2012 Topps From the Retail Box and a Word on Linsanity

I don't follow NBA basketball, but this Jeremy Lin kid has got me at least somewhat paying attention.  The funny thing is, I don't really know why.  Something in me is rooting for this kid to win--and hit the game winning shot every game.  I don't like the Knicks.  Hell, I don't much care for NBA basketball, but the past week I have found myself watching the Knicks play by play on their website, since I cannot get the game where I live.  I am actually happy that there will be a nationally televised Knicks game this weekend.  I'm looking forward to it.  

Wait, what did I just say? 

I-am-actually-happy-that-there-will-be-a-nationally-televised-Knicks-game-this-weekend.

See folks, this is what the Jeremy Lin thing has done for the NBA.  He has taken people like me--who could really care less about it--and has made me interested.  I think at this point I just kind of want to see what the kid is going to do next.  It is quite a story, I just don't know how much longer it can go on.  Seven games in a row are a lot of games to win straight through in the NBA.  Carmelo Anthony, perennial ball hog, will also be returning.  No one knows how his style of play will mesh with Lin's.  You have to think at some point the basketball gods will stop shining on Lin--but I doubt anyone will complain if that doesn't happen any time soon.

One more thing on Lin.  I think I have said on the blog before that I am a fan of The Onion--a news satire site.  I came across this article today that made me crack up.  You can read it here.

Oh yeah, baseball cards.  These are the inserts I pulled from the retail box I opened last week.  Again, I am collecting this set, and chasing the inserts too.

I like the Pujols photo on this card.  I think it makes him look like the Hall of Famer he will be one day.

I read on someone's blog--I cannot remember whose (sorry), that these gold parallels sort of have the color of urine.  I think I concur.  I like the diamond cards so much better.  Something about the yellow tint to these hurts my eyes. 

Big Papi and Scott Podsednik Classic Walk-Offs inserts.  A temporary deviation from the golden theme.

Three Golden Moments, including a nice Ichiro.

Thome and Seaver set the Gold Standard.

Oh, there was a "hit" in the form of a guaranteed patch card in the Target retail box.  Check it out below...

Joe Morgan manufactured patch card.  Not bad.

Here are just a few of the 1987 minis.

The Golden Futures set will look really great in a binder.  I like the design, even though it does look almost exactly like UD Masterpieces.

Card organizing is in my future this weekend.  There is nothing I would rather do than go through baseball cards for hours and hours.  I'm sure some of you can relate because I know you love card collecting as much as I do!