2015 Topps Archives Signature - Many of the Signed Dodger Cards

Since I've been clearly obsessed with tracking and cataloging all of the modern era Dodger cards in existence I decided to do my best with Topps newest product - 2015 Topps Archives Signature.  Daunting, I know.  Go here for a checklist of players who signed.  For those who don't know, this product includes only signed buyback cards.

As you'll recall, last week I declared an Andruw Jones autograph Dodger card as this years worst (link here), and now you'll discover that there's at least another one to hate.

As for what to love, you should check out the handful of 1980's Topps created retail box sets that have been signed.  Both Steve Garvey and Fernando Valenzuela signed a handful of their 1987 K-Mart cards.  There is also a 1981 Drake's cakes card signed by Garvey - which is absolutely awesome!  Drake's cards disappeared into the dustbin of history many moons ago, so it's nice that they make a little comeback here.  They were one of my favorites as a kid.  Also note that I included the 1973 Frank Robinson Topps card on this list since this issue clearly shows him in a poorly photoshopped Dodger uniform. 

Both Nomar Garciaparra and Greg Maddux are available only as redemptions, so we don't yet know if they signed any Dodger cards for this product.  Also, Fred McGriff has signed some cards, but I have yet to see him in Blue. 

No doubt, this listing is far from complete.  There are likely to be many "1 of 1's" and other scarcer issues out there yet to be discovered.  If you see something not on this list please let me know. 

#Eric Davis

1992 Topps #/15                     1993 Topps #/37

Possibly the Worst Dodger Card of 2015

Why is Topps doing this to me?  Don't they realize that the last thing a Dodger fan wants to be reminded of is Andruw Jones?

Featured above is one of the first cards found on eBay from a new Topps product called 2015 Topps Archives Signature.  It is a 2012 Topps buyback card of the NL Active Home Run Leaders and it has been signed by Andruw Jones in a Dodger uniform.  Ugh!

As you may recall, Jones came to the team with much fanfare.  He was coming off one of the worst seasons in his career; having hit just .222 as a Brave.  Still, he got on base at a healthy clip, hit for power and was young enough to get past his recent struggles.  So the two-year $36.2 million deal seemed like a great gamble.  Unfortunately, it turned out to be a contract we all came to hate.  Andruw Jones slashed a pathetic .158/.256/.249/.505, and smiled all the way to the bank.  By the next season he was sent packing to the Rangers with the Dodgers paying $21.4 million of his remaining contract.

As for the card above it is a "1 of 1" signed card, so you won't be seeing it in another box (thankfully).  On top of that, I still find it strange that Topps chose to use a photo of Jones in Dodger Blue when he hadn't been with the team for almost four years by the time of its original release.  Wouldn't a pic with him as a Brave be more appropriate for that card?

Anyway, the product will cost you about $50 a box, and you get one encased buyback card that has been signed by a retired player on-card.  It is very similar to the 2004 Topps Originals Signature product (one of my favorites).  Go here for a player checklist.  Other possible Dodgers' found within include Shawn Green, Sandy Koufax, Mike Piazza.  I'll do my best to checklist all of the Dodger cards available, but I suspect I'll miss a few here or there.

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