Whether you opened your first pack in 1957 or 2007, seeing the first boxes of baseball cards of a new season turns an ordinary Wednesday into a holiday. Sure, we’ll have moved on to some other product by the first official day of spring but for now, it’s a mid-winter celebration we can all use.
It was 2017 Topps Series 1 release day across the U.S. on Wednesday. Hobby shops held box breaking parties, collectors who don’t live near one made a lunch time run to Target or Walmart and the hobby got a big jolt of national publicity.
After months of teases, we get to see what the cards look and feel like, sort through cases and boxes to see if there is anything we weren’t expecting and begin to piece together complete sets of Series One.
The MLB Network crew ripped into a box live on air:
A @MikeTrout, a @ClaytonKersh22 and a @LaurenShehadi card! What else did we find in our 2017 @toppscards Series 1 packs??? #ToppsMLBNetwork pic.twitter.com/iA6rb9IDW2
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 1, 2017
While it’s old hat for some, young players were tweeting about seeing their rookie cards for the first time.
My rookie card is in 2017 Topps Baseball in stores now. Tag me in a pic with a picture of my rookie card! #ToppsPartner @toppscards pic.twitter.com/1Xh7VCWqzh
— Andrew Benintendi (@asben16) February 1, 2017
Hobby dealers were breaking cases and offering some insight on what they discovered.
These are approx 1:10 jumbo cases, I hit my 1st in case 14 (these take the place of last year’s Glove Leather Autos) pic.twitter.com/eU9zc5lXDy
— Brent Williams (@brentandbecca) February 1, 2017
Wiliams, by the way, says he sold 630 base card sets he’ll piece together through cases he and his employees will open. We found some 350-card base sets for sale with free shipping here.
Master sets will require a massive bankroll. Topps has apparently eschewed the regular short prints but produced a large number of very difficult to find “super short prints” including the usual photo variations (some tougher than others). There are, in fact, numerous variations created to honor the recently retired David Ortiz. You can see some of those tough-to-find cards that have been pulled already and listed on eBay by clicking here.
If you’re wondering how to spot a variation, check the code on the back of your cards.
Looks like the codes for 2017 Topps Base and SSP cards are Base cards end in 1730, SSP end in 1786. #2017Topps
— DPMsportcards (@DPMsportcards) February 1, 2017
Two million original cards from past issues of Topps baseball have been inserted into packs. They’ll also be in other products, including Series 2, Topps Baseball Update, Heritage, Allen & Ginter and Bowman. The Ultimate Card Giveaway includes a blend of newer and vintage cards.
Topps is selling 24-pack and 10-pack boxes of Series One on its website as well as some newly released and very limited 5×7 versions of several of the insert sets that can be found in packs.
For more information and articles pertaining to 2017 Topps Baseball, visit the ‘Related Posts’ section directly below.
If you’ve opened up a box or case (or more), share your thoughts on our Facebook page.
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