When a pack of baseball cards… isn’t

I’m torn how I feel about 2008 Topps Allen & Ginter.

I love this set.  It’s clear that real, actual thought is put in to each card.  No recycled photos here!  So that’s a definite plus.  What I’m not certain I like are the cards of players who aren’t… players.

The Allen & Ginter set originated in the 1880’s, featuring picture cards of the world’s champions.  So I understand the occasional non-baseball cards inserted in packs.  Really, I do.  But some cards take it to an extreme, one that I’m not sure I enjoy paying for.  That being said, the following is a pack break from my 5-29-09 trip to the card shop of 2008 Topps Allen & Ginter.

Randomly inserted:

• Short printed base (1:2)… every other pack, so not THAT short printed.
• Ginter Code/World’s Greatest Victories (1:24)
• Short Print Parallel (1:13)
• Orange Cards (1:144)
• A & G Back Back Short Print Parallel (1:65)
• Black Bordered Parallel (1:10)
• Black Bordered Short Print Parallel (1:130)
• No Card #s Parallel (1:151) … so is this kinda like an intentional error card?  Parallels are getting out of control.
• Bazooka Back Parallel (1:301)
• Mini World Leaders (1:12)
• Mini Ancient Icons (1:48)
• Baseball Icons (1:48)
• Framed Autograph Group A (1:499)  Group B (1:446)  Group C (1:240)  Framed Autograph Relic (1:26,431) Cut Signatures (1:138,500) Framed Relic Group A (1:1,000) Group B (1:265) Group C (1:36) Framed DNA relic Group A (1:203,317) Group B (1:264,312)
• Framed Originals (1:26,500)

Hmmm… long odds for an autograph, this must’ve been a retail pack??

#54, Johnny Damon.  Such a stoic pose.

#132, Gary Matthews

#54 Takashi Saito

So far so good, right?  Three cards, three ball players; nothing out of the ordinary.  This is where the pack of baseball cards turns into a pack of cards of things other than baseball players.

Mini World Leaders #17, Pope Benedict XVI.  Kinda cool, a card of the leader of the Catholic church.  I’m not saying any religion – or religion in general – is right or wrong, but there’s no denying that Pope Benedict XVI is an extremely influential figure.

#219, Charles Dickens.  Hmm… not exactly a world leader, eh?  But as a writer I can’t help but respect Dickens.  Bet he never thought he’d someday be featured in a blog! I’ll allow this card.

#144, Grand Canyon.

Now THIS is absurd.  The Grand Canyon??  I’ve seen it in person, and it’s definitely grand, but to be featured on a trading card is silly.  At least the Pope and Charles Dickens were actual people.  The Grand Canyon is only a place.  I’ve heard of hockey cards in baseball packs and poker players in boxes of Sport Kings, but those make a little bit of sense because they’re all somewhat related.  It doesn’t make sense to feature a travel destination, no matter how grand it may be.  Please, if you think cards like these should be included, feel free to explain why.