2026 Topps Update...Ready for Round 3??!

 

Image of the 2026 Topps Update Series Retail Box

It won't be long now before the 2026 MLB season comes to a close and the hype over the Update Series begins. And there is a lot to unpack.

2026 Topps Update Travis Bazzana #US75

The checklist for the end-of-the-year set came out earlier this week, and well...

The player selection is great, I'm not against that. Topps is even bringing back the update series SP cards, akin to the SP rookie additions in series 2, in the form of Tarik Skubal and Adley Rutschmann (definitely will get my hands on these once they hit the Bay). What I don't get, however, is the format of the base checklist.

To wit...

The checklist, for the first time ever, is broken down into categories:

• Veterans I
• Veterans II
• Rookies
• Rookie Debut
• Veteran Combos
• Season Highlights

The Veterans I section, includes (doing a quick count...) 96 players. Veterans II consists of (doing another quick count, which is just me copying and pasting the .pdf to an Excel spreadsheet) 99 players. Going down the line, you have 85 Rookies, 40  Rookie Debut cards, 16 Veteran Combo cards, and 14 Season Highlights cards. That's 350 cards in the base set. Which is great and all...but...

What's the difference between Veterans I and Veterans II??!

2026 Topps Update Walker Buehler #US213, part of the Veterans II group.

I had first thought that the Veterans I section included players who were in either Series 1 or 2, and the Veterans II section consists of players who wasn't in either series. But that isn't true because while players such as Mauricio Dubón (191 in S1, US8 in Update) and Alex Bregman (135 in S1, US25 in Update) appeared earlier on cards earlier in the year, players such as Miguel Amaya, Antonio Senzatela, and even Zac Gallen did not. 

The 99 players in the Veterans II section? Just from a sampling based off the 2026 MLB All-Stars who didn't have cards prior to the game in July, Max Mayer, Bryan Baker, Jacob Latz, and Louis Varland all are part of this group. Later additions such as Iván Herrera and Nick Martinez are part of this group as well. But both Willson Contreras and Tristan Peters are in this group as well, and they had cards in the main set (under different teams, so it's no surprise they're here too). 

So that can't be it. With that said, was there a real reason why the 195 veterans were grouped off in this way? Maybe someone who has knowledge way above my pay grade can explain. 

Or maybe I'm making too much of a big deal out of it...I don't know...

Beyond the base set, let's go over the insert sets whose cards will be distributed throughout the packs and boxes of Update Series.

Among the basic insert sets coming to Update will be the 25-card Stat Stars, a newly-titled 35-card playoffs-themed set called Autumn Ascensions (I think...only because rookie card subjects Munetaka Murakami, Travis Bazzana, and JJ Wetherholt are in this set and as far as I can tell have yet to make the playoffs in MLB), Topps Black Gold returns for another end-of-the-year appearance, 25 cards in all. The Hobby/Jumbo exclusive Mystical set returns as well with another 25 subject set. Fifty players from the All-Star Game are featured in the annual All-Star Game insert set. Which is great and all, but if Shohei Ohtani wasn't even in Philly for the festivities, why is he part of this set? Same for Vladimir Guerrero, Jr.

First Pitch concludes with five more celebrities, including someone many Filipinos outside of the Hobby will jump at the chance to acquire, boxing legend (and senator) Manny Pacquiao. The celebration of 1991 Topps baseball also concludes with another 50-card set. The ever popular Stars of MLB set concludes with another 26 cards (funny enough, no Titans of the Game in this one).

2026 Topps Update 1991 Topps Munetaka Murakami #U91-22

The Costco sets will return for the first time in Update Series. So expect another 90-card Flagship Collection and 10-card Bulk Order to appear in bonus packs. There is also a 10-card Rookie Sensations set that is exclusive to the "Club Box", but there is at this time, no way to tell if this is going to be an SP insert set or a basic one.

The product goes live on October 14, 2026, less than four weeks from the day this post goes live. I can't wait to get back into the swing of things.  The chase for 593 cards will begin then. As of now, the 6-inch binder is 2/3rd's full and just needs the SP Rookie Variations (Kevin McGonigle, JJ Wetherholt, Carson Benge, and Justin Crawford) to finish out Series 2. 

Then the fun will begin.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

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

A Reason to Celebrate: Topps Celebration Insert Sets

In 2025, Topps introduced a new product called 2025 Topps Series 1 Celebration. This was geared towards a younger audience akin to what Topps Opening Day and Big League Baseball products were in years past. It featured all 350 cards from the eponymous brand, and featured many of the same chase insert cards from the flagship brand. There were also unique insert sets and variation cards that were exclusive to this product.

A Box of 2025 Topps Celebration

Sets like Walk This Way, which celebrated walk-off wins, and Dugout Peeks, which featured a player during or after a game-breaking play, utilized the same base card design as the regular cards. These were short-printed insert cards, however, so finding one in a pack, let alone a full box, was truly an achievement.

2025 Topps Celebration Dugout Peeks Shohei Ohtani #DP-1

But that's not what I'm here to talk about. 

Along with the regular insert sets from 2025 Topps Series 1 that were included in this product were four very unique insert sets. These were specifically catered for a younger audience.

• Mascots, which featured the costumed characters that made even the hardest games to watch entertaining. These had the same design as the base set.
  
  

2025 Topps Celebration Mascots Clark #M-5

Game Day Drip, featuring players wearing the hottest trends in fashion. If you've ever watched an All-Star Red Carpet show, you get the idea of the point of this set. Flashing lights gave the cards and subjects a photo-shoot like element.

2025 Topps Celebration Game Day Drip Bryce Harper #GD-5

8-Bit Ballers, a set first introduced in 2023 with Big League Baseball, featured players in a "retro-video game" background. The players themselves were not pixelated.

2025 Topps Celebration 8-Bit Ballers Kevin Alcantara #8B-25

Power Players, a set that was reminiscent of the 1999 Topps insert set of the same name, this time with a lot more color in the design.

2025 Topps Celebration Power Players Manny Machado #PP-18

I first heard of these sets while working on last year's Series 2 set. The list of sets in the TCDB seemed to get bigger, and only when I saw these names did I realize that I may have missed something. So off to the Bay I went and lo and behold, found a couple of sellers with complete sets. I think you know how this ended.

Now, we're into 2026. If you've been following along on this year's Hobby journey, you know I've already completed the base set, and am 45 cards away from completing the first 8 basic inserts. Earlier this month, Topps announced on their blog that Celebration would return in 2026. 

A Box of 2026 Topps Celebration

Which makes sense as Topps is "celebrating" their 75th anniversary in the Basseball Card Hobby. Once again. The base set will include the same 350 cards from this year's Series 1, some of the regular inserts from S1, and another round of exclusives. Coming back are the Dugout Peeks and Walk This Way sets, both again using the base set design, plus a Hidden Mascots set (which looks to be another base set SP insert set).

2026 Topps Celebration Mascots Dinger

2026 Topps Celebration 8-Bit Ballers Jac Caglianone

2026 Topps Celebration Game Day Drip Elly De La Cruz

Also coming back will be the Game Day Drip, 8-Bit Ballers, and Mascots set. Replacing Power Players, is another insert set from years past, Perennial All-Stars. An insert set from 2000 Topps, then returning in 2019 Topps Update, the theme, obviously, are players who have been named to multiple All-Star Teams. 

Or that's what I'd like to believe that's the point of the insert set.

The checklist features the usual suspects: Ohtani, Judge, Trout, Skenes, Skubal, et. al. But one name on the list got my attention: Pete Crow-Armstrong.

2026 Topps Perennial All-Star Pete Crow-Armstrong

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm thrilled that a current Chicago Cub is on this checklist (considering the other Cub is Kyle Tucker, who is no longer with the team). But PCA was a first-time All-Star in 2025. Perennial, according to Merriam-Webster, as an adjective, can mean regularly repeated or renewed. So at this point, PCA is not yet a perennial All-Star, at least in the majors. Hopefully, as he gets older, he will get to that point. Topps is certainly adding him to almost every insert set they can at this point.

Personally, I think I'll just wait until sets appear on the Bay. There wasn't enough supply on the TCDB to warrant trying to build these sets from scratch.

But if you didn't get enough Series 1 to finish your sets, or if you want a shot at getting parallels, inserts, or even introduce the kids to the Hobby, you really can't go wrong with Celebration, which launches on March 26 (date subject to change). 

Speaking of Celebrations:

Today, March 12, 2026, is my birthday. I am now:

The Big 50!!! 

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 13, 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

Ladies and Gentlemen, Introducing 2019 Topps Baseball

Coinciding to my return to semi-active card blogging, allow me to enjoy today's big news.

It's the middle of August. That means the preview of next year's Topps baseball cards should be coming out just...about...NOW!!!

The announcement just came out on Twitter. And as I'm listening to the big Chicago Bears football news, the Topps Company introduced its newest design for the eponymous set, the one that starts off the 2019 Baseball Card Season.

Are you ready?

Are you excited?

I know I am.

So what are we waiting for?

Ladies and Gentlemen, here is the design for 2019 Topps Baseball:

Yes, it's another Yankee (remember, last year's mock-up was of Clint Frazier). But take a look at the design elements. Another borderless card, but there is some semblance of a border with what's underneath the "retro" curved, team-colored stripes (think 1982). Don't know if the last name is going to be in foil lettering compared to the first name within the stripe.

And look, for the first time in a while, we get two images, this one of Mookie Betts, showing what horizontally-oriented cards are going to look like.

On the Topps website, the article says, "Parallel colors will be noted on the outside areas, behind the border and in the white areas on the edge of the card. Somehow I get the feeling that these will look similar to the 1990 dot elements used for the borders. But hey, we can speculate.

This looks great on screen, and I can't wait to see how these look physically. Again, I wish they would show off the back of the cards too, but that would be wishful thinking. Besides, the company had to leave us in suspense somehow.

But what do you think? Do you like the design? Hate it? Thoughts?

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

So Which 2018 Topps Series 1 Packs Should I Open First??!

January 31 was the start of the 2018 Baseball Card Season, and after two days of searching, (realistically, waiting for my paycheck) and watching all of the hits, sets, and cards that I am just dying to get my hands on myself, I finally had my opportunity to dive into the pool and buy some product of my very own. And I couldn't be happier.

But now I have a bit of a quandary on my hands.

You see, on Friday night, I went to Target and saw that they had 2018 Topps Series 1 packs on display by the registers.

So for $32.31, I bought the following:

• Five 12-card retail packs
• Two 36-card jumbo packs
• One 72-card hanger pack

And then I went to the Walmart across the street, just for kicks, and saw that they also had 2018 Topps Series 1 by the self-checkout.

And so, for $32.82, I bought:

• Five 12-card retail packs
• Two 36-card jumbo packs
• One 72-card hanger pack

First off, if anything, I'm really surprised. Target charged a penny more for the packs compared to Walmart ($1.99 vs. $1.98 for 12-pack, $4.99 vs. $4.98 for the 36, and $9.99 vs. $9.98 for the hanger). However, because the Target was in Lake County, and the Walmart was in Cook County (yes they were across the street, but the street is the border between two counties), I spent $0.49 less at Target.

Anyway, I haven't opened any packs yet. I'll probably do a live pack break during the big game tomorrow. This will be the first time I get to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday night in about three years. I have no skin in the game, I don't really care who wins. So I'll probably focus more on a pack break for the blog.

But which packs should I open first?

Do I open the Walmart packs first? I mean, they're the only place to find those exclusive Kris Bryant Highlight cards.

Or should I open the Target packs first? I did go to Target first of course.

So I'm going to get some sleep. I'll be working in the pharmacy tomorrow. Hopefully it'll be quiet (it's snowing right now...maybe traffic will be light).

Send me comments and let me know which packs I should open first. Maybe I'll post a Twitter poll or something (follow me on Twitter @bdj610 if you want to take part in it).

I'm just looking forward to baseball season. And what better way to enjoy it then by celebrating with a few packs of baseball cards??!

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Thoughts on 2018 Topps Before the Product Goes Live

So the 2018 Baseball Card Season begins at the end of this month with Series 1 of the eponymous product arriving some time on or around January 31. It's a great time to be a baseball fan because it only means that pitchers and catchers will be reporting to their spring training homes (at least those with teams anyway) not long afterwards.

This past month (in between learning what is involved in both a food brokerage and a pharmacy...yes, I work for the food AND drug industries), The Topps Company has been previewing what we are to expect in series 1:

• images of what the cards are going to look like,

• All-Star Rookie Cup players (was there really a need for the words "Future Star" to be added to these cards?),

• Which 40 players are going to make their Rookie Card Debut,

• checklists (the base set does not have numbers because they haven't announced the player who will grace Card #1 yet)
  

There has even been news about Series 2 and the 32 retail sets that will be coming soon to Hobby shops and big box stores near you.

But for the longest time, the only thing Topps never really showed during the hype build-up of their soon-to-be classic cards was the card backs. And for many years (or at least ever since I started blogging and sparingly being involved in the online Sports/Baseball Card Community) I've always asked to see what the card backs look like before the product goes live. Well last week, Sports Card News, who was able to attend Topps' big Transcendent part in Las Vegas, posted on Twitter (what the back of the 2018 Topps cards are going to look like.

2018 Topps Harrison Bader RC. Picture by @SportsCardNewshttps://twitter.com/SportsCardNews

And, I was awestruck...by how much open space there was on the back of the cards.

Before the interwebs, baseball cards were THE resource when it came to learning about your favorite players. Not only were there (in most cases) complete stat lines, but a simple (or long...depending on how long a player's career was) biography on the back about the player on the front of the card. There might be some random factoids about other players, or a "this date in baseball history" segment. There might even be a cartoon on the back. Lots of information could be packed on the back of a baseball card (if you were a big-time stat junkie, later years of Score baseball were for you...)

Last year, Topps limited the number of stat lines to five plus career totals. So for the first time in a very long time, no complete player stats for those who had played for more than five seasons. In it's place, Topps added a player's social media accounts (Twitter and Instagram if a player had them), or Topps' accounts if he was not a presence on social media. I get it, we're in a new age, what better way to follow your favorite player than on the social sites. Leave it to Topps for being forward thinking.

But this year's card back has a lot of issues for me. Now, I know that the only image shown was of a player with the rookie card logo, meaning that we're only going to see that person's minor league totals. I get that. That's been the deal since 2006. But there was just so much space, especially on the right side of the card. There is just so much blank space there. I'm wondering why? Couldn't Topps find something to fill that space? Maybe extend the text box?

At my new job, one of the things I'm learning is how to create sell sheets using PowerPoint. Yes, I've been in the food business for 19 years, but this is my first time at making these. I'm learning really fast that blank space is okay, as long as there is less of it. Too much space means a missed opportunity for content. And that's what I'm seeing here.

Now, I'm hoping that this is just the exception, and not the norm. People on Twitter began to wax poetic about how times have changed, and that they wanted full career stats. Maybe put in a QR code where that blank space was to make the cards more interactive. (Speaking of, have you seen those wines that have labels that when you put your smartphone to it - and have an app - the graphics come live??? That would be cool if Topps could do that with baseball cards...not that they haven't tried before...)

Again, I'm just going what I'm seeing in front of a computer screen. I haven't seen any of these cards live (yet). So I'm going to wait until I see these cards in person before making any decisions as to whether I'm going to like the design, front and back, or not.

Something tells me that, as always, I'm going to like them.

Bring on 2018!!!

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

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

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

The players for this year's ballot:

• Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
• Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies
• Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers
• Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs (and last year's #1)
• Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
• Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
• Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
• Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
• Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians
• Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
• Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox
• Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
• Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels (there is no "of Anaheim" anymore...although Topps still insists of still on leaving any city off the team name)
• Other/Write-In (yes, you can pick anyone else besides the 14 listed above)
  

Now having fewer players in the pool is fine, and I can see now who would be the favorites (cough...Judge...cough). I voted for Bryant last year (for obvious reasons). This year? I might vote for him again (depending on how far the Cubs get into the postseason), or maybe go with Altuve. Want to vote? Click here. Voting will run through Friday, October 6, 2017, and the winner will be announced a couple of weeks before Series 1 comes out at the end of January, 2018.

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

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

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Ladies and Gentlemen, Introducing 2018 Topps Baseball

It's that time of year again. And if this time of the year hasn't been marked on your calendar as a Topps Baseball Card Collector, I do not know what is wrong with you.

Because it's August! That means the preview of next year's Topps baseball cards should be coming out just...about...NOW!!!

Yes, we still have two months more of baseball season (not counting playoffs), and 2017 Topps Update Series hasn't come out yet. And don't forget National Baseball Card Day on August 12.

Today, The Topps Company introduced its newest design for the eponymous set, the one that starts off the 2018 Baseball Card Season starts.

Are you ready?

Are you excited?

I know I am.

So what are we waiting for?

Ladies and Gentlemen, here is the design for 2018 Topps Baseball:

Initial thoughts: I love how this looks on screen. It's borderless once again, and has some elements that remind me of 2014 Topps (the wave that's holding the logo like it's going down a waterslide). But the key design elements, to me anyway, are the digital looking bands that contain the name of the player, his position, and the team name. Note how on the right the digital bits look like they are coming together to form them (or maybe breaking apart)?

This looks great on screen, and I can't wait to see how these look physically. Again, I wish they would show off the back of the cards too, but that would be wishful thinking. Besides, the company had to leave us in suspense somehow.

But what do you think? Do you like the design? Hate it? Thoughts?

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Time To Vote for Card #1 for the 2017 Topps Set

For the second year in a row, Topps is allowing fans and collectors to select the first card in their eponymous set. Unlike last year, where there were 34 players in the initial poll, including a representative from each major league team, and then a final five balloting to select the subject for #1, this time, a pool of 16 players have been chosen and there will be only one voting period.

The players for this year's ballot:

• Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers
• Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox
• Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs
• Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
• Carlos Correa, Houston Astros
• Josh Donaldson, Toronto Blue Jays
• Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
• Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians
• Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles
• Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
• David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox
• Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
• Gary Sanchez, New York Yankees
• Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (and last year's #1)

Now having fewer players in the pool is fine, and I can see now who would be the favorites (cough...Trout...cough), and Ortiz is a good sentimental pick (maybe save him for a double zero number). My vote is for Bryant if only because...well...you know.

Want to vote? Click here.

October is usually a busy month for this humble, little blog. End of Year All-Star Team selections will be forthcoming (after I post who were on the teams in 2015), and the comparisons between the 1996 and 2016 MLB debut classes.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Ladies and Gentlemen, Introducing 2017 Topps Baseball

It's the most...wonderful time...of the year.

Yes, we still have two months more of baseball season (not counting playoffs), and 2016 Topps Update Series hasn't come out yet. And don't forget National Baseball Card Day this Saturday.

But in August, at least the last few years, Topps introduces the new design that we will all be after once the 2017 Baseball Card Season starts. This year is no exception.

Are you ready?

Are you excited?

I know I am.

So what are we waiting for?

Ladies and Gentlemen, here is the design for 2017 Topps Baseball:

Continuing with the gray-transparent corners (there has to be some kind of design element that looks like a border...even though this is Topps' second "borderless" design), this year's major design element is the big slanted "X" that holds the player name, position, team name, and team logo. Think basepaths? The top of the card looks a bit pixelated. Maybe it's my screen and may not be an actual design point, but this is definitely an improvement. The smoky design on some of this year's cards, while a nice touch, did detract from some of the pictures.

I'm really liking the design, and I don't have the cards in hand yet. Hopefully Topps will come out with a press release or something explaining the reasons for the design, and maybe a sell sheet.

But what do you think? Do you like the design? Hate it? Thoughts?

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Are You Ready??! I SAID...

ARE YOU READY??!

The 66th edition of Topps Baseball (okay, 65th if you're not counting 1951 Topps Red and Blue Backs), is officially due to arrive on Wednesday, February 3. But it looks like some lucky markets (I will check my local box stores tomorrow) got theirs early (lucky).

Regardless, it's coming, I can't wait to open some packs to see this design up close.

Sorry pack break week seemed to have ended earlier than I'd like. But hey, work calls. But I still have the packs unopened, so I'll get to it soon.

Also, let me apologize to everyone who's sent me emails asking me to add their sites to the Sports Card Blogroll. I have not forgotten you, and I still have your emails, links, twitter DM's, etc. Your site will be added as soon as I can get a moment to catch my breath.

Okay. Got to run. Have to get back at it and get some sleep. Here's hoping 2016 Topps will be on the shelves tomorrow, and here's hoping I get to them faster than the pack searchers.

And maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll find something to get my nephew started on his collecting journey.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

He's Number 1!!! He's Number 1!!!

After all of the voting, and the weeks of waiting, today, Topps announced the player who will now grace card #1 for the eponymous 2016 Topps Baseball product...

Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

According to the Topps Blog, the image that is used for the above card, "depicts an amazing highlight from the 2015 season. On Sept. 26, he scaled the outfield wall, extended his body over it and robbed Seattle’s Jesus Montero of a home run in a tremendous catch."

Topps Series 1 is coming soon, and I can't wait.

Also heard that my little nephew wants to get into card collecting. I can't wait to get him started. I'll be kind, I promise.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

This Was the Whole Idea for the Topps 300 (and then some...): Debate!!!

(Before I begin, I'd like to express my condolences to the family and fans of David Bowie, who passed away last night after a long and private battle with cancer. He was one of the most iconic rockers over the last 40 years. I may have missed the formative years (Ziggy Stardust in particular), but was introduced to the man thanks to an album of his narration of Peter and the Wolf. I must have played that record...THAT'S RIGHT...RECORD...so many times. Must try and find that cd on eBay...maybe get the album even though I don't have a record player.)

The response to my last post was pretty good (considering that I haven't been posting on a regular basis for quite some time). I could have used a bit more, so if you could, please visit the original Topps 300 site, check out the original 60 years worth of cards, then come back to see my top 5 from each of the last five years.

Today, Topps posted their full checklist for Series 1 on their site. With the exception of the base set (which they're holding off on giving full details until they announce who's number 1), they have posted every card, retail exclusives too, that should be making their appearance in next month's eponymous product. The checklist for "Berger's Best" this year's reprint retrospective consists of the following subjects:

BB-1 Willie Mays New York Giants
BB-2 Satchel Paige St. Louis Browns
BB-3 Henry Aaron Milwaukee Braves
BB-4 Sandy Koufax Brooklyn Dodgers
BB-5 Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers
BB-6 Ted Williams Boston Red Sox
BB-7 Roger Maris Cleveland Indians
BB-8 Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh Pirates
BB-9 Willie McCovey San Francisco Giants
BB-10 Bill Mazeroski Pittsburgh Pirates
BB-11 Roger Maris New York Yankees
BB-12 Brooks Robinson Baltimore Orioles
BB-13 Whitey Ford New York Yankees
BB-14 Hank Aaron Milwaukee Braves
BB-15 Jim Palmer Baltimore Orioles
BB-16 Steve Carlton St. Louis Cardinals
BB-17 Rod Carew Minnesota Twins
BB-18 Reggie Jackson Oakland Athletics
BB-19 Johnny Bench Cincinnati Reds
BB-20 Nolan Ryan New York Mets
BB-21 Tom Seaver New York Mets
BB-22 Joe Morgan Cincinnati Reds
BB-23 Dave Winfield San Diego Padres
BB-24 George Brett Kansas City Royals
BB-25 Dennis Eckersley Cleveland Indians
BB-26 Robin Yount Milwaukee Brewers
BB-27 Eddie Murray Baltimore Orioles
BB-28 Ozzie Smith San Diego Padres
BB-29 Rickey Henderson Oakland Athletics
BB-30 Harold Baines Chicago White Sox
BB-31 Cal Ripken Jr. Baltimore Orioles
BB-32 Tony Gwynn San Diego Padres
BB-33 Don Mattingly New York Yankees
BB-34 Dwight Gooden New York Mets
BB-35 Roger Clemens Boston Red Sox
BB-36 Bo Jackson Kansas City Royals
BB-37 Wade Boggs Boston Red Sox
BB-38 Ken Griffey Jr. Seattle Mariners
BB-39 George Brett Kansas City Royals
BB-40 Frank Thomas Chicago White Sox
BB-41 Cal Ripken Jr. Baltimore Orioles
BB-42 Randy Johnson Seattle Mariners
BB-43 Mike Piazza Los Angeles Dodgers
BB-44 Barry Larkin Cincinnati Reds
BB-45 John Smoltz Atlanta Braves
BB-46 Livan Hernandez Florida Marlins
BB-47 Alex Rodriguez Seattle Mariners
BB-48 Josh Hamilton Tampa Bay Devil Rays
BB-49 Miguel Cabrera Florida Marlins
BB-50 Albert Pujols St. Louis Cardinals
BB-51 Joe Mauer Minnesota Twins
BB-52 Robinson Cano New York Yankees
BB-53 Yadier Molina St. Louis Cardinals
BB-54 Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers
BB-55 Hanley Ramirez Florida Marlins
BB-56 Daisuke Matsuzaka Boston Red Sox
BB-57 Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers
BB-58 David Price Tampa Bay Rays
BB-59 Stephen Strasburg Washington Nationals
BB-60 Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
BB-61 Bryce Harper Washington Nationals
BB-62 Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
BB-63 Masahiro Tanaka New York Yankees
BB-64 Kris Bryant Chicago Cubs
BB-65 Buster Posey San Francisco Giants

This means that their reprint retrospective could consist of a card from...wait for it...2016!!! How about that? A reprint card from the same year and same product!!!

WHAT??!

So no card from 1951, and did you notice Topps' biggest name is missing? I guess since they couldn't re-sign with the estate, we will be without the presence of Mickey Mantle for the fourth straight year (and that means no #7).

But take a look at the list. Of the 65 cards on the list, 33 (possibly a 34th one) were featured on the Topps 300 (and then some...). Most of the cards above are indeed rookie cards/first year. I also do wish they picked 65 different players for this set. Mike Trout appears here twice. So do Hank Aaron, George Brett, Roger Maris, and Cal Ripken. Maybe Series 2 will have more of my picks. I mean, I now have 325 cards they can choose from...well more like 290 (or 291...depends).

Now back to the point of the title. A comment from Matt Stupienski read,

"I must say that I'm quite partial to the 2015 Andrelton Simmons picture. Then again, I am a Braves fan, so perhaps I'm a bit biased. You must agree that this is a beauty though."

His comment regarding Simmons' card was seconded by none other than Fuji. (If you don't read The Chronicles of Fuji, you're missing out on a really positive voice in the Hobby. Then again, he's got a ton of readers already, so if you're reading this dog-and-pony-show of a blog, you already a fan of his).

"I second Mr. Stupienski's selection of Simmons. That's an awesome action shot."

Now for those of you who haven't seen it, here is the card in question:

Now it's a great action shot. He's literally parallel to the ground. And what better way to represent the two-time Gold Glove winner with this amazing picture. I'm sure Braves' fans were sad to hear that he was traded off to the Angels.

The whole idea of the Topps 300 (and then some...) was to create debate. My choices were mine, they certainly aren't perfect. While many people agreed with my picks, there are obviously people who would disagree and could probably choose cards that I wouldn't have considered. And this is an perfect example.

Now I didn't pick the Simmons card because in recent years, there have been so many similar shots of these kinds of plays that it's no longer unique. Put this picture in the 1991 Topps set, for example, then you have something groundbreaking. But in 2015, there's a shot of Jackie Bradley, Jr (#314), Lorenzo Cain (#516), and closest example, Aaron Hill (#247). Okay, so the first two guys are outfielders, but Hill is a second baseman. Different angle, but same idea.

But that's the point. You disagree with my picks? Show me a better one and talk about it. Why did you pick this card? You a fan of the team (like Mr. Stupienski?) You a fan of the player? You just love the picture? Would you have been able to place yourself at the stadium or at home watching when this picture was taken?

It's just another way to share the Hobby we all have in common.

How about you? What do you think?

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Christmas...It Was a Good Day

Last year, my son went to the Dollar Tree. You might remember this story. If you don't plan on clicking the link, let me give you the Cliff Notes version:

He and his classmates went to the local dollar store to buy Christmas gifts for their families. You may have heard that people were finding packs at the store for a penny at the Dollar Tree. These aren't the regular packs you'd see at your big box store or Hobby shop. These were 5-card packs, almost all base cards, with the occasional short print.

Anyway, my son bought a pack of 2013 Topps Series 1. That was it. For a penny. Which was fine, and the cards were all base...but he was supposed to spend a dollar. He could have bought a hundred of these things (if they had enough). But beggars can't be choosers, and it's what I asked for (one pack of Topps cards), so he got what was on the list.

This year, he and his class once again made the trip.

He made out like a bandit:

Not only did he spend his allotted dollar on my present on the 2015 Topps Series 2 pack, but he also got me three other three packs (2013 Series 2, 2013 Update, 2014 Update) for a penny each.

Cue the music!!! Sing along if you want!!!:

So what did I get in my Christmas Day packs:

The 2015 Topps Series 2 contained:

• #522 Sam Tuivailala, P, Cardinals
• #434 Carlos Frias, P, Dodgers
• #661 Grant Balfour, P, Rays
• #568 Chris Tillman, P, Orioles
• #600 Albert Pujols, 1B, Angels

Two rookie cards, two All-Stars, one of which is future HOF Pujols? This was a great pick.

Now, the other three I haven't opened yet. I'm curious about them too.

Maybe...just maybe...

Why not!!!

Let's end the year with a Pack Break Week!!! Stay tuned!!!

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama