Card of the Week: 2010 Topps Heritage Kevin Youkilis #316

The Topps Heritage line has been very popular with collectors. I can’t decide what the reason for it is. Is it that new collectors are tired of the flash in new designs, and really just like the older feel? Or is it people who collected these sets as kids who like collecting the new players in the designs they remember? Whichever it is, it’s working.

This card has a nice crossover effect to it. It’s a classic design, but has the nice “action” shot of Youkilis manning his third base position. Interestingly enough, he’s listed as a first baseman, but shown playing third. Maybe Topps should have at least listed both positions. The card design works too. It gives you everything you need nicely tucked out of the way. Player name, position, team name. None of it is floating over the image. None of it flashes at you in gold. It’s just there when you need it. The photo is nicely cropped, focusing right in on Youk. There are no distractions in the background.

I notice that someone at Topps had some trouble coloring within the lines. I assume that was a tribute to the older inferior presses from the original release. It’s nice of Topps to admit that they weren’t very good at it back then. With everyone digitally remastering their old movies, it’s nice to see a company leave well enough alone.

Nicely done, Topps.