Talking Turkey (Red)...Sorry to be Cliche!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I thought (maybe along with several other bloggers today), to post about none other than Topps Turkey Red cards.  Cliche, maybe, but nonetheless...

Let's talk Turkey Red.

Having gotten back into the hobby this year, I had no idea what Turkey Red cards were. All I knew is that I pulled these old school-artist-like-heavy cardboard insert cards of current and past players from Topps packs. In reading many collecting blogs, I've realized that some of you collect the entire set(s) of Turkey Red.  I don't think I like them enough to do that, but I do have my fair share of the cards (many of which I'm willing to trade, if you have need for them).

Two cards I wouldn't trade, however, are the following:

Stephen Strasburg and Buster Posey, 2010 Turkey Red.  I pulled both of these from packs, and a few things strike me about them. One, I like the nostalgic look of the cards in contrast with the rookies who are perhaps are destined to become legends.  Posey and Strasburg look so young, because they are, but thinking about the talent level of these guys, I can't help but hold them to could-be-legend someday standards.  I think the artist renderings and the framing around the cards help foster that legendary feeling.  On the Posey card it looks like he is towering over the city skyline in the background.  And Strasburg rises above the trees.  Pretty awesome.

Also nice about the cards are the interesting stories on the back.  Rarely are we provided with this much detail on a baseball card, and in paragraph form!  You tend to learn things about hall of famers and current players that you might not have already known.  Did you know that Nate McLouth of the Braves was the Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year in high school? Or that Chase Headley of the Padres was valedictorian of his high school?  The back of Turkey Red cards tell us this, along with some stats thrown in as well.

Just a few more Turkey Reds I own: Cruz, Jeter, Oswalt

And of course there are the hall of famers' Turkey Red cards.  My favorite here is the Yogi Berra, where he is showing his circus skills by balancing his mask on his head.

The Ty Cobb is classic looking, but Brooks Robinson looks like he is on an island somewhere. Are those palm trees in the background? I don't ever remember Baltimore looking so tropical.

Enjoy Thanksgiving!