2008 Topps Baseball Factory Set Series 1 & 2
One nice features about buying a complete shrink wrapped set is that the buyers know they will get the complete Topps set and in this case, for both Series 1 and 2. An additional feature is that the set is shrink wrapped with a box inside of a box, so the cards are really protected. This box comes shrink wrapped by Target with a Mickey Mantle G/U inserted. Once the shrink wrap is broken, there is another box inside shrink wrapped in Topps wrap.
Set Features
660 Cards Series 1 & 2!
Authentic Mickey Mantle Relic Card!
Five Exclusive Dick Perez Art Cards!
60 Rookie Cards (30 in each series)!
Manager Cards!
Classic Combo Cards!
Veterans
Series 1
Series 2
A nice thing about having both series together in the set is that a set collector can buy the whole 2008 Topps run at once and not have to go out and buy several boxes of both series 1 & 2to complete their sets. The picture cards are once again very clear for both versions. I do, though, miss the release of series one in late November. By delaying a little bit, players like Miguel Cabrera who was traded over the winter, can be featured in the uniform of their new teams. With the white borders, the photos on the cards seem to jump out as if the collector were actually at the game.
Authentic Mickey Mantle Relic Card
A nice feature provided in the Target complete sets is the addition of a Mickey Mantle game used card. The above card comes in a nice plastic holder to protect the card from being "dinged up" during shipping. This is a real bonus for the set collectors as these G/U pieces are very sharp.
Dick Perez Art Cards
This is an attractive 5 card insert pack shrink wrapped into its own package. The following are found in this pack: #1 Chase Utley, #2 Derek Jeter, #3 Ken Griffrey Jr., #4 Albert Pujols, and #5 Vladimir Guerrero. As you can see from the scan, Mr. Perez has once again done a great job painting pictures of these stars.
Rookies
Series 1
Series 2
I have yet to meet a collector who didn't like rookie cards at one time or another during his/her collecting years. Topps has once again done a nice job of inserting rookie cards into both series 1and 2. With this purchase, the collector will have every rookie card that Topps has produced in the 2008 set. Topps excels at balancing 30 rookie cards in each series. I have loved these cards since 1977 when I first found a Butch Wynegar card with the Topps Rookie Trophy on the card.
Managers Cards
Manager cards again prove to be a nice addition to the set. I enjoyed the manager cards from 1978 through the early 90's. Topps again has brought the manager cards back again this year.
Combo Cards
Combo cards are a nice feature that show some of the best players in the game. I think everyone who likes to collect individual players likes to collect these cards because it gives them a different looking card. For example, a player is sometimes with a teammate or another star in the game.
My Final thoughts on this product
This review was slightly different from previous ones in that a complete factory set was opened. All 660 cards were contained which was nice as a collector. The advanced collector does not have to bother with buying several boxes to make the set. A couple nice bonuses: the G/U Mickey Mantle card and the 5 card Art Gallery set by Dick Perez.
Here's how I would rate this product;
Value = 4
Innovation = 4
Fun and Experience = 4
Rebuy Value = 3
I would rate this product an A from Topps as it provides a complete run of Series 1 & 2 cards, along with a Game Relic Card of Mickey Mantle and a nice 5 pack of Dick Perez Art Cards.
I would like to thank Clay from Topps along with Trader Retreat for giving me the opportunity to review this product.
Topps has once again produced one of my favorite products loaded with rookies.
2008 Topps Baseball Factory Set Series 1 & 2
