A Thing That Happened While I Was Writing My Next Post

My originally intended next post was going to be a write up about my progress on the 2001 Fleer Tradition Stitches in Time set. However, research and writing has been taking me longer than expected. So, today I decided to take a break so I could offer up some thoughts on a recent collecting trend.

I'm sure that many of you have heard/read about the new on-demand offeriring, Topps Project 2020. The concept here didn't initially grab my interest. The description from the website: 'a year-long collection on Topps.com that visually reimagines the baseball cards that have defined generations, ushering in a new era of seminal artwork. Topps is collaborating with a cast of 20 artists from around the globe, ranging from famed streetwear designers, tattoo and graffiti artists, and one of the premiere jewelry designers on the planet. Each Artist will recreate all 20 cards.' The first thought that came to my mind when I heard about this was 'just what we need, more reprints...' Since I wasn't thrilled with the concept, I hadn't been keeping up with the releases, but I would see them show up in my various social media feeds anyway. The majority of the images I'd seen were quite underwhelming, and there was a lot of chatter about their excessive cost. Each individual card is $19.99 and a bundle of both daily issues can be had for $34.99. There is a bulk discount offer much like there is for Topps Now cards, but no matter how you look at it, that's a steep price tag. I figured that I'd be skipping out on this entire concept. That was until I got the email about yesterday's release...

It was The Captain! His card wasn't on the original list published on the website(only19 out of the 20 cards chosen for the project were listed). Heck, the design isn't completely hideous either. It's actually one of the more attractive designs to drop thus far, at least to my eye. I went ahead and put in my order while I was on lunch break yesterday to ensure that I won't have to try to pick one up at some crazy, secondary market price.

As far as on demand cards go, these backs are pretty decent. I like that it lists the original card and that it has a brief write-up about the artist behind the new design. I halfway expected them to just have an image of the original on there and call it good.

Now that I've taken the plunge, I suppose I'll keep a little closer eye on future releases. I don't expect to buy very many more, but they are reimagining Mariano Rivera's '92 Bowman, Mattingly's '84 Topps, Ichiro's 2001 Topps, and Rickey Henderson's '80 Topps so who knows? I already missed out on pretty cool Rickey and Ichiro designs, and with 18 or 19 more designs left to come for everyone, I guess the odds are in favor of finding a few more designs that I like. Time will tell. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this concept. Have there been any designs you've really liked? Any you picked up yet? Thanks for reading.

Recapping Derek Jeter Night

Yesterday was a great day to be a Yankee fan. Despite the score from the second half of the doubleheader against Houston, there was a great deal of celebration. It was Derek Jeter night. The Captain's number '2' jersey number was retired in a great pre-game ceremony.

His family, former teammates, scouts, and coaches from all points in his career were all in attendance for the festivities. Additionally, Jeets' plaque for Monument Park was unveiled.

Ahhh, the Core Four(plus Bernie Williams)! It doesn't get much better than that for Yankee fans of my generation. Now that these honors are in his rear view mirror, the next stop is Cooperstown!

Of course, this is a card blog so I do have a cardboard tie-in to this theme. During a recent trip to the local Target card aisle, I was surprised to find this team set staring back at me from one of the pegs.

Here's a quick look at the checklist.

I was pleasantly surprised to see this, not only because the Target's around me didn't carry any team sets last year, but more importantly because there was a Jeter in 2017 flagship design staring back at me! Here are a few faves from the set.

Across the top, despite his outing in the second half of yesterday's double dip, Tanaka is the clear ace of the rotation. Castro and Gregorius have quickly become a force to be reckoned with in the middle of the diamond(and in the batter's box). Along the bottom, Judge is the hottest rookie since Gary Sanchez in the second half of last season. I really like this pic better than the one that appears on his flagship RC(this one is shared by his Opening Day issue). Speaking of Gary Sanchez...and then we've got Greg Bird. He's been hurt quite a bit, but his showing in late 2015 and throughout this spring sure has me hoping he can bounce back, stay healthy, and be a highly productive player for a long time. These were great, but the star attraction of the team set, for me, was the new Derek Jeter on the front of the set.

It's not the most exciting picture to grace cardboard, and honestly pales in comparison to his most recent flagship offering, but I'll overlook all of that simply because I'm excited to own a new Jeter. If anyone is in need of this team set, send me a message. I can definitely arrange to send one (or more) your way. Thanks for reading.

The Captain's Farewell to Yankee Stadium - Told in Cards

I'm a day late posting this, but here goes. It was one year ago yesterday that Derek Jeter played his final game wearing the Yankee pinstripes. We all know how that game ended, but the good folks at Topps provided some cardboard reminders for us this year. Let's take a look.

Here he is running out to take his spot at SS one last time in front of the home crowd. He had a pretty good game, but let's skip to the important part...the bottom of the ninth.

There's the crack of his bat and...

...we have a fairytale, walk off ending!

The Captain acknowledges the fans...

...and does a victory lap of sorts. All the while, soaking in the crowd's appreciation.

His teammates showed him some love and appreciation too!

While I am certainly saddened that he is no longer on the field, his last appearance at Yankee Stadium sure was memorable!

Like so many other moments and images from his incredible career, I'll remember this image for years to come...and when I think of it, I'll smile. Thanks to Topps, I'll be able to relive that night anytime I want. Thanks for reading!

Oh Captain, My Captain! A Tribute

A little over two months ago, I posted about a mail day that was my perfect reward for a hard snow day's work. Since I posted the gold version of the 2015 Topps Derek Jeter checklist card (#319) back in February, I have been in the hunt for the gold version of card #1. I've bid on at least a dozen of them, but they all ended at prices higher than I wanted to pay. I decided to start following the search. Boy, am I glad I did! The other day, I was looking through the newly listed auctions and found one that had a $6.50 opening bid with $1.00 for shipping and a buy it now option of only $8.50(also with $1.00 for shipping). I couldn't complete the transaction fast enough! Yesterday this arrived in my mailbox:

I'm still not looking to complete a rainbow, not even close. However, right after the gold Jeter arrived, I found a rainbow copy of the checklist card for way cheaper than I thought I'd be able to. So, a BIN later, and all of a sudden this card is on its way to my door. 

In he span of a few days, I took two steps closer to completing the parallels I wanted to put together. Three down, one more to go. If anyone out there has a rainbow foil copy of Jeter #1 that needs a good home, I can help with that.