The 2019 Topps Walmart Holiday Baseball card set was released by Topps during the 2019 holiday season as an exclusive set sold only through Walmart stores and on Walmart.com. The 300 card set featured modern players from MLB along with holiday themed artwork and designs. It proved to be very popular among collectors, especially those seeking an affordable and festive baseball card product to open during the winter holidays.
The set paid tribute to some of the biggest stars in the game at the time of its release in late 2019. Several of the most popular and highly-produced cards featured Mike Trout, Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger, and Ronald Acuña Jr. Each of these young superstars had recently had incredible seasons and were among the most popular and valuable modern players. Having hits of their holiday themed cards in the Walmart set made these some of the mostly highly sought after by collectors at packs were ripped open.
In addition to current players, the set also included some retired legend cards. A few of the most notable legendary players featured were Babe Ruth, Ken Griffey Jr., Derek Jeter, and Mariano Rivera. Topps did a great job of selecting some of the most iconic and universally beloved players from baseball history to include holiday versions of in the set. Having these legend cards mixed in provided some excitement for collectors who might pull a hit of one of the all-time greats from the past.
Beyond just images of the players, one of the most fun aspects of the 2019 Topps Holiday Baseball set were the uniquely festive card designs. Rather than just standard baseball posed photography, each player card had a fun winter or Christmas theme applied. Examples included players dressed as Santa Claus, opening presents under a tree, building a snowman, ice skating, drinking hot cocoa by a fire, and more. This gave each card a very festive visual feel perfect for the season rather than typical on-field action shots.
In addition to the traditional player base cards, the 300 card checklist also included several insert sets with different themes. One was a 12 card “Presents Under the Tree” set showing players ripping wrapping paper off boxes. Another was an 8 card “Cookie Baking” set depicting players in holiday aprons making treats. And a 10 card “Ornaments” insert featured baseballs as Christmas bulbs. These inserts helped add variety to the experience of opening packs of the exclusive Walmart set beyond just the standard base cards.
The 2019 Topps Walmart Holiday Baseball card set gave collectors an opportunity to grab some affordable family holiday fun while also possibly adding to their modern player collections. With retail blasters selling for around $10-15, it was easily accessible for anyone looking to participate. The festive themes and mix of current stars and legends provided excitement in each pack. While not high end, the set delivered enjoyable holiday baseball cards for fans of all ages and became a seasonal favorite sold only at Walmart stores. It showed the potential of exclusive retailer partnerships for Topps to reach new collector audiences outside the standard hobby shop market. The 2019 Topps Holiday Baseball set was an example of how combining a sport hobby with a winter theme made for a winning formula with collectors.
The 2019 Topps Walmart Holiday Baseball card set offered an affordable and festive seasonal product that collectors enjoyed opening during the winter holidays. Featuring modern superstars and legends in fun winter designs, each pack delivered fun surprise hits. Between the standard 300 card base set checklist and several inserted sets with different themes, there was variety in each pack. Being a Walmart exclusive helped reach collector audiences beyond just the traditional hobby shop market. The set succeeded in providing affordable family holiday entertainment while also building modern baseball collections. Its popularity showed the potential for more cross-promotional licensed sports products tied to annual celebrations. The 2019 Topps Holiday Baseball cards were a hit among collectors seeking festive baseball cards to enjoy during the winter season.