I've been collecting 1956 Topps, with the hopes that some day I'll be able to afford the Mantle (in any condition) and complete the set. But as I've been piecing it together — buying commons at my local shop, picking up random cards at shows, and looking for cheaper stars on eBay, I'm finding I really have my work cut out for me.

I like to go for a master set when possible, and my quest for 1956 will be no different. I have just over 300 or so of the regular checklist, including both checklists. But if I start differentiating between gray backs, white backs, dated teams, centered teams, bearded variations, and others, I begin to realize just how complicated the master set will be to put together.

For example, check out this auction I found tonight. I've been searching for the Hodges "incognito" variation for almost a year, and even though $47.75 is sort of out of my price range for a single card, I'm seriously  tempted. (The most I've paid for a single card is $50 for a Ted Williams with a large crease. Second most? $32 for a Willie Mays with a stealth miscut on the back.)

I've wanted to blog about this set for a while now. I really think it's one of the best of its era in terms of checklist and design. It's also, in the grand scheme of things, relatively easy to put together, as it's bountiful on eBay in all conditions. Sure, the master set will be a challenge. But that's half the fun, right?

It's Hall of Fame Weekend! Hooray!

And while it's exciting for Rich Gossage, Old Man Dick Williams, and the Ghost of Barney Dreyfuss, there is a green room full of guys who continue to check their voicemail in vain...

586 career stolen bases • 5-time All-Star • 2,134 career hits
1962 NL All-Star Game & Regular Season MVP
3-time World Series Champion


1964 NL MVP • 281 career home runs • 7-time All-Star • 2,143 career hits
1964 World Series Champion


NL MVP 1982, 1983 • 7-time All-Star • 398 career home runs
(And no, I'm not talking about Ernie Whitt)


1977 NL Rookie of the Year • 1987 NL MVP • 8-time All-Star • 2,774 career hits • 438 career home runs • 1,591 career RBI


6-time All-Star • 374 career home runs • 3 top-5 AL MVP finishes


9-time All-Star • 374 career home runs • 2,254 career hits • 5 Gold Gloves


.304 career avg. • 8-time All-Star • 1964 AL Rookie of the Year • 3-time AL Batting Champion


8-time All-Star • 370 career home runs • Won 1969 World Series as NY Mets manager • Twice World Series Champion as player with Dodgers


3,701 career Ks • 287 career victories • 3.31 career ERA • 2-time All-Star • 2-time World Series Champion


1970 AL Rookie of the Year • 1976 AL MVP • 7-time All-Star • 3 Gold Gloves • .292 career avg.


.298 career avg. • 382 career home runs • 1978 AL MVP • 8-time All-Star
Once snapped his bat on a check-swing


4 consecutive 20-win seasons • 4 top-5 AL Cy Young finishes • 1989 World Series Champion • 1989 World Series MVP • 1990, 1993 ALCS MVP