Derek Jeter Shares New Card with Bush and Mantle

It's good to know that in today's world of PC dominance, some people still have a sense of humor. In the new 2007 batch of Baseball Cards Homepage" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.topps.com">Topps baseball cards, New York Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter shares the spotlight with President George W. Bush and Mickey Mantle.

Obviously the photo capture would be impossible- Mantle, who's in the batting cage, died in 1995. Bush, a war monger by design, is seen sporting a smile and waving.

Collectors and fans alike have been sharing their opinions of the new card on Internet message boards. Although conspiracy theories and marketing ploys are among the suggestions for its existence, most people are simply enjoying the print. The favorable response may have been a factor in Topps decision not to change the card back. They're the deciders.

Topps spokesman Clay Luraschi responded to the unauthorized artistic licensing by saying, "Someone was having a little fun between the final proofing and the printing process. We first saw the card only after it was printed and honestly, could not do anything but laugh." An unnamed employee has been credited for the gag.

The discovery was made by collectors as the cards began to arrive on store shelves last week. It took about .0372 seconds for the card to hit Ebay- going bids have hit the $45.00 mark. Having the card autographed by Jeter would certainly add value to the card, as would an autograph by Bush.

Always in need of good press, Bush will most likely react with child-like glee. His handlers have yet to respond.

This isn't the first time a baseball card has ignited such interest. Most recently a 1909 Honus Wagner card yielded a record $2.35 million, purchased by a Southern California collector. Considered the Holy Grail of baseball cards, it commanded such an obscene amount of money because of Wagner's accomplishments and the rarity of the card itself. Originally packaged with cigarettes, Wagner stopped allowing the companies to use his image for fear that it would encourage kids to start smoking.... And we all know how that effort worked out.