The Lean Years: 2003

 Hello Friends!

Another day to look into the lean years of my collection.. This time, 2003. 

Now, in 2003, I was living in Bridgenorth just outside Peterborough. I was working at Mac's and rarely got into town. When I did though I'd get the odd pack of cards. More came through repacks later in life. 

Flagship Bowman is represented by exactly one card. And I mean there's only so many ways to say "I can't make heads or tails of this product" 

Bowman Heritage, however, is a nice little throwback to Bowman sets from before they were Toppsified. 

I do like the cards, but as usual, just looking for the cards that fit my collections. 

I think the sets between 2003-2005 were the last gasps of the original Donruss. The set looks nice. I like it. Never saw a whole lot of it. 

Donruss Diamond Kings. Donruss started a separate set for just Diamond Kings cards. The cards are nice, but it's just odd to think of the progression of the DK cards from the set starters, to an insert, to a separate set. 

Team Heroes. Very odd set honestly. I think I like a later iteration of this idea where it actually had team heroes rather than the current roster. 

Fleer Platinum. To me it looks like 87 and 88 Fleer decided to mash themselves together. What we get is a 1970s Pirates style striping.. Also the space for the team name kind of bothers me. 

Fleer Tradition. I kind of like this set as well.. I'd consider maybe collecting it. 

Leaf.. School Picture Day... 

Stadium Club is again with a nice set. I like the cards, but I find they get too similar year to year.. 

Another year of similar Topps. I don't mind the look but I think I'd stick with the collections for it

Archives.. I honestly really like the Archives sets. I just never see enough of them to actually consider seriously collecting them. 

Opening Day. Slight colour difference from Flagship. Yay.. 

Topps Total. I love the concept of the set. I loved the execution when they first did it.. Then it disappeared.. And when they brought it back they ruined it by making it online purchase only and added other crap to it. 

Upper Deck. It's... Ok.. I don't think I can really say much more than that. 

Upper Deck 40 Man. So like Topps Total, Upper Deck did a set where they made sure everyone got cards. Just like the others, I only want what I collect from this. 

MVP going into hybrid mode here. I don't like it, but I don't hate it either. It exists.. 

Victory. I actually despise this set. It looks like it's trying too hard to be a collectible card game. 

Finally UD Vintage.. 

It's interesting to me that Upper Deck threw these vintage sets out when their whole company line was anti-vintage and ultra modern. 

I'm not even sure what set(s) it's "Borrowing" from.. 

I like the set but as usual, just the collections..