The latest in the mainstreaming of financial fail: Topps is including a “World’s Biggest Hoaxes, Hoodwinks and Bamboozles” series in its 2009 Allen & Ginter’s cards:

The Topps 2009 Allen & Ginter release will include cards of some 260 baseball players along with cards of historic figures and “world champions” from realms outside baseball. This year’s product, though, will also nod to Madoff’s financial chicanery as part of a group of cards featuring the “world’s biggest hoaxes, hoodwinks and bamboozles.” Among the other do-badders in the subset are Charles Ponzi, The Runaway Bride, and Enron.

That means collectors who open a pack of the cards at their local hobby shop could find Madoff right alongside notable sluggers like Alex Rodriguez or Albert Pujols.

Word has it Madoff has been demoted to a common, and will be tucked into roughly 1 out of every 12 packs (if children still collect baseball cards, I foresee a lot of small, confused faces). We anxiously await the full list of personalities included in this subset… and if there are no politicians or banksters on it, we will be sorely disappointed.

If anyone at Topps is reading and wants to send us a couple copies of the “Bamboozle” subset to give away to our readers, you will more than get your PR mileage out of it. Just, you know, sayin’. As an aside, I am a little grossed out by the other gimmick Topps is running this year – cards with Napoleon’s DNA? – so please don’t send us those.