In just about every single case of transferring a successful product from one sport to another, it usually is a bigger sport to a smaller sport. Its rare that a product goes the other way, especially when the confines of what defines the demographic are so different. Topps has re-committed their team to designing beautiful looking products this year, but there is still a major question of whether or not a non-prospect driven, high end product can survive in a set collector’s sport.

I have often said that in order to be successful in Baseball, there needs to be a seemless blend of high end and the ability to build sets like the old days. Although people like me will chase high end stuff to the ends of the earth, the baseball hobby is VASTLY different from football. Aside from the fact that Baseball does not have a rookie card system that is friendly to a product like this, there may not be as many collectors willing to drop 500 bucks on a box of cards that doesnt give them the opportunity to enjoy a lot of packs. Additionally, there are not many living baseball players that can carry a high end checklist, as even superstar autographs can be had for under 100 bucks.

That doesnt mean a product like this cannot be successful, as this type of thing hasnt ever been tried before. As long as there is content to match the price tag, collectors will flock to a set like this, but that may be close to impossible without a rookie class to hold a major portion of the set together.

Now, Bryce Harper, Yu Darvish, Stephen Strasburg, and Albert Pujols, combined with Mays, Aaron, Koufax and Ripken will be the cards that people are craving, as there has rarely been cards that are as well designed as these. From what we are seeing, there is also a major chase in the cuts and bat barrels which could help keep box prices from sinking like they did in football. Of course, hard signed dual logo cards have rarely been offered, if ever, and if the players above have some part of that aspect of the product, it could get nuts.

Bottom line, I have been waiting for a product like this since I got back into the hobby, and I WILL buy a ton of it for a few reasons. First, the theme and the design is reminiscent of the beauty displayed in the two football sets released in 2010 and 2011. There is no better looking high end product than Five Star, and its almost impossible to argue that these cards do not look incredible. The borders, the background, and size of the players on the cards help to provide a sizable space for the on card autographs, and I think that is a huge plus for a product with 100% hard signed signatures. Also, the booklet cards seem to have fixed a lot of the issues that I saw in football, as its obvious that a lot of time was spent building each of the designs that will populate the set. There is a distinct feel of royalty and knighthood in the set, and being someone that thrives on well conceived ornate designs that still allow for content on the card, this could not be more perfect.

My gripes are few, but important. First, I am not a fan of studio shots in any sport, but I know that its different in Baseball. The player’s likeness is just as much about his appearance as it is the uniform he wears, something that has not been understood so far in Football. For the games in the NFL, the player’s likeness is the uniform he wears and nothing else. There are no faces except what you see through the facemask. I would have liked game shots here, but it doesnt detract from the overall look the way it would if they were football players.

Additionally, I really dont like the bat barrel cards, as feel they look like the player is squeezed up at the top instead of printing them full bleed around the cut out. When the swatch has to be this big, the player should maintain a presence behind it. Topps has done this many times before, and Im not sure what changed here.

I also really like the way Topps is doing the cut signatures, as this might be one of the first time in years we get a full player photograph on the card. Ruth is featured in his own card, which not only allows for tasteful presentation of the cut, but extra room for it to be displayed. Great idea, and hopefully Mantle gets the same treatment.

Five Star continues to be the benchmark for visual appeal in this industry, and THAT is the main reason I love it as much as I do. Its majestic, but not goofy like some other products, and I think that is something that is paramount to the way the brand is percieved. Now that players like Ichiro and Darvish are around to create an international interest from collectors with deep pockets, there is more potential to have value in a box. Big plus, just ask the people who pulled Jeremy Lin during his run.

Lastly, a few of us had suggested a customer loyalty program over the years, and I am glad that Topps has once again proven that they want to make our suggestions into reality. The Five Star club is a great idea, and should be a program that many people will try to fight to get into. Upper Deck had a similar situation with the Diamond Club, that gave very similar perks, even though controversy about membership was frequent. Both clubs did and will attract the people necessary to float a product like this, and I dont think its a bad thing to reward people like this as long as its public knowledge.

Five Star will always have a place in my display, if not only because of the way the cards inspire an audible reaction from the people that see them. Frankly, if a product that costs as much as this will cannot accomplish that kind of response, the company is doing something wrong.