Topps Total was one of my favorite sets in the early 2000's. In a time of small, star-driven sets, Total was an absolute behemoth. Each team had something like 30 cards. Player selection was the key, though it also featured a lot of rookies and prospects. Still, without Topps Total, I would not have cards of Red Sox legends like Joe Oliver, Ramon Vazquez, Blaine Neal and Austin Brice.
Topps did not bring Total back this year, and a large part of that is likely due to the rather bizarre nature of the set since bringing it back in 2019. 10 card packs were only available online for the outrageous price of $10.00. That simply was not going to be a good buy, no matter what. So, I always just picked up the singles I wanted.
Which brings me to today's post. These are two of the more obscure players to appear for the Red Sox:
1. Josh Osich. Osich was one of the very first transactions Chaim Bloom made after he was claimed off waivers from the White Sox shortly after the 2019 World Series. The southpaw reliever put up some decent numbers, striking out 20 batters while walking five in just 15.2 innings in the 2020 season. He had a 1-1 record and a 5.74 ERA before being traded to the Cubs for pitching prospect Zach Bryant. This is going to be the only card of Osich with the Red Sox.
2. Ryan Weber. Weber was with the Red Sox from 2019 into this season. In 36 games during that three-year stint, he had a record of 3-7 with a 5.54 ERA. He started eight games, primarily as an opener. In 89.1 innings pitched, he struck out 63 while walking 24. Weber was released by Boston earlier this summer and made appearances with the Brewers and Mariners.
I wish that either the main set offerings would cover more players or Topps Total was more affordable.
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