The 2026 Topps Series 2 Checklist is Now Live!

Last week, Topps posted the checklist for Series 2 of the eponymous set. I look forward to this for a few reasons:

• It means S2 is coming soon, and depending on what site you go to, it's either coming out on June 10, or June 24, 2026
• It means my my little hiatus for adding cards from 2026 Topps is going to end
• The All-Star Game is coming soon. And as has been tradition on this site, all roster moves for the ASG will be posted with cards of the players involved going into a special binder during the festivities

But before I go through the highlights from the next series, I've been wondering what happened to the the 17-card team sets. I've looked and have not seen anything yet. Even the eBay seller that does the 30-set BIN's are off duty until June. This does not bode well as these should have been out by now. 

Back to the point.

2026 Topps Bo Bichette #473

The 350-card base checklist, which can be downloaded here, features:

• 52 regular rookie cards with the RC logo we all know and love
• 14 Future Star cards
• 15 Team cards
• 10 Combo cards (which are not checklists)

2026 Topps Tatsuya Imai #513

The checklist includes other surprises, including four short-printed variation rookie cards. In recent years, Topps has added extra cards of players who debuted during the season, but too late to add to the base set. To alleviate this slight, they've numbered these cards as if they're part of the base set, even though...they're not. Think Julio Rodriguez and Bobby Witt, Jr. in 2022, The Jackson 3 (Holliday, Chourio, and Merrill) in 2024, and even Matt Shaw, Cam Smith, and Kristian Campbell in 2025. Heck, go back to 2019 with Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. and his un-numbered RC, or 2018 with Gleyber Torres and Ronald Acuña, Jr.

Basically, it's a thing.

This year, there will be four SP RC's that, while not part of the base set, will share numbers with those who are:

• #697a is Bryan Reynolds of the Pirates, #697b is Kevin McGonigle of the Tigers
• #698a is Andre Pallante of the Cardinals, #698b is JJ Wetherholt of the Cardinals
• #699a is Jared Young of the Mets, #699b is Carson Benge of the Mets
• #700a is Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers, #700b is Justin Crawford of the Phillies

Other highlights include card #500 being Shohei Ohtani (there's a big surprise), 12 Cubs cards vs. 8 White Sox cards (yes, I keep track of that), and a card of Japan's newest import to slug his way to Chicago, Munetaka Murakami!!! (For some reason, you can sing his name like you're singing the chorus of the Battle Hymn of the Republic...you're singing his name in your head right now, aren't you?)

The Golden Variation cards, a staple in the Topps/Fanatics era, continue with every card, every player, having a variation card. One of the ones I'm looking forward to seeing is the tribute to the 1992 Topps Frank Thomas card featuring...none other than (sing it with me) Munetaka Murakami!!! I'm sure they could have waited to put this out next year with the 1992 Topps set gets the 35th Anniversary treatment, but whatever...

1992 Topps Frank Thomas #555 & 2026 Topps Munetaka Murakami Golden Variation #503

As usual, insert cards will be a big highlight for this set, and I am all in for a number of them. Of course, the tribute to 1991 Topps continues with 50 cards, along with a 50-card (hopefully...cough...cough) All-Star subset. The retail-exclusive Stars of MLB (30 cards) and Titans of the Game (20 cards) sets return, plus 6 more First Pitch cards. 

2026 Topps 1991 Tribute Trey Yesavage #91B2-33

Short-printed inserts such as Cover Athletes, All Aces/All Kings, Homefield Advantage, and Heavy Lumber are also back for S2, but we're not going to talk about those (unless I manage to get one in a pack). 

2026 Topps Series 2 Home Field Advantage Munetaka Murakami #HA-39

New to the insert set chase includes a 25-card set called Crooked Numbers, a 65-card behemoth called Glove Work (which I'm guessing is about defensive prowess), and the 10-card Highlight Reel (please let this be a basic insert set). One set I'm curious about, but not holding out any hope of seeing a card of unless it's online, even if it is a "Hobby Box/Jumbo Box exclusive" is the 10-card Diamond Dust set. The name alone looks like it's going to be a short-printed exclusive nightmare to attempt. There is also going to be an exclusive Fanatics Fest-only set called Swinging With the Stars. If it's anything like 2025's version (Swinging For the Stars), it's mostly likely going to be a Topps Chrome set.

But just like last year, Topps will have an exclusive Series 2 Super box, one for regular retailers (think your big box stores) and one for Costco. The Costco boxes will include another 90-card exclusive set (Flagship Edition) and another 10-card Bulk Order set.

I, for one, can't wait for Series 2 to go live. It's something to look forward to while summer, and the MLB season, moves on.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Mission Accomplished: 2026 Topps Series 1 Master Set

Pictures of the six-inch binder are to come later (I did say it was ordered). 

Last night, the final three cards that I needed to complete the 2026 Topps Series 1 Master Set (base and basic insert cards) arrived:

• 2026 Topps 2025 All-Topps Team #ATT-5 Bobby Witt Jr
• 2026 Topps Big Ticket Players #BTP-7 Ronald Acuña Jr
• 2026 Topps First Pitch #FP-7 Jackie Hornung (a social media creator with a dog named Lumi)

All three cards are now in the binder and the set is done (for now).

Presently, this binder contains the following sets (with number of cards):

• 350 cards from Topps Series 1
• 1 miscellaneous advertisment card
• 1 Super Box Companion card (Francisco Lindor)
• 1 Super Box Jumbo card (Mike Trout)
• 9 First Pitch cards
• 12 2025 All-Topps Team cards
• 28 2025 Greatest Hits cards
• 26 Big Ticket Players cards
• 25 Topps ProFiles cards
• 100 1991 Topps cards
• 30 Stars of MLB cards
• 20 Titans of the Game cards

That's a total of 603 cards.

But wait, there will be more.

Topps Celebration came out last week. And impatient me (I really need to tone this down), got caught in the hysteria and bought the insert sets without thinking. I may have overspent, but the important thing is that they're coming this week (hopefully before the end of the week).

So expect another 100 cards to be added soon...and that's before someone will eventually put a Costco Flagship set up on the Bay...

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Adventures in Trading: The Last Trade for Series 1 Cards

The TCDB well has finally run dry. Not too many people want to do 1 for 1 trades because of postal rate hikes, and I get that. It doesn't mean I'll say no to a simple card-for-card exchange. But with this last trade, my want list for 2026 Topps Series 1 inserts is now in single digits. It is at this stage in the game that I go to Sportlots and look for the last 9 cards I need to put this set into the 6-inch binder (which has been ordered and will arrive hopefully tomorrow).

On Monday, I sent two trade requests for cards through the TCDB, and one person responded right away with a counter-offer. None of the cards I initially offered were requested, but he did find other cards that he needed that he requested in exchange for the pair of insert cards I was asking about. In all of my trade requests, I ask that the potential trade partner look through what I have available and make a counter-offer if they would like to get other cards instead of what I was submitting. This gives the person I'm corresponding with a chance to look and see what else I have available instead of just outright rejecting the trade. So he did.

So instead of the pair of 8-Bit Baller cards I was offering, he asked for a 2025 Topps Update Nick Kurtz card, along with a Titans of the Game Bryce Harper and the last of my Evergreens, the Aaron Judge. In return, he offered a Big Ticket Jacob Misiorowski and a ProFiles Jackie Robinson. Of course, I agreed.

The cards are now on their way to North Carolina after a bit of a delay (weather here has been crazy lately). 

Now with 9 cards left on the wantlist, I made my way to Sportlots. After finding out that a lot of my "loot" was going to expire (since when was this a thing Sportlots??!), I filtered out the sellers that I needed to cash in with and bought them all for under $10.00 (not including the extra $14.00 in shipping costs plus tax...ouch). 

When the binder arrives, I'll start adding pages and will post the final results here on the blog. At least this project will be finished before Celebration goes live. 

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Adventures in Trading: On the Day After the Chicago Sports Spectacular, Pedro is Going to Colorado

2026 Topps 1991 Chrome Purple Refractor Pedro Martinez #91C-41

As soon as I got home from the Chicago Sports Spectacular last night, I received a message through the TCDB regarding a trade request. A gentleman from Colorado was offering five insert cards for the 2026 Topps 1991 Chrome Purple Refractor Pedro Martinez card that I got from the Jumbo Box break late last month.

Of the 5 cards he was offering, I had already purchased two of them earlier at the show. So I needed to counter. Doing a quick trade matching, it turns out that the Pedro card wasn't even on his wantlist. But who am I to say no to a trade that would help my cause. The card would just be sitting in my trade pile. And yes, it's a numbered card. The fact of the matter is that I still needed 14 cards to complete the S1 master set.

So I countered, and explained that I bought two of the five cards he was offering, but I'd still trade for the remaining 3 for the Pedro refractor. A couple of hours later, he agreed.

So going to Colorado is the refractor card. The cards coming my way are listed below.

I will be on my way to the post office shortly to drop off the card, then it's off to meet my sisters for breakfast to continue the birthday festivities. 

If you're going to attend the card show at the convention center, have fun. Good luck with your collecting goals today.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

A Super Box Break. Ummm...

With a complete 2026 Topps Series 1 set already in hand, plus only needing 56 cards to complete the "master set" (until Celebration arrives...that's another post for another day), I'm not really expecting to add much to the collection from the Super Box I bought last week. But since it's still sitting here and I would LOVE to use the oversized header card as part of the binder (which I haven't ordered yet, but will soon...) I decided to open this and hope for the best.

But first things first...

The very tiny Funko Pop! included here is what replaces the ceramic pin that came with every Super Box since 2023. It's a nice change of pace, and there are five subjects. Who do I get as mine?

Yeah, the picture is fuzzy (I swear I'm buying a new phone), but it's Mike Trout. Funny. The Funko item itself is way way smaller than I thought it would be. I mean, where it's placed in the box (lower right corner), I would have thought it'd be BIGGER. But beggars can't be choosers. I don't plan on getting all five of these, and my daughter, who was the big collector of Funkos before she got married, might not really want this.

Moving on.

Now let's see what's in this bonus pack, exclusive to the Super Box:

In case the picture isn't any clearer, the five cards that were in this pack are:

• #92 Jackson Holliday, second baseman, Baltimore Orioles
• #186 Quinn Priester, pitcher, Milwaukee Brewers
• #39 Matt Olson, first baseman, Atlanta Braves
• #94 Yu Darvish, pitcher, San Diego Padres
• #112 Carson Seymour, pitcher, San Francisco Giants

Now, let's see who's behind the curtain...

 

It's Mike Trout...

AGAIN!!!

With a Francisco Lindo companion card. Was PCA part of the checklist for these jumbo cards? Just looked...he is. Not that I need it, but both my 2024 and 2025 binders have a Cubs player as the Jumbo card (Shota for 2024, Cade Horton for 2025). I just might have to try and find one for 2026. Maybe at the Chicagoland Sports Spectacular, which I will be able to go to on Friday and/or Saturday (I was able to get someone to cover for me).

The ten packs yielded the proper amount of base cards, which I do plan on sorting. Will I get a second set? Who knows. I did not hit any of the short-prints, autos, relics...anything significant really. But not only did I manage to get some cards for trade bait, but I was also able to pull three insert cards that I needed to check off the wantlist:

• #TP-18 Aaron Judge Topps Profiles
• #GH-18 Bobby Witt Jr. 2025 Topps Greatest Hits
• #BTP-6 Corbin Carroll Big Ticket Players

I think I'll stop with the trade requests until after the show. While I'm hoping my usual haunts at the CSS will have a good chunk of insert cards I need, I am keeping my expectations low. 

The chase goes on.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Adventures in Trading: Trades to Get the Wantlist Down to 56

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.

Until then, the chase continues.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Adventures in Trading: You Mean Today Was National Trading Card Day??!

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.

Maybe next year, I can celebrate properly. 

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Adventures in Trading: TCDB Trades for 2026 Topps Series 1 Insert Cards

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.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Wanted: Fourteen 2026 Topps Series 1 Cards

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 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...

Yamamoto'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.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Live Blogging a Jumbo Box Break

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. 

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Beating the Odds on an Open Hobby Box

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...

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

And the First Card of 2026 Topps is Of...

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.
• Major League Debut: August 12, 2016.
• Last Line of Statistics: 2025 stats (Dodgers): 134 G, 511 AB, 65 R, 126 H, 29 2B, 1 3B, 25 HR, 89 RBI, 5 SB, 26 BB, .454 SLG .738 OPS .247 AVG, 1.5 WAR..
• 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.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

First 2026 Topps Purchase

Okay, I need a new camera...

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.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

It's Opening Day!!!

 

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...

Save some for me. Thank you.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

2026 Topps Facebook Cover Photo

 

As the countdown to Baseball Card Opening Day continues, Topps revealed a new "cover photo" that will welcome people who visit their Facebook page. It's an assortment of cards that will appear in packs of their 2026 Topps Series 1 product.

I love seeing images like this because it gives us an idea of what many of the cards are going to look like. For example, the 1991 card of Paul Skenes looks amazing. It reminds me that 1991 was the first year that featured horizontal cards of players that were not team cards, rookie combo cards, or any other since at least 1960. 

It's the fourth year in a row that Topps featured scattered cards as their Facebook cover image. Previous images are below:

Okay, I need sleep. Talk to you soon.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

UPDATE: January 18, 2026, 10:44 pm CST. 

Boy am I wrong. There were horizontal player cards made by Topps after 1960. Thanks John for pointing this out. 

jba