Topps released several series of baseball cards in 2014 featuring players, teams, and memorable moments from the 2013 MLB season. Some of the most popular sets included Series 1, Series 2, Allen & Ginter, Stadium Club, and TOPPS NOW. Let’s take a deeper look at each set and some of the notable cards collectors sought after.
Series 1 was the flagship opening day set released in late March/early April consisting of 72 packs with 22 cards each. Some key rookie cards in the set included Yasiel Puig, Wil Myers, Matt Adams, Sonny Gray, and Hyun-Jin Ryu. Popular veterans like Miguel Cabrera, Mike Trout, and Clayton Kershaw also graced the base cards. Short prints and autograph inserts added to the excitement of hunting for the stars.
The second series was distributed starting in June and focused more on in-season performances and All-Star game selections. Rookies Aaron Sanchez, George Springer, and Billy Hamilton made their TOPPS debuts. Insert sets within included 1984 and ’89 Topps Traded where fans could relive iconic players and moments from those seasons. A ‘Moments and Milestones’ insert caught Mariano Rivera registering his 600th career save.
The whimsical Allen & Ginter set released in July paid tribute to the original 1887-1890 tobacco card era with intricate box designs and unique subject matter cards. Fans enjoyed learning about science, history, and pop culture subjects alongside baseball stars. Rookie cards of Christian Yelich, Travis Jankowski and Garin Cecchini were highlights. Autograph cards of Derek Jeter, Mike Piazza and Nolan Ryan proved popular with collectors.
Released in September, Stadium Club drew on a retro, photo-centric design found in the original 1987-90 Donruss sets. High-definition action shots placed the focus firmly on game environments and player skills. Rookies Javier Baez, Archie Bradley and Kris Bryant commanded attention in the set. Serial-numbered parallels added prestige and kept enthusiasts hunting for the rarest variations.
The TOPPS NOW program produced insert cards throughout the entire season commemorating notable performances within 24 hours of their occurrence. Some memorable captures included Ichiro Suzuki’s 4,000th career hit, Clayton Kershaw’s record-setting strikeout totals, Derek Jeter’s final game and more. Their immediacy drove collectors online.
While Series 1, 2, Allen & Ginter and Stadium Club followed typical yearly cycles, TOPPS NOW offered a unique way to chronicle the ebbs and flows of a baseball season in real-time through cardboard. Standout rookie classes, throwback designs, and special parallels ensured 2014 maintained the excitement and nostalgia that has kept TOPPS the industry leader for generations of collectors. Hobby enthusiasts spent the year seeking their favorite stars across the various product releases while taking fun trips down memory lane.
