Big things going down in the world of baseball products

[predatorkj]

I hope UD stays in the game. Just thinking about the products alone I think UD makes significantly better products at all price points. I know Topps is still allowed to make prospects and has better customer service, but their product line doesn't come close to UD's in my opinion.

Disclaimer: The above was written by a collector, not a prospector.

Topps makes wonderful throwback sets.And their base sets(except for 2006) are great as well.I think topps is really geared more for the set builder than anyone.Though some of these super sp'd cards like the ones from heritage make me frustrated.

I'm with you on that. I think they both have a place in the hobby and the idea that Topps would potentially get the only license really worries me.

I'd be semi comfortable with topps but I do not in any way shape or form think it would be good for the hobby as a whole.No competition equals weak products.

 

[Tomlinson21RB]

I hope UD stays in the game. Just thinking about the products alone I think UD makes significantly better products at all price points. I know Topps is still allowed to make prospects and has better customer service, but their product line doesn't come close to UD's in my opinion.

Disclaimer: The above was written by a collector, not a prospector.

Topps makes wonderful throwback sets.And their base sets(except for 2006) are great as well.I think topps is really geared more for the set builder than anyone.Though some of these super sp'd cards like the ones from heritage make me frustrated.

I'm with you on that. I think they both have a place in the hobby and the idea that Topps would potentially get the only license really worries me.

I'd be semi comfortable with topps but I do not in any way shape or form think it would be good for the hobby as a whole.No competition equals weak products.

I just look back at my collection and most of my favorite cards come from UD products.

 

[predatorkj]

Base Topps is geared towards the widest possible audience, not just for people like ourselves, the hobby "elite" LOL.

Topps makes wonderful throwback sets.And their base sets(except for 2006) are great as well.I think topps is really geared more for the set builder than anyone.Though some of these super sp'd cards like the ones from heritage make me frustrated.

I think topps as a whole tries to fit the bill for as many different types of collectors as possible but I have noticed they have a knack for keeping set builders on their toes.Its a blessing and a curse.Base topps is a set I will get every year.I only dread having to build them though.I prefer factory set form.I am content to build things like heritage, turkey red, allen and ginter and also things like Mayo and whatnot.

 

[predatorkj]

I hope UD stays in the game. Just thinking about the products alone I think UD makes significantly better products at all price points. I know Topps is still allowed to make prospects and has better customer service, but their product line doesn't come close to UD's in my opinion.

Disclaimer: The above was written by a collector, not a prospector.

Topps makes wonderful throwback sets.And their base sets(except for 2006) are great as well.I think topps is really geared more for the set builder than anyone.Though some of these super sp'd cards like the ones from heritage make me frustrated.

I'm with you on that. I think they both have a place in the hobby and the idea that Topps would potentially get the only license really worries me.

I'd be semi comfortable with topps but I do not in any way shape or form think it would be good for the hobby as a whole.No competition equals weak products.

I just look back at my collection and most of my favorite cards come from UD products.

I can't say I am with you there.Even for my Bagwell collection most of the parallels and stuff come from Donruss.

I like topps and upper deck equally but just for different reasons.That's why I don't try to compare the two.They are completely different animals in my opinion.

 

[kentuckyderby]

Sure sure there are rumors that I will be a mod but I am hear to announce it won't be happening

Too busy right now with work, coaching, the Master's classes and the chicks


This post reminds me of an older one where someone came on and did a similar tactic ("I potentially know something you don't know, nah nah nah nah nah")

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

Don't forget that Topps produced some of the greatest sets ever during its lengthy monopoly.

Base Topps is geared towards the widest possible audience, not just for people like ourselves, the hobby "elite" LOL.

Topps makes wonderful throwback sets.And their base sets(except for 2006) are great as well.I think topps is really geared more for the set builder than anyone.Though some of these super sp'd cards like the ones from heritage make me frustrated.

I think topps as a whole tries to fit the bill for as many different types of collectors as possible but I have noticed they have a knack for keeping set builders on their toes.Its a blessing and a curse.Base topps is a set I will get every year.I only dread having to build them though.I prefer factory set form.I am content to build things like heritage, turkey red, allen and ginter and also things like Mayo and whatnot.

 

[Tomlinson21RB]

Don't forget that Topps produced some of the greatest sets ever during its lengthy monopoly.

Base Topps is geared towards the widest possible audience, not just for people like ourselves, the hobby "elite" LOL.

Topps makes wonderful throwback sets.And their base sets(except for 2006) are great as well.I think topps is really geared more for the set builder than anyone.Though some of these super sp'd cards like the ones from heritage make me frustrated.

I think topps as a whole tries to fit the bill for as many different types of collectors as possible but I have noticed they have a knack for keeping set builders on their toes.Its a blessing and a curse.Base topps is a set I will get every year.I only dread having to build them though.I prefer factory set form.I am content to build things like heritage, turkey red, allen and ginter and also things like Mayo and whatnot.

simpler times and simpler products. I feel like topps does better in low end products, but it just hasn't kept pace in the high end market.

 

[thehamiltonian]

Speculation is fun. And it provides me with blog fodder. I'll summarize here.

If this is true, I see it as more indicative of baseball heading in the direction of the NHL and NBA. First, make sure all manufacturers have equal access to all players. Then pick a single manufacturer (with the inflated payday that an exclusive brings) - knowing they can't be frozen out on any of the big stars in the game.

As for an exclusive being good or bad? Eh, the hockey one has pluses and minuses. It depends a lot on what you are chasing and what you are expecting. Its hard to evaluate completely until it is underway.

 

[predatorkj]

Don't forget that Topps produced some of the greatest sets ever during its lengthy monopoly.

Base Topps is geared towards the widest possible audience, not just for people like ourselves, the hobby "elite" LOL.

Topps makes wonderful throwback sets.And their base sets(except for 2006) are great as well.I think topps is really geared more for the set builder than anyone.Though some of these super sp'd cards like the ones from heritage make me frustrated.

I think topps as a whole tries to fit the bill for as many different types of collectors as possible but I have noticed they have a knack for keeping set builders on their toes.Its a blessing and a curse.Base topps is a set I will get every year.I only dread having to build them though.I prefer factory set form.I am content to build things like heritage, turkey red, allen and ginter and also things like Mayo and whatnot.

Yeah I've read Card Sharks but that stuff doesn't apply nowdays and certainly not right now.Not in this day and age of "make everything as cheap as possible and see just what you can get away with".I think thats why they do the throwback sets.Its something to set themselves apart.Whats UD gonna do?Something like timelines that fails miserably?

Okay...I actually liked Timelines but couldn't afford to do the set.I'd still like to do it one day.

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

Many think the reason why these Topps sets were so great is because they were "simple". Simple is what the vast number of people want, only the "elite" collectors prefer complicated.

Unfortunately we don't know if future generations will like or even understand the complicated products yet.

simpler times and simpler products. I feel like topps does better in low end products, but it just hasn't kept pace in the high end market.

 

[thenumberonemetfan]

Many think the reason why these Topps sets were so great is because they were "simple". Simple is what the vast number of people want, only the "elite" collectors prefer complicated.

Unfortunately we don't know if future generations will like or even understand the complicated products yet.

simpler times and simpler products. I feel like topps does better in low end products, but it just hasn't kept pace in the high end market.

I'm a new generation collector and while I love vintage I wont collect cards anymore if they go back to the way they were in the 60's,70's,80's.I want more then just base cards and at the same time theres no need for 20 different products.

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

The simplest you're likely to get is with today's base Topps with all its inserts/parallels, or maybe Topps Opening Day. Remember lots of people like these cards because of the back of the card also

I'm a new generation collector and while I love vintage I wont collect cards anymore if they go back to the way they were in the 60's,70's,80's.I want more then just base cards and at the same time theres no need for 20 different products.

 

[nborton]

I agree that UD does a good job with high end cards. The problem is their flagship high end brand (exquisite) doesn't translate to baseball because there are too many guys drafted. Honestly, purely based on the format of the set. Bowman Chrome is about as perfect as it can get. I'm not talking about looks, brand, etc. Just the way the set is put together. It has enough from high to low end in the same box, while still being affordable.

I don't even think it would work if it was only guys with the RC logo like UD does now. There isn't a consistent number of guys every year with the RC logo like it is with a draft in other sports. The rookies drive the Exquisite sets in other sports, and I don't see it working in baseball.

 

[cgilmo]

If the mlbpa goes to 1 licensee, there is no other suitable company than topps. I really hate to say that, because competition (real competition) is the only thing that grantees great products to be created.

 

[nborton]

If the mlbpa goes to 1 licensee, there is no other suitable company than topps. I really hate to say that, because competition (real competition) is the only thing that grantees great products to be created.

I agree. I don't like the 1 license thing in general. So what if companies make a bunch of crap. Don't buy the crap. I can't think of any good examples of where this has worked out better in the long run.

 

[ChasHawk]

Don't forget that Topps produced some of the greatest sets ever during its lengthy monopoly.

Base Topps is geared towards the widest possible audience, not just for people like ourselves, the hobby "elite" LOL.

Topps makes wonderful throwback sets.And their base sets(except for 2006) are great as well.I think topps is really geared more for the set builder than anyone.Though some of these super sp'd cards like the ones from heritage make me frustrated.

I think topps as a whole tries to fit the bill for as many different types of collectors as possible but I have noticed they have a knack for keeping set builders on their toes.Its a blessing and a curse.Base topps is a set I will get every year.I only dread having to build them though.I prefer factory set form.I am content to build things like heritage, turkey red, allen and ginter and also things like Mayo and whatnot.

simpler times and simpler products. I feel like topps does better in low end products, but it just hasn't kept pace in the high end market.

+1 and then some. Topps making great base cards doesn't mean a stack of crap to someone Like me who collects a player. A retired player who hasn't had much available since 2005 when DLP lost their license. So for me, Topps being the only company to get a license would suck, bigtime. :evil:

 

[predatorkj]

Don't forget that Topps produced some of the greatest sets ever during its lengthy monopoly.

Base Topps is geared towards the widest possible audience, not just for people like ourselves, the hobby "elite" LOL.

[quote="predatorkj":2eyau9x9]Topps makes wonderful throwback sets.And their base sets(except for 2006) are great as well.I think topps is really geared more for the set builder than anyone.Though some of these super sp'd cards like the ones from heritage make me frustrated.

I think topps as a whole tries to fit the bill for as many different types of collectors as possible but I have noticed they have a knack for keeping set builders on their toes.Its a blessing and a curse.Base topps is a set I will get every year.I only dread having to build them though.I prefer factory set form.I am content to build things like heritage, turkey red, allen and ginter and also things like Mayo and whatnot.

simpler times and simpler products. I feel like topps does better in low end products, but it just hasn't kept pace in the high end market.

+1 and then some. Topps making great base cards doesn't mean a stack of crap to someone Like me who collects a player. A retired player who hasn't had much available since 2005 when DLP lost their license. So for me, Topps being the only company to get a license would suck, bigtime. :evil:[/quote:2eyau9x9]


But on that same note you could say neither does Donruss because if your a true player collector any card is valuable to you of said player no matter the brand.Sure I like all of the Pacific Brands the most but I go for all Bagwell cards.No particular brand.For player collectors it shouldn't matter.I'd be happy if they never made any more Bagwells ever again.So if it does go to one company ...as a player collector...it doesn't matter to me one way or the other.

 

[aminors]

Don't forget that Topps produced some of the greatest sets ever during its lengthy monopoly.

Base Topps is geared towards the widest possible audience, not just for people like ourselves, the hobby "elite" LOL.

[quote="predatorkj":3it32x6u]Topps makes wonderful throwback sets.And their base sets(except for 2006) are great as well.I think topps is really geared more for the set builder than anyone.Though some of these super sp'd cards like the ones from heritage make me frustrated.

I think topps as a whole tries to fit the bill for as many different types of collectors as possible but I have noticed they have a knack for keeping set builders on their toes.Its a blessing and a curse.Base topps is a set I will get every year.I only dread having to build them though.I prefer factory set form.I am content to build things like heritage, turkey red, allen and ginter and also things like Mayo and whatnot.

simpler times and simpler products. I feel like topps does better in low end products, but it just hasn't kept pace in the high end market.

+1 and then some. Topps making great base cards doesn't mean a stack of crap to someone Like me who collects a player. A retired player who hasn't had much available since 2005 when DLP lost their license. So for me, Topps being the only company to get a license would suck, bigtime. :evil:[/quote:3it32x6u]

Wouldn't that give you the ultimate opportunity, though, to obtain a copy of every card ever produced of your player?
I understand where you would argue this, as it is more fun to chase after new cards of your player.

I agree with a poster a page back being that chrome is the ultimate set by topps. It gives everyone what they want, and it has everything from low to high end both in the boxes and in the secondary market. Most of their stuff will turn to crap if this happens, IMO, but they better keep all of the Bowman products..
..and get rid of those damned green bordered cards/futures game cards. lol.


Anthony

 

[predatorkj]

If the mlbpa goes to 1 licensee, there is no other suitable company than topps. I really hate to say that, because competition (real competition) is the only thing that grantees great products to be created.

I agree. I don't like the 1 license thing in general. So what if companies make a bunch of crap. Don't buy the crap. I can't think of any good examples of where this has worked out better in the long run.

What doesn't make sense is the fact that they eliminated the number of brands already.They felt it would somehow increase their money?I never understood how axing Donruss helped.Sure it helped wipe a little sweat off of player collector's brows but other than that...what does it really do for anyone?It would have been way better if they had just kept as many around as possible.More brands and sets equal more money in their pockets.Now people are inclined to buy less because you get your fill quicker than before.And like I said...each brand appealed to different niches of the hobby.

 

[predatorkj]

Don't forget that Topps produced some of the greatest sets ever during its lengthy monopoly.

[quote="uniquebaseballcards":3obbkpzu]Base Topps is geared towards the widest possible audience, not just for people like ourselves, the hobby "elite" LOL.

[quote="predatorkj":3obbkpzu]Topps makes wonderful throwback sets.And their base sets(except for 2006) are great as well.I think topps is really geared more for the set builder than anyone.Though some of these super sp'd cards like the ones from heritage make me frustrated.

I think topps as a whole tries to fit the bill for as many different types of collectors as possible but I have noticed they have a knack for keeping set builders on their toes.Its a blessing and a curse.Base topps is a set I will get every year.I only dread having to build them though.I prefer factory set form.I am content to build things like heritage, turkey red, allen and ginter and also things like Mayo and whatnot.

simpler times and simpler products. I feel like topps does better in low end products, but it just hasn't kept pace in the high end market.

+1 and then some. Topps making great base cards doesn't mean a stack of crap to someone Like me who collects a player. A retired player who hasn't had much available since 2005 when DLP lost their license. So for me, Topps being the only company to get a license would suck, bigtime. :evil:[/quote:3obbkpzu]

Wouldn't that give you the ultimate opportunity, though, to obtain a copy of every card ever produced of your player?
I understand where you would argue this, as it is more fun to chase after new cards of your player.

I agree with a poster a page back being that chrome is the ultimate set by topps. It gives everyone what they want, and it has everything from low to high end both in the boxes and in the secondary market. Most of their stuff will turn to crap if this happens, IMO, but they better keep all of the Bowman products..
..and get rid of those damned green bordered cards/futures game cards. lol.


Anthony[/quote:3obbkpzu]

No...sorry.Bowman is only good for prospects.Always will be.Its a niche.Nobody buys bowman for the vets.They buy it for the prospects.So...with that said...how could it appeal to everyone?I would much rather a base card from regular topps or Upper Deck for a vet than I would out of Bowman and somehow I don't think I am alone.