Top 5 Cards; Carlton Fisk

Ever since I started writing top 5 cards posts, I've tried to include as many different Boston Red Sox players as possible. After all, I collect more Red Sox players than guys from any other MLB team, and I'm constantly purchasing new cards to boost those PC totals.

Since I started blogging back in August of 2017, I've attempted a balance between current and retired players for my top 5 cards posts, especially as far as the Boston Red Sox are concerned. I've made lists for Boston legends like Wade Boggs and Jim Rice along with rising stars like Andrew Benintendi and Rafael Devers.

The 2 notable exceptions are David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, my 2 largest Boston Red Sox player collections. Now that both players have reached silver tier status with over 200 cards in each respective PC, it's as good a time as any to put together a post for these 2 sluggers. 

Perhaps those will come in the near future, whenever I'm ready to write my 2 subsequent top 5 cards posts. With hundreds of options to choose from for each player, those posts will be interesting to compose and create.

In the meantime, I have another Red Sox legend to write a top 5 cards post for, catcher Carlton Fisk. Throughout his career with Boston, Fisk maintained a .284 batting average, hit 162 home runs, and hit one of the biggest home runs in Baseball history during a World Series that made Baseball popular once more.

Fisk's legacy as a member of the Boston Red Sox and a Baseball player, in general, is unquestionable. That's part of the reason how and why I've amassed 121 total cards of the 11-time All-Star. As always, it was a challenge to narrow all those cards down to my 5 favorites; here they are.

#5 2002 Topps Archives

I could've sworn that I had an original 1977 Topps card of Carlton Fisk, a card that would've most definitely beaten out the '02 Archives version for a spot on this list. With that being said, I was unable to find the previously mentioned card when I went to compile the list. Alas, the reproduction version will have to do.

The Archives card just looks like the original version; a compelling picture of a play at the plate between Fisk and #30 on a team that could possibly be the New York Yankees. If the photo isn't enough, the 1977 Topps design is a perfect medium for this untraditional image.

#4 2008 Upper Deck Masterpieces

As far as I know, Fisk has 2 different cards from the 2008 Upper Deck Masterpieces set. The 1st is a fabulous card that shows him as a member of the Chicago White Sox. Unfortunately, it was no match for this beautiful take on Fisk's home run in the 6th game of the 1975 World Series.

Truthfully, cards that commemorate Fisk's World Series home run are a dime a dozen, so it takes a truly special interpretation for there to be a standout. The angle on this card is a pretty unique touch, propelling this card to the #4 spot on my list.

#3 1974 Topps All-Star catchers

The only card from the 20th century featured on this list, Fisk's 1974 Topps All-Star catchers card with Johnny Bench showcases 2 of the greatest players to ever play this position. In addition to showcasing 2 incredibly talented players, the bright colors on this 70s style card is a near-perfect accompaniment. 

#2 2010 Topps National Chicle

Another interesting take on Fisk's legendary home run, his 2010 Topps National Chicle card doesn't really feature the iconic hand signals Fisk made to "wave" the ball fair. This artistic approach, although abstract, still features Boston's iconic home uniforms that they wore across the 1970s.

Even though there are a few details that could be refined on this card, I appreciate Topps' efforts to create a unique version of this moment, just like what Upper Deck did back in 2008. 

#1 2003 Fleer Fall Classic

I don't think Fleer could've chosen more of a unique color than turquoise for the border of the 2003 Fleer Fall Classic base cards. In tangent with a copper frame around the image, the color choice is borderline brilliant, and the beautiful Red Sox home uniforms are back once again.

Although I'm a huge fan of all the other cards on this list, this '03 Fall Classic photo is the only true high-quality image on this list. While all the other pictures work well with their respective cards, the photo on this particular Carlton Fisk card is more than enough to earn the #1 spot on this list.

Frankenset Page #47

The last few days of Red Sox Baseball have proved to be incredibly rocky. Off to a 2-6 start, the worst start in over 2 decades by a reigning World Series Champion, Boston has been outscored 52-33 in their matchups against the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics.

Considering the expectations for this team going into 2019, their first 8 games have been extremely disappointing. Moreover, Boston's opening their season on the west coast, meaning that most of the start times are very late. 

Thus, I've had very few opportunities to watch the Sox this season, and the games that I've been able to watch have ended in losses. Hopefully, a 7:10 game against the Diamondbacks later today will end this shaky start to the 2019 season. 

Rick Porcello will be on the mound for their first interleague game of the season against a Dbacks team in full rebuild mode. Objectively speaking, this should be Boston's turning point. 

It's critical that they win 2 or even all 3 games in Arizona before they travel back home to receive their World Series rings next Tuesday against the Blue Jays.

I'll be watching as much of this decisive matchup as I can later today, praying that the Red Sox offense, pitching, and yes, even the defense, is able to step it up and mimic the club's performance from last season. Otherwise, the Red Sox could be in trouble down the road in 2019.

Moving on, I have the 47th page of my frankenset ready to go before I write one last post on 2019 Topps Gypsy Queen tomorrow. Dating back as far as 1968, this page features cards #415-423.

#415 1995 Bowman Barry Larkin

One of the most popular releases of the entire year, 2019 Bowman is being released in less than 2 weeks for all you prospect chasers out there. I can foresee myself buying a blaster of this product, but that's about it. The base set design never does much for me, and I'm not a huge prospect collector.

Back in 1995, Bowman wasn't nearly the product that it is today. Barry Larkin's action image card, especially as far as 90s cards are concerned, is pretty phenomenal.

#416 1973 Topps Paul Schaal

No matter how appealing the images are, I could never see myself seriously collecting the 1973 Topps set. Despite the wide variety of different pictures, the base set design is extremely boring, one of the most uninteresting Topps designs of the decade, along with '74 and '78. 

Even though the set has its fair share of iconic pictures and cards, the minimal design is pretty hard to look past. I'd rather focus my attention on more interesting Topps sets from the 70s like 1970 and '71.

#417 1980 Topps Craig Chamberlain

In his 1980 Topps card, Royals pitcher Craig Chamberlain is wearing a much different uniform than Paul Schaal had 7 years prior. These powder blue uniforms with white writing were made iconic my George Brett, who downed this team's jersey for his entire 21-year career. 

As far as 1980s Topps sets go, 1980 Topps falls somewhere in the middle. The design nothing to sneeze at, but it can't compare to other 80s Flagship sets, specifically '83 and '84.

#418 2007 Topps Heritage World Series Batting Foes

It took me a while to figure out that this 2007 Topps Heritage card is modeled after a combo card from the original 1958 Topps set. In fact, I happen to have the original World Series Batting Foes card in my collection, featuring Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle and Hank Aaron.

Both combo cards make logical sense, for the players featured truly did face on another in the previous World Series. In '57, the Braves bested the Yankees in 7 games while, in 2006, the Cardinals defeated the Tigers in 5.

#419 1990 Topps Beau Allred

The rainbow borders of the 1990 Topps set pair nicely with these Indians jersey that feature stripes at the very top. As far as junk wax is concerned, the 1990 Topps set and cards like this aren't too bad. The quality of products decreases as you make your way through the 1990s, especially given the mediocre Flagship sets produced towards the end of the 20th century.

#420 1995 Bowman Andrew Lorraine

This looks to me like the same jersey that Mike Trout wore on his iconic 2011 Topps Update rookie card, a prized piece that I hope to own myself one of these days. It's extremely difficult, especially in the present day, for a base card to possess that much value. 

Guys like Harper and Ohtani have had valuable SP rookies, but there's no real modern card quite like Mike Trout's rookie from 2011 Topps Update.

#421 1968 Topps Ron Taylor

Without a doubt, this 1968 Topps card of Ron Taylor is my favorite card of the entire page and not just because it's from one of my favorite sets of all-time. Even though the "burlap" cards receive somewhat mixed reviews from collectors, I'm personally very fond of the 1968 Topps set. 

In fact, I was ecstatic to see this design replicated so beautifully in 2017 Topps Heritage 2 years ago.

#422 1998 Bowman Mike Vavrek International Parallel

I doubt that Bowman is still making these international parallels in their modern day sets, even though they were produced in the Bowman base set a few years back. In the 2010s version, the background featured a flag from the state or country that the player is from unlike the original parallels which featured a map in the background.

#423 2016 Topps Heritage Fence Busters

The final card of the page is yet another Topps Heritage combo card, this time from 2016 when the 1967 Topps set was replicated. San Francisco Giants players Hunter Pence and Brandon Belt's Fence Busters card is likely an homage to the original Giants Fence Busters from 1967, Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Willie McCovey.

Top 5 Cards; Clayton Kershaw

Every year as soon as the World Series matchup is set, I start to feel a bit bad for the team that came all the way to the Fall Classic (and in the last 2 years, lasted 7 games) only to have their seasons end in a loss.

No team wants to end their season with a loss. Not a chance.

Even though the Indians lost to the Cubs in 2016, my 2nd favorite team, I still felt bad that they came all that way to lose. Same for the Dodgers in 2017; it definitely sucks. There's no denying that.

Game 1 of the 2018 World Series is tonight as Clayton Kershaw will take on Chris Sale in about 4 hours live from Fenway Park. The Dodgers are looking to avenge their World Series loss last season while the Red Sox will be looking to do what they've done all season; win.

The momentum of the entire series rests in the hands of the game 1 starting pitchers. For the Dodgers, that man is Clayton Kershaw, a seasoned veteran with undeniable talents who has also faltered in the playoffs. As for Boston, Chris Sale's limited postseason experience and injuries over the last few months could pose a threat.

No matter the outcome of this series, I will feel remorse for whoever loses, though the Red Sox more so than the Dodgers for obvious reasons. Here's to another memorable Fall Classic, beginning with a top 5 cards post for Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.

#5 2018 Topps Heritage World Series Highlights Game #1

World Series highlights cards are definitely a topic worth covering someday as the 60's especially delivered some memorable designs. Though the burlap of '68 is iconic not to mention the classic wood borders of '62, I'd have to give 1969 Topps the slight edge for greatest World Series highlights cards ever made. Modeled after the 1968 World Series between the Tigers and Cardinals, Topps did a superb job recreating them in 2018 Topps Heritage for the 2017 Fall Classic matchup of Astros vs Dodgers.

#4 2017 Panini Diamond Kings Aurora

The flamboyant, multi-color Aurora insert design from 2017 Panini Diamond Kings could not be left out of Kershaw's top 5 cards post, even if the logoless cap is slightly more noticeable on this card than on the Jose Altuve card featured on his top 5 cards post. Whoever at Panini came up with the design for this set deserves to be recognized. 

As an unlicensed company, they need to step it up a bit to distract from the no logos. A lot of the time, Panini doesn't do this, but when they do, they have a huge opportunity for success. 

#3 2015 Topps Archives

Even with the stellar selection of sets (1958, 1977, 1981) that were represented in this year's set, I'm still waiting for another year of Topps Archives that rivals the collection of legendary Topps sets that was 2015 Topps Archives. With 1957, 1976, and 1983 included, 2 of my top 5 and 3 of my top 15 Topps sets ever made were represented in that years' set and Mr. Kershaw occupied spot #1 with a detailed card in the photo-centric set that is 1957 Topps.

#2 2017 Topps Gallery Heritage

Last year, Topps Gallery Heritage was one of the better insert sets of 2017, a year that was somewhat lacking in terms of quality baseball cards though had no issue with quantity. Though 2018 Topps Gallery which would be year 2 of the set's revival is still up in the air, I'm glad Topps brought this art-based brand back, even if it didn't last as long as I would've liked. 

As for the card above, it's based on 1951 Bowman and has every little detail I could ask for. From the Gallery Heritage logo to the beautiful art and background colors.

#1 2011 Topps Allen & Ginter

To me, Kershaw's 2011 Topps Allen & Ginter takes the best parts of the cards at the #2 and #3 spots and combines them to create one fabulous card worthy for me to call the best Clayton Kershaw card in my collection. The photo looks almost like a combination of the previous 2 while the artwork and attention to details are just as evident in this card as it was in the Gallery Heritage card at #2. Not to mention 2011 A&G is one of my favorite sets in this brand's history.

As for the Fall Classic, around a week from now, one fanbase will be devastated while another celebrates a championship. Although I want nothing more than for the Red Sox to win, I really would love for another thrilling World Series that's memorable and without dirty plays. This means you, Manny Machado.

Good luck to the Dodgers and of course, the Red Sox. Now, let's have another fantastic Fall Classic.