Tag Archives: Review

Product Review: 2011 Topps Tribute

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2011 Tribute has been a hot item since it’s release.  No one seems to have it, and those that do are charging an arm and a leg for it.  First off, let me say this about Topps: they took a lot of criticism for this brand over the past two years and it seems like they finally listened.  I am a wax ripper and gambler at heart and the previous Tribute releases rarely made me bat an eye.  I don’t even own a single card from any of the previous releases, even though some of my PC guys have cards in the set.  It just honestly wasn’t on my radar the past two years.

The biggest difference from this year to last in the set are the autographs.  Who wants to rip a product at $250-$300 a box when every auto you hit can be had in a $60-$80 box and at the same quantity? Why are we paying tribute to Rick Porcello in every box? Do I really want a single GU piece of a current non-star player in a $50 pack?  These were the questions that most rippers of the 2009 and 2010 versions of the product asked, and the results really showed in the resale value leaving both rippers and collectors at a loss with this product.  Its kind of a shame that this year’s Tribute finally meets the expectations of a high end set and immediately skyrockets to over $350 per box on the retail market, but that’s how the hobby cookie crumbles.

So, in all honesty, my break was pretty average.  I pulled four autographed cards with the best being a Gary Carter and Doc Gooden Dual Tribute to the Stars auto serial numbered to seventy-four. Also hit Mike Mussina, Jim Rice and Fergie Jenkins autos in the box.  Not the greatest selection available in the product but when it was over I said: where else are you going to find autos of these players in a 2011 set?  Even though the players weren’t necessarily A-list, the singles are holding resale value very well.  The most valuable card in my box was probably the Gold Parallel dual GU of Don Mattingly.  Great player, great card design, great memorabilia pieces; I can see why the secondary market is so strong not only for this card but all of the other GU pieces as well.

I didn’t hit any of the premium patches, legends memorabilia, A-list autos or even a Koufax; but I can still very much recommend the product as a decent rip if you can find a box at the $300 or less price point.  With retail pushing $400 right now it’s really a gamble, but a fun one at that.  All in all, I give the 2011 Version of Topps Tribute an A-. Great Memorabilia, Great Autographs that won’t be available in every product, the Albert Pujols Auto RC chase element and a high end feel across the board put it right on target.  So now that Topps has the Tribute brand figured out, can they repeat their success next year?

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2010 Topps Sterling Baseball Review

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Topps Sterling always draws in a certain type of collector.  It’s attraction has always been memorabilia of some of the real legends of the game, and first tier hall of famers. From Bat Knobs of Mel Ott to barrells of more contemporary players like Chase Utley 2010 Topps Sterling is loaded with all sorts of high end memorabilia.

Also featured in the product are an assortment of on card autographs that are a welcome change from the stickers that some collectors feel are an eye sore.  It’s also clear that the booklet fad is here to stay, as Topps goes to them in yet another high end product.  The books themselves are quite nice, I just wish someone would make a magnetic case for them.

Topps also included autographs from players that were fan favorites that they typically avoid in high end releases such as Barry Larkin and Roberto Alomar.  Autographs of these types of players are great as long as they aren’t over done.  Their value lies in scarcity.

Now on to what I don’t like about the release.  I don’t like the stenciling on top of the jersey pieces.  I do appreciate the work that went into them, and I do like the metal inserts surrounding the jersey.  However I don’t like that it looks like someone went nuts with the wing dings font.  Yes they are all baseball related icons, but there is almost no pattern for how they appear on the card making the jersey swatches look like some random mess.

I also don’t like the insanely long odds against pulling some of the top tier hall of famers.  I understand that card worthy jerseys and bats of some of the older legends like Honus Wagner and Lou Gehrig are getting harder to find and more expensive, but if you have them this would be the product to use them in.  And they did use some, as there are a few Gehrig, Ruth, Mantle, and Foxx items sitting in completed auctions.  Absent by standards of previous releases are Topps Sterling staples like Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, and Jackie Robinson.

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2010 Topps Platinum Break and Review

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Topps platinum is the first patch auto set available for the calendar year.  They feature a crisp simple design with brilliant refractor color backgrounds that Topps has effectively utilized in other sets.  Each pack contains 4 base cards printed on foil board, and 2 rookie card printed on the ever so familiar chrome stock that collectors are used to.  The rookie auto set is deep on the offensive side, it contains basically anyone who could pull a Ryan Grant or a more recent Arian Foster type surprise.

Our box contained the standard 3 autographs with one being a patch autograph of Browns draft pick and University of Tennessee standout Montario Hardesty.  Hardesty is one of these guys who could contribute down the road, as he showed the ability to run vs the toughest of SEC defenses.  This year is an IR year for him, so we will have to wait a year before this card has a chance of getting it’s due.  The other two autographs were a blue refractor of Packer James Starks and  Seahawk receiver Anthony McCoy.

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