2020 Topps Tribute will try to fill the void left by the postponement of the early part of the MLB season when it brings its array of autographs and MLB authenticated relics. It’s scheduled to be released on Friday, April 10.
If it seems like you just saw Tribute hit the market not that long ago, you’re right. The 2019 edition was pushed back several months and just arrived in August.
2020 Topps Tribute Basics
Each box of Tribute will include six packs with at least three autographs and a variety of low-numbered relics and base cards (two per pack).
Cases will carry six boxes with one of the new Franchise Best Autographs and one Tribute to Great Hitters autograph card considered case hits.
Autographs
Tribute Autographs is the primary label for standard autographs. Topps promises “a high-end checklist that includes MLB veterans, elite rookies and retired icons.” Each card will be numbered with these parallels possible:
• Blue Parallel – sequentially numbered to 150.
• Green Parallel – sequentially numbered to 99.
• Purple Parallel – sequentially numbered to 50.
• Orange Parallel – sequentially numbered to 25.
• Red Parallel – sequentially numbered to 10.
• Black Parallel – numbered 1-of-1.
• Printing Plates – numbered 1-of-1.
Iconic Perspectives Autographs will be numbered to 99 or less with these parallels:
• Orange Parallel – sequentially numbered to 25.
• Red Parallel – sequentially numbered to 10.
• Black Parallel – numbered 1-of-1.
League Inauguration Autographs will focus on the 2020 rookie class which includes players like Yordan Alvarez and Bo Bichette. Again, regular versions are numbered to 99 with these parallels:
• Orange Parallel – sequentially numbered to 25.
• Red Parallel – sequentially numbered to 10.
• Black Parallel – numbered 1-of-1.
Tribute Tandems Book Card Autographs are two panel booklet cards that pair veterans and retired players “who share common bonds and/or similar playing styles” according to Topps. They’ll be numbered to 25 with Red (# to 10) and 1/1 Black parallels.
Numbered to 50, Autograph Patches include pieces of game-used memorabilia with an on-card signature with Red (# to 10) and 1/1 Black parallels.
Autograph Prime Patch cards will include a piece of game-used, MLB Authenticated memorabilia in addition to the player’s autograph.
The Tribute Career Achievement Award Autograph continuity program continues with Mike Trout as this year’s subject (previous years included autos from Sandy Koufax and Hank Aaron). Each card is hard-signed and numbered 1/1.
Franchise Best Autographs is a new addition to Tribute. Focused on the game’s best players, they’ll be numbered to 99 or less with Orange (# to 25); Red (# to 10) and 1/1 Black parallels.
The game’s best franchise players. Sequentially numbered to 99 or less.
Also new is the Tribute to Great Hitters Autograph set which is all about the top active and retired hitters in baseball. Each is numbered to 99 except for:
• Purple Parallel – sequentially numbered to 50.
• Orange Parallel – sequentially numbered to 25.
• Red Parallel – sequentially numbered to 10.
• Black Parallel – numbered 1-of-1.
Relic Cards
Milestone Relics will feature “a swatch of baseball leather/hide from a milestone game during the 2019 season or an historically relevant game from the past.” Each is numbered to 10 except for the 1/1 Black Jumbo Autograph parallels which will be 1/1.
Stamp of Approval Relics will include MLB authenticated memorabilia pieces of active veterans and young stars. Each will be sequentially numbered to 150.
Dual Relics will have a checklist of both single-player and dual-player subject combinations. Each card will deliver two game-used memorabilia pieces and will be numbered to 150.
Tribute Triple Relics will feature combinations of three game-used memorabilia pieces per card. Each will be numbered to 150.
Parallels for the above-mentioned relic subsets will include:
• Green Parallel – sequentially numbered to 99.
• Purple Parallel – sequentially numbered to 50.
• Orange Parallel – sequentially numbered to 25.
• Red Parallel – sequentially numbered to 10.
• Black Parallel – numbered 1-of-1.
Base Cards and Inserts
The base card checklist will include top veteran and retired players. Rookie base cards will be there, too, but they’ll be rare with Topps promising only two per case.
Parallels for each include:
• Green Parallel – sequentially numbered to 99.
• Purple Parallel – sequentially numbered to 50.
• Red Parallel – sequentially numbered to 10.
• Black Parallel – numbered 1-of-1.
2020 Topps Tribute hobby boxes are currently available online for a little under $300.
2020 Topps Tribute Baseball Checklist
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