Another Subset Conquered, My 2013 Topps Gypsy Queen ‘Collisions At The Plate’ Is Done!!!

Another Subset Conquered, My 2013 Topps Gypsy Queen ‘Collisions At The Plate’ Is Done!!!

Well friends, it is time to announce that I have completed another subset here at ’30-YOC’.  Yes, that is two subsets in one week – A ’30-YOC’ record!!!

This time around it is the 2013 Topps Gypsy Queen ‘Collisions At The Plate’ subset that I have conquered.  And it looks great!!

Here is the full 10-card set:

As you all know, I am a big fan of the Gypsy Queen product.  I find the base set to be the best looking set that Topps is making at the moment and I also like most of the subsets that they produce as well.  The GQ ‘Collisions’ subset is no different – it is packed with action imagery and features some really great coloring too.

I have just two issues with the set – 1 being minor and 1 being major.

My minor issue is the size of the set – 10 cards.  For a guy that keeps his subsets in album pages, a 10-card set just does not work.  Pages have 9 pockets, so one of these cards either has to go on the back of the page that features nine on the front or stand alone on the next page.  Why not either make the set a 9-card set so it can be displayed all together or increase the number of cards to 18 so it can fill a page, front and back??

My major issue is the player selection.  While I fully understand that modern sets should contain modern players, I think that Topps went a tad-bit overboard with the inclusion of seven modern players and just three legends. While the legends included are solid (Bench, Carter, Fisk), I would have liked to have seen a few more like Pudge Rodriguez, Roy Campanella, and maybe someone like Lance Parrish included as well.

That’s all – not complaining, just commenting!

I love this set, and I love the look of the cards.  A very well thought out plan by Topps and the execution of the set was great.

Reggie Jackson 2012 Panini Cooperstown – Crystal

Reggie Jackson 2012 Panini Cooperstown – Crystal

I am really starting to enjoy the Panini product that features and promotes the legends of the game with their ‘Cooperstown’ base set and subsets.

Last year, in the 2012 issue, I was able to scoop up all four of the Andre Dawson cards from the set rather easily.  But, for the other guys that I collect heavily like Jenkins, Palmer, and Morgan, I have had a much harder time hauling in the colored parallel cards issued last year.

So, when I saw this ‘Crystal’ version of Reggie Jackson from the 2012 set, I pounced on it.

Here is the card:

 

And now I am halfway there – just need to find the Red and Blue versions with decent pricing and I will pounce on them as well.

Hopefully it happens soon as I need to shift some attention to the great 2013 products that Panini is launching right now…

 

 

Roberto Clemente 2001 Upper Deck – UD Decade 1970’s

Roberto Clemente 2001 Upper Deck – UD Decade 1970’s

I recently picked up a few cards of the guys that I collect from the 2001 Upper Deck ‘Decades’ set.

This set features very lively colors and border designs in both the regular set and in all of the subsets.  These cards are very easy to identify due to the coloring, and they also work very well with the 1970’s theme due to the loud colors and zany fonts that are littered throughout the set.

This is the card of Roberto Clemente from the base set:

The Blue and Green have nothing to do with the colors of the Pittsburgh Pirates, but that is exactly what this set is all about – loud and in your face colors!

The only thing that could make this card better would be if the United States flag that is flying over Clemente’s left shoulder was replaced with one that features the colors of Puerto Rico.

A great looking card right here!!

Vince Coleman 1989 Upper Deck

Vince Coleman 1989 Upper Deck

Upper Deck’s launch in 1989 left most card collectors with their jaws agape and in awe of the ‘best looking set in town’.

The cards were crisp, on a new kind of cardstock, and best of all they featured full-color action images on both the front and back of the card.

The Vince Coleman card from this set is a nice one, but it is not among the ‘upper crust’ of cards.

The front of the card features Coleman sprinting towards first base.  And based on the direction in which his eyes are aimed, it looks like he may have hit a grounder to the right side of the infield and is attempting to beat the throw to first base.

Have a look:

 

My lone complaint is that the shot is so zoomed-in that you cannot tell who the Cardinals are facing.  Show me a little part of the catcher, or show me the team in the dugout that is the backdrop of the scene.

Just a little more of the story would have been great…

Happy Birthday Eddie Matthews!!!

Happy Birthday Eddie Matthews!!!

Eddie Matthews had a solid 17-year professional baseball career.  And while his individual achievements and team success were on par with the biggest stars of his era, it was his quiet approach to the game that kept him out of the limelight.  Playing alongside Hank Aaron for most of his career kept the spotlight off of him as well…

Still, Matthews was quite the slugger, and he put up very impressive numbers.  Clubbing 512 home runs during his career, Matthews hit 25 or more home runs in 11 consecutive seasons, and 12 in total.  A run-producer, Eddie knocked in 100 runs five times while also scoring 100 or more runs 8 times.

Matthews was a 9-time All-Star and perennial candidate for the MVP award.  He was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978.

He helped lead his 1957 Braves and 1968 Tigers teams to World Series championships.

Happy Birthday Eddie Matthews!!!

Andre Dawson 2013 Topps Allen & Ginter AUTOGRAPHED Baseball Card!!!

Andre Dawson 2013 Topps Allen & Ginter AUTOGRAPHED Baseball Card!!!

Now this is what I am talking about!!!  While I am nowhere near the biggest A&G fan in the world, I will admit that these cards show off autographs like no other modern baseball cards.

Most likely due to the finish and lack of gloss that covers the front of the card, Allen & Ginter baseball cards hold an autograph perfectly with no smearing, streaking, or bubbling.

Want proof??

Check out the newest signed Andre Dawson card in my collection – his 2013 Topps Allen & Ginter card:

 

I told you – Bright, Bold, and Perfect!!!

I scored this card from a dealer that went to a free Dawson signing in the Chicago-land area a few weeks back.  We struck a deal and the card is now home with me and in my ‘Ultimate Dawson’ collection where it belongs.

I am very happy to have this one!!!

And now, it is time to shift gears and get a matching Fergie Jenkins card….

Wish me luck.