Topps Diamond Anniversary Prizes Have Arrived

 It seems like a lifetime ago that the Topps Diamond Anniversary Giveaway started and ended. We have moved on to the next Topps website, which underwhelms me. From what I've read it underwhelms a lot of us. I don't feel compelled to purchase Topps product whenever I enter a Target or Wal-Mart like last year. I know exactly why. The rush of expectation and wonder is not the same from online coins as it is for actual cardboard. I was excited every single time I pulled a code card from 2011 product. When I pull a code card from 2012 product, I feel malaise and boredom.

I went in with a simple plan last year. I was going to try to fill some holes in my collection. I was also going to try to get rid of all my cards from 1981 to present and try to trade them for either vintage or something I needed to complete a set. I think I made the most out of my parameters, but I'll let you be the judge.

 1983 Topps #46 - Richard Dotson

I needed one card to complete my 1983 White Sox team set and this was it. I am very happy to put this set to rest.

 1983 Topps #488 - Alfredo Griffin

This was the one card I remember from my very first pack of cards. It was the card that started my interest in collecting. Without this card in my first pack, I may have shunned cards altogether and headed down the wrong path and became an RCA Studio II fanatic or a Jart champion.

 1980 Topps #594 - Dick Tidrow

I said I would take anything 1980 or earlier and this qualifies. Tidrow would switch leagues in a rare Cubs/WhiteSox trade.

 1980 Topps #612 - Cliff Johnson

Something about this card just screamed, "Take me home... NOW"... and I listened.

1979 Topps #238 - Balor Moore

I was hoping to trade up but got stuck with it. Vintage is never a bad thing though. Love those uniforms.

1978 Topps #86 - Dave Tomlin

Another card that just couldn't get traded away, but I love that uniform!

1978 Topps #107 - Ed Halicki

Halicki is just a fun name and I want to Photoshop a stool under Ed. He looks like he should be sitting on a stool, relaxing against a bar, trying to hit on an unsuspecting woman. Not pitching in a major league game.

1976 Topps #282 - Dan Osborn

The last card I needed to complete my 1976 set. Awesome!

1975 Topps #318 - Ernie McAnally

The old school Expos uniform. Spring training palm trees. Tilted photography. Great name. How could I pass on this? I just can't!

1975 Topps #169 - Cookie Rojas

This year, I got my own Cookie. And no one can take it away from me.

1972 Topps #173 - Clay Kirby

Great card and oddly, only the front has creases, not the back.

1975 Topps #116 - Ed Farmer

So this is what Ed Farmer looks like in another organization. Kinda like Greg Brady.

1967 Topps #208 - Jack Lamabe

Needed this gem for my 1967 set.

1961 Topps #29 - Don Nottebart

1961 Milwaukee Braves rookie! Ended his career as a Cub in 1969.

1961 Topps #203 - Eddie Bressoud

Played against Hawk Harrelson in the 1967 World Series. I wonder if Hawk has any stories about Eddie. He came in as a late inning defensive replacement at shortstop for the Cardinals in Game 2 and Game 5 and never batted.

1954 Topps #140 - Tom Wright

I am impressed that this is a card from 1954, from a team who has since relocated. I am not particularly impressed with the condition. The top left corner looks like it was a snack for a hungry animal of the rodent variety.

1954 Topps #91 - Bob Oldis

This isn't a pristine card either, but it is in much better condition. I'm glad because this is the card that I was most looking forward to when I unlocked it. I love the color shot of Bob! The black and white image reminds me of the angels and devils that would pop up on people's shoulders when they had a tough decision to make. Add in the currently non-existent team (I know they still exist, just not in that city) and it creates a near perfect card and the best of the bunch!


I was skeptical when I won an unopened pack from the 70s or 80s. I had a premonition that it would be either from 1987, 1988 or 1989.

And.........

I was right. Blech!

I can say that I did get some pretty decent cards in the 1989 pack, but it's still a 1989 pack. Any card I can potentially get from there, I have probably owned at least five times over. I wonder if I can still win a trip to 1990 spring training?