According to a preliminary checklist posted on Sports Collectors Daily, here are a few of the retired player additions in this year's set: Johnny Bench, Mickey Mantle (as usual), Jackie Robinson, Al Kaline, Reggie Jackson, Brooks Robinson, Stan Musial, Sandy Koufax, Carl Yastrzemski (YES!), Jim Palmer, George Brett, Tom Seaver, Don Mattingly, Ty Cobb, Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr (still can't believe he's retired), Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Bob Gibson (SP), Cal Ripken Jr. (SP), Frank Robinson (SP) and Nolan Ryan (SP)! Although there are a few too many Yankees for my taste (as usual with Topps), that is quite an impressive list of additions to this year's set.
The non-sport additions this year are also impressive and full of "name" individuals, including Michael Phelps (again), Kate Upton (yum!), Bob Knight, Erin Andrews (yum, pt.2!), Curly Neal and Arnold Palmer. Am I the only one hoping for a Bob Knight relic of his famous IU sweaters? Hopefully it won't be a letdown like last year's Shawn Michaels used camo (how do you NOT have wrestling trunks?).
Overall, I think this year's release will come as close to replicating the excitement of 2006's release. I bought my case...have you? Who are you looking forward to getting from the 2012 Allen & Ginter release?