Monday, October 23, 2017

Celebrating 2017 Topps Update Series Yet??? Save Some For Me, Please!!!


It's almost here. The end of the 2017 Baseball Card Season.

The 2017 Topps edition of the end-of-the-year Update Series went live on October 18, 2017, and it means that the hunt will be on for cards and sets from the product. This year's Update Series consists of a 300-card base set, with at least 294 insert cards from 9 different insert sets. At this point, I've already made plans to buy a second 3 inch binder just to hold the insert cards. Why? Because while I know six-inch binders exist, to hold all the base and insert cards form Series 1 and 2 plus the US, I'm going to need a 7-inch one...and those don't exist (and if they do, can someone send me one???)

But who made the checklist?

If it's to be believed on the interwebs, there will be lots of Cody Bellinger. Lots of Aaron Judge. And no Pat Neshek All-Star relic cards (if you caught the Twitter feed last week, you'll know what I'm talking about).

The "final" checklist was posted yesterday. And while the Cubs fan in me is kind of disappointed (only 11 base cards, seven of which are a player's regular card), the rest of the set looks really good. Now for those who have seen these long checklist posts before, I only post the sets I actually care about. What you will see are just the base and basic insert sets. So there won't be any autograph sets, relic sets, autograph/relic sets, etc, listed below. Now, while most are going to be found in the Hobby product, as we have seen in the last few years, there will be a couple of retail-exclusive insert sets, and there will be Walmart-exclusive and Target-exclusive insert sets as well.

One last thing. There are a ton, once again, of short-printed (and super-short-printed) variation cards. A good mix of current and legendary players. I'll be honest, I've seen the legends list. I'd love to collect them, but not if they're SSP'd. Bring back the old days (of almost ten years ago) when CMG legends and recently retired players were sprinkled into the regular set without the limited quantities some of the SSP cards seem to have.


BASE:

US1 Aaron Judge New York Yankees MLB HR Derby
US2 Domingo German New York Yankees Rookie
US3 Paul Sewald/Tyler Pill New York Mets Rookie Combo
US4 Matt Chapman Oakland Athletics Rookie
US5 Casey Fien Philadelphia Phillies
US6 Ramon Torres Kansas City Royals Rookie
US7 Willy Garcia/Adam Engel Chicago White Sox Rookie Combo
US8 Yulieski Gurriel Houston Astros Rookie Debut
US9 George Springer Houston Astros MLB All-Stars
US10 Ian Happ Chicago Cubs Rookie
US11 Gary Sanchez New York Yankees MLB HR Derby
US12 Lisalverto Bonilla Cincinnati Reds
US13 Brian McCann Houston Astros
US14 BLAST OFF! Houston Astros
US15 Kyle Higashioka New York Yankees Rookie
US16 Rafael Bautista Washington Nationals Rookie
US17 Chris Archer Tampa Bay Rays MLB All-Stars
US18 Mookie Betts Boston Red Sox MLB All-Stars
US19 Eric Skoglund Kansas City Royals Rookie
US20 Jason Vargas Kansas City Royals MLB All-Stars
US21 Christian Arroyo San Francisco Giants Rookie Debut
US22 Hunter Renfroe San Diego Padres Rookie Debut
US23 Derek Holland Chicago White Sox
US24 Joe Smith Toronto Blue Jays
US25 Christian Arroyo San Francisco Giants Rookie
US26 Steve Pearce Toronto Blue Jays
US27 Nolan Arenado Colorado Rockies MLB All-Stars
US28 Drew Robinson Texas Rangers Rookie
US29 Drew Steckenrider Miami Marlins Rookie
US30 Danny Ortiz Pittsburgh Pirates Rookie
US31 Danny Santana Atlanta Braves
US32 Luis Torrens San Diego Padres Rookie
US33 Salvador Perez Kansas City Royals MLB All-Stars
US34 Nelson Cruz Seattle Mariners MLB All-Stars
US35 Dinelson Lamet San Diego Padres Rookie
US36 Adam Lind Washington Nationals
US37 Ian Happ Chicago Cubs Rookie Debut
US38 Cody Bellinger Los Angeles Dodgers MLB All-Stars
US39 Charlie Morton Houston Astros
US40 Pat Neshek Philadelphia Phillies
US41 Mitch Haniger Arizona Diamondbacks Rookie Debut
US42 Seth Smith Baltimore Orioles
US43 Joey Votto Cincinnati Reds MLB All-Stars
US44 Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs
US45 Johan Camargo Atlanta Braves Rookie
US46 Dylan Covey Chicago White Sox Rookie
US47 Yadier Molina St. Louis Cardinals MLB All-Stars
US48 Ariel Hernandez Cincinnati Reds Rookie
US49 Austin Bibens-Dirkx Texas Rangers Rookie
US50 Cody Bellinger Los Angeles Dodgers Rookie
US51 Jorge Bonifacio Kansas City Royals Rookie
US52 Michael Fulmer Detroit Tigers MLB All-Stars
US53 Barrett Astin Cincinnati Reds Rookie
US54 Ronald Torreyes New York Yankees
US55 Luis Severino New York Yankees MLB All-Stars
US56 Jake Junis Kansas City Royals Rookie
US57 CHARGED-UP BATTERY Toronto Blue Jays
US58 Ervin Santana Minnesota Twins
US59 Matt Joyce Oakland Athletics
US60 Kyle Freeland Colorado Rockies Rookie
US61 Matt Szczur San Diego Padres
US62 Travis Wood Kansas City Royals
US63 Andrew Cashner Texas Rangers
US64 Corey Kluber Cleveland Indians MLB All-Stars
US65 Giancarlo Stanton Miami Marlins MLB HR Derby
US66 Jose Osuna Pittsburgh Pirates Rookie
US67 Avisail Garcia Chicago White Sox MLB All-Stars
US68 Jered Weaver San Diego Padres
US69 Alex Avila Detroit Tigers
US70 Josh Reddick Houston Astros
US71 Junichi Tazawa Miami Marlins
US72 Joaquin Benoit Philadelphia Phillies
US73 Jason Grilli Texas Rangers
US74 Ryne Stanek Tampa Bay Rays Rookie
US75 Jake Buchanan Cincinnati Reds
US76 Miguel Montero Toronto Blue Jays
US77 Mike Moustakas Kansas City Royals MLB All-Stars
US78 Jarlin Garcia Miami Marlins Rookie
US79 Nick Goody Cleveland Indians
US80 Ichiro Miami Marlins
US81 Clay Buchholz Philadelphia Phillies
US82 Matt Boyd Detroit Tigers
US83 Carlos Ruiz Seattle Mariners
US84 Michael Brantley Cleveland Indians MLB All-Stars
US85 Tommy Milone New York Mets
US86 Clayton Richard San Diego Padres
US87 Chris Sale Boston Red Sox MLB All-Stars
US88 Jorge Soler Kansas City Royals
US89 Casey Lawrence Seattle Mariners Rookie
US90 Derek Fisher Houston Astros Rookie
US91 Jordan Montgomery New York Yankees Rookie
US92 Anthony Alford Toronto Blue Jays Rookie
US93 Jesse Chavez Los Angeles Angels
US94 Justin Upton Detroit Tigers MLB All-Stars
US95 Stephen Strasburg Washington Nationals MLB All-Stars
US96 Brett Phillips Milwaukee Brewers Rookie
US97 Alexi Amarista Colorado Rockies
US98 Andrew Moore Seattle Mariners Rookie
US99 Aaron Judge New York Yankees Rookie Debut
US100 Chris Sale Boston Red Sox
US101 Magneuris Sierra St. Louis Cardinals Rookie
US102 Dovydas Neverauskas/Gift Ngoepe Pittsburgh Pirates Rookie Combo
US103 Matt Adams Atlanta Braves
US104 Sam Gaviglio Seattle Mariners Rookie
US105 John Brebbia St. Louis Cardinals Rookie
US106 Kendrys Morales Toronto Blue Jays
US107 Andrew Bailey Los Angeles Angels
US108 Wilson Ramos Tampa Bay Rays
US109 Ben Revere Los Angeles Angels
US110 Corey Seager Los Angeles Dodgers MLB All-Stars
US111 “MEAT” OF THE METS New York Mets
US112 Ryan Zimmerman Washington Nationals MLB All-Stars
US113 Franklin Barreto Oakland Athletics Rookie Debut
US114 Pat Neshek Philadelphia Phillies MLB All-Stars
US115 “M” IS FOR “MASHING” American League
US116 Tyler Glasnow Pittsburgh Pirates Rookie Debut
US117 Neftali Feliz Kansas City Royals
US118 Bradley Zimmer Cleveland Indians Rookie Debut
US119 Greg Holland Colorado Rockies
US120 Carlos Beltran Houston Astros
US121 Daniel Murphy Washington Nationals MLB All-Stars
US122 COMING TO AMERICA American League
US123 Colby Rasmus Tampa Bay Rays
US124 Nick Hundley San Francisco Giants
US125 Yoan Moncada Boston Red Sox Rookie Debut
US126 Austin Slater San Francisco Giants Rookie
US127 Antonio Senzatela Colorado Rockies Rookie
US128 Ervin Santana Minnesota Twins MLB All-Stars
US129 Brooks Pounders Los Angeles Angels
US130 Zack Greinke Arizona Diamondbacks MLB All-Stars
US131 Doug Fister Boston Red Sox
US132 Dallas Keuchel Houston Astros MLB All-Stars
US133 Keynan Middleton Los Angeles Angels Rookie
US134 Justin Bour Miami Marlins MLB HR Derby
US135 Chase De Jong Seattle Mariners Rookie
US136 Josh Harrison Pittsburgh Pirates MLB All-Stars
US137 Daniel Hudson Pittsburgh Pirates
US138 Logan Verrett Baltimore Orioles
US139 Luis Castillo Cincinnati Reds Rookie
US140 Sal Romano Cincinnati Reds Rookie
US141 Bryce Harper Washington Nationals MLB All-Stars
US142 Tzu-Wei Lin Boston Red Sox Rookie
US143 Trevor Cahill San Diego Padres
US144 Charlie Blackmon Colorado Rockies MLB All-Stars
US145 Dillon Overton San Diego Padres
US146 David Dahl Colorado Rockies Rookie Debut
US147 Jose Alvarado/Austin Pruitt Tampa Bay Rays Rookie Combo
US148 THE NEXT DYNASTY New York Yankees
US149 James Pazos Seattle Mariners
US150 Alex Bregman Houston Astros Rookie Debut
US151 Yandy Diaz Cleveland Indians Rookie
US152 Robinson Cano Seattle Mariners MLB All-Stars
US153 Robbie Ray Arizona Diamondbacks MLB All-Stars
US154 Franklin Gutierrez Los Angeles Dodgers
US155 RUN AND HIT Cincinnati Reds
US156 Yu Darvish Texas Rangers MLB All-Stars
US157 Corey Dickerson Tampa Bay Rays MLB All-Stars
US158 Phillip Ervin Cincinnati Reds Rookie
US159 JT Riddle Miami Marlins Rookie
US160 Ben Lively/Andrew Knapp Philadelphia Phillies Rookie Combo
US161 Justin Haley Minnesota Twins Rookie
US162 Sean Newcomb Atlanta Braves Rookie
US163 Edinson Volquez Miami Marlins
US164 Carlos Martinez St. Louis Cardinals MLB All-Stars
US165 Boone Logan Cleveland Indians
US166 Aaron Judge New York Yankees Rookie MLB All-Stars
US167 Drew Smyly Seattle Mariners
US168 Michael Conforto New York Mets MLB All-Stars
US169 A.J. Ellis Miami Marlins
US170 Cameron Maybin Los Angeles Angels
US171 Brock Stassi Philadelphia Phillies Rookie
US172 Jason Hammel Kansas City Royals
US173 Chris Coghlan Toronto Blue Jays
US174 Brandon Moss Kansas City Royals
US175 Jose Altuve Houston Astros MLB All-Stars
US176 HISTORY MAKERS Chicago Cubs
US177 Jake Lamb Arizona Diamondbacks MLB All-Stars
US178 Stuart Turner Cincinnati Reds Rookie
US179 Pierce Johnson Chicago Cubs Rookie
US180 Mike Moustakas Kansas City Royals MLB HR Derby
US181 Emilio Pagan Seattle Mariners Rookie
US182 Jaime Garcia Atlanta Braves
US183 Taylor Motter Seattle Mariners
US184 Jean Segura Seattle Mariners
US185 BIRDS IN THE GARDEN St. Louis Cardinals
US186 Jose De Leon Tampa Bay Rays Rookie
US187 Jaycob Brugman Oakland Athletics Rookie
US188 Trevor Plouffe Tampa Bay Rays
US189 Chad Bell Detroit Tigers Rookie
US190 Brad Goldberg Chicago White Sox Rookie
US191 Corey Knebel Milwaukee Brewers MLB All-Stars
US192 Jacob May Chicago White Sox Rookie
US193 Orlando Arcia Milwaukee Brewers Rookie Debut
US194 Derek Fisher Houston Astros Rookie Debut
US195 Fernando Rodney Arizona Diamondbacks
US196 Brad Hand San Diego Padres MLB All-Stars
US197 Dellin Betances New York Yankees MLB All-Stars
US198 Chih-Wei Hu Tampa Bay Rays Rookie
US199 Brett Cecil St. Louis Cardinals
US200 Yoan Moncada Chicago White Sox Rookie
US201 Nolan Fontana Los Angeles Angels Rookie
US202 Kenley Jansen Los Angeles Dodgers MLB All-Stars
US203 Joe Blanton Washington Nationals
US204 Chris Heston Minnesota Twins
US205 Zack Cozart Cincinnati Reds MLB All-Stars
US206 PARTNERS IN POP Milwaukee Brewers
US207 Kurt Suzuki Atlanta Braves
US208 Randy Rosario Minnesota Twins Rookie
US209 Josh Hader Milwaukee Brewers Rookie
US210 Sammy Solis Washington Nationals
US211 Rookie Davis Cincinnati Reds Rookie
US212 Jose Quintana Chicago Cubs
US213 Yovani Gallardo Seattle Mariners
US214 Cody Bellinger Los Angeles Dodgers Rookie Debut
US215 Joe Jimenez Detroit Tigers Rookie
US216 J.P. Howell Toronto Blue Jays
US217 Howie Kendrick Philadelphia Phillies
US218 Greg Holland Colorado Rockies MLB All-Stars
US219 Paul DeJong St. Louis Cardinals Rookie
US220 Jeff Locke Miami Marlins
US221 Mark Zagunis Chicago Cubs Rookie
US222 Jose Ramirez Cleveland Indians MLB All-Stars
US223 Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers MLB All-Stars
US224 Wade Davis Chicago Cubs MLB All-Stars
US225 Andrew Benintendi Boston Red Sox Rookie Debut
US226 Lewis Brinson Milwaukee Brewers Rookie
US227 Trey Mancini Baltimore Orioles Rookie Debut
US228 Wade Davis Chicago Cubs
US229 Tyson Ross Texas Rangers
US230 DJ LeMahieu Colorado Rockies MLB All-Stars
US231 Reynaldo Lopez Chicago White Sox Rookie
US232 Marcell Ozuna Miami Marlins MLB All-Stars
US233 Taijuan Walker Arizona Diamondbacks
US234 Francisco Lindor Cleveland Indians MLB All-Stars
US235 Nick Pivetta/Ricardo Pinto Philadelphia Phillies Rookie Combo
US236 Starlin Castro New York Yankees MLB All-Stars
US237 Buster Posey San Francisco Giants MLB All-Stars
US238 Chris Bostick Pittsburgh Pirates Rookie
US239 Neil Ramirez New York Mets
US240 Jacob Faria Tampa Bay Rays Rookie
US241 Ryon Healy Oakland Athletics Rookie Debut
US242 Mike Hauschild Texas Rangers Rookie
US243 Hector Velazquez Boston Red Sox Rookie
US244 Justin Turner Los Angeles Dodgers MLB All-Stars
US245 Yonder Alonso Oakland Athletics MLB All-Stars
US246 Marc Rzepczynski Seattle Mariners
US247 Dansby Swanson Atlanta Braves Rookie Debut
US248 Ender Inciarte Atlanta Braves MLB All-Stars
US249 Alex Reyes St. Louis Cardinals Rookie Debut
US250 Daniel Robertson Tampa Bay Rays Rookie
US251 Daniel Descalso Arizona Diamondbacks
US252 Mike Dunn Colorado Rockies
US253 Matt Belisle Minnesota Twins
US254 Amir Garrett Cincinnati Reds Rookie Debut
US255 Stefan Crichton Baltimore Orioles Rookie
US256 Mike Ohlman Toronto Blue Jays Rookie
US257 Alex Wood Los Angeles Dodgers MLB All-Stars
US258 Francis Martes Houston Astros Rookie
US259 Tyler Austin New York Yankees Rookie Debut
US260 Carlos Correa Houston Astros MLB All-Stars
US261 Max Scherzer Washington Nationals MLB All-Stars
US262 Fernando Salas New York Mets
US263 Brian Duensing Chicago Cubs
US264 Boog Powell Seattle Mariners Rookie
US265 Eric Young Jr. Los Angeles Angels
US266 Jett Bandy Milwaukee Brewers
US267 Jhoulys Chacin San Diego Padres
US268 Miguel Sano Minnesota Twins MLB HR Derby
US269 Craig Kimbrel Boston Red Sox MLB All-Stars
US270 Gary Sanchez New York Yankees MLB All-Stars
US271 Jesse Winker Cincinnati Reds Rookie
US272 Justin Smoak Toronto Blue Jays MLB All-Stars
US273 Dwight Smith Toronto Blue Jays Rookie
US274 Mitch Moreland Boston Red Sox
US275 Bradley Zimmer Cleveland Indians Rookie
US276 Allen Cordoba/Franchy Cordero San Diego Padres Rookie Combo
US277 Paul Goldschmidt Arizona Diamondbacks MLB All-Stars
US278 Rajai Davis Oakland Athletics
US279 Franklin Barreto Oakland Athletics Rookie
US280 Brett Anderson Chicago Cubs
US281 Luke Voit St. Louis Cardinals Rookie
US282 Michael Martinez Cleveland Indians
US283 Adam Eaton Washington Nationals
US284 Peter Bourjos Tampa Bay Rays
US285 Scott Feldman Cincinnati Reds
US286 Jeff Hoffman Colorado Rockies Rookie Debut
US287 Mark Leiter Jr. Philadelphia Phillies Rookie
US288 Miguel Sano Minnesota Twins MLB All-Stars
US289 Sam Travis Boston Red Sox Rookie
US290 Anthony Rendon Washington Nationals
US291 Andrew Miller Cleveland Indians MLB All-Stars
US292 Jonathan Schoop Baltimore Orioles MLB All-Stars
US293 Tuffy Gosewisch Seattle Mariners
US294 Bobby Wahl Oakland Athletics Rookie
US295 Ben Taylor Boston Red Sox Rookie
US296 Giancarlo Stanton Miami Marlins MLB All-Stars
US297 Reymin Guduan/Jordan Jankowski Houston Astros Rookie Combo
US298 Brett Eibner Los Angeles Dodgers
US299 Charlie Blackmon Colorado Rockies MLB HR Derby
US300 Cody Bellinger Los Angeles Dodgers MLB HR Derby

A few quick notes:
  • There are 88 cards on the above list that have the word Rookie listed at the end. Of the 88 Rookie cards, there are 8 rookie combo cards that brings rookie teammates together from the Mets, White Sox, Pirates, Rays, Phillies twice, Padres, and Astros.
  • There are 23 cards in the Rookie Debut subset. Many of these players already have cards in either Series 1 or 2 of the eponymous set (Judge, Bregman, Moncada, Swanson for example). Topps could have...no...SHOULD HAVE..excluded these guys. But hey, just another way to sneak them onto another card and leave someone off...right??!
  • Of the 71 players that were named All-Stars back in July, 5 did not have Topps cards in either Series 1 or 2 (Chris Devensky, Brandon Kintzler, Cody Bellinger, Brad Hand, and Greg Holland). Three players had cards with their previous teams (Chris Sale, Wade Davis, Pat Neshek). There are base cards for Bellinger and Holland in the Update Series.
  • Speaking of All-Stars, there are 66 All-Star cards sprinkled among the 300-card checklist. All 33 National League All-Stars have cards in this year's set, including Brad Hand who doesn't have a base card in the set. Dallas Keuchel, Corey Kluber, and Yu Darvish were named to the AL team. But because of the Sunday starter rule, all three had to be replaced on the final roster. While all three pitchers do have All-Star cards in the set, the pitchers who replaced them and were part of the 32-man active roster (Devensky, Kintzler, and Roberto Osuna respectively), do not. Lance McCullers Jr, a manager's selection who was on the active roster, does not have an All-Star card as well. The fifth AL All-Star without a card? That would be Mike Trout.

Some of the insert sets from series 1 and 2 continue here in Update Series (Salute, MLB Network, the 1987 tribute). There are some new themes as well, and another round of reprint cards, this time, honoring players who were part of the All-Star Rookie Team (sound familiar??? Cough...ROOKIE CUP...cough). There are also the usual sets dedicated to the postseason and awards that have been the norm in recent Update Series products. And as usual, there are the retail exclusive insert sets and the Walmart and Target exclusive insert sets to chase too.

INSERT
TOPPS SALUTE
USS-1 Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels
USS-2 Jose Altuve Houston Astros
USS-3 Nelson Cruz Seattle Mariners
USS-4 Francisco Lindor Cleveland Indians
USS-5 Koda Glover Washington Nationals Rookie
USS-6 Manny Machado Baltimore Orioles
USS-7 Ichiro Miami Marlins
USS-8 Jesse Winker Cincinnati Reds Rookie
USS-9 Ian Happ Chicago Cubs Rookie
USS-10 Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers
USS-11 Mitch Haniger Seattle Mariners Rookie
USS-12 Mitch Haniger Seattle Mariners Rookie
USS-13 Tim Anderson Chicago White Sox
USS-14 Franklin Barreto Oakland Athletics Rookie
USS-15 Jeff Hoffman Colorado Rockies Rookie
USS-16 Alex Bregman Houston Astros
USS-17 George Springer Houston Astros
USS-18 Antonio Senzatela Colorado Rockies Rookie
USS-19 Lewis Brinson Milwaukee Brewers Rookie
USS-20 Chris Sale Boston Red Sox
USS-21 Sean Newcomb Atlanta Braves Rookie
USS-22 Manny Margot San Diego Padres Rookie
USS-23 Bradley Zimmer Cleveland Indians Rookie
USS-24 Javier Baez Chicago Cubs
USS-25 Masahiro Tanaka New York Yankees
USS-26 Gerrit Cole Pittsburgh Pirates
USS-27 Kendrys Morales Toronto Blue Jays
USS-28 Max Scherzer Washington Nationals
USS-29 Andrew Benintendi Boston Red Sox Rookie
USS-30 Bryce Harper Washington Nationals
USS-31 Dansby Swanson Atlanta Braves Rookie
USS-32 Josh Reddick Houston Astros
USS-33 Keon Broxton Milwaukee Brewers
USS-34 Amir Garrett Cincinnati Reds Rookie
USS-35 Jordan Montgomery New York Yankees Rookie
USS-36 Marcell Ozuna Miami Marlins
USS-37 Starling Marte Pittsburgh Pirates
USS-38 Michael Pineda New York Yankees
USS-39 Nomar Mazara Texas Rangers
USS-40 Daniel Murphy Washington Nationals
USS-41 Christian Arroyo San Francisco Giants Rookie
USS-42 Billy Hamilton Cincinnati Reds
USS-43 Cody Bellinger Los Angeles Dodgers Rookie
USS-44 Randal Grichuk St. Louis Cardinals
USS-45 Ryan Braun Milwaukee Brewers
USS-46 Jose Bautista Toronto Blue Jays
USS-47 Andrew McCutchen Pittsburgh Pirates
USS-48 Mark Trumbo Baltimore Orioles
USS-49 Kyle Freeland Colorado Rockies Rookie
USS-50 Anthony Rizzo Chicago Cubs

1987 ROOKIES AND TRADES
US87-1 Bryce Harper Washington Nationals
US87-2 Amir Garrett Cincinnati Reds Rookie
US87-3 Noah Syndergaard New York Mets
US87-4 Manny Machado Baltimore Orioles
US87-5 Adam Eaton Washington Nationals
US87-6 Starlin Castro New York Yankees
US87-7 Dexter Fowler St. Louis Cardinals
US87-8 Dallas Keuchel Houston Astros
US87-9 Brandon Phillips Atlanta Braves
US87-10 Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels
US87-11 Edwin Diaz Seattle Mariners Rookie
US87-12 Dee Gordon Miami Marlins
US87-13 Mitch Haniger Seattle Mariners Rookie
US87-14 Koda Glover Washington Nationals Rookie
US87-15 Jean Segura Seattle Mariners
US87-16 Jeff Hoffman Colorado Rockies Rookie
US87-17 Antonio Senzatela Colorado Rockies Rookie
US87-18 Magneuris Sierra St. Louis Cardinals Rookie
US87-19 Matt Holliday New York Yankees
US87-20 Kris Bryant Chicago Cubs
US87-21 Matt Wieters Washington Nationals
US87-22 Dylan Bundy Baltimore Orioles
US87-23 Billy Hamilton Cincinnati Reds
US87-24 Orlando Arcia Milwaukee Brewers Rookie
US87-25 Andrew Benintendi Boston Red Sox Rookie
US87-26 Jake Lamb Arizona Diamondbacks
US87-27 Jesse Winker Cincinnati Reds Rookie
US87-28 Marcell Ozuna Miami Marlins
US87-29 Chris Sale Boston Red Sox
US87-30 Christian Arroyo San Francisco Giants Rookie
US87-31 Edwin Encarnacion Cleveland Indians
US87-32 Yonder Alonso Oakland Athletics
US87-33 Jose Ramirez Atlanta Braves
US87-34 Cody Bellinger Los Angeles Dodgers Rookie
US87-35 Aaron Judge New York Yankees Rookie
US87-36 Eric Thames Milwaukee Brewers
US87-37 Christian Yelich Miami Marlins
US87-38 Lucas Giolito Chicago White Sox
US87-39 Corey Seager Los Angeles Dodgers
US87-40 Ian Desmond Colorado Rockies
US87-41 Aroldis Chapman New York Yankees
US87-42 Jordan Montgomery New York Yankees Rookie
US87-43 Khris Davis Oakland Athletics
US87-44 Joey Gallo Texas Rangers
US87-45 Franklin Barreto Oakland Athletics Rookie
US87-46 Bradley Zimmer Cleveland Indians Rookie
US87-47 Lewis Brinson Milwaukee Brewers Rookie
US87-48 Ian Happ Chicago Cubs Rookie
US87-49 Sean Newcomb Atlanta Braves Rookie
US87-50 Adalberto Mejia Minnesota Twins Rookie

MLB NETWORK
MLBN-4 Tim Flannery MLB Network
MLBN-8 Christopher Russo MLB Network
MLBN-12 Tom Verducci MLB Network
MLBN-13 Joel Sherman MLB Network
MLBN-21 Matt Yallof MLB Network
MLBN-23 Paul Severino MLB Network
MLBN-26 Scott Braun MLB Network
MLBN-28 Heidi Watney MLB Network
MLBN-30 Ken Rosenthal MLB Network

TOPPS ALL ROOKIE CUP
ARC-1 Chipper Jones Atlanta Braves
ARC-2 Stephen Strasburg Washington Nationals
ARC-3 Eddie Murray Baltimore Orioles
ARC-4 Andre Dawson Montréal Expos
ARC-5 Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels
ARC-6 Ichiro Seattle Mariners
ARC-7 Ryan Braun Milwaukee Brewers
ARC-8 Derek Jeter New York Yankees
ARC-9 Willie McCovey San Francisco Giants
ARC-10 Joe Mauer Minnesota Twins
ARC-11 Jeff Bagwell Houston Astros
ARC-12 Evan Longoria Tampa Bay Rays
ARC-13 Cal Ripken Jr. Baltimore Orioles
ARC-14 Cal Ripken Jr. Baltimore Orioles
ARC-15 Ivan Rodriguez Texas Rangers
ARC-16 Ryne Sandberg Chicago Cubs
ARC-17 Johnny Bench Cincinnati Reds
ARC-18 Tom Seaver New York Mets
ARC-19 Andrew McCutchen Pittsburgh Pirates
ARC-20 Yasiel Puig Los Angeles Dodgers
ARC-21 Anthony Rizzo Chicago Cubs
ARC-22 Ken Griffey Jr. Seattle Mariners
ARC-23 Buster Posey San Francisco Giants
ARC-24 Tony Pérez Cincinnati Reds
ARC-25 Carlton Fisk Boston Red Sox
ARC-26 Fernando Valenzuela Los Angeles Dodgers
ARC-27 Mike Piazza Los Angeles Dodgers
ARC-28 Dustin Pedroia Boston Red Sox
ARC-29 Tim Raines Montréal Expos
ARC-30 Noah Syndergaard New York Mets
ARC-31 Billy Williams Chicago Cubs
ARC-32 Joey Votto Cincinnati Reds
ARC-33 Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers
ARC-34 George Springer Houston Astros
ARC-35 Jose Canseco Oakland Athletics
ARC-36 Nomar Garciaparra Boston Red Sox
ARC-37 Gary Carter Montréal Expos
ARC-38 Kris Bryant Chicago Cubs
ARC-39 Nolan Arenado Colorado Rockies
ARC-40 Masahiro Tanaka New York Yankees
ARC-41 Mark McGwire Oakland Athletics
ARC-42 Giancarlo Stanton Miami Marlins
ARC-43 Ozzie Smith San Diego Padres
ARC-44 Prince Fielder Milwaukee Brewers
ARC-45 Bryce Harper Washington Nationals
ARC-46 Yu Darvish Texas Rangers
ARC-47 Joe Morgan Houston Astros
ARC-48 Rod Carew Minnesota Twins
ARC-49 Albert Pujols St. Louis Cardinals
ARC-50 Carlos Correa Houston Astros

UNTOUCHABLES
U-1 Pedro Martinez Montréal Expos
U-2 Jake Arrieta Chicago Cubs
U-3 Warren Spahn Milwaukee Braves
U-4 Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers
U-5 Roy Halladay Toronto Blue Jays
U-6 Tom Glavine Atlanta Braves
U-7 CC Sabathia Cleveland Indians
U-8 Bartolo Colon Los Angeles Los Angeles Angels
U-9 Felix Hernandez Seattle Mariners
U-10 Sandy Koufax Los Angeles Dodgers
U-11 Dallas Keuchel Houston Astros
U-12 Greg Maddux Atlanta Braves
U-13 John Smoltz Atlanta Braves
U-14 Tim Lincecum San Francisco Giants
U-15 Roger Clemens Boston Red Sox
U-16 Steve Carlton Philadelphia Phillies
U-17 Pedro Martinez Boston Red Sox
U-18 Roy Halladay Philadelphia Phillies
U-19 Randy Johnson Arizona Diamondbacks
U-20 Jim Palmer Baltimore Orioles
U-21 Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers
U-22 Max Scherzer Washington Nationals
U-23 Tom Seaver New York Mets
U-24 Roger Clemens Toronto Blue Jays
U-25 Randy Johnson Seattle Mariners
U-26 Rick Porcello Boston Red Sox
U-27 Corey Kluber Cleveland Indians
U-28 Greg Maddux Chicago Cubs
U-29 Whitey Ford New York Yankees
U-30 Roger Clemens New York Yankees

POSTSEASON CELEBRATION (Retail Exclusive)
PC-1 Toronto Blue Jays
PC-2 San Francisco Giants
PC-3 Philadelphia Phillies
PC-4 Detroit Tigers
PC-5 Chicago White Sox
PC-6 New York Mets
PC-7 St. Louis Cardinals
PC-8 New York Yankees
PC-9 Oakland Athletics
PC-10 St. Louis Cardinals
PC-11 San Francisco Giants
PC-12 Boston Red Sox
PC-13 Oakland Athletics
PC-14 Pittsburgh Pirates
PC-15 Kansas City Royals
PC-16 New York Yankees
PC-17 Chicago Cubs
PC-18 Los Angeles Angels
PC-19 Philadelphia Phillies
PC-20 Boston Red Sox
PC-21 Boston Red Sox
PC-22 San Francisco Giants
PC-23 Pittsburgh Pirates
PC-24 New York Yankees
PC-25 Brooklyn Dodgers

MLB MVP AWARD INSERT (Retail "Blaster Box" Exclusive)
MVP-1 Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels
MVP-2 Roger Clemens Boston Red Sox
MVP-3 Rickey Henderson Oakland Athletics
MVP-4 Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers
MVP-5 Frank Thomas Chicago White Sox
MVP-6 Sandy Koufax Los Angeles Dodgers
MVP-7 Chipper Jones Atlanta Braves
MVP-8 Ichiro Seattle Mariners
MVP-9 Roger Maris New York Yankees
MVP-10 Kris Bryant Chicago Cubs
MVP-11 Ken Griffey Jr. Seattle Mariners
MVP-12 Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers
MVP-13 Reggie Jackson Oakland Athletics
MVP-14 Joey Votto Cincinnati Reds
MVP-15 Cal Ripken Jr. Baltimore Orioles
MVP-16 Brooks Robinson Baltimore Orioles
MVP-17 Babe Ruth New York Yankees
MVP-18 Bryce Harper Washington Nationals
MVP-19 Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh Pirates
MVP-20 Carl Yastrzemski Boston Red Sox
MVP-21 George Brett Kansas City Royals
MVP-22 Josh Donaldson Toronto Blue Jays
MVP-23 Don Mattingly New York Yankees
MVP-24 Buster Posey San Francisco Giants
MVP-25 Ty Cobb Detroit Tigers
MVP-26 Ernie Banks Chicago Cubs
MVP-27 Lou Gehrig New York Yankees
MVP-28 Ted Williams Boston Red Sox
MVP-29 Johnny Bench Cincinnati Reds
MVP-30 Hank Aaron Milwaukee Braves

HEROES OF AUTUMN (Target Exclusive)
HA-1 Randy Johnson Arizona Diamondbacks
HA-2 Frank Robinson Baltimore Orioles
HA-3 Anthony Rizzo Chicago Cubs
HA-4 Roberto Alomar Toronto Blue Jays
HA-5 Albert Pujols St. Louis Cardinals
HA-6 Luis Gonzalez Arizona Diamondbacks
HA-7 George Brett Kansas City Royals
HA-8 Sandy Koufax Los Angeles Dodgers
HA-9 Andy Pettitte New York Yankees
HA-10 Reggie Jackson New York Yankees
HA-11 Babe Ruth New York Yankees
HA-12 Ben Zobrist Chicago Cubs
HA-13 Brooks Robinson Baltimore Orioles
HA-14 Willie Stargell Pittsburgh Pirates
HA-15 Dennis Eckersley Oakland Athletics
HA-16 Pedro Martinez Boston Red Sox
HA-17 Tom Glavine Atlanta Braves
HA-18 Buster Posey San Francisco Giants
HA-19 Johnny Bench Cincinnati Reds
HA-20 Rickey Henderson Oakland Athletics
HA-21 Derek Jeter New York Yankees
HA-22 Roger Clemens New York Yankees
HA-23 John Smoltz Atlanta Braves
HA-24 David Ortiz Boston Red Sox
HA-25 Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers

STORIED WORLD SERIES (Walmart Exclusive)
SWS-1 1907 Chicago Cubs
SWS-2 1999 New York Yankees
SWS-3 1963 Los Angeles Dodgers
SWS-4 1984 Detroit Tigers
SWS-5 1905 New York Giants
SWS-6 1967 St. Louis Cardinals
SWS-7 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates
SWS-8 2004 Boston Red Sox
SWS-9 1932 New York Yankees
SWS-10 1961 New York Yankees
SWS-11 1995 Atlanta Braves
SWS-12 1954 New York Giants
SWS-13 1970 Baltimore Orioles
SWS-14 2016 Chicago Cubs
SWS-15 1936 New York Yankees
SWS-16 1939 New York Yankees
SWS-17 1989 Oakland Athletics
SWS-18 1948 Cleveland Indians
SWS-19 1969 New York Mets
SWS-20 1986 New York Mets
SWS-21 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers
SWS-22 1942 St. Louis Cardinals
SWS-23 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates
SWS-24 1998 New York Yankees
SWS-25 1927 New York Yankees

It is so refreshing to see cards that have the words "Cubs" and "World Series" because until last year, with the exception of the "100 Years of World Series Programs" from a decade or so ago, these did not exist in the Topps era.

I can't wait until I have some money saved up to hunt for these cards and sets. Especially now since the World Series is upon us. And while the Cubs won't be part of this year's championship run, I am not disappointed in the team. They ran out of gas. They really had not stopped to relax since the end of the 2015 postseason.

So it's the Dodgers and Astros (thank goodness) for the World Series trophy. I see a lot of similarities with this year's 'Stros and last year's Cubs. A good mix of youth and veteran talent. And just think earlier this decade, both franchises suffered 100-loss seasons. I'm torn on who to root for...no...I'm not.

Go Houston!!!

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Monday, October 2, 2017

Time To Vote for Card #1 for the 2018 Topps Set


For the third year in a row, Topps is allowing fans and collectors to select the first card in their eponymous set. For the 2016 Topps set, Mike Trout was the subject of card #1, after beating a 34-player field that whittled down to 5 for the final ballot. Last year, Kris Bryant took the honors of being #1 for the 2017 set after besting a pool of 16 players. There are 14 candidates deemed worth by Topps to be the flag-bearer for the 2018 Topps set. And if you go onto the Topps site, prepared to be disappointed. Because instead of showing images of the player's possible 2018 Topps card, we get to see what each player's cards looked like...in 2017 (with some exceptions).

The players for this year's ballot:

  • Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
  • Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies
  • Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers
  • Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs (and last year's #1)
  • Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
  • Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
  • Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
  • Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
  • Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians
  • Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
  • Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox
  • Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
  • Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels (there is no "of Anaheim" anymore...although Topps still insists of still on leaving any city off the team name)
  • Other/Write-In (yes, you can pick anyone else besides the 14 listed above)
Now having fewer players in the pool is fine, and I can see now who would be the favorites (cough...Judge...cough). I voted for Bryant last year (for obvious reasons). This year? I might vote for him again (depending on how far the Cubs get into the postseason), or maybe go with Altuve. Want to vote? Click here. Voting will run through Friday, October 6, 2017, and the winner will be announced a couple of weeks before Series 1 comes out at the end of January, 2018.

To sweeten the pot, Topps will be giving away prizes to random voters. These prizes include a Hobby box of 2017 editions of Triple Threads, Bowman Chrome, A&G, Clearly Authentic, a 2017 Topps factory set, autograph cards from Topps' Hobby Continuity Program (Marcus Stroman), Bowman Platinum (Braxton Garrett), Museum Collection (Alex Gordon dual relic) Clearly Authentic (Ty Blach), or a relic card from Topps Tribute (David Ortiz)

October is usually a busy month for this humble, little blog. I still hope to get my 2015 and 2016 End of Year All-Star Team selections posted before announcing the 2017 squads. Then from there, finish up the comparisons between the 1996 and 2016 MLB debut classes before working on the 1997 and 2017 class comparison.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama