2009 Topps Heritage High Number Baseball Variations Confirmed

Today Topps confirmed a total of six variations were included in the recently released 2009 Topps Heritage High Number Baseball. Although insertion rates were not released, the statement did reveal that they were "extremely rare." What the statement did not reveal was that they're also "extremely unnecessary."

But for those completists out there, here be the variants:

15. Dustin Pedroia, Yankees logo

83. Derek Jeter, Red Sox logo

250. Albret Pujols, All-Rookie Design

545. Neftali Feliz, Black and White Image

563. Pedro Martinez, Black and White Head Shot

569. Alex Rios, Black and White Head Shot

Occasionally, I like variants. In some retro sets, one can use the excuse of an homage that winks at an old error or variation. Even the stupid squirrel in 2007 Topps Baseball was kind of funny (at least to the Yankees fans who know of the squirrel). But seriously, who wants a Derek Jeter card with a Red Sox logo? Jeter fans don't like the Red Sox and Red Sox fans see Jeter as a sworn enemy. It's the same idea with Pedroia. The black and white images - whatever. And why do we need a random rookie trophy of a rookie from 2001?

2008 Topps Heritage High Number Baseball Short Prints

Here's the list of the short prints for 2008 Topps Heritage High Numbers Baseball as provided by Topps:

648. Ian Stewart
677. Ryan Langerhans

686	Gavin Floyd	Chicago White Sox
687	Kevin Slowey	Minnesota Twins
688	Gio Gonzalez	Oakland Athletics
689	Eric Patterson	Oakland Athletics
690	Jonathan Sanchez	San Francisco Giants
691	Oliver Perez	New York Mets
692	John Lannan	Washington Nationals
693	Ramon Hernandez	Baltimore Orioles
694	Mike Fontenot	Chicago Cubs
695	Ross Gload	Kansas City Royals
696	Mark Sweeney	Los Angeles Dodgers
697	Nick Hundley	San Diego Padres
698	Kevin Correia	San Francisco Giants
699	Jeremy Reed	Seattle Mariners
700	Eddie Kunz	New York Mets
701	Miguel Montero	Arizona Diamondbacks
702	Gabe Gross	Tampa Bay Rays
703	Matt Stairs	Philadelphia Phillies
704	Kenny Rogers	Detroit Tigers
705	Mark Hendrickson	Florida Marlins
706	Heath Bell	San Diego Padres
707	Wilson Betemit	New York Yankees
708	Brandon Morrow	Seattle Mariners
709	Brendan Ryan	St. Louis Cardinals
710	Eric Hurley	Texas Rangers
711	Angels	Angels
712	Jack Hannahan	Oakland Athletics
713	Seth McClung	Milwaukee Brewers
714	New York Mets	New York Mets
715	Chris Perez	St. Louis Cardinals
717	Jaime Garcia	St. Louis Cardinals
718	Matt Joyce	Detroit Tigers
719	Brad Ziegler	Oakland Athletics