Knocking Over Leaners: A bunch of Blue Jay variations

One of my favorite modern baseball card gimmicks is the use of photo variations, particularly in flagship Topps. They're usually fantastic photos, at least in my limited experience. And while I know it would probably be better if Topps just used the best photos for their base cards, I kinda like that they're also rare. I've never found one in a pack myself, but I did happen across an eBay seller recently who had several that I liked for reasonable prices and a flat shipping rate.

This was probably my favorite of the bunch, because the 2015 Topps design is so unique and it works really well with Blue Jay colors. This is from Series 1, since Brett was actually traded before the season began to the A's in the deal that brought Josh Donaldson to Toronto. I obviously can't complain about the return given the whole Donaldson-MVP thing, but I was sorry to see Lawrie go. He's kind of a polarizing player and he never met the insanely high expectations set for him in Toronto, but he was a lot of fun to watch play. And of course he's Canadian. I'd like to see him do well in the future.

One more from 2015 Topps. It's not really a remarkable photo, so I'm not sure why this was chosen as a variation. There's lots of green in the photo, which is nice I suppose. I get why they'd want to do a variation on Devon Travis, though: He looked like a budding star during his rookie season -- at least, when he wasn't hurt. He just had shoulder surgery that will hopefully solve things going forward. There's a decent chance he could wind up batting leadoff in front of a lineup that includes Bautista, Encarnacion, Donaldson and Tulowitzki. If he can stay on the field, he could really have a monster season.

Jumping back two years, this is from 2013 Topps. I think a lot of the photo variations that year were of players attempting to make leaping catches. This is great photo of Rajai Davis in mid-leap (although it sure doesn't look like he's going to reach the ball). But I'd argue that the photo used in his base card, which pictures him scoring a walk-off run, is even better. I recently picked up an emerald foil parallel of that one.

Man, Brett is a favorite of Topps' when it comes to the photo variation treatment. His Oakland card in Series 2 also got the variation treatment. And his Topps rookie card variation is quite possibly my favorite Blue Jay card ever.