Topps “Vintage” Mike Lowells

Not satisfied with the old-time designed covered by the Topps and Bowman brand names, Topps went really old-school to steal designs for other sets. The Allen & Ginter and 206 brands were around the turn of last century. Naturally, they had paintings, not pictures on them. As such, they can add even more variety to a collection. Both sets have turned out to be very popular with collectors. My main problem with the Allen & Ginter card is that Lowell takes up a very small part of the card. He gets lost in all the white canvas behind him. The 206 version is a nicer composition. The painting fills the card, and captures the feeling of the older set. Well done.

Happy Mike Lowell Day!

Topps Mike Lowells

As with Upper Deck, Topps has many brands of cards to keep the variety flowing. Again, I’m showing two more cards, and Mike isn’t at the plate in either of them. Since Lowell’s first season with Boston was in 2006, Topps had to be quick and creative for his 2006 Topps cards. Hence the Spring Training garb. Lots of times topps would just airbrush a new uniform on. But, I doubt they’d bother airbrushing a Spring Training jacket, so I’m guessing this is the real thing. Since Mike was well know to be a throw in, or even anchor, to the deal to get Josh Beckett, I like seeing this picture. You know he’s at practice determined to show he can actually play. The Ticket to stardom card in a nice enough card. Topps went a little gimmicky with the whole “ticket” theme. But, again, I like the effort.

Happy Mike Lowell Day!

Upper Deck Mike Lowells

Upper Deck went crazy for a while with their designs. They used their many different brands to really add some variety to their productions. Some of them worked. Some of them, not so much. But, I guess I can’t fault them for trying. Naturally, my favorite of the group I’ve showed here is the World Series MVP one. It shows Lowell holding his MVP trophy and dusting off a rare smile. I guess being a champion will do that to a guy. It’s interesting that none of the cards I’ve selected show Lowell at the plate. That’s a very common picture for a hitter, but UD went the other way with all of these. The Sweet Spot version has a great follow through on a throw. Again, it’s nicely cropped. You can see Lowell’s eyes following the flight of the ball to first got get the out. The UD base card has a great picture of him making another throw. This throw was made on the move, and catches Mike in midair. The ball is still in his hand, but he has his eyes on the prize as he gets ready to let it go. As I’m looking at the picture on his Red Sox World Championships card, I notice something. Do you see it? Yup. It’s from the same play as the picture on his Sweet Spots card. He’s nicely set, ready to make the throw. The play continues on the SweetSpot card. Interesting. The First Edition card is another nice shot. Mike is celebrating, probably a home run, with a coach as he runs by. No celebration in his eyes. Simply a job well done. The Spectrum card? Too much sizzle with not enough steak. But, at least they tried something new.

Happy Mike Lowell Day!

List of 36: Facts about Mike Lowell

1. Wears uniform number 25

2. Is a career .252 hitter in the postseason

3. Hit grand slam vs. Baltimore on 8/13/2006

4. Was elected to the all-star game in 2007

5. Was 2007 World Series MVP

6. Graduated in 1991 from Coral Gables High School (Florida)

7. Had 6 RBI vs. NY Yankees on 4/25/2009

8. Received 1991 Tony Conigliaro Award

9. Had 40 2-out RBI in 2009

10. Played in 3 games for Pawtucket in 2008

11. Scored 3 runs vs. Detroit on 8/11/2009

12. Collected 1,500^th career hit on 6/3/2009

13. Committed 9 errors in 2009

14. Was first Red Sox 3^rd baseman with back-to-back 20-homer seasons

15. Recorded 143 putouts in 2006

16. Finished 5^th in 2007 MVP voting

17. Had 5 hits vs. Tampa Bay on 7/5/2007

18. Had 16-game hit streak in 2007

19. Had 463 total chances in the field in 2006

20. Hit 200^th career homer on 9/9/2008

21. Batted .324 in 2007

22. Played in 119 games in 2009

23. Hit third of four consecutive Red Sox homers vs. NYY on 4/22/2007

24. Walked 38 times in 2008

25. Was a guest at a White House dinner in January 2008

26. Struck out 61 times in 2006

27. Struck out 61 times in 2008

28. Struck out 61 times in 2009

29. Was hit by 5 pitches in 2008

30. Stole 3 bases in 2007

31. Had 36 doubles in 2005

32. Had 3 doubles vs. Anaheim on 8/8/2007

33. Had 314 assists in 2006

34. Turned 39 double plays in 2006

35. Has never hit an inside-the-park home run

36. Was caught stealing twice in 2008

Happy “Thanks Mike Lowell Day”!

2008 Topps Mike Lowells

Topps chose an interesting picture for these cards. Mike appears to be either glaring at his bat, or at the pitcher. I’m going to assume that he wasn’t happy with a pitch that was just thrown. Either it was high and tight, or so nasty that it upset Mike. Either way, it’s a different shot. Or is it…?

Let’s take another look at the 2007 Topps card from the Red Sox highlights set. Look familiar? Yup. It’s the same picture. They at least took my advice and cropped it a little bit. It actually took me a minute to realize that it was the exact same picture. So, one picture on three cards. Lazy once again Topps. Thankfully the white regular card contrasts nicely with the red Opening Day version. So, at least they all look like their own card in a display.

Happy Mike Lowell Day!