Topps Gold and Television: Opiate of the Masses...#5

#5 of my top 5 Topps Gold parallel cards

Does anyone out there watch "Gold Rush: Alaska"? I mean, why is this show so watchable? do we feel like we could be there if we had the time?...that we could do better? I can't do anything but wince in pain as they prat-fall through their profane campaign for riches, nay substinance.

I wish them the best...but I can't look away...

Porcupine Creek has turned into a (sorry) "Set-Back Mountain"

Peterson

Top "Nickname to AUTO Ratio" -Frank Thomas

Ratio Nickname/Autograph: 92/84

Nickname? Stamp! Autograph? St-Stamp! (signhere approved beer commercial reference)

Thomas has an extremely consistent auto with great pseudo-symmetry and an added "35" jersey # for your enjoyment.

Although the "big hurt" often referred to his triceps muscle in the later years, Frank Thomas is part of an elite group of four players (including Mel Ott, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams) to have at least a .300 batting average, 500 home runs, 1,500 RBI, 1,000 runs and 1,500 walks in a career.

This set of stats is truly painful for opposing pitchers to think about.

He was one of the only "hyped" rookies to come up in my first go-round with the world of card collecting from 86-93 that actually had a very productive career (fruitful sounds too weak for this guy, I mean he used to swing a piece of rusty rebar in the on-deck circle).

Jeff Conine says what?

-Peterson

I'm sorry,... "Joltin'" was it? we are going to have to cut off your cable because we cannot read your routing number.

Another Signature that carries the kind of grace and integrity one would associate with men who wear hats as a practice, but never don them inside. I teach high school, and my students literally do not understand why anyone would take their hat off inside...we agree to disagree. I try to explain the history of it, but I still get "free will" arguments. It ends there.

The relic was a great idea but I feel like everything on this card has too many outlines. Also, I get the "ode to pinstripes" background but none of this card follows the Golden Ratio. Which means it looks just plain off to me.