50th Anniversary All-Star Rookies In The House
I have more good stuff here from the Surprise Box from Dennis. It was only natural that I would collect these cards from 2008 Topps Baseball that are dedicated to each of the Topps All-Star Rookies I have collected each year.
The one thing I wish they would have done differently with these inserts is to have each players card use the same trophy that appeared on their original Topps All-Star Rookie Team card. The 50th Anniversary cards are using the trophy from the 1960 issue. Its not exactly the same but almost. I would have much preferred to watch the trophy evolve and change as I turn the pages of all of the cards.
I needed all three cards that were included in this lot. First off we have Jason Bay a member of the 2004 Topps All-Star Rookie Outfield. This Canadian had a fabulous rookie campaign setting a Pirates rookie record for homers with 26. He also batted .282 with 82 ribbies that year.
Next up we have A’s First Baseman Dan Johnson, remember him? He is a member of the 2005 Topps All-Star Rookie Team. Johnson had five homers in five straight games that year. He ended the year hitting .275 with 15 taters and 58 ribbies.
Rounding out the trio is the enigmatic Gary Sheffield, a member of the 1989 Topps All-Star Rookie Team. His numbers like several of the other members of the 1989 team are not strong. The can’t miss Jerome Walton had probably the most consistent year. While Ken Griffey Jr. hit less than .270 and had less than 20 dingers. Back in 1989 and 1990 I horded Sheffield and Greg Vaughn cards like a mad man. Ouch, that hurts to admit today.
I now have only twelve of these cards in my collection. I haven’t really focused a lot of attention on them plus I haven’t bought as much 2008 Topps Wax this year as I have in previous years. This set won’t be too hard to complete if I ever get serious about it.
