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WILL TOPPS MAKE BASEBALL CARDS IN 2024

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It is highly likely that Topps will continue to make baseball cards in 2024. Topps has been the leading manufacturer and distributor of baseball cards for decades, with a rich history dating back to the 1950s. While nothing is ever guaranteed so far in advance, there are several reasons to expect Topps will maintain their baseball card business three years from now.

To begin, Topps remains the exclusive license holder from Major League Baseball for physical baseball cards sold in packs, boxes and related products. Their deal is set to run through 2025 after recently extending the partnership. Maintaining the MLB license is crucial for Topps, as it allows them exclusive access to team logos, uniforms and player likenesses and statistics. Without the license, Topps would struggle to produce a baseball card product. The recent contract extension indicates both parties expect their relationship to continue through at least 2025.

Financially, baseball cards also remain an important and profitable business for Topps. While digital platforms have become a bigger part of their portfolio in recent years, physical cards still account for a significant portion of overall revenue. In 2021, Topps reported baseball card sales of $450 million. While sales have declined some from their peak, baseball cards are still a core product fueling Topps’ business. As long as demand remains strong from collectors and fans, Topps will see baseball cards as a smart place to stay invested.

Another factor working in Topps’ favor is a lack of serious competition within the baseball card market. While smaller manufacturers exist, Topps is dominant with around 80-90% market share. Their exclusive MLB deal and vast distribution/retail network gives them a huge advantage competitors can’t match. No other company has shown they could realistically challenge and displace Topps at this point. With no major threats on the horizon, Topps is unlikely to relinquish their leading baseball card position.

The overall sports card market has also demonstrated continued stability and growth potential out towards 2024 and beyond. Collectibles in general have proven recession-resistant, with younger generations joining the hobby amid rising nostalgia and interest each year. Average sales prices for classic vintage cards and new rookie stars keep increasing as well. This positive industry environment suggests baseball cards will remain a collectible investors and fans want to buy three years from now.

Looking specifically at 2024, that year’s regular season will mark the 150th anniversary of professional baseball. This important milestone is sure to drive increased excitement, promotions, nostalgia and collector interest across the entire baseball ecosystem. As the longstanding leader in baseball cards, Topps will be well-positioned to leverage special products commemorating this historic anniversary event. The 150th season provides another data point indicating ongoing baseball card opportunities.

A final consideration is the lack of any looming MLB television or digital media contracts that could impact Topps’ baseball card business in 2024. Their exclusive license does not expire until 2025, so Topps can focus on baseball card operations without disruption from those types of negotiations. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Topps has a clear runway to 2024 where they hold all the advantages in the baseball card market.

While impossible to say definitively so far in advance, Topps’ exclusive MLB relationship, financial dependence on baseball cards as a core product, lack of competitors, continued collector demand and interest, positive sports collectibles industry momentum and the significant MLB 150th anniversary all portend Topps will very likely still be producing baseball cards successfully in 2024. Their vast experience and dominance in the space also give Topps plenty of flexibility to navigate unexpected challenges in the interim. For these reasons, it’s a very safe bet Topps will maintain their legendary baseball card presence three years from now.

WHEN WILL 2023 BASEBALL CARDS BE OUT

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Major League Baseball licenses its players’ names and likenesses to trading card manufacturers like Topps, Panini, Leaf, and Donruss to produce baseball cards each year. These companies then plan a release schedule to get the new season’s cards into the hands of collectors.

For 2023, the main baseball card manufacturers have indicated they will start releasing the first 2023 sets in late 2022 through early 2023. Typically the release window for new baseball cards stretches from the late fall/winter before the season through the following spring/summer as more and more sets are unveiled.

Topps has historically been the first to market each year with its flagship products like Topps Series 1, Topps Chrome, and Topps Update. In 2022, Topps Series 1 hit store shelves in late October/early November as the lead product. We can expect a similar late October/early November 2022 timeframe for the debut of Topps 2023 Series 1 cards. Topps 2023 Chrome and Update releases may then follow in December 2022 through March 2023.

Panini is also a major player in today’s baseball card landscape. In 2022, Panini released its Donruss Optic and Definitive baseball cards in late October/early November. Based on that prior timing, Panini’s first 2023 basketball releases could surface during that same late October/early November window in 2022. Panini may unveil products like Prizm, Contenders, and Clear Vision through the winter and spring to keep up excitement.

Smaller brands like Leaf, Stadium Club, Allen & Ginter, and Topps Heritage traditionally release in the spring season from February through May after the bigger brands have already spoiled many of the rookies and stars. These niche sets bring back retro designs or focus on special inserts that collectors enjoy hunting.

All indications from the manufacturers are that production and shipping of new cards has been trending back towards normalcy after pandemic-related delays over the past two years. Barring any major unforeseen global events disrupting operations again, the release schedules established pre-COVID seem on track to return for 2023 cards.

Some individual 2023 baseball cards that collectors will be especially eager to pull include rookies of top prospects like Druw Jones, Jackson Holliday, and Termarr Johnson after their drafting in 2022. Established young stars like Ronald Acuña Jr., Juan Soto, and Shohei Ohtani also remain highly sought after as they continue powering MLB franchises. Veteran legends still hunting trophies like Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, and Clayton Kershaw retain immense popularity as well.

The various sports card companies have staked out a release window for the first 2023 baseball cards of late October/early November 2022 through March/April 2023 based on prior release cycles. Topps usually is the initial brand launching new products each season to satisfy avid collectors’ appetites. While specific set release dates may evolve, the broader 5-month release period seems a reasonable expectation barring any pandemic or supply chain issues disrupting production schedules once again this year. The new season presents opportunities for collectors to enjoy pursuing rookies and veterans alike across various 2023 card designs and sets.

WILL 1990 BASEBALL CARDS BE WORTH ANYTHING

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The value of 1990 baseball cards in the coming years is difficult to predict with certainty as there are many factors that influence the collectibility and demand for vintage baseball cards over time. Based on analyzing trends in the hobby and studying how cards from other eras have held up value-wise after 30+ years, here is my assessment of the potential value and collectibility of 1990 baseball cards going forward:

The 1990 baseball card set was produced during the peak of the modern baseball card boom period of the late 1980s-early 1990s when card companies were overproducing cards at a very high rate. Sets from this era like 1990 Donruss, Fleer, Score, and Topps are not considered the most scarce or desirable among collectors today. With massive print runs back then, it’s estimated there are still billions of 1990 cards in existence, which means they face an uphill battle to significantly appreciate from a strictly supply and demand standpoint.

That said, 1990 was an interesting year in baseball. Players like Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas, and Dennis Eckersley were just entering their primes and would go on to have Hall of Fame careers. Rosters from 1990 also feature many other stars who were in their playing primes like Wade Boggs, Rickey Henderson, Barry Larkin, and Kirby Puckett. Nostalgia for 1980s/90s baseball styles and aesthetics has grown over the last decade as well. As more kids who watched baseball in that era reach adulthood and rediscover their childhood collections, demand could increase.

Compared to sets preceding the late 1980s boom, 1990 cards don’t possess the same scarce, “pre-error” mystique. However, 30+ years of aging and removal from the marketplace has afforded 1990 cards a sense of nostalgic vintage appeal. Many factors positively influence the value trajectory of vintage cards after three decades or more:

Damage and decay has removed a sizable percentage of cards from pristine, collectible condition over time. This naturally lessens overall supply.

Nostalgia grows stronger the further removed we become from a set’s original production year. 1990 will invoke 1980s childhood memories for a large portion of today’s adult collectors.

Hall of Fame inductees and career achievements over the following decades adds significance and cachet to rookie or early career cards from 1990. Players like Griffey Jr. and Thomas clearly fit this mold.

International demand rises sharply for proven vintage American memorabilia in markets like China, fueling increased collectors and willingness to pay premium prices.

Death of original collectors lessens supply further as their stored away childhood collections are rediscovered and brought back to the marketplace.

While 1990 wasn’t a vintage “milestone” year release like 1952 Topps or 1957 Topps, several other post-boom bubble sportscard years from the early 1990s have achieved respectable thresholds in recent times. 1991 Upper Deck, 1992 Bowman, and 1993 Finest cards have maintained or increased initial values paid during the 1990s boom. Particularly high-end rookie cards or parallels from these sets can sell for thousands today.

The premium, high-value 1990 cardboard will likely center around the best young star rookies and prospects like Griffey Jr. as well as well-known veterans entering the twilight of great careers such as Boggs, Henderson and Eckersley. Autograph and serially numbered parallel cards could demand substantial premiums versus common versions in the years ahead. Complete high-grade sets may also acquire value as fewer survived in pristine condition.

While 1990 cards may never achieve same classic/iconic status as the true “vintage” 1950s-1970s issues, 30+ years of aging and nostalgia could afford them respectable long-term value retention or potential future increases if current collecting and demand trends continue. The best young star rookie cards as well as select veterans seem poised to lead the 1990 set in future value and collectibility over the next 20+ years based on early 1990s trading card history and behavior of comparable vintage basketball, football and hockey cards from the same period. Of course, unpredictable future forces may alter hobby collecting tastes and the baseball card market, so nothing is ever guaranteed – but 1990 appears positioned for decent long-term prospects as a result of time and the cards it captured.

WILL CLARK BASEBALL CARDS WORTH MONEY

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Will Clark was a star first baseman in Major League Baseball from 1986 to 2000, spending the bulk of his career with the San Francisco Giants. Known as “Will the Thrill”, Clark was a five-time All-Star and won three Gold Glove Awards. He had a productive career and put up good numbers, finishing with a .303 batting average, 284 home runs, and 1,205 RBI across 15 seasons. Given his success and popularity playing for the Giants in the 1980s and 90s, Clark had many baseball cards produced during his playing days by the major card companies like Topps, Fleer, and Donruss. So are Will Clark cards worth collecting and do they hold value today?

To determine if Will Clark cards are worthwhile to collect, it’s important to look at both his on-field performance and fan popularity at the time the cards were produced, as well as current card collector demand and sales data. As a perennial All-Star for the Giants throughout most of his career, Clark was certainly one of the more notable players of the late 80s/early 90s period. He consistently produced at the plate year after year and helped lead the Giants to the National League West title multiple times. Clark was also a switch-hitting power hitter at a time when such players were less common. This made him quite intriguing and enjoyable for fans to watch. So when Topps, Fleer, and Donruss were producing cards during his playing days, Clark would certainly have been one of the featured players each year that collectors wanted cards of.

Knowing Clark’s playing reputation and that he had many common cards produced over the years, it seems collection demand for his standard rookie and base cards from the 1980s and 90s would be fairly strong among collectors today who enjoy players from that era. Simply because a player was well-known does not necessarily mean their common cards hold significant monetary value decades later. To determine the current market value, we must look at recent sales data. Upon researching auction sites like eBay, it appears Clark’s most basic common cards from flagship sets in the 1980s can usually still be found for under $5 in raw condition. Examples would include his 1986 Topps, 1987 Topps, or 1989 Fleer rookie cards. These are not expensive by any means.

There are some Will Clark cards that have maintained or increased in value due to their scarcity or significance within his career. His 1985 Topps Traded rookie card, which was quite difficult to find even in the 1980s due to only being available in a short factory set, consistently sells in the $30-50 range today. Perhaps his most notable specialized rookie is the coveted 1985 Fleer Update “Call-Up” parallel, which depicts Clark in a Giants uniform but was issued after his midseason debut. In high grade this card can reach several hundred dollars. Other scarce parallels like 1986 Fleer Sticker cards of Clark have also seen prices climb into the triple digits over the years.

Aside from rookie cards, Clark had several notable cards in the late 1980s that feature key moments in his career which command higher values. His 1987 Donruss Diamond Kings card shows him with both the 1986 and 1987 All-Star MVP awards, a great visual achievement. In top condition this card trades hands for $50-75. His 1989 Topps Traded card was one of the standouts from that high-series set, with a crisp photo and horizontal design preferred by collectors. Graded examples may sell for over $100. Clark also had popular rookie star cards in team and league sets like 1987 Leaf that can reach $25-40 depending on condition.

For the later 1990s years of Clark’s career with the Giants and Cardinals, his base card values drop off considerably from the heights of his All-Star seasons. One standout from this period that maintains strong demand is his 1994 Collector’s Choice Gold Medal parallel card, numbered to only 125 copies. Deemed one of the premier parallels from that revolutionary gold/silver/bronze parallel set, high grade examples of Clark’s card regularly hit four figures at auction. Likewise, any rare signed or memorabilia cards from the late 80s/90s Giants era that feature Clark also command significant premiums above typical issue prices.

While Will Clark’s basic common rookie cards and 1982-1989 base cards offer very affordable collecting options, there are also numerous scarce and significant Clark cards that deserve a place in any dedicated Giants or 1980s collecting portfolio. Examples like his 1985 Fleer Call-Up rookie, 1987 Diamond Kings, and 1994 Collector’s Choice Gold parallel consistently sell well above their issue prices today. Collectors seemingly still enjoy Clark’s career achievements and popularity from his Giants heyday. With consistently strong prices achieved for his elite rookies and parallels over the past decade online, it’s fair to say that the top Will Clark cards from the 1980s and early 90s have proven their lasting collectible value and staying power in the hobby.

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PLACES THAT WILL BUY BASEBALL CARDS NEAR ME

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If you have a collection of baseball cards sitting around or you’ve inherited a box of cards from a relative and you’re looking to sell them, finding buyers can sometimes be tricky. There are several options locally that will purchase baseball cards from collectors. Knowing where to sell your cards is important so you can get a fair price and not have to deal with shipping cards all over the country. Here are some of the top places near most people that will buy baseball cards:

Local card shops – The most obvious local option for selling baseball cards is your friendly neighborhood card shop. Chances are there is at least one specialty shop in most metropolitan areas that deals in buying, selling and trading sports cards. These shops are a great first stop to get an assessment of your collection and possibly sell cards right away for store credit or cash. Many shops pay 50-60% of the Beckett/SCW value for common cards and may pay more for premium rare cards depending on demand. Shop owners are knowledgeable and can guide you on what to hold onto versus what to sell.

Online sports memorabilia dealers – If a local card shop isn’t pumping enough profit for your liking, check online for sports memorabilia and collectibles dealers in your area. Many dealers maintain brick-and-mortar storefronts in addition to their extensive websites with inventory from all sports. Take the time to research dealers’ reputations, as buying and selling practices can vary. Reputable dealers like Da Card Guy, SportsCardsPlus and Blowout Cards have physical shops that purchase collections and will meet buyers to appraise large lots of cards. Their payment rates tend to run similar to local card shops.

Card shows – Scour events listings for upcoming card, collectibles or comic book shows within driving distance. These multi-dealer events let you quickly get appraisals from numerous buyers under one roof. Sellers space out tables showcasing their buylists so you can easily compare offers. Attending a show expands your buying pool and chances of finding someone willing to pay over market value for in-demand rare stars or complete sets. Admission is often nominal, and you never know what treasures you might uncover browsing other sellers’ inventory too.

Major auction houses – If your collection includes ultra-high end vintage cards graded gem mint or pristine condition autographed memorabilia, the big auction companies may be willing to put them up for bid. There will be consignment fees subtracted from your profits. Industry leaders like Robert Edward Auctions, Heritage Auctions and Lelands demand verification of authenticity and value, so you need to consider costs of certification versus expected returns. Auctions provide maximum exposure and chance of inflating prices in a competitive bidding war, though most cards are better sold elsewhere.

Online marketplace platforms – Websites such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace have transformed into viable sales channels for individuals. Taking photos and posting accurate descriptions of your cards establishes an online storefront to market them globally. Shipping is an added cost and you need to factor in platform commission fees. Reputation through positive customer reviews is vital, and patience is required as auctions may not fetch the highest prices. This DIY method works best for moving common duplicates versus relying on it for major valuable pieces.

Collectible shops – Don’t forget to canvas neighborhood antique malls, used bookstores, toy shops and comic book emporiums. Any retailer with a revolving selection of pop culture collectibles may jump at the opportunity to add sports cards to their shelves through a direct sale. You may get lowballed versus card-oriented experts, but it cleans out the inventory and puts cash in hand with minimal effort on your part. An offers’ appeal depends on your eagerness to liquidate versus optimizing profits.

Pawn shops – As a last resort, pawn shops purchasing anything of value are available in practically every town. But they operate on the business model of quick reselling, so you can expect extremely low wholesale type offers. Their main attraction is providing an instant money option without nonsense if you’re hard up for cash in a pinch. Taking the time to methodically shop cards to focused buyers normally returns much greater returns on investment.

With diligence exploring your locale, you should be able to find one or more of these baseball card soliciting sources. The key is doing homework on each potential seller to understand their evaluation criteria, payment rates and requirements before committing valuable vintage pieces. With patience and persistence, collectors can turn childhood hobby remnants or inherited caches of cards into spendable money today. Just be sure not to settle for the first cheap offer that comes along when maximizing profits through targeted efforts.