Kenta Maeda
Topps details its plans for Kenta Maeda autographs in 2016 products
When 2016 Topps Legacies of Baseball arrives on March 30, the new brand will include a first-time signer for the company.
That signer is Los Angeles Dodgers rookie pitcher Kenta Maeda, who signed with the team after a successful career in Japan and made his spring debut this past weekend.
“Maeda is a popular player on a big market team with dominant international statistics,” said baseball brand manager Zvee Geffen. “It’s a combination driving excitement for fans everywhere, and Topps is the only place collectors will find his Major League Baseball-licensed autographed cards.”
Kenta Maeda autographs coming in 2016 Topps Tribute
Los Angeles Dodgers rookie Kenta Maeda will be among the notable inclusions when 2016 Topps Tribute baseball cards arrive on July 13.
He was a star in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball with a triple crown, two nods as the top pitcher in the league and five All-Star nods.
But he won't be the only rookie signing on for the brand.
Hobby Notebook (Feb. 22): Topps' future plans & Leaf lands Daisy Ridley
Topps' presentation at this year's Industry Summit included a few nuggets of info ... here are the most-notable items.
National Baseball Card Day will return this year. ... Topps Supreme baseball (above) will not be made this year. ... Topps Mint baseball will be a new addition to the lineup. ... Japanese star Kenta Maeda's autographs will be coming soon. ... Bowman Chrome and Bowman Draft will have new builds when they arrive. ... No physical football card releases are being planned. ... Topps is still pursuing an autograph deal with Star Wars star Daisy Ridley. ... A high-end 65th Anniversary baseball product is in the works.
Leaf Trading Cards' presentation later in the afternoon included a rundown of the dozen hockey brands, eight package memorabilia brands and four football brands it intends to release this year. ... And Leaf has landed a non-sports big one -- it has signed Star Wars star Daisy Ridley to an autograph deal. Her autographs will appear in Pop Century.
Panini America's session is set for Tuesday afternoon.