Another Man Cave Post

So I'm still looking around the web to get ideas for my Man Cave when it comes to fruition. It's not a matter of "if" but "WHEN". Of course with everything else, it costs money and that's something I need to consider with my card hobby. Anyway, here are some decent pics I found on Cleveland.com about some of the Men Caves in my area that while they're not Reds related, they do give me further ideas for my project when I get around to it. If any of you out there have a sports themed Man Cave, give me a shout out. I'd like to see some pics.

1964 Topps

Talk about WHITE! I like the 1964 Topps set, probably because it's simple with it's white border. Maybe it's also because it's the second year Pete Rose card where his head isn't floating about with three other guys on colorful circles. I like the photography, but then again, I like most of the photography from the vintage sets just because I think it's great to not only look at the player on the card but the background as well. With the 1960s cards from the Reds you can catch glimpses of Crosley Field, the advertising signs of businesses long gone that adorned the outfield walls...all captured forever in time by these simple photos. These little pieces of cardboard we call baseball cards.

2004 Topps

I don't know why I like this set, I just do. Maybe it's because the cards have a nice clean white border. Or perhaps it's that the photography is nice and the lettering doesn't overpower the card. Actually, I think the real reason is because of the little mirror image of the player at the bottom of the card. Seriously?! What were they thinking when the put that down there? Was someone in the art department playing hangman and noticed a blank area on the card and said "Hey, I've got a great idea!" If Topps would have just left that off the card I think it would have been a perfect design, but no such luck. Too bad, so sad :( Anyway, this is my most favorite Red's card in this set. I love how Griffey's making that leaping catch. Reminds me of the prime years of his life when it seemed like he was always on the highlight reel of Sportscenter every night. Those were the days.

1988 Topps

So with the 10 year anniversary of September 11th coming up, I wanted to share another anniversary that took place on September 11th, but in 1985. It was on that day that Pete Rose passed Ty Cobb to become the all time hit king at 4,192...but Pete would ultimately amass a total of 4,256 hits at the end of his career. 1988 saw the next to last of Rose's regular issued cards and though the design doesn't scream impressive, it is simple and not too overbearing. Reminds me of the 1967 Topps set with smaller letters on the front. What I do like about this set is the backs of the cards. They were produced in an orange color and had little baseballs in the background of the header where the player's name was listed. Very cool! This also had the rookie card of Chris Sabo, who would go to win the National League Rookie of the Year award. Can never go wrong with Spuds.

2008 Topps

Could Topps have made this set any worse than what they did? This is probably one of my least favorite sets that Topps put together. I guess the reason I have such a dislike for this product is the way the team name is represented on the top of the card. The big circles around the letters remind me of a carnival. Worse yet, they remind me of those stupid balloon dart games you play at the carnival where you spend a buck to win some dopey prize that only costs ten cents to make and will break before you even exit the gate to go home. Probably the only thing I like about this set is the Votto card, since it is his rookie card and he's my next favorite current Reds player (after Jay Bruce). But other than that, these cards make great fire starters for a campfire on cool autumn nights. Just wish I would be watching the Reds in the post season again this year, but no such luck. I will say that if any team deserves to win the National League Central this year....it's the Brewers. I'll be cheering for Milwaukee come October. Let's hope they can get past Philly.

1983 Topps

Can you say....1963!!! Again, another set made by Topps where it's nothing more than a rehash of a previous set. Don't get me wrong, I like both, but originality here this is not. Not only do both sets look the same, but both years end in 3! Maybe Topps was starting to toss around the idea of Heritage at this time with using old card designs for current players. The world may never know. What I do know is that I wish for originality and creativity, which Topps had a little during the 80s with the 1985 set, but not when you look at the 1980, 1983, and 1987 sets in particular. I do like the fact that in the 1983 set you'll see Seaver and Bench wearing the Reds uniform, but it's a little bittersweet especially since this was Johnny's last year in the big leagues. Time marches on, and waits for no one.

2012 Topps

OK, so there's a lot of talk out there concerning the 2012 Topps product that's slated for release next year. Honestly, I think it's a nice product. Looking at some of the photos posted on Beckett, I think the base set is nice and clean with the white borders and I like how the info is displayed on the bottom left of the card with the team logo and player name. I just with Topps would have included the player's position within that area. I like the Bruce card showing him tipping his helmet to the camera. Inserts though, I'm not a big fan of and again, the 2012 set seems to be loaded with them. From Golden Greats to Golden Moments to Gold Parallels, there's more Gold in this set than what Glenn Beck would know what to do with! Anyway, I'm anxious to get my hands on these cards next year for my Reds Team set. Who knows, maybe this will be Topps next Gold Standard.