Third Blog Bat Around from Fielder's Choice

I didn't participate in the first two Blog Bat Arounds hosted by Sports Cards Uncensored but today I saw Fielder's Choice came up with great questions for the third Blog Bat Around and couldn't resist joining in the fun. If you would like to participate or want to know what the heck I'm talking about, click here. Here's are the questions Fielder's Choice has asked:

What type of sets would you like to see produced in 2009 and beyond? How could existing brands be improved and what new types of card sets would you like to see created? Should new sets be geared more toward set collectors, or should the number of hits (autographs and game-used relics) be increased? What about short prints? Parallels? Inserts? Gimmicks? What do you love about current cards, what do you hate, and where should the card companies go from here?

Ever since I got back in the hobby last year I have been impressed with all the new products that are available but I can't help but be wistful for the days of the old style Topps sets. Considering that Topps and Upper Deck are producing something like 17 sets a year now, how hard would it be for Topps to make one of them a 792 card set, all one series, gray cardboard, bubble gum, wax wrappers, no parallels, no gimmicks, no relics or autos and a low price point maybe 99 cents? And if they wanted, they could still make a high end 990 card base set like they've been doing, I mean we're talking 17 different products right? I know they make Heritage. And I like Heritage. But I'm talking about doing this as a new product without all the gimmicks and gamers and short prints. I think it would be a HUGE success. And while we're at it, why can't Upper Deck do the same thing make a back to basics set that is more reminiscent of their early 90's cards. Again, I think this could be a runaway hit. Again we're only talking about one of 17 products. I don't see why they don't at least try it.

What sets from 2008 and past years do you want to see return, and which brands would you like to see killed off?

Sadly we already know Masterpieces is being killed off. But obviously we would all like the see Heritage, Goudey and Allen & Ginter continue. I think Upper Deck was guilty of making a bunch of products in '08 that were unessesary and would not be missed if they were to disappear. I'm talking about Timelines, Spectrum, X and Documentary. Oh and I hope they don't make another 6,000 card plus insert set like Yankee Tedium Lunacy again. On the other hand I don't know why Upper Deck wouldn't replace some of these lame products with a faithful Fleer and Fleer Ultra revival. Again I think bringing Fleer back like it used to be is a no-brainer. It's a shame they hold the rights to a great piece of collecting history yet they do nothing with it. Anyway these are just a few ideas I have. Let me know what you think.