2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary Edition Baseball Hobby Box Break & Review

Collector Type: Set/Autograph/Nostalgia Fan

Collectors have been waiting a long time to get their hands on 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary Edition. After numerous delays it has finally arrived.

Legendary hobby innovator Sy Berger designed the original 1952 Topps set at his kitchen table. I don’t believe anyone knew the historical significance of this moment. Those cards set the tone of the hobby for the next seven decades. Its difficult to comprehend that cases of the High Number series were disposed of in the ocean because they didn’t sell well.

The base set consists of a massive (700) cards. Subjects include rookies, current stars, and Hall of Famers. Parallels include Refractor, Prism (Mega Box exclusive), Black & White Mini-Diamonds (Lite Box exclusive), X-Fractor, Aqua Wave, Blue Mini-Diamonds #’ed/199, Red Atomic #’ed/100, Green/Yellow 70th #’ed/99, Rose Gold Mini-Diamonds #’ed/75, Platinum 70th Mini-Diamonds #’ed/70, Gold/Rose Gold 70th Wave #’ed/50, Orange/Yellow 70th #’ed/25, Black/Gold 70th #’ed/10, Black/Red 70th Mini-Diamonds #’ed/5, and SuperFractor #’ed 1/1. Even more parallels were planned, but due to supply chain issues Topps decided to cut back.

You are guaranteed (1) autograph per hobby box. Parallels include Refractor #’ed/199, Aqua #’ed/150, Blue Prism #’ed/99, 70th Platinum Wave #’ed/70, Gold #’ed/50, Orange #’ed/25, Pink #’ed/15, Black #’ed/10, Red #’ed/5, and SuperFractor #’ed 1/1.

Lucky box breakers will find the Mickey Mantle Topps 1952 Recreate insert. These fall 1:11,416 packs. Since Topps obtained the rights to use Mickey Mantle’s image again they haven’t shoved him down our throats. That might be part of the deal with his estate. Last year we saw the 2021 Topps X Mickey Mantle Collection. Perhaps 2022 Mickey Mantle will receive the Sapphire treatment.

One issue that I noticed is the centering. Some of the cards are drastically off center.

This is a fun product to open. Very simple. Iconic design with lots of colored parallels.

Checklist

Here is what I pulled:

Auto:

• Dean Kremer RC Blue Prism Auto #’ed/99

Parallels:

• Tom Seaver Red Atomic Refractor #’ed/100
• Sterling Sharp RC Rose Gold Mini-Diamonds #’ed/75
• Mike Clevinger X-Fractor
• Jose Canseco Aqua Wave Refractor
• Don Mattingly Refractor
• Willie Calhoun Refractor
• Alex Verdugo Refractor
• Edwin Diaz Refractor
• Shane Greene Refractor
• Roberto Clemente Refractor

2022 Bowman Baseball Hobby Box Break & Review

Collector Type: Set/Rookie/Prospect

Who’s going to be the next Mike Trout, Ken Griffey, Jr., or Hank Aaron? Nobody really knows for sure. But there are lots of people who will try to convince you they do. Don’t fall for it. Those people are most likely hyping-up players they bought.

2022 Bowman is the first of the major three prospecting pillars. Bowman Chrome and Bowman Draft being the other two.

Members of the Topps 582 Montgomery Club were given the opportunity to purchase a hobby box of 2022 Bowman. They were also offered Bowman 1st Edition, and Bowman Sapphire as well.

(100) cards are in the Base Paper set. This is where you will find the veterans and rookies. Parallels include Sky Blue #’ed/499, Neon Green #’ed/399, Fuchsia #’ed/299, Purple #’ed/250, Purple Pattern #’ed/199, Blue #’ed/150, Blue Pattern #’ed/150, Green #’ed/99, Green Pattern #’ed/99, Yellow #’ed/75, Gold #’ed/50, Orange #’ed/25, Red #’ed/5, Platinum #’ed 1/1, and Printing Plates #’ed 1/1.

(150) cards make up the Paper Prospects. Parallels include Sky Blue #’ed/499, Neon Green #’ed/399, Fuchsia #’ed/299, Purple #’ed/250, Purple Pattern #’ed/199, Blue #’ed/150, Blue Pattern #’ed/150, Green #’ed/99, Green Pattern #’ed/99, Yellow #’ed/75, Gold #’ed/50, Orange #’ed/25, Red #’ed/5, Platinum #’ed 1/1, and Printing Plates #’ed 1/1.

Each of those (150) prospects has a Chrome counterpart. Parallels include Base Refractor #’ed/499, Lava #’ed/399, Speckle #’ed/299, Purple #’ed/250, Purple RayWave #’ed/250, Fuchsia #’ed/199, Fuchsia Lava #’ed/199, Blue #’ed/150, Blue Shimmer #’ed/150, Aqua #’ed/125, Aqua Shimmer #’ed/125, Green #’ed/99, Green Mini-Diamond #’ed/99, Green Shimmer #’ed/99, Yellow Mini-Diamond #’ed/75, Yellow #’ed/75, Gold #’ed/50, Gold Shimmer #’ed/50, Orange #’ed/25, Orange Shimmer #’ed/25, Red #’ed/5, Red Lava #’ed/5, SuperFractor #’ed 1/1, and Printing Plates #’ed 1/1.

(20) prospects have Chrome Prospector’s Special Die-Cut Variations #’ed/49.

Autographs include Chrome Prospect Autographs, Chrome Rookie Autographs, Paper Prospect Autographs, Dual Bowman Prospects Autographs, 2022 Bowman Ultimate Autograph Book, 2022 Bowman Invicta Autographs, Bowman in 3-D! Autographs, Bowman Scouts’ Top 100 Autographs, Rookie of the Year Favorites Autographs, Virtuosic Vibrations Autographs, Under Armour All-American Game Autographs, and Bowman Buyback Autographs.

Inserts include 2022 Bowman Invicta, Bowman in 3-D!, Bowman Scouts’ Top 100, Hi-Fi Futures, Rookie of the Year Favorites, and Virtuosic Vibrations.

Collect what you enjoy. I like the Buyback autographs in here. Its nice to see Scott Rolen getting some new cards made.

Checklist

Here is what I pulled:

Auto:

• Mason Albright Bowman Chrome Prospect Orange Refractor Auto #’ed/25

Parallels:

• Fran Alduey Bowman Chrome Prospect Atomic Refractor
• Corbin Carroll Bowman Scouts’ Top 100 Atomic Refractor #’ed/150
• Ronnier Quintero Bowman Paper Prospect Purple Pattern #’ed/199
• Freddie Freeman Bowman Paper Purple #’ed/250
• Zayed Salinas Bowman Chrome Prospect Purple RayWave #’ed/250

Inserts:

• Cristian Hernandez 2022 Bowman Invicta
• Benny Montgomery Bowman In 3-D!
• Blaze Jordan Bowman In 3-D!
• Sal Frelick Virtuosic Vibrations
• Austin Hendrick Virtuosic Vibrations
• Wilman Diaz Virtuosic Vibrations
• Marcelo Mayer Hi-Fi Futures
• Henry Davis Hi-Fi Futures
• Spencer Torkelson Hi-Fi Futures
• Jasson Dominguez Hi-Fi Futures
• Oneil Cruz Rookie of the Year Favorites
• Reid Detmers Rookie of the Year Favorites
• Rodolfo Castro Rookie of the Year Favorites
• Emerson Hancock Bowman Scouts’ Top 100
• Hunter Greene Bowman Scouts’ Top 100
• Nolan Jones Bowman Scouts’ Top 100
• Michael Harris Bowman Scouts’ Top 100
• Marco Luciano Bowman Scouts’ Top 100
• Henry Davis Bowman Scouts’ Top 100

2022 Topps Tribute Baseball Hobby Box Break & Review

Collector Type: Autograph/Relic/High-End Risk Takers

Its been awhile since I’ve opened a box of Topps Tribute Baseball. The last time I did was in 2016 and pulled a Mike Trout Auto #’ed/50 right before attending the 2016 National Sports Collectors Convention in Atlantic City, NJ.

That wasn’t the only time I struck gold with the Tribute brand. When I was in college I busted a pack of 2004 Topps Tribute Baseball HOF Cut Signature Edition, and hit the Willie Mays Cut Auto #’ed 1/1. It was an older signature of Willie Mays too, not just something he recently signed for that product.

Veterans and legends make up the 90-card base set for 2022 Tribute. Parallels include Green #’ed/99, Purple #’ed/50, Orange #’ed/25, Red #’ed/10, and Black #’ed 1/1.

(10) Short Print Rookies fall 1:18 packs. These would be cards #91-100, and have the same parallels as the main base set. Just more difficult to pull.

Every hobby-exclusive box comes with (6) packs. Each pack contains an autograph or relic. On average you should find (3) autographs, and (3) relics per box.

Autographs include Tribute Autographs, Iconic Perspectives Autographs, League Inauguration Autographs, Solid Gold Greats Autographs, Tribute Career Achievement Award Continuity Autographs, Tribute Career Achievement Award Continuity Dual Autographs, Tribute to MVPs Autographs, Tribute to World Series MVPs Autographs, and Tribute Tandems Autograph Book Cards.

Autograph/Relics include Autograph Patches, Milestone Relics Black Jumbo Autograph, Prime Patch Autograph Relics, and Tribute Stadium Signatures.

Relics include Dual Relics, Dual Relics 2, Milestone Relics, Stamp of Approval Relics, and Tribute Triple Relics.

Inserts come in the form of Tribute to 1953 Topps Framed Card Box Toppers. 1:489 boxes contains one of these jumbo inserts. Each framed insert houses an original card from the 1953 Topps Baseball set, and is serial numbered 1/1.

The Stamp of Approval Relics come with an MLB authentication sticker. You can lookup the code to see when and where that relic was used. We’ve seen this used with certain products over the years. Some products have clear plastic over the relic window which prevents the sticker from getting lost if it were to come loose. I noticed with 2022 Tribute this isn’t the case. That plastic would also make it more difficult for scammers to remove the sticker, and place it on a fake patch card of their own. The last thing we need in the hobby is a bunch of scammers with their hands on functioning MLB authentication stickers. You’re just asking for problems. All relic cards which utilize the MLB authentication stickers should have clear plastic covering the relic window.

From a price standpoint Tribute might not be for everyone. It has and probably always will be a high-end product. Buying singles on the secondary market might be the better choice for some people.

Checklist

Here is what I pulled:

Autos:

• Max Kepler Auto #’ed/199
• Trey Amburgey Auto #’ed/199
• Marcus Stroman Auto Blue #’ed/150

Relics:

• Rhys Hoskins Stamp of Approval Relic Green #’ed/99
• Dustin Pedroia Dual Relic Green #’ed/99
• Rafael Devers Tribute Triple Relic #’ed/199

According to the MLB authentication sticker this jersey was worn by Rhys Hoskins on 7/24/20. Marlins at Phillies.

Parallel:

• Randy Johnson Red #’ed/10

Short Print Rookie:

• Wander Franco #95

Base:

• Aaron Judge #53
• Rafael Devers #14
• Vladimir Guerrero #88
• Andy Pettitte #23
• Rod Carew #46
• Giancarlo Stanton #7
• Max Muncy #81
• Jose Berrios #25
• Freddie Freeman #30
• Manny Ramirez #50
• Mariano Rivera #32

(2) 2021 Topps Big League Baseball Hobby Box Break & Review

Collector Type: Set

Big League Baseball is a blast to open. The retro design (not based on a past set) is refreshing. I think it would be fun to see it get a limited online-exclusive Chrome release.

The base set consists of (300) cards. Four subsets make up the overall base set – Veterans & Rookies, Big League Best, Award Winners, and Highlights. Parallels include Electric Blue (blaster exclusive), Orange (1 per pack), Rainbow Foil #’ed/199, Green Foil #’ed/75, Black & White #’ed/50, Blue Foil #’ed/25, Black Foil #’ed/15, and Red Foil #’ed 1/1.

Nice to see a manager card. We don’t see them as often as we use to.

Autographs include Base Autographs Electric Blue (blaster exclusive), Art of the Game Artist Autographs, Big League Autographs, Defensive Wizards Autographs, Opening Act Autographs, Souvenirs Autographs, and Wanted Autographs.

Inserts include Art of the Game, Defensive Wizards, Home Team Traditions, Souvenirs, Wanted, and Value Blaster Box Cutout Cards.

In addition to blasters and hobby boxes, fans of the Big League Baseball brand also have Collector’s Boxes. A Collector’s Box contains (1) exclusive Super7 action figure. There are (4) types of package variations that you can pull – 1983 Topps Cardback Design, 1983 Topps Cardback Design Image Variation, 1959 Topps Cardback Design, and 1959 Topps Cardback Design Image Variation. Each of these has a Gold parallel #’ed 1/1.

Topps has worked with Super7 in the past. 2020 Big League Baseball also offered Super7 figures. Other Topps properties that Super7 has made figures for include Garbage Pail Kids and Mars Attacks.

For a product that doesn’t guarantee any hits per box, I think I did pretty well for two boxes. The easiest autographs to pull (Big League Autos) fall 1:65 packs. Between two hobby boxes I had (36) packs. That gave me less than a 50% chance at pulling one autograph. I ended up pulling three. Lets not forget a few numbered parallels too. I really beat the odds on these to hobby boxes.

Fun and very affordable.

Checklist

Here is what I pulled:

Autos:

• Dylan Cease Big League Auto
• Ramon Laureano Big League Auto
• Jose Urquidy Big League Auto

Parallels:

• Max Kepler Blue Foil #’ed/25
• J.P. Crawford Green Foil #’ed/75
• Wil Myers Rainbow Foil #’ed/199
• Alejandro Kirk RC Orange #231
• Sixto Sanchez RC Orange #142
• Anthony Rizzo Orange #202
• Kenta Maeda Orange #244
• Carlos Carrasco Orange #197
• Bryan Reynolds Orange #243
• Luis Patiño RC Orange #174
• Ha-Seong Kim RC Orange #85
• NL Batting Leaders Orange #246
• Alex Verdugo Orange #168
• Mike Brosseau Orange #152
• Trevor Story Orange #101
• Elvis Andrus Orange #120
• Sonny Gray Orange #79
• Gerrit Cole Orange #8
• Rafael Marchan RC Orange #181
• Mookie Betts Orange #67
• NL Saves Leaders Orange #265
• Keibert Ruiz RC Orange #143
• Walker Buehler Orange #92
• Austin Hays Orange #46
• Adonis Medina RC Orange #216
• Brandon Woodruff Orange #62
• Brandon Lowe Orange #47
• Austin Meadows Orange #133
• Shohei Ohtani Orange #114
• Michael Conforto Orange #49
• Marcell Ozuna Orange #208
• Pete Alonso Orange #16
• Kyle Schwarber Orange #7
• Daz Cameron RC Orange #166
• Blake Snell Orange #194
• Yu Darvish Orange #146
• Cavan Biggio Orange #78
• Willson Contreras Orange #111
• Evan Longoria Orange #44

Inserts:

• Kyle Lewis Wanted #5
• (2) Mookie Betts Wanted #2
• Jackie Bradley Jr. Wanted #9
• Kevin Kiermaier Wanted #14
• Christian Yelich Wanted #4
• Mike Yastrzemski Wanted #11
• Juan Soto Wanted #15
• Christian Yelich Souvenirs #18
• Fernando Tatis Jr. Souvenirs #24
• (2) Javier Baez Souvenirs #7
• (2) Alex Bregman Souvenirs #14
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Souvenirs #27
• Mookie Betts Souvenirs #16
• Rafael Devers Souvenirs #6
• (2) Sixto Sanchez RC Art of the Game
• Gleyber Torres Art of the Game
• (2) Alec Bohm RC Art of the Game
• Austin Meadows Art of the Game
• Ke’Bryan Hayes RC Art of the Game
• Shane Bieber Art of the Game
• Fernando Tatis Jr. Defensive Wizards #10
• (2) Francisco Lindor Defensive Wizards #5
• Yadier Molina Defensive Wizards #7
• Willson Contreras Defensive Wizards #15
• Javier Baez Defensive Wizards #2
• Cody Bellinger Defensive Wizards #13
• Anthony Rizzo Defensive Wizards #9
• Nolan Arenado Defensive Wizards #4
• J.T. Realmuto Defensive Wizards #6
• Matt Chapman Defensive Wizards #3

2022 Topps Archives Signature Series Baseball Active Player Edition Hobby Box Break & Review

Collector Type: Autograph

“Wouldn’t this card look great with an on-card autograph?”

That phrase is something many collectors say when opening various products. Thanks to buyback products like Archives Signature Series now you can have authentic Topps autographs on those great looking cards.

Packaged inside each box of 2022 Topps Archives Signature Series is (1) on-card autographed buyback card. Every card is encased in a holder, and serial numbered. Autographs can come on older base cards and relics. Finding dual autographs is also possible. This is the Active Player Edition which means all autograph subjects are currently still playing.

Over the years I’ve had my share of good luck with this product. I’ve pulled a few 1/1’s including a Mike Trout autograph. Having one card per box is quite the gamble.

One of these years it would be great to see Topps use some Living Set cards. I believe they would look great with on-card autographs.

Checklist

Here is what I pulled:

Auto:

• Sixto Sanchez 2019 Bowman Chrome Prospect Buyback Auto #’ed/65

Autograph is signed over a darker portion of the card.

2022 Topps Inception Baseball Hobby Box Break & Review

Collector Type: Risk takers/Autograph & Relic fans

2022 is shaping up to be one heck of a baseball season. With rookies such as Wander Franco, Bobby Witt Jr., Spencer Torkelson, CJ Abrams, Julio Rodriguez, and Bryson Stott fans have a lot to look forward too.

Inception has and probably will always be a gamble. Housed inside each box is (1) pack. That pack should contain (7) cards – (4) base, (2) parallels, and (1) autograph or autograph/relic #’ed/299 or less.

The base set consists of (100) cards. Parallels include Green, Purple #’ed/150, Magenta #’ed/99, Red #’ed/75, Orange #’ed/50, Blue #’ed/25, Inception Black #’ed 1/1, and Printing Plates #’ed 1/1.

Autographs include Base Rookie and Emerging Stars Autographs, Inception Silver Signings, Inception Dawn of Greatness Autographs, and Short Print Inception Autographs.

Autograph/Relics include Inception Autograph Patch, Inception Autograph Jumbo Patch, Inception Autograph Jumbo Hat Patch, Inception Autograph Batting Glove Relic, and Inception Autograph Game Socks Relic.

Booklets include Gameday Gear Autograph Relic Book, Inception Autograph Laundry Tag Book, Inception Autograph Letter Book, Inception Autograph MLB Silhouetted Batter Logo Patch Book, Inception Autograph Team Logo Patch Book, and Inception Dual Autograph Relic Book.

You have the chance at pulling some crazy looking cards such as this Wander Franco. Then again, you could end up with someone like Joe Barlow. Inception is a roll of the dice.

Checklist

Here is what I pulled:

Autograph/Relic:

• Nick Madrigal Inception Auto/Patch #’ed/249

Parallels:

• Kyle Muller RC Magenta #’ed/99
• Shohei Ohtani Green

Base:

• Ke’Bryan Hayes #17
• Pete Alonso #6
• Matt Vierling RC #96
• Freddie Freeman #100

2022 Topps Opening Day Baseball Hobby Box Break & Review

Collector Type: Set

Topps Opening Day Baseball is a brand that has been around since 1998. It remains one of the most affordable products to buy. With that being said, you aren’t guaranteed to pull any autographs and/or relics out of a single box.

The base set consists of (220) cards. Parallels include Blue Foil (2,022 copies), Black Foil #’ed 1/1, and Printing Plates #’ed 1/1.

(30) cards have Photo Variations. These fall roughly 1:1,132 packs. Not very easy to pull. Checking the CMP code is the best way to go.

• Base – #225
• Photo Variation – #246

Autographs include Base Card Image Variations Autographs, Ballpark Profile Autographs, Luck of the Irish Autographs, Mascot Autographs, and Opening Day Autographs.

Autograph/Relics include Autograph Diamond Relics, Dual Autograph Diamond Relic Book, and Mascot Autograph Relics.

Relics include Diamond Relics, Major League Mementos Relics, Mascot Relics, Mascot Patch Relic, Opening Day Relics, and Turf War Dual Diamond Relics.

Inserts include Bomb Squad, Dugout Peeks, Luck of the Irish, Mascots, Opening Day, Triple Play, and Walk this Way.

In the past I’ve had my share of luck with Opening Day. I’ve pulled relics, photo variations, and even a printing plate once. Nothing like that in this box. But I did find a Luck of the Irish insert that falls 1:1,698 packs.

As a Phillies fan it would be great to see Tom McCarthy or any of their broadcasters get an autograph in Opening Day’s Ballpark Profile set. Their PA announcer Dan Baker was featured in the 2020 set.

Checklist

Here is what I pulled:

Parallels:

• Trent Grisham Blue Foil
• Willi Castro Blue Foil

Inserts:

• Luis Castillo Luck of the Irish
• Cole/Judge/LeMahieu Triple Play
• Acuña Jr./Guerrero Jr./Tatis Jr. Triple Play
• Trout/Ohtani/Rendon Triple Play
• Hosmer/Machado/Tatis Jr. Triple Play
• Bellinger/Betts/Kershaw Triple Play
• San Diego Padres Opening Day
• Chicago Cubs Opening Day
• Miami Marlins Opening Day
• Cincinnati Reds Opening Day
• Boston Red Sox Opening Day
• Milwaukee Brewers Opening Day
• Colorado Rockies Opening Day
• Screech Mascots
• Mascot Mascots
• Clark Mascots
• Billy the Marlin Mascots
• Mr. Red Mascots
• Orbit Mascots
• Raymond Mascots
• Fredbird Mascots
• Dinger Mascots
• Mariner Moose Mascots
• Bernie Brewer Mascots
• David Ortiz Bomb Squad
• Mike Trout Bomb Squad
• Babe Ruth Bomb Squad
• Giancarlo Stanton Bomb Squad
• Sammy Sosa Bomb Squad
• Christian Yelich Bomb Squad
• Cody Bellinger Bomb Squad
• Fernando Tatis Jr. Bomb Squad
• Jim Thome Bomb Squad
• Harmon Killebrew Bomb Squad
• Ronald Acuña Jr. Bomb Squad
• Frank Thomas Bomb Squad
• Javier Baez Bomb Squad

2022 Topps Heritage Baseball Hobby Box Break & Review

Collector Type: Set

Now its time for the 1973 Topps Baseball design to receive the Heritage treatment.

The original 1973 Topps Baseball set is known for many key cards of Hall of Famers. But one card rises above them all. That card would be the Mike Schmidt/John Hilton/Ron Cey RC #615. 2022 isn’t the first time Mike Schmidt has been included within a Heritage set, but Topps made sure to make some really cool cards of him this year.

The base set consists of a whopping (500) cards. Parallels include French Text #’ed/73, Black Border (50 copies), and Flip Stock (5 copies). Cards #401-500 are Short Prints.

(130) cards have Mini versions #’ed/100.

(100) cards have Chrome versions. Base Chrome cards are #’ed/999. Chrome parallels include Hot Box Purple Refractor, Refractor #’ed/673, Red Refractor #’ed/573, Silver Refractor #’ed/373, Green Refractor #’ed/273, Black Refractor #’ed/73, Gold Refractor #’ed/5, and SuperFractor #’ed 1/1. According to Topps, Trea Turner, Trey Mancini, and Ryan Mountcastle have Chrome cards, but do not appear in the base set. We will see their base cards in 2022 Topps Heritage High Number. Something similar happened with Cavan Biggio in Topps Heritage last year.

Photo variations are a huge part of the Heritage brand. Luckily with Heritage, Topps prints the variation type next to the card number on the back. I’ve also noticed that most of the time they are placed inside packs upside down. This makes identifying them easier. If checking the CMP codes is still your thing, here is a breakdown:

• Base – #915
• Short Print – #931
• Chrome – #935
• French Text #’ed/73 – #943
• Error – #944
• Player Icon Color Swap – #947
• Throwback – #948
• Image – #949
• Team and Name Color Swap – #950
• Nickname – #951

Autographs include Real One Autographs, Real One Dual Autographs, Real One Triple Autographs, 1973 Cut Signatures, and Oversized Base 1973 Topps Autographs.

Autograph/Relics include Clubhouse Collection Autographed Relics, Clubhouse Collection Dual Autographed Relics, and Flashbacks Autographed Relics.

Relics include 1973 Mint Relics, 1973 U.S. Postage Stamp Relics, Clubhouse Collection Relics, Clubhouse Collection Dual Relics, Clubhouse Collection Triple Relics, and Clubhouse Collection Quad Relics.

Inserts include Baseball Flashbacks, News Flashbacks, New Age Performers, Then and Now, 1973 Topps Pin-Ups Posters, 1973 Baseball Stamped Originals, and Oversized Base 1973 Topps. The checklist also mentions 1973 Topps Comics, 1973 Topps Candy Lids, and 1973 Topps Venezuela Stamps, but I have yet to see these show up.

A hobby box should contain (1) autograph or relic.

Checklist

Here is what I pulled:

Relic:

• Gerrit Cole Clubhouse Collection Relic

Variation:

• Francisco Lindor Image #196

Short Prints:

• J.D. Davis #453
• Omar Narvaez #432
• Joe Kelly #423
• Andy Ibanez RC #441
• Sam Hilliard #456
• Taylor Trammell #447
• Kervin Castro RC #469
• Orlando Arcia #483

Inserts:

• Charlie Fox 1973 Baseball Stamped Originals #252
• News Flashbacks – Watergate Hearings Begin #NF-15
• Baseball Flashbacks – Ryan Breaks MLB Single-Season Strikeout Record, With 383 #BF-1
• Then and Now – Darrell Evans/Juan Soto #TAN-ES
• Then and Now – John Mayberry/Joey Gallo #TAN-MG
• New Age Performers – Jazz Chisholm Jr. #NAP-13
• New Age Performers – Andrew Vaughn #NAP-25
• New Age Performers – Ronald Acuña Jr. #NAP-9
• New Age Performers – Shohei Ohtani #NAP-4

2022 Topps Series 1 Baseball Hobby Box Break & Review

Collector Type: Set

WANDER FRANCO ROOKIE CARDS!!! WANDER FRANCO ROOKIE CARDS!!! WANDER FRANCO ROOKIE CARDS!!!

Collectors, flippers, and investors have patiently waited for the release of 2022 Topps Series 1 Baseball. The #1 rookie people are looking to pull is of Tampa Bay phenom Wander Franco. This is the first product that contains his rookie card logo cards.

Lets get one thing straight. The Topps flagship set is meant to be fun. Yes, its very possible to pull out a life altering card worth a ton of money. But that isn’t the main reason why this product exists. It is meant to appeal to a wide range of fans who have varying budgets. For some reason a lot of people were under the impression that 2022 Topps Series 1 Baseball was going to be printed in lower quantities. I’ve seen people complain that Topps made too many boxes. People have done the math and about 700,000 to 1 million copies of each base card in the set have been printed. I guess some people thought the second they got their hands on a box, nobody else was suppose to get theirs. It wasn’t that long ago people were upset that they couldn’t find cards to buy. Now they’re mad because there are too many. In a time when the price of everything is through the roof, we need products that are readily available and affordable to buy.

2022 Topps Series 1 Baseball consists of (330) cards. Parallels include Premiere Party, Rainbow Foil, Royal Blue, Gold #’ed/2022, Green Foil #’ed/499, Advanced Stats #’ed/300, Orange Foil #’ed/299, Red Foil #’ed/199, Vintage Stock #’ed/99, Independence Day #’ed/76, Black #’ed/71, Mother’s Day Hot Pink #’ed/50, Father’s Day Powder Blue #’ed/50, Memorial Day Camo #’ed/25, Platinum #’ed 1/1, and Printing Plates #’ed 1/1. (100) cards have Clear parallels #’ed/10.

You like photo variations? It wouldn’t be a flagship set without them. Like a lot of the parallels, photo variations arrive in your packs upside down. But just to be on the safe side, I always check the CMP codes:

• Base – #543
• SP Short Print – #560
• SSP Super Short Print – #561
• Ultra Super SSP – #562

Autographs include 1987 Topps Baseball Autographs, 2021’s Greatest Hits Autographs, Baseball Stars Autographs, Baseball Stars Dual Autographs, Diamond Greats Die-Cuts Autographs, Flashiest Feet Autographs, Generation Now Autographs, Postseason Performance Autographs, Welcome to the Show Autographs, World Series Champion Autographs, Cut Signatures, Oversized 1987 Topps Future Stars Autographs, and 1987 Topps Baseball 35th Anniversary Chrome Silver Pack Autographs.

Autograph/Relics include City Flag Patch Autograph Commemorative Relics, MLB Logo Medallion Autograph Commemorative Relics, Major League Material Autographs, Player Jersey Number Medallion Commemorative Relic Autographs, Postseason Performance Autograph Relics, Topps Reverence Autograph Patch Relics, and World Series Champion Autograph Relics.

Relics include 1987 Topps Baseball Relics, City Flag Patch Commemorative Relics, In The Name Relics, MLB Logo Medallion Commemorative Relics, Major League Material Relics, Player Jersey Number Medallion Commemorative Relics, Postseason Performance Relics, World Series Champion Relics, and Sketch Set.

Inserts include 1987 Topps Baseball 35th Anniversary, 2021’s Greatest Hits, Diamond Greats Die-Cuts, Flashiest Feet, Generation Now, Home Field Advantage, Home Field Advantage Legendary, Home Run Challenge Code, Salute to The Mick, Stars of MLB, Chrome Stars of MLB, Turnin’ Two / 6-4 Stars, Welcome to the Show, Oversized 1987 Topps Future Stars Box Toppers, and 1987 Topps Baseball 35th Anniversary Chrome Silver Pack.

The design of this year’s set is very clean, and the names are much easier to read compared to 2021. I think it will transfer over to Chrome very nicely.

As the year goes on, Series 1 will become even more affordable after other MLB products are released.

Checklist

Here is what I pulled:

Relic:

• Ken Griffey Jr. 1987 Topps Baseball Relic

Parallels:

• Bryce Harper Silver Pack Box Topper 1987 Topps Chrome Blue Refractor #’ed/150
• Rafael Devers Generation Now Blue #GN-9
• Max Fried Rainbow Foil #129
• Bobby Dalbec Rainbow Foil #7
• Hyun-Jin Ryu Gold #’ed/2022

Inserts:

• Steve Carlton Diamond Greats Die-Cuts #DGDC-23
• Shohei Ohtani Home Run Challenge #HRC-4
• Nick Castellanos 2021’s Greatest Hits #21GH-3
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Flashiest Feet #FF-12
• Ryan Mountcastle Generation Now #GN-8
• Eddie Murray Welcome to the Show #WTTS-45
• Jackie Robinson Welcome to the Show #WTTS-1
• Fernando Tatis Jr. 1987 Topps #T87-9
• Sonny Gray 1987 Topps #T87-46
• Kris Bryant 1987 Topps #T87-73
• Darryl Strawberry 1987 Topps #T87-51
• Xander Bogaerts 1987 Topps #T87-35
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1987 Topps #T87-80
• Shohei Ohtani Silver Pack Box Topper 1987 Topps Chrome #T87C-1
• Jose Ramirez Silver Pack Box Topper 1987 Topps Chrome #T87C-28
• Jacob deGrom Silver Pack Box Topper 1987 Topps Chrome #T87C-49

Notable Rookies:

• Jarren Duran #187
• Wander Franco #215

2021 Topps Baseball Japan Edition Hobby Box Break & Review

Collector Type: Set

I had to hop on Sports Card Info’s private jet, fly to Japan, and hunt down this box. When I returned to the states I found out Fanatics purchased Topps. Get ready for the return of Topps Chrome Football and Basketball! We’re in for a fun ride.

This isn’t the first time Topps has made a special version of a flagship set for a specific country. In 2020 we saw Topps Baseball UK Edition. Soccer fans got 2020-21 Topps UEFA Champions League Japan Edition. This is however the first Japan Edition for the Topps Baseball flagship set.

As of right now, you can buy a box directly off of the Topps Japan site for about $87. I don’t believe they’re shipping internationally though.

The base set consists of (220) cards. Parallels include Cherry Blossoms #’ed/99, Jade Green #’ed/75, Purple #’ed/50, Gold #’ed/25, Red #’ed/5, and Platinum #’ed 1/1. Cherry Blossoms and Jade Green are exclusive to this product. Each card comes with the Japanese flag on it.

Relics come in the form of Japan Comes To MLB Manufactured Patch, and MLB In Japan Manufactured Patch.

There is only one type of Autograph Set.

Inserts include Japan Comes To MLB, and MLB In Japan.

Despite not being guaranteed an autograph or relic in every box, I found this break to be more entertaining when compared to other flagship boxes. I found a decent amount of low-numbered parallels. The names may not be the most appealing, but that is just hit or miss.

Here is what I pulled:

Parallels:

• Yohan Ramirez RC Gold #’ed/25
• Trea Turner Purple #’ed/50
• Trevor Bauer Jade Green #’ed/75
• Cristian Javier RC Cherry Blossoms #’ed/99
• Orlando Arcia Cherry Blossoms #’ed/99

Inserts:

• Shogo Akiyama Japan Comes To MLB
• Yu Darvish Japan Comes To MLB
• Shohei Ohtani Japan Comes To MLB
• Matt Chapman MLB In Japan
• Hideki Matsui MLB In Japan
• Derek Jeter MLB In Japan