I Really Do Like Topps 2016,Or Am I A Glutton...?

I am somewhat of a glutton for punishment.While I like 2016 Topps design this year ,I know my views will suffer because of It,but what are you gonna do?Oh,and sorry about all the profanity In my last post.I really lost It over that darned check engine light and while I've gotten It looked at again and remedied,I'm still skeptical.Let's give It another 60 miles and see what happens then.I will say that typing up that post really helped   me channel and purge some of that frustration.One of the upsides to blogging I guess.Plus hearing other peoples vehicular  horror stories made me feel not so alone anymore.So thanks guys ;) All right,on to the subject matter. I've since picked up a couple of 2016 Topps rack packs and pulled some o.k. cards.

I'm no super fan of Lawrie ,but I do like this card,though.For a minute there I thought I was looking at Jay Payton.

Pence Is becoming one of my all time favorites.I heard he also guest starred In the new

 "Fuller House "  series on Netflix.The kids watch It.O.k. so do I.

My man Altuve!

The big Calhoun-a was a beast last year.Good enough to earn the Topps trademark "Future Stars" header! 

I'm glad I pulled this Bird RC.I would have picked one up anyways on eBay had I failed to find one In a pack.I liked what I saw from him last year.It was cool to see he and Conforto go at It In the subway series. Unfortunately,Bird  injured himself during the off season,not sure how or what he did to himself,but I know he's sidelined for the season.That sucks cuz I really wanted to see what he was going to do this year.

These two need no introduction.I love Pujols but I have this real bad feeling that he'll be bitten with the PED bug.  

While the base design has received  lukewarm  reviews,the Perspectives inserts seem to be a hit.This Is a case for backgrounds not being blurred out.It's nice to see the obstacle In Howards way as he's inches away from making a great grab over the furled tarp! 

Ending this post off on a "good-en" note,"doctors" orders...

Dun,Dun,Dun,Dun!

I would have titled this  "Another 2016 Topps Post" but I  didn't want to scare away any potential readers.2016 Topps Baseball  has been treated like a zebra carcass  being ravaged by a pack of  wild hyena.Dragged through the dirt and left for dead In the hot sun for the buzzards to pick at.It seems like everybody can't wait to publish their rant posts, just to vent some of that collector's frustration.Lets go over some of the main gripes and then I'll counter with why I don't see a problem with them...


BTW- In no way am I trying to discredit anyone's views on this years product as everybody Is entitled to their own opinion ;)


Gripe # 1-  Artsy ,fartsy ,white corner  design comparable to a high school graphic art design project


My Rebuttal - That's one pretty damn good high school graphic art design.And when was the last time Topps ever tried anything like this?I haven't seen anything from Topps flagship that looks remotely close to this design and that,to me, Is a good thing.I want different every year,not an improvised version of  the year before.

 Gripe # 2  - Blurred out crowds/backgrounds

               

My Rebuttal - Unless It's a crowd doing something like this,wielding legible signs and looking animated on an otherwise inanimate baseball card ...

...then i'm fine with blurring out a crowd.No problem at all with It.1984 Topps blurred out most of their crowds and backgrounds and still had a kick ass product.Not that 2016 Is a kick ass product ,but the lack of a clear and focused background Isn't a deal breaker for me.

Gripe # 3  - No borders

My Rebuttal - Not that It's as prevalent these days ,but no borders means no off centered cards.

Gripe # 4 - Desecrated  team logos

My Rebuttal - This might be the only thing that kind of bugs me,but come on,we all know  this Is Big Sal and that It's a KC Royals logo.I like the TV style presentation with the protruding name tag.The textured appearance behind the team logo almost looks like a  game used relic/jersey.I like It.

So ,there you have It.I don't dislike 2016 Topps baseball cards.In fact I like  It!Remember,I collected cards In the late 80's ,early 90's.I know what an ugly,bad baseball card looks like.

Exhibit A -

Exhibit B - 

 2016 Topps Is not a bad baseball card.It's not even an ugly design.If there was one thing I would have liked to see switched up a bit ,It's the card backs.Other than that ,I'm happy with this years release.Remember,Topps Isn't a premium product.There are other brands that cover those bases and Topps flagship Isn't one of them.We should all know that by now.But I digress.Here are some more notable pulls from my recent rack pack.