2007 Topps 52

I had no clue that this snuck out already. I knew it was coming, but didn't know exactly when. Maybe Topps sensed the animosity building against this set and just wanted to drop it with little fanfare. Whatever the reason, it's here. I can barely contain my enthusiasm. Woo-hoo and such.

Even Danny Richar can sense that I have no use for this set. It's the same design as last year's set with new players. I couldn't find any information about this set by searching Topps web site. All I know is that it's all over eBay and A Pack A Day.

I'm treated to seven cards of the White Sox, as far as I can tell right now. That's a great improvement from last year's set. So, I guess I can be happy with that much. Researching the news at Beckett's site, there are no White Sox short prints or variations. Thank goodness for small favors. The Sox cards are as follows.

• 14 - Jerry Owens
• 52 - Ryan Sweeney
• 75 - Josh Fields
• 101 - John Danks
• 141 - Dewon Day
• 178 - Danny Richar
• 186 - Ehren Wassermann

The cards themselves are a fantastic design. Don't get me wrong, I like the design. It's based off a classic set in Topps history. That's also what kills it for me. Topps uses the 1952 design TO DEATH! STOP IT TOPPS!! ENOUGH!!! Please move on to another year's design. That's what makes the Heritage line so great. It keeps moving down the line every year. The only way someone can tell the difference between the 2006 and the 2007 versions of this set is to take a magnifying glass and look at the tiny copyright date on the back. Nothing else. That's insane!

I love the idea behind these cards. Keep the idea, lose 1952. Move back to the 1951 design or move forward to the 1953 design. No more 1952. Maybe even start over with 1952 every 10 years. Cycle through the designs until 1961 and go back. I'd even go for that line of thinking. We need a break from the 52 design.

OK, the Dennis Miller style rant is over, for now. There is another good batch of rookies in this set. The only one I'm a bit skeptical about would be Dewon Day. It's nice to have a card of him, but he didn't impress me at all last year. Maybe a little more seasoning in the minors will help him improve at the major league level. Danny Richar looks to be the second baseman this year.

The one to really watch is Ehren Wassermann. This kid's pitching is great! He has a funky delivery that keeps batters off balance. He was the lone bright spot in middle relief last year. Middle relievers are usually junk pickups card-wise, but I've got a good feeling about this kid. Middle relievers are starting to really get noticed this off-season. A few have already gotten huge contracts. Closer type contracts. If Ehren keeps injury free, he could become something really great.

2006 Topps 52

I still think 2006 Topps 52 is a great set. This set does retro well. Topps has used their 1952 design to overkill the past decade. This set doesn't show it though. For some reason this seems fresh and new, yet old school.

Although, the Boone Logan card looks absolutely goofy. I don't really want to know what he's doing. If I had to speculate, I'd say maybe he's making faces at children. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check eBay for it. I won't dignify the blog with that unique pose.

Anyway here's the checklist of this fantastic set of White Sox cards. Yes, I included the Debut Flashbacks card too.

72 - Boone Logan
100 - Sean Tracey
127 - Brian Anderson
151 - Agustin Montero

DF18 - Frank Thomas

The Frank Thomas Debut Flashbacks looks nice. It shows him in the 1990 uniform, right before the change to the pinstripes. Sean Tracey looks nothing like the man that Ozzie Guillen made cry. Brian Anderson looks like he's trying to turn his back on the White Sox out of frustration. Agustin Montero seems like he's being very cautious for some reason. Maybe he got wind of what was going to happen to Sean Tracey when he wouldn't throw at a batter in retaliation.

Now, the interesting news. Topps 52 is coming out in 2007. Same design. Hopefully different players. This is what causes collectors to cry overkill. Shouldn't it be Topps 53? Maybe even Topps 51. Like I said, it's a great looking card, but two years in a row? I suppose everyone in the major leagues will have a 1952 Topps card in their own image eventually. I guess I could live with that. Originality suffers the more one goes back to the well. It's great to look back. I enjoy doing it, but there's also something to be said about living in the present.