2010 Chachi #43 Charlie Manuel/Chase Utley AS

As I ease into the world of off-season posting, the first order of business is to post the remaining 2010 Chachi cards.  I created two All-Star cards this year, using the All-Star card design from the 1974 Topps set.  In the original set, Topps featured each League's respective All-Stars at a certain position on the same card.  For my set, I decided to go with National League manager Charlie Manuel and second baseman Chase Utley on the first card, with Roy Halladay and Ryan Howard on the second card.

Manuel managed his second consecutive All-Star Game back on July 13th, becoming the first NL manager to actually win an All-Star contest since Bobby Cox won at the Vet back in 1996.  The 3-1 victory secured home field advantage in the World Series for the . . . oh never mind.  Manuel won't be back at the helm for the NL in 2011, as the Giants' Bruce Bochy will get a turn instead.

For the fifth consecutive year, Utley was voted in as the NL's starting second baseman, but his sprained thumb prevented him from joining the festivities in Anaheim.  The Braves' Martin Prado started at second in Utley's stead.

For the backs of these All-Star cards, I opted to pay homage to the originals by featuring a small puzzle of the Phillies actually in attendance for the game.  When placed together, the backs of the original nine 1974 Topps All-Star cards featured 1973 All-Star Game MVP Bobby Bonds.  Granted, the backs of my All-Star cards don't form much of a puzzle, since there are only two cards, but I thought it was cool nevertheless.