Topps is sticking to what works for its 2022 Opening Day set. In terms of design, the base set does not deviate from the flagship layout, other than placing the Opening Day logo on the card from.
Still, Topps Opening Day offers collectors an affordable way to collect notable stars and prominent rookies, with some other content that offers a few chase elements.
2022 Topps Opening Day Configuration and Base Set
One of the hobby’s lowest cost products, 2022 Topps Opening Day currently has a release date of March 9. There will be 36 packs in a hobby box, and each pack contains seven cards — six base cards and one insert.
The base set has 200 cards.
Look for a limited number ob base card parallels including: Opening Day parallels numbered to 2022 along with an Opening Day 1/1 Black Edition and 1/1 Printing Plates.
Also, at least 25 players will have image variations. Super-short prints will be numbered to 10 and will feature the player’s autograph.
Inserts
Four insert sets will return for the 2022 set. Opening Day inserts will include action shots from players during the early part of the 2021 season.
Dugout Peeks returns with photographs depicting a glimpse inside major league dugouts, while Walk This Way will celebrate walk-off homers.
Mascots is self-explanatory, as it will feature cards of team mascots like Raymond, the Phillie Phanatic and more.
Making its debut in 2022 are Luck of the Irish, which features players in green attire from St. Patrick’s Day games; and Bomb Squad, which honors sluggers from the past and present.
Meanwhile, the Triple Play inserts are very similar in design to some cards from the 1980-81 Topps basketball set, showcasing three players.
Autograph and Memorabilia Cards
Topps Opening Day is not noted for its autographs or relics cards, but there are some for collectors to chase.
Opening Day Autographs feature 20 established stars and rookies. Ballpark Profiles Autographs concentrate on the game’s personalities — in other words, not confined to just players.
Opening Day Relics have pieces of game-used memorabilia. A fun relic — a card that is OK even when dirty — is the Diamond Relics subset. These cards contain dirt from the player’s home field. Turf War Diamond Relics, meanwhile, are double-sided and feature two players.
Mascot Relic cards have pieces of mascot-worn memorabilia. Mascot Patch Cards, which are manufactured cards, return this year. Mascot Relic Autograph Cards contain the mascot’s signature and a piece of memorabilia.
Major League Mementos Relics have pieces of memorabilia taken from different parts of a stadium.
A new feature this year are Dual Autograph Diamond Relic Book cards.
These cards feature dirt relics from the players’ home ballpark and include the player’s autograph.
Hobby boxes are listed on eBay now for around $55.
2022 Topps Opening Day Checklist
