Dodgers Blue Heaven: 2015 Topps Heritage - All the Dodger Base, SP's & Variations

For the longest time I wasn't looking forward to seeing this Heritage branded flashback set. The 1966 design is just bland and uninspiring. There are no action photos, only portraits and posed shots. The set screamed out, "I'm boring!" And gosh darnit, my younger self didn't want to identify with that.

But as the years have gone by I've gained a surprising amount appreciation for it. It's consistent and simple. There's no unwarranted flash to get in the way, and who doesn't want a nice mug of your favorite players? My older self has learned to accept that this minimalist approach is exactly the kind of thing I strive for. And dammit, I sure do like it.

There are 20 Dodgers' in the base set, and it includes the very first cards of several new Dodger players. Brandon McCarthy, Howie Kendrick and Jimmie Rollins get Dodger cards. Strangely, Matt Kemp remains in Dodger Blue even though he was sent packing at roughly the same time we got Rollins and Kendrick. Man, I tell ya, it's tough to be a Padres fan 'cause they get no respect.

There are several variations to chase if you're into that kind of thing; including a unique "Gum Back Damage" variation that has me intrigued. For most of us older folks we had to accept the fact that the last card in any pack would always have wax/gum stains. So, Topps decided to memorialize that with a variation that includes a "Gum" stain on the reverse. Best yet, they also happen to smell like gum, so I guess you can call it a "scratch and sniff" card. Anyway, go here to check out a complete checklist for this set and below are all of the cards.

#11 Michael Taylor & Joc Pederson