2012 Topps inserts are needless worthless and just plain boring

Except for the 1987 design mini's. However, the real question to ask is why do they do it. One reason is to get old timers on baseball cards. Topps, I think a few years ago bought the rights to use their images on baseball cards. So if you bought the rights to use Babe Ruth's image then why not put him on baseball cards. However, that still does not explain why Topps feels it has to six or seven inserts.

I think you can really trace the beginning of the insert set craze to Fleer in 1991 and 1992. They began putting inserts sets in their Football, Baseball and Basketball sets. These usally came 2-4 inserts per 36 pack box. Prior to this Donruss (Elite), Pro Set (Lombardi Trophy) and Upper Deck (Reggie Jackson autographs) had some super rare inserts (rare at the time). By 1995 Fleer started to put out 6-7 inserts sets and even had what they called were Hot Packs where all the cards in the packs were inserts.  

Why does Topps have so many inserts. The first and major reason: They think or know that it makes them more profitable. They had to have done some sort or marketing or profit loss analysis to determine how they could get optimal sales out of their product. Instead of having  more cards of relief pitchers and backup infielders they give us cards of Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron. That makes some sort of sense. With 25 men rosters over 30 teams, 750  major league players can be spread out over 3 - 330 card series. Most teams will get 20-25 different players in all 3 Topps series (1, 2 and update.) .

But do the insert cards have any value for the collector.  No and it makes putting together complete sets by collectors that much harder. The second reason why Topps has some many inserts sets. Exclusiveness. In the middle of the decade, Topps had very few insert sets. They started increasing the number around 2008 (as maybe Topps were beginning to eye an exclusive contract  with Major League Baseball).

The reason is inserts are so boring, is how could they not be, when you try to have six or seven every year, creativity goes out the window.

Gene Richards #499

Gene Richards #499

Gene wearing the dark brown Padre jersey, looks like he just fouled off a ball or is looking down at the third base coach. A great base stealer his totals were for the last 5 years were 56, 37, 24, 61 and 20 in 1981.

Tom Hume #229

THE BIG APPLE. On the outfield wall there appears to be a picture of a Big Red Apple or most likely a big red tomato. I think I can make out the first four letters as wach. Outside of that and the Big glasses that Hume is wearing, nothing much else is going on with this card. Middle name is Hubert.

Gary Lavelle #60

There is some sort of white crap stuff that is smeared on the top of his hat. It does not look to be a printing flaw. I always remembered Gary as being a very good reliever but it appears by 1981 those days were gone. He struck out Reggie Jackson and Carl Yastrzemski in the 1977 All-Star game

Stan Papi #333

Before there was Big Popi there was Stan Papi. This is a very non descript looking card. Stan looks kind of young here (he was 30) with a full set of nice white teeth. Back Facts: Career almost ended in '75 when he missed entire season because doctors were unable to diagnose he was suffering from hypoglycemia.

Jim Anderson #181

A very dark photo of another Seattle Mariner, there appears to be lots of shadow on this card even though the sun appears to be out. Jim came up with the Angels in 1978 at age 21. Interesting that he was the Angels regular shortstop in the 1979 AL playoffs at age 22, then that December he was sold to the Mariners.

Sparky Lyle #189

Sparky was famous for pulling down his pants and leaving a dump on unsuspecting birthday cakes that were left in the Yankee Clubhouse.

Here he is in full motion ready to pitch on this nice tight action shot. You can see his famous mustache which is slightly covered by the shadows on the card. Though it seems odd to see him in a Phillie uniform.