30 Day Baseball Card Challenge - Day 20

30 DAY BASEBALL CARD CHALLENGE

DAY 20

Your favorite parallel card based on the parallel, not the player.

1998 Fleer Tradition was a fun set to collect, in my opinion. The Vintage '63 was an insert set randomly inserted in both series 1 and 2. However today's challenge is all about parallels, not inserts. The Vintage '63 set had its own parallel set, Classic '63. These cards were serially numbered to 63 each and weren't the easiest to pull. I remember because I was floored when I pulled a low numbered Derek Jeter back in the day.

Other than the serial number printed in gold foil on the card's back, the front yellow diamond was replaced with gold foil. This makes the Classic '63 cards stand out from the normal Vintage '63 cards. I guess it's the overall clean design and the serial number that makes this set attractive to me. I may be able to come up with another favorite parallel if I had more time and energy to think, but this is the first thing that jumped out at me when I read this day's challenge.

When parallels mean something

Parallels are nothing new in the world of sports cards, especially with baseball cards.  Correct me if I'm wrong (and I'm probably wrong) but one of the first parallel sets I remember were the 1991 Topps Desert Storm parallels...and you may or may not count those since they weren't randomly packaged in packs.  Another prominent memory of parallels that seemed to get out of hand during my collecting years (started in 1990 by the way) were all of the Gold Medallion cards in Fleer Ultra.

While parallels certainly have their place with collectors I've come to the conclusion that I'm tired of them.  I'm tired of chasing multiple parallels of the same card when only the border changes color.  I can deal with parallels like Topps Tek where more of the card is changed from variation to variation, but the simple color swap of the border - I'm tired of them.

However I will say that some parallels make sense...at least to me.  What I mean by that is there are certain ones that are more appealing to me.  Take for instance this 2011 Topps red bordered parallel from the factory sets.  (I'm not sure why the scan makes the red look so orange)

With the color red being a prominent color of the Braves I can deal with this parallel.  However why would I want to continue chasing orange, green, powder blue, etc. parallels?  My hobby funds are already near non-existent.  If I receive parallels that I don't already own in trades then I'm for it.  I just don't see the need nor do I have the desire to chase down every single parallel unless it's for someone that fits into my PC. 

Here is another example of a parallel that makes sense to me.  2011 Topps Update Walmart blue border:

Prior to Francoeur being traded to the Royals I can't say I would've messed with this card.  While the powder blue doesn't quite match the Royals shade of blue I can let this card slide for several reasons.  1) I like Francoeur, 2) he doesn't have near as many 2011 cards and 3) it's an awesome photo.

The one exception I'll make is for players that I collect (see side bar for list).  I'm all for chasing the rainbow or whatever, but as far as going after pointless parallels for my Braves, Panthers or Charlotte Hornets/Bobcats I'll pass.  Even if the parallel is of someone from my PC I'll still probably be choosy going forward.  Well maybe not for Hudson, Glavine, Smoltz and Rey Ordonez.  I just can't seem to get enough cards of these guys!

What is your feeling towards parallels, especially modern parallels?  How do you approach collecting them?  Do you tend to shy away from them?  Do you tend to only collect certain colors or a certain style (like refractors)?