See here for a headnote and explanation.
Fanatics — which bought out Topps — recently posted an offering for a complete factory sealed box set for 2023. Here are the details:
- Base Cards (660 Subjects) – Base cards from Topps Baseball Series 1 & Series 2: 660 base cards, 5 rookie cards, 5 base card parallels, 1:3 sets will feature the entire set printed on a limited parallel (unnumbered to 1/1)
- Complete Set Parallel: 1:3 sets. Gold Star – unnumbered. Blue Star – unnumbered, limited to 299. Orange Border – unnumbered, limited to 99. FoilFractor – #’d 1/1.
I’m sure true collectors will understand this, but I’m lost. It’s like they’re speaking a different language.
A quick look at the site indicates in addition to the base set, you can buy a 2023 factory sealed (FS) box of the “Chrome” set as well as “2023 Topps Archives Signature Series Baseball Retired Player Edition Factory Sealed Hobby Box.” I haven’t really looked into it, but I don’t see where you can purchase a complete set of either version.
Like I said in previous posts, I’m not one for all the off-shoots, but I’m seriously thinking about the 2021 Heritage set, which mimics the 1972 design, one of my favorites for its colorful qualities. But then I ask myself, “why?” Good grief, look at all the elements in this one. The base set is 400 cards, but then there’s an additional 325 to get the total up to 725. Why not just sell the whole damn thing for the additional money?
Anyway, on with the show…
This group rivals the previous quintet in terms of stature.
#22: Clayton Kershaw
As the years go by and the game changes, the stats to get into the Hall of Fame seem to diminish. So you look for domination. Sandy Koufax was the game’s best pitcher for a five-year period and that was enough to earn him a spot in Cooperstown even though he won fewer than 200 games. Kershaw — who has been compared to his brother lefty — has “only” led the NL in wins three times and only won 20 twice; as of this writing he has 208 wins with an ERA of 2.48 (ERA — like RBIs — being one of those stats that doesn’t seem to have the same cachet as in generations past. He struck out 200 or more in seven out of eight seasons, included 301 in 2015. Not surprisingly, Kershaw’s age has caught up with him but he’s still an effective elder statesman.
#23: Fernando Tatis, Jr.
Will his career be tarnished by his suspension? That fact was omitted from the card, another indication of Topps not wanting to appear negative in front of the children? Then there’s the injury issue; he hasn’t appeared in more than 130 games in his three-year MLB career. He’s been having a good season in 2023 but it’s not exactly All-Star caliber.
#24: Miguel Cabrera
If it’s possible for a future Hall of Famer to be underrated, I think this would be the poster boy. A two-time MVP and 11-time All-Star, Cabrera just seems like a mensch, someone who has fun with the game and has a personality. Glad he’s getting to have one of those swan-song turns.
#25: Byron Buxton
Unlike Topps, I think I’m going to stop trying to comment on every player (whose card offers enough space). No disrespect meant to Buxton, who seems like a very serviceable player with a relatively high war for not being an every day player.
#26: Trent Grisham
So I think I’ll start here.
is available on Amazon.com,
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