unless Gypsy Queen comes out) is the team retail sets. Hey, some people go ga-ga over Heritage, I feel the same way towards the team sets.

Readers who have stuck with this humble, little blog, even as I have withered to obscurity, know that I absolutely LOVE the retail sets. Since 2006, I have made it my mission to include these awesome supplements to the eponymous Topps set into my collection. And I have succeeded in getting all 30 team sets (plus the All-Star Team sets since 2011) since then. That's 246 total team sets.

Well, in searching for any info on these beauties, I found this on the MLB shop website:

All 30 team sets (not counting the possible AL and NL All-Star sets) are listed, with pre-sales for just under $20.00 before shipping charges...and they come with binders and pocket pages.

For the first time, Topps will be including coupons within the team sets? I know in recent years that coupons for Topps products have been inserted in retail boxes. A $0.50 coupon might not sound like much, but if it means a price break on packs, it could be worth it.

If I can find better images, and possibly preliminary checklists, I'll get them posted onto the blog. Until then, here is the list of the "cover players" for each team (subject to change):

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Paul Goldschmidt
• Atlanta Braves: Justin Upton
• Baltimore Orioles: Manny Machado
• Boston Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia (note that the logo on the prelim package is the 2013 WS Champions)
• Chicago Cubs: Anthony Rizzo (note that the logo on the prelim packages honors Wrigley Field's 100th anniversary)
• Chicago White Sox: Chris Sale
• Cincinnati Reds: Joey Votto
• Cleveland Indians: Nick Swisher
• Colorado Rockies: Troy Tulowitzki
• Detroit Tigers: Justin Verlander
• Houston Astros: Jarred Cosart (looks like the Future Star theme will carry over here...will every team set have one?)
• Kansas City Royals: Alex Gordon
• Los Angeles Angels: Mike Trout
• Los Angeles Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw
• Miami Marlins: Jose Fernandez
• Milwaukee Brewers: Carlos Gomez
• Minnesota Twins: Joe Mauer
• New York Mets: David Wright
• New York Yankees: Derek Jeter
• Oakland Athletics: Josh Donaldson
• Philadelphia Phillies: Chase Utley
• Pittsburgh Pirates: Andrew McCutchen
• St. Louis Cardinals: Yadier Molina
• San Diego Padres: Andrew Cashner
• San Francisco Giants: Buster Posey
• Seattle Mariners: Felix Hernandez
• Tampa Bay Rays: Wil Myers
• Texas Rangers: Yu Darvish
• Toronto Blue Jays: Jose Reyes
• Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper

Maybe I should hound @toppscards about the team sets the way some collectors ask about Heritage...nah.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Yes, There Will Be 2012 Topps Team Sets

Just digging online, and found images for 28 of the 30 Topps team sets coming in April, 2012, to retail stores, stadiums, and everywhere in between. If you're wondering, there was no information regarding the Yankees team set and while the site that I did pull the images for the pictures above have a Blue Jays set for sale, there was no image (probably so that they can come up with an updated mockup with the new Blue Jays' logo).

If anything, this should give collectors an idea about what some of the other cards will look like (the pictures look really good...that design is starting to grow on me). Remember though that images are subject to change, and there may be changes as to whose card gets to be displayed (notice how Yadier Molina is the lead card for the Cardinals...). And yes, there is a Miami Marlins set, with new logo.  It remains to be seen if the cards will include players with the new jerseys added in later.

Can't wait for 2012. Bring it on!!!

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

The Pains of Being a Set Collctor

I actually went to a card show on Sunday.  Not just any card show.  A Fred Copp show.

Let me explain.

For years, Fred Copp has been running card shows throughout the Chicagoland suburbs.  His shows are most often set up within the confines of a hotel, either in the lobby or in one of the conference rooms. The first Copp show I ever went to was just a few minutes away from where I work.  And it seemed that every Friday, he and a bunch of other sellers would be there, selling, trading, or just talking about the Hobby. 

Anyway, on Sunday, his show was set up at a hotel in Schaumburg.  Normally, I am all the way in Chicago on Sunday mornings, nowhere near the shows in the 'burbs.  But because of the annual Women's luncheon that my wife attends, my son and I (my daughter stayed with my wife), found ourselves with way too much time on our hands.  So why not, I thought, go to a card show.

My son and I drove to the hotel, not even sure that the show was even happening.  But once we walked in and saw the sign indicating that the Sports Card Show was just down the hall, we knew we were in luck.  The show took up two conference rooms.  They rooms weren't that big.  And there wasn't that much space to walk around.  But my son and I found a few things that piqued our interest. 

My son wanted a couple of packs of Wacky Packages.  For two bucks, no problem.  I found a flyer for Topps 206...from 2002.  Perfect for my Topps 206 binder. I also found a couple of original back cards from 2011.  Just two.  One of them was mixed in with the regular inserts. 

But the key find was a lot of cards from the 2011 Topps/MLB Network Prime Nine giveaways.  And for five bucks, the guy behind the table said I could have them.  So I paid my five bucks, and found out why he was willing to sell so cheaply (and you'll see too in a minute).



2011 Topps Prime 9 Set...Minus 1

 I am missing one card.  The shortstop.  The #4 card of the giveaway.  Yes, folks, I'm missing Derek Jeter. 

When asked why his card was missing, it was because somebody had come in and BOUGHT IT!!!  And left the other eight cards on the table. 

Why???

WHY??!

You had in your hands a complete set, and you ruined it by taking that one card away.  A set collector's nightmare!!!

Now I know there are player collectors (there must be a million Derek Jeter card collectors), and team collectors (Yankees?  Come on, it's Topps!!!)  But you (and I'm talking to the guy or gal who bought the Jeter) had in your hands all nine of these beautiful chrome cards, all with extremely sharp corners, full gloss, and no scratches.  Why not just take them all with you???

So on Twitter, I posted the following Tweet:

"I can't believe I am typing these next nine words: I need Derek Jeter's 2011 @toppscards Prime 9 card. #collect Anyone??? DM me please."

I'll probably try to find it on the Bay, but if anybody has a spare Jeter card from this set and would like to trade or sell it to me, please send me an e-mail at bdj610@hotmail.com and let me know what it would take to take it off your hands.  Thanks.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Seventeen Down...Thirteen to Go!!! 2011 Topps Team Sets That Is...

About a month ago, the gentleman who writes the Wrigley Wax blog featured the cards that are in the 2011 Topps Cubs Retail Set that started popping up towards the end of March.  He also wrote that he was, "surprised that I beat JayBee to the punch with this.  He is usually all over the factory team sets."

And buddy, I still am.  In fact, not long after WW wrote his post about the Cubs set, I received an e-mail from Rich Mueller, editor of Sports Collectors Daily, stating that he read my posts about these team sets (for those not familiar, I have all 30 team sets since 2006, the first year these came out), and wanted to know if I had a list of the variations from these retail sets compared to the regular Topps sets.  His article was inspired by the 2011 Topps Nationals Team set with newly acquired Jayson Werth in a Nats uni, even though his regular card in the 2011 set had him in a Phillies jersey.  While I actually don't have a compiled list, I did give him enough variations off the top of my head (many that have been previously highlighted here) for him to get a good start on it. The article he wrote appeared on the site the following day (albeit without a link to my blog...not that I'm going to hold that against him, the fact that he put my name on there was good enough).

If you were wondering why I had not yet written anything about this year's products, it was only because the one place that had good enough pictures of the team sets from this year only had 28 of the 30 team sets on their site (the Phillies and the Padres were the missing teams).  The site has since added the Phillies, and after asking them about the Padres' snub, was told that they have the Padres' set on back order as they were not able to get any for some reason.  Fine.  And because I try to be consistent with images and everything, I didn't run my annual article yet (nor had I ordered any product yet as I normally do right around this time).  I do have the checklists compiled, and did manage to get a scan of the Padres team set (not the one I would have hoped for, but it will do), so I will have the posts and pictures up shortly.

The point of this post (you mean there was one??!) is that even though I don't have my annual article up about the 2011 Topps Retail sets, I did manage to purchase 17 of the thirty team sets.  In the Chicago area, it is easy to find Cubs and White Sox sets, so thanks to Jim at Sports and Gaming Cards at Golf Mill Mall, in Niles, IL, for the two (he was offered the Mets set as well, but didn't bite...Mets??!).  The other fifteen I found at the Field of Dreams shop at Woodfield Mall over the weekend.  Yes, they are a bit pricey (on everything it seems), but the fact that they had fifteen other teams available besides our two locals made me go against probably better judgement and get one of each.  So now, along with the Cubs and White Sox team sets, I am also now in possession of these 17-card team sets:

• Atlanta Braves
• Boston Red Sox
• Cincinnati Reds
• Colorado Rockies
• Detroit Tigers
• Milwaukee Brewers
• Minnesota Twins
• New York Mets
• New York Yankees
• Philadelphia Phillies
• St. Louis Cardinals
• San Francisco Giants
• Tampa Bay Rays
• Texas Rangers
• Washington Nationals

So unless some shop or retailer (I will check some places during the week) has other team sets in stock, I will be looking online for the following 13 teams:

• Arizona Diamondbacks
• Baltimore Orioles
• Cleveland Indians
• Florida Marlins
• Houston Astros
• Kansas City Royals
• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
• Los Angeles Dodgers
• Oakland Athletics
• Pittsburgh Pirates
• San Diego Padres
• Seattle Mariners
• Toronto Blue Jays

I will hopefully get the rest of these team sets before Series 2 comes out, and definitely before the 2011 All-Star Game (for those not familiar, I go nuts around All-Star Break).

That is, of course, anybody reading this would be kind enough to purchase and send my way any of the above thirteen teams.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Topps Letting Toys 'R Us Join the Exclusive Party

This year, Topps is going all out with it's Diamond Anniversary Theme.

You know about the Red Diamond inserts that Topps has in its packs sold at Target:


And you know about the Blue Diamond inserts Topps inserted in packs sold at Walmart:


But did you know that there are Purple Diamond inserts too??

Purple??!

Purple??!


Yes...PURPLE!!!

Found only at Toys 'R Us (can't do the backward "R" thing...does the company even use an apostrophe???), a ten card set has been discovered that can only be found at your TRU store. Eight are in the picture above (the other two apparently are not yet on the Bay, but have been sold recently).

The checklist (all cards start with #PDC...which stands for Purple Diamond...what does the "C" mean??? Card??!):

• #PDC1 Buster Posey
• #PDC2 Troy Tulowitzki
• #PDC3 Evan Longoria
• #PDC4 Tim Lincecum
• #PDC5 Alex Rodriguez
• #PDC6 CC Sabathia
• #PDC7 Joe Mauer
• #PDC8 Robinson Cano
• #PDC9 Starlin Castro
• #PDC10 Ryan Howard

So run to your nearest TRU store now folks. Just save me a 5 & 10. I'm keeping an eye on the other eight.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

2010 Topps The Cards Your Mother Threw Out = 2001 Topps Through the Years???

That friend of the blog tdlindgren really is something else. If there was a code to crack, he can figure it out. Or so it seems. Based on just wild speculation on his part, it actually makes sense. You know that new insert set called "Cards Your Mother Threw Out"? Well, he is guessing (and it's a pretty good guess) that this is going to be a reprint set (akin to 2001's Through the Years), but now including designs from the 21st century (2000-2009). If you don't click on the comment on the last post, take a gander at what he wrote:


"The cards and inserts look great! I'm interested in "The Cards Your Mother Threw Out" inserts. My guess is based on the picture (1960 Yaz) that they will be reprints. Looking at the intial checklist, I came up with the corresponding reprints. Seems to make sense to me. Of course subject to change!"

The Cards Your Mother Threw Out
MTO1 Mickey Mantle (1952)
MTO2 Jackie Robinson (1953)
MTO3 Ernie Banks (1954)
MTO4 Duke Snider (1955)
MTO5 Luis Aparicio (1956)
MTO6 Frank Robinson (1957)
MTO7 Orlando Cepeda (1958)
MTO8 Bob Gibson (1959)
MTO9 Carl Yastrzemski (1960)
MTO10 Roger Maris (1961)
MTO11 Mickey Mantle (1962)
MTO12 Stan Musial (1963)
MTO13 Brooks Robinson (1964)
MTO14 Juan Marichal (1965)
MTO15 Jim Palmer (1966)
MTO16 Willie McCovey (1967)
MTO17 Mickey Mantle (1968)
MTO18 Reggie Jackson (1969)
MTO19 Steve Carlton (1970)
MTO20 Thurman Munson (1971)
MTO21 Tom Seaver (1972)
MTO22 Johnny Bench (1973)
MTO23 Dave Winfield (1974)
MTO24 Robin Yount (1975)
MTO25 Mike Schmidt (1976)
MTO26 Reggie Jackson (1977)
MTO27 Nolan Ryan (1978)
MTO28 Ozzie Smith (1979)
MTO29 Rickey Henderson (1980)
MTO30 Eddie Murray (1981)
MTO31 Paul Molitor (1982)
MTO32 Ryne Sandberg (1983)
MTO33 Don Mattingly (1984)
MTO34 Dwight Gooden (1985)
MTO35 Tony Gwynn (1986)
MTO36 Bo Jackson (1987)
MTO37 Nolan Ryan (1988)
MTO38 Gary Sheffield (1989)
MTO39 Frank Thomas (1990)
MTO40 Chipper Jones (1991)
MTO41 Manny Ramirez (1992)
MTO42 Derek Jeter (1993)
MTO43 Tony Gwynn (1994)
MTO44 Mike Piazza (1995)
MTO45 Cal Ripken (1996)
MTO46 Pedro Martinez (1997)
MTO47 Alex Rodriguez (1998)
MTO48 Ivan Rodriguez (1999)
MTO49 Randy Johnson (2000)
MTO50 Ichiro (2001)
MTO51 Albert Pujols (2002)
MTO52 Kevin Youkilis (2003)
MTO53 Alfonso Soriano (2004)
MTO54 Ryan Howard (2005)
MTO55 Alex Gordon (2006)
MTO56 Dustin Pedroia (2007)
MTO57 Tim Lincecum (2008)
MTO58 Evan Longoria (2009)

If this is correct, look who's lined up to represent the classic 2006 Topps design??? I can't wait to see how Topps handles this one.


Also, on a totally unrelated note, and the point of me posting this in the first place. New information shows that there will be a new MLB Properties Rookie Card Logo that will appear on official Rookie Cards everywhere in 2010. And check out how it looks.

I'm loving this. If this doesn't get that other card company rattled...

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Topps Insert Set of the Week: 2006 Topps 2K6 All-Stars.

So we all have these in our collections. Were this it for the set, or were there more???
Picture it...all over America...2006. The hysteria of Alex Gordon had not yet begun, yet many set collectors, more specifically, insert set collectors were banging their heads. Why??? Because of a joint venture between 2K Sports and Topps. Let me explain.

Inserted into packs of 2006 Topps Series I baseball (1:18 hobby, 1:18 retail, 1:18 HTA) were cards from an insert set called 2006 Topps 2K All-Stars. In conjunction with 2K Sports (a sports video game company) Topps created cards featuring eleven of the best players in baseball (from 2005) and put together an all-star "dream team" that gamers can unlock in the 2K6 Major League Baseball game for Nintendo GameCube, Playstation, and XBox. The problem was that inserted in the packs were five of the eleven cards in the set. Not the first five cards, mind you...the LAST five cards. So everybody who bought packs, boxes, you name it, of 2006 Topps Series I found cards of:

• 7. Vladimir Guerrero, lf
• 8. Albert Pujols, dh
• 9. Alex Rodriguez, 3b
• 10. Alfonso Soriano, 2b
• 11. Dontrelle Willis, p

Each card featured a normal picture of the player on a foilboard front and the back of the card showed what the player looked like in the video game. Each card also included a cheat code that can be used in the game. The codes were printed in a yellow colored field with white lettering (which made it extremely hard to read the text):

• Typing "Last Chance" unlocks the Super Wall Climbs cheat where any outfielder can scale the walls and keep balls in the park (found on Guerrero's card)
• "Crazy Hops" unlocks the Bouncy Ball cheat where any ball hit on the infield will bounce much higher than normal, testing the defense's fielding skills (Pujols)
• "Dream Team" unlocks the 2K6 Dream Team that can be used for exhibition play (the eleven players on this team (Rodriguez)
• "Gotcha" unlocks the Rocket Arms cheat giving all fielders supernatural throwing power (Soriano)
• "Unhittable" unlocks the Super Pitches" cheat that allows every pitcher to throw pitches that curve and break dramatically (Willis)

Other cheat codes that don't appear on the other cards include "Derek Jeter" (unlocks everything. Throw it into "God mode"); "Black Sox" (unlocks all cheats); "Game On" (unlocks all Extras); "Home Sweet Home" (unlocks all classic stadiums); "Ghosts of Greatness" (unlocks all classic teams).

But that still left many collectors wondering, "Where do you get the other six cards???" To find the first six cards, you'd have to buy the game MLB 2K6. It was said that each game had three of the first six cards you'd need to complete the 11-card set (thanks madding for the verification). While many card collectors were most likely video gamers too, many wouldn't dare just buy games for the cards. So what happened to card #'s 1-6?

So off to the world's greatest marketplace in search for the first six cards in the set. The cards were of:

• 1. Derek Jeter, ss
• 2. Andruw Jones, cf
• 3. Miguel Cabrera, rf
• 4. Derrek Lee, 1b
• 5. Mariano Rivera, rp
• 6. Ivan Rodriguez, c

Unfortunately for many, these cards rarely, if ever, showed up on eBay. And even when one card made an appearance, set collectors and player collectors went nuts bidding, just to get their hands on them. One enterprising eBayer took it upon himself to get all six cards and put them on the Bay. Guess who won the auction for them???

(raises hand sheepishly)
Now, I know that many want lists have gone incomplete because collectors have still been looking for the first six cards of this set three years later. I was lucky to be honest when the auction for the above cards went live. Looking on eBay right now will only turn up card #'s 7-11.

Did gamers who don't collect cards just toss them aside? Probably, because none of the six had cheat codes on them. It also has been reported that cards that did turn up weren't always in the best condition due to the fact that the cards were not secured and were probably shifting around the game packages. If ever these cards show up on eBay or other venues and they are not of Vlady, Pujols, A-Rod, Soriano, or DTrain, then absolutely go after them. Who knows when they might turn up again.

And no, I'm not giving these cards up. Sorry. Don't even think of asking me for them. They are staying right here, hidden amongst the cards from my 2006 Topps binder.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Topps Insert Set of the Week: 2006 Topps Signers of the Constitution

Today is Constitution Day everyone, and I was only made aware of this because my daughter told me she was going to play George Washington in a class play about the Constitution. So that led me to start thinking about what to put on this blog (I haven't written anything since Saturday), and I thought I'd do a post on the 2006 Topps Signers of the Constitution set as a way to return the "Insert Set of the Week."

Inserted into packs of 2006 Topps Series II baseball (1:8 hobby, 1:6 retail, 1:4 HTA) were cards from a 42-card set honoring the men who ratified what we know today as the US Constitution. An appropriate sequel to the wildly popular 2006 Topps Signers of the Declaration of Independence, this set also uses John Trumbull's "Declaration of Independence" albeit a closer (and colorized image) part of the painting. Below the painting was the name of a man whose signature appears below this historic document and a small headshot of each person on the bottom right corner of the card. The back of each card is a puzzle piece, and when you get all 42 cards together, you have (hoping that all cards are reasonably centered) a copy of the Constitution (seven cards across by six cards down), suitable for framing (or whatever you want to do with the cards...)

There were 39 men who signed this most important document (and the checklist of the set itself) were:

George Washington — President and deputy from Virginia

New Hampshire	John Langdon Nicholas Gilman
Massachusetts	Nathaniel Gorham Rufus King
Connecticut	William Samuel Johnson Roger Sherman
New York	Alexander Hamilton
New Jersey	William Livingston David Brearley William. Paterson Jonathan Dayton
Pennsylvania	Benjamin Franklin Thomas Mifflin Robert Morris George Clymer Thomas FitzSimons Jared Ingersoll James Wilson Gouverneur Morris
Delaware	George Read Gunning Bedford Jr John Dickinson Richard Bassett Jacob Broom
Maryland	James McHenry Dan of St. Thomas Jenifer Daniel Carroll
Virginia	John Blair James Madison Jr.
North Carolina	William Blount Richard Dobbs Spaight Hugh Williamson
South Carolina	John Rutledge Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Charles Pinckney Pierce Butler
Georgia	William Few Abraham Baldwin

William Jackson, the Secretary at the Convention, is notably absent in this set.

There are three header cards, each with a picture of the Constitution (the same image). The only way to differentiate which header card you have is by looking at the back to see what part of the Constitution you have for the puzzle.

As much as a fantastic set this is, they could have used a different painting for the front of the cards. Realistically, they could have gotten the rights to use Howard Chandler Christy's "Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States" as it would have been more appropriate based on the theme of the set. And like with the Signers of the DOI set, I would have preferred to have a quick bio on each of the signers (some of these men were part of the DOI set too), and why they were there instead of a small picture of each person.

But it is a great set regardless, even if it was included in a baseball card product. For history buffs, this is a must have (no word yet if my daughter bragged about her daddy owning a full set yet). Yes, they could have done more with this set, but as it was, each man is now remembered and immortalized permanently on Topps cards. Sets are hard to come by, especially because of the number of cards in the set. But "commons" can be found at reasonable prices (okay, most under a buck) at shows, shops and on the internet.

I hope my daughter had a good play today.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

2009 Topps Series 2 Legends of the Game Timeline

I don't have all the Target and Walmart exclusive cards yet (I still need tons, see my want list...I'd rather trade than buy at this point...any help please???), but I do have the complete series 2 set of Legends of the Game cards, so I can do a timeline based on them.

The difference between the 25 cards from series 1 and the 25 cards from series 2 is that while the S1 cards utilized Topps deal with CMG players (along with a few more recent legends like Ripken and Ryan), S2 cards featured 12 "Legendary players" and 13 active "legends" (active as of the end of the 2008 season). The timeline on the back of the 25 cards in the second series does not link to the series 1 list (it starts with Marichal in 1960 as you will soon see). And, if that doesn't make it more complicated, the numbering system does not continue from Series 1 (which ended at LG25), as the "card number" utilizes the player's initials after the "LG-." To bypass this little "problem," I placed each of the cards in the set in order by the year highlighted on each card (as you will soon see below).

Without further ado, here is the timeline that links the 25 cards from the 2009 Topps Legends of the Game series 2 set together (card "numbers" will be shown after the entry if it appeared on the card):

1960 - Juan Marichal MLB Debut (LG-JM)
1962 - Juan Marichal 1st MLB All-Star Game
1964 - Brooks Robinson AL MVP (LG-BR)
1966 - Frank Robinson Triple Crown (LG-FR)
1968 - Juan Marichal 26 Wins
1969 - Frank Robinson .300-30-100 (at this point, the timeline breaks here as the next card has a totally new entry)
1970 - Brooks Robinson World Series Champion
1971 - Frank Robinson MLB All-Star Game MVP
1972 - Steve Carlton NL Cy Young (LG-SC)
1973 - Jim Palmer AL Cy Young (LG-JP)
1974 - Robin Yount MLB Debut
1975 - Brooks Robinson 15th Gold Glove (at ths point, the timeline breaks again as the next card has a totally new entry)
1975 - Jim Palmer AL Cy Young
1976 - Jim Palmer AL Cy Young
1977 - Reggie Jackson World Series MVP (LG-RJ)
1978 - Reggie Jackson World Series Champion
1979 - Paul Molitor Breakout Year (LG-PM)
1980 - Reggie Jackson Silver Slugger
1980 - Mike Schmidt World Series Champion (LG-MS)
1981 - Tony Gwynn Drafted by Padres (LG-TG)
1982 - Steve Carlton 4th NL Cy Young
1982 - Robin Yount AL MVP (LG-RY)
1982 - Paul Molitor Leads Brewers to WS
1983 - Steve Carlton 300th Win
1984 - Ryne Sandberg NL MVP (LG-RS)
1985 - Wade Boggs 1st MLB All-Star Game (LG-WB)
1986 - Mike Schmidt 3rd NL MVP
1987 - Wade Boggs .363-24-89 (at this point, the timeline takes another break here as we now begin with the "active" legends)
1990 - Ryne Sandberg .306-40-10 (error, Ryno had 100 RBI's in 1990)
1990 - Greg Maddux 1st Gold Glove
1990 - Randy Johnson 1st No-Hitter (LG-RJO)
1991 - Tom Glavine 1st Cy Young (LG-TGL)
1991 - Ryne Sandberg 9th Gold Glove
1992 - Robin Yount 3000th Hit
1992 - Tom Glavine 2nd Straight ASG Start
1993 - Greg Maddux 1st ERA Title (LG-GM)
1993 - Frank Thomas AL MVP
1994 - Tony Gwynn .394 AVG
1994 - Frank Thomas AL MVP (LG-FT)
1995 - Chipper Jones 1st Full Season
1995 - Greg Maddux 4th NL Cy Young
1995 - Trevor Hoffman 1st of 13 30-SV Seasons (LG-TH)
1996 - John Smoltz Cy Young
1996 - Mariano Rivera World Series Champion
1998 - Vladimir Guerrero 1st Full Season (LG-VG)
1998 - Manny Ramirez Career High HR & RBI
1998 - Trevor Hoffman 53 Saves (at this point, the timeline breaks again as the next card has a totally new entry)
1999 - Tony Gwynn 3000th Hit
1999 - Chipper Jones NL MVP
1999 - Mariano Rivera World Series Champion (LG-MR)
2000 - Chipper Jones Silver Slugger (LG-CJ)
2001 - Ichiro Suzuki AL Rookie of the Year (LG-IS)
2001 - Albert Pujols NL Rookie of the Year
2001 - Randy Johnson World Series MVP (at this point, the timeline breaks again as the next card has a totally new entry)
2002 - Vladimir Guerrero 206 H, 40 SB
2002 - Randy Johnson 5th Cy Young
2002 - John Smoltz Saves Record (LG-JS)
2003 - Alex Rodriguez 300th HR
2003 - Albert Pujols Silver Slugger (at this point, the timeline breaks again as the next card has a totally new entry)
2004 - Ichiro Suzuki Hits Record
2004 - Vladimir Guerrero AL MVP
2004 - Manny Ramirez World Series MVP (LG-MRA)
2005 - Alex Rodriguez 400th HR
2005 - John Smoltz Postseason Wins Record (at this point, the timeline breaks again as the next card has a totally new entry)
2006 - Mariano Rivera 400th Save
2006 - Trevor Hoffman All-Time Saves Record
2006 - Albert Pujols Leads NL in HR & RBI (LG-AP)
2007 - Alex Rodriguez 500th HR (LG-AR)
2007 - Tom Glavine 300th Win
2008 - Manny Ramirez 500th HR

I didn't realize that there were so many breaks in the timeline. All together, there are 70 highlights within this timeline. It is a shame, though that the timeline couldn't be held together as there are a number of breaks (compared with the first timeline where it was almost fluid).

When I do get the remaining cards I need from the Walmart and Target sets, I will update the first timeline with the new highlights. And it's a safe bet that when the U & H set arrives that we'll do the same thing here. It was fun to go through almost 50 years of baseball history in 25 cards. Can't wait for U & H.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

2009 Topps Series I Legends of the Game Timeline

I received the final three Target cards I needed (Ruth, Sisler, Munson) last night. That means I now have 45 of these Legends of the Game insert cards (25 cards from the regular set, 10 from the Walmart set, and 10 Target from the Target set). Going through them all, I have enough to present the timeline used for the 2009 Topps Series I Legends of the Game cards.

Here is the timeline, and where appropriate, the card number the information was gathered. Any card numbered LG# is from the regular insert set, LLP# is from the Walmart set, LLG# is from the Target set):

1871 - 1st Professional Baseball Game
1876 - National League Created
1890 - Cy Young MLB Debut (LG1)
1897 - Honus Wagner .338 in Rookie Year (LG2)
1901 - Cy Young Pitching Triple Crown
1901 - Christy Mathewson Wins 20 G as a Rookie
1905 - Christy Mathewson Pitching Triple Crown
1905 - Ty Cobb Doubles in First AB (LG4)
1907 - Walter Johnson 8/2 First Start (LG5)
1907 - Tris Speaker MLB Debut
1909 - Honus Wagner Wins 7th Batting Title (LLG4)
1910 - Cy Young 500th Win (LLP6)
1911 - Ty Cobb 1st MLB MVP (LLP5)
1912 - Tris Speaker Leads Boston to World Series Win (LG6)
1913 - Walter Johnson Pitching Triple Crown
1914 - Babe Ruth Wins MLB Debut (LG7)
1915 - George Sisler 4 Wins as LHP (LLG10)
1915 - Rogers Hornsby 1st Full Season
1920 - George Sisler Record 257 Hits (LG8)
1920 - Rogers Hornsby 1st Batting Title
1920 - Tris Speaker Manages Indians to World Series Win
1922 - George Sisler 41 Game Hitting Streak
1923 - Babe Ruth AL MVP (LLG3)
1924 - Rogers Hornsby Batted .424 (LG9)
1925 - Jimmie Foxx MLB Debut (LG10)
1925 - Lou Gehrig Becomes Full-Time Player (LLG5)
1926 - Mel Ott MLB Debut (LG12)
1926 - Walter Johnson 400th Win (LLP8)
1932 - Jimmie Foxx 58 HR
1934 - Lou Gehrig Wins Triple Crown (LG11)
1936 - Christy Mathewson 1st HOF Class (LG3)
1936 - Ty Cobb 1st HOF Class
1937 - Johnny Mize Bats Career High .364 (LG14)
1939 - Lou Gehrig Luckiest Man Speech
1939 - Ted Williams 31 HR 145 RBI (LG17)
1940 - Johnny Mize 425-Foot HR into Pacific
1941 - Pee Wee Reese 1st Full Season (LG15)
1941 - Ted Williams Batted .406 (LLP1)
1942 - Mel Ott 42 HR 151 RBI
1945 - Jimmy Foxx Retires (LLP10)
1947 - Jackie Robinson Breaks Color Barrier (LG13)
1947 - Mel Ott Retires
1948 - Babe Ruth Yankees Retire #3 (LLP3)
1949 - Jackie Robinson NL MVP (LLG2)
1949 - Pee Wee Reese Leads NL in Runs
1949 - Roy Campanella 1st-Time All-Star (LG16)
1951 - Mickey Mantle MLB Debut (LG20)
1953 - Roy Campanella Wins Second MVP (LLP4)
1955 - Pee Wee Reese Beats Yankees in World Series
1955 - Roberto Clemente Rookie Season (LG21)
1957 - Roger Maris First Game
1959 - Bob Gibson CG SHO as Rookie
1960 - Ted Williams Final Season (LLG1)
1961 - Carl Yastrzemski 21-Yeaer Old Rookie
1961 - Mickey Mantle 54 HR (LLG7)
1961 - Roger Maris Breaks HR Record (LG18)
1966 - Nolan Ryan 2nd Youngest Player in NL (LLG6 & LG24*)
1966 - Roberto Clemente NL MVP
1967 - Carl Yastrzemski AL MVP (LG23)
1968 - Bob Gibson NL MVP & Cy Young Winner (LG19)
1968 - Roger Maris Retires
1969 - Mickey Mantle Yankees Retire #7 (LLP7)
1970 - Thurman Munson AL Rookie of the Year (LG22)
1972 - Roy Campanella Dodgers Retire #39
1973 - Nolan Ryan K's 383 Batters
1973 - Roberto Clemente Inducted into HOF (LLP9)
1975 - Bob Gibson Retires (LLP2)
1976 - Thurman Munson Leads NYY to World Series (LLG8)
1979 - Thurman Munson NYY Captain Passes Away
1981 - Cal Ripken Jr. MLB Debut (LG25)
1983 - Carl Yastrzemski Last Game at Fenway
1993 - Nolan Ryan Retires
1995 - Cal Ripken Jr. Breaks Consecutive Games Streak (LLG9)
1997 - Jackie Robinson MLB Retires #42
2001 - Cal Ripken Jr. Retires

*Nolan Ryan's two cards both highlight the same event. Also, in the timelines on the cards, Maris card (LG18) has the entries of Clemente and Yastrzemski's MVPs, but no Ryan entry that was to go between them. On Yaz's card (LG23), Ryan's entry comes before Clemente's MVP win. On both of Ryan's cards (LLG6 & LG24), his entry is between Clemente and Yaz.

That's 75 historic events within 45 cards. Now I can only imagine that the inserts found in the Cereal sets (the gold and platinum refractors) as well as the numbered LotG cards (I think #'d to 599 for the "platinum" and #'d to 999 for the "gold") probably has the other highlights not featured within the cards I have on them. But other than the Ryan entries, I was impressed that Topps stuck to the timeline that they presented.

Now I can't wait for Series 2. And for the record, Series 2 of this insert set features fifteen more retired legends as well as ten active players who are deemed "Legends in the Making." Barring a change in checklists (as it is always subject to change), the 25 subjects to be featured in series 2 include:

• Juan Marichal
• Steve Carlton
• Tony Gwynn
• Reggie Jackson
• Brooks Robinson
• Frank Robinson
• Tom Glavine
• Mike Schmidt
• Greg Maddux
• Wade Boggs
• John Smoltz
• Ryne Sandberg
• Jim Palmer
• Robin Yount
• Paul Molitor
• Alex Rodriguez
• Mariano Rivera
• Albert Pujols
• Trevor Hoffman
• Vladimir Guerrero
• Chipper Jones
• Frank Thomas
• Randy Johnson
• Manny Ramirez
• Ichiro

Now I'm looking forward to Series 2. When I get all the cards from this set, I'll do the timeline again.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

From One Big Daddy to Another, Thank You

I received an e-mail from friend of the blog and commenter Big Daddy saying that he found the 2008 Topps U&H Lance Berkman Dick Perez card that I've been searching for. He said he was getting it in a trade, and when it arrives that he is sending it to me, as long as I shot him my address. I replied in kind, telling him that I would thank him profusely when the card arrived.

Well, the card arrived today...


To Chris Kocan, thanks for thinking of me, and thank you for the card. I can finally put my 2008 Topps set to rest now. I am going to go through your want lists and see if I can find anything to send to you as a thank you.

If you would like to help Big Daddy cut down his want lists, please go to his want list website. He has all his trade and needs lists here. I just wish I was this organized.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Coming Soon...A Detailed Timeline...

I caved. I found it much easier to buy the remaining Target and Walmart Legends cards I need from the Bay than it would be to trade for them. So, I did just that. Last week, I spent a grand total of $21.79 ($0.99+$4.80+$11.00 plus shipping) for the six remaining cards I needed to complete both the Target and Walmart sets. The Walmart cards arrived today:

The Target cards will come soon. When they all come together, I am going to go through each of the 45 cards I will have and see if I can build the timeline that is on the back of each of the cards.

I am very sure that the serial numbered parallels will have pieces of the timeline as well, but I don't plan on getting them, so the 45 cards will have to do.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

The Monthly Comment Mailbag - March 2009 Edition

I've finally come up with a name for the segment where I respond to questions and comments on this humble little blog. And I will make sure to do these posts towards the end of the month. Click on the name of the person who left the comment to see what he or she said (if you'd like). Here goes.

To the Hamiltonian, I didn't know that Eric left. I did leave an e-mail with Beckett, along with making an edit to their Beckettpedia section regarding their labeling of the KMart Rookie Variation cards. They still have them (only the first series) listed as 2009 Topps cards though. I do hope that people aren't thrown off by it.

To the night owl, the guy either works really fast, or has tons of money to spend. Not only did he have the gold set done in such a short period of time, but he also had all 19 SP's, and was almost done with the Black set (I'm sure he's done by now). Now that's extreme. But hey, whatever works right???

To FanofReds, if it was a real game, and the President was either at the plate or on the mound, would you like to be the guy to "show him up" by hitting a home run off him or striking him out??? I do agree with you though, but that's probably why his card is a short print. You can't have the most powerful card out there available to everybody I guess.

To This is That was Great, if the Pujols was more valuable to me than the Mathewson card, I would have kept it. I'd rather have the Mathewson. Considering that I had already apologized to the guy, thanked him profusely, and even thanked him AGAIN because the cards he gave me helped me get the Speaker card, I think I'll be fine. If you were in my shoes, I'm sure you would have thought and done the same thing under the EXACT SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. Hindsight is 20-20 you know.

To Chris D'Orso, there were 21 cards from the autograph list of 2003 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites that did not have a base card. On the original checklist from the Topps Website, there was going to be more than 100 of them (if I could find my lists, I could give you that information as well). By the time the product came out, as I was comparing checklists, there were only 21 names that did not appear in the base set. I don't really collect autograph cards, but I did want to see what these other cards looked like and what design they used. So in the summer of 2003, I went on the quest to find the 21 autographed cards. I have 20 of the existing ones, there was one that I think was never distributed, and I'll explain why in a minute.

The players who have autographed cards but not included in the base set are (pictures below, year of Topps design in parenthesis):

• Ralph Kiner (1953, both the Carter and Kiner were in the Group A ratio, meaning the print run for both was 50 cards each)
• Joe Carter (1997)



• Mike Pagliarulo (1987)
• Carney Lansford (1989)
• Kevin Mitchell (1989, the only card in group L, meaning that he signed the most cards of all the subjects)
• Steve Yeager (1974)
• Leon Durham (1983)
• Chet Lemon (1984)
• Al Oliver (1980)
• Kevin Seitzer (1988)
• Buddy Biancalana (1985)



• John Montefusco (1976)
• Bill Lee (1973)
• Ron Kittle (1990)
• Doug DeCinces (1978)
• Willie Hernandez (1986)
• Tom Herr (1985)
• Chris Speier (1973)
• Rob Dibble (1991)
• Ron Darling (1985)
• Tug McGraw (redemption card)

At this time, he was having health problems and most likely was unable to sign any of the cards he was given...none have ever surfaced as far as I know. I did have the redemption card, but got a Chad Qualls Topps Finest Autograph card in it's place. The thing that gets me is that image and design used on the Kiner card was used the following year when Topps did include him in the base set. The problem though is that they also included autograph cards of Kiner in the checklist. Guess what they look like??!

To capewood, I get those problems too sometimes, but I think it all depends on how quickly the blogrolls or feeds update not just on the Sports Card Blogroll, but for anyone's blogroll as well. It may also depend on the computer you're using. I know that there are times that I click on someone's site, and they've already posted two or three new articles and my site has not updated. And I know that my blog doesn't get updated right away on the blogroll, so it's never "up-to-the-minute" updated.

To friend of the blog tdlindgren, Craig is the best, isn't he? I still can't believe how generous the guy is. And since Heritage came out, he's been more active on his own blog. So he's been a busy guy. Then again, unless Topps decides to put another card in the actual checklist (like the Santana #661 card), then the gloves come off. You wouldn't want to give up that Gehrig card would you??? Just kidding. I'll find my own.

Also, I think it's because they used the 17 CMG guys in an Allen & Ginter mini insert set last year (I think it was called Legends of Baseball). That might be why they're not in the base set for this year's 2009 A&G set. But then again, it's Topps. Who knows what they might do.

Jason Wong, the champion code breaker himself, e-mailed Tto thank me for posting the Allen & Ginter sell sheets. He's sending an autographed card (the "Crack the Code" promo card from last year). Scans will be forthcoming.

To friend of the blog the drizz, and just think, at the beginning of this month, I wasn't sure that I'd even get one SP, let alone 14. The goal is to get all 19 before Series II. I think I have a shot.

To paulsrandomstuff, I thought it was weird that they'd pick 2008 as the time to honor the 1986 Mets. I'm guessing that they cut it down to just the Red Sox and Yankees because they are the big sellers, and having six of these 55 card gift sets were too much to handle. It stinks, in my opinion. They should have at least made the Cubs set as they've been given the 55-card treatment at the same time.

That's it for the mailbag. Keep those comments coming. I still need a lot of suggestions for who to include in the 2011 Topps Archives project. I have at least 100 names, so that's enough for a full Series I. But keep them coming. And I promise to be more consistent with the cards for the project.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Beckett Better Catch Up!!! They Have These Listed in the Wrong Year!!!

Remember these cards???


I talked about them on this post a few months ago...take a look and then come back.

Well, the Number One Source in the Hobby finally got around to adding the first fifteen cards of this 30 card set (not 45 cards, just 30) into their database. There's just one problem though...

They have these cards listed as 2009 Topps KMart!!!

Eric, could you please ask the wonderful folks (they really are, after all, it takes a lot of patience to type each card onto a database) who add cards to the "My Organize" database to change the misleading year from 2009 to 2008? I also added in the Beckettpedia section the other fifteen cards that were included in 2008 Topps Series II from this set. Please get this fixed...otherwise you're going to have people looking in vain for these cards in packs and boxes of 2009 Topps, only to find out that they came out THE YEAR BEFORE!!!

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

The Answer for This Week's Trivia Question, February 16, 2009.

Thanks to all who participated in this week's trivia question. Before I give out the answer, let me show you the actual set:

Here is the 1998 Topps Clout Nine Set...can you tell who the "seat filler" is?

It's Vinny Castilla!!! If you notice on all of the other cards his picture moves from one spot to another, filling the space of the person who is in the middle of the card.

The winner of the trivia question turned out to be the first person to respond. To friend of the blog the drizz, I won't ding you for mis-spelling the guy's name. But you win the prize. I will e-mail you with a list of cards so you can pick one (either a relic card or an autograph card).

The backs of each card show leaders, by position, in "clout quotient" which Topps describes as "the sum of on-base plus slugging percentages, a statistically meaningful measure of comprehensive batting performance." Rotisserie players know this statistic as OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage). And six years later, Topps added this stat to the backs of every batters cards (WHIP or walks + hits / innings pitched was added to all pitcher's cards).

So congrats to the drizz, and to all who commented, thanks for playing.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

President's Day and Topps Insert Sets

Another holiday has come and gone, and again, I'm late with posting a baseball card related topic on this humble little blog. Either I save this for next year, or release it to the masses now.

Better do it now...

I'll admit, while I'm really good at geography, I was never that great at US History. It doesn't mean I was a bad student, I did get good grades in History, but it wasn't high on the interest list when I was younger. Looking back, I should have paid a lot more attention as I realize now that the current events that I lived through will become the History lessons my children will be learning about when they get older. In the last decade, I've watched and listened to the news on a daily basis. While I will admit that I'm not too keen on current events, I do try to keep up with it as best as I can.

For the last two Presidential election years (2004 and 2008), Topps has honored the distinguished gentlemen that have taken the oath of office of the President of the United States of America by inserting cards about them in their baseball card products. Now while Presidents have always been a trading card subject, it was only recently that Topps specifically included these politically-influenced cards in packs of baseball cards and other sports cards.

In 2004, Topps Series II included a 42 card set called Presidential Pastimes. From the kids in George Washington's time playing a game called one old cat, which involved a batter, pitcher and two bases, or goal ball, where the batter had to reach a number of goals or bases, to George W. Bush's involvement in the game as owner of the Texas Rangers, each card was full of information about Presidents and their connection to the game of baseball, no matter how far they could stretch the game's history to the President. Most of the pictures used for this set utilize the actual Presidential Portraits, but beginning with President William Taft, the rest of the pictures (with the exception of Jimmy Carter, who is pictured sawing a piece of wood), show the Presidents throwing out, or preparing to throw out, the first pitch of a ball game. Did you know that President Ronald Reagan used to broadcast baseball games for the Cubs???


In 2006, Topps included cards for each of the signers of both the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States. Both sets featured men who would eventually become President. The 2007 Turkey Red set also included an insert set of cards of all 42 POTUS as well (looking like Presidential Portraits with those wood borders...classy). All three years of Allen & Ginter even had cards of selected Presidents who served around the era of the original A & G cards.


In 2008, another election year, Topps went President-insert-card-crazy. It all started with the Presidential Candidates set introducing six candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties in series 1. This twelve card set eventually became a 16 card set, which included an ex-Vice President who wasn't even running, a governor who Constitutionally can't run for President (until they pass that 63rd Amendment before the year 2032...Demolition Man reference), and two cards of the GOP VP candidate, one of which included a picture of her winning a beauty pageant.


Topps Series 2 introduced us to the Historical Presidential Campaign cards in series 2 which included the election results of every Presidential election from 1792 to 2004, along with one card that commemorating the Democratic campaign of 2008. If I ever wanted to know how many times George McGovern or Adlai Stevenson lost in the elections, this set will definitely help answer those questions.


With 2008 Topps Updates and Highlights, the First Ladies of 41 of the POTUS (James Buchanan was a bachelor) took center stage alongside their husbands for their own insert set. Can anybody (Punk Rock Paint, or Goose Joak) make a card featuring the newest First Couple???


There has been mixed reaction to these cards being included into packs of Topps Baseball Cards. While many people welcomed these cards and sets into their collections, others were angry that these cards were even created.

"Why include non baseball subjects in our cards?"
"I don't like them."
"I don't want to see these kinds of cards in my baseball cards!!!"
"If I wanted to buy President cards, I'd do that. But I'm buying baseball cards. These should not be in here!!!"

Why the outrage? This is American history. What do you people think baseball cards are? Pictures of history, even if it is baseball. Why not have these cards in packs? Ten years, we'll remember 2008 as a historic year. The Presidential campaign took up a lot of space on TV, radio, the newspapers, the Internet. Years from now, I'll whip out my 2008 Topps album, look at all the Presidential cards and think back to what may have been current events then, but will become part of US History my kids will be studying. I'm not saying that I'm going to let my kids use these cards as references when they do their reports, but at least they'll have something interesting to display when they need visual aids. And what better flash cards to use if they ever have to remember the names of the POTUS than these cards?

In 2012, another Presidential campaign will be thrust upon us. And guess what? We'll get to look forward to more Presidential cards. Isn't that exciting???

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Topps Insert Set of the Month: 2001 Topps What Could Have Been

It's February, 2009. And all over the country, we are celebrating Black History Month. While I am in no position (and most certainly am I not qualified) to give social commentary about the current state of affairs, we as a nation should truly be proud of where we are now compared to what was going on even 50-60 years ago. I am sure there is still a lot of work to do with race relations, on every side of the table. But what has been accomplished in the last five to six decades has made our lives a lot better socially, and that racial divide has shrunk tremendously. Heck, even through all of the media attention at this year's NFL Championship, I think I heard more about how young Mike Tomlin was compared to his race (which to be honest, I don't think it was ever a topic of discussion at all). And I believe that was the point.

With the MLB Network featuring the Negro Leagues, I thought that the best way to celebrate this month is to feature the set that asks a very important question. During Topps' 50th anniversary, even they had to wonder this as well. And in effect, a ten card set was created to honor the biggest names in the Negro Leagues. Almost all the subjects in this set (save for one) were kept out of both the National and American Leagues, just because of the color of their skin. However, even in a league all of their own, the players here dominated the game of baseball like no other player in either "major" league. The question Topps wanted to have all of us ask in 2001 was, "What Could Have Been?"


Inserted into packs of 2001 Topps Series 2 (1:25 hobby/retail, 1:5 HTA) were cards from a ten card set called 2001 Topps What could Have Been. The subjects of the ten cards were among the best players in the Negro Leagues. Their stories are legendary. Their feats and statistics boggle the mind. Because accurate statistics were never kept, many of their numbers, if real, are mythical in proportion to what was seen in either the National or American Leagues.

The players included in this 10 card set are:

• Josh Gibson
• Leroy "Satchel" Paige
• Walter "Buck" Leonard
• James "Cool Papa" Bell
• Andrew "Rube" Foster
• Martin DiHigo
• William "Judy" Johnson
• George "Mule" Suttles
• Ray Dandridge
• John Henry "Pop" Lloyd

The backs of each card gives a brief summary into the player's career, his numbers, and some legendary stories. How fast was "Cool Papa"? How many pitches did Satchel have? These players were compared to Babe Ruth (Gibson) and Honus Wagner (Lloyd) in the way they played the game.


Stories have been told about how the Major Leaguers would play exhibitions and barnstorming games against the Negro Leaguers and were just astounded by the way the Negro Leaguers played and how their pitchers could just shut them down at the plate. These guys could play. They were that good. Why aren't they playing in the majors? But then again, they were not allowed. And that's the biggest injustice these players faced. Did that faze them? Perhaps. But they kept on playing, waiting for the day that, if not them, others, would soon play in the majors.


It wasn't until 1947 that Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby finally got the chance to play for the Dodgers and Indians respectively. They had played in the Negro Leagues too, and when the opportunity came, they became the first to clear that hurdle. To become major leaguers. And because of them, the country got to see players like Roy Campanella, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Roberto Clemente, Willie McCovey, Frank Robinson, Bob Gibson, make it to the bigs. Their legacy lives on today. And MLB makes sure that nobody forgets it.

Did it have to come to this though? The struggles just to get up there. The racial threats. The taunts from opposing players. Being told that they couldn't stay at the same hotels as their teammates. Many of us today can't imagine what that was like, let alone picture ourselves in that kind of society. But that was the reality then. And for the ten legendary figures chosen for this set, and the rest of the peers, it was sadly a way of life. That didn't stop them from playing the game. They did not allow all of that to kill their hopes, dreams, and ambitions.

The set is now eight years old. The foil used for the fronts of these cards are very fragile, and susceptible to chipping. So mint condition cards are hard to come by. If you do find these cards at your local shop, show, or online, get them. Don't hesitate. Why? You're getting a card of a legend. Who in their prime, could out slug and clearly out play the best the majors had to offer. But sadly, we will never know how they would fare if they played in either league during their peak years. All we are left with is what could have been.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

My First Cards of 2009...

February can't come fast enough. Waiting for 2009 Topps to come out has given me time to catch up to adding new items to the collection. And now that I'm signed up for PayPal, I've started buying things on the Bay that until now didn't because I was unsure of the "no more paper payments thing." Needless to say, so far so good.

The first item purchased is an eight card 2008 Topps Redsfest set first introduced by VottoTron last month. He was able to send me five of the eight cards from the set (along with some Cubs cards that go to my daughter). I will link the auction eventually, there was no picture, but what I can tell you was the final price plus shipping came to $5.49.

The second item was a BIN for the 2008 Topps Sarah Palin GOP card. Sell prices were really high when it first came out, but have since dropped since the election ended and Ms. Palin returned to govern Alaska. Final price plus shipping $23.49.

I will eventually make a play for the beauty queen card. I'm not in a hurry, prices are still high (mid $50.00's). Eventually, demand will die down, and that's when I'll strike.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

The 2008 Topps U & H Target Checklist is Now Complete!!!

This one took a bit longer, and based on reports from the Topps Message Board, these cards might only be found in packs (no one has yet to confirm these in blasters...if they even have them at all). But in any event, we now have confirmed the final checklist for the fifteen insert cards that are exclusively found in blaster boxes and packs sold only at Target.

• TCP31-Chipper Jones
• TCP32-Lance Berkman
• TCP33-Josh Hamilton
• TCP34-Evan Longoria
• TCP35-Kosuke Fukudome
• TCP36-Dan Uggla
• TCP37-Edinson Volquez
• TCP38-Adrian Gonzalez
• TCP39-Cole Hamels
• TCP40-Jay Bruce
• TCP41-Ken Griffey, Jr.
• TCP42-Hideki Matsui
• TCP43-Russell Martin
• TCP44-Francisco Rodriguez
• TCP45-Johan Santana

Remember, if you buy these at Target, and you don't collect any of the above fifteen players, or you don't plan on collecting the set, but still want to give these insert cards a home, please send me an e-mail and I will be more than happy to take them off your hands.

I have not yet had a chance to thank the following people who have bought and helped compile the checklist for this and the WalMart insert sets:

• Dennis Lackey (dlackey...please e-mail me with an updated checklist...I could use those cards)
• Tim Lindgren (aka friend and frequent commenter of the blog tdlindgren...check out his blog appropriately entitled Blogin' Baseball)
• Dan Grobelny (ArmyDan...comes in at just the right times to lend a hand)
• Michael Jablonski (millionsforrings...new member whose first three posts really helped get the Target set figured out...welcome to the Topps Message Boards)

Gentlemen, thank you very much.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama