In the first pack was a one of the new inserts called "Gold Standards". It is meant to chronicle players reaching certain milestones, such as 500 Home Runs or 3,000 Hits. I was stoked to see Reggie in an Angels' uniform.
The second insert in this first pack was one of the Timeless Talents cards, which compares an older player with a newer player. Again, not one but two Angels! The stars were aligned just right for me tonight! Plus it's a picture of Ryan in his first year with the Angels, as '72 is the last year they used the lower case 'a' with a halo on it.
At this point, I was so excited with the inserts, I hardly paid attention to the base cards. They're nice, glossy, shiny, but they're not exactly different or thrilling. They sort of remind me of one of the Topps Total sets, with the oval design.
I ripped in to pack 2 and out drops a mini of Andre Ethier! First Angels now Dodgers! The minis are in the style of the '87 set, and if you didn't like that set, you're not likely to care much about these other than the fact that they're small. I had originally thought they'd be like the '87 minis that were produced back in... '87. The ones that have a white cloud frame around the pic. Thankfully they're not like that.
The next insert in this pack was the "Gold Futures" subset. And as if Topps hand collated these 2 packs for me, out drops another Dodger, Dee Gordon. The cards themselves are nice. I'm not really a fan of foil, but it works on this card, probably because the white background at least makes it legible. I'd have liked a little more room for the picture and less room given to the Gordon's number and position, but such is life.
More about the other cards tomorrow!
I really like that timeless talents card.
ReplyDeleteI saw your comment on stale gum - I am one of those younger collectors who IS very nostalgic about the 1987 set :) Hence, I love these 87 minis!
BTW - I'm having issues posting comments from wordpress so I used my gmail account (which I never use). My site is lifetimetopps.wordpress.com.
I'll follow up unknown's comment. At 35 I wouldn't consider myself a younger collector, but I am nostalgic over the 87 set. It was the first set I completed, the wood border was different compared to products of that time and it had the Bo Jackson Future Stars card which I consider one of the iconic cards from my childhood.
ReplyDeleteI like the Timeless talent ones too, the more I look at it. I'm also liking the Gold Futures the more I look at them too. I'm glad you are liking the minis, I know I had a similar feeling on the Lineage '75 minis. A big part of collecting cards, for me, is the nostalgia involved. Any cards that trigger that, are winners!
ReplyDeleteJustin, I agree with you, the Bo Jackson with that rainbow Future Stars banner is definitely iconic! I'm happy to see that more than a few people like the '87 minis. At that time, I liked the wood grain set, but it just seemed like over the years people seem indifferent or even hate any sets from late 80's or most of 90's.
ReplyDeleteIf I run across any doubles, I'll put them up on my site here for trade!
Ooh, I dig that Ryan/Weaver card. I'll definately be on the lookout for that one!
ReplyDelete