Eric Young Jr., Master of Levitation: More 2011 Topps Photography

Here's another shot I love from the 2011 Topps rackpacks I grabbed the other day.

Judging from this photo the game comes too easily to Eric Young, Jr. (despite the career OPS+ of 54, but bear with me).  We've all seen the "turning the double play" shot, but this one is far from mundane. The Phat Panda has taken time out from his ruinous campaign with my Chingones team in Goose Joak's Fantasy League, apparently, to roll into second base and "try" to break up the double play. I say "try" because with effort like that there's no chance he "will."  

Young Jr., with the visiting Rockies, easily avoids the Panda. What kills me is he's not even paying attention to the Panda. He's suspended in the air, arms straight down, leaning over as if to look in and see if the runner at first is out. Usually the 2B or SS is upended, sprawled out, more dramatic about things, but not Young. He's  down on the field, about 5 feet in the air, watching the game with the rest of us.

And THEN we've got the iconic Yahoo! signage on the OF wall at corporate-owned AT&T Park, almost nostalgic and yet undeniably modern. And THEN the blurry fans in dead centerfield---have we ever seen the CF fans in a double play card before?

In short, a brilliant card. Again, Topps, well done!

Have a good one everybody and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!

Yet Another 2011 Topps Post: In Praise of the Photography

Compa is laid up with a neck cramp which means I was flying solo to the Target for groceries. Of course I swung by the card aisle and you can guess what happened next.

But before I go there, why do folks buy blasters versus jumbo packs? The blasters get you 80 cards, a manupatch, and a diamond giveaway card for $20. For the same cash I got 4 jumbo packs which netted me 144 cards and three diamond giveaway cards. No CC (curses^%#^%$#) but I did get some cards that'll be popping up shortly.

In the meantime: anyone else notice Topps REALLY stepped up its game this year, photowise?

Exhibit A:

Oh man, this card is nice. It's not just the great "OF stealing a HR" shot, either. We've got the empty seats, the sweatshirts hanging over the rail, the OF suspended in the air about to crash into the team logo. And Saunders is a young OF cutting his teeth on a team trying to find its way.  Is there any better summary of Mariner baseball at this moment, from the franchise in transition to the hope of its minor league prospects, than this card? It's gotta be one of the best cards I've seen in a while, and I pulled several cards in ONE AFTERNOON I like as much as this one. Well done, Topps! 

I like the photography so much I might even consider collecting this set. ("Might" being the key word, of course.)

Have a good one everybody and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!