The Top 5 Phillies Cards I’d Like To See In Topps Project 2021 & Beyond

In the realm of modern-day sports card collecting a 2020 Ichiro card limited to 1,334 copies normally wouldn’t draw that much attention.  Especially if its not a rookie, autograph, and/or relic.  The Topps Project 2020 set has completely taken that idea and flipped it around.  Print runs of that quantity are considered to be very low when it comes to this set.

Near the end of March, Topps began selling their online-exclusive Project 2020 set.  Twenty iconic Topps baseball cards ranging from 1952 all the way to 2011 will receive an artistic twist from twenty popular artists.  When the set is complete it will contain (400) cards.  Before it comes to an end, I’d like to see one of the Jackie Robinson cards picture a barge in the background dumping cases of 1952 Topps High Number into the Hudson River.  This actually happened in the late 1950s when Topps wanted to get rid of old inventory.  An artistic take on that event in card history would be neat to see.

No Philadelphia Phillies are in the mix for the Project 2020 set.  I’m hoping that if we get a Project 2021… 2022… 2023 we see at least one Phillies card.  With that being said, here are my top five Phillies cards I’d like to see used for this product.

#1 – Mike Schmidt 1974 Topps #283

Mike Schmidt’s rookie card comes from 1973 Topps where he is pictured alongside John Hilton and Ron Cey.  I don’t believe Topps would use that card because the other two players are on it.  That’s probably why they didn’t use Nolan Ryan’s 1968 Topps rookie this time around, and instead went with his 1969 Topps card.  Sticking with that train of thought, Mike Schmidt’s 1974 Topps #283 would be the most logical decision.

#2 – Steve Carlton 1972 Topps Traded #751

The facial expression alone on this card should make it worthy.  Steve Carlton’s first card in a Phillies uniform can be found in the 1972 Topps Traded subset.  I would’ve suggested using his rookie, but that has him in a Cardinals uniform and paired with Fritz Ackley.

#3 – Richie Ashburn 1956 Topps #120

When Richie Ashburn’s rookie was released in 1949 Bowman, Topps and Bowman were two separate companies.  In 1955 Topps purchased Bowman and the rest is history.  Even though Topps owns the Bowman brand now I don’t think they’ll use a Bowman card that was issued prior to their ownership.  1952, 1954, and 1955 Topps designs have already been used for Project 2020.  The Topps Living Set already utilizes the 1953 design.  I could definitely see his 1956 Topps #120 being used.

#4 – Fergie Jenkins 1966 Topps Rookie Stars #254

The Phillies aren’t the first team you think about when talking about Hall of Fame pitcher Fergie Jenkins.  He signed with the Phillies in 1962, and debuted with the team in 1965.  A year later he was traded to the Cubs.  Because his rookie has Bill Sorrell on it, I highly doubt this card would ever be used.  Nothing against Bill Sorrell, but its basically the same situation as Mike Schmidt’s rookie card.

#5 – Phillie Phanatic 2007 Topps Opening Day #206

The Phillie Phanatic is the greatest mascot of all-time.  We’re lucky he received a Topps NOW card in April 2018 celebrating his 40th anniversary.  I’d like to see him included in more Topps online-exclusive products.  A Topps Living Set card would be cool.  His first Topps card can be found in 2007 Opening Day.

Card of the Day: Abraham Lincoln 1952 Topps Look ‘N See #4

Card of the Day: Francis Scott Key 1952 Topps Look ‘N See #12

“Pin-Up” of the Week: NFL Referees Speak No Evil, See No Evil, Hear No Evil Pin

Maybe you didn’t hear about it, but Russell Wilson became the first quarterback to throw a game winning interception when the replacement referees made one of the worst calls in NFL history.  Even after reviewing the play they still called it a touchdown.  Referees aren’t perfect, but there is no excuse for this type of call.  For the past three weeks replacement referees have been making one bad call after another.  The one made on Monday night was the straw that broke the camel’s back.  The NFL conveniently reached an agreement with the regular referees after they realized the replacements were useless.

Some people think that the NFL’s ratings would have taken a beating for the rest of the season if an agreement wouldn’t have been met.  I disagree.  I believe more people would have watched to see the screw-ups.  If there is anything people like to do in America, its get together and point out other people’s mistakes.

Card of the Day: Christopher Columbus 1952 Topps Look N’ See #51

Ever See An Anson Cut?

Cap Anson is considered by many the best 19th century baseball player.  He was the first player to ever reach 3,000 career hits and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937.  Anson’s cards are by far some of the most valuable and sought after in the hobby.  From what I can find, he has only (6) cut signatures that could be pulled.  Its rare to find anything associated with his name.  Thats why I got a little excited when I saw a picture of the Anson cut signature pictured below.  It comes from 2004 Topps Tribute – Cut Signature Edition, and its the first time I’ve ever seen it.

A lot of people don’t like the design of these cards.  I on the other hand do.  People say there should be a picture of the ball player on the card.  I respectfully disagree, especially when it comes to this set.  These autographs are extremely unique, and I think all the focus should be on the signature.

I’d love to see a manufacturer get their hands on an Anson relic.  I wonder what an Anson bat card would sell for?

5 Cards I Would Like To See In 2011 Allen & Ginter

The Cardboard Connection is having a contest where you can win 1 free hobby box of 2010 Topps Allen & Ginter.  All you have to do is e-mail them a list of five cards you would like to see in 2011 Allen & Ginter.  Click here for all the contest details.

There are a ton of people I would like to see in Allen & Ginter.  I found it difficult to narrow it down to just five, but here is my list:

• Jefferson Burdick – author of The American Card Catalog.

• Steve Jobs Auto – Co-Founder of Apple.

• Harry Kalas Cut Signature & Tie Relic – Phillies Hall of Fame broadcaster.

• Bob Uecker Auto – “Mr. Baseball” and 2003 Ford C. Frick Award winner.

• Ball Park Franks – Hygrade Food Products won a competition in 1959 to be the exclusive supplier of hot dogs to the Detroit Tiger’s stadium. Hygrade Food Products launched a contest to its employees in order to come up with the best brand name for their Detroit Tigers stadium hot dogs.  Mary Ann Kurk, one of Hygrade Food Products sales people at the time, won the contest with the name “Ball Park Franks”.

In addition to this list, I would also like to see a card of Carl Stotz, who founded Little League Baseball.  So who or what would be on your list?