Night Owl Cards

  Today is one of my favorite days. It's been one of my favorites since 1976, the first year I watched the All-Star Game. I have posted about the All-Star Game many times, often at this time of year. And I've mentioned many times that I will continue to watch the ASG no matter how much it wanders away from the game I knew as a kid and while growing into adulthood. I am determined to have fun because it's such a favorite of mine. That's why it bothers me when people say "it's not the same, I won't watch" or "I haven't watched it in 17 years" or "it's boring" or "I watch soccer instead." I want to shake them. That may seem severe, but think of one of your all-time favorite activities, something you've loved since you were a kid and continue to love. Now imagine someone dismissing that thing that you love. That's the All-Star Game to me.   I will do a lot of my favorite things on this day. I'll watch baseb...

With all of the Topps tributes to itself over the last 15 years, I have no idea which original Topps design has reappeared the most. But if this were the 1980s, my guess would be the 1975 design. During the early '80s, as a budding collector becoming more and more aware of what was available in the hobby, I would see various '75 Topps style mockups in advertisements when companies were illustrating that they had cards for sale. And there were also actual sets that mimicked what Topps did in 1975. Plus, I distinctly remember one of those tiny ads that used to appear in Baseball Digest, saying "Your FACE on a baseball card!" and showing some unknown boy on the 1975 Topps design. In short,  the '75 Topps design was instantly memorable and iconic the moment it hit packs. And folks recognized it by paying homage. That has continued to this day, helped along by Topps' undying love for itself. But I won't complain, because the 1975 Topps set is my all-ti...