Tigers Gallery Checklist: 2010 Topps Opening Day

I was that guy who was secretly disappointed when Topps Opening Day wasn't released last year. Yep, that one guy. I'm really not exactly sure what it is. At least in years past, they've modified the regular Topps set with some different color borders or different color foil or something like that. This year it is the exact same set except that the foil is gone and there is an "Opening Day" logo on the card. Yet here I am, liking it again for some reason. I think it's because I'm a sucker for logos. That, and the fact that I love Opening Day--the actual day--as much as I love any "officially recognized" holiday. So, 2010 marks the return of Topps Opening Day and Topps has made that one guy smile again.

Base Set There's not much to say about these cards that hasn't already been said about Topps Series 1, with one exception. They do a great job of using Series 1 cards and either previewing some of the Series 2 offerings or giving us new cards altogether (we'll have to wait and see which is which). Here, we get a nice photoshopped action-shot of new Tiger Max Scherzer, as well as franchise cornerstones Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander, who are conspicuously absent from Series 1. Opening Day also returns with it's now-customary "Mascot" card. It is technically an insert, but has the same design as the base set, so I'm lumping it in. Of course, I can't find a good picture of it, so right now you get bupkis. Sorry. (Update: Paws image found. This is easily the best card in the set, hands down.)

#16 Aubrey Huff	#18 Rick Porcello	#36 Brandon Inge
#95 Magglio Ordonez	#97 Max Scherzer	#124 Gerald Laird
#150 Miguel Cabrera	#165 Justin Verlander	#M9 Paws

Inserts The inserts in Opening Day are really interesting. There are three Tigers inserts (plus the Mascot card), all of Miguel Cabrera. One of these, is essentially a preview card for Topps Attax, which is fine given the kid-centric cross promotion opportunities. Another, is a "Toppstown" card with a completely different design from the Toppstown cards in the regular Topps set. What's more, it is a significantly better looking card--generic design be damned--that is really nice. Except for that huge white code box on the front. That couldn't go on the back, why?

The last insert is the only one worth talking about. Although it has the least catchy name this side of "Cards Your Mother Threw Out", the "Where'd You Go Bazooka Joe" may be the best insert set that I've seen in some time. It is original, it is fun and it harkens back to tons and tons of awesome cartoony baseball cards that I collected as a kid. It is fantastic.

In all, a generally fine but unremarkable series of inserts. The most important feature of which is that there aren't a bazillion of them to worry about. What a refreshing concept.

#TTS11 Miguel Cabrera	#WBJ3 Miguel Cabrera	#ODTA3 Miguel Cabrera