I Just Want A Pitcher Card

I am always a fan of Topps, or other card companies, going back and making cards of retired/former Cardinals players.  There have been some really nice players included over the past few years that extended beyond the usual trio of Ozzie Smith, Bob Gibson, and Lou Brock.  We've gotten cards of Brian Jordan, Jim Edmonds, Edgar Renteria, Mark McGwire, and Ted Simmons just to name a few. 

This year Topps has managed to put former pitcher/outfielder Rick Ankiel into a few different products.  Ankiel already had a ton of autographs from his time as a player, so these recent cards are sort of bonus autographs. There have been some really nice looking cards made this year too. 

This is my latest....

which is out of this year's Topps Gold Label.  Yes, it's got a big goofy gold frame.  Topps has been making this set for a few years now.  Cards seem clumsy with the chunky frames around the outside edges of the card.  Especially when compared to the base cards, which are slick and modern in design.  Although, the card stock in the base set has been downgraded from the original product back in the late 1990s.  

If I could change just one thing about the Ankiel cards this year, I would just ask that we get a card with a picture of Ankiel as a pitcher.  His comeback story as an outfielder was great, but his upside as a pitcher was really high.....

and I have often wondered what would have become of Ankiel if his pitching career had panned out.  It is fun to think about and would be nice to see on a baseball card.  Just once, come on Topps.