Card Review: 2015 Topps High Tek Derek Jeter Red Orbitals
 
Recently I made a significant trade with a fellow collector and was able to pick up this 2015 Topps High Tek Derek Jeter Red Orbitals Waves pattern Difractor numbered 2 of 5. Although I’m not a Jeter collector, I believe that it’s a firm acquisition. The only dilemma is whether or not to keep it. But, until I make up my mind, here are my personal thoughts on the card.
 
Why I like this card:

• The most obvious of answers is that this is a rare Jeter card, and rare Jeter cards are strong investments.
• Topps’s use of acetate card stock has always been one of my favorites. Since childhood I have loved the transparent cards of Tek.
• Regardless of who is featured on the card, Red Orbital Diffractors are very tough pulls. Outside of the “one of one” proofs, these are the hardest 2015 Tek parallel cards to find for a player collector.

 
Why I don’t like this card:

• This year Topps made Red Orbital Difractors in three patterns for each player. In the case of Derek Jeter, you can find Red Orbitals in the Waves pattern, the Grass pattern, or the Grid pattern. Irrespective, each pattern is still limited to only five copies. However, I have a pessimistic view on this information, and it softens the hype of a Red Orbital by knowing there are several variations.
• This card is super busy. As a matter of fact, it’s a mess. The picture of Jeter swinging a bat, set on a star burst, red waves, Orbital Difractor background is too much. It legitimately makes me claustrophobic and I prefer looking at the back of the card.