Spring Training Return: Charlie Manuel

• Charlie Manuel 1/1- The Phillies skipper signed his 09 Topps card from spring training, postmarked from New Jersey. This was a nice surprise, as I thought he typically sends pre-signed postcards after the first few weeks of spring training. Sent 2/28 (52 days)
  

2 Spring Training Returns: Javier Vazquez & Gaby Sanchez

Two returns from the Fish in the mail today, after a miserable Opening Weekend from the Sox...

• Gaby Sanchez 1/3- The Marlins first basemen signed his 09 Topps rookie card and returned the other two cards I sent him unsigned. Gaby was nice enough to personalize the one card that he did sign. Sent 2/16 (47 days)

• Javier Vazquez 2/2- Vazquez signed 09 Topps and U&H cards from Florida. Now that he's returned to the National League, hopefully he will have a much better season than he did last year with the Yankees. Sent 3/4 (31 days)
  

Spring Training Return: Clayton Richard

• Clayton Richard 2/2- The talented young Padres hurler signed his 09 Topps U&H and 2010 Topps cards in fine tip blue sharpie. The team is loaded with top pitching prospects and Richard should be a top performer this year behind Mat Latos. Sent 2/14 (39 days)
  

Pack Break: 2011 Topps Opening Day

I stopped into Target today and saw Topps Opening Day on the shelf, so I decided to pick up 5 packs. I hadn't seen any of the cards or sell sheets online, so I looked on the back of the packs to see the different insert types. Here are the highlights:

• Barack Obama Presidential First Pitch
• Cliff Lee Superstar Celebrations
• Joey Votto Opening Day Stars
• "Screech" Washington Nationals Mascot Card
• Daniel Descalso RC Blue Border Parallel #1325/2o11

At $1 per pack for 7 cards, Opening Day serves as a pre-season Updates edition of sorts, with players like Shaun Marcum and Lance Berkman in their new team's uniforms. I didn't pull any "Spot the Error" or glow-in-the-dark "Stadium Lights" inserts, but I was still pleased with the inserts I did receive.

I really like the mascot cards as a fun alternative set to get signed. The Opening Day Stars inserts carry over the Topps 20/20 3-D cards from last year's set. I like the blue parallel set better than the standard gold parallel. The color is more interesting, and the serial number is stamped in gold foil on the back rather than the laser jet Topps has adopted over the past few years. It's the little things that count, Topps.

2 Returns: Neftali Feliz and Chris Iannetta

I've received 2 TTM returns over the past few days:

• Neftali Feliz 1/1- The 100 mph closer for the Rangers signed his 09 Topps Updates & Highlights rookie card. The card is creased pretty badly on one side, but I was happy to get this one back from a rising relief star. Sent 4/27 (47 days)

• Chris Iannetta 2/2- Chris signed cards from the '08 and '09 Topps sets in thin blue marker. Sent 4/22 (55 days)
  

Picture Update