Baseball: bonds signs new baseball card deal with topps

Barry Bonds is back in the baseball-card market, at least in a limited way. After ending his association with all of the nation's cardmakers last season, Bonds has signed an exclusive deal with Topps to appear in its 2005 products, an agreement that not only includes regular card issues but autographed and game-used memorabilia cards and use of his image on Topps packaging and advertising.

There is a bonus for collectors in the deal, too. Topps is issuing a 2004 Bonds card through a recently announced in-store promotion. While supplies last, the special card -- which pictures Bonds in a now- familiar pose of raising his arms skyward after he completes his journey around the bases following a home run -- will be available for free at any Topps Home Team Advantage store with the purchase of a pack of 2005 Topps baseball cards.

The '04 card extends Bonds' string of appearances with Topps to 19 straight years.

But will anybody want them?