I see the sell sheets and checklists for ’09 Topps base are out and I’m only semi-pleased. I really like this design, so that’s a plus. I may end up buying a factory set of this.
The other qualified plus is that there’s a Craig Counsell card in the set. The problem with that is that Counsell finally gets a card in Topps base in a year there’s a pretty good chance he will not play in when as far as I know he didn’t get a card in 2007 or 2008. Nice memorial to a career, though.
I’m also belatedly lamenting the loss of Topps ’52 Rookies. I wasn’t that fond of this set concept until I realized that it was the only card issued for a lot of guys who just got a cup of coffee, or even guys who got a whole pot of coffee. Mark DiFelice will probably not get a major league card, and that’s a shame. (Here’s hoping that he makes the 2009 roster so that he may get a card. However, Seth McClung didn’t get a non-insert card in any set from any manufacturer this year–unless it’s true that he’s in Heritage High Numbers–so that’s no guarantee.) Of course, this also means no ’52 Rookies of Angel Salome, Mat Gamel, Brad Nelson, and Alcides Escobar. They’re denying us our full fill of 2008 Brewers!
Olagato House 
Bring back Topps Total!
Comment by night owl — November 13, 2008 @ 10:03 pm
I too wax nostalgic for Topps 52. Those were among my favorite sets the last two years.
Comment by freeandylaroche — November 13, 2008 @ 11:03 pm
I loved Topps Total and the 52 Rookies sets because they gave those cup of coffee guys cards.
I really was hoping Mark DiFelice would get a Major League card. He played for one of the local independent league teams in 2005 and basically won the championship for them single-handedly that year. (He got a win and a save in a three-game series.) I would have liked a Milwaukee Brewers card to put next to my Somerset Patriots one.
Comment by Paul — November 14, 2008 @ 9:11 pm