2012 Flagship: A Change of Heart

Well, by pure happenstance, I found myself tonight with a hangar box of the much talked about 2012 flagship. A friend thanked me for a favor. It was a very, very nice gesture. Yes, recently I wrote all about my plans to not buy any 2012 flagship but after poring over the latest release I can tell you that...

...I'm still not buying it. (Yeah, not really a change of heart. I'm such a tease.)

It just doesn't speak to me much. It seems like a middling art student came up with the design. It's just not impressive, particularly when compared to 2011 flagship's design, which I consider somewhat sleek and sophisticated.

One particular sore point for me this year is the absence of each player's position on the front of the card. That's always irked me.

I'm also meh on the mini '87s. I didn't collect this set so there's no emotional tie for me.

Finally, no legend short prints - a gimmick in recent flagship releases but one I definitely got behind. The legends are being replaced as short prints by photos of dugout tomfoolery, mascots and what not.

So, I won't be collecting the set - other than the upcoming breaks I couldn't stop myself from joining. But to each his own and I credit those of you who are going all-in. New releases are a blast. It just so happens I can't get behind this one.

I don't want to be entirely negative so allow me to state some positives. The photography seems pretty strong. I just might dig the Gold Standard inserts. And maybe the Gold Futures. But then again I might be thinking about it only because of the cards I pulled.

Yep, two Cubs (the third team I softly collect behind my beloved Reds and Tigers) and not just two Cubs but two Cubs I specifically collect.

What follows are the remaining cards I pulled. All of these scans, accept for the last couple as noted, show cards that are available for trade. I'm seeking all forms of Reds and Tigers and some Cubs and any players I collect - as noted on the front of my blog.

A Nyjer Morgan hot box! If you want the gold, I'd love one back or an insert of a player or team I collect, perhaps.

I'm sort of a bigger fan of the next batch due to players featured or uniqueness. Same for same would be ideal.

 I'm a huge fan of the next batch of cards. I don't really want to deal these but, well never say never.

And, finally, the only base cards I pulled of the three teams I collect.

If you want to strike a deal, let me know.