Topps gets Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez in 2011 Topps Series 1

When the email came over with the press release that Topps was able to get Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez in Red Sox unis for 2011 Topps Series 1, I had a good laugh on the inside, and not in a mean way.

I am not laughing at the magic of Photoshop. I think it's a good idea, especially for people who want to see their newest players in uniforms. I think it's a solid idea to get them in the product.

I laughed because over the years Series 1 has had guys who were free agents and wound up with another team during the offseason only for them to be shown in uniform with their former club. Then, would leave out guys who you knew weren't going anywhere - specifically Derek Jeter - and not include them until Series 2.

I'm happy to see that Topps is moving in the right direction when it comes to these types of scenarios.

But because the product is essentially coming close to being finished, the Crawford and Gonzalez cards will be short-prints and numbered as variations.

Is there a way to tell which stadium Crawford is actually in? Does anyone know?

I don't think the Red Sox uniform is very becoming of him, by the way. ;-)

2009 Homerun Derby

The first four participants in this years Homerun Derby have been announced. They are Albert Pujols (31HR), Ryan Howard (20HR), Adrian Gonzalez (24HR), and Prince Fielder (22HR). These four guys are enough to make the American League shake in their cleats.

The one thing that worries me is Albert leads MLB with 31 homeruns and I just hope that this doesn't mess his timing up for the remainder of the season. That would be awful especially considering in the first half he hit more homeruns than most guys will all season.

I would love to see Pujols and A-Rod square off in one of these someday, or even Hamilton after watching the moonshots he was hitting off the wall behind me in the bleachers at Yankee Stadium last year. Homerun Derby is definitely a ton of fun if you can make it to one.