2015 TOPPS DILSON HERRERA
Spring Training is just around the corner– look beyond that looming snowbank, northeasterners– so last week Topps released its first series of 2015 baseball cards.
Your intrepid reporter dropped $50 on a box, and I’m here to report that the results were pretty positive.
The front border design incorporates some team-coded color elements, breaking what had become a monotonous trend of white-bordered base sets, and the card backs are a typically solid mix of stats and bios.
Inserts in my box were plentiful but largely forgettable, although the First Pitch set celebrating various pregame ceremonial tosses is kind of fun. Unfortunately, I did not land a copy of the card commemorating Fiddy’s errant Citi Field effort, but I did pull Jeff Bridges, Tom Morello, and McKayla Maroney.
Topps includes two vintage cards per box, adorned with a “Topps Original 2015” silver stamp. I uncovered a 1971 Don Buford and a 1975 Ken Forsch, both of which were, um, well-loved.
The nominal highlights of my box were a blue camouflage Adam Jones parallel numbered 78/99, and a Matt Adams autograph. But what really set my heart racing was the bakers’ dozen of Mets cards I received, from David Wright to Bartolo Colon, from reigning ROY Jacob deGrom to this rainbow-foil parallel of Dilson Herrera.
I’m featuring the Herrera card to illustrate the set because spring is all about hope, and nothing speaks to that better than a 20-year-old infielder who hit .340 with 10 HRs in 278 AA plate appearances last year.
You know, if you brush away some of the winter muck and maybe take a hit or two of nasal spray, you can almost smell contention in the air…
That’s a nice card.
While I’ve got you – let me ask you a card question. For the most part, Topps has been consistent about not having the photo break the border. While I’m sure they’ve broken it at some point, in this card Herrera’s right arm is cut off by the orange border.
Should the “integrity” of the inner border prevail over the human body?
One thing I’ve noticed is that they are getting tighter on the images this year — a huge improvement, IMO. I think the consequences of that tie into Brian’s observation.
Interesting question, Brian, and off the top of my head I’d say that in general the border has prevailed. It would be interesting to validate that theory, though…
One of the favorite card designs in pre-war collecting circles is the 1909 American Caramel E90-1 Rebel Oakes. As if his name was not cool enough on its own, the card depicts him leaping to catch a line drive, with his glove extending over the top border: http://www.jvscauctions.com/1909-e90-1-american-caramel-rebel-oakes-psa-25-lot7607.aspx
Seems like a bargain at $100.
For some reason, I think there were some early 90s Topps that broke the border.
That is a beautiful card, Doug. What about this Jeff Bridges card now? Mayhaps can we sneak a peak?
I really like the close up. I haven’t seen a new baseball card in years. Do they incorporate the slow motion film now to find precise moments of swings, or is mostly the stances?
I wish these cards had a little cinematic style in the picture itself.
Doug, totally off topic. I have a great 2001 Upper Deck signed bat card of Donn Clendenon. It seems to be part of a “Legends of NY” series. I’ve been trying to find out more about this series and whether there may be other Mets with signed bat cards, but am finding it very difficult. It’s a super cool card. Thanks for sharing anything you might know.
Thanks for writing, Chris. The 2001 UD Legends of New York set was a neat niche product that focused on the four primary franchises that have played in NY (Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Giants). There was one game-used bat card included in every box, but those autographed versions were tough pulls (one in every 14 boxes).
One of the fun things about the set was the fact that the game-used checklist was pretty deep, and was not just limited to stars. For example, the game-used bat checklist included J.C. Martin, Al Weis, Ken Boswell, and Wayne Garrett, in addition to your very cool Clendenon.
Boxes of this product are still relatively popular, and will set you back around $100.
Hi Doug, thanks a million for the information. Clendenon was always a Mets hero for me even though his time in orange and blue was not long. It just happened to be in my formative years as a Mets fan. When I had the chance to get an autographed used bat card of his, I could not pass on it. I’ll keep looking for other Mets signed bat or just bat cards. The back of the card is cool as well. It looks like UD made the card, then sent the card to Clendenon to autograph, and he returned it to UD. I’m happy to send you a pic if you would like, just ask Brian for my email.