November is dull in baseball world. It has the dullest week of the dullest month baseball-wise of the year (November 6-13). Let's review the news of the past couple weeks.
1. Topps Tier One hit the stores. There's only one pack per box. High-end Topps has led to dissatisfaction among the breaking community.
2. The Red Sox have a new manager....some players didn't want him....scandal!
3. The Royals made a trade....it doesn't matter for who.
4. Topps Triple Threads teaches us that Canadiens "Say 'Eh" and also about American legendary history like Pecos Bill and John Henry. It gives more information than a history textbook for only double the price.
But we're not about dwelling on unpleasantness or distasteful ideas or boredom here. We're about looking forward. And in order to look forward we have to look back and remember what lay in front of us at one point in the past. Because the excitement from the future of the past while we're looking back could only whet our little pack-ripping appetites for the future from the present. Because presently many have forgotten the past which can not bode well for the future. Of course, we don't that is true until the future when the present is behind us and is the past. So let's look forward to 2012 by reminding ourselves about the anticipation of 2011.
Remember Topps? No, not the company. The base set, the kick-off for the year, it's almost time for that again. The anticipation of a new design, the slick foil, surprising gimmicks (maybe), and an online giveaway for the new season. Here's some 2011 Topps cards from a series 1 box break to remind us all that it's not all bad. Even if you aren't particularly drawn to Triple Tier 1 Prospect Threads of Draft Picks....
Hey, it's a gold card! We have seen these since 2001. 2012 will provide more gold than ever before throughout all the themed inserts. Of course, this old style gold parallel #d to the year seems to not be found.
instead.....
there will be......
a different type.....
of gold parallel....similar to 2011's diamond parallel. These diamond parallels were a great addition to the parallel lineup and really fit into the theme of the 60th anniversary of Topps. They were vibrant and cool to see and felt like a collectible extension of the set. Maybe there'll be a themed parallel every year like wood, cotton, leather, or cashmere in the future.
Topps 60 showcases great players with non-specific moments...
This has been true of most insert sets throughout their 20+ year history. All-stars! Legends! Rookies! Just create an idea to mix them together in a whirlwind of wonderment. MVPs may also apply.
I am not a fan of dual player insert cards except for all-stars for the same position of the same year or maybe something like 1996 Zenith Mosaics. But this card is fantastic....Reggie Jackson as an Oriole!
Hit me! I need to get closer to 21. I lucked out and got an auto. This is why we open the packs to fill the thrill of victory and the agony of pulling a jersey card of someone you don't necessarily want. But the hit's guaranteed! Net positive all around.
But the best thing a new card set can hope for....
is have a card that becomes iconic or memorable...
or the rookie card of a hall of famer (assuming that a rookie card is a rookie card and not an unrookie card). Some sets get left behind, but that's impossible....
as long as there are minis. Farewell to the set that probably left the biggest impact among the most collectors in 2011. You will return in a different form next year to lift us out of the November doldrums once again.
please, please, please...no political cards in an election year
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