Topps Craptastic

Or, as it is known in the mainstream, Topps Tribute.

Ironically enough, this is not even a tribute. The original Topps Tribute was full of retired players and Hall of Famers, whereas the newest edition of Tribute has boatloads of current players, many of whom wouldn't even be considered stars, much less players you would want to be included in a high end set such as this.

Players such as Derrek Lee, Akinori Iwamura, Matt LaPorta, Lance Berkman, Joey Votto, Clayton Kershaw, Tommy Hanson, Aramis Ramirez and Melky Cabrera have no place in a high end product...at least not now. These high end sets need to have top of the line current stars, retired players and Hall of Famers.

Not to mention, Tribute looks like Topps Sterling, right down to the base parallels (the black and gold parallels look almost exactly the same) to the sticker autographs (an ugly silver sticker that really destroys the card, in my opinion).

Not to mention the overall look of some of the cards:

That is a piece of GU bat on the right and on the left, that looks to be of a seat in the stadium. But, because of the lack of description on the back, you have auctions like this on the 'Bay: 09 Topps Tribute Dual Bat Babe Ruth. And that is for the card above.

Do you think Babe ruth was using a multi color bat in the '20's? Neither do I.

Would you want to spend $200 plus on a box (of 6 packs) and pull on autographs and game used of Melky Cabrera, Aramis Ramirez, Joey Votto, Carlos Beltran, Matt LaPorta and Sal Bando?

I know I wouldn't.