
All of us have our favourite baseball card units from once we began amassing. In some circumstances, the attraction was a set’s distinctive design. Different instances, the attract might need been chasing its high rookies. Nostalgia is the best issue on this, I’d say. Whenever you have been a child and had little to no duty, ripping packs was one thing particular. Again then, you actually didn’t care a couple of card’s centering, its potential grade or how a lot it may promote for. The passion was extra harmless when amassing your crew and favourite gamers was all that mattered to you. The extra I give it some thought, my favourite set is 2006 Topps. There are others from the 2000s I’m keen on, but when I needed to choose only one, it’d be ‘06 for positive. Right here’s why…
The 2006 design is moderately easy, nearly like a framed portrait. An identical look was given to Topps Soccer that 12 months. It doesn’t remind me of every other units, for instance, how 2019 is harking back to 1982. There are little comics on the again of the playing cards like many classic units have. The guidelines of rookies isn’t the best, however contains notables corresponding to Justin Verlander, Prince Fielder, Ryan Zimmerman and Jonathan Papelbon, simply to call just a few. A few of them, like Verlander, have earlier, extra invaluable playing cards. Due to this, it’s a comparatively inexpensive set to finish. The chrome refractors in 2006 look unbelievable, particularly when the colours match. One which I personal is a black, numbered to 200 autographed card of Josh Wilson, then with the Rockies.

The inserts are fairly good as effectively, notably Personal the Sport and Passion Masters. There are additionally the Declaration of Independence inserts and minimize signatures of a few of the Founding Fathers. Mickey Mantle playing cards returned to flagship Topps in ‘06. Barry Bonds, chasing the all-time dwelling runs document, was additionally prominently featured. Mantle and Bonds, who shared the quilt of Collection 1, each have Residence Run Historical past playing cards within the set. 2006 Topps Baseball is probably greatest identified for the Alex Gordon rookie card that was by no means meant to be. It’s by far the rarest and costliest card to accumulate. Since Gordan was not on the Royals energetic roster on the time, Topps had violated their contract with MLB by producing any playing cards of him.

There are just a few totally different variations of this card. One is the place Gordon’s image is minimize out. One other is a principally clean, white card, with solely “Royals”, “Alex Gordon” and “Third Base” in both a gold or silver foil. From eBay bought listings, the usual 2006 Alex Gordon with a excessive grade can go for roughly two to a few grand. Topps reprinted this card in 2010, as a part of its “Playing cards Your Mother Threw Out” insert set. Key rookies from 2006 Topps Replace embrace Cole Hamels, Howie Kendrick, Jon Lester, Russell Martin and Ben Zobrist. There was additionally an “In Memoriam” card, devoted to Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle, who died in a tragic airplane crash in New York Metropolis on October eleventh, 2006.

That October, the Cardinals, led by Albert Pujols, defeated the Tigers in 5 video games to assert their tenth World Collection title. The 2005 NL MVP was one among three cowl stars for Replace, with David Ortiz and David Wright. As a Pittsburgh native and lifelong Pirates fan, 2006 was an vital 12 months to me. PNC Park hosted the All-Star sport and Freddy Sanchez received the batting title. I’ve just a few of the All-Star Stitches playing cards from Replace. Whereas Sanchez has some prospect playing cards with the Purple Sox from 2002, his first flagship Topps card got here in ‘06. The Pirates have been terrible that 12 months, however I didn’t care. I used to be a child that liked baseball and amassing playing cards.

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