Tag Archives: 2023

BASEBALL CARDS SHOWS 2023

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Baseball card shows are a great way for collectors of all ages and experience levels to buy, sell, and trade their collections. With the popularity of baseball cards continuing to grow, there are more shows than ever taking place across North America in 2023. Whether you’re a casual collector looking to add to your childhood collection or a serious investor, these events offer great opportunities.

Some of the largest and most prestigious baseball card shows in 2023 include the National Sports Collectors Convention in Atlantic City from August 3-6. This massive 4-day event held at the Atlantic City Convention Center is considered the Super Bowl of card shows. Over 750 tables will be set up showcasing everything from vintage cards to autograph opportunities. Top dealers from around the world will be in attendance with some of the rarest vintage cards available. This is a must-attend for any serious collector.

Taking place in late January is the Chicago Sports Collectors Convention. This huge Midwest show is held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois from January 27-29. With over 600 tables and tens of thousands of collectors, this is one of the biggest winter baseball card shows. In addition to cards, there will be autograph sessions, memorabilia displays, and panels featuring experts. It’s a great chance to meet local dealers and see what’s new on the market.

One of the longest running shows is the National Baseball Collectors Convention, set for July 26-30 in Baltimore. In its 42nd year, this event held at the Baltimore Convention Center draws collectors from around the globe. Over 500 tables of cards, autographs, and other collectibles will be available along with seminars, auctions, and special guests. It’s considered one of the top conventions for serious collectors and investors to evaluate the market.

For West Coast collectors, one of the premier events is the Pasadena Card Show held April 1-2 in Pasadena, California. This popular spring show at the Pasadena Convention Center features over 300 dealer tables with everything from vintage to modern cards, autographs, and memorabilia. Top dealers from California and beyond will be in attendance with some of the rarest West Coast cards available. It’s a great chance to see what’s popular on the West Coast market.

Two other major East Coast shows include the National Sports Collectors Convention Atlantic City held August 3-6 with over 750 tables. Also, the New York City Sports Card & Memorabilia Show on June 10-11 at the New Yorker Hotel in Manhattan. This iconic NYC show is a must-attend for East Coast collectors with hundreds of dealer tables and special guests.

For Midwest collectors, other top events include the Chicago Sports Collectors Convention January 27-29 with 600+ tables in Rosemont, IL. As well as the National Sports Collectors Convention Cleveland August 17-20 with 600 tables in Cleveland, OH. These are massive Midwest shows perfect for local collectors.

Some other notable regional shows in 2023 include the Anaheim Sports Collectible Show on February 18-19 in Anaheim, CA. The Dallas Sports Card & Memorabilia Show on April 22-23 in Richardson, TX. The National Sports Collectors Convention Detroit on July 27-30 in Novi, MI. As well as the National Sports Collectors Convention Cincinnati August 10-13 in Sharonville, OH. These are top regional events that draw collectors from surrounding states.

Whether you’re looking to add to your collection, sell duplicates, or make an investment, baseball card shows are a great way to be a part of the hobby. The ability to see the latest releases, meet dealers, get autographs, and trade in-person is invaluable. Be sure to check show websites and Facebook groups for upcoming dates, vendor lists, special guests, and more. With so many great options across North America, 2023 promises to be another great year for baseball card show collectors.

TOPPS 2023 SERIES 2 BASEBALL CARDS CHECKLIST

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The Topps 2023 Series 2 baseball card set is the second series release of Topps’ flagship baseball card product for the 2023 season. Series 2 is typically released in late July or early August each year and provides another opportunity for collectors to add new rookie cards and parallels to their collections from the current MLB season.

The checklist for Topps 2023 Series 2 baseball cards was released in late July ahead of the product going on sale. The set will feature 325 total base cards as well as various insert cards and parallels. Notable rookies in the base set include Tampa Bay Rays pitching sensation Dylan Cease, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Hunter Greene, and Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette. Veterans like Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, and Aaron Judge will also have base cards as usual.

In addition to the base rookie and star player cards, Topps 2023 Series 2 offers collectors a variety of insert sets to find. One highly anticipated insert set is All-Star Rainbow Foil, which features 17 cards showcasing MLB All-Stars from the 2022 Midsummer Classic in rainbow foil parallels. Each card in the set contains a piece of uniform material from the player featured on the card. Some top names in the All-Star Rainbow Foil set include Mookie Betts, Rafael Devers, Tim Anderson, and Jose Ramirez.

Another popular insert set returning for Series 2 is Topps Artists. For this set, Topps partners with a different prominent sports artist each year to create unique artistic renderings of baseball players. The 2023 Topps Artists set features the work of artist David Castillo and includes cards highlighting stars like Yordan Alvarez, Byron Buxton, and Shane Bieber in Castillo’s artistic style. Collectors enjoy the creative cards in this insert set each year.

Rookie renditions are also back as an insert set for Series 2 base rookie variations. These cards take a player’s official rookie card image and put a unique artistic spin on it. Rookies featured include Spencer Strider, Bobby Witt Jr., and Adley Rutschman. Topps Holiday Snowflakes is yet another insert collector can find, showcasing players in a wintery snowflake graphic design.

Parallel and autographed card inserts provide collectors desirable chase cards as well. The Rainbow Foil parallel insert set contains 17 additional All-Star cards similar to the base Rainbow Foil set but in parallel form ranging from /50 to 1/1. Autographed cards can feature signed swatches or memorabilia pieces from MLB greats. Topps also includes several autographed Rainbow Foil parallel cards in Series 2 in addition to the base autographed insert set itself.

In terms of parallels for the base set, Topps 2023 Series 2 offers the Chrome, Gold, and Black Foil parallel sets as usual. The Chrome parallels range from /499 to 1/1 and have a beautiful refracted shine. Gold parallels are numbered to /50 and feature gold ink on the borders and stats backs. Lastly, the extremely rare and coveted Black Foil parallels are numbered to only /10 copies and have a stunning black appearance.

Series 2 also marks the halfway point for collecting the annual Topps Archives ’62 throwback set. This insert set pays tribute to the design of Topps baseball cards from 1962 each year. For 2023, Archives ’62 contains 165 cards over Series 1 and 2 combined. Fans eagerly await discovering the remaining ’62 style cards of retired stars and past All-Stars available in Series 2 packs and boxes.

With its wide array of rookie cards, inserts focused on All-Stars and special sets, and prestigious parallel options, Topps 2023 Series 2 offers exciting chase cards for collectors of all levels. The second series of Topps flagship provides a fun midseason boost to maintaining and completing team and player collections. Staying up to date on Series 2 checklists is an essential part of strategizing how to best acquire desired cards through pack pulls, retail buys, or trading with other collectors online and at card shows.

2023 TOPPS BASEBALL CHASE CARDS

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The 2023 Topps baseball card release is one of the most anticipated issues in recent memory. As baseball fans eagerly await the arrival of Series 1 in retail stores and hobby shops, many are already plotting their chase card strategies. Topps has delivered another impressive checklist packed with rookies, stars, and short printed parallels that collectors will be hunting all year long.

Two of the biggest chase cards in 2023 Topps are likely to be the base rookie cards of Julio Rodriguez and Bobby Witt Jr. Both players had phenomenal debut seasons in 2022 and are considered future superstars. Rodriguez won AL Rookie of the Year after batting .284 with 28 home runs and 75 RBI for the Mariners. Witt Jr. showed five-tool talent for the Royals, slashing .256/.308/.481 with 20 homers and 80 RBI primarily as a 21-year-old shortstop. Their Topps rookie cards will be hot commodities and short printed versions could fetch huge sums.

Another rookie generating major buzz is Reds pitcher Hunter Greene. The flamethrower topped out at 103 mph in his first full MLB season and went 4-13 with a 4.66 ERA in 103 innings. Greene possesses elite stuff and high-end prospect pedigree that make his Topps rookies must-owns for Reds collectors and those chasing the next big arm. Spots rookie cards of Rodriguez, Witt Jr. and Greene will be at the top of many want lists in Series 1.

Veteran superstars also have enticing chase cards up for grabs. Topps typically reserves its lowest printed parallels for legends of the game and current elite talents. Cards like a 1-of-1 parallel of Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, or Aaron Judge would be crown jewels. Even /5, /10 or /25 parallels of these types of all-time great players demand top dollar. Lower numbered refractors, negatives, and other premium parallels are sure to generate collector frenzy.

Topps also thrives on creating short printed parallels of breakout players from the prior season. Some candidates for these types of chase cards in 2023 include Cardinals rookie pitcher Andre Pallante, Marlins outfielder JJ Bleday, and Guardians infielder Steven Kwan. Each player made strong MLB debuts in 2022 that could carry over hype to their Topps cards. Finding their lowest numbered parallels, especially in 1st Edition form, would be a huge win.

Autograph cards are always a major driver of the high-end hobby market. Topps reserves its most limited 1/1 autographs for the sets’ biggest stars. Signatures of players like Soto, Acuna, Guerrero Jr. and Wander Franco would be true white whales. But collectors also love hunting autographs of top prospects and young stars on the rise like Bobby Witt Jr. and Julio Rodriguez. Finding low-numbered parallels or unnumbered refractor autographs of these types of talents could yield a valuable card.

Topps’ various insert sets also provide avenues for chase cards each year. The Flagship set usually features popular inserts like Photo Variations, Negative Photographs, Superfractors, and more. These inserts tend to feature the game’s biggest names, but also spotlight breakout players. Finding a 1/1 Photo Variation of an emerging star like Jonathan India or Joe Ryan would be a huge addition to any collection.

Collectors should also keep an eye out for chase cards from Topps’ special parallel sets like Chrome, Inception, and Finest. These premium products layer in additional short printed parallels and autographs of the sport’s top talents. A 1/1 Inception auto of a player like Wander Franco would be one of the most coveted modern cards in the hobby. Topps Chrome and Finest also feature some of the sharpest on-card autographs and photo variations that collectors love to chase down.

With Series 1 hitting the market soon, the hunt will be on to find 2023’s biggest rookie cards, star parallels, autographs and more. It’s sure to be an exciting year chasing down cards from what looks to be one of Topps’ most anticipated Flagship releases yet. The rookie classes, stars and short prints will keep collectors engaged all year long. For those willing to put in the work, the 2023 Topps series could yield chase cards to remember.

BEST BASEBALL CARDS TO COLLECT 2023

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The hobby of collecting baseball cards is ever-evolving, with new stars emerging each season and card companies releasing innovative new products. Determining the best baseball cards to collect in any given year requires weighing several factors, including the players and rookies featured, the scarcity and design of the cards, and the potential for future value appreciation.

For collectors looking to get a jumpstart on 2023, several rookie cards and star players stand out as prime targets. Two of the most hyped rookie classes in recent memory will be entering their first full MLB seasons, headlined by 2021 first overall pick Spencer Torkelson and 2022 first overall pick Druw Jones. Cards from their respective debut seasons in 2021 and 2022 will be hot commodities, but their true rookie cards from 2023 releases have the highest longterm upside.

Topps Chrome and Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects are usually the first to showcase true rookie cards for the year’s draft class. For 2023, keep an eye out for the prized autograph and memorabilia rookie cards of Torkelson, Jones, Jackson Holliday, and other top picks. These limited parallels could appreciate significantly in value if any of the rookies emerge as the next big star. Base rookie cards will also be worth grabbing for most of the top prospects to round out complete longterm sets.

Veteran star cards remain a steady investment area. Topps Chrome Blue Refractors and Topps Finest Refractors of superstars like Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are always in high demand. The 2023 updates of flagship Topps and Bowman will have the first cards showing these players in their new uniforms if any change teams over the offseason. Parallel and autograph rookies of established veterans can also hold value when they switch teams.

Panini Prizm has become the most coveted modern brand, and its 2023 release will feature more NBA-style acetate cards. Look for short printed parallels and the ever-elusive 1-of-1 Prizm patches of top players. The brand also debuts true rookie cards for draft picks outside of the Topps and Bowman families. Topps Allen & Ginter is a fan favorite for its unique design themes – keep an eye out for any rare autographs or one-of-ones featuring rising stars.

Upper Deck is making a comeback with its 2023 release, bringing back the classic SP Authentic brand that was last seen over a decade ago. Its rookie cards and autographed parallels of top prospects will be a hot new commodity. SP Authentic parallels like the SPx Green Refractor are already gaining cache among collectors. Topps Archives and Bowman Heritage pay homage to vintage designs while still featuring current players – short prints from these sets can appreciate well.

Beyond individual cards, complete team sets also hold value longterm. The flagship Topps and Bowman sets are the most widely collected. For investment potential, focus on teams with strong farm systems like the Rays or Dodgers that are churning out stars. Complete sets of prospects-heavy brands like Bowman Draft and International are also excellent longterm holds. Autograph and memorabilia sets like Topps Triple Threads and Topps Tier One provide a premium product at higher initial cost but with blue-chip rookies can become valuable complete investments.

When considering what cards to target, it’s important to do research on players’ talents and team situations heading into 2023. Injuries, trades or breakouts can significantly impact values. Diversifying across several top rookies and stars helps mitigate risk. Always buy grading-worthy copies in top condition to maximize appreciation. By focusing on the brands, parallels and players poised to make an impact next season, collectors can get a head start on acquiring the best baseball cards to hold longterm that have the highest chances of increased value in 2023 and beyond. With patience and due diligence, the top cards from this year’s crop have strong odds of becoming highly valuable in the future.

TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS 2023 SERIES 3

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Topps baseball cards are synonymous with America’s pastime. Since the first iteration was released in 1952, Topps has produced over seven decades of cards chronicling MLB players, teams, and history. The 2023 Series 3 release builds upon this tradition by showcasing some of the biggest names and rising stars from the current baseball season.

Series 3 is the third standard release of the year from Topps and features 330 total cards. The base set contains 200 common cards that provide an in-depth look at players across all 30 MLB franchises. Some key names included in the base set are Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Juan Soto, and newcomers like Julio Rodriguez and Michael Harris II. Top rookies continue to get plenty of shine and Series 3 highlights players like Oneil Cruz, Brennan Davis, and Bailey Ober who are making their MLB card debuts.

Beyond the base cards, Series 3 offers a variety of inserts and parallels to entice collectors. The Fire parallels consist of 70 red parallel cards that feature a fiery border around the image. These are inserted randomly throughout packs at a rate of around 1:4 packs. Top prospect cards also return with rookies like Gunnar Henderson, Emerson Hancock, and Caleb Kilian receiving special rookie picks cards highlighting their future potential. International talent scouting directors also get recognition with 10 “Scouting Director” insert cards highlighting top international signings like Ronaldo Hernandez.

Veteran stars who have had big offensive seasons continue to receive special treatment from Topps. The “Top Performers” insert set features 15 additional cards spotlighting sluggers like Jose Ramirez, Yordan Alvarez, and Anthony Rizzo who have kept up elite productivity at the plate. New York Mets aces Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom find themselves amongst 10 “Aces” insert highlighting some of the game’s top starting pitchers. Rookie sensation Julio Rodriguez receives an extra special “RC Variation” parallel card showing him in action along with a brief bio recognizing his early success.

Collectors series cards remain a highlight as well with inserts focused on 2023 All-Star Game festivities from Seattle. The “FanFavorites” set spotlights 10 additional cards voted on by fans online to highlight popular veterans, newcomers, and events from the Midsummer Classic. An “All-Star Captains” subset honors Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw and Mariners ace Luis Castillo who were named captains for the teams by the commissioner’s office. Fans in attendance at T-Mobile Park can also find special foil stamped “My All-Star Moment” inserts randomly in packs commemorating attending the game live.

On the chase card front, Series 3 offers several exciting short print parallels and one-of-one autographs. The coveted Black Gold parallel returns with 15 extra shiny cards that are almost impossible to pull at 1:450 packs on average. For the true high-end collector, 1-of-1 autograph cards are available randomly of rising talents like Bobby Witt Jr., Adley Rutschman, and Emerson Hancock. These one-of-a-kind prize cards could potentially reel in thousands of dollars on the resale market for patient collectors.

Overall, Topps 2023 Series 3 provides another high quality installment for collectors of America’s favorite pastime. Featuring the game’s greatest stars alongside promising rookies, exciting chase cards, and commemorations of this year’s Midsummer Classic, it captures the state of MLB at its mid-season point. Whether seeking to fill out a base set, land rare parallels, or chase one-of-ones, Series 3 once again delivers top-notch cardboard for enthusiasts of both sport and collecting. As the season enters its final stretch, Topps is sure to continue its unmatched documentation of the sport through future releases as well. Baseball card aficionados can look forward to unraveling even more of this year’s story with each new pack of Series 3 they add to their collections.

2023 BOWMAN BASEBALL CARDS FOR SALE

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The 2023 Bowman baseball card set is one of the most highly anticipated releases of the new year. Bowman is famous for being the first brand to feature prospects and minor leaguers before they make their MLB debuts. As such, it provides an early opportunity to acquire cards of future stars who have not yet appeared in the mainstream flagship sets like Topps and Panini. With the 2023 edition now arriving in hobby shops and online retailers, here is an in-depth look at what collectors can expect to find for sale from the new Bowman release.

Bowman’s 2023 set includes a wide variety of inserts, parallels, autographs and memorabilia cards showcasing the next wave of future MLB talent. The base set contains 350 cards featuring current minor leaguers and top prospects. Notable names include Druw Jones (Braves), Termarr Johnson (Orioles), Emerson Hancock (Mariners) and Brooks Lee (Twins). The design features a clean and simple look with each player photographed in front of a plain color backdrop. As with past years, parallels will be available in various colors including gold, blue, red and black numbered to different print runs.

In addition to the base cards, several insert sets provide additional opportunities to add top prospects to collections. The Chrome set includes 75 shiny refractor versions of the top rookies. The Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects set highlights 60 of the top selections from the previous year’s amateur draft class. International Prospects features 60 of the best international signees. Prospect Patch features jersey swatches of minor leaguers. Additional inserts like Best of Bowman and Future Phenoms focus on some of the most elite prospects in the minors.

Autograph cards remain the most coveted Chase inserts in Bowman. The Autographs set includes 101 signed rookies numbered to varying quantities between /99 down to 1/1. Top prospects who could appear include Termarr Johnson, Emerson Hancock, Brooks Lee and others. Additional autograph parallels in colors like gold, blue and red offer lower print runs. Bowman Sterling features high-end autographed versions of the top 10 prospects, numbered to just 5 copies each.

Memorabilia cards provide another unique way to acquire pieces of the future stars’ uniforms and gear. The Prospect Patch Jersey cards pair swatches with prospects’ photos. Bowman Draft picks up relic parallels feature draft picks with uniform fabric or memorabilia. Sterling Memorabilia takes it up a notch with high-end patches and rare materials numbered to single digits.

For collectors looking to add 2023 Bowman cards to their collections, there are several retail and hobby options available. Hobby boxes can be found at local card shops and breakers selling for around $90-100 per box. These contain 12 packs with a chance at the top hits. Jumbo boxes with 24 packs run about $200. Retail blaster boxes found at big box stores hold 8 packs for $20, while hanger packs have 5 packs for $10. These offer lower odds at hits but make for affordable ways to build sets.

Individual cards from sought-after rookies, prospects and hits can also be purchased through online marketplaces like eBay. Prices will vary widely depending on the player, parallel and autograph/relic variation. Base rookies tend to sell in the $1-5 range ungraded early on. Top prospects may fetch $10-20 for their base cards. Inserts, parallels and numbered cards climb from there. Autographs range from $50-100 for common prospects up to thousands for the biggest names. Relics also span a wide spectrum.

With its focus on the next generation of future MLB stars still making their way through the minors, Bowman remains one of the most intriguing releases for collectors each year. The 2023 edition looks to continue delivering cards showcasing tomorrow’s talents. For those hunting down cards of Druw Jones, Termarr Johnson or other top prospects to kick off their careers, cracking packs or shopping the individual marketplace provides multiple options to start acquiring pieces from this exciting new class.

2023 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS STARS OF MLB

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The 2023 Topps baseball card set is one of the most highly anticipated releases each year, as it features current stars, top rookies, and fan favorites from across Major League Baseball. With a new season on the horizon, let’s take a look at some of the biggest names that are sure to be featured prominently in the upcoming flagship Topps series.

Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels): There may not be a more exciting two-way player in baseball right now than Shohei Ohtani of the Angels. The reigning AL MVP put together an unprecedented season in 2022, slugging 34 home runs and striking out 156 batters on the mound. Ohtani is one of the faces of MLB and will undoubtedly receive some of the top cards in the 2023 Topps set, including prized parallels and autographs.

Aaron Judge (New York Yankees): After smashing an AL record 62 home runs in 2022 and contending for the Triple Crown, Aaron Judge is poised to be one of the most sought-after players in the upcoming Topps release. The towering outfielder will likely receive several insert cards showcasing his mammoth blasts. An autograph of Judge’s record-setting season would be one of the crown jewels of any collector’s collection.

Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels): When healthy, Mike Trout is arguably the best player of his generation. Unfortunately, injuries have limited the superstar to just 36 games over the past two seasons. However, Trout remains one of the faces of baseball and always receives premier cards from Topps. Collectors will be hoping for a return to form from Trout in 2023 to make his rookie cards and parallels all the more desirable.

Mookie Betts (Los Angeles Dodgers): A perennial MVP candidate, Mookie Betts helped lead the Dodgers to the 2022 NL West title. The dynamic all-around player hits for average and power while providing Gold Glove defense in the outfield. Betts is always among the most popular Dodgers in annual Topps releases.

Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies): Bryce Harper put the Phillies on his back en route to their first World Series appearance since 2009. The slugging outfielder clubbed 35 home runs in the regular season before tearing the cover off the ball in the postseason. Harper’s iconic swing and flair for the dramatic make him a collector favorite.

Juan Soto (San Diego Padres): At just 24 years old, Juan Soto has already established himself as one of the best hitters in baseball. The switch-hitting outfielder was the centerpiece in an August blockbuster trade that sent him from the Nationals to the Padres. Soto will be a cornerstone of the Friars for years to come and figures to receive some of Topps’ finest cards as he starts a new chapter in San Diego.

Ronald Acuña Jr. (Atlanta Braves): When healthy, Ronald Acuña Jr. is one of the most electrifying players in MLB thanks to his five-tool talents. Unfortunately, ACL injuries have limited him to just 82 games over the past two seasons. If Acuña can stay on the field in 2023, his cards will be some of the most popular in the hobby given his breakout potential.

Yordan Alvarez (Houston Astros): Yordan Alvarez followed up his 2021 ALCS and World Series heroics with another monstrous campaign in 2022, slugging 37 home runs for the powerhouse Astros. The beefy Cuban slugger is must-see TV every time he digs into the batter’s box. Alvarez figures to be one of the top young stars featured in Topps’ next flagship release.

Two-way stars like Ohtani continue to capture the imagination of fans and collectors alike. Rookies Spencer Strider and Michael Harris II made huge impacts for the World Series champion Braves in 2022 and will likely receive prominent rookie cards from Topps. Veterans like Nolan Arenado, Freddie Freeman, and Jose Ramirez ensure that star power is well-represented from both leagues. Topps never fails to highlight the biggest names in baseball each year, making their annual series can’t-miss products for fans both young and old. With a full 2023 season on deck, this year’s Topps release is sure to feature more unforgettable moments from baseball’s brightest stars.

RARE 2023 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 2023 Topps baseball card set has been highly anticipated by collectors hoping to find valuable rookie cards, short printed parallels, and error cards. While the base cards are readily available in retail packs and boxes, it’s the scarce refractors, autographs, and numbered inserts that hold the greatest potential to increase substantially in value over time. Let’s take a closer look at some of the rarest 2023 Topps baseball cards that collectors will be hunting.

Perhaps the most sought after rookie cards in the 2023 Topps set are those of Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II and Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. Both Harris and Rodriguez had phenomenal rookie seasons in 2022 that have launched them into stardom. Their base rookie cards can be pulled without too much difficulty. The true valuable versions will be short printed refractors, paralleled autographs, and serially numbered inserts that feature these young superstars. Collectors are likely to pay top dollar for gems like a Harris II green refractor /99 or a Rodriguez auto parallel out of only 10 copies.

Aaron Judge exploded into the record books in 2022 by hitting 62 home runs to break the AL single season record. Naturally, his cards from Topps’ flagship release are highly sought. The standard Aaron Judge rookie card can still fetch hundreds of dollars graded and encased. But the ultra-rare items will be parallels like the Judge refractor, which is rumored to have an exceptionally low print run. Numbered to perhaps only a couple dozen copies or less, a pristine Judge refractor could end up as one of the set’s true crown jewels.

Rookies aside, collectors love chasing cards featuring the games’ biggest stars in short printed versions. For example, a Mike Trout rookie refractor or a paralleled auto of superstar Shohei Ohtani would make excellent centerpieces. Topps is also known to spice things up with incredibly rare 1/1 parallel prints that feature today’s top talents. Think a singular copy of a prospect like Gunnar Henderson or SP variant of an MVP like Christian Yelich. With such a limited quantity, these 1/1 cards explode in collector demand.

In terms of serially numbered inserts, keep an eye out for parallels from sets like Topps Chrome, Chrome Update, and Finest. Cracks at stars like Ronald Acuna Jr., Juan Soto, and Mookie Betts on crips refractors could yield significant returns. Low numbered parallels under 10 copies have the greatest potential. Gold /50, black /10, and especially red /5 parallels ignite bidding wars. For the true high-roller collectors, white refractor parallels numbered to just 1 copy are the golden fleece.

Error and variation cards also hold tremendous fascination. Topps is known for an occasional typo in a nameplate or jersey number variation that cause a stir. Much rarer, however, are printing plate errors which see the stamp used to make cards appear on the face of the card. These types of anomalies can rocket in value regardless of the player featured. For 2023, keep an eye out for any news about miscuts, missing signatures, or other production mishaps.

Wrapping things up, online redemption fulfillment cards from Topps also provide an opportunity. While base level auto and memorabilia redemptions may not move the needle much, successful redemptions of 1/1 game used memorabilia cards or extremely low numbered parallel autographs could make for true blue chip prospects. Players like Bobby Witt Jr. or Adley Rutschman may surface in such limited fashion.

While the 2023 Topps release offers many reachable base cards, collectors will no doubt feverishly hunt through boxes and cases looking to land the biggest whales – short printed parallels, numbering 1/1s, distinctive errors, and incredibly low serialized hits featuring the sports hottest young stars and long tenured greats. With some luck and perseverance, one of these rare gems could pay dividends for years to come.

WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC CARDS 2023 TOPPS

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The World Baseball Classic is one of the premiere international baseball tournaments held every four years. Topps has captured each WBC since 2006 through its official trading card releases. For the 2023 edition in March, Topps is set to deliver its most extensive WBC card set yet.

The 2023 Topps World Baseball Classic base card set totals 150 cards featuring players and coaches from the 16 qualifying teams. Topps has secured licensing rights from most of the world’s top professional leagues, allowing for plenty of star players to be included. Reigning champions Team USA will see names like Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, and Mookie Betts featured. Japan’s roster could include Shohei Ohtani and Masahiro Tanaka. Dominican Republic has potential stars like Juan Soto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

In addition to the participating players, Topps also highlights historic figures connected to each country’s baseball heritage with “Moment Cards.” For example, the Dominican Republic moment highlights longtime MLB star David Ortiz. Japan honors legendary pitcher Hideo Nomo, who pioneered Japanese players in Major League Baseball. Topps has obtained new photography for each player rather than reusing stock images from other sets as in past WBC issues.

Rookie cards will be inserted for first-time WBC participants like South Africa, Great Britain, and Brazil. While their young rosters may lack star power currently, these players and countries represent the growth of the global game. For collectors, their rookie cards could gain value as the developmental pipelines strengthen overseas in the years ahead.

Parallel and autograph inserts add to the set’s desirability for loyal Topps WBC collectors and the growing memorabilia market. Topps Finest parallels on premium card stock number to /35 copies. Refractors, available /99, give a shiny texture. “Hit Parade” autographs range from low-numbered premier levels to standard signing bonuses. Topps also confirms “relic” cards containing game-used material from star players will be inserted.

Outside the base checklist, collector-friendly inserts like “Fantasy Top 25” rankings mimic similar sets from Topps’ other flagship releases. Topps Traditions takes a retro-styled photography approach copying vintage aesthetic. For fans of international baseball lore, there are also “Walk Through History” capsules highlighting iconic WBC moments from the past. Overall parallels and inserts increase the total card count above the 150-card base.

Distribution of the 2023 Topps World Baseball Classic set follows a similar release path as prior years with key differences. Hobby boxes contain 12 packs with 9 cards per pack (same as past WBC). Retail “blaster” boxes hold 28 cards with one guaranteed hit or parallel per box. As part of MLB license agreements, Topps can sell WBC products through major retailers in addition to hobby shops. Boxes carry MSRPs comparable to Topps Series 1.

Significantly more product is being allocated this year to keep pace with surging interest in the tournament and growth of the baseball card market overall. Topps indicates hobby box print runs exceeding 50,000 units versus under 30,000 for 2021. Retail blaster availability also dramatically increases. Despite higher print counts versus before, initial release frenzy could lead to box scarcity among flippers expecting future returns once 2023 WBC games air in March.

The 2023 Topps World Baseball Classic set promises to be the most ambitious and collectible WBC release yet from the long-time baseball card license holder. Improvements like new photography, more inserts, autograph and hit cards, plus much wider distribution should make it the most successful Topps WBC set to date for player collectors, team fans, and memorabilia enthusiasts worldwide. With high-profile international talent set to participate and a growing collector base, Topps looks to capitalize on the tournament’s fourth go-round by showcasing the excitement of baseball’s truly global appeal through the hobby of card collecting.

EBAY 2023 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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The release of the 2023 Topps Baseball card set is one of the most highly anticipated issues of the year. As the longest running and most iconic brand in the baseball card industry, each new Topps release is met with excitement by collectors both casual and die-hard. Whether you’re looking to build your favorite player’s rookie card collection or chasing after rare parallels and autographed inserts, the secondary market on eBay will be flooded with new 2023 Topps cards immediately following the official release date later this year.

Topps has been producing annual baseball card sets since 1952, with some of the most valuable vintage cards ever sold originating from the early Topps runs that featured iconic players like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron. Even in today’s modern era defined by inserts, parallels, and autographs, the standard base card rookies and commons from each new Topps series maintain strong collector demand for decades to come. Savvy investors know that purchasing unopened 2023 Topps wax packs or individual rookie cards on release day is a smart long term investment strategy.

While the exact release date for 2023 Topps Series 1 has not yet been announced, collectors can expect packs and boxes to hit retail shelves sometime in late February or early March 2023. Within days, completed eBay auctions will showcase the hot new rookie cards as well as chase parallels and autographs at premium prices. Top prospects like Druw Jones, Termarr Johnson, and Elijah Green are likely to see their rookie cards list for hundreds or even thousands initially before either rising or falling in value based on their MLB debuts and career trajectories. For reference, the Aaron Judge Topps rookie card from 2017 has increased more than 10-fold in secondary market value since his record-breaking 62 home run season in 2022.

As for what collectors can expect to find product-wise, Topps will once again release Series 1, Series 2, Allen & Ginter, Stadium Club, Chrome, and Update series throughout the 2023 season. Specialty parallels like negative refractors, gold foil, sepia, and rainbow foil variants are sure to be crowd favorites. Autograph and memorabilia cards will feature some of the game’s biggest stars and top prospects. Insert sets paying homage to milestones, awards, and all-time greats are also a Topps tradition. And for the first time, Topps is introducing a special NFT component with digital card variants redeemable on the WAX blockchain.

While Series 1 will be the main focus come early 2023, savvy eBay shoppers will want to pay close attention to subsequent Topps releases as well. Rookies that debut later in the season like Gunnar Henderson and Emerson Hancock will see their cards from Series 2, Chrome, and Update lists sky-high initially. Parallels and autographs from those sets featuring established veterans like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Juan Soto will retain long term collector value. And the lower print run specialty products like Allen & Ginter and Stadium Club often yield the most coveted short prints and hit cards.

Whether you’re a veteran collector with an extensive want list or a newcomer just starting to build your collection, keep an eye on eBay in the coming months. The 2023 Topps Series 1 release will unleash a wave of new cards to chase, trade, and add to your longbox. With its unmatched history and brand recognition, Topps remains the foundation that drives the modern baseball card market. Savvy collectors know that acquiring flagship Topps rookies, stars, and chase cards is a proven strategy for building a collection with intrinsic value far beyond today’s prices. The 2023 season is shaping up to be another memorable year in the never-ending quest to complete that Topps rainbow!