Tops of the Topps 2006-2010

Here we are back for the last of my favorite of the Topps cards for the Mariners. Next manufacturer we will dive into soon will be Donruss. Back to the most recent Topps for the Mariners that have been down for quite a while now.

2006 Felix Hernandez

First card of the "King" with Major League stats. He worked his way up the system to become one of the league's best. The future is great for a 24 year old stud.

2006 Update Jarrod Washburn

It is always nice to spring training unis with the Mariner teal. I'm surprised we have seen Wash pitch lately.

 

2007 Jose Guillen

This looks like Topps didn't even try. How do you get these two guys confused?

2007 Update Adam Jones

Thanks again to Bill Bavasi. You traded this kid and four more players for Erik Bedard? DUMB, DUMB, DUMB!! Congratulations Orioles fans.

2008 Raul Ibanez

Just knowing that is the ivy of Wrigley in the background makes this card an instant classic for an AL team that doesn't get there much.

2008 Update Erik Bedard

Here's what we got for Adam Jones. Mr. 100 pitches and I'm done, and I only pitch half a season because I get hurt. GREAT...

2009 Yuniesky Betancourt

Look mom, I'm running, I'm running. Can I score from second? Probably not, the way this team played in 2008 was awful.

2009 Update Endy Chavez

Nice full extension. I was a shame that he got in a collision with Betancourt and blew out a knee. Thankfully we had Franklin Gutierrez to replace him.

2010 David Aardsma

I can't figure this card out. It looks like a cartoon with the color, and what is he looking at? Shouldn't he be looking at the plate?

2010 Update Rob Johnson

A beautiful play at the plate card. I believe this card is coming to me in trade soon, so I will borrow this picture of it for now.

There you have them folks, 34 years of Mariners base and traded/update Topps goodness. Of course all cards chosen are the best in my opinion. I'm sure you may have some other choices, or maybe you don't care about the Mariners. That's fine too. If there is a card from a year that you think I missed, let me know.

Tops of the Topps 2001-2005

Here we are with the next to last post of the tops of Topps. Don't worry, I will trying my hand at the other big makers after Topps. There could be some begging during those posts if the cards I pick are cards I don't own, but need for the Super Set. Anyways, let's start on a high and work our way to losing teams.

2001 Rickey Henderson

Rickey says, " You will pick Rickey's card because Rickey is on it. Everyone loves Rickey, including Rickey. Isn't that right Rickey?"

2001 Traded Ichiro Suzuki/ Albert Pujols

A card of two MVP's, all stars, and future Hall of Famers together. Simple beauty.

2002 Playoff Bound AL West winners

The night this game happened at Safeco was a very heart touching game. The decision to honor the fallen, instead of champagne bathes was great on the team's part.

2002 Traded J.J. Putz

The first sight of the future closer with the nasty fastball. It is sad to see how far he fallen since leaving Seattle.

2003 Lou Piniella

" Look guys, I know we won't win 116 every year, but let's play a little better. Fine then I'm going to Tampa and working with the D-Rays. Have fun without me..."

2003 Traded Rey Sanchez

How far and how quickly does a team sink when they think the answer might be Rey, Rey, Rey? This downward slope is a steep one, here comes the nose dive.

2004 Scott Spiezio

So because you had one good post season, the brain trust in the front office signs you? Thanks alot Bill Bavasi, you were a bumbling idiot(see 2006 draft, first round).

2004 Traded Matt Tuiasosopo

How many people can pronounce Matt's last name?? It is Two-e-ah-so-so-po. If that's too hard, just call him Tui. This famous family had dad and two of his brothers in the NFL, and Matt in MLB.

2005 Bucky Jacobsen

The half season wonder that took the Northwest by storm. He was one of the few highlights on a dismal team. Unfortunately, he didn't make it and has since retired form baseball.

2005 Traded Pokey Reese

How does a guy that only played in spring training in 2005 get a card in this set and 2006's base set? He never even played a regular season game for the Mariners. Another wasted signing of an old veteran.

This brings us to our last post of Topps. The next round will be cards that everyone knows being that they are the most recent. Thanks for reading along, and Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Tops of the Topps 1996-2000

Here we are with post #200. Time to look at back at some of the most winningest years in Mariner history. Our next go round will have the winningest team in baseball history. Let's see what the late 90's have in store for us.

1996 Randy Johnson

Does the sight of a Big Unit slider coming right at you, scare you? It kind of freaks me out. Hello Mr. Snappy.

1997 Prospects Jim Bonnici

One of these things is not like the other...We all know the mayor in Casey, we all remember Dmitri, who and what the hell happened to Jim??

1998 Jamie Moyer

The sweet form of the ageless wonder. I hope he can recover and get to 300 wins, and maybe pitch until he's 50.

1999 Ken Griffey Jr.

Looks like connection to another homer. While I never was one of his biggest fans, he did have a beautiful swing.

1999 Traded Sean Spencer

Sean looks a little overwhelmed in spring training. I think he is excited to see all the stars. Not often you see a pitcher with a single digit on his back.

2000 Mike Cameron

Hello, I will be the one to replace an icon in center field. It didn't take long to wow the fans in the first home game robbing Jeter of a home run.

2000 Traded Mark McLemore

Mr. Everything. This guy kept a team together. I'm surprised a team hasn't offered him a coaching job. He is a great clubhouse guy.

Soon to come another five years of Topps beauty? Who will we see next?

Tops of the Topps 1991-1995

Time to look at another five years of Mariners Topps beauty. These were the years when the team would start to find itself and continue to improve. In 1991, after many years of trying they would finally finish above .500. That would in turn get Jim Lefebvre fired. 1992 was a lost year under Bill Plummer, but the M's would bring in this former Yankee player named Lou Piniella. We all know where the team would go from there. Now on to the cards...

1991 Dave Valle

You have to love a catcher that wore the shell helmet. Those two tone shin guards are pretty awesome looking too.

1991 Traded Rich DeLucia

The Mariners only had 2 cards in 1991 Traded, and this was the only action shot.

1992 Jay Buhner

You have to love the blue Oakleys, no goatee yet, and the admiration of a home run blast.

1992 Traded Kevin Mitchell

Again another thin year in the Traded set. This was the Mariners only card in that set.

1993 Harold Reynolds

This I believe is the first card I've found that was taken in the Kingdome. Usually they are spring training or East Coast road trips shots.

1993 Traded Dave Magadan

Mid season trade with the Marlins brought the cousin of Lou Piniella to the Mariners. First sighting of the the new and current look Mariners uniforms.

1994 Edgar Martinez

The beautiful stance of a great hitter that deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. They did name the DH of the year award after him you know.

1994 Traded Eric Anthony

You have to love the Northwest Green(teal) uniforms, and celebrating a win. The jerseys will be back a few times this next year.

1995 Mike Blowers

I'm taking my helmet and shoes, and I'm going home. You guys are mean to me. PPHHTT!!

1995 Traded Darren Bragg

I know it's a single, but I'm going to try and stretch it into a double. Watch me, here I go....

Our next journey will take us into the years of 1996-2000. These would be the beginning of the end of the biggest names to ever hit Seattle sports.

Tops of the Topps 1986-1990

Here we are back again for another five year trip down Topps memory lane. Some of these are pretty good, some are less than stellar.

1986 Roy Thomas

Roy looks like he's thinking "I'm getting older and I have to play with this bunch of kids?" Sorry for you Roy.

1986 Traded Pete Ladd

I'm sorry if you don't like it, but the curls and the aviator glasses is a genuine mid 80's look. We all wanted to look like that back in the day.

1987 Jim Beattie

Jim looks out at spring training play and wonders, "I've been with team how long and we still can't improve? I'm eventually going to the front office in Montreal and Baltimore instead."

1987 Traded Bill Wilkinson

I don't want my picture taken. I'm going to hold my breath until you leave me alone.

1988 Donell Nixon

Look deep into my eyes. You're getting sleepy...very sleepy...sleepy...

1988 Traded Jim Snyder

I finally became a manager and I only go 45-60. I guess I'm getting fired at the end of the year. Oops.

1989 Henry Cotto

You have to love the flip down sunglasses around the neck and the mesh back spring training hat. Classic.

1989 Traded Jeffrey Leonard

Hey Griffey, let me teach you how to make this backwards hat thing popular. The kids will love this look on you. I know everyone was expecting me to pick Junior's card here, weren't you??

1990 Jerry Reed

I always laugh and think he was Snowman from Smokey and the Bandit, but nope he was our pitcher.

1990 Traded Brent Knackert

Hey Topps, I'm glad to see that from 1977 to 1990 to 2010 your airbrushing skills are sub-par. I've seen some that look decent, but how hard is it to make a yellow S. Please explain this to me.

Next around we will look at 1991- 1995. Some of the cards will get better, some will not. I'm just weird that way.

Tops of the Topps 1981-1985

Back again for another look at my picks for tops of the Topps cards for the Mariners. Let's start with 1981 and work our way through 1985 shall we?

1981 Team Card

This was an easy choice given that this was the last year Topps did a team card with a team picture, and a checklist on the back. That's a hint Topps, let get back on track with a few things.

1981 Traded Gary Gray

Gary looks like someone just farted, or if playing for the Rangers, Indians, and now the Mariners which is worse.

1982 Bob Galasso

When was this picture taken?? The Mariners quit wearing these uniforms after the 1980 season. The only time he was with the Mariners in those uniforms was 1977.

1982 Traded Jim Essian

Jim looks OK in one of those classic Spring Training photo shoot poses. Nice wristbands though.

1983 Gene Nelson

I'm not exactly sure where or when this photo was taken, but either the M's were getting it handed to them, or it was brutally hot. Gene is sweating like a pig here.

1983 Traded Steve Henderson

It looks like Steve, but are we really sure? Very poor photo choice Topps. Let try a little harder next time.

1984 Jamie Nelson

It's a little hard to hit when your stance is that far apart. I guess that's why you only hit .219

1984 Traded Alvin Davis

Easy choice of my FAVORITE Mariner player of all time. How could I not pick his rookie card?

1985 Edwin Nunez

Is it just me, or does it look like that pitch hurt to throw? I'm hoping it was a good fastball.

1985 Traded Jim Presley

There were only two traded cards in 1985, but I do like the grays. I don't think he made a productive out on this play.

Next time around we will dive into the years of 1986-1990. It could get better, or it might tailspin out of control. Only the cards know where we will go. Stay tuned...