‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Name “Topps Opening Day”, I Think Of…

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Name “Topps Opening Day”, I Think Of…

From dictionary.com:

Word Association, Noun.  

Definition – the connection and production of other words in response to a given word, done spontaneously as a game, creative technique, or in a psychiatric evaluation.

Ex: Dog –> Bark

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Name “Topps Opening Day”, I Think Of…

Poor Execution

Topps’ Opening Day baseball card set was released today.  Yet, Opening Day is not for another two weeks.  Kind of odd, right??

I am one of the few collectors that I know that truly enjoys this set.  I like the theme and I love the added ‘Opening Day’ graphics.

But, it is the timing that really gets me.  Sure,  I understand why Topps may release the set prior to Opening Day.  Maybe it is to get the collectors and fans more excited about the upcoming season.

But, if I had my choice, this set would be issued after Opening Day, and it would be much larger in volume.  Today, the set consists of 220 cards, an average of 7 cards per team.  But in reality, many teams get well over 7 cards and some get well under that mark as well.  My preference would be that the set is expanded to feature each and every player that was on the starting lineup for Opening Day for their teams.  Each team would get 9 cards, adding another 70 cards to the set.  And it would be perfect if the images were snapped from the actual ‘Opening Day’ and the set was issued a few weeks after.

Enough said.

What do you think?  What Is The First Things When You Think Of When You Hear ‘Topps Opening Day’?

Let me hear it!!

Word Association Wednesday – When I Say ‘Cut Signatures’, You Say…

Word Association Wednesday – When I Say ‘Cut Signatures’, You Say…

From dictionary.com:

Word Association, Noun.  

Definition – the connection and production of other words in response to a given word, done spontaneously as a game, creative technique, or in a psychiatric evaluation.

Ex: Dog –> Bark

Topps’ 2014 Heritage product release has been re-scheduled to Friday, the 14^th.  This is roughly ten days after the original launch date.  What this minor delay has done is give me a few more days to go after some of the Series 1 cards I still need, while also building my checklist for the Marlins and Player Collection cards in the Heritage set that I plan to go after.

After cruising through the base checklist, I was intrigued about the subsets found in this year’s release and ultimately that led me to reviewing the full set.

And then I ran into this – ‘1965 Cut Signatures’ and ‘1965 Celebrity Cut Signatures’.

And that immediately made me ask the question ‘When I Say ‘Cut Signatures, I Think’??

And my answer is:

‘YUCK’

I mean, seriously – Does anyone want a piece of index card or notebook paper mounted to a baseball card that features a signature that wasn’t intended to be there in the first place?

This set features autographs of baseball players like Brooks Robinson, Jim Palmer, and Tom Seaver as well as celebrities like Art Garfunkel, John Wayne, and Elvis Presley.  Wouldn’t you rather have a nice piece signed that was purposely signed by the person versus the item being manipulated to fit a baseball card?

I’m not sure where the majority stands on this, but I find the ‘Cut Signature’ to be as ridiculous as anything that has been tried by any baseball card producing company – EVER.

What do you think?   ‘When I Say ‘Cut Signatures, You Say….

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Name “Topps Heritage”, I Think Of…

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Name “Topps Heritage”, I Think Of…

From dictionary.com:

Word Association, Noun.  

Definition – the connection and production of other words in response to a given word, done spontaneously as a game, creative technique, or in a psychiatric evaluation.

Ex: Dog –> Bark

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Name “Topps Heritage”, I Think Of…

Today is release day.  And on this day, the new 2014 Topps Heritage issue becomes available to collectors for the first time.

Many collectors are excited about this.  I am not one of them…  I’ll grab my Marlins team set, a few cards for my player collections and then I am done.  No packs, no box breaks, nada.

When I got back into the hobby of baseball card collecting 5 ½ years ago, I was immediately drawn to the Heritage theme as I always had a strong liking for vintage card design, especially the ones from my youth.  And I thought it would be neat to see modern players featured in modern sets with those old-school looks.  Topps’ Heritage, Archives, and Fan-Favorites give us precisely that.

But now, I am bored by most of it.  Sure, I like the idea.  But I think it has morphed into way more than it should be.  And it has invaded more and more products as the years have passed.

So, when I hear ‘Topps Heritage’, the first thing that I think of is ‘PLAYED OUT’.

If Topps kept this special, I think it would be so much better.  As much as I like insert sets and seeing modern players featured on classic baseball card designs, it is just too much right now.  And in my eyes, it has made the Heritage brand not as special as it should be.  Sure, the Heritage set is the one that truly pays homage to the full set from that collecting year, as is stays true to the card style, the variations, and errors, but as we get closer and closer to the Heritage sets that will honor the great sets of the 1970’s and 1980’s, we will have already seen modern Topps products that features the 1971, 1972, 1975, 1980, 1983, 1987, and many more card designs.

And it is at that point that I think that Topps Heritage will sink.

This is just my opinion, but if you are a Topps Heritage fan, I would suggest that you enjoy the next few years because once we get into the designs of the 1970’s, you’re going to feel like you’ve seen all of this before…

What do you think?  What Is The First Things When You Think Of When You Hear ‘Topps Heritage’?

Let me hear it!!

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Name “Donruss”, I Think Of…

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Name “Donruss”, I Think Of…

From dictionary.com:

Word Association, Noun.  

Definition – the connection and production of other words in response to a given word, done spontaneously as a game, creative technique, or in a psychiatric evaluation.

Ex: Dog –> Bark

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Name “Donruss”, I Think…

DIAMOND KINGS

For the first time in almost a decade, the Donruss brand of baseball cards has a new release for the collecting community.  And while the company may have new ownership, it is going to be nice to see that old Donruss logo again in the hobby.

But, what is the first word that you think of when you hear the word Donruss?

For me it is, DIAMOND KINGS.  Donruss had some pretty sweet releases during the early stages of their brand during the 1980’s and mixed in with their base sets was a few hobby-changing elements: Rated Rookies, vintage-style graphics, etc.

Enough said.

And now, When You Hear The Name “DONRUSS”, You Think Of…

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Name “Craig Kimbrel”, I Think Of…

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Name “Craig Kimbrel”, I Think Of…

From dictionary.com:

Word Association, Noun.  

Definition – the connection and production of other words in response to a given word, done spontaneously as a game, creative technique, or in a psychiatric evaluation.

Ex: Dog –> Bark

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Name “Craig Kimbrel”, I Think…

ELITE

With the recent retirement of Mariano Rivera coupled with the contract extension that Kimbrel just signed with the Atlanta Braves, I got me to thinking about how Kimbrel’s name can be associated with the term ‘best in the game’ at his position now that Rivera is gone.

In four seasons, the numbers are unreal – 139 saves, 1.39 ERA, 15-7 record, .902 WHIP, 381 strikeouts, 82 walks, 4.65 K:walk ratio, 15.1 K:9 innings.

ELITE, indeed.

Enough said.

And now, When You Hear The Name “Craig Kimbrel”, You Think Of…

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Term “Phenom”, I Think Of…

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Term “Phenom”, I Think Of…

From dictionary.com:

Word Association, Noun.  

Definition – the connection and production of other words in response to a given word, done spontaneously as a game, creative technique, or in a psychiatric evaluation.

Ex: Dog –> Bark

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Term “Phenom”, I Think Of…

The last post about the Giancarlo Stanton & Jose Fernandez card got me thinking about the great young stars in the league.  And these guys have been called every name/term in the book.

One word that always sticks is ‘Phenom’.

So, tonight’s ‘Word Association Wednesday’ is When I Hear The Term “Phenom”, I Think Of…

And my answer is not the most obvious, but he certainly deserves the attention that the work ‘Phenom’ receives.  I go with Stephen Strasburgh.

From a young age, Stras has been compared to all of the right-handed greats.  Leading up to his drafting as the #1 MLB pick, he had all eyes on him.  And as he dominated the college ranks, the number of fans grew immensely.  And now, as one of the bright, young stars of the game, Stephen Strasburg is poised to elevate his game to the next level – to put himself on par with the best in the game.  He is ready to transform into that ‘Phenom’.

So, When You Hear The Term “Release Date”,  What Is The First Thing That You Think Of??

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Name “Michael Young”, I Think Of…

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Name “Michael Young”, I Think Of…

From dictionary.com:

Word Association, Noun.  

Definition – the connection and production of other words in response to a given word, done spontaneously as a game, creative technique, or in a psychiatric evaluation.

Ex: Dog –> Bark

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Name “Michael Young”, I Think…

PROFESSIONAL

With the recent retirement of Michael Young, it got me to thinking about his full career and how great of a teammate he was to anyone that played with him during his time with the Rangers, Phillies, or Dodgers.

Young was a fantastic hitter, and being such, he could have carried around a large ego and few  would have complained.  Instead, he put the team’s winning in front of his personal goals, and he often found himself being shifted from defensive position to defensive position to make room on the field for teammates that could also help.

In 1,817 total games, Young played 793 games at shortstop, 465 at 3B, 448 at 2B, and 111 at 1B.  He was a 7-time All-Star and a 0-time complainer!  A true PROFESSIONAL.

Enough said.

And now, When You Hear The Name “Michael Young”, You Think Of…

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Term “Release Date”, I Think Of…

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Term “Release Date”, I Think Of…

From dictionary.com:

Word Association, Noun.  

Definition – the connection and production of other words in response to a given word, done spontaneously as a game, creative technique, or in a psychiatric evaluation.

Ex: Dog –> Bark

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Term “Release Date”, I Think Of…

If you asked me this question 12 years ago, release day meant that new CD’s were going to be on the shelf for the first time and that the prospect of owning new music from my favorite artist(s) was a reality.

If you asked me this question 7 years ago, release date meant that a new DVD was hitting the shelf for the first time and this allowed me and my family the opportunity to nab the DVD of a favorite drama, comedy, of family film.

Today, ‘Release Date’ means one thing and one thing only – BASEBALL CARDS!!!!

Music can be had on the web, oftentimes before the official launch.  Movies can also be pulled from the web, or rented for just a dollar or two. 

But, the release of a baseball card product cannot be replicated online.  This is still a unique experience.  And it is still a thrill.

And today is ‘Release Day’ for 2014 Topps Baseball, Series 1.  And I cannot wait!!!

So, When You Hear The Term “Release Date”,  What Is The First Thing That You Think Of??

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Name “Clayton Kershaw”, I Think Of…

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I The Name Hear “Clayton Kershaw”, I Think Of…

From dictionary.com:

Word Association, Noun.  

Definition – the connection and production of other words in response to a given word, done spontaneously as a game, creative technique, or in a psychiatric evaluation.

Ex: Dog –> Bark

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear The Name “Clayton Kershaw”, I Think Of…

LOADED

With the new contract that Clayton Kershaw signed with the Dodgers last week, he is now being paid comparably to what his skill level is.  And they are both LOADED.

Kershaw is by far the best pitcher in the game over the last 4 seasons, and he has shown little to no signs of slowing down.  His output is on par with the best in the game’s history at his age, and now it is time to take his team to the next level.  It is ‘LA OR BUST’ for the Dodgers and their hopes for a World Series title – and it will be Clayton Kershaw that ensures their success.

Enough said.

And now, When You Hear The Name “Clayton Kershaw”, You Think Of…

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear “BBWAA”, I Think Of…

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear “BBWAA”, I Think Of…

From dictionary.com:

Word Association, Noun.  

Definition – the connection and production of other words in response to a given word, done spontaneously as a game, creative technique, or in a psychiatric evaluation.

Ex: Dog –> Bark

‘Wednesday’s Word Association’ – When I Hear “BBWAA”, I Think Of…

CLOWNS

I mean seriously, with the recent Hall of Fame election votes announced, doesn’t something need to be done to get this process back on track and have the results truly mean something?  For one guy to just vote for Jack Morris is absurd.  And for players like Armando Benitez and Jacque Jones to get a vote this year, what a joke.  And Aaron Sele last year?  Come on.  And for the guys to turn in ’empty’ ballots – give me a break.  And while I don’t necessarily agree with his thoughts, what Dan LeBatard did with his 2014 Hall Of Fame vote is absurd.

It’s time for the Baseball Hall Of Fame to take a stand and see what the old voting style is doing to the museum.  And it is time to create a panel of quality writers, former managers, players, and executives that can universally make these decisions with the goal of honoring the history of the game as their lone priority.

Enough said.

And now, When You Hear “BBWAA”, You Think Of…