Lou Gehrig: The real deal? A mistake? An altered card? Something else? Take our poll

[blowoutcards]

Lou Gehrig: The real deal? A mistake? An altered card? Something else? Take our poll …

September 28, 2011 at 4:28 PM



By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor | Commentary

With a barrage of 2011 Topps Triple Threads baseball cards hitting eBay today — the product’s official release date — there are plenty of eyes looking for what are typically some of the hobby’s most talked-about cards from what is always a contender for Product of the Year honors.

It’s just that popular with many collectors.

However, a Triple Threads Bat Knobs card of Lou Gehrig from last year‘s release hit eBay with a hefty price tag and with some features that quite a few collectors noticed because it seemed, well, odd. The two game-used memorabilia swatches on the card appear to be from a modern jersey — not the flannels of Gehrig’s time.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Obviously, there are a few possibilities here. Topps has not responded to a question about the card, but my leading candidate is that it’s a simple mistake as the materials in this card do not match the fabrics from the company’s other recently released memorabilia cards featuring Gehrig.

Mistakes happen. Collectors wish that mistakes wouldn’t happen on such an impressive card, but they happen.

What do you think? Take the poll.

Lou Gehrig: The real deal? A mistake? An altered card? Something else? Take our poll … |

[Yankeesfan777]

I think topps just made a mistake. the bat knob looks real to me

[dthimesch]

I voted that "it's something else" by saying it a Topps mistake would be implying that it was an over site or it was an accident, I think there is more to it than it being an accident.

[7290morint]

I'm sure it was a production error, just like the Ty Cobb card I posted in that thread. The problem is production errors shouldn't be happening on cards that people would consider chase cards of the product. If it happens on a regular #/75 relic of neftali feliz, who the hell cares, but it shouldn't be happening on 1 of 1 cards. There is no reason they cannot be checked before they are packed out.

[wee111]

Originally Posted by dthimesch

I voted that "it's something else" by saying it a Topps mistake would be implying that it was an over site or it was an accident, I think there is more to it than it being an accident.

So you think they would put in the real bat knob, then fake the two jerseys?

wow.

[98whitesteed]

These little "mistakes" we catch are slip up's by Topps. They haven't responded yet because they are getting a recommendation from their lawyers. Chris Olds is an idiot, the last choice in his poll is "its something else". Something else? Like.... A SCAM!?!?!?!?

[THE(NEXT)LEVEL]

Polyester wasn't invented and used in clothing until after Gehrig and a lot of other vintage stars were dead....FAIL!!

[37Jetson]

So Topps latest disclaimer of not from a specific event or season really means that they can cut up a Chinese Knockoff Jersey and put Lou Gehrig's name on it. I am kidding, but not by much.

This is no mistake by Topps...

[YankeesKRD]

I hate Chris Olds.

[Major_League]

Yes I always love Topp's silence. PATHETIC!

[ddearing]

It does not say that the card is a game used jersey, used by Gehrig. It just says it is a game used memorabilia. If they could guarantee that they were game used by that actual player every time, it would say so on the card (ala Sportskings). But then again, I am very cynical of most things Topps does ever since I ended up with two identical cards with identical serial numbers a few years ago. . . .

[mjbuchanan80]

It's not an accident. This is a 1/1 and one of the top cards in the product. This isn't a situation where Joe Blow in production pulls a swatch from a baggie only half heartedly noting what player's baggie its coming from, sticks it in the card, then hand it off to be packed out. Many hands touched this card thorughout the company. I wouldn't doubt that dozens of pairs of eyes looked at it before it landed in a pack.

There is no doubt in my mind that it was intentional. I mean what are the reprocussions? "Oh, our bad. You want a replacement card? No? You are not buying our products ever again? That's a shame. Good luck with your new alternative to MLB licensed cards...oh wait..."

[mjbuchanan80]

Originally Posted by ddearing

It does not say that the card is a game used jersey, used by Gehrig. It just says it is a game used memorabilia. If they could guarantee that they were game used by that actual player every time, it would say so on the card (ala Sportskings). But then again, I am very cynical of most things Topps does ever since I ended up with two identical cards with identical serial numbers a few years ago. . . .

By placing it on a card of Lou Gehrig, wouldn't a reasonable person assume it was game used memorabilia of Lou Gehrig. Their caveat has always been that the relic is not from a specifc game or event...it does not say specific player.

[Laxbam619]

definitely a production error, im one of the disbelievers about the authenticity of vintage jerseys and bats to begin with due to the disclaimer of this relic is from no particular event game or season, and the fact that I doubt Topps has the balls to cut up a Babe Ruth or Gehrig jersey

anyways I do think most modern day vintage gu are not authentic, but topps wouldnt be stupid enough to pass this off as a gehrig jersey and it was simply a production error that didnt get caught

hopefully the owner can send it back in and the can put "real" gehrig swatches in

[mwheeler27]

Aren't "mistakes" supposed to be few and far between?

If so, I don't think this would qualify as a mistake. If not, how many mistakes is Topps allowed? Are they trying to set a new standard?

[XL5]

Wait, didn't Topps request the removal of this auction and request the card back? I think they offered a few boxes for it.

Here's a link.

Nope, right product.