Topps goes nuts over Rally Squirrel

Posted Jan 27, 2012 by Bob D'Angelo

Updated Jan 27, 2012 at 06:49 PM

Forgive Topps for going a little nuts over its Series 1 release, which will hit the shelves on Feb. 1. Because this card is too funny to pass up without a comment.

In a story written by Beckett Baseball editor Chris Olds on www.beckett.com, the infamous Rally Squirrel will have its own rookie card in a short-printed version. Actually, the squirrel will share a card with Skip Schumaker, the Cardinals hitter who was batting in Game 4 of the National League Divisional Series. Roy Oswalt of the Phillies was delivering a pitch to Schumaker in the bottom of the fifth inning when the squirrel scampered across the field.

I am including a watermarked photo that Beckett is publishing in its upcoming issue (hope you’re not mad, guys) to illustrate.

Poor Skip. All we see is his foot on this card. But the squirrel is in full extension as he enters the batter’s box.

Like the Rally Monkey of the 2002 Angels, the squirrel took on a life of its own and became a rallying point for the Cardinals, who managed to go all the way and win the World Series.

There is a YouTube video of the squirrel’s mad dash for the plate. It wasn’t the first time the critter interrupted play, and it wasn’t the last. But it certainly got some attention since it occurred on a national state.

Schumaker, by the way, turns 31 two days after Series 1 goes on sale. The infielder wound up batting .600 against the Phillies in the NLDS. He wasn’t so lucky in his at-bat that featured the squirrel, although he did drill a 2-1 pitch to deep center field that was caught.

Some might scoff at the gimmicky nature of this card, but hey, card collecting is supposed to be fun. What’s wrong with having a little bit of fun, particularly with something that got some buzz last fall? This card is along the same vein as the 2007 Derek Jeter card that contained a waving President George W. Bush and Mickey Mantle in the Yankees’ dugout. At least the squirrel’s run actually happened.

Besides, it seems as if every year, Topps comes up with a few surprises or variations to give its Series 1 a little bit more of a push.

Cards like that still bring the kid out in me. I have to chuckle. And I hope I can pull one when Series 1 comes out.