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]

1995 Topps Traded Wantlist

1. Frank Thomas AB
2. Ken Griffey Jr. AB
4. Albert Belle AB
5. Cal Ripken Jr. AB
6. Mike Piazza AB
7. Tony Gwynn AB
8. Jeff Bagwell AB
9. Mo Vaughn AB
11. Ray Durham
14. Kevin Gross
15. Jon Nunnally 
16. Brian Maxcy
17. Mark Kiefer
19. Michael Mimbs
20. Larry Walker
21. Chad Curtis
22. Jeff Barry
23. Joe Oliver
24. Tomas Perez
26. Brian McRae
27. Derek Bell
28. Ray Durham
29. Todd Williams
30. Ryan Jaroncyk
31. Todd Steverson
32. Mike Devereaux
33. Rheal Cormier
34. Benito Santiago
36. Jack McDowell
37. Mike Macfarlane
38. Tony McKnight
39. Brian L. Hunter
41. Brett Butler
42. Donovan Osborne
43. Scott Karl
44. Tony Phillips
45. Marty Cordova
46. Dave Mlicki
47. Bronson Arroyo 
48. John Burkett
50. Mickey Tettleton
51. Todd Stottlemyre
52. Mike Perez
53. Terry Mulholland
54. Edgardo Alfonzo
55. Zane Smith
56. Jacob Brumfield
57. Andujar Cedeno
58. Jose Parra
59. Manny Alexander
60. Tony Tarasco
61. Orel Hershiser
62. Tim Scott
64. Ken Hill
66. Lee Smith
67. Jason Bates
68. Felipe Lira
69. Alex Hernandez
70. Tony Fernandez
71. Scott Radinsky
73. Mark Grudzielanek
75. Jim Abbott 
76. Roger Bailey
77. Gregg Jefferies
78. Erik Hanson
79. Brad Radke
80. Jaime Navarro
81. John Wettleland
82. Chad Fonville
83. John Mabry
84. Glenallen Hill
85. Ken Caminiti
86. Tom Goodwin
87. Darren Bragg
89. Jeff Russell
90. Dave Gallagher
91. Steve Finley
92. Vaughn Eshelman
93. Kevin Jarvis
94. Mark Gubicza
95. Tim Wakefield
96. Bob Tewksbury
97. Sid Roberson
98. Tom Henke
99. Michael Tucker
100. Jason Bates
101. Otis Nixon
102. Mark Whiten
103. Dilson Torres
104. Melvin Bunch
105. Terry Pendleton
106. Corey Jenkins
107. Glenn Dishman
109. Curtis Goodwin
110. David Cone
111. Antonio Osuna
112. Paul Shuey
113. Doug Jones
114. Mark McLemore
115. Kevin Ritz
116. John Kruk
117. Trevor Wilson
118. Jerald Clark
119. Julian Tavarez
120. Tim Pugh
121. Todd Zeile
122. Richie Sexson/Brian Schnider
123. Bobby Witt
124. Hideo Nomo ROY
125. Joey Cora
126. Jim Scharrer
127. Paul Quantrill
130. Mariano Rivera
131. Tyler Green 
132. Brad Clontz
134. Dave Magadan
136. Bret Barberie
137. Bill Swift 
138. Scott Cooper
139. Roberto Kelly 
140. Charlie Hayes
141. Pete Harnisch
142. Rich Amaral
143. Rudy Seanez
144. Pat Listach
145. Quilvio Veras
146. Jose Olmeda
147. Roberto Petagine
149. Phil Plantier
151. Pat Borders
152. Tyler Green 
153. Stan Belinda
154. Dave Stewart
155. Andre Dawson
156. Frank Thomas/Fred McGriff AS
157. Carlos Baerga/Craig Biggio AS
159. Cal Ripken/Ozzie Smith AS
161. Albert Belle/Barry Bonds AS
164. Hideo Nomo/Randy Johnson AS

[updated - 8/20/13]

Product Preview: 2014 Topps Heritage

With the recent release of topps' Allen & Ginter product, i pretty much have one more set im interested in completing before the year ends (Topps Update)

i know, i know.

It's still 2013 and we're all going nuts over A&G, but it never gets old to start looking towards the future, and it looks mighty exciting for myself and the rest of the heritage sets i've put together.

I love this 65 design, it's my second favorite design ever released by topps. 

You guys know the drill. 425 base cards, 75 short prints, and the same inserts/parallels included. You know what i say to this? GOOD.

this never gets old for me. 

Oh, i didn't mention this did i?

 it's also next years Topps' flagship design. First time i've seen the "Future Stars" in a long time.

not looking too bad for a guy who might win NL ROY.