1902-11 Sporting Life Cabinets (W600)

Issued between 1902 and 1911, these Sporting Life Cabinets encompass a wide array of players that either have no other known cards or very few cards during this period. Some cards are the only known version of a player on a particular team, such as Clark Griffith (misspelled Clarke on his card) on the White Sox. The cabinets measure 5 inches by 7 1/2 inches. They were available for purchase from the Sporting Life Newspaper in Philadelphia.

Player photos range from suit and tie to uniform dress. All examples I have run across feature a portrait photograph. With some cards being issued in 1902, these are the earliest known examples of Chicago White Sox cards. I am not counting 19th century White Sox cards, because that team became the current Chicago Cubs.

These are tastefully done and are a nice alternative to the affluence of tobacco cards in this era. For several of the years covered in this release, this is the only set listed in the card catalog.

The White Sox have thirty-three cards in this set.

6 - Nick Altrock (issued 1903)
42 - Russell Blackburne (issued 1910)
58 - James J. Callahan (issued 1903)
102a - Thomas Daly (issued 1902)
103 - George Davis (issued 1902)
116 - J. 'Jiggs' Donahue (issued 1903)
124c - Patrick Dougherty (issued 1906)
134 - August Dundon (issued 1904)
154a - Patrick Flaherty (issued 1903)
178 - Daniel Green (issued 1903)
180a - Clark Griffith (issued 1902)
183 - Edgar Hahn (issued 1906)
192 - Harry Hart (issued 1906)
200d - Charles Hickman (issued 1907)
210 - William Holmes (issued 1903)
221 - Frank Isbell (issued 1903)
228a - Fielder Jones (issued 1902) (suit)
228b - Fielder Jones (issued 1902) (uniform)
268 - Harry D. Lord (issued 1910)
277 - George H. Magoon (issued 1903)
290 - Edward McFarland (issued 1902)
338 - Frank Owen (issued 1903)
340b - Frederick Parent (issued 1908)
344 - Roy Patterson (issued 1903)
372 - George Rohe (issued 1906)
374c - Frank Roth (issued 1906)
396 - John Slattery (issued 1903)
400 - Frank Smith (issued 1904)
418 - William D. Sullivan (issued 1902)
422 - Lee Tannehill (issued 1903)
435b - Ernest Vinson (issued 1905)
440 - Edward A. Walsh (issued 1904)
444 - G. Harry White (issued 1903)

I can't state enough how important these cards are to fill in gaps where there was no alternative. It is a unique find, which feature players you will find nowhere else. As for owning one of these... you may find them to be a bit pricey. If you can get your hands on one, don't hesitate at owning a piece of history.

2017 Birth Year Cards

Card #222 - Rick Renteria

Born: December 25, 1961

 

Card #223 - Jace Fry

Born: July 9, 1993

Card #224 - Alen Hanson

Born: October 22, 1992

 Card #225 - Tyler Clippard

Born: February 14, 1985

 Card #226 - Reynaldo Lopez

Born: January 4, 1994

 Card #227 - Rymer Liriano

Born: June 20, 1991

 Card #228 - Brad Goldberg

Born: February 21, 1990

 Card #229 - Anthony Swarzak

Born: September 10, 1985

 Card #230 - Yoan Moncada

Born: May 27, 1995

 Card #231 - David Holmberg

Born: July 19, 1991

 Card #232 - Nicky Delmonico

Born: July 12, 1992

 Card #233 - Aaron Bummer

Born: September 21, 1993

 Card #234 - Mike Pelfrey

Born: January 14, 1984

 Card #235 - Adam Engel

Born: December 9, 1991

 Card #236 - Derek Holland

Born: October 9, 1986

 Card #237 - Willy Garcia

Born: September 4, 1992

 Card #238 - Dylan Covey

Born: August 14, 1991

 Card #239 - Al Alburquerque

Born: June 10, 1986

 Card #240 - Cody Asche

Born: June 30, 1990

 Card #241 - Lucas Giolito

Born: July 14, 1994

 Card #242 - Jacob May

Born: January 23, 1992

 Card #243 - Danny Farquhar

Born: February 17, 1987

Card #244 - Chris Volstad

Born: September 23, 1986

The Ex Files: Jim Parque

Jim was drafted by the White Sox in 1997, in the supplemental draft of the first round. He made his debut in 1998 and helped the White Sox reach the playoffs in 2000.

Parque was a nice reliable workhorse that could be counted on for close to two-hundred innings in his prime. The future was looking good for butter. PARQUE! (Sorry. A lot of Sox fans would take that classic commercial refrain and repeat it whenever Parque would start a game.)

In 2000, Parque's troubles would begin. He would have a shoulder injury which would make his next few years atrocious. His ERA would balloon as Jim would suffer from multiple shoulder injuries.

Jim would be granted free agency after the 2002 season. He signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2003. After racking up an 11.94 ERA over five starts, the Devil Rays released him. He signed a contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2004, but never made it to the majors after Tampa Bay. Jim announced his retirement in 2004.

Fast forward to 2007. Parque signs a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners, after regaining is arm strength. He was released without reaching the majors, but the real excitement would leak in December 2007. His name popped up on a list of players who tested positive for steroids.

When that list came out, I physically scratched my head.I couldn't imagine little skinny Jim Parque using steroids. When the list came out, Jim denied using, but in 2009, he came clean. Parque had used HGH in his shoulder rehab, while with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2003. HGH was not yet banned in MLB when Jim used, but his name remains on the list.

Card Spotlight: 2-8-19

2015 Panini Elite Inspirations #147 - Adam LaRoche (/75)

I'll be honest. There isn't much that inspires me about Adam LaRoche. I'm sure I will get some feedback for that statement.

I admire that he has embraced his faith. I admire that he has embraced fatherhood. I find it interesting that he is passionate enough about deer hunting that he co-owns a show about it. I admire that he could walk away from $13 million. I'm not sure if I could do the same. I admire the hell out of how Adam went undercover to help free underage sex slaves in Asia. I, however, do not find him inspirational.

Someone who is inspirational does not cause a near team walkout because they can't do whatever they like at work, when peers have expressed complaints. What you do instead, is find a compromise or adhere to workplace rules, whether you agree with them or not. I understand LaRoche has made enough money to be set for life and can do whatever he pleases. Most of us out there do not have that luxury. We struggle, living paycheck to paycheck. It is going to take a lot more that not being able to take my child to work for me to walk out and not look back.

Someone who is inspirational doesn't walk away from co-workers, effectively leaving them in the lurch. Sure, Adam had a really down year, in his first with the White Sox. Could that have ultimately been the reason for his sudden departure? We'll never know. The snap decision (temper tantrum?) that resulted after he was asked to bring his son around slightly less (not banned outright, but just around slightly less) sounds like a bit of an overreaction. In my experience, someone only reacts that strongly to a simple request if they are looking for a way out already. I've already written about this before, but a few years removed, the departure still rubs me the wrong way.

Adam LaRoche is a hell of a human being, who has done great things and carved out his own path, his own way. He just isn't my idea of an inspirational human being, but few people truly fit that mold.

1955 Red Man

1955 marked the forth and final set of baseball cards from the Red Man Chewing Tobacco line. It had been the first time in decades that baseball cards had been attached to tobacco product. Instead of tiny cards in cigarette packs, these were nice oversize cards that were attached to pouches.

It is difficult, but not impossible, to find these with the tabs at the bottom intact. It is more desirable to find these cards with the tabs still attached, but there is no shame in collecting the tabless variety. If one collected fifty tabs, those tabs could be turned in for a Red Man felt baseball cap with the team of your choice. Sorry, the newest expiration dates are over sixty years old, but it was a nice thought. They are beautiful looking cards, in which pictures do not lend credence to how gorgeous these cards look. The 3 1/2 inch by 4 inch size just added to the ambience of the artistry.

The White Sox have five cards in the set out of fifty. Twenty-five American League and twenty-five National League cards complete the set.

AL4 - Nellie Fox
AL6 - Jack Harshman
AL23 - Chico Carrasquel
AL24 - Minnie Minoso
AL25 - Sandy Consuegra

Vintage cards are not always a daunting task to collect. It is never easy to collect, but the Red Man cards have a good presence on eBay and other online venues, making it an easier experience than some sets this age.

WSC All-Stars: Eddie Smith 1942

Card #18 - Eddie Smith

Eddie once again made the All-Star team. He did not get an opportunity to get in the game though. Spud Chandler of the New York Yankees started the game. Al Benton of the Detroit Tigers took over pitching duties in the bottom of the fifth, since Chandler was pinch hit for by Bob Johnson of the Philadelphia Athletics in the top of the fifth.

Benton finished out the game for a four inning save, as the American League was victorious, three to one. Cleveland Indians' shortstop Lou Boudreau hit a lead off home run in the top of the first, but Tigers first baseman Rudy York's two-run blast in the same frame was the deciding factor, scoring Yankees right fielder Tommy Henrich. Both homers came off of St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Mort Cooper.

2014 Panini Immaculate Swatches

Sometimes cards just slip on by. I try to keep up with all the releases, but in certain instances, cards go completely off my radar. Some examples include; sets being out of my price range to collect, thinking a White Sox player is represented on another team, or the checklist is so massive with variations and subsets that it just gets glossed over. Occasionally companies don't even release checklists.

The secondary market is a great place to fill in those missing gaps of information. Chances are, if I haven't run across the information within a few weeks of the set release, it will be something I have to stumble across. Sets make themselves known when the timing is right.

Panini is one of the many companies without an MLB license, so they can't show logos. Basically, they are in limbo similar to Upper Deck. Upper Deck pushed those boundaries until they got in trouble. Panini does a fantastic job with filling that role. Most of their releases feel like fully licensed cards, even without all the licenses. I suppose it's all in how much artistry goes into appearance.

The swatches are technically an insert set within Immaculate. Immaculate has one hundred forty seven cards for its base cards, but the swatches only have ninety five cards, all serial numbered. The White Sox have five cards in the set.

56 - Bo Jackson (/99)
61 - Frank Thomas (/25)
77 - Charlie Leesman (/99)
81 - Marcus Semien (/99)
82 - Matt Davidson (/99)

I was actually surprised at how many White Sox rookies are in this set! Relics of any kind are a bit passe, but they are a wonderful way to get closer to the game and to the players, in a non-stalkery kinda way. It's a nice little set and most of the cards can be obtained for a semi-reasonable price. The lack of logos hurts, but not as much as you might think.

2017 Topps Fire

This 200 card set burst onto the scene in September 2017. Immediately this release reminds me of 1995 Fleer, but only slightly. It comes with the base card and nine parallels.

The set stands out a bit from the rest of the pack. It looks like nothing else out there, in terms of releases. I'm not so much reminded of fire with the design, but more of a vortex with a player in the middle. It's an interesting choice nonetheless. It works for this set though.

I like when a card set is a little bit out there and separates itself from the rest. When I opened my first pack, this was a breath of fresh air. While the design did get a bit repetitive, seeing that card after card, I still appreciated the effort. The work that went into the design helped soften the blow.

I remember saying to myself, "What is this?", when I opened that first pack. It was both an exclamation of wonderment and perplexed fascination. I haven't had those conflicted feelings in awhile.

The White Sox have seven cards in this set.

16 - Paul Konerko
44 - Frank Thomas
63 - Reynaldo Lopez
100 - Yoan Moncada
177 - Carson Fulmer
178 - Jose Abreu
184 - Lucas Giolito

This is a really good mix of past players, rookies and current players. While this release isn't going to set the world on fire, it does offer a different look with an artistic flair. Sometimes all you need is something to set yourself apart from the rest. This set delivers on that.

2008 Almost Broke My Spirit

2008 was quite a year. I had just gotten back into collecting full time the year before and I had a plan to collect smartly. I had spent 2007 fully immersing myself into catching up with what I had missed since 1994, which was the last time I had devoted myself to full time collecting. I had always dabbled in a pack or a team set here and there, but 2007 was when I flipped the switch.

I studied the patterns of releases and the different aspects of each. Not much had changed in the last few years. When it was announced that each card company was subject to a set cap that year (meaning there could only be a certain number of card releases in a calendar year), I figured that this would be the year that I fine tune and streamline my collecting, so I could maximize getting the cards I wanted. It was great in theory.

Topps Moments & Milestones threw me for a loop when it was introduced in 2007, but I adjusted and really came to appreciate the set for its uniqueness. I chose to collect one card from each of the serial numbered cards. It didn't matter what that first number was. Only the second. It was the easiest way to collect each card in the milestone run. I made it even easier by only collecting the White Sox cards.

So I knew that Moments and Milestones were going to be a challenge, but an obtainable one. I decided that since I enjoyed the 1959 Topps set so much and I had my collecting down to a science, I would collect the entire set of Topps Heritage. Another semi-difficult, but obtainable goal.

Upper Deck threw out a new insert set called Yankee Stadium Legacy. There would be cards for every game played in Yankee Stadium. I wasn't going to touch that set, but I figured that I really enjoy history and research, so I decided to collect only the cards featuring games against the White Sox. More difficult, but again, obtainable.

Let's count the ways that the card companies foiled my best collecting plans, shall we?

The Yankee Stadium Legacy proved to be way more difficult than originally thought. The insert set was spread out over several releases, including at least one that was out of my price range for a pack buy. I would have to rely on second hand sellers and traders more than I had planned. When these cards first came to the secondary market, some of the prices were outrageous, partly because of the players on the card, partly because there was a contest to complete. I still have a laundry list of cards to complete my White Sox set.

I had come very close to completing the Topps Heritage set. I had decided to go after the two gimmick cards because I was so close. Then Topps announced the first ever high series in a Heritage set! That was great! Then I found out that the cards would be distributed as inserts in the Topps Update set. I still have eighteen cards for the regular set and thirty-six cards in the update set before my Heritage is complete. This isn't including the insert sets or the White Sox cards that I have for the team sets.

Moments & Milestones would have been a challenge in a normal year, but with everything else that came out and the difficulty of obtaining the cards I wanted, the set became almost a burden to collect. I have many, many cards left to collect for Moments & Milestones, which is sad because there are only three players that I am collecting in the set.

Then to add insult to injury, Upper Deck came out with Documentary, which documented every game for the season. It was a great idea, which I actually wanted. The set had its shortcomings with how much thought was put into photo choices, but it was still pretty cool. But alas, it was another bulky set to pile onto my collecting list.

I can't even imagine what 2008 would have looked like if I collected every card in every set. The adversities in collecting goals all go away with that rush you get from getting closer to completion. It's an exhilarating feeling, that can only be topped by completing a set.

2008 nearly broke me, but it taught me many valuable lessons in how to collect. I still love the hunt for these cards. I still get the same thrills when I get another card to add to the binder. Still I will be happiest when I can finally leave 2008 behind.

Favorite Cards: Baltimore Orioles (AL)

1987 Topps #728 - Tippy Martinez

I'm not sure which I was aware of first in life - my dog named Tippy or Tippy Martinez. I picked out a black Cockapoo puppy in the early eighties and out of thin air, the name Tippy came to me. I know Tippy Martinez had a career that dated back into the 70s, but I honestly could not think of him before I had my dog Tippy.

There was something about Tippy Martinez that made me happy. To this day I struggle to know exactly what that was. He was never on any of the teams I followed. It was something more than just the name. It was the way he carried himself in photographs. Tippy was mysterious and otherworldly to a small kid from the south suburbs of Chicago.

There were dozens of Tippy Martinez cards (it seemed like I pulled him from packs more often than most other players back then), but the 1987 Topps card reminded me of something more. Something that caught my eye in the newspaper, in books, on television and probably more. He reminded me of Spike.

Sometimes personality shows through photographs and my imagination, as a kid, came up with Tippy Martinez being a likable, funny guy that lived in the desert by a cactus and so happened to pitch in the majors. Looking back on that, as an adult, it sounds preposterous. It's the same imagination that had me peeking out windows spying on a neighbor because he looked like he could be in the Crimson Guard. The same imagination that had me pick out G.I. Joe action figures and play Ghostbusters with them instead. Yup. Vivid to the core.

Tippy probably stood out more because of the unusual name and my dog's name. A vivid imagination can and will take you on strange journeys. Those journeys may be filled with dogs and baseball players, but they are still awesome trips.

In case you were wondering. This is Tippy.

You guessed it. Tippy was a fun loving dog who loved to dance.

Card Spotlight: 2-1-19

2017 Gypsy Queen Green #250 - Yoan Moncada (/99)

2019 will be a make or break year for Yoan Moncada. I have a feeling that it will be a breakthrough season for him. Why do I get that feeling? Accountability.

Yoan took a look at his numbers for the 2018 season and asked to go to Arizona to work on the biggest areas that were flawed in his game. That move screams maturity. You don't hope that things will get better. You make things happen. You recognize your weaknesses and focus on improving them. That is how anything gets a chance at redemption.

Moncada came to the White Sox highly regarded, but had limited success in the short amount of time that he enjoyed playing in the majors with Boston. He has improved slightly each season, but nothing to inspire confidence.

Yoan did lead in a few categories for the 2018 season, but nothing anyone would want to brag about. He led the majors in strikeouts (217) and errors at second base (21), which earned him third place across the majors for errors committed. Couple that with a low average (.235) and a not great looking on base percentage (.315), there are several areas for improvement and not much further he can go down in those areas.

While the rebuilding process continues, a revolution in Moncada's game would be extraordinary. Whether or not the ChiSox get Machado, Harper, Marwin Gonzalez or any other free agent, a significant upgrade in Moncada would help solidify the path that the Pale Hose are on. It will lead to improvement across the board; in the standings, in attendance, in player accomplishments.If Yoan can accomplish that, it will be good for the team, for the fans, and most importantly, for him.

2019 Topps Series One

There's something very satisfying about the Topps flagship release every year. The frigid temperatures seem to melt away, as thoughts of spring warm the mind. Spring training is mere weeks away and the doldrums of winter fear the thaw.

This year's design reminds me of Upper Deck and Fleer designs, but not in a bad way. The striping along two sides are reminiscent of the 1982 Topps design. Just a hint, without being too bold. Nice crisp pictures accentuate the front of the card. There is a fading feature that Topps has displayed in the last few years, but now it hearkens back to the ending of Avengers: Infinity War.

I like this year's design, but I'm sure I will be sick of it by the All-Star break. It's inevitable. It happens almost every year. I collect so much because I'm so excited when series one comes out, then I'm drowning in the design by the time series two is issued. I'm almost completely over it by the time the update series rolls around. It's nothing against the sets. It's 100% my fault for my glutenous attack.

The White Sox have nine cards in the set.

46 - Jose Abreu
49 - Michael Kopech
80 - Tim Anderson
111 - Reynaldo Lopez
137 - Carlos Rodon
188 - Matt Davidson
196 - Adam Engel
264 - Avisail Garcia
308 - Yolmer Sanchez

I'm a bit impressed with the lineup in series one. Kopech finally gets a rookie card. As of this writing, I only count two players that have past the White Sox. Avi is with the Rays and Matt Davidson is awaiting offers.

There are three short prints and one super short print in series one. Info on that can be found here. Another solid effort from Topps.

Verified 2019 Topps Short Print Variations

46 - Jose Abreu (SP)

46 - Frank Thomas (SSP)

49 - Michael Kopech (SP)

137 - Carlos Rodon (SP)

That's what has been found so far. There may be other variations that pop up in the next few days.

The Manrique Effect

As much as I throw Fred Manrique under the bus, or make fun of him (in a loving way, of course), I have a confession, I like Fred Manrique.

How could you not? Look at that smile. It's infectious. As bad as it sounds, Fred is the perfect example of what it was to be a late 1980s White Sox player. He was likable enough, but there was no way you would want to field a whole team of Manriques. He would have to be the luckiest player in the MLB if he was the reason the White Sox were a success.

The most notable comparison to another major league player would be an age comparison to Billy Martin, age 27. Billy Martin is most remembered for being a manager and being a television spokesperson, rather than his playing career. In fact, if Billy wasn't a Yankee, it might be doubtful if he makes his All-Star appearance or makes it to any World Series.

It's nothing against Billy or Fred, they just aren't players that you build teams around. The same goes for the late 80s White Sox teams. Carlton Fisk and Harold Baines are people you build around, but you don't stand much success if you build that with Fred Manrique, Dan Pasqua and Dave LaPoint. Again, there's nothing against those players. I love the Cory Snyders and the Shawn Abners. The Juan Agostos and the Tim Huletts.The Damaso Martes and the Willie Harrises.

Some teams have enough talent to utilize these players properly and they become the folk heroes. Some teams only have a few standout players and these Manrique type players are exposed. They are great teammates and great people, but were not built to shoulder the responsibility for carrying the team on a regular basis.

I've been saying for many years that my ideal card set would include everybody that played for every team in a given year. Multiple cards for players that played for multiple teams. Even the cup of coffee players would get cards. The closest I came to that reality would be early 90s Score and Donruss, 2000s Upper Deck and mid 2000s Topps Total. Even they missed players though. Most of those sets also featured players that never sniffed the majors.

I root for every player that even made a major league roster. My dreams of playing for the White Sox or the Expos (or any MLB team really) were crushed in 1991. I had a neighbor, who was slightly older, and a real jerk. Nearly every time I would practice in the backyard, I heard nothing but negativity from him and his friends. Eventually, I just stopped practicing in the backyard. In hindsight, it was a pretty silly reason to stop, but at that age, it was devastating.

Those childish insults didn't crush my passion for the game itself. I just devoted my high school existence to other pursuits, such as art, cartooning, writing, creating music and appreciating cinematic efforts of any variety.

Even if I didn't like the way Fred Manrique was penciled in for DH on a rare occasion, he achieved the dream. I will always respect that. Only the criminally insane would build a team around Fred Manrique, but I will take those career-high six triples that he smacked in 1988. I was probably at one of the three games where he hit a triple at old Comiskey Park that year. If I wasn't, I certainly watched all six on television. As always, watching the dream, if I couldn't live it.

2018 - Topps Living Set

I mostly think that, with a few exceptions (Heritage), the whole reusing past designs on current product phase has been played out. I enjoy the older designs. They are classics for a reason. The more I see them being mined, especially the same few designs, the more the concept seems tired and old hat.

What do I think is exciting? Finding more obscure sets to borrow designs from or if you have to use a tried and true classic design, have a great concept around it. That is one of the reasons why I don't mind the Topps Heritage sets. One year. One design. One clear purpose. I've softened of Topps Archives over the years, but it still drives me a bit batty.

Spawning as a hybrid of Topps Now and Topps Heritage is the Topps Living Set. It should be everything I dislike, but against all odds, it has made a favorable impression on me.

I shouldn't like the use of the 1953 design, but it seems like an inspired choice for a set like this. It's classic and recognizable, but not used to death. The style of the 1953 set almost seems tailor made for this venture.

I shouldn't like the limited/on demand nature of the release structure, but it works for this type of set. I appreciate that only three cards are released each week. I also like that the cards appear frequently on the secondary market shortly after the window of availability. If I missed a card that I want, it's not going to be a huge hassle acquiring it. The cards still retain their limited numbers because of the on demand nature of release. It's simplistically brilliant.

The last point may be broken down the road, but I hope Topps resists the temptation to do so. At my perusal, I have not discovered any player that repeats. That is refreshing! I am sick of seeing multiple cards of superstar players in the same set. I get why companies do that, but that simple act diminishes the joy of pulling a star player. The Alex Rodriguez Road To 500 set comes to mind. (2007 me: Hey, I pulled Alex Rodriguez! Hey, I pulled him out of that pack too. Wow. He's here too. So, let's see. 12 A-Rod cards, 10 Mickey Mantle cards, 5 Ryan Howard, 4 Nick Swisher and 3 David Wright cards out of 14 packs. Hey look! 14 cards from the actual set I'm trying to collect!) Sometimes I wonder if a card company will come out with packs of just insert cards. No actual set. Just inserts.

The White Sox have so far in this ongoing set...

2018:
26 - Yoan Moncada
78 - Avisail Garcia
113 - Daniel Palka

2019:
133 - Frank Thomas
159 - Jose Abreu
167 - Eloy Jimenez
213 - Tim Anderson
218 - Harold Baines
258 - Michael Kopech

2020:
273 - Lucas Giolito
297 - Luis Robert
308 - Dylan Cease
333 - Yasmani Grandal
345 - Dallas Keuchel

2021:
398 - Nick Madrigal
412 - Yermin Mercedes
416 - Carlos Rodon
425 - Lance Lynn
433 - Andrew Vaughn

2022:
494 - Liam Hendriks
577 - Gavin Sheets

2023:
652 - Elvis Andrus
674 - Oscar Colas

2024:
748 - Luis Aparicio

2025:
795 - Paul Konerko
835 - Mark Buehrle

This set is designed to infuriate me, but ends up impressing the hell out of me. As a White Sox collector, it's not too bad on the pocketbook. Although, that may change in the next season or two with all the changes and call-ups. I look forward to seeing this set move forward. Hopefully Topps resists all of it's usual tendencies and maintains the status quo.