Phillie Phanatic
MLB mascots get their moments in Topps Celebration boxes
The on-field furballs are back on baseball cards this year.
Actually, the mascots never truly left, but Topps' upcoming Celebration boxes for 2025 Topps Series 1 loosen things up and revisit a number of the inclusions in its old Opening Day brand where MLB's other stars at the stadium get baseball cards in the flagship-style Topps design once again.
Cards like this used to be the norm -- something Opening Day introduced back in 2007 -- until Topps ditched the brand for a more-obvious kid-branded Big League in 2023 and then again last year. And, yes, mascots were in play in those releases -- but not with the look of the players on the field ... you know, their teammates.
But Celebration boxes will include Series 1 cards -- and more -- inside when they officially arrive and part of that lineup includes 28 mascot cards ... see 'em all after the jump.
Buzz Buys: New cards, new autos, a new car, old mags, vintage gems, some basics & plenty of WrestleMania stars (duh)
Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.
So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... and it's once again the biggest Buzz Buys ever. (A collection of pick-ups from recent times as well as in the past year or so.)
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A RECORD-SETTER, BUT ...
The Cards: Wander Franco 2022 Topps Living Set (/68,228)
The Price: Direct from Topps (10-pack price)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This one re-wrote the new Living Set record book with its sales volume and I did a 10-pack to hopefully land a copy without centering issues and to maybe grade one or two. It turns out 10 wasn't enough as the front card is closest to centered but it has a cardboard blotch that should nix some top marks and any immediate grading from me. I still might but not right now. With so many made, there likely will be plenty graded in the coming months ... so without an obvious gem I'll wait. This might have been my first Living Set lot direct from Topps since Vladimir Guerrero Jr., so it will probably send me back to hibernation on that brand. We'll see.
Grab a box right here: No boxes for this one ... but MLB boxes are here.Keep reading for more interesting items ...
MLB legends and legendary mascots coming for toy fans
Fans of action figures -- at least retro-styled ones -- and baseball will have some new things to chase later this year.
MLB ReAction Figures will drop in August as part of the Supersports line from Super7 with 11 Hall of Famers in the Classic All-Stars lineup and and three mascots also in tow.
“Growing up, the first thing I ever collected was baseball cards. When I was seven years old, my uncle sent me a complete box of 1978 Topps Baseball Cards for Christmas," said Super7 Founder Brian Flynn. "I loved these baseball cards, and I want to bring that same emotion back to the figures and packaging we are making for our Supersports line of baseball figures. Something that brings you back in time, brings you a bit of unexpected joy and brings a smile to your face.”
Buzz's Pick Six: 2019 Topps Opening Day baseball cards
Have you seen the latest cool cards from a new release? With so many options for collectors of all kinds arriving every week it's possible you haven't. That's where Buzz comes in -- well at least on one brand you'll see here from time to time in what we're calling Buzz's Pick Six. Simply put, here are six cards from a new arrival that seemed interesting to this collector and we think they might interest you, too.
This week's release: 2019 Topps Opening Day baseball cards (arrives Wednesday)
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THE ROOKIE ARRIVES
The Card: Yusei Kikuchi 2019 Topps Opening Day #55 Rookie Card
The Price: Should be affordable ... but could surprise early on
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Take a quick glance at the basic checklist and it should be apparent that this one might be the front-runner upon arrival. It's the MLB Rookie Card for a headline-generating rookie from Japan -- who will make his MLB debut for the Mariners later this month in Japan. He's set to be the starter for the second game of the Mariners' series against the Oakland A's in Tokyo. The 27-year-old is 2-1 with a 4.00 ERA and six strikeouts in nine innings this spring. He's a former Seibu Lins standout who went 74-48 with a 2.81 ERA in eight seasons.Keep reading for five more interesting items in this week's roundup ...
Buzz Break: 2018 Topps Opening Day baseball (hobby box)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2018 Topps Opening Day baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (a few formats)
Packs per box: 36
Cards per pack: 7
Cards in this box: 252
Base set completion: 200 of 200 (100 percent)
Duplicates: 8Notables on base cards – Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, Ian Happ, Justin Verlander, Alex Bregman, Gary Sanchez, Ichiro Suzuki, Nolan Arenado, Josh Donaldson, Carlos Correa, Bryce Harper, David Price, Kris Bryant, Trea Turner, Clayton Kershaw, Mike Trout, Buster Posey, Jose Altuve, Aaron Judge, Corey Seager, Albert Pujols, Andrew Benintendi and everybody else
Rookie Cards (29) – Notables include Shohei Ohtani, Rhys Hoskins, Rafael Devers, Ozzie Albies, Amed Rosario, Clint Frazier, Victor Robles, Miguel Andujar
Buzz Break: 2018 Topps MLB Sticker Collection box
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The pack: 2018 Topps MLB Sticker Collection jumbo pack
Where to buy: Check retail stores for this format
Packs per box: 50
Stickers per pack: 8
Stickers per box: 400
Base set completion: 301 of 301 (100 percent)
Duplicates: 81 (sheets, not total stickers -- some have two)
Triplicates: 9S. Preston's Minimalist Mascots finally get official MLB licensing nod
If you're a long-time reader of The Buzz, you should remember sports artist S. Preston, who focuses on the small details and builds artwork around those little things that sports fans see and appreciate.
After a year of waiting for MLB licensing, Preston's work is back with a new series of Minimalist Mascots prints, which are now available with a focus on the fast and furry-ous stars often found running around the ballpark.
The pieces were part of his portfolio back when we first visited his work in December but could not be sold because they were not licensed. Now, though, they are available to fans.
MLB Stand Up To Cancer auctions include experiences instead of memorabilia
A series of auctions began Sunday via Major League Baseball will help fight cancer while offering the winning bidders the chances to make memories instead of merely adding memorabilia to their collections while helping a cause.
More than 80 listings launched by MLB Auctions will benefit Stand Up To Cancer as well as charities noted by individual teams. Several teams have a few listings noted as part of the program.
What will you get to do as a winner? Well ...
8 Item(s)