And This is Why I'm Not a Player Collector...

Parallel cards have been a standard in Topps products ever since they introduced Topps Gold cards all the way back in 1992 (unless you count the Desert Shield cards from 1991). As rare as it was to find these in packs (in all the packs I opened in 1992, I never EVER found a regular Topps Gold card. I did win a number of Gold cards from the scratch-off cards (which if you held a flashlight to the cards, you could actually see through them and figure out the prizes...not that I did that...no, not me. I won mine fair and square...) The prizes were Topps Gold cards, but the ones I got, and probably everyone else, had the word "Winner" added above the team nameplate.

Topps Gold became a staple parallel card in 2001, with every card sderial numbered to 2001. Every year since, Gold cards are numbered based on the year. Eventually, Topps introduced other serial-numbered color-bordered parallel cards to their lineup: Topps Black (2003, #'d to 52), Copper (which replaced Black in 2007 because the base set had black borders in the first place, #'d to 56), Platinum (2006, a real one-of-one), and on-and-on. And I'm not even including the different colored foil varieties, or the red backs from 2007...

And it's not just the Topps brand. Topps Chrome brand really went crazy with the colored-chrome parallels.Topps even printed Chrome Refractor parallels. It got to the point that they were even encouraging collectors to "collect the rainbow." 

Parallel sets eventually found their way into factory sets. I'm not talking about the five-card exclusives that collectors were finally opening factory sets for to get their hands on these extremely limited cards. I'm talking in 2023 when every few Topps retail factory sets could contain a full set of parallel cards.

Then, in what has become the bane of an insert collector like me, Topps started making colored paralell cards of their already lesser printed insert cards. I can not tell you the number of times that I've mistakenly included a blue parallel card in an insert set only to find out later that it wasn't part of said set and then I'd have to look for the actual card to complete the insert set. (True story, which involved a 2022 Topps Sweet Shades Jose Altuve card. When I realized that I had the blue parallel instead of the regular card in my binder, I went berzerk and bought the first regular card I could find just so I could make the switch).

In 2025, Topps included 78...yes, that's right...78 different sets of parallel cards. A majority of them were either serial numbered or were exclusively found in specific products (like in packs sold at the Fanatics store in NYC). Hobby packs, jumbo packs, retail packs, blaster boxes, holiday products, super boxes, mega boxes, etc, had their own exclusive parallel cards to chase. As a base and basic set collector, I totally skip over these. But how do you player and team collectors keep track of it all?

As more information about 2026 Topps has come about, the list of parallel cards have been posted online. Let's just say that I am so glad that I am a set collector.

Hobby Exclusive Parallels

Retail Exclusive Parallels

Wait...there's more...

I'm not even about to begin to list the parallels that were announced for the insert, autograph, and relic cards. 

Why Topps??! Why??!

I have a lot of respect for those who collect specific players or specific teams. Your collections are impressive, and I admire your dedication to a niche of the Hobby that many people outside of it would call obsessive, if not insane. 

Do you go after specific parallels? As a team collector, do you try to get at least one sample of everything, regardless of player? Do you try to collect everything to complete a rainbow? What counts to you as a rainbow? I'd love to know.

2025 Topps Update Series Clear Michael Lorenzen #US222

2025 Topps Update True Photo Variation Michael Lorenzen #US222

But then again, maybe I should go for the Michael Lorenzen parallel set. I have two of the harder cards to pull and these will be going into the six-inch binder for 2025 Topps (which I will talk about in a few days time...I promise).

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

The Topps 300 (and then some...), Time For a Refresh

The 5 cards I chose to represent 2010 on the Topps 300 (and then some...) blog. 

Back in 2010, Topps had this wonderful idea of a promotion that coincided with the 60th Anniversary of Topps Baseball cards. They picked 100 cards out of their (at the time) catalog of 43,133 regular and traded Topps cards (as of 2010 Topps Update) and asked collectors to vote for their top 10 cards from the small list of 100. To save the trouble, my original post, from November 7, 2010, is linked here. Feel free to review and try to come back to this post. There is a reason why I am bringing this up.

For those who stayed, basically, Topps' 100-card list featured almost EVERY Mickey Mantle card in their catalog (15 of 17 cards made the cut), did not include any cards from the following years: 1976, 1981, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, included a card that was not meant to be produced (but did) in the 2006 Topps Alex Gordon card, and also included then-wunderkind's Stephen Strasburg's 2010 SP rookie card as one of the best 100 ever cards. I picked my top 10, eventually Topps revealed their Top 60 cards, and everyone moved on.

For the most part.

The 5 cards I chose to represent 1952 on the Topps 300 (and then some...) blog.

I thought this could have been done better. So I decided to do something about it (how naïve was I back then??!) 

On November 14, 2010, I selected 300 cards, 5 cards from Topps (then) 60-year history that I thought were the best from each year, and created a blog with images of the cards I picked. I called the blog The Topps 300 (and then some...). I picked the 300 cards based on a few qualifiers, including: Key Rookie, Unique Photo, Action Shot, Card caused a buzz in the Hobby, Noteworthy Errors, Player had an impact on the game that particular year. 

The 5 cards I chose to represent 1976 on the Topps 300 (and then some...) blog.

After I posted my picks, I opened the floor to readers who wanted to chime in and add their choices (this is where the "and then some..." comes from). It gained a bit of publicity thanks to a blurb that appeared in Sports Collector's Daily (it's a blink and you miss it thing, but I still am grateful for the publicity). I had big plans for what to do with it, but then...you know...life happened (excuses, excuses...sheesh).

The 5 cards I chose to represent 1989 on the Topps 300 (and then some...) blog.

Five-plus years later, Topps announced that one of the inserts they were including in the eponymous brand would be a 65-card set (turned into 130 among two series) called Berger's Best, showcasiing reprints of Topps designs, with a brief blurb of Sy Berger's influence on the baseball card world on the back. I did a brief update of the Topps 300 project, adding my top 5 cards from 2011 through 2015. I didn't add them to the main site, you can see the cards I chose here. 

The 5 cards I chose to represent 2014, not on the Topps 300 blog.

Now it's 2026, more than 15 years later. I think that now is the right time to showcase what I think are the top 5 cards from each year from 2016 through 2025. It's not going to happen tonight, please give me a bit of time so I can review over 10,070 cards (that's the number of cards from 2016 through 2025 between the Series 1, 2, and Update) to come up with a final 75 cards. 

It's something to think about. What cards would you include from the last 15 years for this project. Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

More Images and Thoughts About 2026 Topps

2026 Topps Gunnar Henderson 

Giving myself a breather after Topps' big 2026 reveal, I went around to various social media sites to see what others thought of the design. Reviews, I should not have been surprised, were overwhelmingly positive, but there were some mixed or not-so-positive ones among those making comments.

One person even said that the design reminded them of 2004.

2004 Topps Franklyn German #593

Okay, I can see some some of that (lower frame, nameplate, full spelling of position...yes, someone criticized THAT!!!). 

But the overall design element, that being the fabric of a baseball uniform along with the team-colored stitching AND stitches along the left side of the frame are extremely unique. The design is something even my wife can appreciate as one of her hobbies is sewing. 

Some people want to see what the card backs are going to look like. Topps has never really shown these. I'd like to see them myself personally, but I understand if they're not in a rush to show them off.

As been the norm since 2018, Topps will include insert cards honoring the 35th anniversary of a previous year's design, featuring current and former players. This time, it's 1991 (I can't believe it's already 35 years) getting the treatment. Images of what these cards are going to look like have also releasedd I love this set, brings back memories of teenage years. And if the card below is any indication of what the product is going to look like, I'm going to love...LOVE...chasing this set.

2026 Topps 1991 Jackson Merrill

The number 75 is going to throw me off, but it's not like Topps didn't do this before when the design was included as part of the 2016 Topps Archives set (what a year that was, huh Cubs fans...)

2016 Topps Archives Jake Arrieta #234

Although I do hope that Topps just sticks to the team name above the ribbon, not the full team typography (nothing against adding the city, but the original set only had the logos of the team name as it would have appeared on the team uniforms...for the most part...)

Other insert sets returning are the more short-printed Heavy Lumber and Homefiled Advantage sets, as well as All Aces (please make this a basic insert, not one that is short-printed). Greatest Hits will return as well, along with a "new" insert set called Topps Profiles. The name is new in a sense that it hasn't been featured since 1996, when Kirby Puckett and Tony Gwynn had things to say about the subjects on the cards. Maybe they'll have Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani share their opinions about players within their respective leagues. That would be a nice call-back.

The extreme number of parallel cards returns. There were so many last year, and it looks all of them will return with. It does get confusing. You do need a scorecard to keep track of them all. But these are aimed at player and team collectors trying to complete the rainbow. 

So they were able to fit Jacob Misiorowski's name on the front of the card

As with many sets, I would love to see these cards in-hand. Do they still distribute sample cards to dealers? 

I can't wait for these cards to release. And just think, pitchers and catchers start reporting for spring training in about a month. 

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

UPDATE: January 18, 2026, 02:00 pm CST. 

The checklist for 2026 Topps Series 1 is now LIVE!!!

jba

2026 Topps Baseball Design Is Now Live!!!

Topps released an image of the 2026 Topps Baseball Card design. 

Initial reaction: LOVE THIS!!!

Large picture, easy to read nameplate, love the use of team uniform blending to a white border. I would love to see images of other cards just to see how the design elements varies from team to team.

But what do you think? 

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

The 2025 Topps All-Star Rookie Team...Thoughts?

When I was a bit more active on the blog years ago, one of my end-of-the-season focuses was on who would be named to Topps' All-Star Rookie Teams. Even during the hiatus, every time the ASRT was announced, I'd find my way to Wikipedia and update the Topps All-Star Rookie Team pages and add the newly-named players to the article. I think I've added names to the List of Topps All-Star Rookie Teams page since 2009 (the page itself was created in 2006).

Not only have I updated the team roster list, but if a player who was named onto the ASRT was eventually enshrined into Baseball's Hall of Fame, I updated that important list as well. As of today (the announcement for who will be inducted into Baseball's HOF will take place on January 20) there are 37 Hall of Famers who were named to the ASRT, 35 as players, 2 as managers. Jeff Kent, voted in by the Contemporary Baseball Era committee last month, now ranks among this special group.

Back to the point.

In what is probably the latest it was ever announced, on December 30, 2025, Topps named their All-Star Rookie Team:

• Drake Baldwin, C, Atlanta Braves
• Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics
• Luke Keaschall, 2B, Minnesota Twins
• Matt Shaw, 3B, Chicago Cubs
• Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics
• Isaac Collins, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
• Roman Anthony, OF, Boston Red Sox
• Jakob Marsee, OF, Miami Marlins
• Cade Horton, RHP, Chicago Cubs
• Noah Cameron, LHP, Kansas City Royals
• Jack Dreyer, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Agustín Ramírez, DH, Miami Marlins

The team includes both of this year's AL and NL Rookies of the year, Drake Baldwin of the Braves and Nick Kurtz of the Athletics.

2025 Topps Update Series Nick Kurtz #US201 and Drake Baldwin #US87

Of the 12 players named to the team, both Roman Anthony and Jakob Marsee did not appear in any of the flagship sets (Series 1, 2, Update). Even their Topps Now cards had a "Call Up" designation, meaning they will have their rookie cards in 2026 Topps products.

As a Cubs fan, it's great to see both Horton and Shaw make the team, making it two years in a row that the Cubbies had a pair of players named to the ASRT (Michael Busch and Shota Imanaga were last year's duo). 

But what do you think of this year's team? Was there someone who should have been named? I keep hearing Caleb Durbin of the Brewers should have been picked over Shaw, but other than that, it seems that other collectors are happy with the list.

I just want to see what the 2026 design looks like so we can see these players' cards are going to look like with the Rookie Cup trophy. We've seen what the packaging is going to look like, so it's only a matter of time.

That reminds me. I still have an extra base set of the 2005 Topps Rookie Cup set...

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

2025 Topps Pro Debut: An Unboxing

One of the sets I just try and buy full sets of is the Topps Pro Debut, the official set of MiLB (Minor League Baseball). The reasons are simple:

1. It's not something that's sold on a regular basis at the card shops I do frequent.
2. Not too many people in the area actually collect minor league cards, and those that do are in it for the player or organization, not trying for a full set.
3. That patience issue again.
4. Cost. It's cheaper for me to buy a full set of 200 plus cards online than it would be to buy boxes and not even guarantee a full base set (although this applies to the eponymous MLB sets, at least those are readily available everywhere).

That said, I've managed to get every Pro Debut set since Topps acquired the license back in 2010. Prior to that year, I would not have even considered adding these sets to my collection. But, it's Topps. They've been using the flagship designs on these minor league sets. How can in NOT want to include them, if nothing more as a supplement to the eponymous set. All the Pro Debut sets get their own binders as there is no way that I can fit another 200 plus cards (the 2010 set has 400 cards alone) into a six-inch binder (forget even trying to lift them). 

A couple of weeks ago, I finally hunkered down and bought a base set and, because someone actually had these, a "master insert set" for 2025 Topps Pro Debut. Both arrived yesterday. so tonight, while the Bears are playing their first playoff game since 2021 (season was in 2020) and trying to win their fist playoff game since 2011 (season was in 2010), let's unbox this 292-card master set and see what's inside.

The packaging.

The base Pro Debut set consists of 200 cards. The design is the same as the Major League set, with the two-colored lines along the left side of the card, the team name in outlined all-caps lettering in front of the design element. Along with the Cubs, White Sox, Yankees, etc (thanks to the Arizona and Florida Complex League), teams represented include Carp, Storm, Mighty Mussels, Jumbo Shrimp, Biscuits, Trash Pandas, and Spartanburgers. Yes, the creativity of these minor league organizations are top notch. Among the players in this set that have already made an impact in the majors include Luke Keaschall (Wichita Wind Surge), Kyle Teel (Charlotte Knights). Jac Caglianone (Quad City River Bandits), Nick Kurtz (Midland Rockhounds), Roman Anthony & Kristian Campbell (Worcester Red Sox), Trey Yesavage (FCL Blue Jays) among others. 

2025 Topps Pro Debut Luke Keaschall #PD-193

In recent years, the Pro Debut cards featured the player in gloss finish while the background would be in a matte finish. That does not appear to be the case with this year's product.

2025 Topps Pro Debut Trey Yesavage #PD-45

In recent years, it's been easier to acquire the insert sets, and just like the team names that litter the minor leagues, the concepts of the insert sets are just as varied and unique. This year's sets are no exception.

Ballpark Promos highlight alternate team identities and uniforms that were worn during actual games. Whether the team took part in "La Copa de Diversión" or celebrated a city's local heritage, a nice exposition explaining the significance of the alternate name is included.

2025 Topps Pro Debut Ballpark Promos Dalton Rushing #BP-5

Drafted is a sketchbook inspired insert set with the fronts featuring images that would have appeared to be drawn with colored pencils, while the reverse talks about the player's journey in the MLB draft.

2025 Topps Pro Debut Drafted Jac Caglianone #DF-20

League Elites features players and logos from the respective minor leauges. From the Eastern League (AA),  to the Midwest League (A), the Pacific Coast League (AAA) to the Florida State League (A), and everywhere in between.

2025 Topps Pro Debut League Elites Colson Montgomery #LE-6

Stars of MiLB, just like the Stars of MLB, is pretty much self-explanatory. The best players in the minors in 2024 who were well on their way to the big show are featured. The team logos are large and proudly displayed on the front. 

2025 Topps Pro Debut Stars of MiLB JJ Wetherholt #STAR-12

MiLB Legends features pictures of retired major leaguers during their time in the minors using designs from Topps history (this year's design if based off the 1976 set).

2025 Topps Pro Debut MiLB Legends Alex Gordon #ML-4

One of the things I like to do is open a past year's binder of Pro Debut cards and be pleasantly surprised by the fact that I have a player's minor league card to go along with his MLB rookie card. 

Nick Kurtz's Rookie Card from 2025 Topps Update Series #US201 and 2025 Pro Debut #PD-1

I'm not a prospector by any means, and I know that speculators prefer the Bowman Chrome cards of players they're hoping become superstars in the majors because it's the first card (in most cases) of their subject in a major league uniform. But I like these Pro Debut cards. They do make a great supplement to the major league product. Maybe in 5 years, I'll revisit this set, and appreciate in awe at the fact that I have cards of the now established superstars of the 2030 season before they hit the big time.

2025 Topps Pro Debut Travis Bazzana #PD-100

And maybe that's the whole point of the set in the first place.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Wanted: 2024 Topps 17-Card Team Sets: Dodgers, Brewers, Athletics, Nationals

Every year since 2006, with the exception of 2021, Topps offered 14 to 17-card team sets in team-specific packaging. And every year since 2006, I've been able to acquire all 30 to 32 team sets on eBay thanks to a certain New York-based seller who would post an auction/BIN listing including all 30 regular team sets (for some reason, the two NL and AL All-Star/Superstar sets were not included...but that's not the point here). 

Then 2024 happened. 

The seller put up a BIN listing for all 30 team sets. They allocated 5 of these 30-set lots on this listing. I had it on my watch list with the intent of buying them when I had the funds. But every time I was ready to make the purchase, life happened, and money wound up going to more necessary endeavors. By the time everything settled down and I was ready to buy my annual 32 set order, all 5 lots were gone. When I asked if there were any left, I was told no. And so ended the streak of being able to collect the team sets.

Or so I thought.

In 2025, I not only was able to get all 32 sets, but I started buying each of the sets that I missed in 2024. It wasn't easy. While many of the sets were still listed on the world's largest marketplace, not every set has been available. Some sets were being offered at 3 to 4 times the regular price that I'd be willing to spend. I wound up having to rely on other sites to get certain sets. In the end, I was able to buy 26 of the 30 team sets plus the two AL and NL sets.

I am looking for the following four sets: Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, and Washington Nationals.

In recent years, Topps had these team sets sold at the big box stores, but instead of them being packaged in team-specific colored packaging, they would appear in generic packaging that would not differentiate between teams. The blister packs would show the cards of course, so you'd know what team you're getting, but there would not be a checklist on the back. 

2024 Topps Dodgers Team Set. Not team-specific.

I've seen the above online, but this is not what I want. 

The reason why I am searching specifically for the team-colored packaging is because I want the checklist on the back. I cut them out and include them in the 9-pocket page. The set doesn't feel complete without it.

I'm still looking online for these four sets. Amazon had them, but now they're no longer available. For some reason, the Dodgers, Brewers, Athletics, and Nationals sets are hard to come by. I'm sure they will come up, and I'm checking every day. But you've already heard about my patience issues when it comes to my card collecting. Needless to say, when it comes to these items that should be readily available, I'm at my wits end. 

If you or someone you know has any or all of these specific team sets, please contact me at bdj610@hotmail.com, send me a dm on X/Twitter, send me a Thread, or just leave a comment here. I'd like to put this to rest soon.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama