As of Saturday morning, thanks to the warning alarm sounded by Stale Gum, it looks as though ambitious collectors can now get their hands on 2011 Topps Allen & Ginter cards via eBay. There are already some interesting cards to be discovered including full bleed photos. My personal favorite so far is the Amityville House mini from the
'Univited Guests' mini insert set.
In an e-mail release from Topps this past Thursday they provided a listing of the non-sport autographs available in A&G this year. The one that stands out to me is the inclusion of WWE's Shawn Michaels. I may have to actually chase that one in order to build my 'Montreal Screw-job' Collection.
My choice for autograph card most likely to be made fun of RIDICULOUSLY is Matt Guy - The King of Cornhole. I am also happy to see a 'Travel Channel' personality make the cut, but it is bittersweet that it was not the one I was hoping for. C'mon Topps, maybe in 2012 you can give Adam Richman from 'Man vs. Food' the enshrinement he deserves.
ANTICIPATION FOR ALLEN & GINTER HEATS UP
With 2011 Allen & Ginter set to release next week, collectors are anticipating one of the most intriguing non-baseball autograph checklists the hobby has ever seen. From the greatest pound-for-pound fighter ever Manny Pacquiao and World Cup star Hope Solo to Annika Sorenstam, Cheryl Burke and John McEnroe, this year’s Allen & Ginter packs a powerful punch.
Following is a list of this year’s non-baseball autographs in Allen & Ginter.
Aimee Mullins - Paralympic Champion / World Record Holder
Ana Julaton - Women's Boxing Champion
Annika Sorenstam - Women's Golf Champion
Cheryl Burke - 2-Time Champion, Dancing with the Stars
Chrissie Wellington - Champion Triathlete and Iron Man World Record Holder
Chuck Woolery - Game Show Host
Daniel Boulud - Award-Winning French Chef
Diana Taurasi - Champion Women's Basketball Guard/Forward
Dick Vitale - Basketball Broadcaster
Evan Lysacek - Winter Games Men's Figure Skating Gold Medalist
Geno Auriemma - Champion Women's College Basketball Coach
Guy Fieri - Food Network TV Star & Host of Minute to Win It
Heather Mitts - Champion Women's Soccer Defender
Hope Solo - Champion Women's Soccer Goalkeeper
Jim Nantz - Sports Broadcaster
Jo Frost - Host of Supernanny
John McEnroe - Men's Tennis Champion
Kristi Yamaguchi - Winter Games Figure Skating Gold Medalist
Kyle Petty - NASCAR Driver
Lou Holtz - Champion College Football Coach & Broadcaster
Manny Pacquiao - World Champion Boxer
Marc Forgione - Restauranteur & Winner of The Next Iron Chef
Micky Ward - Champion Boxer & Subject of The Fighter
Nancy Lopez - Women's Golf Champion
Peter Gammons - Award-Winning Baseball Writer & Broadcaster
Picabo Street - Winter Games Alpine Skiing Gold Medalist
Rudy Ruettiger - College Football Player & Inspirational Speaker
Sanya Richards - Summer Games Track & Field Gold Medalist
Stan Lee - Founder of Marvel Comics
Sue Bird - Champion Women's Basketball Guard
Tim Howard - Champion Men's Soccer Goalkeeper
Timothy Shieff - Freerunning & Parkour Champion
Eric Jackson = Freestyle Kayaking Champion
Jake LaMotta - Champion Boxer & Subject of Raging Bull
Wee Man - World's Smallest Stunt Man
Mat Hoffman - Champion of BMX Biking and Extreme Sports
Matt Guy - 2011 ACO World Championships "King of Cornhole" Tournament Winner
Dirk Hayhurst - Author of The Bullpen Gospels
Al Gore & Keith Olbermann
Ron Turcotte - Champion Race Horse Jockey
Larry Holmes - Champion Boxer
Rafer Johnson - Champion Decathlete
Shawn Michaels - Professional Wrestler
Angelo Dundee - Boxing Trainer and Cornerman
Cheers,
