As the calendar page changes to November and the holiday season approaches, another baseball season has ended with the Red Sox once again being crowned World Series champions. With the start of the 2014 season months away it is appropriate to remember the quote of the immortal Rogers Hornsby: “People ask me what I do in winter 
when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.”
The new season may be months away, but Topps is already well into planning for next year’s issues.
Since its inception, Topps has used its Opening Day brand as a way of marketing cards to young collectors featuring expanded rosters – including mascots – at a low price 
point. The heavy presence of Wally the Green Monster on this year’s sell sheet indicates more of the same for 2014. The biggest addition to next year’s release will be the inclusion of relic cards, bringing the ‘hit’ craze into what Topps describes as ‘beginner-friendly’ prices.
The base set will include 220 veterans and rookies, and will have an Opening Day Edition parallel featuring a blue border and foil stamp serial 
numbered to 2014. Each card will also have the four color printing plates, numbered 1/1.
Each pack of 2014 Topps Opening Day will include a card from one of six insert sets.
Superstar Celebrations will feature one of 25 players celebrating a key moment of the 2013 season, Fired Up! will showcase 30 stars expressing their emotions during the game, and Breaking Out will include 20 stars celebrating their first opening day.
Opening 
Day Stars will feature 3-D images, a technology that Topps has been flirting with since the late 1960s. Clearly with younger fans in mind, 25 Mascots – including the aforementioned Wally – will have their own insert card, while Between Innings will spotlight some of the unique entertainment available at major league stadiums.
Autographs and relics will also be included in 2014 Topps Opening Day – albeit with a limited checklist. There will be ten autographed cards and ten relic cards to chase, with an additional five cards signed by the series favorite mascots.
Look for 2014 Topps Opening Day to hit hobby shelves in March 2014.
