Walk Off Wins

Cross two more inserts off the 2016 list.

A Bryan and a Brian brought me closer to never having to think about 2016 Topps Series One again with a couple of small envelopes. First off, Golden Rainbow cards sent over a pair of want list needs recently. David Freese's massive World Series in 2011 is the gift that keeps on giving, and he keeps finding himself on Cardinals checklists despite being traded away more than two years ago. The St. Louis native will never have to pick up a check in his hometown for the rest of his life.

Lance Berkman was also a huge part of the improbable 2011 run. His time with the Cardinals was brief, but he was tremendous when he was there.

Brian from Highly Subjective and Completely Arbitrary sent along some cards including another of the 2016 retail-exclusive inserts, with Allen Craig's mad stumble from the 2013 World Series being recognized on cardboard. A Sportflics-style card would have suited this moment better, and I'm sure no one wanted a photo of Craig on the ground, so here we are. Unfortunately, the 2013 series didn't turn out as well as 2011. Moving on.

I've opened a ton of packs of 2002 Upper Deck World Series Heroes because they frequently seem to be in dollar bins, but the rookies from the set are a pretty tough pull. I am definitely happy to cross this card off my list (which doesn't actually exist for these years, but whatever.)

Carlos Villanueva filled the long man role last season and did it well, although his appearances were few and far between. A 100 win team doesn't often have a lot of use for a mop-up guy. This year the role could be handed to Rule 5 Draftee Matt Bowman, but let's hope they don't have a lot of reason to use it once again.

Let's wrap this up with a shiny X-Fractor. Nice.