When I completed the 1970 Topps set a couple months ago, I mentioned that I'd like to extend my run of Topps complete sets a little bit longer.
The run was complete from 1970-91. I wanted to stretch that out a little bit on either end. 1969 is a definite, provided I can raise some dough for the toughies. But I knew 1992 would be up next, just because it would be easy enough.
No real plans though, I'd get to it when the time was right. Little did I know, the right time would show up as I wandered through social media a couple weeks ago.
A collector on Twitter, from whom I've bought cards before, had decided to downsize his collection and he was holding a major sale that involved selling a whole bunch of his complete sets from the '70s, '80s and '90s, as well as a few from the '50s and random stars cards from the '50s and '60s. (He's dedicating his collecting life to pre-war cards and Tigers -- neither of those appeal to me, but best of luck to him).
One of the sets that he offered up that I could afford was the 1992 Topps set. There it was, right in front of me, super cheap. Well, I know a sign. So now it's mine.
There it is. You'll notice the dividing line in the middle. The cards I already owned from the set are on the left and the ones I needed are on the right. But the set is in such pristine shape that I'll be using the duplicates to swap out the cards I collected back in '92.
I've mentioned before that 1992 was a year of me trying as many sets as I could and the Topps set couldn't compete with stuff like Pinnacle for me back then. Topps looked really different in 1992 -- it went to white card stock for the very first time, and I didn't know how to react to that.
But out of all the sets that I shrugged my shoulders at over the years, '92 Topps is one of the ones that I have grown to appreciate. I've mentioned that it's a transition set -- between the gray cardboard stock of the decades prior and the UV-coated slickness of the years to come -- and therefore it's unique in Topps' history. I like unique sets.
The set is clean, with interesting photos and one of those designs in which the photo break through, which I love so much.
I know many of the cards in the set. Repeating myself again, but I used to own the complete micro set, so I've seen all the cards. But, honestly, none of those micros stuck in my head. So here are 10 notables that are relatively new to me:
#173 - Brian Downing and #531 - Larry Walker
These are the kind of action shots we bloggers flip out over when they show up in 1973 Topps, but it gets ho-hum treatment in sets like '92 Topps. But they're still cool.
#260 - Devon White
This! Stuff like this! Look where the helmet is! That's why I like '92 Topps. Also, it's colorful as hell.
#760 - Ozzie Smith
1992 Topps does a good job with the longtime legends in the set with the portrait poses. Robin Yount, George Brett, etc. This is another one.
#645 - Deion Sanders
Sanders has become one of those cardboard notables who moved on to a completely different line of work after his sports-playing days. Maybe not as significant a jump as some of the NFL guys who became actors, but I never would have penciled him in as a future college football coach.
#635 - Harold Baines
Canseco and McGwire weren't the only A's guys to bash elbows.
#406 - Jim Abbott
I really like the All-Stars in this set, even though there are no Dodgers.
#429 - Tony LaRussa
I like the treatment of the managers, too (the last year for awhile that there would be separate individual manager cards). They're photographed like they're managers! Also the manager card backs present different photo looks of the ballparks, compared with the player cards.
RIP, A's in Oakland Coliseum.
#492 - Mike Devereaux
Lots going on in this photo and I don't even mind that much of it is cut-off because the intent is to focus on Devereaux preparing for his at-bat.
#436 - Mookie Wilson
Mookie Wilson's final cards were in 1992 sets. I think the Topps one gets it the most right.
There were lots of other notables that are new to my collection that I've seen many times before, probably in various blog posts over a couple of decades.
Also, the Shawn Green card brings up the topic of one of the drawbacks of this set:
The period fashion Draft Pick cards. Woo, did I hate these things. Although I am not afraid to admit I probably did or could wear most of these shirts (but not you, Greg Anthony).
The action Draft Pick cards were much nicer to the subjects.
So there you are -- HEY, I'VE COMPLETED YET ANOTHER SET.
That also means I'm in need in yet another binder and a whole bunch of pages. I better get to work.
No plans for a 1993 completion try, I think that's as far as I want to go into the '90s. But you never know.
Comments
The oddly stretched out stadium photos were very weird, though.