Tag Archives: 2013

2013 TOPPS UPDATE BASEBALL CARDS

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The 2013 Topps Update baseball card series was released in late August/early September 2013 as the third installment of Topps’ flagship baseball card product line for that year. Topps Update has become an annual tradition that baseball card collectors look forward to, as it provides the opportunity to get cards of players who were not included in the earlier Series 1 or Series 2 releases due to call-ups, late season performances, awards, and other factors.

The 2013 Topps Update set included 330 total cards and featured a variety of rookies, stars, and prospects from both the American and National Leagues. Some of the top rookies included Todd Frazier, Anthony Rendon, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Wil Myers, Michael Wacha, and Shelby Miller. Emerging stars like Manny Machado, Yu Darvish, and Mike Trout also received cards after earning prominent roles on their teams. Veteran players having career years like Miguel Cabrera, Chris Davis, and Clayton Kershaw also made the cut.

In addition to standard base cards, Topps Update also included various parallels and insert sets. There were Silver Pack parallels at a ratio of 1:4 of the base cards. Additionally, Topps produced Red Refractors parallels at a much rarer 1:90 packs ratio. The annual Topps Chrome set was once again included as a mini-subset, featuring 65 reflection-style cards at ratios of 1:24 packs for the base and 1:72 for the blue refractor parallel.

Some of the notable insert sets included All-Time Fan Favorites, Flashbacks, Rookie Autographs, and Mini Leaders. The Fan Favorites subset paid tribute to legends of the past like Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, and Jackie Robinson. Flashbacks took a look back at iconic MLB moments from years past. The mini Leaders cards highlighted single-season statistical milestones. And Topps did include a scarce 3-card Rookie Autograph set featuring cards of Wil Myers, Shelby Miller, and Hyun-Jin Ryu.

The design theme for 2013 Topps Update centered around classic baseball imagery mixed with modern stylistic elements. The clean white borders and solid colors created a vintage baseball card aesthetic. Player names were placed prominently at the top in bold font with their team logo incorporated. Statistics were included on the reverse along with career highlights. Some parallel variations like the Chrome and Refractors presented with inverted color schemes compared to the base design. The creative design executed a neat balance of nostalgia blended with contemporary flair.

In terms of overall production and print run sizes, Beckett Almanac estimates Topps printed around 30 million packs of 2013 Topps Update baseball cards. With 11 cards per pack and 99 cards per box, that translates to a mammoth total print run estimated at upwards of 300 million individual cards. As with most modern Topps releases, printed sheets and boxes were overproduced to meet mass retailer demand, ensuring availability in general hobby shops, drug stores, supermarkets and online for months after initial release.

When first arriving in the secondary market in late 2013, the bulk of 2013 Topps Update base cards held little monetary value and often sold for just pennies apiece. Some key rookies and parallels immediately commanded higher prices. For example, the prized Wil Myers autograph RC debuted around the $100-200 range and steadily climbed from there as his career progressed. The Update Chrome and Refractor parallels of stars like Trout, Harvey, and Puig also sold briskly online.

In the years since, 2013 Topps Update cards have steadily increased in overall collector interest and secondary market valuation. Set-building enthusiasts continue picking up missing base cards to complete their albums. The emergence of prospects like Correa, Bryant, Lindor and Seager have made those players’ rookie cards more significant. And parallels of superstar performers like Kershaw, Arenado, Goldschmidt and more remain highly sought. On the whole, 2013 Topps Update has proven to be one of the strongest modern issues and provides a fascinating snapshot of where today’s MLB stood nearly a decade ago.

In conclusion, 2013 Topps Update baseball cards delivered on the tradition of highlighting the season’s top new players and performances through a classic yet modern design aesthetic. With high print runs to ensure reach into the mass market combined memorable rookie cards, parallels and inserts, the set became both accessible yet collectible. In the years since, 2013 Topps Update has grown in relevance and secondary valuation thanks to the continued success of the players featured. It serves as an important collection piece for documenting where today’s biggest stars began their journey in professional baseball.

2013 TOPPS CHROME BASEBALL MOST VALUABLE CARDS

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The 2013 Topps Chrome Baseball card set brought many high-value rookie cards and parallels to the hobby. Released in late 2012/early 2013, this product featured refractors and variations of players from the 2012 MLB season. While not stratospherically valuable like some vintage sets, several cards stand out from this series as particularly coveted by collectors due to player performance and scarcity. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most expensive and sought-after cards from 2013 Topps Chrome Baseball.

One of the biggest hits from the base set was the Mike Trout rookie card. Already establishing himself as a superstar in his first full season in 2012, Trout’s stock was sky high coming into 2013. The Topps Chrome base version of his rookie stayed relatively affordable compared to high-end parallels, hovering around $50-75 graded gem mint. Refractors and numbered parallel versions escalated sharply in value. The gold refractor /50 is over $1,000 PSA 10, while the elusive black refractor /5 has sold for over $6,000 in mint condition. Low-numbered parallels like the purple /25 and orange /5 also command over $1,000 in top grades. With each passing season cementing Trout as a likely Hall of Famer, his cards from this set have proven to be among the shrewdest long-term investments in the hobby.

Another rookie phenom with multiple high-dollar cards in 2013 Topps Chrome was Bryce Harper. Similar to Trout, Harper’s base rookie held steady around $50-75 graded while his parallels exploded upwards. The Harper gold refractor /50 has cracked $800 PSA 10, while his scarce black refractor /5 has sold for as much as $2,000. The true blue-chip card in the Harper rookie subset remains the prized orange refractor /5. Population reports only 10 examples ever graded PSA 10, with the last few selling in the $5,000 range. With Harper still in his prime playing days, these rare early cards in pristine condition hold tremendous future potential.

Other highly valued 2013 Topps Chrome base rookies outside of Trout and Harper included Wil Myers, Jurickson Profar, and Travis d’Arnaud. Each had solid production or hype in their brief debut seasons in 2012. Myers remains around $50 PSA 10 for his base, while Profar and d’Arnaud have dipped below $30 as they have yet to fully realize early expectations. Key parallels like Myers’ gold /50 ($500 PSA 10) and d’Arnaud’s pink /25 ($150 PSA 10) still provide opportunities for profit. Profar’s status has been hurt by injuries, with even his scarce black refractor /5 selling under $200.

In the veteran category, cards of perennial superstars tended to rise the most in value from 2013 Topps Chrome. Clayton Kershaw continued establishing himself as the premier pitcher of his generation in 2012, leading to strong secondary market performance for his base ($75 PSA 10) and above all, his rare black refractor /5 (over $1,000 PSA 10 mint). Meanwhile, annual MVP candidates like Miguel Cabrera and Mike Trout saw steady increases in their base rookies as they cemented future Hall of Fame careers, approaching $50 in top condition. Trout’s 2012 update rookie had similar stability, but premium parallels like his orange /5 exploded to over $800.

There were also some unexpected risers over time among veteran stars. Buster Posey’s base stayed affordable but his scarce black refractor /5 appreciated up near $400 due to his prolonged excellence. Melky Cabrera saw a 2013 Topps Chrome gold refractor /50 price spike to over $200 after an All-Star 2012 season, before PED suspension news dampened future value. Veteran super-collectibles like a Mariano Rivera black refractor /5 or Derek Jeter autograph jumped upwards as well during their 2013 farewell tours.

In terms of short prints and serial numbered inserts, several stand out from 2013 Topps Chrome as especially valuable today. The coveted Yoenis Cespedes red refractor /25 found new heights above $150 PSA 10 as Cespedes emerged. Same for Allen Craig’s pink parallel /25 ($120). Premium serial-numbered parallels like Matt Harvey’s blue refractor /150 ($80) and Starling Marte’s purple refractor /50 ($70) were early fliers that paid off. And multi-player serial-numbered sets including Diamond Kings remained hot, with low-number versions of Trout, Harper, Kershaw, etc. topping $200 each.

The 2013 Topps Chrome Baseball release has aged very well from an investment perspective overall. Rookie sensations Trout and Harper brought unprecedented singles card valuations, while parallels and short prints of emerging stars like Duffy, Harvey, and Cespedes have proven smart long shots. Superstar veterans like Kershaw and Cabrera maintain steady growth on their base cards as well. For building a balanced, future-proofed baseball card portfolio, the 2013 Topps Chrome set offers an abundance of historically significant and valuable materials for today’s savvy collectors and investors. Many consider it one of the top modern release years to target when beginning a collection.

2013 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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The 2013 Topps baseball card set was the 72nd release from Topps and included cards featuring players and teams from Major League Baseball. Like most flagship Topps issues from the modern era, the 2013 set has maintained or increased in value for many of its higher-end cards over the ensuing years since its release. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top value cards from the 2013 Topps baseball release and analyze what makes them so desirable to collectors.

One of the strongest value propositions from the 2013 Topps set comes in the form of rookie cards, as is often the case. Featuring future stars early in their careers provides intriguing investment potential if those players go on to stardom. Two rookie cards that have seen tremendous appreciation include Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias and Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant. Urias, considered one of the top pitching prospects in baseball at the time of his 2013 rookie card, has developed into an ace and is a cornerstone of the Dodgers’ rotation. Low-numbered versions of his shiny rookie parallel now sell for thousands of dollars. Meanwhile, Bryant burst onto the scene in 2015 and quickly established himself as a perennial All-Star and cornerstone of the Cubs rebuild. His iconic rookie smiling pose remains one of the most sought-after modern rookie cards in the hobby. Higher-grade Bryant rookies have also cracked the $1000 price point in recent years.

Autograph cards tend to hold extra cachet for collectors seeking a tangible connection to their favorite players. One of the strongest autographed cards from the 2013 Topps set is that of NL MVP and San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner. As one of the top pitchers of his generation with a renowned postseason track record of success on the game’s biggest stages, “MadBum” signings remain hot commodities. His 2013 Topps autographed parallel runs $200-300 in PSA/BGS 10 condition while even raw autographed versions demand over $100. Other coveted autographs from the set include Miguel Cabrera, Clayton Kershaw, Mike Trout, and rookie signings of the likes of Wil Myers and Gregory Polanco.

Perhaps the single strongest 2013 Topps card for accumulated value to date though has been the base rookie card of Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout. After establishing himself as the greatest player of his generation with AL MVP awards and a laundry list of career accomplishments still growing, the demand for Trout’s iconic smiling rookie is through the roof. Pristine PSA 10 examples now sell for over $1000 on average while even well-centered near-mint copies can still fetch over $100. No other modern-era player’s earliest issued card has appreciated quite like Trout’s, a true rarity from the start that collectors snagged up aggressively once his unparalleled abilities became apparent.

Top prospects that have yet to fully blossom can offer substantial upside potential as well if they develop into impact major leaguers. Some in this category from 2013 Topps include shortstops Corey Seager of the Dodgers and Francisco Lindor of the Cleveland Guardians. Early copies of their well-designed rookies in top grades hold steady six-figure valuations already in anticipation of future performance. With both still relatively young All-Star talents, their cards could grow markedly in value riding years of continued production. Similarly, cards of 2013’s top pitching prospects such as Travis d’Arnaud (Mets), Tyler Glasnow (Pirates) and Jameson Taillon (Pirates) show promise for future appreciation tracing any breakout campaigns by those hurlers.

Authentic vintage relic and memorabilia cards are always huge draws due to their one-of-a-kind nature connecting collectors physically to historic players and moments. One that stands out from 2013 Topps is a dual-relic card bearing swatches from Yankees legends Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio. This historic memento of two of the franchise’s all-time icons sold for over $3000 in graded condition. Other noteworthy piece of equipment or material relics from players like Trout, Harper, Kershaw, and rookie pieces of major young stars also command premium prices in the collectibles marketplace.

The 2013 Topps flagship baseball issue like many recent yearly releases from the brand displays impressive long-term value retention and appreciation potential thanks to a mix of rookie phenoms, living legends, unique memorabilia relics, and autographs capturing the industry’s top talents. Keys to maximizing returns remain acquiring the set’s most significant rookies, parallels and hit cards in pristine graded condition early before heightened demand drives up prices enormously in many cases. For today’s savvy investor, it remains a fun vintage set with moneymaking upside still very much in play across several standout components.

2013 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS ROOKIES

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The 2013 Topps Baseball card set featured many promising rookie cards that baseball card collectors were excited about. The 2013 rookie class had several players who went on to have great MLB careers. Some of the top rookies featured in the 2013 Topps set included Wil Myers, Jose Fernandez, Manny Machado, and Shelby Miller. This article will provide an in-depth look at some of the top rookies from the 2013 Topps Baseball card set.

One of the most highly sought after rookie cards from the 2013 Topps set was Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Wil Myers. Myers was considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball heading into the 2013 season. He was called up to the majors in June 2013 and immediately made an impact. Myers hit 13 home runs and posted an .838 OPS in just 53 games in his rookie season. His impressive debut made his 2013 Topps rookie card one of the hottest cards on the secondary market. The Myers rookie featured a clean photo of him in a Rays uniform and became a must-have for collectors. Many predicted a Hall of Fame caliber career for Myers based on his early success and that increased demand for his rookie card.

Another rookie who made a huge splash in 2013 was Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez. Fernandez had a dominant rookie season, going 12-6 with a 2.19 ERA and 187 strikeouts in 28 starts. He finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting and fourth in Cy Young voting as well. The Fernandez rookie card in 2013 Topps captured him mid-delivery with an intense look on his face. Like the Myers rookie, the Fernandez was highly sought after by collectors. Tragically, Fernandez passed away in a boating accident in 2017 at the young age of 24, making his rookie card that much more valuable in the years since as a remembrance of his incredible talent and potential.

The Baltimore Orioles also had an exciting rookie in 2013 in third baseman Manny Machado. Machado made his MLB debut at just 20 years old in August 2012 but was still eligible for rookie status in 2013 Topps. The O’s were coming off a playoff season and had high hopes Machado could lock down third base for years to come. He didn’t disappoint in his first full season in 2013, hitting .283 with 14 home runs and 71 RBI while playing stellar defense. Machado’s smooth left-handed swing was captured perfectly in his 2013 Topps rookie card, which became a must-have for Orioles fans and collectors alike. Machado went on to have an All-Star career in Baltimore before signing a massive free agent deal with the San Diego Padres in 2022, making his rookie card an even better long term investment.

Another impact rookie pitcher in 2013 was St. Louis Cardinals righty Shelby Miller. Miller broke out with a 15-9 record and a 3.06 ERA in his first full season, finishing third in NL Rookie of the Year voting. His 2013 Topps rookie card showed Miller mid-windup with an intense stare. Miller continued to have success over his first few MLB seasons before his career was derailed by injuries. Still, his rookie card remained a popular one for Cardinals collectors given his early success and importance to the franchise. While Miller was ultimately not able to sustain his early success long term, his rookie card provided a affordable way for fans to remember his promising debut season.

In addition to the big name rookies highlighted above, the 2013 Topps set also included first Bowman Cards and rookie cards of players like Yasiel Puig, Michael Wacha, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Tony Cingrani, Nolan Arenado, and Matt Adams that have gone on to have solid MLB careers. The depth of rookies in the 2013 class made it an exciting year for the hobby. Many of these rookie cards from the 2013 Topps set have increased significantly in value in the secondary market in recent years as these players performances have matched or exceeded early expectations. The 2013 rookie class will likely be remembered as one of the best of the modern era and their inclusion in the 2013 Topps set makes it a highly collectible release for baseball card enthusiasts.

The 2013 Topps Baseball card set featured some truly elite rookies like Wil Myers, Jose Fernandez and Manny Machado that made immediate impacts in their debut seasons. Others like Shelby Miller and Nolan Arenado showed early promise of long careers ahead of them. The depth of talent and production from the rookies in 2013 created a unique collector demand for these rookie cards that remains strong to this day. While injuries and fluctuations in performance happened for some, these rookies made the 2013 Topps set one of the most exciting releases in recent memory and their cards remain a great investment area for collectors nearly a decade later.

2013 TOPPS BASEBALL KEY CARDS

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The 2013 Topps Baseball set featured several key rookie and star player cards that generated fan excitement and collector demand. The release built on Topps’ long tradition of documenting the sport each season through iconic photographs on trading cards.

One of the most eagerly anticipated rookie cards in the set was that of Los Angeles Dodgers sensation Yasiel Puig. The Cuban outfielder had an electrifying debut in 2013, batting .319 with 19 home runs and 42 RBIs in 104 games. His combination of five-tool talent and charismatic playing style endeared him to Dodgers fans and fueled massive interest in his rookie card from collectors.

Puig’s 2013 Topps base card featured an action shot of him batting from both the front and back. Variations like his autographed and gold parallel versions carried premium prices. Several years after its release, his rookie card remains one of the most valuable modern issues, a testament to his breakout stardom and staying power in the league.

Another in-demand rookie from the class of 2013 was Washington Nationals phenom Bryce Harper. Still just 20 years old at the time, Harper had finished fourth in NL MVP voting in his first full season the year before. His 2013 Topps base card showed him in a Nationals batting stance both front and back.

Like Puig, Harper’s star power translated to collector demand for parallel and autographed versions of his rookie card. He and Puig invigorated the hobby with their young talents and ascendant careers just getting started in Los Angeles and Washington. Their cards from the 2013 Topps set cemented themselves as prized modern rookie specimens in collections.

Among seasoned veterans, one of the top performing and most popular players of 2013 was Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants. Coming off his second All-Star season and MVP award the prior year, Posey led the Giants to another World Series title in ’13. Unsurprisingly, his base card captured broad interest from collectors looking to commemorate his success.

Posey’s issue depicted him receiving a throw while catching for the Giants. Short prints and parallels holding his image sold well given his status as the heart of a championship franchise. Such key star player cards from winning teams frequently become long-term keepsakes in collections representing a given season. Posey’s strong production and Giants pedigree ensured his 2013 base card attained steady value.

Another marquee veteran with immense on-card popularity was Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera. Having just accomplished the first Triple Crown in the AL since 1967, Cabrera’s 2012 MVP award made him one of the sport’s biggest names entering the 2013 campaign. Topps commemorated his achievements with a horizontal base card showing him at the plate in a Tigers uniform.

Much like Posey, the star power, recent hardware and quality image combined to spark Collector demand for Cabrera’s already iconic issue. It joined the ranks of other premium base cards highlighting generational talents who were also leaders of contending franchises. Variations signed or in parallels by the superstar first baseman commanded collectors’ attention and solid prices in the years since.

Two other prominent veterans with highly sought cards in the 2013 Topps set were Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim phenom Mike Trout and St. Louis Cardinals veteran Yadier Molina. Having burst onto the scene in 2012, Trout continued cementing himself as a modern-day 5-tool superstar in his sophomore season of 2013.

His dynamic base card from the release showed him legging out an inside-the-park home run, capturing the essence of his rare skills. It became an instant classic depicting the emerging face of MLB. Molina, meanwhile, had formed himself as the game’s premier catcher and backstop of the Cardinals. As Baseball’s winningest team of the late-2000s/early-2010s, his contributions were recognized.

Molina’s horizontal base card picture him receiving a throw for St. Louis. Both Trout and Molina were central figures for popular franchises undergoing sustained success, making their issues highly collectible. Strong on-field production paired with representations of championship caliber clubs to give the cards lasting appeal in the years since among investors and historians of the game.

The 2013 Topps set featured base cards and parallels highlighting many of the biggest rookie and veteran stars who were driving interest in the hobby and sport at the time. Issues of Puig, Harper, Posey, Cabrera, Trout and Molina all embodied some mix of recent stellar individual performances, franchise fame, iconic photography and affiliation with contending teams. Such attributes fueled their cards to become widely collected items commemorating those prominent figures and seasons that still hold value in collections today. The release underscored Topps’ knack for highlighting the most pivotal players each year.