I didn't appreciate Topps Total like I should have in the early to mid 2000's. It shows up plenty of times in my collection, but at the time of release it was more of an afterthought. Maybe it just seemed weird that a set would honor the likes of Bobby Hill. It was hard enough to find a set that was giving more notable Pirates like Jack Wilson Love.
As I got older and my collecting habits have changed and I crave releases like Topps Total. Every set features guys like Cutch and Gerrit Cole, but I get more pumped when players like Sean Rodriguez and Tony Watson get a card. I think this is why I like Topps Update so much as you get a nice mix of short stay players. I feel like the collective heads of the blogging world would explode if this set was brought back.
Let's take a look at the simple, but yet great set. Here is the 2004 team set.
I think the Salomon Torres card is my favorite. He looks to be signing the rare red Pirates alternate hat from that era. Also of note is the Ryan Vogelsong card. I just showed off his latest Pirates card.
Vogelsong is pulled the poor mans Aramis Ramirez this year by coming back to the Pirates. Although I don't think he is quite ready to call it quits next year so he'll likely move on to another team.
If Topps were to bring back Total I would worry how they would construct it. It wouldn't be much of a shock if they added sp's or tons of parallels. I'm fine with a little tweaking, but sp's would be a big turn off. How about just one parallel like Opening Day? That wouldn't be so bad. Maybe the auto collectors could get a nice checklist of more obscure veterans. That would be a nice change of pace from rookie overload.
Either way I would be happy if this set made a return. Get to work Topps.
Thanks for reading!
