Completed set & master set – one last look at 2011 Gypsy Queen

This is a pretty big one to complete – I finished off the 2011 Gypsy Queen set last month, including the SP’s.  This product was the surprise of 2011 as far as how well it did, and I really liked the design and the way the pictures look.  Since I’d completed every insert set by the time I got the base set done, my “look back” will cover everything – base and inserts.

Info about my set:

How I put the set (non-SP / then SP) together:

• 183 (176/7) cards from my first hobby box
• 62 (59/3) cards from my second hobby box
• 11 (10/1) cards from retail packs
• 5 (4/1) cards from a group break
• 48 (44/4) cards from trades
• 8 (7/1) cards from Sportlots
• 26 SP cards from an eBay lot
• 1 SP card from a card show
• 6 SP cards from Check Out My Cards

Card that completed my set: #338 – Babe Ruth (1 of 2 cards I got from a Check Out My Cards purchase – the other was Nick Markakis)

Completed insert set – 2011 Gypsy Queens

Well, I’ve busted my Ginter box, but I’m doing Gint-A-Cuffs and the rules don’t come up until Sunday.  So for the time being, I’m going to cover a couple completed sets.  I wrapped up the “master set”, or at least what I’m considering the master set, for 2011 Gypsy Queen.  The full look at everything is tomorrow.  Today – is the last insert set I finished up.

The sixth and final insert set I completed from 2011 Gypsy Queen is the only “non-baseball” insert set.  It’s a play off the Gypsy Queen idea – called “Gypsy Queens”.  This can be a little confusing.  Like if you’re trying to search COMC for just Gypsy Queens the insert set – it’s hard to filter without getting every card from 2011 the 2011 product (not just the insert).

Info about the set:

Set description:  “A colorful caravan of 20 Gypsy Queens”.  Though it ended up only being 19 cards.  I have a theory on why Topps dropped it to 19.  It’s nothing earth-shattering, but involves Prince William, Kate Middleton and the gemstone parallels of these cards.  This set features a bunch of made up Gypsies with some interesting writing on the back, usually describing some crazy thing that particular Gypsy Queen does.  The borders feature some tan / orange-ish background.

I’ve read that these gypsies are based off of Topps employees.  There are also “tarot back”, autographed, and gemstone parallels of these cards.

Set composition: 19 cards, 1:24 (2011 Gypsy Queen)

Hall of Famers:  None – these aren’t even baseball players!

How I put the set together:

• 2 cards from the 2 hobby boxes I bought
• 1 card from a group break
• 1 card from a trade
• 4 cards from a card show
• 7 cards from Sportlots
• 4 cards from Check Out My Cards

Thoughts on the set:  I collected it because it wasn’t that difficult, but it certainly is kind of weird.  I like what they did this year (2012 – Gypsy Kings) better – at least they tied it to baseball.  It was mildly interesting to read the backs – Topps had a lot of times where they reference one of the other Gypsy Queens.  For instance, Hevalia (GQ18) is the sister of Sonia (GQ5).  I bet you didn’t know that!

Card that completed my set: #GQ8 – Dianamara

I got this card from a Sportlots purchase.

Highest book value:  All the same

Best card (my opinion): #GQ2 – Oriana

Because I’m a creep and she’s the hottest.  Plus, the back of her card says she’ll help heal you (as opposed to some of the others who may turn you into a bloodthirsty werewolf).

Completed insert set – 2011 Gypsy Queen Sticky Fingers

Before I get started on some of my more detailed review of 2012 Gypsy Quee, I’ll look back at an insert set I completed from last year’s product.  The fifth “standard” baseball insert set I’ve completed from 2011 Gypsy Queen is the last baseball insert set and the 2nd retail only set – Sticky Fingers.

Info about the set:

Set description:  15 current infielders with photos showing off their defense.  The standard “Gypsy Queen” lettering is at the top with “Sticky Fingers” written just below it.  The border is made to look like a honeycomb with “sticky” honey, and you will find a buzzing bee here or there – but no Winnie the Pooh!  The back references a specific play the player made, but the picture on the front doesn’t necessarily match.

Set composition: 15 cards, 1:4 odds (2011 Gypsy Queen retail only)

Hall of Famers:  None – these are all current players.

How I put the set together:

• 11 cards from trades
• 1 card from a Card Show
• 3 cards from Sportlots

Thoughts on the set:

I like whenever they have insert sets with legitimate themes better than just anything to get good players in the set.  The hobby inserts sort of have themes – but this one is much more specific, and I like the fact that it’s different.  Like Wall Climbers, the insects are kind of creepy!

Card that completed my set: #SF8 – Ivan Rodriguez

Pudge was one of 3 cards from a massive Sportlots purchase back in January.

Highest book value:  #SF1 – Derek Jeter

Best card (my opinion): #SF9 – Brandon Phillips

My Favorite Reds card:  #SF9 – Brandon Phillips

Just like the Wall Climbers cards, these have really good attention to detail.  The Phillips card shows this very well – from his uniform, to his gold Oakleys being upside down on the top of his head, to the World Series champion logo on the outfield wall in the background – this card shows all of that well.  And he’s a Red, so it beats out the Pudge card with him decked out in catcher’s gear making a play.  My scan below probably doesn’t even do it perfect justice since it’s a horizontal card (number 9), but I’m not pulling it out of the sheet just for that!

Completed insert set – 2011 Gypsy Queen Wall Climbers

The fourth “standard” baseball insert set I’ve completed from 2011 Gypsy Queen is a retail only set – Wall Climbers.

Info about the set:

Set description:  10 current outfielders with photos showing off their defense past the warning track.  The standard “Gypsy Queen” lettering is at the top with “Wall Climbers” written just below it.  The gray-ish border has cob webs throughout.

Set composition: 10 cards, 1:4 odds (2011 Gypsy Queen retail only)

Hall of Famers:  None – these are all current players.

How I put the set together:

• 1 card from a retail value pack
• 9 cards from trades

Thoughts on the set: 

I like whenever they have insert sets with legitimate themes better than just anything to get good players in the set.  The hobby inserts sort of have themes – but this one is much more specific, and I like the fact that it’s different.  The spider webs are kind of creepy, but so are gypsies!

Card that completed my set: #WC8 – Michael Brantley

I got this card in a trade with a reader of the blog.

Highest book value:  #WC6 – Ichiro

Best card (my opinion): #WC8 – Ichiro

These cards have really good detail.  The Torii Hunter you can see the rocks in Anaheim’s outfield in the background.  On the Nick Swisher, you can see a jumbo cup placed on the wall by a fan.  On the Ichiro – there’s a chain link fence and you can see a Seattle reliever looking on.  He’s right in the middle of his leap – it’s a cool card.

My Favorite Reds card:  They really should have put Jay Bruce in here.  He’s had a few great catches – and there’s one from late  in the 2010 season in the corner at Great American would definitely qualify.

Completed insert set – 2011 Gypsy Queen Great Ones

Merry Christmas to everyone!

The third and final “standard” baseball insert sets I’ve completed from 2011 Gypsy Queen is the Great Ones set.  I’m still working on the actual Gypsies insert set and have just a little to go on the base set, too.

Info about the set:

Set description: “Honoring 30 legends who have led the league in a statistical category”.  Another fairly broad description, but I still like what they’re doing by giving the set some parameters.  The cards have a maroon border with some fancy siding.  The Gypsy Queen script is at the top, with a banner with “Great Ones” just below that.

Set composition: 30 cards, 1:4 odds (2011 Gypsy Queen)

Hall of Famers: 26. Everyone but Thurman Munson is enshrined in Cooperstown.

Also, the last 3 cards feature players on their second card in the set, but with a different team from the earlier card – Babe Ruth (Yankees), Frank Robinson (Reds), Nolan Ryan (Rangers).

How I put the set together:

• 8 cards from 2 wax boxes
• 2 cards from retail looseys
• 2 cards from a retail value pack
• 11 cards from trades
• 5 cards from Sportlots
• 2 cards from COMC

Thoughts on the set:  I like what Topps did with their 3 regular insert sets.  This one is a full retired players set, Home Run Heroes was mixed, and Future Stars was all current players.  This is the middle one as far as my favorite.  I like that they gave it parameters – but I don’t like that they put 2 cards of players in the set.

Card that completed my set: #GO21 – Thurman Munson

One of 2 cards (the other being the Mick) that I got from Check Out My Cards in the beginning of December.

Highest book value: #GO15 – Mickey Mantle

Same answer as the Home Run Heroes sets.  When it comes to Beckett book value – the Mick is king.

Best card (my opinion): #GO10 – Jimmie Foxx

Double-X with an old school catcher’s mitt.  I’d have never known it, but Foxx did play over 100 games at catcher in his career.

This narrowly beats out the Mantle card.  The photo for the Mantle(well, for Gypsy Queen – the painting), is actually the same as an early 90’s card from Score of the Commerce Comet.  The shot is clearly set up – hard to tell in the GQ card, but for the Score card, it’s easy to tell it’s not during a game.  Either way, the flying dirt looks great.

My Favorite Reds card: #GO12 – Johnny Bench

This beats out the Frank Robinson for a couple of reasons.  It’s his first card, and like I said, I don’t like having multiple cards of the same player in a 30-card insert set.  Plus, the Bench photo is just cooler – and the Robinson photo is the same one as his Reds base set card.

Here’s the league-leading statistic each player is selected for:

• GO1 – Andre Dawson: 189 Hits in 1983
• GO2 – Babe Ruth: 1.75 ERA in 1916
• GO3 – Bob Gibson: 13 Shut Outs and 1.12 ERA in 1968
• GO4 – Brooks Robinson: 118 RBI in 1964
• GO5 – Christy Mathewson: 37 Wins in 1908
• GO6 – Frank Robinson: 122 RBI in 1966
• GO7 – George Sisler: 51 SB and .420 AVG in 1922
• GO8 – Jackie Robinson: .342 AVG in 1949
• GO9 – Jim Palmer: 22 Wins in 1976
• GO10 – Jimmie Foxx: .749 SLG in 1932
• GO11 – Johnny Mize: 39 Doubles in 1941
• GO12 – Johnny Bench: 129 RBI in 1974
• GO13 – Lou Gehrig: .363 AVG in 1934
• GO14 – Mel Ott: 135 RBI in 1934
• GO15 – Mickey Mantle: 130 RBI in 1956
• GO16 – Nolan Ryan: 1.69 ERA in 1981
• GO17 – Pee Wee Reese: 30 SB in 1950
• GO18 – Robin Yount: 11 Triples in 1988
• GO19 – Rogers Hornsby: 250 Hits and 42 HR in 1922
• GO20 – Rollie Fingers: 28 Saves in 1981
• GO21 – Thurman Munson: 151 Singles in 1975
• GO22 – Tom Seaver: 18 CG and 2.08 ERA in 1973
• GO23 – Tris Speaker: 193 Hits, 46 Doubles and 287 TB in 1914
• GO24 – Ty Cobb: 83 SB in 1911
• GO25 – Walter Johnson: 313 K in 1910 and 303 K in 1912
• GO26 – Honus Wagner: .423 OBP in 1904
• GO27 – Cy Young: 1.62 ERA in 1901
• GO28 – Babe Ruth: .732 SLG in 1930
• GO29 – Frank Robinson: 134 Runs in 1962
• GO30 – Nolan Ryan: 1.006 WHIP in 1991 (at age 44)

Completed insert set – 2011 Gypsy Queen Home Run Heroes

On to the 2nd “standard” insert sets from 2011 Gypsy Queen that I’ve completed – Home Run Heroes.  The name, at least, is copied off an Upper Deck insert set from the 1990’s that I always thought was a pretty sweet set.

Info about the set:

Set description: “25 veterans and retired stars who led the league in home runs or had game-changing home runs”.  That’s a pretty broad range of possibilities.  The front has a dark green border with the Gypsy Queen script at the top and Home Run Heroes in a ribbon just below that script.  They have some interesting takes on the backs describing why each guy is on there.

Set composition: 25 cards, 1:4 odds (2011 Gypsy Queen)

Hall of Famers:  11.  Babe Ruth, Andre Dawson, Frank Robinson, Jimmie Foxx, Johnny Mize, Johnny Bench, Lou Gehrig, Mel Ott, Mickey Mantle, Rogers Hornsby, Tris Speaker

How I put the set together: 

• 9 cards from 2 hobby boxes
• 7 cards from trades
• 5 cards from Sportlots
• 3 cards from a card show
• 1 card from COMC

Thoughts on the set:  As I mentioned in the last post, I like what Topps did with their 3 regular insert sets.  None of them blew me out of the water, but I like this one.  I think they could have done a few more former players – Ty Cobb (only winner of the quadruple crown) or Rickey Henderson (most leadoff homers) would have been interesting additions.  Oh, and a home run set with retired players – and no Hank Aaron (who was in the base set)?

Card that completed my set: #HH4 – Mark Teixeira

I got this from Check Out My Cards as part of a lot I bought to finish off a bunch of sets.

Highest book value: #HH23 – Mickey Mantle

Booking at 8 bucks, a little more than the Ruth and Pujols cards.

Best card (my opinion): #HH22 – Mel Ott

This card captures his trademark swing where the lefty picks up his front foot and lowers his bat parallel to the ground.  Just edges out the Lou Gehrig, which captures him on the follow through.

My Favorite Reds card: #HH20 – Johnny Bench

The only Red in this set.

I found the “reasoning” for each selection interesting.  Below is a quick description of the back for each player, and the # or career home runs.  One thing I learned doing this – they start with Ruth, then go backwards from 2010 in showing the league home run kings.

HH1 – Babe Ruth (714).  Great to lead off with Ruth.  This card takes a unique look and points out that he was actually ahead of his 60 home run pace in 1928, before finishing with a strong 54 home runs.

HH2 – Albert Pujols (445).  2010 and 2009 NL champ.  The card points out that the newest Angel has the highest chance of reaching 900 home runs – 2%.  Also notes that he, Johnny Mize and Mark McGwire are the only Cardinals with back to back HR titles.

HH3 – Jose Bautista (156).  2010 AL champ.  His home run differential in 2010 of 12 over the next highest major leaguer and 15 over the 2nd place AL player were the most since Mantle and Mays.

HH4 – Mark Teixeira (314).  2009 AL co-champ.  The first switch-hitter since Mantle to win the AL HR crown.

HH5 – Carlos Pena (258).  2009 AL  co-champ.  He became the first player to lead the league while missing the last 25 games.

HH6 – Ryan Howard (286).  2008 and 2006 NL champ.  Howard’s ability to hit a flurry of home runs led to his 2 titles, and he’s the only Phillie other than Lenny Dykstra to hit 2 homers in a World Series game.

HH7 – Miguel Cabrera (277).  2008 AL champ.

HH8 – Prince Fielder (230).  2007 NL champ with the Brewers.  Unfortunately the card has 2 errors on it.  First, the front misspells his name as “Feilder”.  And, the back says it was an AL crown.

HH9 – Alex Rodriguez (629).  2007 AL champ (and 2005, 2003, 2002, and 2001) also became the youngest 500-HR club member that year.

HH10 – David Ortiz (378).  2006 AL champ with 54 – a Red Sox team and DH single season record.

HH11 – Andruw Jones (420).  2005 NL champ with 51 – a Braves record.

HH12 – Adrian Beltre (310).  2004 NL champ – his 48 tied Mike Schmidt’s third baseman record, which was later broken by A-Rod.

HH13 – Manny Ramirez (555).  2004 AL champ, who also went deep and won the World Series MVP that year.

HH14 – Jim Thome (604).  2003 NL champ – his only title, even though he hit more for the Tribe in 2002 and 2001.

HH15 – Troy Glaus (320).  2000 AL champ – going back pretty far with Glaus, who actually didn’t play in 2011.  Who did they not include from the HR kings in the 2000’s?  Only the NL champs from 2000-2002, who are both retired and, ahem, known for some questions surrounding those crowns Sammy Sosa (2002 and 2000) and Barry Bonds (the all-time record in 2001).  McGwire and Griffey Jr. were the ’98 and ’99 champs in the NL and AL, respectively.

HH16 – Andre Dawson (438).  1987 NL champ with 49 in his MVP first season with Chicago.

HH17 – Frank Robinson (586).  1966 AL champ with 49 in his first year with Baltimore.  His triple crown that year was the only time he ever led the league in any of those categories.  He also was the first player to hit a ball out of Memorial Stadium.

HH18 – Jimmie Foss (534).  1932, 1933, 1935, and 1939 AL champ. His 58 homers in 1932 was the most between Ruth and Maris.

HH19 – Johnny Mize (359).  1939 and 1940 NL champ, 1947 and 1948 NL co-champ.  His blast in his last at bat of 1948 tied him with Ralph Kiner for the 2nd straight year.

HH20 – Johnny Bench (389).  1970 and 1972 NL champ.  He also hit a game-tying home run in the NLCS in 1972.

HH21 – Lou Gehrig (493).  1931 AL co-champ, 1934 and 1936 AL champ.  Gehrig’s triple crown in 1934 included an inside-the-park home run.  He also would have won the outright title in 1931, if he hadn’t passed Babe Ruth (who he ended up tying) on the bases after one shot over the fence.

HH22 – Mel Ott (511).  6x NL champ (1932, 1934, 1936-1938, 1942).

HH23 – Mickey Mantle (536).  1955, 1956, 1958, 1960 AL champ.  His 52 in 1956 netted him a triple crown and were 20 more than the next AL hitter.  He also almost hit a ball out of old Yankee Stadium that year.

HH24 – Rogers Hornsby (301).  1922 and 1925 NL champ.  Hornsby’s 42 home runs in 1922 made him the first NL player to hit over 40 – and over 30 – home runs in a season.  His two HR crowns were also triple crown seasons.

HH25 – Tris Speaker (117).  The 1912 AL co-champ with Frank Baker.  He was just the 10th AL player to hit double digits.

Completed insert set – 2011 Gypsy Queen Future Stars

There are a few of your standard insert sets from 2011 Gypsy Queen – 4 of which are in all packs of the product (retail and hobby).  The first one I completed was the Future Stars set.

Info about the set:

Set description: “20 Promising up and comers”.  This set features guys who were rookies in 2009 or later.  The front has a blue border while the back has a player write-up.

Set composition: 20 cards, 1:4 odds (2011 Gypsy Queen)

Hall of Famers: None. However, 2010 ROY’s Buster Posey and Neftali Feliz are included.

How I put the set together:

• 11 cards from 2 hobby boxes
• 7 cards from trades
• 2 cards from on-line purchases

Thoughts on the set:  I like what Topps did with their 3 regular insert sets.  This is probably my least favorite, but it’s still a good set.

Card that completed my set: #FS6 – Trevor Cahill

I actually got the last card back in September from a Sportlots purchase.

Highest book value: #FS13 – Stephen Strasburg

Obviously, a set like this can fluctuate – but at the time of writing this, the Strasburg had the highest book value.

Best card (my opinion): #FS11 – Buster Posey

Posey’s card features him in full catcher gear, looking ready to throw out a runner.

My Favorite Reds card: #FS18 – Aroldis Chapman

Chapman beats out Yonder Alonso.

Other tidbits:  The set makes all-star comparison on the back of each card.  Here’s the comparisons made:

1. Brian Matusz (Dave McNally)
2. Kyle Drabek (Bert Blyleven)
3. Yonder Alonso (Rafael Palmeiro)
4. Freddie Freeman (Chipper Jones)
5. Desmond Jennings (Kenny Lofton)
6. Trevor Cahill (Scott Erickson)
7. Ike Davis (Keith Hernandez)
8. Jason Heyward (Willie Mays)
9. Starlin Castro (Alfonso Soriano)
10. Phil Hughes (Waite Hoyt)
11. Buster Posey (Orlando Cepeda & Willie McCovey)
12. Neftali Feliz (Goose Gossage)
13. Stephen Strasburg (Nolan Ryan)
14. Matt Latos (Don Drysdale)
15. Jose Tabata (Roberto Clemente)
16. David Price (Lefty Grove)
17. Clay Buchholz (Bobo Holloman & Wilson Alvarez)
18. Aroldis Chapman (Walter Johnson)
19. Gordon Beckham (Yogi Berra & Jackie Robinson)
20. Mike Stanton (Dave Winfield)

Gypsy Queen autos in the mail

I got a couple of nondescript packages in the mail from a certain company in Pennsylvania last week while I was out of town.  The second package I’ll cover in a post tomorrow or the day after.  The first was these 2 Gypsy Queen autographs I was missing from the 2 hobby boxes I purchased.  I actually was missing 3, as I only got one total.  It wasn’t worth trying to go through trying to get the other – I’m happy they replaced with 2 cards.  Overall, GQ was a really good product, I hope they a) bring it back next year, b) fix the QC issues, and c) most importantly, do a reprint set of the originals.

Gypsies on eBay and my resulting wantlist

First off – as I’ve finished up my posting regarding Gypsy Queen, I put up a wantlist of all my Gypsy Queen cards (added 2011 Topps Heritage as well) in the “pages” links above.

Next, I also made some purchases on eBay for some of my Gypsy Queen and Heritage card wants.  Here’s some Reds minis I bought.  The two on the right are sepia minis, the Aroldis regular is a red back.  I hope Aroldis comes back from injury and his minor league stint even better than before.

I also got a lot of 5 red back minis and a Larkin Sepia.  I think I’m actually just 1 card shy of having all 6 Reds with a sepia mini.  I also bought a big lot of High numbers cards – so I actually have quite a few doubles of those if anyone is interested in trading.

Gypsy Queen Value Pack

I’m working on finishing up my Gypsy Queen want list; hopefully that will be up tomorrow or tonight.

I hadn’t seen a value pack of Gypsy Queen at Target until about 2 weeks ago, but went to the mall that weekend and scooped one up.  I wanted to see the green version of the Framed Paper, and was hoping to pull a Red.  I didn’t pull one, but I did get a few cards I needed – both the Hornsby cards below came in the same pack, and I hadn’t seen a Stan the Man yet.  It was also good to get one of the retail only inserts.