U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! The 1988 Topps Traded Set

There are some combinations of years (1988), teams (Dodgers) and players (Kirk Gibson), that seem forever linked together. The Topps Traded Set gives the collector the opportunity to get everything they remember all in the same place.

Four Hall of Famers in the set, including Roberto Alomar's rookie card. One of the newest members, Lee Smith makes an appearance, still in the prime of his career. Frank Robinson is managing again, now about to turn around a dismal Orioles team and lead them through a thrilling pennant race. Goose Gossage returns to the Windy City, this time with the Cubs.

The backs are once again a day-glo version of the base set, if the "T" on the card number wasn't enough of a hint, surely the bright colors will tip you off that these are from the Traded Set.

Lots of rookies in this set, including a young Brady Anderson, pre-sideburns. Rookie Cup Winners Buhner, Gant, Grace, Sabo, and Weiss have their Rookie Cards here in the '88 Traded set.

U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! These guys were on the '88 Gold Medal winning Olympic Team. All four were first round picks in 1988 as well.

Some of my personal faves from the set. A hilarious expression on Chili Davis' face. The A's and the Reds were loading up for a 1990 confrontation in the World Series. The Athletics were really aggressive in acquiring new players in the late 80s - they weren't shy about trying some things out.

After a big year in 1987, just one Twin in the 1988 Traded Set. It cost the Twins Tom Brunansky to get this guy, and man he just wasn't the right fit. Chuck Knoblauch fortunately came along soon after this in the draft to take over at second base.

Here are some salty ornery old baseball lifers, for ya. 

Yikes! That's some bad airbrushing, buddy! I mean, Buddy!

Just One Pack of . . . 1976 Topps!

I found this on eBay and while I am skeptical, the price was too hard to ignore. I purchased two packs, and I don't know, I think this is legit, but maybe a trained eye can tell me if it wasn't / isn't. I recorded a cell phone video of opening the pack, but I can't get it to upload to blogger, which is why this is post #702 instead of #700 - the technical difficulties with it forced me to punt the post down a couple slots.

Update - video is now available, embedded at the bottom of this post

If I do get the video up (I might have to upload to YouTube then link it), you'll hear that I noticed Yogi Berra sitting in the center right away, but I missed Willie Mays on the bottom right. I'm guessing this team photo wasn't taken in 1975.

Supporting the theory that this is not a truly sealed unsearched pack -- Vic Correll was on the wax side, but has no discernable wax stains on the surface. Ron Schueler was next to the gum, and similarly, the back of the card touching the gum seems like it survived without any staining.

Here's the back of the Schueler card, which has a delightful cartoon about young Robin Yount being born after teammate Hank Aaron's MLB debut.

It was a Brewers' Hot Pack! In favor of this being a legit pack, the cards are all in excellent condition, the most wear was on the Scheuler card with a rough edge, and what little imperfections there were seemed to be on one same corner for all of the cards. It's possible it was searched and replaced with the same cards?

There was one Hall of Famer as well. I think this also is a point for a real pack. It's not his rookie card, but I suspect that this card would have been replaced if the pack had been tampered with. There were a total of 10 cards, typical for 1976 Topps. 1976 Topps packs came in 7-card dime packs and 10-card 15 cent packs.

There's the back of the Goose. 

I don't know! 

The Pros - The seal seemed tight on the pack, the cards were all in essentially the same condition, there was a Hall of Fame player in the pack.

The Cons - it was a lot cheaper than I thought it should be (based on what I've paid for '78 and '79 packs in the past), the top and bottom cards weren't damaged by wax or gum, the gum was broken (though it did make a full piece). 

Here's the video - 

What do you think? If you opened 1976 packs before, does it seem reasonable to get 4 Brewers in one pack? Possibly too good to be true.