Baseball card collecting is one of America’s most popular and enduring hobbies. Each year, Topps produces the flagship baseball card sets that millions of fans eagerly await. Their 2019 offerings did not disappoint, with a variety of products spanning all levels of collectors.
Topps flagship series is always among the most anticipated releases each year. For 2019, Topps continued their long tradition with the release of Series 1, Series 2, and Update in traditional wax pack and hobby box formats. Series 1 debuted in late March/early April, as it does annually. The 525 card base set featured all active major league players along with prospects and past stars. Rookies like Pete Alonso and Fernando Tatis Jr. were highly sought after by collectors. Veterans like Mike Trout, Christian Yelich, and Cody Bellinger landed among the visually striking parallel and short print variants inserted throughout packs and boxes at reduced odds.
Building on the base roster, Topps Series 2 was released in late June/early July with another 500+ card base set highlighting the seasons’ events to that point. Recent call-ups and additional prospects joined the ranks as the mid-season roster shuffle took place across MLB. Veterans maintained insert and parallel placement while new stars emerged, with cards of players like Yordan Alvarez and Brandon Lowe in high demand. Topps Update arrived in late August/September with the usual assortment of rookie cup parallels, postseason statistical updates, and playoff/World Series highlights incorporated into the set which reached approximately 250 cards. All 3 flagship series remained a vital part of the collecting landscape once again in 2019.
While the core Series 1-2-Update releases anchored the Topps baseball release calendar as per usual, the company also delivered an array of popular specialized products. Their Chrome set returned for its 22nd year with its usual refractor parallel inserts adding dazzle to the cards of baseball’s top talents. The Allen & Ginter set saw its seventh Topps release with oddball parallels and player items incorporated into woodgrain framed cards. Heritage Minors released cards of notable prospects in the vintage-inspired design also used for Topps Heritage’s major league set released separately.
flagship products attracted collectors young and old while speciality releases broadened the appeal for subsets of the hobby audience. Topps even began tying directly into current events through timed releases of special cards highlighting key accomplishments during the season. For example, they produced smaller sets focusing specifically on Pete Alonso’s rookie home run record breaking campaign and cards providing postseason statistical updates during the playoffs and World Series.
Upper Deck also maintained a baseball card presence but Topps remained the 800-pound gorilla of the baseball card industry. Their immense catalog of products continued to cater to collectors at all levels in 2019 while keeping the hobby thriving. From value priced Series 1 & 2 wax packs readily found at local stores to high-end memorabilia cards and 1/1 autos from sets like Transcendent and Tribute only obtainable through instant riches Style hits in boxes costing hundreds, Topps had something for everyone.
Several key subsets and insert sets gained traction within the Topps 2019 offerings as well. The Awards and Credentials subset placed veteran star performers in elegant framed cards with embossed logos noting career milestones. Home Run Challenge put players in a photo finish tracking a longball with stats noting their season slugging percentages. Color Blast parallels splashed vibrant hues across the usual black and white designs. Gallery of Greats paid tribute to past legends with nostalgic photo selections. And Sepia parallel inserts gave a historic feel to current start through an aged brown toning effect. Whether collecting setchecklists or chasing favorite players, Topps provided acclaimed presentation.
While the flagship products anchored the release schedule as usual, Topps unafraid to take chances with innovative ideas, Sometimes they succeeded wonderfully and some less so. But willingness to try new concepts ensured the hobby avoided growing stale by catering only to nostalgic sensibilities. The high number of insert sets tied directly into that goal by providing rotating chase cards beyond the base rosters to maintain interest cycle to cycle. And through it all, Topps 2019 baseball managed to honor history while keeping an eye focused on the future by recognizing today’s emerging young stars who will drive the hobby for years to come. With dedication to their core values and adaptation to modern collector preferences, Topps secured another successful year stewarding America’s favorite sport to card collectors everywhere. Whether building full sets or seeking their PC, Topps 2019 had something for all.
In summary, Topps produced another outstanding array of baseball cards in 2019 serving collectors through traditional and specialty releases. While maintaining flagship products as their foundation, new insert sets and timely mini-releases kept the hobby fresh. Topps ensured legends of the past were remembered while also shining a light on stars of the present and future. With something for every budget level and stage of collecting, their 2019 offerings exemplified why Topps remains the leader in the baseball card industry after decades of delivering the sport to fans worldwide in cardboard form. Whether completing rainbow parallels, unearthing rare gems, or simply enjoying the presentation of America’s pastime, Topps 2019 baseball cards provided enjoyment for hobbyists across generations.
