Panini creates Japanese variation of Masahiro Tanaka Donruss wrapper redemption card

By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor

Panini America has added a chase to the chase for its Masahiro Tanaka cards.

The company was the the first U.S.-based baseball card company to unveil new cards of Japanese star and New York Yankees pitcher with its 2014 Donruss wrapper redemption cards that began shipping to collectors on April 1. 

Now that they have started arriving in collectors’ hands, some cards of the rookie have been found with text printed in Japanese.

The right-hander is 1-0 with a 3.21 ERA and 18 strikeouts in his first 14 innings of MLB play. He is joined by Chicago White Sox slugger Jose Abreu and Kansas City pitcher Yordano Ventura were announced as the three wrapper redemption cards from Donruss, which made its return to baseball cards this season.

Collectors who trade in 24 hobby wrappers (one box’s worth) of 2014 Donruss mylar will receive a three-card pack that completes their set — card Nos. 201-203, three Rated Rookies.

There’s no limit on the number of packs one can trade in.

2014 Donruss Rated Rookie Trade-In
Panini America
5325 FAA Boulevard, Suite 100
Irving, Texas 75061-3601

In Canada, there are two options for collectors to mail wrappers:

2014 Donruss Rated Rookie Trade-In
Universal Distribution
2441 Guenette
Montreal, QC H4R 2E9

2014 Donruss Rated Rookie Trade-In
Universal Distribution
#102 13125 78A Avenue
Surrey, BC V3W 9B6

Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball and Beckett Sports Card Monthly magazines. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.