| The Queen Is Alive |
Still, I'm stopping short of declaring I'll collect the set. I'm directing the greater portion of my budget to completing sets from my youth and to old-fashioned cards.
But I know I'll look to pick up the Reds and Tigers and Cubs and favored players and the veterans in the set. I have the Tigers in Cardboard Heaven's group break, so I should be set with them. Take a look at his break, by the way, plenty of good teams available.
Today, I snagged two of the hanging value packs from Walmart. Each includes three paper frames. I'll show them near the end of this post.
It's tough for me to know yet if I like 2012 more than 2011. It was all fresh and new last year so I'm partial to that on one hand. On the other hand, 2012 is fresh and new now and so I can't help but like it more at this particular moment. On the third hand (don't judge), oh, wait, there is no third hand.
Let's do some comparisons, shall we?
Yet, I like the ornamental design this year and I also prefer how the player's names are presented in the new set. It's just less intrusive on the photo.
The backs on the base cards are similar and a team logo is included on both. This is different than with the inserts - the backs of which I have some problems with.
Advantage: Even
Next, we have Moonshots, a not-so-veiled repeat of Home Run Heroes from 2011 (pictured left).
As for the backs, I kind of like the off-white this year. But, my problem referenced above is that there are no team logos with the inserts. I also don't like the lack of a number for filing purposes. Not a fan of the initials. Perhaps minor quibbles.
Advantage: Home Run Heroes
I like the color this year and it just feels like there's more picture - but perhaps that's an optical illusion. I guess I like both.
Advantage: Even
Advantage: Hallmark Heroes
Finally, perhaps my favorite insert set of all-time - the paper frames. Here's a quick look at similar frames from 2012 (top) and 2011 (below). Of my three frames pulled today, I got Koufax, DiMaggio and Maris.
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I also feel that the 2011 version is simply the better frame.
Advantage: 2011
So, it's clear I like and somewhat dislike parts of both releases. It'll be interesting, to me at least, to see if my perspective changes in a few more weeks.
Meanwhile, here are some other cards I snagged today.
Above are three of the six minis I opened. Three all-time favorites of mine! Also, the first card I saw today was the regular version of Warren Spahn.
Next, it was nice to see Catfish Hunter in the checklist. And one can never argue with Bob Feller.
Finally, I'll close with some trade bait. The below three cards appeared in two separate value packs in the exact same order, thus I have dupes of these legends.
I'll be interested to read more about how others feel about this year's Gypsy Queen. I think I'll go explore the blogs.
Enjoy cards!
