1971 Topps

Talk about a tough set to put together in mint condition! Kudos to anyone who can accomplish that feat. I love the 1971 Topps cards for their black border, facsimile signatures, green back and player portrait on the back with the stats. Unfortunately, as I previously mentioned, it's hard to find cards from this set that are in decent shape. Most of the time I'll find cards that are centered nicely but have some seriously rounded corners. Or if the corners are sharp then the card will have some serious wax stains. While my '71 Reds set isn't perfect, it's good enough for me to be happy with and it was one of my most favorite Reds team sets to put together.

Hall of Famers and SPs

I don't mind collecting short print cards when it comes to building a team set. What I do have a problem with is when the short print is a hall of famer from decades past. Topps seems to have a tendency to put stars that haven't played the game in years......WHY?! If you're going to have short print cards in a set, make it of a current player on the team.....a rookie perhaps. Don't use a player that hasn't stepped onto the field more than two decades ago (2011 Tom Seaver SP) or three quarters of a century (2009 Update Christy Mathewson) for that matter. If you want to use them in specialty products like Allen and Ginter or Gypsy Queen fine, not in your standard product.

1985 Topps

This is by far my most favorite Topps cards of the 1980s. I don't know if it's the large rectangular logo that's slanted on the bottom of the card or the green backs where the player stats are displayed. No matter....to me they're just plain cool. I remember back in the early 90s when the Davis rookie card was averaging around $10 bucks a pop in the monthly Beckett price guides. Of course, growing up in Cincinnati, it was almost impossible trying to grab a Davis rookie card for less than $15 from my favorite card shop on Beechmont Avenue on the east side of town. Those were the days :)

1959 Topps

Not really one of my favorite sets of the 50s, but who am I to criticize? I just feel like there was a lot of wasted space on the card with the large circle containing the photo of the player. Kinda reminds me of the intro to the James Bond movies really. The only thing I like about this card is Mr. Redleg marching across the bottom. But hey......it is what it is. At least Topps redeemed themselves the following year with the 1960 set.

2011 Topps

The 2011 Topps cards are one of the best base releases that Topps has come out with in years. The crisp design with curved name and small team logo don't overpower the card in any way. While I have a strict collecting policy that I'll only purchase the standard Topps set that includes only the base set (including short prints, all-star, and league leader cards) and update/traded set....the diamond parallels are very desirable and I may have to bend the rules just this once. Although I still need to acquire the second series and short prints, I'll be sure to wrap up this set shortly.

1986 Topps....What Started It All

I remember the first time my mom brought home a pack of 1986 Topps Baseball Cards. The wax wrapper and stale gum only added to the experience. Although I was a baseball fan and watched an game every now and then when the Reds were on TV, I really wasn't hooked on buying baseball cards. As soon as I opened that pack; however, I was hooked! The black border on the card and red back just complemented each other. And how could you go wrong with not one, but NINE different Pete Rose cards. Although not my favorite 80s set produced by Topps, this is the one that started it all!