Morning Report: Topps hits bottom
There's something to be said for the audacity needed to tick off absolutely everybody at the same time.
There's something to be said for the audacity needed to tick off absolutely everybody at the same time.
The Topps Co. is about to give a shot. When the venerable baseball cards hit the stores this week, there will be an insert involving former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani that will be sure to offend, oh, uncounted millions.
Yankees fans won't like it, Red Sox fans won't like it and failed Republican presidential candidate Rudy sure as heck won't like it, either.
About one in every 70 Topps packs will include a picture of Giuliani, fist raised in victory, celebrating with the Red Sox on the field after their World Series win last fall.
Huh? A native New Yorker, Rudy not only loves the Yankees, he hates the 'Sawks.'
But Topps is just having a little fun with imaging. Giuliani had managed to alienate some Yankee fans last fall by saying he was rooting for Boston in the Series - "I'm an American League fan," he said - and Topps ran with the idea.
"We took that and thought it would make for a funny card, since the Red Sox won," said Clay Luraschi, baseball brand manager for Topps. "We thought, let's put him in the championship dog pile."
Ah, the wonders of trick photography.
Giuliani - who was featured on a Topps card in 2004 - was not consulted about the new card, Luraschi said.
Topps did something similar a year ago, inserting George Bush into the stands and Mickey Mantle into the dugout in the background of Derek Jeter's card.
Wonder if John McCain has asked for equal time.
Party! ESPN.com's Jemele Hill reports that the hottest Super Bowl party was hosted by Playboy Magazine, which turned a warehouse in Chandler, Ariz., into a 52,000-square-foot bedroom.
While you're conjuring up a mental image of what must have looked like an alcoholic fog, be informed that the guest sightings included Eagles linebacker Takeo Spikes, former Giant Tiki Barber, Penn State immortal Franco Harris, former 76er Rick Mahorn, and talk show host Tom Arnold.
Hugh Hefner and the Girls Next Door hosted the bash.