During the interview, we discussed how Topps' baseball card wrapped truck connected with National Baseball Card Day, the return of Bowman Sterling to their release lineup, and how Topps has shared in the positivity of Gary Vaynerchuk's involvement with the collecting hobby.
One of Topps’ most buzzworthy products has hit the shelves in the form of 2019 Topps Allen and Ginter Baseball. The collecting community has engaged in a spirited debate over the set’s inclusion of celebrities, entertainers, and even an egg alongside Major League Baseball stars. Whether it is entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, Yahoo Sports personality Mike Oz, or former Double Dare host Marc Summers, this year’s Allen and Ginter Baseball has plenty to keep a wide range of fans happy.
2019 Topps Allen and Ginter Baseball Base Set, Short Prints, and Checklist
Allen and Ginter’s exceptional design is the main reason why the set remains popular with collectors. The painted posed shots position the players in an attractive way that stands out against the rest of Topps’ releases. Our review box yielded this year’s four top upstarts—Pete Alonso, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Jeff McNeil, and Fernando Tatis Jr.
2019 Topps Allen and Ginter Baseball / Topps
The 350-card set contains 50 short prints, numbered 351-400. The numbering gap is a quirk that collectors should be aware of when collating their sets. The base cards only have two parallels—Gold Hot Box parallels and 1/1 Glossy cards.
2019 Topps Allen and Ginter Baseball Minis / Topps
Each pack also contains one mini card. These minis are where Allen and Ginter hide the variations. Base and short-print minis feature the following variations - A&G Logo Back, Black, No Number, Brooklyn Back (#/25), Gold, Wood 1/1, Glossy 1/1, Framed Printing Plates 1/1.
To rip or not to rip? That is the question for collectors who land a serial numbered rip card. Inside these rip cards are short-printed stained-glass minis, metal minis, or red mini autographs. The lure of what hides behind the rip cards are enough to push collectors to carefully tear apart the sealed card in search of a bigger hit.
2019 Topps Allen and Ginter Inserts / Topps
Full-sized baseball-themed inserts include the Baseball Star Signs and Ginter Greats cards. Incredible Equipment, Mares and Stallions, and History of Flight are some of the non-sports insert sets. Mini inserts highlight Collectible Canines, Trains, Blue Ribbon Contests. As an added twist, some In Bloom Mini cards can be planted and grown. How’s that for a collectible?
2019 Topps Allen and Ginter Mini Inserts / Topps
2019 Topps Allen and Ginter Inserts / Topps
2019 Topps Allen and Ginter Baseball Relics and Autographs
Each box guarantees a mix of three relics or autographs, with most being framed minis. A select few have standard signed cards, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Yusei Kikuchi. Serial numbered single and dual autographed book cards make for great display pieces.
There are two different standard sized MLB relic cards, and hobby boxes contain framed mini relics of players matched up with subway tokens, as well as fossil and arrowhead relics.
The box provided for this review yielded three relics, one of which was from Hall of Famer Steve Carlton.
2019 Topps Allen and Ginter Relics / Topps
2019 Topps Allen and Ginter Baseball Box Break and Final Thoughts
Collectors have been loud on social media voicing their love or hate for this set. Some have embraced the diversity of Allen and Ginter; however, others can’t fathom non-baseball players with cards alongside their cardboard heroes. Despite the noise, this set gives collectors a welcome diversion from the hardcore prospecting of Topps’ other releases. Listening to Mike Oz share the joy of being in the 2019 Topps Allen and Ginter Baseball set is a compelling reason enough to add a box to your collection.
Heading to the National Sports Collectors Convention? In our latest for Forbes, we break down some often-overlooked survival tips for attending the collecting "World Series" that is known as the National.
Do you have some tips for first-timers, as well as veterans who are checking out the National? Feel free to leave them in the comments below.
2019 Topps Stadium Club Baseball Base Set and Parallels
The 301-card base set contains an array of interesting parallels. Collectors will find red and black logo parallels, as well as toned (sepia or black and white) cards. Scarcer variations contain Members Only or First Day Issue insignias. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Pete Alonso rookie cards set alongside the fabulous legends cards will create intrigue for collectors of all ages.
2019 Topps Stadium Club Baseball Base Set / Topps
2019 Topps Stadium Club Baseball Base Set / Topps
2019 Topps Stadium Club Baseball Parallels / Topps
2019 Topps Stadium Club Baseball Inserts
Ninety different subjects make up the Chrome Insert set (1:16 packs), with these inserts coming in scarcer colored refractor versions (Orange #/99, Gold Minted, and 1/1 SuperFractors). The Chrome inserts feature different photos than the base set, giving collectors a second attractive card of their favorite player to track down. Other insert sets include Beam Team, Emperors of the Zone, Power Zone, and Warp Speed—all coming with multiple colored parallels.
2019 Topps Stadium Club Baseball Inserts
Another bonus is the oversized box topper cards. Measuring approximately 4”x6” these blowups make a beautiful display for a desk or a shelf.
2019 Topps Stadium Club Baseball Box Topper / Topps
2019 Topps Stadium Club Baseball Autographs
Topps guarantees two on-card autographs in each box. A majority of collectors will wind up with autographed base cards as pictured below; however, some with extreme luck will find signed versions of Stadium Club inserts, or Co-Signers Autographs that are serial-numbered to 10 or less.
2019 Topps Stadium Club Baseball Autographs / Topps
2019 Box Break and Final Thoughts
2019 Topps Stadium Club Baseball / Topps
While the baseball card manufacturer has returned to a familiar set of Hall of Famers for 2019 Topps Stadium Club Baseball, the rarely seen photos keep the legends fresh. When they are paired with the current players, the set is masterful in capturing their excitement, grace, and skill. The combination makes 2019 Topps Stadium Club Baseball the high-water mark for Topps' annual releases.
