squeezeplaycards.com

Getting back to the package my good buddy Dennis sent me we have some of my favorite baseball cards in all of cardboard land. For longer than I can remember I have had an unwavering affection for the Topps All Star Rookies with the trophies on the front. Dennis sent me twenty-nine in his latest package to arrive in the mail.

He also included a couple of bonus All Star Rookies in a 2000 Topps Chrome Warren Morris and a 2008 Topps Opening Day Dustin Pedroia. The Pedroia is worth bonus points as not only does it included the Topps Trophy but it also has red, white and blue bunting on the front. Red, white and blue bunting always reminds me of Baseball.

I pulled my binder out to see just how many of the base Topps cards I would need in my set and I’m happy to say I am now eleven cards closer to being able to Touch’em All. This issue has always brought me a lot of joy in my collecting. I can open current year packs and get cards that I need and I can open older junk wax or scrounge through the bargain bin at a show or shop. They also remind me of players that once looked like the real deal or at least a solid every day player but ended up fading into obscurity. After all the only reason I have a Leo Gomez or a John Ellis in my collection are because of that little trophy.

Another reason I enjoy collecting the Topps All Star Rookies are the players that did have productive careers. Just flipping through my pages I find names like Ron Fairly, Rico Petrocelli, Tony Perez, Rod Carew, Tom Seaver, Reggie Smith, Jerry Koosman, Al Oliver, Lou Piniella, Thurman Munson, Chris Chambliss, Carlton Fisk, Buddy Bell, Fred Lynn, Willie Randolph, Andre Dawson, Eddie Murray, Ken Griffey Jr, Robin Ventura, David Justice, Larry Walker, Jeff Bagwell, Kenny Lofton and Derek Jeter. Plus younger guys like Brandon Webb, Justin Verlander, Nick Markakis, Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and Evan Longoria just to name a few.

One day I imagine Topps will get rid of the little trophies and that will be a very sad day for me. I grew up on Topps and I grew up chasing those little trophies. The cards have changed so much over the years but my little trophy fetish still burns, at least through 2009. The first question I have for the 2010 release is, will my trophies be back?

Thanks again Dennis for feeding my addiction.