Am I wrong for being so annoyed with the Topps Red Hot Rookie Redemption program? Initially I found the entire process somewhat exciting. Some people hate redemption cards, but I actually enjoy them a bit. But that’s probably because I had some killer luck with some replacements in the past. (I once got a Roger Clemens autograph instead of a common signed European Football League rookie from Donruss.) Anyhow, as it pertains to this particular set, I am so over it. Back when Topps Series 2 was released, I bought a box and pulled the pictured card.

I waited all summer with anticipation wondering for whom this card would be exchanged for. Then in late September I got my answer: Lou Montanez of the Baltimore Orioles.

I was so defeated when I learned about the redemption. I mean the first card in the series is a signed Jay Bruce, and there are at least a dozen or so other solid cards in this setbut Montanez is not one of them.

My gripe however is not really about the card I’m supposed to receive, I know that’s the gamble you take some times with redemption programs. Rather, my bitching and moaning is about when or if I’ll ever receive said card.  The Montanez card is far from a Red Hot card on the market, but as a collector, I just want what I am entitled to. And seeing as how Montanez was named as the 20th player in this set on Sept 25 — four months ago — I am getting really annoyed that the card still has not shown up.

I checked my redemption status and it is as follows: (image)

DAMNIT!

This entry was posted on January 31, 2009 at 12:03 am and is filed under Newspaperman with tags 2008 Topps, 2009 Topps, Annoyed, baseball, baseball cards, Cardboard Icons, Lou Montanez, Red Hot Rookie, Topps. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.