Ranking the WORST ALL TIME Topps Designs

I already did the BEST, now lets look at my personal top 3 worst designs of all-time.

#3: 1979 Topps

This set was rocking the streets the year Pittsburgh won the World Series.

Well, not so much for my pocket pages.

Home of the Ozzie Smith rookie card, that might be the highlight of the set because this is the most boring set out of the 1970's. The coolest part about this design is the baseball in the lower left hand corner with the Topps logo. 

Hey! atleast it shows a lot of players with cool afros! 

#1997 Topps

Growing up in the 90's as a kid, i never had the chance collecting most of this stuff.

i absolutely loved the Upper Deck & Collector's Choice sets.

Now as a fast-forward today, WHAT IF i collected 1997 Topps? 

I spent awhile trying to find a cheap price for a factory set of this stuff  a few years ago to complete my run of sets.

I never understood why it was so pricey and still carries a hefty price-tag to this day.

I can't think of any big-named rookies in this set.

The reason this is number two on my list is because, i absolutely HATE back in the day when cards had too much gloss on the front.

This set was one of those sets. Not only do the backs look boring, but it's a  flagship set that has less than 500 cards, and i love sets with more than 500 cards.

but nothing beats number one on this list.

#1: 1996 Topps

The New York Yankees had started their first of four championships in a span of five years, New York was a dynasty, when it started, these were popular on the streets.

Too much gloss, boring backs, and the worst of all.

440 CARDS IN THE SET.

I don't want to go into too many details of this set just because. Most of you out there reading this might feel the same way about this set, some of you might not.

I do have this set, i don't hate it but i don't think it has the greatest design i've ever seen. 

I hope you've enjoyed my list, here are the runners-up:

1973

1957

1981

1969

1992

Heritage Trade Bait: UPDATED!

2001:

#1 Kris Benson Black Back
#2 Brian Jordan Black Back
#17 Garret Anderson Red Back
#19 Randy Velarde Red Back
#21 Quilvio Veras Red Back
#22 Jose Vidro Red Back
#24 Jorge Posada Red Back
#26 Jack Cust Red Back
#43 Mark Redman Red Back
#56 Tim Salmon Red Back
#64 Billy Koch Red Back
#65 Troy Glaus Red Back
#67 Tony Batista Red Back
#69 Billy Wagner Red Back
#90 Kevin Brown
#126 Pablo Ozuna
#148 Edgar Renteria
#156 Pete Harnisch
#238 Ron Villone
#248 Lee Stevens
#249 Devon White
#280 Eric Karros

2002:

#2 Darin Erstad
#3 Rod Beck
#5 Mike Sweeney
#7 Jason Tyner (2 available)
#8 Alex Gonzalez
#10 Randy Johnson
#11 Aaron Sele (2 available)
#12 Tony Clark (2 available)
#14 Melvin Mora
#16 Ben Petrick
#18 Jason Lane
#24 Nathan Haynes
#33 Wes Helms
#76 Einar Diaz
#77 Tino Martinez
#84 Dan Wilson
#92 Johnny Damon
#109 Rich Aurilia
#184 Adrian Gonzalez Night SP
#194 Billy Wagner
#195 Craig Counsell
#197 Gary Sheffield
#209 Pedro Feliz
#215 Benny Agbayani
#219 Todd Hollandsworth
#228 Todd Zeile
#232 Jeremy Giambi
#234 Luis Castillo
#243 Steve Karsay
#246 Scott Rolen
#256 Jay Payton
#274 Bret Prinz
#284 Tony Batista
#297 LaTroy Hawkins
#310 Brian Jordan
#316 Roy Oswalt
#325 Ruben Sierra
#328 Albie Lopez
#335 Cory Lidle
#340 Jose Mercedes
#350 Damian Jackson
#351 Joe Randa
#385 Rey Ordonez SP
#391 Vernon Wells SP
Checklist 1 of 2 (2 available)
Checklist 2 of 2 (2 available)

2003:

  #9 Bobby Crosby
#14 Justin Morneau
#18 Lance Berkman
#19 Adrian Gonzalez
#35 Shin-Soo Choo
#45 Michael Barrett
#63 Joe Borchard
#139 Joe & Jake Mauer Night SP
#145 Jim Thome
#174 Boof Bonser
#175 Bernie Castro SP
#190 Jim Thome
#226 Jose Mesa
#244 Paul Konerko
#255 Rafael Soriano
#260 Miguel Tejada
#277 John Smoltz
#298 Jason Stokes
#344 Jeff Weaver
#419 Drew Henson SP

2004:

#9 Billy Wagner
#44 Jimmy Haynes
#49 Jason Kendall Old Logo SP
#55 Brendan Donnelly
#56 Luis Gonzalez
#64 Dave Crouthers
#100 Alex Rodriguez
#106 Matt Mantei
#118 Aaron Boone
#143 Brad Fullmer
#146 Tydus Meadows
#163 Robb Nen
#169 Jose Reyes
#201 Victor Zambrano
#202 Eli Marrero
#275 Jose Vidro
#280 Brian Giles
#290 Scott Williamson
#301 Fred McGriff
#311 Jay Gibbons
#323 Tony Batista
#330 Mike Gosling
#380 Robin Ventura
#404 Javy Lopez SP
#426 Mark Mulder SP

2005:

#3 Alfonso Soriano
#6 Jason Bay
#118 Magglio Ordonez Old Logo Hat SP
#126 Sean Casey
#132 John Buck
#146 Minnesota Twins
#174 Tony Graffanino
#197 Joe Mays
#219 Octavio Dotel
#241 Brian Lawrence
#295 Alex Gonzalez
#307 Kevin Millar
#315 Billy Koch

White Backs

#66 J.D. Drew
#99 Jason Frasor
#178 Carlos Silva
#219 Octavio Dotel
#221 Scott Hatteberg
#224 Kris Benson
#232 Chone Figgins
#233 John Thomson
#249 Jermaine Dye
#252 Vernon Wells
#266 Mark Buehrle (3 available)
#285 Eric Hinske
#294 Al Leiter
#316 Alex Sanchez
#321 Aaron Rowand (2 available)
#328 Travis Hafner (2 available)
#330 Dmitri Young
#334 Jose Hernandez
#361 Val Majewski
#366 David Bell
#367 Shea Hillenbrand
#369 Ben Broussard
#379 Sean Burroughs

2006:

#43 Jeff Bagwell
#90 Chipper Jones
#92 Jose Reyes
#112 Adam Dunn
#124 Erubiel Durazo
#140 Frank Thomas
#150 Fausto Carmona
#155 Desi Relaford
#174 Billy Wagner
#200 Roger Clemens (2 available)
#226 Grady Sizemore
#233 Jeff Kent
#372 Jim Edmonds
#385 Kip Wells
#401 Mike Cameron
#413 Nook Logan
#417 Livan Hernandez (2 available)
#435 Ambiorix Burgos
#439 Brian Anderson
#441 Carlos Guillen
#450 Carlos Beltran

2007:

#3 David Wells
#8 David Eckstein
#10 John Smoltz 
#12 Scott Hatteberg
#15 Mike Stanton
#16 Wilson Betemit
#17 Darren Oliver
#19 San Francisco Giants 
#20 Robinson Cano
#25 Brad Penny (2 available)
#27 Dan Haren
#28 Brian Giles
#30 Ichiro Yellow Name SP
#33 Jim Thome 
#34 Mark DeRosa
#35 Woody Williams
#36 Luis Gonzalez (2 available)
#37 Billy Sadler
#38 Dave Roberts
#43 Scott Proctor (2 available)
#45 Shane Victorino (3 available)
#46 Joel Zumaya (2 available)
#48 Alex Rios (2 available)
#51 Livan Hernandez (2 available)
#52 Jason Bay (2 available)
#53 Jose Valentin (2 available)
#54 Kevin Reese
#55 Felipe Lopez
#57 Kelvim Escobar
#60 Preston Wilson
#62 Josh Barfield
#63 Ryan Freel
#64 Tim Hudson (2 available)
#66 Matt Murton
#69 Emil Brown (2 available)
#70 Magglio Ordonez Yellow Name SP
#71 Los Angeles Dodgers 
#72 Ross Gload
#73 David Ross
#74 Juan Uribe
#75 Scott Podsednik
#78 Ryan Theriot
#79 Corey Patterson
#80 Jered Weaver
#81 Stephen Drew
#82 Adam Kennedy
#85 Omar Vizquel SP
#87 Shawn Chacon
#88 Frank Catalanotto
#89 Orlando Hudson
#90 Pat Burrell (2 available)
#91 David DeJesus
#93 Conor Jackson
#96 Kip Wells
#100 Jose Contreras
#101 Miguel Cairo
#102 Brian Roberts
#105 Mark Ellis
#106 Scott Rolen
#107 Garrett Atkins
#109 Trot Nixon 
#110 Edgar Renteria
#111 Jeff Francis
#114 Brian Schneider
#116 Ryan Madson
#117 Gerald Laird
#119 Victor Martinez (2 available)
#124 Derrick Turnbow
#125 Adam Everett
#127 Gil Meche
#132 Byung-Hyun Kim
#134 Philadelphia Phillies (2 available)
#135 Joe Blanton (2 available)
#136 Ray Durham
#137 Luke Hudson (2 available)
#138 Eric Byrnes
#140 Johnny Damon SP
#141 Ambiorix Burgos
#142 Hideki Matsui
#147 Chuck James (2 available)
#148 Morgan Ensberg (2 available)
#152 Jason Schmidt
#153 Alex Escobar
#154 Chris Gomez (2 available)
#155 Endy Chavez
#156 Kris Benson
#157 Bronson Arroyo
#160 Richie Sexson
#161 Huston Street
#162 Kevin Youkilis
#164 Vinny Rottino
#165 Garret Anderson
#166 Todd Greene 
#167 Brian Stokes SP
#169 Todd Coffey
#170 Jason Michaels
#171 David Dellucci (3 available)
#173 Austin Kearns
#174 Oakland Athletics
#178 Wily Mo Pena
#179 Chris Burke
#180 Jeff Weaver
#181 Edwin Encarnacion
#182 Jeremy Hermida
#183 Tim Wakefield
#189 Sean Marshall
#191 Jonathan Broxton
#193 Carlos Quentin
#196 Jason Marquis
#197 Khalil Greene
#198 Ryan Dempster
#200 Josh Fogg
#201 Carlos Lee (2 available)
#205 Brandon Phillips
#207 John Koronka
#208 Luis Castillo
#209 Angel Guzman
#214 Royce Clayton (2 available)
#215 Ben Broussard
#216 St. Louis Cardinals
#217 Mark Mulder
#218 Kenji Johjima (2 available)
#219 Joe Crede
#223 Reed Johnson (2 available)
#224 Mike Mussina
#225 Randy Winn
#226 Brian Rogers
#227 Juan Rivera
#228 Shawn Green (2 available)
#229 Mike Napoli
#232 Casey Blake
#234 Adam LaRoche
#235 Julio Lugo
#236 Johnny Estrada
#237 James Shields (2 available)
#238 Jose Castillo
#241 Mike Gonzalez
#242 Scott Downs
#243 Joe Inglett (2 available)
#244 Matt Kemp
#246 New York Yankees
#247 Jamey Carroll
#251 Tom Gordon
#253 Zach Duke
#254 Hank Blalock
#256 Chicago White Sox
#260 Mike Lowell
#261 Ian Snell
#262 Jason Tyner
#263 Troy Tulowitzki
#264 Ervin Santana
#268 Rich Aurilia
#269 Phil Nevin (2 available)
#272 Moises Alou 
#273 J.D. Drew (2 available)
#274 Abraham Nunez
#277 Chad Cordero
#278 Nick Johnson
#282 Nate Robertson 
#286 Cory Sullivan 
#287 Chris Carpenter
#288 Gary Matthews
#290 Vicente Padilla
#291 Chris Roberson
#292 Chris Young (2 available)
#293 Ryan Garko SP (2 available)
#295 B.J. Upton
#297 Ben Zobrist
#299 Eric Chavez (2 available)
#300 Scott Schoeneweis
#305 A.J. Burnett
#306 Juan Perez
#307 Chris Britton
#308 Jon Garland (2 available)
#309 Pedro Feliz (2 available)
#313 Chad Billingsley
#315 Bengie Molina (2 available)
#316 Juan Pierre (3 available)
#317 Luke Scott
#318 Javier Valentin (2 available)
#319 Mark Loretta
#322 Josh Willingham (2 available)
#324 Anibal Sanchez
#325 Maicer Izturis (2 available)
#326 Brett Myers
#327 Chicago Cubs
#331 Steve Trachsel
#332 Bernie Williams (2 available)
#334 Mound Aces Mussina/Wang (2 available)
#335 Dave Bush
#337 Jason Isringhausen
#340 Brandon Webb
#342 Daryle Ward
#343 Chad Santos
#344 Brad Lidge
#345 Brad Ausmus
#348 Carlos Delgado (2 available)
#349 Orlando Hernandez
#351 Cards Fence Busters
#352 Jake Peavy (3 available)
#354 Freddy Garcia
#355 Matt Diaz
#358 John Lackey
#359 Bobby Jenks (2 available)
#361 Jonathan Papelbon (2 available)
#363 Erik Bedard
#364 Eliezer Alfonso (2 available)
#368 Travis Hafner
#371 David Murphy
#372 Carlos Zambrano
#376 Bill Bray
#377 Atlanta Braves
#378 Jeff Cirillo
#379 Barry Zito (2 available)
#380 Clay Hensley
#381 J.J. Putz
#382 C.C. Sabathia
#385 Scott Olsen
#386 Charlie's Young Sluggers
#388 Mike Rouse
#389 Alexis Gomez
#391 Ryan Shealy (2 available)
#395 Casey Janssen
#396 Travis Chick
#398 Reggie Abercrombie
#399 Ricky Nolasco
#400 Tadahito Iguchi (3 available)
#404 Torii Hunter (2 available)
#405 Dan Uggla
#406 Orlando Cabrera 
#407 Jose Capellan
#408 Baltimore Orioles (2 available)
#412 Billy Wagner (2 available)
#413 Andy Marte
#414 Mike Jacobs (3 available)
#415 Raul Ibanez (2 available)
#416 Jhonny Peralta
#417 Chris Young
#421 Chris Capuano
#422 Troy Glaus
#423 Roy Oswalt (2 available)
#424 Grady Sizemore
#425 Chone Figgins (2 available)
#426 Chad Tracy (2 available)
#427 Brian Fuentes (2 available)
#430 Mike Cameron
#431 Dontrelle Willis
#432 Josh Sharpless (2 available)
#433 Adrian Beltre
#436 Rival Fence Busters
#442 Nook Logan
#443 Oswaldo Navarro
#452 Matt Holliday
#453 Akinori Otsuka
#457 John Maine
#461 Cla Meredith
#468 Travis Ishikawa
#469 Joe Borowski
#470 Jeremy Brown
#472 Taylor Tankersley
#475 All-Star Managers Garner/Guillen
#486 Carlos Beltran AS
#487 Vernon Wells AS
#488 Jason Bay AS
#490 Paul Lo Duca AS
#494 Brian Fuentes AS

Baseball Flashbacks
#FB10 Hoyt Wilhelm

Then & Now
#TN4 Luis Aparicio/Jose Reyes

New Years Resolutions

2013 has come and gone. When the clock struck midnight on December 31st, i was excited.

I've been getting a little bored lately of getting 2013 products with the exception of Heritage.
That is, if i could find any in my local Targets & Walmarts.

I probably should finish off the 2001 set, but i've been prepping up for the 2014 releases and i've been a bit lazy about it but i'll get around to it eventually. 

I have a few new years resolutions for this year as far as my card collecting is concerned.

#1. Stop buying Allen & Ginter
- i've been getting sick and tired of this product lately, too many minis, too many parallels, the only set i would be interested in collecting, is the autographs and NO i don't want any autographs of someone i could care less about, like for example Nick Saban & Barry Melrose. I just want strictly baseball.

#2. Dustin Pedroia Super-Collection
- Some of you reading this blog might be saying to yourself, "does he only collect Topps products?" Well, im here to deliver the goods. No. I am an avid Dustin Pedroia collector. I've been way too lazy to make a wantlist, i'll get around to it eventually. 

#3. Finish 2014 Heritage, Flagship, Update, Gypsy Queen Sets
- This probably should be number one, but it isn't so sue me. Usually, when i want to finish a Heritage set (with the exception of 2001) I finish with it in the span of a month. So this won't be an issue. Im sure i will have plenty to trade off to help all of you Heritage nuts like myself finish the set. So stay tuned until that glorious day arrives.

- Most people seem to like this design the flagship set has to offer this year. I've said it too. I think it'll be a nice one. Personally, im excited to see the World Series Highlights sub-set of those bearded warriors from Boston.

- Gypsy Queen for me is a FUN and nice set to build. Sure it has many parallels, but how can you hate those autographs? I think Gypsy Queen is better than Allen & Ginter, so i will be looking forward to this years design.

- Topps Update: This will be the last one to finish, i'll wait until October  to do this.

Until then, LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

2012 Topps Heritage High Number Wantlist

H650. Bryce Harper

Vintage Completion: 1977 Topps

660 pieces of cardboard complete!


i just popped my vintage set cherry!

Ranking the BEST ALL TIME Topps Designs

It's been awhile since i've posted on here. I've been busy.

Busy still soaking in the World Series victory those bearded warriors put together in Boston!

So lets celebrate together by discussing my top 5 favorite topps designs of all time. I hope you enjoy.






5:

2011 Topps

What was going on in 2011? The Cardinals surprised a lot of baseball fans, including myself.

There are plenty of reasons to love the 2011 design. It's the 60th anniversary of Topps, this set has by far the best looking legends variations, diamond anniversary parallels, did i also mention airbrushed gimmicks of Adrian Gonzalez & Carl Crawford?

Most red sox fans would agree that those two were cancers in the clubhouse, but Adrian owns the best airbrushed job out of this set.

With the team logos, colorful banners on the front, and the only Mike Trout rookie card i have, the 2011 lands at #5 for obvious reasons.

coolest looking set to come out the last 4 years.










4:

1970 Topps

What was going on at this time? The Baltimore Orioles were on top of the world.

1970? Most collectors would find this set at the bottom of their favorites list. A lot more collectors would put 1971 ahead of this one.

I however, do not.

Gray borders, colorful photography, cursive names? whats not to like about that?

Home to the Thurman Munson rookie, this set is my favorite from the 1970's mainly because it's the first one that really got me into collecting vintage.










3:

1955 Topps

Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, & Harmon Killebrew

aside from being some of the greatest players off all time, this set holds some of the greatest rookie cards of all time.

I only have a whopping SIX 55' Topps in my set collection, i haven't put a dent in this set and i won't until i finish the 60's & 70's.

This'll happen in the year 2096.

Best looking set BY FAR from the 1950's, and YES i think it ranks ahead of 1952 Topps.

I have this sort of thing that facsimile autographs on baseball cards look great. Colorful backs, trivia questions, fantastic player photography, and the old team logos.

What is there NOT to like about this site?

2:

1965 Topps

And the best looking world series highlight cards goes to, 1965!

Yes, 1965. I wasn't alive. The Dodgers were on top of the world, Sandy Koufax was still owning souls, and these cards were floating around for 5 CENTS A PACK.

You don't see that anymore, you only see the second best design of all-time.

How often do you see pennant flags with team logos on baseball cards today? thats what makes this set so unique.

With the players name blown up on the back with blue backgrounds, these designs actually make them LOOK old.

With March 5th right around the corner, i am very excited to complete this heritage set.

But that doesn't top the #1 design on the list!

1:

1963 Topps:

This is the best, OF. ALL. TIME

1963.

Like 1965, the Dodgers were on top of the world & Sandy Koufax was still owning souls.

The home of my favorite Mickey Mantle card of all-time, and one of the most expensive ROOKIE CARDS of all-time, Pete Rose.

I'll probably pay an arm & leg for that card but i want it because in my opinion, that one is the key to completing the set.

Wonderful photography, colorful fronts, floating head rookie cards, yellow & cream-colored backs and you can throw in a black & white action photo, and a Topps Heritage set.

can't get any better than that, can it? 

Runners-up:

2007 Topps

1995 Topps

2013 Topps

1962 Topps

1989 Topps

1980 Topps Wantlist

1. Brock Yastrzemski HL
4. Pete Rose HL
125. Tony Perez
213. Mike Jorgensen
219. Steve Mingori
220. Dave Concepcion
240. Dave Kingman
249. Jim Clancy
251. Kip Young
264. Bill Robinson
275. Jerry Koosman
279. Rob Andrews
281. Paul Blair
288. Dave Rozema
297. Tim Johnson
298. Ken Holtzman
341. Jim Essian
343. Mike Vail
348. Checklist 243-363
353. Andy Hassler
354. Rick Auerbach
355. Gary Matthews
367. Billy Smith
375. Ross Grimsley
415. Bill Atkinson
425. Mark Belanger
429. Duane Kuiper
436. Billy Almon
450. George Brett
451. Dave Garcia
456. Frank Taveras
463. Jerry Royster
480. Bob Watson
482. Rickey Henderson
484. Checklist 364-484
487. Wayne Nordhagen
497. Jim Mason
504. Gene Garber
505. Bert Campaneris
540. Pete Rose
566. Bud Harrelson 
577. Bob Mattick
579. Charlie Moore
587. Garry Templeton
596. Rick Matula
606. John McNamara
612. Cliff Johnson
615. Doug Decinces
620. Richie Zisk
621. Bob Grich
622. Mario Soto
625. Chris Chambliss
626. Sparky Anderson
632. Barry Bonnell
634. Glenn Borgmann
642. Ken Forsch
649. Tom Griffin
652. Mario Mendoza
666. Tigers Future Stars
667. Royals Future Stars
688. Steve Stone
691. Ivan Dejesus
695. Reggie Smith
705. Freddie Patek
712. Rodney Scott
715. Sal Bando
721. Paul Hartzell
722. Jose Cruz
724. Jerry White

[updated 3/26/14]