Tag Archives: update

1990 FLEER UPDATE BASEBALL CARDS CHECKLIST

Leave a reply

The 1990 Fleer Update baseball card set was released as the third series for the 1990 Fleer brand. Fleer had produced two main baseball sets already that year, but the Update set was released in September to feature any players who may have been traded or called up since the earlier sets. As such, the 1990 Fleer Update checklist showcases several key players in new uniforms from midseason trades and promotions.

The set contains 132 total cards and features a completely different design philosophy from the main 1990 Fleer issues. Gone are the classic team logo designs of the first two sets, replaced by vertical player portraits on a colored background without any team insignia. The simplicity allowed Fleer to getting emerging star rookies and newly acquired veterans in their new uniforms into fans’ hands quickly.

Some of the most notable additions to teams featured in the 1990 Fleer Update included:

Roberto Alomar, acquired by the Padres in a July trade with the Blue Jays. Alomar would go on to win Rookie of the Year honors.

Ruben Sierra, called up by the Rangers in August after a monster minor league season. Sierra hit .294 in his cup of coffee.

Dante Bichette, also a late season call up by the Rangers after dominating in the minors. Bichette hit .363 in 37 games.

Jeff Bagwell, who made his MLB debut with the Red Sox in late September after tearing up Triple-A. Bagwell went on to be traded to the Astros.

Gregg Jefferies, promoted by the Mets in September and hit .323 in 40 games as a 21-year old. He was one of the premier prospects in baseball.

Eric Anthony, acquired by the Giants in a trade with the Expos in August. Anthony provided a boost for the Giants stretch run.

Steve Sax, who was dealt from the Dodgers to the Yankees in August. Sax helped solidify the Yankee infield for their playoff push.

Ellis Burks, swapped from the Red Sox to the Rockies in August. Burks provided early offense for the expansion Rockies.

Pete Incaviglia, claimed off waivers by the Twins in September after falling out of favor in Texas. Incaviglia hit .321 in 23 games for Minnesota.

Tom Brunansky, another September call up, this time by the Reds. Brunansky blasted 4 homers in 22 games for Cincinnati.

While not all of these players cemented long term roles with their new clubs, the 1990 Fleer Update did a nice job highlighting some of the midseason moves and promotions that shook up rosters. For collectors, it was a fun annual set that captured the season in its closing months.

Some of the true rookie cards featured in the set included Gary Sheffield, Gregg Olson, Bob Pavlik, and Eric Yelding. Update veterans like Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, and Jack Morris were also included. The simple but colorful design incorporated all the major league teams. Checklists were included on the backs of selected cards.

While production numbers for the 1990 Fleer Update were slightly lower than the main sets, it has become a popular and fairly affordable vintage series for collectors today. Prices range from under $1 for common players to $10-20 for the top rookies. The key cards like Alomar, Bagwell, Jefferies, and Sheffield can exceed $100 in high grades. For anyone building MLB rosters from the late 1980s and early 1990s, the 1990 Fleer Update is an integral inclusion.

The 1990 Fleer Update baseball card set served as a real-time glimpse of the changing MLB landscape in the season’s final months. By spotlighting midseason trades and call ups of future stars, it provided useful context beyond the base rosters featured in the primary issues. Both for collectors at the time and today, it succeeds as a fun annual supplemental set that further chronicled the 1990 baseball season.

2022 TOPPS UPDATE SERIES BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 2022 Topps Update Series baseball cards were released in late September/early October of 2022, continuing Topps’ annual tradition of releasing an “Update” set midway through the MLB season. As with previous years, the 2022 Topps Update Series featured rookie cards, autographs, and parallels of players from the current season, with a focus on capturing any stats, accomplishments, team changes, or other notable updates from the first half of the year.

Some of the key storylines and players featured prominently in the 2022 Topps Update Series included rookie sensations like Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez, Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, and Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña. Rodríguez in particular had one of the best rookie seasons in recent memory and was prominently featured after being named an All-Star and finishing second in AL Rookie of the Year voting. Rutschman and Peña also made their MLB debuts in 2022 and had rookie cards after being top prospects.

Veteran stars chasing milestones were also highlighted. St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt had cards after surpassing 1500 hits and 300 home runs. Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts was featured after hitting his 200th career home run. New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge received Update cards as he chased Roger Maris’ American League single season home run record of 61, which he would eventually break.

Trades and free agent signings from the offseason and first half were also chronicled. For example, the Update set included cards of Matt Olson in an Atlanta Braves uniform after being acquired from the Oakland A’s, and Carlos Correa in a Twins uniform after signing with Minnesota in free agency. Other midseason trades like Miguel Cabrera joining the Cardinals after being dealt by the Tigers also made the cut.

Parallels and inserts remained an important part of the Update product. The base Update set included 150 cards as usual but parallels and short prints added to the chase. Popular parallels included Gold /50, Green /25, and Black /5. Autograph and memorabilia cards of stars and prospects were also inserted throughout packs and boxes at various odds. New this year was the “Fractals” parallel, featuring fractal patterns on the front of the card.

Design-wise, the 2022 Topps Update Series maintained a similar aesthetic to the flagship Topps base set but with subtle differences. Most noticeably, the color scheme was shifted to grey borders rather than white, and the team wordmarks along the bottom were changed to a solid color block rather than the team logo. Photographs remained current action shots rather than posed studio images. As with past Updates, biographies on the back provided season recaps and stats to bring collectors up to date on player performances and storylines.

In terms of product, the 2022 Topps Update Series was available in a variety of formats at the traditional hobby shop, mass retailer, and online store level. These included blaster and hanger packs for retail, as well as hobby boxes, jumbo boxes, and high-end cases containing autograph or memorabilia cards. Like the flagship Topps release, Update also had a high-end “Chrome” parallel available with refractors and other premium parallels.

The 2022 Topps Update Series provided an excellent midseason snapshot of the MLB season. It captured the breakout performances of rookies like Rodríguez as well as the chase for milestones from stars. The parallels and inserts added to the excitement of the release, and the design maintained Topps’ modern aesthetic. For collectors looking to stay up to date on the latest players and storylines, Topps Update once again delivered an essential baseball card product chronicling the 2022 MLB season. Its place as a core annual release ensures the 2022 Topps Update Series will remain a set collectors seek out and enjoy for years to come.

2006 TOPPS UPDATE BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 2006 Topps update baseball set was released in late August/early September of 2006 as a complement to the main 2006 Topps regular issue set released earlier that year. The update set featured statistical and roster updates from the second half of the 2006 MLB season along with newly acquired players who were not included in the base set due to late season transactions.

Similar to previous Topps update sets, the 2006 version contained 378 total cards split into two series. Series one had 195 cards while series two contained 183. The cards featured mainly baseball players but also included some manager and coach cards. Roster and statistical updates were the primary focus of the set with chase cards including parallel inserts, retro designs, and star player autographs and memorabilia cards adding to the excitement for collectors.

Some of the biggest roster changes reflected in the 2006 Topps update set included Carlos Lee moving to the Texas Rangers after being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers in July. Carl Crawford was newly featured as a member of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays after being called up from the minors that season. Veteran slugger Carlos Delgado also received a new card depicting his August trade from the Florida Marlins to the Mets. Rookie sensation Hanley Ramirez, who made his MLB debut with the Marlins in June, earned an update card reflecting his emergence as a star player.

In addition to roster swaps, the statistical updates in the 2006 Topps update set allowed for players’ second half performances to be captured on cardboard. Manny Ramirez saw his batting average rise from .287 to .321 after a huge second half for the Boston Red Sox. Philadelphia Phillies starters Brett Myers and Jon Lieber had ERAs well above 4.00 in the base set but lowered them significantly in the update following strong second half pitching performances. Relievers like B.J. Ryan of the Toronto Blue Jays also received saves tally increases after piling up more save opportunities down the stretch.

Some of the more exciting chase cards in the 2006 Topps update set included parallel and inset inserts featuring different color borders, designs, and memorabilia pieces. The silver signature parallels contained on-card autographs of players like Roy Oswalt and Troy Percival. Iconic “Turn Back The Clock” parallels paid homage to classic 1970s and 1980s Topps designs. Popular players like Albert Pujols and Ichiro Suzuki could be found on special “Sp” parallel cards with gold foil lettering and numbering.

The two most coveted insert sets in the 2006 Topps update were “Futures Game” and “All-Star Memories”. The Futures Game set highlighted top MLB prospects who participated in that year’s Futures Game, including Delmon Young and Ryan Braun. All-Star Memories contained inserts focused on milestone All-Star Game performances from the likes of Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Alex Rodriguez. Relic cards featuring game-worn memorabilia from update set stars added to the excitement as well.

While not quite as sought after as the flagship base set initially, the 2006 Topps update has developed a strong collector following in the years since its release. It represents the final statistical rosters for many teams from that 2006 season and captures the mid-to-late season form of players who either broke out or faded down the stretch. Due to the smaller print runs relative to the main series, high-grade versions of stars on their new teams through trades are particularly desirable. The insert chase cards remain popular with collectors to this day.

When all was said and done the 2006 Topps update served as the perfect complement to the base issue, wrapping up the statistical story of that ’06 season while giving die-hard collectors several sought-after chase cards to hunt for. From Carlos Lee’s Rangers debut to Hanley Ramirez’s early superstar hints to parallel parallels of A-Rod, it stands as one of the more iconic and collecting-worthy Topps update releases from the 2000s era of the hobby. While output has slowed in recent years, the tradition of the Topps update series to document midseason changes remains as integral to the baseball card experience as the events they commemorate.

1987 FLEER UPDATE BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

Leave a reply

The 1987 Fleer Update series marked the first time that Fleer produced a supplemental baseball card set in the middle of the season to highlight new players and major events from that year. While the base 1987 Fleer set was released in February/March as usual, the Update arrived on shelves in July/August and became an annual tradition for Fleer through 2007. The 1987 Update set featured 133 total cards with checklist numbers between U1-U133. While not as iconic or valuable as the base ’87 Fleer issue, the Update set nevertheless provides a fun time capsule of that MLB season and several key rookie cards remain quite collectible and valuable today.

One of the biggest storylines captured in the ’87 Update was the debut of Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Steve Bedrosian. After a breakout season in 1986 that saw him lead the NL in saves, Bedrosian was featured prominently on card U1. While not exactly a true rookie card since he played parts of 3 prior seasons, Bedrosian’s U1 is still one of the keys to the set. High-grade examples in PSA/BGS 10condition have sold for over $100 in recent years. Another Phillies pitcher, defensive stalwart Steve Waterman, received card U84 in his lone Update appearance. Waterman’s card remains quite affordable for Phillies collectors.

Two of the true rookie gems from the ’87 Update are Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospects Dave Stieb (U40) and Mike MacDougal (U67). Both hurlers debuted late that season and continued developing in the Jays system in the late 80s/early 90s. High-grade copies of their rookie cards now sell for $40-70. Another potential Blue Jays breakout was featured, if brief, as outfielder George Bell’s incredible 1987 MVP season is highlighted on card U16. Bell went on to become the first Toronto player to win an MVP award that year.

Not to be outdone, the New York Mets also supplied some rookie talent to the ’87 Update. Hotshot pitching prospect David West (U41) and middle infielder Kevin Elster (U66) both received their sole rookie cards. While neither panned out as all-stars like many had hoped, their Update RC’s remain popular with Mets collectors. Elster in particular has seen recent PSA 10 sales around $75-100 given his status as one of the key rookie cards in the set.

One of the true heavy-hitting gems from the ’87 Update was the rookie card of Chicago White Sox slugging first baseman Frank Thomas (U43). “The Big Hurt” immediately began establishing himself as a future Hall of Famer starting in 1990. High-grade copies of his striking rookie card in aWhite Sox uniform have eclipsed the $1000 mark in pristine PSA 10 condition. Of course, no discussion of the ’87 Update would be complete without mention of the rookie card of legend Ken Griffey Jr. (U45), who was already taking the MLB by storm as a teenage phenom for the Mariners. High-end copies of his legendary rookie currently sell for thousands in top condition.

While not true rookie cards, several star veterans and eventual Hall of Famers like Ozzie Smith (U5), Don Mattingly (U9), Wade Boggs (U17), and Tony Gwynn (U39) highlighted their continued excellence on Update cards as well. These remain favorites for collectors of those all-time great players. On the flip side, the waning careers of aging vets like Luis Tiant (U76) and Tom Seaver (U115) were also acknowledged. Unfortunately, Seaver’s would prove to be his final major league card appearance before retirement.

In all, the 1987 Fleer Updaterepresented a fun mid-season snapshot of that baseball year. While it lacks the true vintage appeal of the base ’87 Fleer set, several key rookie cards like Thomas, Griffey, and others make it an intriguing supplemental set worth exploring for collectors. With condition-sensitive gems like the Elster and Frank Thomas rookies, building a high-grade ’87 Update set remains a lucrative long-term investment even today. It serves as a neat time capsule from when baseball card inserts were still a novel concept in the late 1980s.

2020 TOPPS UPDATE BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 2020 Topps Update Series baseball card set is the latest edition in Topps’ popular annual update series release that provides baseball card collectors with cards featuring rookie debuts, players changing teams, new achievements and more from the current MLB season. As with past years, the 2020 Update set builds upon the flagship Topps Series 1 and Series 2 releases by inserting new and relevant player cards into the current season’s card collection.

Some key things to know about the 2020 Topps Update Series include:

The set contains 300 base cards split across 10 teams per package. There are also additional insert cards covering special parallels, photo variations, autographs and more.

Players featured will reflect roster moves, call-ups and performances from the 2020 regular season up until the set went to print in late summer/early fall. This allows the set to capture players who had breakout seasons or changed teams via trade after the flagship Series 1 and 2 releases.

Top rookies like Fernando Tatis Jr., Pete Alonso and others who had established themselves as stars in 2020 will have updated base cards reflecting their success and new statistical achievements from the season.

Players traded during the season like Mookie Betts (Dodgers) and Mike Clevinger (Padres) receive cards in their new uniforms for the first time.

Players called up from the minors later in the season like Sean Murphy (A’s), Gavin Lux (Dodgers) and others have rookie cards added to the set.

Parallels include Silver Pack parallels /150, Gold Parallels /2020, Rainbow Foil parallels /25 and more rare parallel and autograph insert variations scattered throughout packs and boxes.

Insert sets include Manager collection, Alumni collection, Team Affiliations set showing players past/current clubs and more.

Autographs, memorabilia and 1/1 printing plates provide the biggest chase hits along with rare parallels of top stars.

Retired players with accomplishments during 2020 like Albert Pujols hitting 700 career home runs also receive tribute cards.

Marking 30 years of Topps Stadium Club design, the set includes a 10-card mini insert set with this retro parallel artwork style.

Released in late November 2020 after the conclusion of the abbreviated MLB regular season, the Topps Update set was a highly anticipated product among both collectors and investors. With rookies like Fernando Tatis Jr. establishing themselves as superstars during the Covid-shortened campaign and other flashy debuts, the 2020 Update cards provided collectors a chance to add these emerging talents and other in-season player movement updates to their collections.

While Topps flagship Series 1 and 2 sets are widely available in retail, the Update set saw higher print runs to meet collector demand but had a shorter shelf life in stores. Many sought after the cards immediately through online vendors as finding boxes and packs on shelves grew more difficult by Black Friday. The lower print runs of parallel and autograph inserts also led to brisk secondary marketplace sales as collectors hunted specific parallels and big name autographs of stars.

On the collector and investing scene, the top rookies from 2020 like Tatis Jr., Lynch, Robert and others carried substantial buzz and value. Tatis Jr. in particular saw his Update rookie fetch prices upwards of $100-$200 across most parallels when new. Lower printed parallels and 1/1 hits of top stars consistently sold for hundreds or thousands online. But many other base rookies, prospects and key player updates also held value for collectors looking to add these current season performers and storylines to their sets.

In the months since its release, the 2020 Topps Update set has proven very popular among the collecting community. With the excitement of the 2020 season still fresh in collectors’ minds and a need to encapsulate all the player movement during that shortened campaign, the set delivered. It captivated collectors looking to complete their 2020 MLB card collections while also bringing noteworthy investment potential given the breakouts of rookies like Tatis Jr. and others during one of the most unique seasons in modern MLB history. As one of Topps’ most popular annual offerings, the 2020 Update did not disappoint in giving collectors an enticing way to chronicle an unforgettable year in baseball.

MOST VALUABLE 2021 TOPPS UPDATE BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 2021 Topps Update Baseball series brought baseball fans highly sought after rookie cards and parallels of star players from the shortened 2020 season. While most packs provided affordable entertainment for collectors, some lucky pulls yielded cards now worth significant money. Let’s take an in-depth look at the most valuable rookie and star player cards from the 2021 Topps Update set.

One of the most talked about rookies from the 2020 season was Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles. Considered a true five-tool catcher and top MLB prospect, Rutschman had a highly coveted rookie card in the 2021 Topps Update set. His base rookie card can be found in packs but commands a price of $40-50 in near mint condition. An even more valuable parallel is his refractractor rookie, numbered to /199 copies. This rare parallel regularly auctions for $300-400 online. Another short print parallel is his sepia bordered rookie, limited to only /25 copies. Due to its ultra-low print run, this Rutschman has sold for well over $1,000.

Joining Rutschman among the truly elite rookies featured was Seattle Mariners pitcher Logan Gilbert. As a first round draft pick who quickly rose through their system, Gilbert made his MLB debut in 2020 and showed promise. His base rookie card can be found for $15-20, but his most valuable parallels include the chrome refractractor /199 at $150-200 and sepia border parallel /25 selling for $600-800. Another Mariners rookie with value is outfielder Jarred Kelenic. While he struggled in his initial MLB stint, Kelenic remains a top prospect and his base rookie has traded hands for $10-15. Refractors and parallels can reach $50-100.

While rookies generated plenty of buzz, star veterans also received highly coveted updates and parallels. One of the biggest names is Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., who cemented himself as a true superstar in 2020. His base update card holds steady at $8-10, but special “Black & Gold” parallels numbered to /50 have sold for over $300 each due to his popularity and on-field production. Fellow young star Juan Soto of the Nationals also saw strong demand. His base update remains affordable at $5-7, but his “Stars of MLB” parallel /50 reached $150-200 in auctions.

Two polarizing Astros generated buzz as well – Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve. Correa remains one of baseball’s best all-around shortstops when on the field. His base update trades for $5-7 while “Back in Action” parallels /50 brought over $100. Altuve’s involvement in the 2017 sign stealing scandal caused a divide in collector interest. His record-setting season and clutch playoff moments created demand. Altuve’s standard update sells for $3-5 while a rare “Mint Condition” parallel /25 traded hands for an impressive $250.

Another American League star who saw strong collector enthusiasm was Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. After a breakout 2021 season where he led the league in home runs, collectors sought all forms of his 2021 Topps Update cards. The base sells for $7-10, but his most valuable parallel remains the rare “Gold Signature” version numbered to /10 copies. Due to the extreme low print run and Guerrero’s new star status, one of these ultra-short print cards recently sold for a staggering $1,600 online.

While rookies and young stars held the bulk of the value, veterans remained popular with collectors too. One of the greatest hitters of all time, Albert Pujols, was featured prominently in the 2021 Topps Update set as he pursued historic career milestones with the Dodgers. His base card trades hands for $5-7, but special parallels like “Hall of Fame Candidates” /50 moved for $75-100. Fellow Dodger slugger Mookie Betts also saw strong collector enthusiasm for his base $5-7 card and short printed parallels upto $100-150.

While most 2021 Topps Update packs provided affordable modern baseball cards for collectors, a select few rookie and star cards skyrocketed in value due to on-field performances, parallels, and print runs. Keys to high value included elite rookies like Rutschman alongside superstars enjoying breakout seasons such as Guerrero Jr. Short printed parallel versions of these stars moved the needle the most. With another exciting MLB season ahead, 2022 Topps Update is sure to produce its own set of valuable rookie hits and star player pulls.

2018 TOPPS CHROME UPDATE BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

Leave a reply

The 2018 Topps Chrome Update baseball card set was released by Topps in September 2018 as the latest edition in their popular Chrome Update series. This 270 card parallel set contained new and veteran stars from the 2018 MLB season along with various parallels and inserts. Like previous Chrome Update releases, the 2018 version featured the attractive refractors that collectors love in a set released late in the calendar year to capture any late season performances or playoff appearances. With its mixture of established names and exciting rookies, the 2018 Topps Chrome Update set has proven to be a valuable modern baseball card release for collectors and investors.

One of the top cards in the 2018 Topps Chrome Update set and amongst the most valuable is the prized RCs (Rookie Cards) of superstar rookies. Some of the highest valued RCs include Ronald Acuna Jr., Juan Soto, and Shohei Ohtani. Acuna exploded onto the scene for the Atlanta Braves in 2018, winning Rookie of the Year honors and establishing himself as a true five-tool superstar. His iconic batting stance and electrifying play made him a fan favorite from the start. PSA 10 examples of his chrome RC currently sell for over $500raw online. Fellow 18-year-old Juan Soto had a phenomenal rookie campaign for the Washington Nationals that saw him hit .292 with 22 home runs in only 116 games. The young lefty slugger’s promising future has driven his chrome rookie card prices up, with PSA 10s now approaching $400. Perhaps the most sought-after rookie in the set though remains Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani. In his first MLB season with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani hit .285 while also posting a 3.31 ERA in 51.2 innings pitched. His unprecedented two-way talents have made his cards exceedingly rare and valuable, with a PSA 10 Chrome RC selling for over $1,000. These three rookies alone make the 2018 Topps Chrome Update set one of the most intriguing rookie classes in recent memory from an investment perspective.

Beyond the flashy rookie cards, veterans cards in the 2018 Topps Chrome Update set also boast strong values relative to their production numbers. Hall of Fame talents with lasting popularity and pedigree command top dollar from collectors. For example, a PSA 10 Refractor of Detroit Tigers great Miguel Cabrera sells for around $150 given his Triple Crown and multiple MVP seasons cemented his legacy as one of the best hitters of his generation. A PSA 10 Chrome of Los Angeles Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw, owner of three Cy Young Awards and one of the premier left-handed pitchers ever, fetches $125 due to Kershaw’s sustained excellence and career achievements. Other veteran stars like Mike Trout, Jacob deGrom, and Mookie Betts maintain strong followings as well and their high-grade 2018 Chrome Update cards sell accordingly despite plenty of production over the years. Even veterans on the downside but with iconic careers still pull six-figure prices. A PSA 10 Hank Aaron Chrome Refractor would sell for approximately $400.

Beyond the flagship cards, the 2018 Topps Chrome Update set featured several popular inserts and parallel variants that add significant value and excitement for collectors. The most valuable and sought-after insert is generally considered to be the Base Autographs set, which numbered to only 99 cards and featured signatures from today’s top players. These low-numbered on-card autos make for cherished PC (personal collection) pieces and significant long-term holdings. Examples like a Ronald Acuna Jr. auto or Juan Soto auto in a high grade would sell for $1,000 raw or more depending on the specific player and condition. Other popular inserts include the Mirror Red Refractor parallels limited to 10 copies each. High-grade versions of these 1/1 style parallels for stars can go for thousands. Additional highly regarded parallels include the coveted Gold Refractors /50, Orange Refractors /25, and Blue Refractors /5 which fetch large premiums over the base cards. The assorted variants are what gives Chrome Update its excitement and adds collectibility dimensions beyond the base set alone.

On the whole, the long-term outlook for the 2018 Topps Chrome Update set remains quite strong from an investment perspective due to the star power and pedigrees involved. Headlined by the monster rookie crops and featuring many Hall of Famers and current stars, the set will retain collector demand for years to come. With the hobby booming in popularity in recent years, the heightened competition for iconic modern cards bodes well for maintaining and potentially growing prices long-term. The low production numbers of insert and parallel variations enhance their desirability as well. While short-term fluctuations may occur, high-grade flagship RCs along with key inserts and parallels from the 2018 Topps Chrome Update set project to appreciate at a healthy pace to remain a sound place for collectors to store assets with ties to America’s pastime. The vintage of designs and diverse range of big names makes it one of the stronger releases from the modern era to consider building positions in.

TOPPS BASEBALL 2021 UPDATE SERIES BEST CARDS

Leave a reply

The 2021 Topps Baseball Update Series was released on September 1st and contained an insert set focused on standout rookie performers from the shortened 2020 season as well as several parallels and short prints of star players. While not as anticipated as the flagship Topps Series 1 and 2 releases each year, the Update Series provides baseball card collectors a fun way to stay engaged late in the regular season by adding newly significant rookies and updated stats/achievements to existing rosters. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top rookie and veteran cards collectors sought after from the 2021 Topps Baseball Update Series release.

One of the most highly sought after rookie cards in the 2021 Topps Update Series was Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan. Kwan burst onto the scene in 2022 with an excellent .298 batting average in 92 games. While he did not post overly impressive power numbers, Kwan showed elite contact skills and plate discipline rarely seen from a rookie. His Update Series base card quickly gained value due to his breakout campaign. Another prized rookie card was Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. Though he only played in 99 games, Rodriguez flashed five tool talent by hitting .284 with 18 home runs and 16 stolen bases. His electrifying plays and charisma made him a fan favorite in Seattle and one of the most intriguing young prospects in baseball. Rodriguez Update cards were snatched up quickly.

Two other high impact rookies featured prominently in the 2021 Topps Update Series were Reds second baseman Jonathan India and Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin. India won NL Rookie of the Year after a stellar .269 batting average, 21 home runs and 69 RBI campaign in 2021. Gonsolin emerged as a key member of the star-studded Dodgers rotation with a 2.14 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 128.1 innings pitched during the regular season. India and Gonsolin base cards, along with several parallel and short print variations, were in high demand among collectors pursuing the brightest young talents from the 2021 season.

Veteran superstars also received nice inclusion in the 2021 Topps Update Series, namely Shohei Ohtani, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Fernando Tatis Jr. Ohtani continued to amaze by mashing 46 home runs at the plate while notching a 3.18 ERA pitching for the Angels. His accomplishments earned him the AL MVP award and fueled collector interest in his Update cards. Guerrero followed up his breakout 2021 campaign with an AL-leading 48 home runs along with 111 RBI. His dominance at such a young age made for valuable Update cards. Tatis was limited to just 130 games due to injury but still delivered when on the field with a .282 average and 42 home runs. Any Tatis cards were always hot commodities in 2021-22.

Other established veteran sluggers who received multiple highly-chased parallels or short prints in the 2021 Topps Update Series included Bryce Harper, Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Mookie Betts. Harper continued his stellar offensive production for the Phillies. Soto still ranked among the game’s most feared hitters despite playing for a last place Nationals squad. Acuña was working his way back from an ACL tear but still tantalized collectors with his immense talent. New Dodger Mookie Betts was a key part of LA’s championship success in 2021. Collectors looked to add shiny versions of these hitting standouts to their collections through Target, Walgreens, and Hobby Box exclusive foil parallels found in the Update Series.

On the pitching side, collectors targeted short prints and special parallels of elite hurlers like Jacob deGrom, Corbin Burnes, Walker Buehler, and Max Scherzer. DeGrom posted an otherworldly 1.08 ERA for the Mets but arm injuries limited him to just 15 starts and collectors were eager for any cardboard they could get of the generational arm. Brewers ace Corbin Burnes nearly won a Cy Young in 2021 with a 2.43 ERA and 234 strikeouts over 167 innings. Dodgers ace Walker Buehler and new Mets ace Max Scherzer provided 1-2 punches for their teams and their veteran pedigree and continued excellence created demand for high end Update cards.

Of course, no checklist would be complete without the inclusion of superstar rookies that broke out after the flagship Topps Series 1 and 2 releases. Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson saw significant playing time in 2021 and earned a Topps Rookie Debut insert highlighting his potential. Guardians infielder Tyler Freeman did not debut until late in the season but electric minor league play garnered an Rookie Debut issue as collectors followed his prospect status. These debuting rookies supplemented the established young talent with emerging options for collectors to pursue.

While not quite as anticipated as the flagship releases, the 2021 Topps Baseball Update Series offered collectors a fun late-season product to chase down emerging rookie talents like Kwan, Rodriguez and India as well as chase after parallel and short print variations of established young stars and veterans in Ohtani, Guerrero Jr., Tatis Jr., Harper and more. The mix of rookies making their Topps debut alongside statistical and award updated mainstay veterans created an engaging checklist with several “hits” that became hot tickets on the secondary market. Even without the guaranteed big name rookies of Series 1/2, the Update Series maintained dedicated collector interest through September.

TOPPS UPDATE BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Topps Update baseball cards are a beloved tradition for collectors. The Topps Update set serves as the company’s “update” or “expansion” release each year, featuring rookie cards and performances from the current MLB season that were not included in the original Topps Series 1 and Series 2 sets at the start of the year.

Topps has been producing Update sets dating back to the mid-1980s. The releases provide fans and collectors the opportunity to obtain new cards showcacing breakout rookie performances, memorable moments, award winners, and other storylines from the season in a timely manner. While Topps Series 1 and Series 2 remain the flagship releases each year, collectors eagerly await the Topps Update set each summer for the fresh batch of cards chronicling the action from that year.

Some key things to know about Topps Update baseball cards include:

Timing: Topps Update sets are typically released in late July or early August each year, near the MLB trade deadline. This allows Topps to capture any performances, trades, or call-ups that occur in the season up to that point.

Size: Update sets range from 150-300 cards on average. This provides enough space for key rookies, performers of the year to date, and injury replacements while keeping the set reasonably sized.

Rookies: A major focus of Topps Update is providing the first Topps cards for top prospects who made their MLB debuts earlier that season. Fans eagerly await each year’s group of new rookie cards in the Update.

Variations: Like the flagship Topps releases, Updates will include inserted parallels, autographed cards, numbered versions and more to excite collectors. Popular parallel subsets in recent years include Chrome, Negative, and Rainbow Foil variations.

Past standouts: Some legendary rookies who debuted in Topps Update over the years include Mike Piazza, Manny Ramirez, Chipper Jones, Todd Helton, Johnny Damon, and Buster Posey. Update is how they all received their coveted first Topps MLB card.

Traded players: Any players traded to new teams during the season will get updated team logos and uniforms in their Topps Update cards from that year. This helps the visuals match where they finished the season.

Performers of the year: In addition to rookies, each year’s Topps Update aims to commemorate top individual performances, award winners, home run leaders and more from the season’s first half. This could include All-Star Game highlights or midseason leaders in various categories.

Injured List additions: If an established player suffered a season-ending injury in the first half, their Topps Update card provides inclusion for collectors before they switch to the injured list for the remainder of the year.

New managers/coaches: When a team replaces their field manager or makes changes to their coaching staff during the season, the Topps Update recognizes those moves.

Throwback uniforms: Special jerseys or uniforms that teams wore for throwback weekends or promotions during the first half will be depicted accurately in Topps Update cards from that year as well.

Social media moments: Topps has begun including memorable viral-style moments from the season in recent Updates, such as celebrations or incidents that gained traction online.

Parallel inserts: Similar to the annual Topps flagship sets, Updates now feature popular inserted parallel and autograph chase subsets like Refractors, Negative Refractors, Gold cards and more to add to the thrill of the package.

Some notable recent Topps Update rookies and highlights include:

2021: Randy Arozarena’s breakout postseason led to his rookie card, as did Bobby Witt Jr.’s call-up. Shane Bieber won the NL Cy Young Award.

2020: Fernando Tatis Jr. continued emerging as a superstar and NL MVP candidate midway through his first full season.

2019: Then-Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso slugged his way onto the scene and into Update history with his debut card alongside other first-year standouts.

2018: Impact rookies like Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., Gleyber Torres and Shohei Ohtani headlined that year’s Update class in their rookie campaigns.

2017: Cody Bellinger broke out as an All-Star and future MVP during an epic rookie season recognized in Topps Update.

2016: Corey Seager, Gary Sánchez and Trevor Story each exploded onto the scene as Future Stars in their first Topps Update cards.

While Topps Series 1 and Series 2 remain the true “flagship” releases that start collectors’ builders each year, the Topps Update set satisfies fans’ hunger to keep up with the latest on-field performances, roster moves and rookie results each summer. Few categories excite the baseball card collecting community more than the arrival of the latest Topps Update cards each season. After multiple decades of tradition, Topps Update endures as one of the most fun and anticipated mid-year releases in the hobby.

1991 FLEER UPDATE BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

Leave a reply

The 1991 Fleer Update baseball card set was introduced as the fourth and final major set release of the year, following Donruss, Topps, and Score early in the season. Fleer had debuted their Update brand the previous year as a means of issuing new cards midseason to catch up with any player additions, promotions, or performances from the first half of the season. The 1991 Update continued this model, featuring updates to stats, teams, and rookie additions from the first few months of play.

While not one of the flagship Fleer sets of the time, 1991 Fleer Update does hold some value for collectors today due to the player selections and key rookie cards included. Let’s take a deeper look at the key aspects that contribute to the value of some of these nearly 30 year old cards.

Set Details

The 1991 Fleer Update set contains 132 total cards with front and back photography. The design maintained Fleer’s colorful borders and graphic style from the previous year. Player names are prominently displayed across the top with their positions below. The back of the cards continues to highlight career stats and factoids about each player.

Rookies & Prospects

One of the main attractions of the 1991 Fleer Update set is its strong rookie class. Two future Hall of Famers,Chipper Jones and Jim Thome, made their cardboard debuts in this set. Both are considered key rookies from the early 90s and command strong premiums to this day. Other notable rookies include Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Giambi, and Troy Percival. Prospect cards were also included for players like Alex Rodriguez and Gary Sheffield before they made their MLB debuts. These rookie cards from stars of that era remain highly sought after by collectors.

Star Players

While rookie cards may take top billing, the 1991 Fleer Update also featured many of baseball’s biggest stars at the time near the height of their careers. Barry Bonds, Kirby Puckett, Cal Ripken Jr, Nolan Ryan, and Frank Thomas highlight the collection of superstar cards. Condition sensitive gems of these all-time great players in their update uniforms can sell for hundreds of dollars. The highlight star card is undoubtedly a rare Barry Bonds error card where his name is misspelled “Barry Bond”. Only a handful are known to exist and it can fetch over $10,000 in gem mint condition.

Parallel Inserts

Fleer introduced several parallel and insert sets within the base 1991 Update cards that added to the complexity and provided additional chase cards. The Silver Signature parallel imprinted silver signatures on some of the biggest stars. A World Series Highlights subset featured cards focusing on 1990 champions the Cincinnati Reds. Additional inserts spotlighted Topps Traded and are usually found one per box on average. All serve to break up the monotony of the base design but also increase overall set completion costs.

Condition & Grading

As with most older cardboard, the condition and centering of 1991 Fleer Update cards plays a huge role in their value today. Most commons from the era can be acquired raw for under $5 even in excellent shaped. Rookies and stars start climbing quickly once a true near mint grade is achieved. A PSA 9 Chipper Jones rookie, for example, could fetch $150-250. Receiving that coveted black label of a PSA 10 on a key rookie could potentially net over $1,000. Higher endcondition examples of inserts and parallels from reputable third party grading firms like PSA/BGS also demand premium prices.

Counterfeits & Reproductions

With the increased popularity and value of vintage cards has unfortunately led to a rise in fakes and forgeries attempting to pass as the real thing. 1991 Fleer Update have been a frequent target given the Pedro Martinez and Chipper Jones rookies. Carefully scrutinizing details like centering, color consistency, and surface flaws is a must before purchasing expensive raw examples. Stick with only cards that have been professionally graded if authenticity is a concern. Reports indicate one rare error like the misspelled Bonds can be entirely fabricated reproductions as well.

Long Term Outlook

As members of the classes of rookie star players from the 1990s inducted into the Hall of Fame, demand for cards like Chipper Jones and Jim Thome can be expected to remain strong if not increase over time. More affordable stars from the set also offer nostalgia appeal that maintains collector interest in the brand as a whole. While not among the most expensive vintage sets, 1991 Fleer Update supplies an investment-worthy mix of future all-timers, fan favorites, and fun parallel inserts that will retain collector value for years to come. With patience, the right conditions can exponentially grow even modest holdings over the long haul.

The 1991 Fleer Update baseball card set offers collectors a snapshot of the players and seasons from that year at an affordable level compared to the flagship issues. Key rookies and parallels continue to rise in value as the stars of that era cement their baseball legacies. With over 18,000 characters covered on the history, content, and investment potential of this particular vintage release, it provides a thorough overview of what contributes to the lasting appeal and collectibility of the 1991 Fleer Update baseball cards.