搶先看:2017 Topps Tribute Baseball

Ysponder

Overall, not a lot has changed with 2017 Topps Tribute Baseball from a configuration perspective. The biggest thing that’s likely to be noticed is the fact that it’s back to an early-in-the year release date. But the high-end, hits-focused checklist that features one of the broader mixes of current and retired players returns.

As has been the case for several years, each pack of 2017 Topps Tribute Baseball includes either an autograph or a memorabilia card. Spread over a six-pack hobby box, and there are three of each. All hits are numbered to 199 or less.


Autographs




Tribute Autographs return as the key signed component of the product. Signed on-card, the horizontal cards provide lots of space for the signatures. Signers are a mix of rookies, veterans and past stars. There are a half-dozen parallel versions, all of which come numbered: Blue, Green, Purple, Orange (/25), Red (/10) and Black (1/1).

The majority of the other autograph sets in 2017 Topps Tribute Baseball are new. Generations of Excellence takes a similar approach as Topps Strata in that it uses a layered design. The checklist features only retired greats. Parallels come in Purple, Orange (/25), Red (/10) and Black (1/1).

For those who have watched the set unfold, 2016 Topps Now has gotten us used to walk-off wins. Walk-Off Autographs take the theme a step further, highlighting some of the most memorable game-ending hits. These have Orange (/25), Red (/10) and Black (1/1) versions in addition to the base.

Tribute to the Moment Autographs is another new line in 2017 Topps Tribute Baseball. It kicks off what’s planned to be an ongoing line that will continue to grow in future Tribute releases. Besides signatures, the cards spotlight key moments from active and retired players’ careers. These are inserted one per case and have Purple, Orange (/25), Red (/10) and Black (1/1) parallels.

New Duel Autographs highlight key match-ups from baseball. The product also has Tribute Tandem book cards, which are numbered to 25 copies each.

Memorabilia Cards





Memorabilia cards in 2017 Topps Tribute Baseball come in four varieties. Three of these come with MLB Authentication stamps that you can use to confirm exactly what game they came from.

Tribute Relics are the only cards without the added layer of authenticity. These are the basic jersey and bat cards that have been used in the brand for several years. Pieces and swatches come from active and retired players. Parallels are plentiful, coming in Green, Purple, Orange (/25), Red (/10) and Black (1/1).

Stamp of Approval returns for another year. These have both a jumbo swatch and MLB Authentication. Parallels come in the same five levels as basic Tribute Relics.

Milestone Relics not only come with MLB Authentication, but the cards have pieces of baseballs embedded in them that come from important games. The end result is more of a story to go with the card.

Two players are featured on aptly named Dual Relics. These have a pair of standard-sized swatches.


Base Set and Inserts





The base set is likely to take a back seat for many collectors. Like the autographs and memorabilia cards, both veteran and retired player are present. The exact size of the base set has not been announced.

Parallels are kept to a minimum with just four levels: Green, Purple, Red (/5) and Black. All base parallels are serial numbered and there’s at least one per box.

Like 2016 Topps Tribute Baseball, there’s a separate Rookies insert set. Inserted two per eight-box case, the ten-card checklist includes Yoan Moncada and Alex Bregman.


2017 Topps Tribute Baseball at a glance:

Packs per box: 6
Cards per pack: 3
Boxes per case: 8
Set size: TBA
Release date: March 22, 2017


What to expect in a hobby box:

• Autographs – 3
• Memorabilia Cards – 3
• Parallels – 1

Ysponder

’17 Topps Tribute releases on Wednesday, March 29th and listed below are some key selling points to the product that we wanted to point out including some updated information including a highlighted list of players on select inserts.

• Derek Jeter autographs are featured in two components – Tribute Autographs and Generations of Excellence Autographs.

• Generations of Excellence Autographs: Layered, multi-image cards featuring low-numbered autographed cards of the top retired MLB stars. Subjects on the checklist include Derek Jeter, Hank Aaron, Sandy Koufax, Cal Ripken Jr. and Mike Piazza.

• The new Tribute to the Moment Continuity Autographs, which are a case hit. Featuring top MLB active + retired stars, and highlighting career-defining moments. Checklist includes Mike Trout, Ichiro, Clayton Kershaw, Barry Bonds and Nolan Ryan.

• Dual Relic Cards – Each card contains two thematically-paired subjects along with an MLB-authenticated swatch piece. This is the first time Topps has ever had a multi MLB-authenticated card in product. A few names from the checklist are Adam Jones/Manny Machado, Carlos Correa/Jose Altuve and Felix Hernandez/Robinson Cano.

• A couple of new thematic components have been added this year – Walk-off Autographs, featuring autographs from subjects with iconic game-enders, including David Ortiz, Mark McGwire and Ken Griffey Jr. Also new is the Duel Autographs subset, showcasing legendary pitcher-pitcher duels (Randy Johnson/Andy Pettitte – card scan attached, David Cone/Tom Glavine) and pitcher-hitter duels (Sandy Koufax/Hank Aaron, Randy Johnson/John Kruk, Nolan Ryan/Reggie Jackson).

• The top 2017 MLB rookies have autographed cards in the product – Yoan Moncada, Alex Bregman, Andrew Benintendi, Dansby Swanson, Aaron Judge, Tyler Glasnow.

• I also attached a scan of the Tribute Tandems Autograph Book Card Black 1/1 parallel (returning from previous years) featuring Evan Longoria/Jose Canseco. A couple of new autograph pairings this year are Sandy Koufax/Clayton Kershaw, Bryce Harper/Ken Griffey Jr, Noah Syndergaard/Nolan Ryan.