Another in a long line of blogs devoted to baseball cards, specifically from the Topps Company, and the Hobby in general. Reviews on new and older sets, along with unbiased opinions, will be included.
If you stumbled upon this blog and didn't find what you were looking for, please feel free to e-mail me at bdj610@hotmail.com. I'd be happy to answer your questions.
Trades through the TCDB have been steady. I was involved in a couple of two-for-two and three-for-three card transactions.
This first one is a local deal, with a gentleman from Wheaton, IL. I mailed pair of cards to him on Saturday night, and I received his cards today.
This second trade, also sent out on Saturday night, is on its way to Greenville, NC. Every little trade helps to reduce the number of cards on the wantlist down. While I prefer to do larger trades, it becomes a bigger challenge once I'm down to the final few cards. The well will eventually dry, so I am hoping I can get as many cards from here as I can before starting the next phase of card acquisitions (buying on Sportlots, eBay, and the big Chicagoland Sports Spectacular taking place next week).
There was one trade that occurred earlier in the week that I forgot to post. A two-for-one trade, with me giving up the 2025 Topps Update Juan Soto 1990 Pink that I received by mistake from an earlier transaction. The problem I had with the Update Series 1990 cards were they were printed like the holofoil cards. This makes it hard to tell with some cards if it's the basic card or a colored variation.
Last week, I sent two large trade requests. One got rejected, because of course it was. The other one, after a few edits due to having cards in other transactions, wound up being a 14-for-10 deal that the other person finally agreed to over the weekend. This morning, I sent 14 Allen & Ginter parallels and mini cards to Pembroke, MA in exchange for 10 S1 insert cards.
This is what I had agreed to send. However, as I was pulling the cards to prepare for mail, I could not find the Rafael Devers mini card. I did contact the trading partner saying as such and offering a different card (a mini A&G N222 Jackson Jobe) to make up for it. Fortunately, he said that was fine. Cards were mailed this morning.
Finally, through the use of the wantlist manager, I did find a TCDB member with 55 cards that I needed. I offered to buy them from him, and he agreed to sell them for $40.00 plus the other 2026 Topps 2025 All-Topps Team Nick Kurtz card that I had. This deal helps complete the 350-card base set. Cards arrived today as well. Let's see what's in this package.
13 base cards
2 2025 All-Topps Team cards (Skenes, Judge)
5 2026 Greatest Hits cards
1 Big Ticket Player card (Bobby Witt Jr)
1 First Pitch card (University of Houston Basketball Coach Kelvin Sampson)
4 Topps ProFiles cards
1 Stars of MLB card (BWJ)
1 Titans of the Game (Skenes)
27 1991 Topps cards
With all the trades that I've done these last two weeks, my wantlist for 2026 Topps insert cards is now down to 56 cards. I'm making great progress before the big card show. I plan on going on Friday, March 13 or Saturday, March 14. But that will all depend if I can find someone to cover for me at the pharmacy.
I must have missed this on my calendar today. But February 24 was National Trading Card Day. It's to honor all trading cards, from sports cards to the collectible card games. Today honors the cards of all kinds, and the collectors who fuel the Hobby.
And how did I spend this important day? Working. As usual.
But it doesn't mean that I didn't do anything trading card related.
First, I received a small PWE trade request from a guy that I haven't interacted with since 2022 on the TCDB. It was a small trade back then as well. But today, he wrote that he saw my post and offered to trade a pair of cards for my 2025 Topps Update 1990 Juan Soto pink foil card. Just had to make sure I had it (I did), and I'll be packing it up to mail tomorrow. Details are below:
Also, in my previous AiT post, I mentioned that I made a 61-insert card purchase via the TCDB. These are the transactions I love to see and will make every opportunity to reach out and offer to buy. So for $40.00 (shipping included),
The 61-card purchase really helped to bring down the number on the wantlist. The cards that arrived today include:
11 Stars of MLB cards
12 Titans of the Game cards
9 Big Ticket Players cards
16 1991 Topps cards
4 2025 Greatest Hits cards
5 Topps ProFiles cards
3 First Pitch cards
Wait...that's 60 cards. (Recounting). Yes, I'm missing one. After comparing the list to what's arrived, I'm missing one of the Greatest Hits cards. No big deal. Even with 60 cards, at 40 bucks? That's roughly $0.66 per card. Can't complain when all is said and done.
Now it's time to get this Soto card packed, and the insert cards with their brethren and update a few totals.
Trading for 2026 Topps insert cards have begun in earnest. And after the trades that have been accepted in the last couple of days, I am now on the hunt for 116 insert cards.
First, a seven-for-seven card trade going to a gentleman in Frankenmuth, MI. Cards were mailed this morning.
Titans of the Game is a retail-exclusive insert set (which explains why I didn't see any in the Hobby box I bought) to complement the annual Stars of MLB set. Thanks to this trade, along with a major 61-card insert lot purchase on the TCDB (which I will discuss in another post, probably, when the cards arrive), I only need two Stars of MLB cards (Bobby Witt and Mike Trout) and one Titans of the Game card (Paul Skenes).
Today, I made 3 trade offers, two are still pending. But this one was accepted right away:
A three-for-three insert card trade, with each person is getting two cards from a 35th Anniversary set. I'm sending the gentleman, who shares a name with a famous quarterback, a pair from the 2025 Topps Update set in exchange for a pair from this year's edition. A Night Terrors card in exchange for a 2025 Greatest Hits card looks like a fair exchange (to me anyway).
I even received a trade request. It's rare that someone reaches out to me as I seem to be making most of the inquiries. But if someone sends me a trade request, I'm more than happy to accept. (I'm easy to please, what do you expect?)
For the cost of one 2026 Topps Chrome card (Trea Turner), I'm getting three more insert cards, including a PCA Topps Profiles card. This is going to a guy in York, PA.
The other two trade offers I sent have not been accepted yet. Both are for large quantities, including one that had all 14 of the base cards I need to complete the base set. I'll give both a day or so to allow time for either person to accept the trade or (hopefully) counter-offer. If either one hit, I'll post the trade details here on the blog.
Envelopes have been sealed and will be in the mail tomorrow morning.
Want to help me whittle down my want lists? You can find what I'm looking for here. I'd love to trade, but will buy if the offer is right. You can email me at bdj610@hotmail.com, leave a comment on the blog post, or if you are a member of the Trading Card Database, just send me an offer. Thank you very much.
Last night, I finally got around to sorting my base cards from both the jumbo box and the Target packs that I bought. And sure enough, I did not manage to get a complete set.
Shocker.
I now have 336 of the 350 cards that comprise of 2026 Topps Series 1. I am 14 cards short.
FOURTEEN!!!
For every base card that will eventually be going into the 6-inch binder for 2026 (haven't bought that yet...give me some time...), I had just as many doubles.
I will still be buying S1 product, especially when the Super Boxes make show up at the big box stores, so eventually, I should manage to complete this set. But you know me and patience when it comes to this Hobby...
So what cards am I missing? After looking up the checklist on the Trading Card Database, I am missing the following cards:
For those of you who can't see the picture:
#2 Daulton Varsho, Toronto Blue Jays
#38 AL Home Run Leaders (Judge, Caminero, Raleigh)
#90 Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers
#96 Corey Seager, Texas Rangers
#115 Royce Lewis, Minnesota Twins
#135 Alex Bregman, Boston Red Sox
#152 CJ Abrams, Washington Nationals
#190 Michael Wacha, Kansas City Royals
#191 Mauricio Dubón, Houston Astros
#239 Devin Williams, New York Yankees
#256 Los Angeles Dodgers Team Card
#280 Pedro Pagés, St. Louis Cardinals
#306 Spencer Schwellenbach, Atlanta Braves Future Stars
#321 Pierson Ohl, Minnesota Twins RC
Good news: I have all the Cubs cards (okay, not counting Bregman). When going through the cards upon opening packs, I thought I'd be at least missing Nico Hoerner #5, but I have it. So we're good. Also have one card of the Cubs' only RC, Owen Cassie, but he's now with the Marlins...
Yamamato's card is the only one I'm worried about cost wise. I could go back to Chicagoland Sports Cards to see if they have singles (they did, but they wouldn't take them out during the hustle and bustle of Hobby Rip Night). But who knows, I'll probably just buy packs until I have the cards in hand. But however I go about it, the hunt is on.
An "Adventures in Trading Post" will be coming soon as I've just mailed out my first trade for insert cards for this series. Watch this space.
Finally, after missing the last few of these events, I am finally at my first Topps Rip Party.
I drove to Buffalo Grove, IL, and walked into Chicagoland Sports Cards and Memorabilia. I've been here a number of times, visiting during the Trading Card Days in the past. I brought with me, but am leaving them in the car for now, about 6 boxes of cards, mostly my 2025 Topps Update Series extras, inserts, and my box of 2026 Topps which I have YET to sort through. I would have loved to be able to trade for base, but I don't even know what I need. I do know I need 133 insert cards, so maybe I can connect with someone.
First thing I noticed, and really really WANT, are the Topps 75 shirts and hoodies. Maybe the shirt for sure. But that hoodie looks really good.
I made it just in time for the Pack Battle. Not paying the 20 bucks though. I just want to take in the environment.
Someone just left 12 of the Baseball Rip Party cards. Possibly a 25-card set it looks like I could be halfway home on completion.
Also was standing with a gentleman who offered some inserts I'm looking for. Had to go to the car to get my boxes. He's looking over some of what I have now. To get the 11 insert cards that I needed, I had said goodbye to my 2025 Carlton Fisk auto, the Acuna 1991 parallel, and...sob...the Miz auto. It's a sacrifice I am willing to make. The guy, David, said he is a fan of Jacob Misiorowski, and has even travelled to Milwaukee a number of times last year to see him pitch. So, yeah, it's going to a good home.
The event is starting to wind down, and it's getting less crowded. The layout of this place made it really hard to move around when it was busier an hour ago.
So overall, it was a good night. Didn't spend any money, got some cards to whittle down the want list (but in exchange, now the hunt is on for the 11 cards from the Rip Night set). The store itself, I just found out, will be moving to a bigger location some time later this year, closer to where I live (still a drive, but more convenient). Will this place take over for my local card shop? No. But at least I know there are options.
Now that I am out, it's time to head for dinner at the KFC/Taco Bell on the way home.
Finally getting around to opening the 2026 Topps Jumbo Hobby box that I bought last week. I've been waiting until now before doing my sorting to determine if between the random Target packs plus this Hobby box will get me to a complete set. Based on what I've seen so far, I am not confident.
First things first though. What are we getting in these bonus packs? Obviously, they will be Chrome 1991 Topps cards. But of whom? And will there be parallels? An autograph? With my luck? Doubt it. But, these will be the start of the trade bait. So let's see what I get.
Pack 1:
#91C-20 Otto Kemp, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies
#91C-32 Ozzie Smith, SS, St. Louis Cardinals
#91C-74 Colby Thomas, OF, Athletics
#91C-36 C. J. Kayfus, 1B/OF Cleveland Guardians
Thoughts: Three rookies and a Hall of Famer. The best card in the pack? Smith should be it. But nothing against the Wizard, but I think that Topps 75 Promo card looks awesome.
Pack 2:
#91-C45 Nathan Church, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
#91-C33 Trea Turner, SS, Philadelphia Phillies
#91-C55 Fernando Tatis Jr., OF, San Diego Padres
#91-C41 Pedro Martinez, P, Boston Red Sox Purple #184/250
Thoughts: Wow. I did get a parallel. It's numbered, and it's of a Hall of Famer. I've just added the Pedro card to the TCDB. So...win?
Before I continue, again, I'm sorry. These aren't the best pictures. My phone's camera is cracked.
Okay, now for the important part of the program. The 10 packs of 40 cards. Let's see how this goes.
(At this time, I'll be posting highlights of each pack. Inserts for sure, but any key cards will be mentioned as well).
Pack 1: Another Nick Kurtz 2025 All Topps Team card, a Cam Schlitter 1991, and this
2026 Topps 1991 Topps Pete Alonso Bat #91R-PA
Pack 2: Inserts include 1991 Topps Didier Fuentes and 2025 Greatest Hits Manny Machado. The last card in this pack was former Cub Willson Contreras. The last card in pack 1? Brother William Contreras.
Pack 3: Got the 1991 Topps Paul Skenes and 2025 Greatest Hits Jac Caglianone.
Pack 4: Now we're talking. Inserts include a 1991 Dylan Beavers and 2025 Greatest Hits Matt Chapman. But it's the parallel cards that make this pack the winner.
First, we have a Topps Gold Gunnar Henderson:
2026 Topps Gold Gunnar Henderson #46, #1797/2026
Then a 1991 Topps Blue Border Ronald Acuña Jr #'d to 150
2026 Topps 1991 Blue Border Ronald Acuña Jr. #T91-84, #132/150
Then the Big one...the Big Dumper...in a Team Border:
2026 Topps Team Border Cal Raleigh #140
Pack 5: Inserts include a 1991 Topps Corbin Carroll and a Big Ticket Julio Rodriguez
Pack 6: Along with the Big Ticket Player Juan Soto card, included in this pack is a card of a player that I thought I'd never own a Topps card of. But thanks to Commissioner Manfred's decree that once a player passes away, the lifetime ban is lifted.
2026 Topps 1991 Shoeless Joe Jackson #T91-27
Pack 7: Inserts include a 1991 Vladimir Guerrero (not Jr), and a Topps ProFiles Elly De La Cruz (which I would be excited about, but I already have this one...so this is going into the trade pile).
Pack 8: Inserts include a 1991 Mookie Betts and a Big Ticket Players Samuel Basallo. Okay, did Adley fall so far that this guy, who is an Orioles catcher, become the better catcher on the team? Did I hold on to that 2024 Auto/Relic card (patch) of Rutschman too long?
Pack 9: Four of the seven All-Star Rookie Team players who are in S1 were in this pack (Jacob Wilson, Roman Anthony, Augustín Ramírez, and Isaac Collins). Inserts included the 1991 Frank Thomas, an Alysha Newman First Pitch card (Alysha Newman is a Canadian Pole Vaulter who earned the Bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics), and an autograph card of Nathan Church
2026 Topps Real One Autograph Nathan Church #24
Pack 10: Inserts included a 1991 Jose Altuve and ProFiles Bobby Witt Jr.
Overall, a pretty average box. I did get the guaranteed auto and relic card. Nothing screaming massive hit, but that's what normally happens with boxes I open.
So today, we learned that the basic insert sets that will count for the S1 Master set will be:
1991 Topps
2025 All-Topps Team
2025 Greatest Hits
Big Ticket Players
First Pitch
Titans of the Game
Topps Profiles
Stars of MLB
The Cover Athletes insert set, which I would have hoped would be a regular insert set, appears to be in the Homefield Advantage, Heavy Lumber, All Kings, and All Aces set. That's disappointing. It's looked to be a unique and quirky insert set that should have been easy to find. But this box had none. Oh well...
Now comes the sorting and figuring out what base cards I am going to need to complete the base set. I'm hoping the damage is minimal. I'll post an update once I get the cards sorted.
The 2026 edition of Topps Rip Night is this Saturday, February 21. I am hoping to get to one of the card shops in the area (most likely in Buffalo Grove) to see if I can find people to trade with (that's supposedly one of the things that happens at these events) before making plans for the Chicago Sports Spectacular in March.
Every 2026 Topps Hobby Box (12 cards/20 packs) is "guaranteed" to include one autograph or one relic card. When I bought my jumbo box (which I haven't opened yet, but will soon), I also bought 3 regular Hobby packs from a box that was already opened. The gentleman behind the counter allowed me to pick the ones I wanted. I took three from the top left corner and left.
Last night, I asked my son to pick a number from 1 to 3. He picked 3. The results were posted last night. This evening, I opened the other two packs, plus the four retail jumbo packs. With each pack I opened, the more impressed I was with not only the base cards, with the colored ribbons and really large pictures. So far, I have 2 of the 1991 insert cards, and I am love...LOVE the design. I can't wait to build the set.
But back to the point.
One of the two retail packs included an autograph.
A 1991 Topps Autograph.
A Gold Topps 1991 Autograph card, #'d 44/50.
A Gold Topps 1991 Autograph card, #'d 44/50 of the Miz!
I'm the Miz...and I Am...
No, not that Miz...
This one!!!
2026 Topps 1991 Autograph Gold Jacob Misiorowski #91A-MIS
So what if it's a card of a Brewers player. So what if he tailed off after the All-Star Break.
It's THE MIZ!!!
Even the WWE's The Miz (Mike Mizanin) said it was "Awesome." Okay, not in those words, but these:
Courtesy of the Milwaukee Brewers' Instagram account and The Miz' X account.
There’s just something about being really, really good at what you do and being called The Miz.
Now, keep in mind, I rarely, if ever get this lucky with my autos and relics. Yes, I've hit some good ones over the years. But I'm actually excited about this one.
Okay, I'm going to settle down now. I think I'll open the hanger box next. Wish me luck. Although I may have already used it up for Series 1. Must admit though, not a bad pull for Friday the 13th...
One of these packs, purchased today at Au Sports in Morton Grove, IL, contains the first 2026 card I will feature on this humble, little blog.
Let's get to it. (Going to ask my son to pick a number from 1 to 3. I'll be right back.)
He picked 3. So the pack on the right will be opened.
And the first card of 2026 is of...
2026 Topps Teoscar Hernandez #251
Teoscar Hernandez of the Los Angeles Dodgers!!!
Let's do a deeper dive on the card. (If you recognize the format below, rest assured that the Randomizer is ready to go, it's just a matter of pulling cards and getting everything going.)
Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 2026 Topps #251.
Player Name, position, team: Teoscar Hernández, outfielder, Los Angeles Dodgers.
Any special information about player: Signed with the Astros as a Free Agent 02/17/2011. Signed with the Dodgers as a Free Agent 01/12/2024. Bats: right. Throws: right.
Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 11. This is his eleventh Topps card.
Blurb on the back: "Teoscar had a milestone-packed 2025 season, reeling off his 200th homer, 200th double and 1,000th hit. The latter achievement occurred on July 3, when he scalded a single that left his bat at 108.2 mph."
Commentary: The first card of 2026 is of Hernández. Looking at the design up close now compared to images online, the fabric background and stitches look realistic. The 75th anniversary logo is in foil, but it's not embossed like the 50th anniversary logo from 2001 Topps. While I understand the complaint about the font used for the player's name, at least it's easy to read (looking at you 2025 Topps). The team's primary right fielder, Teoscar is a 2-time All-Star and 3-time Silver Slugger winner.
Beckett value: n/a.
How many cards of this player do I own?: 36 cards.
The rest of the pack included:
#161 Michael McGreevy, pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals
#113 Toronto Blue Jays Team Card
#104 Samuel Basallo, catcher, Baltimore Orioles, RC
#16 Casey Mize, pitcher, Detroit Tigers
#328 Junior Caminero, third baseman, Tampa Bay Rays
#25 Carson Williams, shortstop, Tampa Bay Rays
#205 Bobby Witt, Jr, shortstop, Kansas City Royals
#41 Mookie Betts, outfielder, Los Angeles Dodgers
#210 Jacob Young, outfielder, Washington Nationals
#ATT-3 Jazz Chisolm, Jr, 2025 All-Topps Team
#70 Bob Seymour, first baseman, Tampa Bay Rays
2026 Topps 2025 All-Topps Team Jazz Chisolm, Jr, #ATT-3
The first insert card is off Jazz Chisolm, Jr. of the Yankees, named to the 2025 All-Topps Team as the second baseman. The first of many insert cards that will make up the eventual master set. Looking forward to the chase.
Speaking of chases, Topps is making a big deal of adding a redemption card that could net a collector a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle. It wouldn't be the first time that Topps is inserting one of the most iconic baseball cards in history (oh and is there ever controversy over Topps' picks for iconic cards...that's a topic for another day) in packs of product (see 1991). It is an awesome prize to chase. Time will tell if and when it will be found.
As I said when the design was announced earlier this year, I love this design. Even Sports Card Radio acknowledged this to my surprise (been a fan of these guys for a long time). I can't wait to open the rest of the packs and boxes I bought today. It would be nice if I managed to get a full set from the items I bought today, but I am not holding my breath. Now that product is out, I'm going to start working on my want lists for insert cards. If you have any you want to get rid off, please feel free to contact me. I'll be more than happy to take them off your hands.
Went to the closest big box store on my way to work. Normally after the first day or two after the release of a product, it's pretty much hit or miss as to if the store has product on the shelf. Then you add all the scalpers, resellers, and other synonyms that I won't be using (family blog after all), who grab as much as they can, I wasn't getting my hopes up.
But then...the doors opened, and there was no mad line (do you miss those COVID days???). No riots in the store. And as I was walking in, seeing red-colored packs, I thought to myself, "they still have a lot of 2025 Update Series." As I got closer, I realized I was wrong.
They had plenty of blaster boxes, one hanger box left (which as you can see, I took), and two pegs worth of 36-cards retail packs. I took the plunge and grabbed what you see above.
Thanks to recent events (you know, fights, scalpers, etc), Target has now managed to limit what you can buy when you go to pay at the self-checkouts (and I'm sure this is being enforced at the registers). I could only buy up to two of the same item. That means while I was able to ring up the two blasters, and the one hanger, after scanning the third pack, the register flashed, saying that I could only buy up to two of the same item. It's about time they did this. Who is going to want to stand in front of the same self-checkout (with the camera aimed right at you) trying to buy pack after pack after pack? So I made my first purchase, bought two more with a second transaction, and left. I am not greedy, I will be more than happy to leave cards for others to buy.
I still am planning on going to the card shop later this afternoon (no pharmacy tonight) to buy a box. Note to self: remember to call the shop to get prices.
So here I am, waiting for my lunch break to open at least one or two packs of 2026 Topps? I'll update with a picture of my first card of 2026 shortly. I can't wait.
Okay, that's a bit of a stretch. MLB's Opening Day (or night) is on March 26, when the Yankees take on the Giants. The other teams begin competition the next day.
I mean:
2026 Topps Series One is now OFFICIALLY LIVE!!!
Yes, some people have already received their boxes, and showed off their "hits" (or whatever good cards they got out of the packs). Some of the "big dealers" started opening packs as early as last week (spoilsports). But today is the DAY!!!
Sadly, I won't be able to join in today (work). But tomorrow night, I'll be rushing to the closest card shop (and if not, hopefully the big box store) and get my hands on something!!!
I can't wait to see what everyone gets from their packs and boxes today. Just do me a favor, please...
After months of searching, I finally have the 2024 Topps Dodgers Team Set, which includes one of Shohei Ohtani's first cards as a Dodger. So, okay, it's not the SP from Series 1 that costs way...WAY...too much right now. But still.
Found this on Amazon for $50.00. Normally, I would just pass on this as 50 bucks is too high for ANY team set, regardless of which team. But I've had this gift card sitting on my desk waiting to be used, even though I am not a regular Amazon user (those would be my kids). So I wound up using my daughter's account (did not redeem her points) to order it and only had to pay for shipping.
I am now down to three team sets to complete the 2024 Topps Team Set album: Brewers, Athletics, and Nationals.
Now I don't want these in the generic packaging. I need, no...WANT...the sets with the team-specific packaging. I'll get them eventually...hopefully.
If anyone out there has any of the three remaining sets I need, or can direct me to someone who does, please contact me either in the comments, or email me at bdj610@hotmail.com.
(It's Wednesday, February 2, 2026. Guess what day it is???)
(Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe" plays as the radio alarm clock turns on at 6:00 AM).
D.J. #1: Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don't forget your booties 'cause it's cooooold out there today. D.J. #2: It's coooold out there every day. What is this, Miami Beach? D.J. #1: Not hardly. And you know, you can expect hazardous travel later today with that, you know, that, uh, that blizzard thing. D.J. #2: [mockingly] That blizzard - thing. That blizzard - thing. Oh, well, here's the report! The National Weather Service is calling for a "big blizzard thing!" D.J. #1: Yessss, they are. But you know, there's another reason why today is especially exciting. D.J. #2: Especially cold! D.J. #1: Especially cold, okay, but the big question on everybody's lips... D.J. #2: - On their chapped lips... D.J. #1: - On their chapped lips, right: Do ya think Phil is gonna come out and see his shadow? D.J. #2: Punxsutawney Phil! D.J. #1: That's right, woodchuck-chuckers - it's... D.J. #1, D.J. #2: [in unison] GROUNDHOG DAY!
Okay Phil...Lay It On Me...
Some time today, this little guy is going to tell us if there will be six more weeks of winter or if we're getting an early spring. I think it's if the groundhog sees its shadow, that means we're still getting winter. And after the biting cold and snow we've gotten here in Chicago, I am hoping that our friend here doesn't see it's shadow.
But there is good news coming.
As soon as the Super Bowl ends, we can all turn our attention to more important matters. Like, you know...
Pitchers and Catchers reporting to Arizona and Florida to start Spring Training!!!
Long time readers of the blog know that I am from The Philippines. I've written about the Philippines trying to get to the World Baseball Classic back in 2012. As of 2026, they still haven't done it, but it doesn't mean the country can't represent on the diamond. While they haven't competed in the WBC, the baseball team has won the Southeast Asian Games three years straight, and five titles overall.
So, let's crank out some celebratory music...
Okay, back to the point...
One of the goals of this blog is to show off my collection. Today, I thought I'd show off my collection of mini Allen & Ginter cards that feature the The Pearl of the Orient Seas.
Starting with my favorite A&G Mini Card of All-Time, from the 2007 Flag of All Nations set...
2007 Topps A&G Philippines Flag #39
The card isn't actually numbered per se, but the card is #39 alphabetically (Algeria-United States). Love this design. The sun in the background, the volcano (there's smoke coming from the top), coconut trees along the coast. It really is reminiscent of the original 1887 N9 Allen & Ginter's Flag of All Nations set. I just love the colors of this card, and how the flag is presented.
2008 Topps A&G Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo #WL35
The following year, Topps included a mini insert set featuring 50 of the (at the time) current world leaders. The Philippines was represented with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who became the 14th President of the country. Sworn to the post after the previous president was impeached, she was the leader of the country from 2001 through 2010. She did get into her own issues, but I'm not going to get into that...I am no expert in the story. She is currently a member of the House of Representatives, serving the constituents of the 2nd district of Pampanga. The card itself features a headshot of GMA and an outline of the islands. At least Topps used the right photo for her card, compared to the little mistake done for the card representing Ireland.
2009 Topps A&G Jose Rizal #NH26
The year after that saw Topps honoring National Heroes. This time, Topps selected our national hero, Jose Rizal, as a subject for it's 2009 insert set. The reverse of his card gives a really brief summary of who he was and what he did while the Philippines was under Spanish rule in the late 1800's. He was a writer and member of the Philippine Propaganda Movement, which advocated political reforms while the Philippines was a colony of Spain. He was executed during the Philippine Revolution, and the day of his death (December 30) is a National Holiday. He is considered one of the most influential figures in Filipino history. The card features Rizal along with the Philippines Coat of Arms.
On to lighter fare...
2010 Topps A&G Carabao #NA42
National Animals was one of the mini insert sets that appeared in the 2010 Topps Allen & Ginter product. And our national animal, the Carabao, was among the 50 subjects. The carabao is a water buffalo species that is commonly used by farmers for plowing. There were also used to pull carts, whether those contained people or valuable supplies. (There's a picture somewhere of yours truly on one...can't remember where it is. I think the name of the one I was on was Gigolo...or was it Macho...)
2011 Topps A&G Philippine Eagle #AP15
Carrying the animal theme over into 2011, Topps featured endangered species in a set called Animals in Peril. The Philippine Eagle, or what is more commonly known as the Monkey Eating Eagle, was among the 30 subjects in this set. It has a six-foot wingspan, and is the largest of all eagles. It's the national bird of the country, with logging taking much of it's territory away. Current estimates say that there are maybe 400 pairs left in the wild.
2012 Topps A&G Balut #CC9
And then...there's the Culinary Curiosities set from 2012. This set featured 10 local delicacies that...let's say are unique. Between the Rocky Mountain Oysters and Haggis is this Filipino delight...Balut!!! Yes, balut. You may have seen the videos of people trying to eat it. And what is it exactly? Fertilized duck embryos boiled or steamed, and eaten in the shell. It's a street food that's sold in many countries in Southeast Asia, but it's more commonly connected to the Philippines. Now, I am more of a Penoy person myself (incubated duck egg that didn't fully develop an embryo), but I've eaten this once. And for a Filipino, once was enough.
It would be a few years before an exclusively-Filipino related card would appear in Allen & Ginter. Sure, the 2021 Mini World Leaders didn't include the President of the time, and the 2022 Mini Bearing Fruit cards had a handful of fruits that are found throughout the region, but there was nothing specifically tying the Philippines to any of them.
2024 Topps A&G The Philippines #FOTW-16
While the 2024 Topps Allen & Ginter set featured a Manila/Dubai Sister Cities full-sized card (and I have that one), the Flags of the World mini set returned after 17 years. This time, as a horizontally-oriented set, with a picture of Manila to the right of the flag. The card is nice, and again, as an extremely amateur vexillologist (definitely not Sheldon Cooper level), I like the set, I like the card.
But nothing compares to the 2007 version.
On a related note, my mom is flying to Manila to visit friends and family back home this week. I wish her safe travels. Maybe bring back the Philippines baseball team cap if you can find one. A jersey would be nice too, but that may be asking for too much. It looks like this...I think...
The final cards from my adventures in trading (plus a few added eBay purchases) finally arrived yesterday. Today, I added them to the binder. And with these last 13 cards, my 2025 Topps & Topps Update Master Set six-inch binder is "officially" complete (I'll explain why the word "officially" is in quotation marks shortly).
The 2025 Topps binder contains a total of 2,161 cards.
Two thousand, one hundred sixty-one cards!!!
Not the record for most cards I've fit into one of these, but comes pretty close (the 2024 binder contains 2,028 plus a few more cards I've added since...I'll post that total on another day).
The binder weighs a whopping 13 pounds, contains 140 9-pocket pages (cards are placed back to back, so no more than 18 cards per page). Each complete insert set is within their own pages, so there's no mixing between sets (with the exception of the 1990 Topps, Stars of MLB, First Pitch sets).
Page 1
Golden Variations and the 6 Extra Rookie cards
Update Series
There are a total of 30 complete insert sets in this binder, along with the 700-card S1/S2 set and the 350-card Update Series. The breakdown is below (includes which series/set the cards come from):
707 cards from Topps Series 1 and 2 (including both sets of 3-player variations from S2 and the factory set, plus the ALT-1 card of Weston Wilson)
350 cards from Topps Update Series
5 Topps Rookie Variation cards (from the factory set)
3 miscellaneous advertisement cards
4 Topps Golden Variation cards (3 from S1/2, 1 from Update)
4 Companion to the Jumbo cards (2 from S1/2, 2 from Update)
3 Real Photo Variation cards (2 from S1/2, 1 from Update)
25 First Pitch cards (10 from S1, 5 from S2, 10 from Update)
25 Mascots cards (Celebration)
12 2024 All-Topps Team cards (Series 1)
28 2024 Greatest Hits cards (Series 1)
25 Call to the Hall (Series 1)
25 Training Ground cards (Series 1)
25 8-Bit Baller cards (Celebration)
25 Game Day Drip cards (Celebration)
25 Power Players cards (Celebration)
50 1990 All-Star Variation cards (Series 2, where AL cards included blue frames and NL cards had red frames)
20 Dynamic Duo cards (Series 2)
25 OPS Leaders cards (Series 2)
50 Summer Superstar cards (Series 2)
100 1990 Topps cards (Series 1)
50 1990 All-Star cards (Series 2, where AL cards included red frames and NL cards had blue frames)
50 1990 Topps cards (Series 2)
50 1990 Topps cards (Update Series)
85 Stars of MLB cards (30 from Series 1, 30 from Series 2, 25 from Update)
20 Stars of Japan cards (Series 1 Japan)
19 History of MLB/Japanese Baseball cards (Series 1 Japan)
15 World Tour Domination cards (Series 1 Japan)
100 Costco Flagship cards (Series 1/Heritage Super Boxes)
15 Hobby Rip Night cards (from a Hobby Rip Night)
25 The Nice List cards (Topps Holiday/Advent Calendar)
50 2025 All-Star Game cards (Update Series)
25 Bleacher Reachers cards (Update Series)
40 Most Valuable cards (Update Series)
25 Mystical cards (Update Series)
25 Night Terrors cards (Update Series)
25 Topps BlackGold (Update Series)
4 Super Box Jumbo (1 from S1, 1 from S2, 2 from Update)
1 Topps Clear (Update)
1 Homefield Advantage (Update Series)
Now this alone should be enough to call it a complete master set. However, I'm calling it "officially" complete because there are cards I'd like to add, but might run out of room (and this binder is close to bursting).
The final page of the binder.
There is a second set of Costco Flagship cards I'm on the hunt for, these are found in Super Boxes of Series 2/Archives. Also, when the Topps Update Series checklist was posted, there were to be three insert sets that were exclusive to a Japan Edition set: Stars of Japan (continuing from Series 1, Tokyo Series Highlights (from the Cubs vs. Dodgers series at the start of the year), and Strike Zone Heroes (an exclusive to Japan insert set that was introduced with the 2024 Topps Japan set...which I'm watching on the Bay but not yet purchased). I have not seen any of these three insert sets or cards online, so I'm wondering if these are real or if cards have not arrived in Japan yet.
The end of the Stars of MLB and the start of the Stars of Japan
Overall, I'm thrilled that the hunt for 2025 Topps is (mostly) over, and I am ready to get my hands on some 2026 Topps cards next month.
