Cardinals SS Paul DeJong, in cooperation with Topps, "will have his own cards that are his to hand out -- all to promote academics, science and literacy, and the baseball card manufacturer's 'Topps of the Class' program," according to Derrick Goold of the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. There are "three designs for the exclusive cards," and though DeJong is featured on each, he is "not wearing" his No. 11 Cardinals jersey in any of them. On two of the cards, DeJong is "sporting a lab coat to promote science, and on the third he's leaning against the dugout railing with his agent, Burton Rocks, to promote literacy." In the coming weeks, DeJong will have the cards to "pass out at hospital visits he has planned during spring training and other appearances, or just to kids" at Busch Stadium. DeJong "has done special cards with the company before." This past Father's Day, Topps released a card featuring DeJong and his father, Keith, "printing a few for the family -- and has sought ways to merge his academic hobbies with his profession." At the same time, "Topps of the Class" has "long offered free packs to students who present their report card at a participating hobby shop." A baseball card "geared toward that program that DeJong could hand out personally was the blend he wanted" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 2/8).
