The 2023 baseball season will see the release of many new baseball card sets from the major manufacturers like Topps, Panini, Leaf, and others. Collecting a full base set from the flagship Topps Series 1 release is a rite of passage for many collectors. With over 700 cards in the set spanning all 30 MLB teams, putting together the complete 2023 Topps Series 1 set promises to keep collectors busy all year long.
Topps has been the longest running and most iconic baseball card brand, having produced cards continuously since 1951. Their 2023 Series 1 release will feature base cards for every player on an MLB opening day roster as well as prospects, retired players, and manager/coach cards. Parallels, inserts, and short prints add to the challenge of completing the set. Topps Chrome and Stadium Club releases later in the year provide additional cards to seek out.
Panini has emerged as a strong competitor to Topps in recent years. Their 2023 Donruss baseball release is sure to feature a large base set with the same player coverage as Topps. Panini is known for innovative card designs and interesting parallels like “prizm” and “optic” versions of base cards. Special “hits” can include rare autograph or memorabilia cards of star players. With multiple Panini sets released each year, collectors have plenty of options to chase new cardboard.
While Topps and Panini battle for the mainstream market, smaller companies like Leaf and Allen & Ginter offer unique niche products. Leaf’s 2023 Limited baseball set only contains 100 total cards but features high end autographs and memorabilia cards inserted at a generous rate. Allen & Ginter has low print runs and focuses on unique vintage-style artwork, making each card feel like a rare work of art. Collectors enjoy the scarcity and curated selection of players in these boutique sets.
Completing a full base set is an endurance challenge that can take all year. The first step is obtaining a full team set for each MLB franchise during the initial release period. This may require trips to multiple hobby shops, shows, and online group breaks to find deals. Once the initial rush dies down, remaining stragglers can be acquired through direct trades with other collectors. Online group breakers and team-specific breakers also help collectors zero in on needed cards.
As the season progresses, additional cards trickle into the market through retail blasters/hangers, hobby boxes of subsequent releases, and trade piles online. Staying active in collector communities and constantly checking want lists against available trades is key. Patience and persistence are required attributes for any collector aiming to finish a large set. The journey of tracking down the final few elusive base cards is half the fun.
Completing high-end inserts, parallels, and short prints is a whole other challenge. These scarce “hits” within the base set often only exist in extremely low print runs. Collector must either get extremely lucky in breaks or be prepared to pay premium prices to other collectors. Sites like eBay allow searching for exactly what is needed, but competitive bidding drives prices up. Relationships with local shop owners and group breakers can help acquire coveted short prints outside of the open market.
Once a collector has finally checked off every box on their master checklist, the true work begins of organizing, sorting, and storing the completed set. Most opt to showcase their prize collection in specially designed baseball card pages, binders, or boxes. Top loaders and sleeves help preserve the condition of the investment. A completed flagship set is a monumental achievement that provides years of enjoyment and value to the dedicated collector.
The thrill of the chase is what attracts millions of collectors to the hobby each year. Forging the journey to finish a massive set like the 2023 Topps Series 1 release provides a lifetime of memories and experiences along the way. Building relationships within the community, discovering creative acquisition strategies, and experiencing the joy of finding that “one white whale” card that caps off a collection is why many say it is not about the destination, but the journey itself. The long road to completing a full base set is a true test of dedication to the cardboard craft.
Finishing a large modern baseball card release like the 2023 Topps Series 1 set is a monumental task that will keep collectors engaged throughout the entire year and beyond. With over 700 base cards plus numerous inserts and parallels to collect, it is the most ambitious collecting challenge the hobby has to offer. Those who complete such a massive modern set earn bragging rights and the satisfaction of achieving a goal that very few accomplish. The journey itself creates lifelong memories and connections within the collecting community.
