2012 Topps Archives Relics

This year's Topps Archive Set was a hit for me an many collectors.  I haven't been too aggressive at finishing off the SPs or the insert sets, something I plan to remedy soon. Each box of Archives had 2 autos of retired players but the relics were a lot harder to come by.  They were scattered in the hobby boxes and retail boxes but certainly were as common as most relics seem to be.

I wrote earlier about a trade to pick up the relic card of Brian Wilson - the Beard - with Mark over at This Way to the Clubhouse.  Picking up that card in a trade inspired me to go after the Giants team set and I was excited to see a total of 4 Giants in the set. I really like the design, it is one of my favorites of the year.  I scoured eBay and Sportlots looking for good deals and was able to pick these up:

 First up is Giants star 23 year old lefty Madison Bumgarner.  With the presence of some of the other Giants pitchers, I think Madison gets somewhat overshadowed.  He already has 34 wins to go along with over 450 strikeouts and an ERA right around 3.  The Giants locked him up for the next few years in the pre-season and I am glad he will be a part of our team for years.

 Next is the Kung Fu Panda - Pablo Sandoval.  The Giants third baseman is a two time all star (although he was helped along by some generous Giants voters this year and by having his manager picking the team last year) and a very solid hitter when healthy.  The last two seasons he has broken bones in his hands which has set him back but when in the lineup, he definitely produces.

 My final pick up in this set is the Freak, Tim Lincecum.  Timmy is struggling this year but hasn't been too bad over his last few starts.  Can you imagine the Giants lead over the Dodgers if he could just have flipped his 7-14 record around?  I guess their current 4.5 game lead would be well over 10 games.  His struggles are a little puzzling as he has finished in the top 10 in Cy Young voting, including 2 wins, in each of his first 4 full seasons.  If he can keep up the better pitching the Giants will be looking good to make the playoffs and be a force once they get in.

Here are all 4 cards of the Team Set together.  I think they look mighty fine.  I really enjoy the old school baseball fields in the background.  I only wish Bumgarner and Lincecum had different scenes.  I also find it interesting that all 4 jersey swatches are different with 2 different colors and two different materials.  I am very pleased to have completed this team set.