2009 Topps Heritage Base Set Journey-completed

Well, the quest has ended with great assists from giveaways and trades in the sports card blogtopia. These last contributions were from Brian at Play at the Plate and Chris from Budget Baseball Cardboarding. Thank you to all those who were patient enough to trade with me.

Robinson Cano is looking sleepy and Aaron Boone is looking smug.
David Price has gone from a rookie star to an all-star starter and he's pushing the Rays to the top with the effervescent Evan Longoria
Derek Jeter is still the face of the Yankees, Alex Rios is having a renaissance this year with the White Sox, and Jay Bruce is always swinging for the fences.
This is a Geovany Soto All-star SP, Corey Hart has decided to remain with the Brew Crew, and Gavin Floyd is enjoying a breakthrough season in 2010.

As for the cards, I love the varying designs of the subsets (all-star, all-rookie team, rookies, managers, World Series, team) and though the photos are mostly portraits, nothing looks washed out or is too bright for the homage like it has in past Heritage editions (such as 2007).

Of course, I only have 4 out of 71 SPs. So those are welcome in any future trades, though I will not pursue them with much vigor.

2009 Topps Heritage Base Set Completion Journey : The First Three Trades

When I set out on the journey to complete the 2009 Topps Heritage Base Set, these were the first three people to heed the call. They were the proprietors of the blogs Nachos Grande, Roll out the Barrel, and Long Fly Ball to Because.... In addition to those cards, many Phillies cards were sent. The depth and breadth of trade packages always astound me. Please observe some of the highlights and cards that stood out to me.

2009 Opeechee Carlos Ruiz: Celebrating the shortest walk-off hit in World Series history.

2008 Upper Deck Heroes Jersey of Pat Burrell: I was happy to see Burrell recently get back on his feet with the Giants

1992 Topps Kids Von Hayes: I really don't understand this set; he has no legs.

2008 Goudey Mini, 2008 Upper Deck Heroes Charcoal, and 1987 Opeechee Michael Jack Schmidt: These are three Schmidts I didn't have, an increasingly rare occurrence to try and locate.

Here are some of the 2009 Topps Heritage cards traded to me. Every one was appreciated and put in its proper place in the set box.
2008 Stadium Club Jimmy Rollins: Jimmy shouldn't ever stop. Jimmy needs to get back on the field.
2006 Flair Showcase Wave of the Future Gavin Floyd: Traded to the White Sox for Aaron Rowand, and became a decent pitcher for a couple of years. One interesting type set to collect would be all of the Wave of the Future cards from 1993-2006. Achievable?
1986 Fleer Kevin Gross: This is what my childhood stadium looked like, the perfect concrete jungle.
2008 Upper Deck Timeline Ryan Howard: Ryan, bring back the power. You can can even gain back a few more pounds if that will help.
2008 Goudey Richie Ashburn: I remember him as an announcer. His voice just fit the Phillies.
2006 Fleer Ultra Diamond Producers Bobby Abreu: Oh yes, I remember, wasn't there an Abreu effect I should have written about months ago?
2009 Sweet Spot Pedro Martinez: Pedro was a wily old pitcher here.

2008 Topps Heritage Greg Dobbs: He's lost his magic touch; he couldn't hit a cockroach in a glass jar at this point (I read that somewhere today)

2008 Topps All-Rookie Team insert Jimmy Rollins: Too bad 2008 Topps didn't have much else going for it.

2007 Turkey Red Ryan Howard: Turkey Red looks much more elegant as an insert set rather than a stand-alone base set for some reason.

2008 Topps Gold Pedro Feliz: He had one great swing in the World Series last year.
2009 Goodwin Champions Dick Allen: Twilight dawns as a successful career begins. ROY 1964.
2008 Goudey Chase Utley: This is the first extended slump from Utley in awhile.
2007 Ultra Aaron Rowand: They call him fenceface...for that one catch against the Mets, still is incredible.
Lastly, for the scans 2003 Topps Heritage Travis Lee: I did not like him as a Phillie, but this is the first card of mine from this brand.

Thank you all. I hope you received the cards I sent to you. The journey will continue.

2009 Topps Heritage Wantlist Post

28 remaining

Everyone has dived headlong into the 2010 Topps Heritage pool, but I'm stuck wading in the 2009 Topps Heritage shallow end. Not that I don't enjoy being there; it sure simplifies things at the end of the day.

I'm only collecting the set from 1-425.

Any shortprints are a bonus.

I don't want to have this thing hanging over my proverbial collection head for years. I enjoyed the 1960 horizontal design, but I don't want to be stressed about it.

Here's what's remaining as of this writing.

73, 83, 240, 243, 254, 255, 257, 273, 274, 277, 285, 288, 289, 297, 318, 320, 329, 330, 336, 342, 356, 365, 377, 394, 404, 405, 410, 412,

SPs I have (just in case): 450, 473, 496

Not bad for only having bought one pack.