The Topps Update Series is an annual release of additional baseball cards produced by Topps after their flagship Series 1 and Series 2 sets have already been released. The Update Series provides Topps the opportunity to produce cards featuring new rookie players, players who were traded or changed teams, and players who achieved notable accomplishments after the initial series were printed.
The first Topps Update Series was released in 1992 as a means for Topps to issue cards for players who emerged or had significant performances after their main sets were already finalized. Prior to 1992, Topps would occasionally produce supplemental sets like “Traded” cards to account for in-season player transactions, but the Update Series established an annual tradition of a postseason release focused on chronicling the changes that occurred throughout that MLB season.
Some key aspects that make the Topps Update Series unique include:
Rookies: Topps Update sets will feature the debut cards for any players who made their MLB debut too late to be included in Series 1 or 2. Notable rookie cards from Updates include Bryce Harper from the 2009 set and Juan Soto from the 2018 set.
Traded Players: Any players who were traded to a new team after the initial series are released will have their uniforms and team updated in the Update set. For example, the 2019 Update had cards showing Zack Greinke in an Astros uniform after being acquired at the trade deadline.
Award Winners: If any statistical or award winners emerge after Series 1/2, their accomplishment cards will be in the Update. Examples include cards honoring Cy Young or MVP winners.
Photograph Updates: Occasionally Topps will issue new cards in the Update with fresher or better quality photos compared to a player’s Series 1 or 2 card from that year.
Insert Sets: In addition to standard base cards, Topps Updates usually include popular insert sets like Autographs, Memorabilia Cards, and Parallels to add to the excitement.
Limited Print Runs: Compared to the much larger print runs of Series 1 and 2, Topps Updates have shorter print runs which helps the cards retain value as “chase” items for collectors.
Postseason Highlights: Cards will recognize any players who had standout performances in that year’s playoffs and World Series after the flagship sets were finalized.
The first Update Series set from 1992 included only 80 total cards. But the concept proved popular with collectors and the sets have grown substantially each year. The 2019 Topps Update Series included a massive 495 total cards between the base set and numerous inserts.
In addition to providing the opportunity to chronicle the changes of each MLB season, the Topps Update Series serves several strategic purposes for the card company:
Generates Additional Revenue: By releasing an entirely new set after Series 1/2, Topps earns revenue from another product release and box/pack sales period.
Keeps Hobby Engaged: The Updates provide collectors something new to chase and search packs for during the MLB offseason in a way that extends the collecting season.
Increases Card Values: The short print runs and inserts/parallels combined with the “newness” of rookie cards, uniform updates, and award/playoff highlights helps Update cards hold premium resale value long-term.
Satisfies Completionists: Avid collectors aim to “complete” each annual Topps set and the Updates provide the opportunity to obtain the final cards needed to finish documenting that season in their collections.
Drives Secondary Market: The scarcity and premium nature of some Update cards fuels a robust secondary market where collectors can purchase individual cards they missed through auctions, trade networks, and card shops.
Over the years, Topps has experimented with different designs, photo styles, production techniques, and added more inserts with each new Update Series release. The 2018 Topps Update included a special “Photo Variation” parallel where certain cards had completely different photos from the base version. And the 2020 Update introduced a “Superfractor” parallel with an ultra-premium 1/1 print run.
While other trading card companies like Upper Deck, Leaf, and Donruss have tried their own versions of postseason/traded sets over the years, none have matched the enduring popularity and consistency of Topps’ annual Update Series release. For avid baseball card collectors, finding that one coveted rookie card or playoff hero in a pack of the latest Topps Update continues to provide part of the thrill that makes the hobby so engaging during the offseason each year. The Topps Update Series has firmly cemented itself as a cornerstone product for any serious baseball card collection.
