Hanson MLB Logo Promo

I didn't even realize Topps was doing this promo this year:

Apparently you could get these cards each week from the local card shop free with purchase of some packs. They are actually fairly attractive if you ignore the in-your-face MLB logo. That logo is there for a reason - it's to commemorate Topps' despicable monopoly new exclusive license with MLB Properties as sole manufacturer of licensed baseball cards. Sez so right on the back: " This card of Tommy Hanson has been specially created to  celebrate the exclusive partnership between Topps and Major League Baseball". Well, at least something good came out of it. The thing I don't understand is that it says onthe back to "visit your HTA store each week for a new card" but there's 50 cards in the set. This thing will drag out until next year at that rate. I'm at least 15 weeks behind so I'll pass on this one. The Hanson shore is purdy though.

In other marketing news, The Topps Transmogrifier will be spitting out football cards this autumn. Topps will probably add a super special Tim Tebow card around week 11 to commemorate his NFL debut in the fourth quarter to take a knee at the end of a blowout game against the Chiefs. 

2003 Play Ball - the Promos

Remember when the card companies gave away promo cards in Beckett and Tuff Stuff? You know, to advertise and drum up interest in their new products? Back when there were more than two companies in the marketplace? When card manufacturers actually had to innovate and put out an excellent product instead of crapping out some short printed cards they hoped would get on the news and provide them some free advertising? Yeah, neither do I. That was a looooooooong time ago. Nowadays they only give away promo cards at large conventions to dealers who put them on eBay for 20 bucks a pop. I miss promo cards.