I don't think there would be any reason not to think this was from 2008 - it just gets confusing 10-15 years later when all the cards jumble together, where at least for rookies I have to pay attention sometimes to see if I have the real deal in hand.
The 200-card base set mirrors selected cards from the Topps flagship set as well as from the Update Series - I don't know if Topps needed another release that parallels their flagship set, but these boxes were probably designed to be a relatively inexpensive [$20] holiday themed trading card product.
I busted one of the boxes I bought and it seemed pretty straightforward - I pulled 94 different base set cards with five Metallic Snowflake parallels and one hit [each box comes with either a relic or an autograph].
Pack one
#HMW143 Adam Wainwright
#HMW166 Roberto Osuna
#HMW6 Starling Marte
#HMW189 Brandon Belt
#HMW105 Dellin Betances
All the perceived digs from presumably the old school way of baseball thinking wouldn't mean a thing if votto was hitting 40 home runs and driving in 130 runs a year - I don't see a problem with Votto's somewhat passive approach at the plate, but for the contract he is being paid as franchise player, he might not be a guy capable of carrying a team on his back when he is content to take a walk.
Maybe he can't do it in a practical sense and/or his body maybe breaking down - but a little aggressiveness and swing for the fences mentality probably wouldn't hurt Votto's production, even if his on-base percentage slips just a little.
#78 Jered Weaver
#BPP 16 Billy Hamilton
#TP-JM Jake Marisnick - Top Prospects insert
#40 Ubaldo Jimenez
Pack six
#50 Josh Beckett
#BPP 98 Jordan Swaggerty
#34 Ryan Braun
#26 James Shields
Pack seven
#64 David Ortiz
#AP-TC Tyler Collins - certified autograph; blue ink on card
San Francisco Giants vs. Atlanta Braves
The Giants should be poised to stick around in the playoffs - a starting trio of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez looks pretty impressive while the Giants' smorgasborg of castoff hitters may just give the lineup enough offense.
It has been no surprise, but catcher Buster Posey has been pretty impressive since taking over the No. 1 catching position for the Giants - he seems like a young guy who can explode with the bat, particularly in a short series.
The Braves made the playoffs despite pretty much some smoke and mirrors - Chipper Jones is hurt, Martin Prado is hurt, Nate McLouth had a terrible year and whipping boy Melky Cabrera is still penciled in as a guy who is going to play a lot, even though admittedly his bat falls short.
Braves rookie Jason Heyward has been a phenom and may give the Braves the sort of inspiring performance to boost them to the National League Championship Series - while Heyward seemed banged up for parts of the season, the 21-year old picked up 91 walks and had a .393 on-base percentage overall in 2010.
There is a story about 2010 being Bobby Cox's last hurrah in Atlanta - not to be a buzzkill, but it wouldn't bother me either way, if his Braves get dusted by the Giants in the Division Series, just to upset the 'feel good' narrative of beloved old-timey, fuddy-duddy skipper leading his team to one last shot of glory under his helm.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Cincinnati Reds
The Phillies go one-two-three in the NLDS with Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels - general manager Ruben Amaro has been derided for trading off Cliff Lee, but his Phillies are the best team in the National League, with the best pitching staff and a balanced lineup with Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Chase Utley, Placido Polanco, Shane Victorino, et al.
While the Reds don't seem as good on paper as the Phillies - they have Joey Votto, Scott Rolen, Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips among the cast of characters that make for a solid lineup.
Their bench strength should be great with Laynce Nix, Miguel Cairo, Chris Heisey, etc - look for one of these guys to contribute.
A key for the Reds is getting away from staying with a starting pitcher too long, finally making a move in haste to bring in a reliever and watching the reliever implode - the Reds have Aroldis Chapman, a 105 MPH throwing 'big gun' in the bullpen.
Dusty Baker and his coaching staff cannot stick with a starting pitcher who is going to be laboring into the late innings - basically they have to make deft moves and have to think outside the box, even if it means ruffling some feathers with some guys and their presumed roles i.e. Francisco Cordero.
It doesn't seem like the Reds will be able to stay with the Phillies - the Reds' chances of upsetting the Phillies in the NLDS however will depend less on talent, but whether or not Baker micromanages too much, particularly under duress.
Joey Votto c/o Cincinnati Reds [spring training] - signed one card in blue Sharpie and kept the other [2008 Topps Updates and Highlights three home run highlight card]. The well has been dry, so it was nice to see any autograph success received in the mail.
This request was mailed out on 2/17 and was received 3/20/09 - from this post, I'm still waiting on Joba Chamberlain, Austin Jackson, Shawn Johnson and Kenshin Kawakami.
I did send out another batch of spring training requests - hopefully I've crossed all the t's and dotted the i's.
Lars Anderson c/o Boston Red Sox
Adam Jones c/o Baltimore Orioles
Masahide Kobayashi c/o Cleveland Indians
Mat Latos c/o San Diego Padres
Fred Lewis c/o San Francisco Giants
Gary Matthews Jr. c/o Los Angeles Angels
Alexei Ramirez c/o Chicago White Sox
Matt Wieters c/o Baltimore Orioles
