Elly De La Cruz's last Topps Rookie Card

 Ok bear with me.

A couple of years ago I thought Topps was going to revert back to the 1952 Design for Topps Heritage instead of continuing through the 1970s. (i.e 2022 would have the 1952 design to match)

However what they did was add a new product line.

In the middle of 2022 Topps introduced 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary (1952 design) - These cards debuted in 2022 using the players who had rookie cards in 2021. (i.e. Jo Adell, Jazz Chisholm)

In the middle of 2023 Topps introduced 2022 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary (1953 design) -  These card debuted in 2023 using the players who had rookie cards in 2022 (i.e. Bobby Witt, Jose Rodriguez but no Michael Harris though he debuted in late May 2022 and became a 2023 rookie card).

If things hold - this will be the future

In the middle of 2024 Topps will introduce 2023 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary (1954 design) - These cards will debut in 2024 using the players who had rookie cards in 2023 (Gunner Henderson, Michael Harris) - (It is pretty obvious now that Elly De La Cruz will not get a 2023 rookie card) 

So wa lah.......

In the middle of 2025 Topps will introduce 2024 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary (1955 Design) . These cards will debut in 2025 using the players who had rookie cards in 2024 (Mr. Elly De La Cruz).

Yes, Topps has created a New Concept. For  years collectors always sought a players first rookie card. Now Topps has created a players last rookie that can be easily pinpointed and defined.

In the middle of 2025 - The most sought after card will be Elly De La Cruz's  2024 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary rookie card - A defining concept - His last rookie card

Why so silent Topps - on Elly De La Cruz rookie cards

 Still no word from Topps on whether Elly De La Cruz rookies cards will be this year (probably not) or next year. 

I think there strategy is to milk all they can out of those Topps Now call up cards etc....

Come on Fanatics grow the hobby, make it enjoyable to collect and not manipulative. 

The Benefits of 9/11 - No More Major U.S airline crashes

 Sometimes one event leads to unexpected consequences and for 9/11 it was the end of major U.S. airline crashes*.  With the crash of American Airlines flight 587 in November of 2001 in New York there has been only one airline crash with 50 or more fatalities in the last 22 years** 

Prior to 9/11 these were the major airline crashes

 

2000 - Alaskan Airlines in the Pacific Ocean - 88 Deaths

1999 - Egypt airlines just off of Nantucket - 217 Deaths

1997 -Korean Air Flight near Gaum - 229 Deaths 

1996 - July TWA Flight 800  just off the coast of New York - 230 Deaths

1996 -  May - Value Jet the Florida Everglades - 110 Deaths

1994 - October - American Eagle flight Indiana - 68 Deaths

1994 - September -USA Flight 427 Pittsburgh - 132 Deaths

1990 - Aviance Flight New York - 73 Deaths

1989 - UA Flight Iowa - 112 Deaths

1987 - Northwest Flight Detroit - 156 Death

1986 - AeroMexico Flight  California - 82 Deaths

1985 -  August  Delta Airlines Irving TX -135 Deaths

1985  - January Galaxy Airlines - Reno - 70 Deaths

1982 - July - Pan Am Flight Louisiana - 153 Deaths

1982 - January - Air Florida Potamic River DC - 78 Deaths

5/25/79 - America Airlines Chicago (the famous photo of the plane inverted) - 273 Deaths

1978 - PSA Flight - San Diego - 144 Deaths 

In the 22 years since 9/11 there have been 2 major airline crashes with 50 or more fatalities (Colgan Air Buffalo - 50 Deaths). In the 22 years prior to 9/11 there were 17 major airline crashes in the U.S. Unexpected Consequences. 

*Major airline crashes is defined by 50 or more fatalities from the crash.

**Not that 50 is an arbitrary number but there was a plane crash in Lexington KY in 2006 where 49 people lost their lives.

Will Elly De La Cruz get a rookie card in 2023 Topps update - Recent History says NO.

 Elly De La Cruz debut 6/6/23. Will he get a rookie card in Topps update (or Heritage). Recent history says no.

While back in 2008, 2009 players who debut in August of those years usually got rookies card in Topps update. Pablo Sandoval debut 8/14/08 and got an update card in Heritage that year.

Michael Harris debuted 5/28/22 but did not see his rookie card until 2023.

Topps has been pushing back rookie cards based on debut date each year. Its funny but that is the way it was in the 1970s. George Brett debut in 1974 but his rookie card did not appear until 1975.

Unless Topps has a change of Heart no De La Cruz rookies until next year.

 

THE NBA IS CHEATING FOR THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS AND THE NUMBERS PROVE IT

 The Lakers are one of the oldest teams in the NBA and a team that gets the most favorable calls. Is it Lebron Basis.  These are the numbers as of 2/16/23.

The Lakers have shot 1532 free throw attempts and their opponents have shot 1286 free throw attempts for a difference of 246. The largest in the league. A comparison to other teams.

Lakers +246

 Mavs +70

 Warriors -345

Bucks +104

Celtics +81

Nuggets -70

As a player gets older they tend to slow down and commit more fouls and draw less fouls. Not the Lakers. 

STOP CHEATING NBA

Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks - - this happened faster than a balloon being shot out of the sky.

     In one of the riskiest moves of all time, Mark Cuban finally pulled the BIG ONE and got Luka another star. 

    In todays' NBA you cannot win a championship without at least one superstar and one or two all-stars around him. 

    Giannis in 2021, won a championship with the least supporting cast since Olajuwon in 1994 (Of course Jordan's retirement helped him).

    It took Lebron James 9 years to win his first championship and he had to form a super team to do it.

        It was a risk to get him he is talented but weird.  

He quit on coach K at Duke, he quit on Lebron in Cleveland, he thinks the earth is flat, He quit on Boston and Brad Stevens, he did not want to play so he decided to be an anti-vaxxer, he did not want to play so he posts antisemitic videos, He quit on Steve Nash, Kevin Durant, Jacque Vaughn in Brooklyn.

He is a renaissance man who probably, though good a it, does not have his heart into basketball.  

However, if Dallas could get one more piece, Luka is so talented and if Kyrie could be normal just for a few months. The Mavs could win the NBA Championship. 

 

  

Who is The Greatest Band of the 21 Century - Maroon 5 or Nickleback

         I know I can't believe that I wrote that - but we are now some 22 years into the next century and so far the Beatles, Rolling Stone, Led Zepplin, The Who, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Earth Wind and Fire, The Who, U2 etc......are not walking (through that door or) up on to that stage.

As I sit here today, I can't think of 2 bands who have more hits this century than Maroon 5 and Nickleback. The scary thing is I don't think there are any other bands that are close (though possibly Destiny's Child except they had a lot of late 1990s music hits). 

Music of the 21st century seems to be dominated by the solo artist, I don't know if that is going to change soon. 

If I had to pick I would lean toward (yes, the hated) Nickleback as the greatest band of the 21st Century. 

Anybody else to nominate?