TOPPS GETS EXCLUSIVE MLB LICENSE STARTING IN 2010

[predatorkj]

Well said. But unfortunately, the pandora's box was opened in the 90's with overproduction, only that now its with GU and autos instead of inserts. But in reality, how can card companies fix the problem? Reduce the amount of GU/Autos? Reintroduce the insert with insane pull rates? No one outside of Bowman chrome products holds on to base anymore. Base cards are considered filler for most non set collector sets. When's the last time anyone was trying to complete a Triple Threads base set, or an SPx base set? No one cares like they did in the past about completing a base set.

Uhh...I am and have been trying to do as many base sets as possible for quite a while now.Just ask tonsofcommons...


My idea on this whole debacle is that while I love topps and I would always remain loyal to them...no competition will blow.I am not going to waste much money on MILB products.I just won't.I didn't do it with Tristar and I actually liked them so I am certainly not doing it with Razor or UD.Not that I won't buy singles but I am not buying a box.

We need competition in any industry.Yeah they got carried away at points but they should have a few brands making MLB cards.Just limit the number of products.Even 20 a piece for each company is a little over the top.How about 10 per company?That is plenty for each manufacturer and would give them enough breathing room to do base sets, mid level, high end level, and prospect and retired HOF types plus an extra quirky thing or two for the kids.

Like I said...I love Topps(and not because of Bowman) but no competition in any industry never works out well.Especially with what seems to be today's business model of cutting every corner you can and doing the bare minimum.

 

[predatorkj]

In an effort to keep total card production at current levels for player collectors, Topps will introduce a new set for 2010:

Topps Tek Moments and Milestones Edition

Collect your favorite player with cards celebrating significant milestones each step of the way! Ken Griffey's 600 career homeruns will be featured with cards numbered 1 to 600, with each card available in 90 different background patterns! Look for blue #/25 and black #/10 diffractor versions of each card too.

Let's see, 600x90x3 = 162,000 different Griffeys to collect!

Dude can it before somebody gets a stupid idea and runs with it! ::facepalm::

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

I do think this is entirely true, far fewer people as a percentage of the hobby are set collectors.

Set collecting is key to long-term hobby viability, more so than player collecting, otherwise nobody would be buying common cards.

Well said. But unfortunately, the pandora's box was opened in the 90's with overproduction, only that now its with GU and autos instead of inserts. But in reality, how can card companies fix the problem? Reduce the amount of GU/Autos? Reintroduce the insert with insane pull rates? No one outside of Bowman chrome products holds on to base anymore. Base cards are considered filler for most non set collector sets. When's the last time anyone was trying to complete a Triple Threads base set, or an SPx base set? No one cares like they did in the past about completing a base set.

 

[predatorkj]

For those that whine about the sticker autographs and Donruss/Playoff...how many redemptions were you waiting for and for how long? Donruss was always better than every other company when it came to redemptions and limited them.

That's probably because they didn't need redemptions. They had a warehouse full of silver stickers. Stickers was their answer. I remember numerous articles in Beckett about how stickers were the answer to the redemption problem. Well, actually the stickers solved one problem, all the while creating another problem. The solution was obvious, improve card quality by elminating both redemptions and stickers. To this point, no company has done this (with the exception of Razor, but they are UD so who knows if they count) although some have made strides.

Something interesting about stickers that I was told by someone who has worked for Topps for a LONG time is that they are more expensive and difficult to do than on card autos. The main reason being it adds an extra step to the production of the cards. Where they have to manually put stickers on the cards after printing. Plus the cost of the sticker itself.

He said the main reason they came into being was to provide a better selection of autos. Since most of the sets are produced during the season the players don't have time to sit down and sign cards. However, in the offseason they do, but they don't have the sets made. So the compromise was stickers.

I must be the major minority but I love sticker autographs.On card looks good on some of the throwback stuff but the stickers make the card a little more attractive for me.Can you imagine on card autos of stuff like Triple Threads and some of this base stuff?It would look ugly(and I don't mean fat and ugly but rather f'n ugly!) and would not stand out.I am not so sure what everyone has such a problem with stickers for.The only time they bother me is when they are on upside down or really crooked.Otherwise its no big deal.

 

[Sweetness]

MONOPLY!!! :shock:

This is a perfect example!