Just a guy and his thoughts about his cards, his website and life.

Monday, July 4, 2016

Top Ten George Brett Cards That Symbolize America

As promised from earlier today, it is time for another top ten list.  Being that it is The 4th of July it is only fitting that this holiday is the inspiration for my top ten list.  Every card on this list screams Americana to me in some way.  Whether it is the design or it's name, each has it's own patriotic flare.  There will be no 1975 Canadian O-pee-Chee card on this list.  My top ten lists, unless otherwise stated, are limited to cards that I currently own.  The lists are strictly base on my opinion.  Cards might be listed because they have some memorable back story, cool design, or something that simply sticks out, too me, about them.  Feel free to comment, I love talking to other collectors.  To check out the front and back of all of these cards and over 1000 other George Brett cards click here at "The Unofficial George Brett Card Catalog" and check out my website.

Top Ten George Brett Cards That Symbolize America

10. 1983 Perma-Graphic All-stars #1

You can't get any more patriotic then the Red, White, & Blue with Stars, Right? Some day I am going to do a top ten card brand list and the Perma-graphics are definitely in my top 5, maybe even my top 2.  I am going to have to give it some serious thought, though.  Nice design, but with most of Brett's posed cards, not the best picture,









9. 1988 Play Ball America

Some might argue that Football has become America's sport, and there is probably a lot of truth to it.  Baseball, though, is still considered "The American Pastime".  I chose this card mainly for the name of the card.  These late 80s Broder cards are fun to collect and I have a couple complete sets of them.









8. 1999 Hasbro Starting Lineup #1


Again, whats more American that Old Glory, the Stars & Stripes, and the Red, White, and Blue.  All names for the flag that stands higher than all other flags, well at least here in America.  I wish that they would have just put the entire flag in this card, but I wasn't the designer.








7. 1990 All American Baseball Team #1

Again this one was mainly because of the title, but it still has a very American feel to the card.  It makes me laugh how they could put the team name on the card, but could not have the teams logo's anywhere on the picture.  If you look at most of the oddball cards from this era, you will see many examples of this.









6. 1976 Hostess #114

What's more American than Twinkies! I say nothing.  Since 1930 it was one of the most request kid's snack. In 2012, when America saw the last package of Twinkies sold, because of bankruptcy, Americans stepped up an demanded their Twinkies be returned.  What American's want, Americans get.  Sometimes I wish they would get that passionate and organized about things other than snack foods.  








5. 1993 American Holding Company 6 Card Set

There is nothing terribly American about this set except the fact that it has the name American in the title.  I can not find much information about the American Holding Company, besides the fact that they did a couple of these six card player sets.  This is one of my favorite sets of George Brett cards and I don't get to feature it very often.  I like it way better than the Star sets.  To see all of the cards in  this set, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page.







4. 2015 Panini Prizm #16 Fireworks Prizm & #165 Red/White/Blue Mojo Prizm

Finally something recent, and a 2 for 1!  With a brand name like Panini, you know it screams "I'm American!"  But what's more traditional on the 4th of July than watching Fireworks, whether they be legal or illegal, with a red, white, and blue backdrop.  I am doing both of these cards because they are the same year, same brand, and have similar designs.  Honestly when I decided to do this list I thought that they were a variation of the same card at first.  I do like the prizm design and fact that there is a prizm on top of the prizm.  Very hard to tell in the pictures.


















3. 2002 Topps American Pie American Sluggers #19



I will admit that this was a tough top ten list, but I just didn't want to choose a color...don't make me do it.  I love this set.  One of the reasons I love it is because I have the complete set of 4.  Though, I can swear it looks like Topps airbrushed out his puffy chaw cheek.

2. 1990 Score McDonalds #19

I am not sure if there is a brand that is more recognizable to kids in America.  You can not miss the golden arches while you are driving down the interstate.  Whether it be on a billboard or the restaurant itself. I can remember as a kid when I saw them asking (or maybe "telling" is a better word) my mom and dad that I wanted to go to McDonald's.  Granted it was way cooler when I was a kid and they actually had characters other than a creepy clown.  Who remembers Grimace, the Hamburglar, and Mayor McCheese?  All forgotten by today's kids, but loved by my generation.  It has been over a year since I did my overall top ten list and I did not own this card at that time, but it would definitely be on it if I redid it today.



1. 1991 Topps Dessert Shield #2 & #540


What makes America great?  Its the people that gave their live for us to make sure that we are free.  Those freedoms include to celebrate on this day and tell how great our nation is.  They also gave us the freedom to spout hateful things about our nation.  Things that in many nations would be deemed treasonous and worthy of death.  That's how great our nation is, and I think that most people forget that freedom, because once it's gone, this country will cease to be that "shining city upon a hill."  We can say what we want, but only because of brave men and women who sacrificed themselves for this country.  These cards were distributed to men and women that were fighting overseas during Operation Dessert Shield.  I feel it an honor to have them in my collection.  

Thanks for checking out my top ten.  Check back regularly for my semi-regular blog called "Random and Reflections."  Also, again, don't forget to check out my website, "The Unofficial George Brett Card Catalog".


Random & Reflection #8

It is July 4th and it’s a day to bar-b-que, hang out with friends, and watch both legal and illegal explosions in the air, but it also a day to reflect on what we have and who we are as a country.  We as Americans like to whine and complain about things going on, and I will say that it is on all sides on the political spectrum, but we do not realize that is one of our greatest freedoms that we have.  To say what is on our mind.  Most countries do not share in this freedom, which is what makes America great, even if I disagree with most of what people are saying.  Anyway, it has been a week and a half since I blogged and I think it is time for a little R&R.

The Random

2016 Topps Gypsy Queen Mini #317 Short Print



I use a random generator to select which card I am going to write about.  The number spread I have is 1 to 1017, because that is how many different Brett cards I currently have.  To my surprise the randomly generated number was 1017.  I have grown too really like the Gypsy Queen cards.  I collected a large amount of them in 2015.  I will say I do like the dark green border on the 2015s way better than the light border on the 2016s.

The Reflection

Psalm 33:12
Happy is the nation whose God is Yahweh— the people He has chosen to be His own possession!

Not a surprise that Bible gateway put a verse up today with possible symbolism for the holiday. ;-) This is an awesome chapter of Psalm. The chapter starts off with rejoicing in the Lord, praising the Lord, and skillfully sings new songs to the Lord.  We do this because the word of the Lord is right and trustworthy.    This verse also states that God made the Earth and all that dwells on it and has control over all of it too.  Do we trust that this is a true statement?  In our world it feels like things our totally out of control.  Not just in America, but globally.  Whether it is people not happy with particular candidates, uncertainty with the EU, terrorism in the name of a deity, it appears to be a scary place and no one seems to have any answers.  In verse 10 it states that the Lord frustrates the counsel of nations, meaning the groups that are in charge of the people.  That feels like an understatement right now.  Then it states that He thwarts the plans of people, meaning that nothing political is going to stand for a very long time.  There is a constant ebb and flow of political decisions, one group in power is going to change this policy and the next group in power will change it again.  But God counsel will stand forever and His plans will remain forever.  That is why it states that “happy is the nation whose God is Yahweh.” Because they have chosen to put their faith in God, who doesn’t change and won’t let them down over a faith is a political structure.  Christians need to stop thinking that putting the right person in political power is going to save us.  Only God, through Jesus Christ can do that.


Have a great, blessed day.  Check back later tonight for a Top Ten List with a patriotic twist.   


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