Ichiro Suzuki’s 2001 MLB arrival didn’t just change the game on the field — he helped feed growing international demand for baseball cards via plenty of new premium brands that helped pave the way for the ultra-deluxe stuff of today.

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A legendary career and baseball journey on two continents makes its final stop this month in Cooperstown, N.Y., and the Hall of Fame and there’s a lot that can be said about that in several directions. 

Ichiro Suzuki changed the game with his arrival in MLB, eschewing the longball in favor of speed and hits — lots and lots of hits. But, “hits” are also the story of all those years when it comes to baseball cards with the prized rarities found in packs with autographs on them — or pieces of memorabilia in them — being an unstoppable force in those years. 

Of course, hits didn’t start with the Japanese star’s arrival, but many of his cards in sets alongside another now-legendary 2001 rookie, Albert Pujols, helped change the cardboard world even faster. Demand for their stuff prompted several new brands from several companies making MLB cards back then to try new things, capitalizing on their new stars who could move packs and boxes of cards -- just like they could move players around the bases and move butts into seats to watch games. One could argue that 2001 was in part a big piece in the evolution of what we see in today’s sports card landscape -- a focus on rarities with small print runs and with premium prices that weren’t like the wax paper-wrapped pocket-change treasures of not that many years before. 

Now, what’s to come here is absolutely not a definitive list of top cards — and it’s not one purely based on volatile values or one limited solely to Rookie Cards. Why? There’s a lot to choose from for Suzuki on all fronts — there could be several ways to take on this challenge. He has more than 50 different Rookie Cards between his 1993 Nippon Professional Baseball and 2001 Major League Baseball debuts (depending on how you want to argue about RC definitions) and he had roughly 500 cards in 2001 alone. Many of them are rarer cards where it is impossible to own them all thanks to small print runs and rare serial-numbered versions. 

In all, he appears on more than 19,000 different cards made over the years between NPB and MLB -- and even though his playing career ended in 2019 his cardboard career has not. He’s got a place in the game in seemingly every new baseball card set on the way and that figures to be the story for the rest of cardboard eternity. He’s not just a Hall of Famer … he’s an international icon.

Here’s a small sampling of 25 Ichiro Suzuki cards that are both fun and notable.

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The box: 2019 Topps Heritage High Number baseball cards (monster box)
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What: 2020 Topps MLB Attax game cards
Arrives: Initially only via Topps.com (here when available)
Box basics: 62 cards per box
Checklist: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Topps Attax brings MLB back to the gaming realm with this online-first release that allows collectors to play the game while awaiting their next real-world games.

Keep reading for more as well as a full gallery of images.

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The lot: 2019 Topps Update baseball cards (three jumbo packs)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby/jumbo)

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The box: 2019 Topps Heritage High Number baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
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WHICH BOX IS BETTER ... This one or a 2020 Topps Heritage blaster?

The box: 2019 Topps Heritage High Number baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
First Buzz preview, SPs & checklist: Click here

Packs per box: 8
Cards per pack: 9
Cards in this box: 72
Base set completion: 
64 of 200 (32 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Bryce Harper, Alex Verdugo

Rookie Cards (16) – Austin Riley, Michael Chavis, Yusei Kikuchi, Carter Kieboom, Taylor Clarke, Joe Harvey, Nick Margevicius, Jake Cave, Jon Duplantier, Nate Lowe, Alex Jackson, Brandon Brennan, Nicky Lopez, Richard Lovelady, Brendan Rodgers, Erik Swanson (SP)

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WHICH BOX IS BETTER ... This one or a 2019 Topps Heritage High Number blaster?

The box: 2020 Topps Heritage baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
First Buzz preview, SPs & checklist: Click here

Packs per box: 8
Cards per pack: 9
Cards in this box: 72
Base set completion: 
66 of 400 (17 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Cody Bellinger, Carlos Correa, Joe Panik, Zack Greinke, Ryan Zimmerman, Stephen Strasburg, Gerrit Cole, Pete Alonso

Rookie Cards (7 cards, 15 rookies) – Dustin May, Gavin Lux, Austin Nola, Kyle Lewis, Justin Dunn, Jordan Yamamoto, Lewis Thorpe, Brusdar Graterol, Domingo Leyva, Josh Rojas, Alex Young, Zac Gallen, Aaron Civale, Bobby Bradley

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The box: 2019 Topps Gallery baseball cards (blaster box)
Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available)

Packs per box: 8 (seven standard and one Artist Proof pack)
Cards per pack: 4
Cards in this box: 32
Base set completion: 24 of 150 (15 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Shohei Ohtani, Clayton Kershaw, Jose Altuve, Manny Machado, Willson Contreras, Javier Baez, Francisco Lindor, Matt Chapman, Rafael Devers

Rookie Cards (11) – Eloy Jimenez, Yusei Kikuchi, Nick Senzel, Mitch Keller, Brendan Rodgers, Chris Paddack, Elvis Luciano, Daniel Ponce de Leon, Nicky Lopez, Pedro Avila, Luis Arraez

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The box: 2019 Topps Holiday baseball cards
Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: Initially at Walmart; (here when available)

Packs per box: 10
Cards per pack: 10
Cards in this box: 100
Base set completion: 
91 of 200 (46 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Juan Soto, Justin Verlander, Carlos Correa, George Springer, Anthony Rendon, Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Ozzie Albies, Nolan Arenado, Giancarlo Stanton, Corey Seager, Albert Pujols, Noah Syndergaard, CC Sabathia, Anthony Rizzo, Blake Snell, Matt Chapman, Christian Yelich

Rookie Cards (22) – Fernando Tatis Jr., Eloy Jimenez, Will Smith, Mike Yastrzemski, Spencer Turnbull, Trent Thornton, Luis Arraez, Nate Lowe, Austin Allen, Griffin Canning, Corbin Martin, Jeff McNeil, Taylor Clarke, Ryan Helsley, Nick Anderson, Nicky Lopez, Thairo Estrada, Ryne Harper, Jon Duplantier, Brendan Rodgers, J.D. Hammer, Harold Ramirez

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The box: 2019 Topps Update baseball cards
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 25 (24 plus one Chrome pack)
Cards per pack: 14
Cards in this box: 336
Base set completion: 
300 of 300 (100 percent)
Duplicates: 7

Base cards of note – Josh Donaldson, Ronald Acuña Jr., Alex Bregman, Albert Pujols, Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts, Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, Justin Verlander, Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Gleyber Torres, Gary Sanchez, Nolan Arenado, Francisco Lindor

Rookie Cards (108) – Notables include Pete Alonso, Austin Riley, Will Smith, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Nick Senzel, Cavan Biggio, Eloy Jimenez, Jeff McNeil, Keston Hiura, Chris Paddack, Fernando Tatis Jr., Michael Chavis, Carter Kieboom, Brendan Rodgers, Mike Yastrzemski, Yusei Kikuchi, Cal Quantrill

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The box: 2019 Panini Chronicles baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 5 (four standard, one Unparalleled)
Cards per pack: 5 (three in Unparalleled)
Cards in this box: 23
Base set completion: 
1 of 50 (2 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards – Kyle Tucker (RC)

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The box: 2019 Topps Heritage High Number baseball cards (blaster hot box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
First Buzz preview, SPs & checklist: Click here

Packs per box: 8
Cards per pack: 9
Cards in this box: 72
Base set completion: 
55 of 200 (28 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Tyler Glasnow, Yasiel Puig, J.D. Davis

Rookie Cards (12) – Pete Alonso, Chris Paddack (SP), Yusei Kikuchi, Nick Margevicius, Griffin Canning, Jake Bauers, Eric Stamets, Nick Anderson, Travis Bergen, Jason Martin, Josh Sborz, Drew Jackson

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The box:2019 Topps Heritage High Number baseball cards (blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
First Buzz preview, SPs & checklist: Click here

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The box: 2019 Topps Archives baseball cards (hobby box)
First Buzz preview, SPs & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 24
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 192
Base set completion: 
163 of 300 (54 percent)
Duplicates: 4

Notables on base cards – Ty Cobb, Shohei Ohtani, Richie Ashburn, Hideki Matsui, Andrew Benintendi, Al Kaline, Deion Sanders, Willie Stargell, Christy Mathewson, George Kell, Jeff Bagwell, Nolan Arenado, Tony Gwynn, Ichiro Suzuki, Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Catfish Hunter, Ivan Rodriguez, Bob Feller, Josh Donaldson, Thurman Munson, Todd Helton, Ronald Acuña Jr., Hank Aaron, Alex Rodríguez, Bob Gibson, Anthony Rizzo, Orlando Cepeda, Reggie Jackson, Don Larsen, Gary Carter, Goose Gossage, Eddie Murray, Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Rod Carew, Carlton Fisk, Jim Thome, Roberto Alomar, Bob Lemon, Pee Wee Reese, Jackie Robinson, Clayton Kershaw, Johnny Bench, Warren Spahn, Tris Speaker, Don Mattingly, Rickey Henderson, Manny Machado, Corey Seager, George Brett, Tim Raines, John Smoltz, Eddie Mathews, Roger Clemens, Harmon Killebrew, Roberto Clemente, David Ortiz, Joe Morgan, Rogers Hornsby, Gary Sanchez, Willie McCovey, Joey Votto, Babe Ruth, Ralph Kiner, Dizzy Dean, Miguel Cabrera, Sammy Sosa

Rookie Cards (27) – Cavan Biggio, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., Michael Chavis, Ramon Laureano, Yusei Kikuchi, Kyle Wright, Ryan Borucki, Jake Cave, Cole Tucker, Jake Bauers, Kolby Allard, Ryan O'Hearn, Cedric Mullins, Cal Quantrill, Dakota Hudson, Bryse Wilson, Justus Sheffield, Nick Senzel, Carter Kieboom, Josh James, Brad Keller, Michael Kopech, DJ Stewart, Steven Duggar, Chris Shaw, Enel De Los Santos

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The box: 2019 Topps Heritage High Number baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
First Buzz preview, SPs & checklist: Click here

Packs per box: 25 (24 regular, one stamped buyback box-topper)
Cards per pack: 9
Cards in this box: 215
Base set completion: 
190 of 200 (95 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Yasiel Puig, Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows, Byron Buxton, Curtis Granderson, Craig Kimbrel

Rookie Cards (41) – Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Pete Alonso, Eloy Jimenez, Fernando Tatis Jr., Keston Hiura, Carter Kieboom, Nick Senzel, Austin Riley, Yusei Kikuchi, Chris Paddack (SP), Ryan Helsley (SP), Cole Tucker, Elvis Luciano, Joe Harvey, Corbin Martin, Taylor Clarke, Brandon Brennan, Michael Chavis, Nate Lowe, Jon Duplantier, Jake Cave, Richie Martin, Nick Margevicius, Jake Bauers, Eric Stamets, Griffin Canning, Alex Jackson, Skye Bolt, Justus Sheffield, Braden Bishop, Nick Anderson, Travis Bergen, Richard Lovelady, Josh Fuentes, Brendan Rodgers, John Means, Connor Joe, Merrill Kelly, Pedro Avila, Kyle Zimmer, Cal Quantrill

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The box: 2019 Topps Heritage High Number baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
First Buzz preview, SPs & checklist: Click here

Packs per box: 8
Cards per pack: 9
Cards in this box: 72
Base set completion: 
63 of 200 (32 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Austin Meadows, Tyler Glasnow, Yasiel Puig, Craig Kimbrel, J.D. Davis

Rookie Cards (14) – Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., Keston Hiura, Carter Kieboom, Erik Swanson (SP), Jake Bauers, Eric Stamets, Griffin Canning, Kyle Zimmer, Cal Quantrill, Braden Bishop, Skye Bolt, Justus Sheffield, Josh Fuentes

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The box: 2019 Topps Heritage High Number baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
First Buzz preview, SPs & checklist: Click here

Packs per box: 8
Cards per pack: 9
Cards in this box: 72
Base set completion: 
63 of 200 (32 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Bryce Harper

Rookie Cards (15) – Pete Alonso, Eloy Jimenez, Yusei Kikuchi, Corbin Martin, Nick Margevicius, Jake Cave, Travis Bergen, Richie Martin, Nick Anderson, Jason Martin, Merrill Kelly, Pedro Avila, Drew Jackson, Connor Joe, John Means

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The box: 2019 Topps Chrome baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: Click here

Packs per box: 24
Cards per pack: 4
Cards in this box: 96
Base set completion: 
70 of 204 (34 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Kris Bryant, Buster Posey, Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, Trevor Story, Matt Olson, Max Scherzer, Anthony Rizzo, Freddie Freeman, Justin Verlander, Rafael Devers, Joey Votto, Jacob deGrom, Rhys Hoskins, Christian Yelich, Eric Hosmer

Rookie Cards (20) – Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., Yusei Kikuchi, Jeff McNeil, Ramon Laureano, Dakota Hudson, Touki Toussaint, Chance Adams, Cionel Perez, Taylor Ward, DJ Stewart, Josh James, Kevin Kramer, Corbin Burnes, Francisco Arcia, Jake Bauers, Luis Urias, Michael Kopech, Jake Cave, Jacob Nix

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The box: 2019 Bowman Platinum baseball cards (collector's box)
Where to buy: Click here

Packs per box: 20
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 100
Base set completion: 
44 of 100 (44 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Ronald Acuña Jr., Cody Bellinger, Juan Soto, Albert Pujols, Giancarlo Stanton, Max Scherzer, Jose Altuve, Francisco Lindor, Ozzie Albies, David Price, Alex Bregman, Miguel Cabrera, Yasiel Puig

Rookie Cards (14) – Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (SP), Eloy Jimenez (SP), Michael Kopech, Christin Stewart, Dakota Hudson, Corbin Burnes, Touki Toussaint, Justus Sheffield, Chance Adams, Cedric Mullins, Ryan O'Hearn, Danny Jansen, Josh James, Ramon Laureano (no RC logo)

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The box: 2019 Topps Stadium Club baseball cards (hobby box)
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Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today's your day then as we launch 8 in 8 -- a series of a eight breaks of wax boxes and wax packs in as many hours today. We'll post one every hour ... this is Hour 2.

The box: 2019 Topps Series 2 baseball cards (hobby box)
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Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today's your day then as we launch 8 in 8 -- a series of a eight breaks of wax boxes and wax packs in as many hours today. We'll post one every hour ... this is Hour 1.

The box: 2019 Topps Series 2 baseball cards (jumbo)
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What: 2019 Panini Immaculate Collection baseball cards
Arrives: July 24
Box basics: Six autographs or memorabilia cards per box (eight boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Immaculate is back on the field with nothing but hits this time around and plenty of what collectors have come to expect on the jumbo memorabilia front, too.

Keep reading for more info and a full gallery of images released so far.

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The box: 2019 Topps Series 2 baseball cards (standard blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby/jumbo)

Packs per box: 8 (seven standard, one commemorative patch pack)
Cards per pack: 14 per standard
Cards in this box: 99
Base set completion: 
83 of 350 (24 percent)
Duplicates: 5

Base cards of note – Ozzie Albies, Albert Pujols, Clint Frazier, Andrew McCutchen, Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge

Rookie Cards (16) – Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., Yusei Kikuchi, Eloy Jimenez (2), Christin Stewart, Nick Ciuffo, Victor Reyes, D.J. Stewart, Josh Rogers, Myles Straw, Austin Wynns, Jalen Beeks, Noel Cuevas, Dawel Lugo, Tim Hill

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What: 2019 Donruss Optic baseball cards
Arrives: July 17
Box basics: Two autographs per 20-pack box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Panini's newest release for Optic baseball cards continues to pack plenty of ink, plenty of inserts and parallels and four Hot Boxes per case.

Keep reading for more info and a full gallery of images released so far.

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