Uncle

 If you're a set builder or team team set collector, you know how there are some sets builds that you enjoy so much that there's a bittersweet feeling upon completion. Then there are other sets that you just can't wait to finish. Even before completion, you're ready to say "uncle!" 2017 Topps baseball is one such set.

A recent trade with Uncle Hilgy on TCDB got me three cards closer to finishing the Braves 2017 Series 1, 2 and Update team sets. That's the good news. The bad news: I still have 17 cards to go - and that's not even counting some of the image variations that I attempt to get. 

When the images were released for 2017 Topps, I didn't like the design but was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. Afterall, I had felt the same way the year before and then at some point the 2016 set really grew on me. Eight years later and my views still haven't changed. I don't like it. The design, all the gray in the frames, and, of course, the lack of a border (the full-bleed look). 

 

Being a team set collector means you sometimes have turn off the taste buds and just open up and start chewing: larger bites are more preferable. But even the smaller bites will eventually fill the stomach. It just takes a little longer to empty the plate.

Thanks, Uncle, for the trade!