Two Packs of 2012 Topps Tribute

After seeing a post from The Daily Dimwit about 2012 Topps Tribute, I decided while at my LCS, to do the same and try my luck with what appeared to be a pretty cool product. I usually stay away from the high-end stuff, considering that I can get the cards I really want off of Ebay for about the same price as the cost of a pack, but sometimes it's just fun to play the baseball card lotto. Each pack contains 5 cards: 3 base, 1 serial-numbered parallel, and one serial numbered relic/auto inside of a sealed plastic case. I must say, I LOVED the fact that the hits came already encased. Let's face it, that's what everyone will do with each one they pull, so let's cut out the middle-man, right. I like the effort, I really do, and that goes a long way in making this a great product. Anyway, here's what I pulled.

Pack 1:

Base: Tony Gwynn, Al Kaline, Dustin Pedroia

Parallel: Mike Stanton 104/199

Relic: Mike Stanton Jersey 16/25

Definitely a Mike Stanton hot pack! I'm not sure what it is, but I keep pulling this guy's cards, from 2011 Topps Heritage here and 2012 Topps Heritage here. Still, the blue /199 parallels look fantastic, and any time you can get a colored jersey swatch on a card serial numbered to just 25, that's always a good thing. All things considered, I could have done much worse.

Pack 2:

Base: Andre Dawson, Sandy Koufax, Roy Halladay

Parallel: Ian Kennedy 113/299

Relic: Al Kaline Retired Remnants Bat 62/99

Three great base cards, followed by one mediocre parallel, followed by a relic of a hall-of-famer. I loved getting a Cub. Out of 10 card, the odds weren't necessarily in my favor, especially considering that four of those cards are of two players. That being said, I REALLY like the Kaline relic. Now, of course, it's no Koufax or Mays, but this is a really nice looking card, and not a disappointment by any means. I'm not really a Tigers fan, but I might just have to keep this one, that is, unless someone can give me an offer to pry it away.

I REALLY enjoyed opening these. They are merely five-card packs, but the effort that went into making this a quality product shows through, and knowing that so much care went into the big cards makes this above all else, a FUN product to open. The price, of course, makes the fun times limited, but I had a great experience with these overall. I wasn't disappointed in either hit, which to be honest, is a rarity.

If anyone is interested in any of these, let me know. The Dawson is the only card off limits. While I don't necessarily need a Cub in return, I do want it to be something really cool.