My first jumbo pack of 2011 Topps Update Series:

I think Topps kinda overdid the “Cognac Diamond” cards here.  I don’t like parallels, and there are many here.

1. #US274 Jeff Karstens
2. #US235 Charlie Morton
3. #US298 Yorvit Torrealba
4. #US139 Rafael Soriano
5. #US90 James Russell
6. #US15 Aaron Heilman
7. #US269 Sergio Santos
8. #US24 Rex Brothers (Rookie Card)
9. #US263 Chad Qualls
10. #US308 Kyle Seager (Rookie Card)
11. #US73 Juan Nicasio (Rookie Debut)
12. #US136 Brandon Crawford (Rookie Debut)
13. #US164 Hector Noesi (Rookie Card)
14. #US205 D.J. LeMahieu (Rookie Card)
15. #US320 Russell Martin
16. #US261 John Buck
17. #US250 Zack Greinke
18. #US159 Alex Cobb (Rookie Card)
19. #US137 Willie Bloomquist
20. #US215 Michael Dunn
21. Cognac Diamond Anniversary #US278 Jacoby Ellsbury (All-Star)
22. 60 #T60-117 Fergie Jenkins
23. Diamond Giveaway #TDG-21 Mickey Mantle
24. Gold #US170 Brad Ziegler (Serial#1288/2011)
25. Diamond Anniversary #US166 David Ortiz (Checklist)
26. Topps Town #TTU-18 Heath Bell
27. Kimball Champions #KC-140 Michael Pineda
28. Cognac Diamond Anniversary #US58 Bert Blyleven (Short Print)
29. Cognac Diamond Anniversary #374 Washington Nationals (Team Card)
30. Cognac Diamond Anniversary #633 Aaron Crow (Rookie Card)
31. #US214 Matt Daley
32. #US243 Chris Denorfia
33. #US226 Steve Pearce
34. #US265 Willie Harris
35. #US212 Pat Neshek
36. #US284 Laynce Nix
37. #US130 David Robertson (All-Star)
38. #US91 Brandon League (All-Star)
39. #US287 Matt Joyce (All-Star)
40. #US292 Mike Adams
41. #US50 Jered Weaver (All-Star)
42. #US230 Miguel Cabrera (All-Star)
43. #US85 Roy Halladay (All-Star)
44. #US140 Clayton Kershaw (All-Star)
45. #US114 Lance Lynn (Rookie Card)
46. #US227 Kosuke Fukudome
47. #US21 Prince Fielder (All-Star)
48. #US37 Rick Ankiel
49. #US247 Zack Cozart (Rookie Card)
50. #US166 David Ortiz (Checklist)

And here’s what I got from the Diamond Giveaway:

1992 Topps #390 Barry Bonds

2009 Topps Series 1:

1. #117 Ron Gardenhire (Manager)
2. #255 Joe Crede
3. #295 Derrek Lee
4. #266 Todd Wellemeyer
5. #286 Odalis Perez
6. Turkey Red #TR36 Jacoby Ellsbury
7. Topps Town #TTT15 Alfonso Soriano
8. #10 Dan Uggla
9. #44 Geoff Jenkins
10. #175 Jeff Samardzija

“Believed to be the first Native American of Navajo descent to reach the Majors, Jacoby was a 2005 first-rounder who advanced to “The Show” almost as quickly as he gets around the bases.  After leading Red Sox Minor Leaguers in steals and ranking fourth in batting in 2007, he was called up.  He reached base safely in 29 of the 32 games in which he had an at-bat that season and was named AL Rookie of the Month in his first month.  He then capped his debut by batting .438 in the 2007 World Series to help Boston win it all.  Again in 2008, Ellsbury sparked the Red Sox with an American League-leading 50 steals.”

After 2 games so far this season, Jacoby is leading the league with 10 At-bats.

Odalis says, “I didn’t know if I’d even be part of the team”

2008 Topps Series 1:

1. #249 Chris Sampson
2. #243 Akinori Iwamura
3. #152 Bronson Arroyo
4. #300 Chien-Ming Wang
5. #123 Terry Francona (Manager)
6. 50th Anniversary All Rookie Team #AR2 Gary Sheffield
7. Trading Card History #TCH1 Jacoby Ellsbury
8. #80 Alex Rios
9. #90 Vladimir Guerrero
10. #313 Kameron Loe

“It was a whirlwind 2007 for Ellsbury, who was a sensation at every stop.  He hit .452 in 17 games at Double-A Portland, .298 at Triple-A Pawtucket and .353 in 33 contests for Boston, where his 13-game hitting streak was the longest by a Red Sox rookie in 32 years.  For the second straight season, the speedy centerfielder was named the club’s Minor League Defensive Player and Baserunner of the Year.”

Last season, Ellsbury batted .301, hit 10 triples, and stole 70 bases.

2008 Topps Series 2:

1. #578 Ricky Nolasco
2. #381 Jeff Francoeur
3. #506 Jay Gibbons
4. #537 Scott Moore
5. #657 Jeff Keppinger
6. #467 Nick Blackburn (Rookie)
7. Gold Border #461 Jacoby Ellsbury (Serial#1286/2008)
8. Historical Campaign Match-Ups #HCM-1992 Bill Clinton/George Bush
9. #512 Placido Polanco
10. #383 Jered Weaver

“Jacoby is a member of the Colorado River Indians Tribe.  The first American Indian of Navajo descent to play in the Major Leagues, his grandmother was a rug weaver on a reservation in Arizona.“

2005 Topps Updates & Highlights:

1. #UH300 Jason Motte (First Year) (Rookie)
2. #UH276 Micah Schnurstein (First Year) (Rookie)
3. #UH93 Bill Bray (Prospect)
4. #UH287 Kelvin Pichardo (First Year) (Rookie)
5. #UH317 Jacoby Ellsbury (Draft Pick) (Rookie)
6. #UH178 Manny Ramirez (All-Star)
7. #UH18 Humberto Quintero
8. #UH16 Gustavo Chacin
9. #UH39 Garrett Atkins
10. #UH170 Chris Carpenter (Sporting News All-Stars)

“Knowing that Johnny Damon can’t play forever, Boston drafted a possible future replacement in Jacoby.  For U. of Oregon in 2005, Ellsbury stroked .426 while flashing blazing speed (6.55 in the 60) and a brilliant glove in center field.  Add in his exceptional plate discipline and it’s no wonder he’s being hailed as a potential Big League leadoff man.  He starred for Lowell (A) in his first pro season.“

2008 Topps Dick Perez archives, to be integrated into my collection:

2008 Topps Dick Perez #WMDP11 Jacoby Ellsbury

1. #WMDP11 Jacoby Ellsbury
2. #WMDP12 Jake Peavy
3. #WMDP13 Miguel Cabrera