To go along with their 2008 base set, Topps produced six, limited edition 55 card team gift sets for some of the more marketable teams. Each 55 card set includes a card for each player on the entire 25-man roster, classic combos cards, 2007 highlights & team leaders cards, and a stadium card.I was able to pick up the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and New York Yankees for a great price. Nothing too exciting with the various highlights & leaders cards but the individual player cards are pretty cool because they feature a different picture than the regular issues.The stadium card is by far my favorite. I'm planning on sending these off as TTM requests to an all-time great player from each team. I pretty much have the Red Sox and Dodgers decided but am looking for suggestions for the Mets and Yankees. Any ideas?
Another nice success. Former Chaparral High School star and current Chicago White Sox first baseman, Paul Konerko signed a card for our set.# 296 - Paul KonerkoProgress: 184/990
Here's another early Christmas present... Josh Hamilton / Carlos Guillen classic combos cyan printing plate from the 2008 Topps Updates & Highlights set.I've been wanting to get an 08 Topps printing plate of some kind to go along with our collection. Josh Hamilton is one of our favorite players so there was no way I could pass this one up.# UH 106 - Josh Hamilton / Carlos Guillen - Printing Plate
The last Red Hot Rookies card we got is of Taylor Teagarden. I saw Taylor play a few games during the Arizona Fall League and am looking forward to getting this card signed during Spring Training.
With the injury to Jarrold Saltalamachia it looks like he will have a good shot at being the Rangers starting catcher in 2010. Best of luck, Taylor!# 18 - Taylor Teagarden
Each time I've met him, Gio Gonzalez has gone out of his way to be fan friendly. He's a great guy and this is a great looking card.All of the Red Hot Rookies are pretty cool cards. Basically they are just a Refractor with an redish-orange border. The scans look okay but they are great when you hold one in your hand.# 10 - Gio Gonzalez ( Red Hot Rookies )
The four Red Hot Rookies cards I bought are all players that I should see during Spring Training next year. So hopefully there will be an update to these posts showing an autographed version of the same cards.I've heard Brad Ziegler collects baseball cards. I wonder if he has this one?# 9 - Brad Ziegler ( Red Hot Rookies )
One of the inserts from series 2 of the 2008 Topps set were the Red Hot Rookies redemption cards. While I didn't buy enough packs to pull any of these, I was easily able to go to my favorite baseball card shop ( eBay ) and pick up a few of the ones I wanted at a great price. We'll just call these an early Christmas present to myself.I'm really hoping Chris Davis returns to the form he showed in 2008. It sounds like the Rangers might be shopping for a DH / First baseman but I hope they give him another chance and that he is able to make the most of it.# 6 - Chris Davis ( Red Hot Rookies )
Another nice offseason request came back today. Former Chicago Cubs pitcher, Jon Lieber signed a card for our set.I really liked Jon Lieber during his first stint with the Cubbies. His 21 wins in 2001 probably had a lot to do with that.# UH 139 - Jon LieberProgress: 183/990
Back in October & November, my son and I went to a few Arizona Fall League games. Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher, Adam Loewen is now with the Toronto Blue Jays organization and is trying to make his way back to the big leagues as a position player in. Adam grasciously signed his card from the 08 Topps set for us before a Phoenix Desert Dogs game.# 151 - Adam LoewenProgress: 182/990
Our Mike Cameron success from yesterday was even better because Mike has two cards in the 08 Topps set. Always a great guy, Mike signed his U&H card for us as well. Thanks, Mike! Good luck in Boston!# UH 130 - Mike CameronProgress: 181/990
Got a great offseason request back today. The newest Boston Red Sox outfielder, Mike Cameron signed his card from Series One of the 2008 Topps set.# 121 - Mike CameronProgress: 180/990
When I purchased my two 2008 Topps factory sets back in March, each one came with a ten card "bonus pack" of ten rookies. There are twenty cards in the set and they look exactly like the regular issued Topps cards but feature a different player picture. Unfortunately both of my packs were the same so I only have half of this set.Back in June I was able to get Justin Ruggiano's regular card signed and recently I was able to add the "bonus pack" rookie version to our collection. These kind of go along with the World Baseball Classic insert set. Very nice to have but don't count toward the official total.# 2 of 20 - Justin Ruggiano
I'm still trying to catch up on some of the stuff I received around the end of the regular season. I got the Brandon Jones card below in a 50/50 from a friend on SportsGraphing.com who got it signed at a Gwinnett Braves game.# 126 - Brandon JonesProgress: 179/990
A 50/50 with a member on SportsGraphing.com yielded a signed card from Colorado Rockies pitcher, Ubaldo Jimenez.# 111 - Ubaldo JimenezProgress: 178/990
Another great TTM success. Casey Kotchman signed a card for our set. This was sent around the beginning of the season c/o the Braves.# 373 - Casey KotchmanProgress: 177/990
Everyone's favorite Texas Ranger, Josh Hamilton signed a card through the mail for us. Josh has five cards in the 2008 Topps set so it's good to have the first one out of the way.This is the first "Classic Combos" card we have been able to get signed. Hopefully I'll come accross J.D. Drew sometime and be able to have him sign it as well.# UH 112 - Josh HamiltonProgress: 176/990
The second card I bought from a friend on SportsGraphing.com was of Minnesota Twins rising star, Jason Kubel.# 411 - Jason KubelProgress: 175/990
Picked up two cards recently in exchange for a little bit of Paypal from a friend on SportsGraphing.com.The first card is of San Diego Padres first baseman, Adrian Gonzalez. I usually see the Padres a few times each year during Spring Training but Adrian has always been tough. Since he has 3 cards in the 2008 Topps set, I didn't mind spending a few dollars on this one.# 475 - Adrian GonzalezProgress: 174/990
Another success that came back over a month ago. Angels cather, Mike Napoli signed the card below.# 73 - Mike NapoliProgress: 173/990
A few days before the end of the season, long-time reliever Arthur Rhodes signed a card for our set. Aruther just finished his 18th year with his seventh team. Thanks, Arthur!# UH 258 - Arthur RhodesProgress: 172/990
Minnesota Twins outfielder, Denard Span signed a card for our set. Denard had a good year in 2009. In his first full MLB season he hit .311 and stole 23 bases.# 621 - Denard SpanProgress: 171/990
Near the end of the season I sent a few cards to a friend on SportsGraphing.com for a 50/50. This one of reliever Evan Meek came back signed. From what I've heard Evan is a really cool guy.# 359 - Evan MeekProgress: 170/990
Sent out a request for this one last April. It took a little while but Sam Fuld returned our 08 Topps card signed in blue. Thanks, Sam!# 96 - Sam FuldProgress: 169/990
Got this one back last week. Two time All-Star Brad Lidge signed his card from the 08 Topps Updates & Highlights set. This was one of the last requests I sent out during the 2009 season. Brad's always been a good TTM signer and this card looks great!# UH 304 - Brad LidgeProgress: 168/990
The final signed 08 Topps card from our trade is of current San Francisco Giants manager, Bruce Bochy.# 598 - Bruce BochyProgress: 167/990
After a slight delay I am going to try to get back on track this weekend with the final two cards I received in a trade worked out on SweetSpotGraphs.com.# UH 262 - Brian WilsonProgress: 166/990
It seems as though Hank Blalock's time in Texas has come to an end. Over the past 7 seasons he has been pretty reliable at third base for the Rangers. He hit over 150 home runs and drove in over 500 runs. However, Hank's contract is up and I don't see the Rangers resigning him for 2010. Hopefully he'll find a new home and be able to put up All-Star numbers again like he did in 2003 and 2004.# 53 - Hank BlalockProgress: 165/990
Our next card is of baseball legend, Dusty Baker. Dusty has done it all in his career. During his playing days he was a 2x All-Star, a World Series champion, and the 1977 NLCS MVP. As a coach he has led the San Francisco Giants, the Chicago Cubs, and currently the Cincinnati Reds. He's even managed to win three NL Manager of the Year awards. If you're interested in following in Baker's footsteps, Sports Management Colleges offers relevant education sources.
# 582 - Dusty Baker
Progress: 164/990
Our next signed 2008 Topps card is of former Dodger, Delwyn Young. Delwyn seems to have found a home in the outfield for the Pittsburgh Pirates.# 431 - Delwyn YoungProgress: 163/990
I remember when Brendan Harris was the big Chicago Cubs prospect. I was glad to be able to have him sign a few cards for me one Spring Training. Now Brendan is with his fifth organization and is a utility infielder for the Minnesota Twins.# 36 - Brendan HarrisProgress: 162/990
I always liked Ned Yost. He did a pretty good job managing the Milwaukee Brewers. I understand why the let him ago but he did help turn around a dismal franchise. Hopefully he'll get another chance somewhere soon.# 318 - Ned YostProgress: 161/990
It's November and Joe Blanton is pitching in another World Series. Joe was always a great guy when he was with the Oakland A's. It's great to see him having success in Philadelphia.# 436 - Joe BlantonProgress: 160/990
A friend from SweetSpotGraphs.com sent us nine signed 08 Topps cards for our set. Our next nine posts will feature these cards. First up is former New York Yankee and current Detroit Tiger, Marcus Thames.# 641 - Marcus ThamesProgress: 159/990
Back in May we sent a card to Detroit Tigers pitcher, Edwin Jackson. Earlier this month we received it back signed! Definitely worth the wait. Thanks, Edwin!# 354 - Edwin JacksonProgress: 158/990
The second card zman40 from Autographed Cards sent me is of former Toronto Blue Jays manager, John Gibbons. I had no idea that John was a coach for the Kansas City Royals this year.Thanks again, Zach!# 556 - John GibbonsProgress: 157/990
I figured that I wouldn't be doing as many blog posts after the regular season ended. While that has been true it isn't for the reason I originally thought. I've gotten mail and plenty of cards to post about. I just haven't had time. Between work, Arizona Fall League games, and the swine flu it's been an interesting two weeks.Not too long ago, zman40 from Autograph Cards sent us a nice little package with two signed cards. The first is of former Oakland Athletics pitcher, Lenny DiNardo. Zach was able to get Lenny's autograph during a recent trip to see one of the final Twins games at the old Metrodome.
Thanks, Zach! Much appreciated!# 14 - Lenny DiNardoProgress: 156/990
Yesterday I posted about the 2008 Topps Silk Collection card I bought of Andrew Miller. I also mentioned that Andrew Miller was playing in the Arizona Fall League.Last Thursday, my son and I headed over to Surprise to see the Mesa Solar Sox play against the Surprise Rafters. Of course we got there when the gates open and were ready to get some autographs. While concentrating on the Mesa side we got most of the players we wanted including Mr. Andrew Miller.Andrew signed a few cards for us including the 2008 Topps Silk Collection. He had never seen this card before and asked what it was. I did my best to quickly explain that they printed the regular Topps cards onto a piece of silk. He seemed to think it was kind of cool and joked that it probably came out of a pack that cost $50.Below is the only 2008 Topps Silk Collection card that features Andrew Miller's autograph... well its the only one as of last Thursday...
The second Topps Silk Collection card I found is of Florida Marlins pitcher, Andrew Miller. Andrew was a key part of the Tigers / Marlins trade that sent Miguel Cabrera to Detroit last year. He hasn't quite lived up to his potential but is only 24 years old.Andrew is currently playing in the Arizona Fall League for the Mesa Solar Sox. Can anyone guess what tomorrow's "08 Topps Silk Collection: Andrew Miller - Part Two" post will be?
Wow! It's been 10 days since my last post. I've received a few more signed cards for our set but I haven't gotten a chance to scan them.You may remember that back in June I purchased a Topps Silk Collection card of Chris Young. A few weeks ago I picked up two more of the Topps Silk Collection cards. The first is of former Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman, Orlando Hudson. The are slowly starting to grow on me. They're numbered to 50 and most have been going for only a few dollars.O-Dog was one of my favorite D-Backs the past few years so this was one that I was glad to add to our 08 Topps collection.
I've been a Zach Duke fan since he made his MLB debut back in 2005. He won his first 5 starts for a dismal Pittsburgh Pirates team and was named National League Rookie of the Month for July. While he hasn't quite matched the success he had during his rookie year, Zach was named to the 2009 National League All-Star team.
This is the fifth and final card from the eBay lot. Zach has been great TTM signer in the past but I haven't seen any successes from him this season. Hopefully we'll still get the 08 Topps card we sent but if not it's not big loss.# 48 - Zach DukeProgress: 155/990
Another one from the lot... this one is of former Seattle Mariner Wladimir Balentien. On July 29, 2009 the Mariners traded Balentien to the Cincinnati Reds for reliever Robert Manuel.# 57 - Wladimir BalentienProgress: 154/990
Card number three from the five card eBay lot is of former Mariners, Padres, Red Sox, Indians, and Rangers infielder Ramon Vazquez. Ramon just finished up the 2009 season with his sixth team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. He hit .230 with 1 home run and 16 RBIs.# 132 - Ramon VazquezProgress: 153/990
The second card from our eBay lot was of Alberto Gonzalez. I don't know much about Alberto Gonzalez besides the fact that he had a card in the 2008 Topps Updates & Highlights set. After a quick Google search I learned that Alberto is now in the Nationals system and played with the Syracuse Chiefs in 2009. He hit .311 but only had 90 at bats in 23 games.# 207 - Alberto GonzalezProgress: 152/990
Picked up five more signed 2008 Topps cards in a recent eBay auction. None were too exciting but I'm always glad to add a few more cards.# UH 98 - Denny BautistaProgress: 151/990
Today brought our 150th card for our set. A nice return from my son's favorite player.# UH 191 - Ian KinslerProgress: 150/990 
We wrote to Ryan Church back in May c/o the Mets before he was traded to the Braves. I thought there was a good chance we wouldn't see it again. Fortunately Ryan brought his mail with him during his move away from the Big Apple. Thanks, Ryan!# 309 - Ryan ChurchProgress: 149/990
Minnesota Twins outfielder, Michael Cuddyer signed his card from Series 2 of the 2008 Topps set. Having already hit 30 home runs, Michael is definitely having a great season.# 393 - Michael CuddyerProgress: 148/990
Today brought another Texas Ranger for our set. David Murphy kindly signed the card below. David had a big game this past Monday. He went 3 for 4 with a double and two RBI's. Unfortunately the Rangers have fallen out of contention in the AL Wild Card and AL West races. Will next year be the year that the Rangers keep the Angels out of the post season? This blogger says yes!# 254 - David MurphyProgress: 147/990
Another one for the set! San Francisco Giants right fielder, Nate Schierholtz signed the card below. Nate's done pretty well when they've given him a chance to play ( .272/5/29 in 100 games).# 164 - Nate SchierholtzProgress: 146/900
