A letter to Topps

Dear Topps,

I have attempted many times to write to you in the past, through my blog. Though I never have really gotten your attention, and have never actually heard back from you (wasn't there a Beverly Cleary book like this?), I figured I'd at least pretend to get your attention. Because, once again, I'm not happy with a decision you've made.

Ever since the Alex Gordon debacle in 2006 Topps, we, the proud collectors of the internet, have begged on our geeky, blogging knees for you to give us a no-frills, no-gimmicks flagship set. Also, ever since the 2011 set did exactly what the 2010 set did in terms of inserts, we've been asking for original insert ideas. In other words, we wanted every subsequent Topps design to be different than the last.

At the National, you introduced the 2012 set as a Game Changer. My question, as the hour of the set's release grows nearer and nearer, is simply this: What game did you intend to change? Because as far as my perfect vision can see, I see only subtle differences between the 2012 flagship and the 2011 flagship, and even the flagship before that.

The inserts still echo the tired Peak Performance, Legendary Lineage and Reprints types of repitition. There are still inserts commemerating the player's achievements, putting two players together, and just looking cool, and not distinguishing themselves from last year's. And the gimmicks we have so desperately asked you to get rid of? You've managed to take what would be a simple update set addition for two great players, and turn it into a short printed bonanza that won't give great players like Albert Pujols and Jose Reyes a proper base card in their new uniform. It's infuriating.

And believe me, I am not the only one who is pissed at you. I am simply the messenger. Bloggers such as BDJ610, and Chris Harris have spoken against the new gimmicks and inserts. The latter has even threatened a second Topps boycott. And that's what a lot of traditional collectors might do- just give up collecting the flagship set if it's gonna contain the usual shenanigans.

In closing, I will say this: If you really want 2012 Topps to be a game changer, you should have listened to the collectors, and taken the criticism to make a better set altogether. This changes no game. It simply slides another space nearer to Jail. And I don't think you'll be holding a Get out of Jail Free card this time.

Hoping there's something awesome planned for later in the year/2013,

Jordan
the Mint Condition kid.

P.S.- Notice how I didn't ask to bring back Topps Total. Maybe that's cause IT WAS IMPLIED!