搶先看:2015 TOPPS UPDATE BASEBALL CARDS

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It’s back, and it’s bigger than ever.

Topps unleashed the first look at 2015 Topps Update on Thursday and one big thing is the first thing that jumps out at one off of the product’s details — the base set will consist of 400 cards, which is the largest checklist for the release in years.

Packed with veterans players on new teams and the newest rookies, Update will arrive on Oct. 21 with 36 packs per hobby box.



The base set also will revisit the MLB All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby in a lineup that has seven types of parallels per card — Gold (/2,015), Snow Camo (/99), Black (/64), Pink (/50), Rainbow and 1/1 Platinum and printing plates.

The insert card lineup will include a continuation of the previous series’ inclusions and some new ones. Among them will be Highlight of the Year, Rookie Sensations, Rarities, Whatever Works, Tape Measure Blasts and stamped buybacks two per box.

All-Star Relics will get a good ride here with 60 players appearing on All-Star Stitches cards — those will have Gold (/50) and 1/1 Platinum parallels — along with autographed versions limited to 25 copies. There also will be jumbo patch and jumbo patch autos each limited to only six copies, while there will be dual and triple Relics, too. Those will be limited to 25.

The autograph lineup will include signed versions of Career High, Highlight of the Year, Rookie Sensations, Rarities, Whatever Works, Tape Measure blasts and Strata cut autos. All but the Career High and Strata autographs will be limited to only 25 copies.

The Strata cards will be 1/1s, while the Career cards will not be numbered.

Jumbo and ManuRelics will be found one per jumbo box and only one time in standard hobby cases. New will be Etched in History cards where achievements are refined on metal creations. These will have Gold (/50) and Platinum (/10) parallels as well as signed versions limited to only 10 copies. Also back will be Birth Year Coin and Stamp cards as well as Career High Jumbo Relics (/25) and 1/1 Own the Name letter Relics found only in hobby and jumbo boxes.

Last but not least, there will be Bunt chase cards good for coins on the company’s virtual collecting app as well as Bunt Player Cards that have codes for Bunt bonuses that are limited to only 25 copies.

A preliminary checklist was not released.



  

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Of Squirrels and Men: 2015 Topps Update Series Baseball Variations and Short Prints



The 2015 Topps Update Series Baseball variations cover familiar ground as well as a bit of new. Like Series 1 and Series 2, they come in a few different varieties, although most are returning themes and styles. Added to the mix are new variations found only at specific retail variations.

The most obvious of the 2015 Topps Update Series Baseball variations are the basic photo swaps. These simply use a different image than the base card. It’s still early, but it looks as though the celebration theme used over the past few years is definitely in play once again.

After not being seen in Series 1 or Series 2, Stat Back Variations return in 2015 Topps Update Series Baseball. On these backs, the traditional stat lines have been switched out for advanced sabermetrics. The bio is also different. This time out, you can also spot Stat Back Variations from the front. The cards follow an All-Star theme. On the regular base cards, there’s an All-Star logo on the front. It’s not there on the variations.

Sparkles, or Hidden Gems as they’re referred to on packs, are also back. These can be hard to see as they add a Photoshopped white twinkle to the image. It’s often placed in a spot where there isn’t much contrast, making them even tougher to spot. In the past, bat shafts, balls, caps and belts have been among the places to find them. Some of the toughest ones to find have had the sparkles added to the background.


Walmart Throwback Variations use images of players in old-school uniforms. Although exclusive to the retail giant, they’re not terribly difficult to pull. You can find them one per hanger box and every other rack pack. In addition to the switched up image, Throwback Variations have a different border color making them easy to spot. The checklist for these isn’t limited to Update Series, either. Cards from Series 1 and Series 2 are included.

If you’re looking to confirm whether you have a variation, the fine print on the back holds the key. The long number at the end of the base player cards ends in 5520. Here’s what’s known about the variation codes:

• Photo Variations – 5556
• Stat Back Variations – 5558
• Sparkle/Hidden Gems – 5559
• Walmart Throwback Variations – 5605

2015 Topps Update Series Baseball Variations Checklist

With so many variations to keep track of, here’s a checklist with all of the ones we’ve confirmed so far.
US11 Evan Gattis – Throwback
US31 Gordon Beckham – Sparkle
US42 Madison Bumgarner – Stat
US61 Dallas Keuchel – Stat
US68 Albert Pujols – Stat
US69 Zach McAllister – Throwback
US72 Brett Gardner – Stat
US87 Zack Greinke – Stat
US90 Jacob deGrom – Stat
US103 Joey Gallo – Photo
US127 Eduardo Rodriguez – Photo
US129 David Ross – Throwback
US132 Fleix Hernandez – Stat
US135 Jason Heyward – Photo
US154 Paul Goldschmidt – Stat
US155 Yoenis Cespedes – Photo
US157 Noah Syndergaard – Photo
US157 Noah Syndergaard – Sparkle
US158 Jason Kipnis – Stat
US160 Slade Heathcott – Sparkle
US161 Jeff Samardzija – Throwback
US167 Derek Norris – Photo
US171 Jhonny Peralta – Stat
US174 Carlos Correa – Photo
US186 A.J. Pollack – Stat
US201 Jose Altuve – Stat
US214 Yadier Molina – Stat
US220 Addison Russell – Photo
US228 Geovany Soto – Sparkle
US237 Craig Kimbrel – Photo
US237 Craig Kimbrel – Sparkle
US244 Colby Rasmus – Sparkle
US252 Francisco Rodriguez – Stat
US273 Justin Upton – Stat
US284 Matt Wisler – Sparkle
US300 Max Scherzer – Stat
US310 Clayton Kershaw – Stat
US318 Phillippe Aumont/Rally Squirrel – Photo
US324 Carlos Rodon – Photo
US325 Matt Kemp – Photo
US335 Norichika Aoki – Photo
US336 Mark Teixeira – Stat
US337 Martin Prado – Photo
US343 A.J. Burnett – Stat
US350 Didi Gregorius – Stat
US353 Michael Wacha – Stat
US356 Miguel Montero – Sparkle
US358 Nolan Arenado – Stat
US362 Rick Porcello – Sparkle
US362 Rick Porcello – Throwback
US364 Mike Trout – Stat
US395 Dexter Fowler – Photo
US396 Ichiro – Photo
US397 Bryce Harper – Stat
Series 1 and 2 Throwbacks

42 Todd Frazier
43 Starlin Castro
92 Ian Kinsler
200 Miguel Cabrera
311 Jhonny Peralta
318 George Springer
325 Felix Hernandez
326 C.J. Wilson
333 Billy Hamilton
336 Matt Carpenter
389 Mookie Betts
406 Jon Lester
456 Alex Gordon
458 Junichi Tazawa
477 Dallas Keuchel
599 Michael Brantley
616 Kris Bryant
626 Hanley Ramirez
654 Alfredo Simon

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Topps launches 'Pride & Perseverance' set to celebrate past and present major leaguers who have overcome challenges



2015 Baseball Update Series Insert Includes Jim Abbott, William Hoy, Jon Lester, Anthony Rizzo, Among Others

Major League Baseball players inspire fans of all ages, facing challenging odds on their climb through the professional ranks. Some players endure additional obstacles – and their successes reflect the determination and resolve of the human spirit.

In that spirit, Topps, the official baseball card of Major League Baseball, is launching “Pride & Perseverance,” a special insert set
in 2015 Topps® Baseball Update Series that celebrates Major League players from the past and present, who have triumphed in spite of disabilities that have come their way. The set will be released on Wednesday, October 21, in time to celebrate the 70th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month and honor 25 years of the Americans with Disabilities legislation.

“As a game for all, Baseball is proud to be the sport of Jim Abbott, Curtis Pride and many world-class athletes who have overcome obstacles en route to success in the Major Leagues,” said Wendy Lewis, MLB Senior Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion & Strategic Alliances. “This special set from Topps is a terrific way not only to honor all individuals who have faced challenges and reached the highest level of their chosen sport, but also to inspire anyone who dreams of one day being a part of the National Pastime. We commend Topps, a longtime valued partner, for this extraordinary tribute to players who have made an enduring impact on our game.”

In 2014, the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) proposed a special card series, featuring players with disabilities, within Topps’ 2015 set. Throughout Baseball history, these players have enhanced the game with their skill and encourages all with their pride and perseverance.

"People with disabilities are often looked at for what they can’t do instead of being appreciated for what they can do. We hope these cards will help people take a closer look at the potential of people with disabilities,” said Mark O’Neal, PBATS President and Chicago Cubs Director of Medical Administration. “Imagine if a child or the parent of a child with a disability, by simply opening a pack of baseball cards, discovers that one of their heroes was legally blind or deaf or has battled cancer? They would truly feel empowered and encouraged.”

The set will feature current and former Major Leaguers, including:

- Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Lester and first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who are both cancer survivors
- San Francisco Giants pitcher Jake Peavy, who is legally blind without his corrective lenses
- Houston Astros outfielder George Springer, who has overcome stuttering
- New York Mets reliever Buddy Carlyle, who was diagnosed with diabetes in 2009
- Oakland Athletics outfielder Sam Fuld, who has dealt with Type 1 Diabetes
- Jason Johnson, a diabetic former pitcher who was the first MLB player to wear an insulin pump during regular season games
- Jim Abbott, who won a gold medal for the 1988 U.S. Olympic baseball team and threw a no-hitter for the New York Yankees in 1993, despite being born without his right hand
- Jim Eisenreich, who played 15 years in MLB and won the 1997 World Series with the then-Florida Marlins, who was born with Tourette’s syndrome
- Curtis Pride, a former 13-year MLB player, who was born deaf
- Pete Gray, a former outfielder who played for the St. Louis Browns in 1945 and spent six seasons in the minor leagues, despite having lost an arm in a childhood accident
- William Hoy, a former center fielder was one of the first and most accomplished deaf players in the major leagues, having played from 1888-1902

“The importance of this set cannot be overstated,” said David Leiner, VP & General Manager of North American Sports and Entertainment for Topps. “These men had to overcome great odds to not only make it to the Majors, but at times with what could have been a disadvantage. Instead, they are an inspiration and we are honored to showcase them in our product.”

2015 Topps Baseball Update Series can be found in hobby shops and national mass retailers such as Walmart and Target, starting October 21.