These cards "Topp" the sports fan's list.

• Position: What's New? - Brief article

Collecting, trading, and flipping baseball cards used to be one of the best parts of recess when I was a kid. (Remember, "Got 'em, got 'em, need 'em, got 'em ...). Now, of course, such fun activities are verboten on school grounds. Nevertheless, youngsters (and adults) still collect. I turned over all of my old cards to our son years ago, and although he's now a high school freshman, the passion--and the bonding with dad--are as strong as ever.

Of course, no flipping at school is not the only change that has gripped the hobby. While individual packs still are sold, the savvy collectors today get their cards in complete boxed sets. With that in mind, and the holiday season already here, we looked to the longtime leader in trading cards for the ideal gift for our son: the Topps 2013...