Before video games took hold on the masses and back when TVs usually had three or four channels, tabletop sports games were how we entertained ourselves. No, it wasn’t 1939 and actually, the games were a lot of fun. Physical dexterity was usually secondary. Some had strategy but most results were based on the luck of the draw or the roll of the dice.
Enter ESPN’s Kenny Mayne, who grew up in the Seattle area, playing a made-up game with his Uncle Bud. Now, Mayne has teamed up with Topps for a current take on the old games that has a bit of a collecting element to it.
Topps 52-Card Baseball includes individual trading/game cards that feature a photo of some of baseball’s best players along with a result in the corner. Similar to standard playing cards, they’re used to play a simple game in which the deck is split between two participants and plays out on a paper “playing field.”
The main checklist that are used to play the game ($19.99) includes 52 of baseball’s better players and this year’s top rookies as well as two additional variations. There are also “booster packs” you can buy for $4.99 that contain 5 additional cards. While we don’t know for certain, it’s easy to envision Topps creating more cards for the game in future seasons, provided it sells well enough.
Mayne cut a short video about the game:
He also has a message about it on the order page on Topps’ website where the game and booster packs are being sold.
2019 Topps 52-Card Baseball Set Checklist
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