2008 Topps Updates & Highlights:

1. #UH248 Doug Mientkiewicz
2. #UH116 Odalis Perez
3. #UH158 Chad Durbin
4. #UH161 Asdrubal Cabrera (Highlights)
5. #UH178 Lance Berkman (Home Run Derby)
6. #UH10 Evan Longoria (Rookie)
7. #UH174 D.J. Carrasco
8. #UH329 Jeremy Sowers
9. Gold Border #UH67 Jamey Carroll (Serial#1893/2008)
10. Year in Review #YR150 Scott Baker

“Flashing what former Twins slugger Gary Gaetti called “light-tower power,” Evan walloped 26 homers in 2007 to solidify his place among baseball’s top handful of prospects.  On June 9, 2008, Longoria smashed a pair of longballs against the Angels in Anaheim, about a half-hour drive from where he grew up.  “Shoot, what a homecoming for me,” he beamed.”

And Odalis Perez, who was released by the Nationals after the 2008 season and not picked up by any team.  He’s effectively retired now:

2008 Topps Updates and Highlights:

1. #UH224 Angel Pagan
2. #UH206 Russell Branyan
3. #UH320 Heath Bell
4. #UH268 Alfonso Soriano (All-Star)
5. #UH286 Aaron Cook (All-Star)
6. #UH137 Evan Longoria (Highlights)
7. #UH282 Carlos Marmol (All-Star)
8. #UH312 Ivan Rodriguez
9. #UH138 T.J. Beam
10. Gold Foil #UH91 Billy Buckner

“Evan hit his first Major League walk-off home run with one out in the ninth inning, breaking a scoreless tie and giving starting pitcher James Shields a 2-0 win over the visiting Angels.  After making two sterling plays at third base in the top of the inning, the rookie hit a 1-1 Justin Speier sinker over the 370-foot sign in left-center field.”

And current Washington National Pudge Rodriguez:

A few random cards to be integrated into my collection:

1996 Metal Universe Platinum Portraits #7 Hideo Nomo

2002 Nestle Ice Cream #6 Ichiro

2008 Bowman Draft Prospects #BDPP35 Tim Federowicz

2008 Upper Deck 20th Anniversary Hobby Preview #UD-77 Evan Longoria

2008 Topps Updates & Highlights:

1. #UH19 Johnny Estrada
2. #UH250 Pedro Feliz
3. #UH43 Jason Bartlett
4. #UH274 Albert Pujols (All-Star)
5. #UH4 Brent Lillibridge (Rookie)
6. #UH172 Evan Longoria (Home Run Derby)
7. #UH162 Eric Stults
8. #UH108 Shin-Soo Choo
9. World Baseball Classic Preview #WBC17 Frank Catalanotto
10. Gold Foil #UH58 Scott Kazmir (All-Star)

“Fans participating in the Monster All-Star Game Final Vote made a wise decision when they cast a record nine million ballots to add Longoria to the 2008 AL All-Star Team.  The rousing Rays rookie kept the AL (which won in 15 innings) in business with a game-tying double in the eighth inning.  It was the first ASG RBI by a rookie since one by Tom Tresh in 1962.”

I guess since Longoria only hit 3 home runs during the Home Run Derby, Topps decided to just talk about his performance during the All-Star Game, and ignore mentioning the Home Run Derby on his Home Run Derby Card…

To wrap up my tour of Topps Traded/Updates, today I bring you 2008 Topps Updates & Highlights:

1. #UH145 Kip Wells
2. #UH50 Matt Garza
3. #UH180 Scott Rolen
4. #UH159 Mike Aviles (Rookie)
5. #UH280 Max Scherzer (Rookie)
6. #UH9 Shawn Riggans
7. #UH102 Matt Murton
8. #UH251 Mark Redman
9. #UH288 Evan Longoria (All-Star)
10. Ring of Honor World Series Champions #RH-ML Mike Lowell

…and Checklist 3 of 3.

“Winning the 2008 American League Monster All-Star Game Final Vote put Evan in the Midsummer Classic just three months after making his Major League debut.  Boasting a .281 AVG with 16 home runs at the time, he made the most of his opportunity.  Longoria’s eighth-inning RBI double tied the contest, 3-3, setting up a dramatic 4-3 victory in 15 innings.“