Topps is the master of low end everything. When they put out a product aimed at the collecting public that cares more about set collecting than hits, their products always sell like hot cakes. Even in the times where there are major issues with collation, advertised content, etc, there has never been a question that people buy as long as it has the topps logo on it.

Today marks the release in the latest batch of this phenomenon, arguably the most evident personification of how well Topps has built up the amount of loyal baseball and other customers. Today marks the go-live of 2011 Allen and Ginter, a set that is a yearly favorite of everyone in the hobby that functions the complete opposite of the way I function.

This year’s set is one that is definitely different than any other set that has come before it. Although we have the same mix of base, SPs, minis, and hits, the checklist is much differently approached in terms of subjects, and the cards look much different than they ever have. In fact, some of the auto subjects are well enough conceived, that the cards could be some of the most valuable autographs ever in the history of the product. Where last year had Tony Hawk, this year has Manny Pacquiao and John McEnroe. Although I am not a fan of the way the base cards were designed, I really like the looks of the autos and the relics. Even though the relics are basically an afterthought in this set, there are a good mix of ones that will surely be RIDICULOUSLY valuable.

There have already been some awesome ones posted on eBay, as well as some other odd types of cards that Ginter has become famous for.

Check it out:

2011 Stan Lee Allen and Ginter Autograph

2011 Aroldis Chapman Allen and Ginter Autograph

2011 Allen and Ginter State Box Topper Relic

2011 Derek Jeter Allen and Ginter Relic

I have two VERY large targets in this set, one being Joe Mauer’s first Ginter autograph, and the second being the Stan Lee auto that is linked above. I think both of the cards are ones that I would absolutely love to have in my collection, as on card autos are an addiction and a way of life for me.

The fact that I will not likely buy any boxes of this stuff is irrelevant as there are thousands of people out there that circle this on the calendar months in advance. This is not my kind of product, but I can totally see why people love it the way that they do. It is no doubt a fun break for the people that make this their hobby passion, and I don’t see it being any different this year.