Topps NOW is probably the most successful of the card companies' print-to-demand programs, but they aren't the only game in town. Panini's Instant program covers NASCAR, NBA, NFL, USA Basketball (and maybe soccer?), with a heavy focus on offering a selection of parallels for each card released.
Leaf Live is the other player in the game, casting a wider net than the other companies when it comes to subject matter. Their controversial first card commemorated actor Gene Wilder upon his death, and other subjects to appear on the Leaf cards include Harambe (the gorilla who was killed by authorities at the Cincinnati Zoo after a child fell into his enclosure) internet fame, the U.S. Presidential campaign debates (Topps had a whole series of NOW cards devoted to the campaign, as well as a Garbage Pail Kids parody covering the same topic), John Cusack's Cubs fandom, and a rookie-centric assortment of baseball and football cards.
The Leaf Live cards are offered for a week-long period before orders are shut off. I know they are posted on the Leaf eBay account, but I am not certain if they are offered through any other venue. I resisted buying into the program, I guess because the subject matter didn't appeal to me and I suppose I am kind of a hobby elitist, looking down on Leaf for not being a major licensed card manufacturer. But they reeled me in with this card depicting Tim Tebow's journey in the New York Mets' minor league system.
Tebow hasn't been all that great as a baseball player, but he has done all right for someone who is just starting out in the minors after a long break from baseball. Regardless of his performance on the diamond, I am a Tim Tebow fan and I was excited to get a card featuring him as a baseball player. He seems like a genuine good guy, and I respect that about him. The print run on this card was announced at 182 copies. One of those is mine. There's a spot at the top where it looks like the printer malfunctioned or the ink smudged, but I am not too worried about that. I didn't buy this card as an investment.
The Tebow experiment has been interesting to watch and, honestly, I'm rooting for the guy. Nice to see his first baseball card finally pop up. However, I gotta say, Leaf is using the term "superstar" quite liberally here.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if Tebow could improve his play enough to hang around in the minor leagues for a while. It's probably a bit of a stretch to think he could make an MLB roster down the road. As far as being a superstar, I don't know if you always have to play well to be considered a superstar. He's got enough fame to be a superstar no matter what he does.
DeleteTebow is a nice guy, I'm rooting for him too. Not to mention Gainesville is just 'round the corner. Gator fan here.
ReplyDeleteI like Tim Tebow. He seems like a genuinely good guy. I wish the NFL thing would have worked out better for him, but no one can ever take that crazy run he had in Denver away from me. And it seems like now he's got the financial freedom to do whatever he wants without getting his clock cleaned every week by NFL defenses.
Delete