2018 Topps Series 1 Baseball Variations Gallery, Checklist and All You Need to Know
The 2018 Topps Series 1 Baseball variations continue a longstanding tradition with the flagship set in recent years. The short prints offer a different look to select Series 1 base cards at longer odds. For some SSP cards, it means much longer odds.
With so much to keep track of, let’s help make it a little bit easier for you. Here’s a break down of all the things to look for when it comes to 2018 Topps Series 1 Baseball variation short prints.
2018 Topps Series 1 Baseball Variations – SP vs. SSP Cards
2018 Topps Series 1 variations come in two levels. The more common ones are merely short prints. Although much more rare than regular base cards, you can expect these to pop up with some regularity.
But then there are the 2018 Topps Series 1 Super Short Print variations. These are extremely scarce. Even with the large Series 1 print run, don’t expect to find many of the SSP cards, especially after the initial rush of cards hitting the market dry up.
To get a sense of the differences in print runs, SP cards are 1:54 blaster packs. SSP cards are 1:1,618. SSP variations are tougher than 1:5 hobby jumbo cases.
2018 Topps Series 1 variations do have visual themes, although they may not jump out at you like retired legends or things like the pie cards from a few years ago.
All of the more common SP variations picture players in their warm-up gear. That means things like hoodies and batting practice jerseys.
SSP variations are more vague, but all involved hand gestures (not the 1972 Billy Martin, though).
Variation Codes
Topps cards have a large block of fine print on the back. It’s intended to be copyright info and the plain stuff you usually find in the fine print. And while it’s not intended to be used by collectors, the code at the end of this fine print can be an easy way to confirm whether or not you have a variation.
If you go through your base cards, you notice that the code at the end of the fine print ends in 87. Those are the common cards.
The 2018 Topps Series 1 SP variation code ends in 43. SSP variations end in 44.
Again, identifying variations has never been the intention of these codes but they have become a handy tool in those sets, like this one, where they do vary. And when you have a lot of cards to go through, they can speed up the process and confirm a variation easily.
2018 Topps Series 1 Baseball Variations Checklist
Below is a quick checklist of the confirmed variations. SSP cards are noted in both the checklist and in the gallery. This list is not yet complete and more cards will be added. Topps hasn’t released a full variation list.
If you’re looking for a specific card, click on the link to see what’s currently available on eBay.
1 Aaron Judge
1 Aaron Judge SSP
6 Dominic Smith
6 Dominic Smith SSP
7 Clint Frazier
7 Clint Frazier SSP
10 Francisco Lindor
10 Francisco Lindor SSP
11 Aaron Nola
18 Rafael Devers
18 Rafael Devers SSP
20 Chris Sale
20 Chris Sale SSP
25 Manny Machado
25 Manny Machado SSP
30 Carlos Correa
30 Carlos Correa SSP
33 Dexter Fowler
42 Cody Bellinger
42 Cody Bellinger SSP
44 Trea Turner
50 Anthony Rizzo
50 Anthony Rizzo SSP
58 Ryan Zimmerman
63 Amed Rosario
63 Amed Rosario SSP
68 Billy Hamilton
81 Adam Wainwright
82 Justin Smoak
86 Eric Hosmer
88 Michael Conforto
89 Yasiel Puig
90 Miguel Cabrera
100 Giancarlo Stanton
100 Giancarlo Stanton SSP
102 Wil Myers
105 Daniel Murphy
110 Carlos Gonzalez
118 Ian Happ
125 Yoenis Cespedes
127 Byron Buxton
130 Brian Dozier
132 Marcell Ozuna
140 Mookie Betts
140 Mookie Betts SSP
142 Adam Jones
150 Nolan Arenado
150 Nolan Arenado SSP
157 Ichiro
157 Ichiro SSP
160 Masahiro Tanaka
166 Victor Robles
172 Willson Contreras
173 Mike Moustakas
180 Ryan Braun
182 Alex Bregman
190 Justin Upton
191 Chris Archer
196 Orlando Arcia
200 Andrew McCutchen
200 Andrew McCutchen SSP
220 Nelson Cruz
223 Evan Longoria
225 Kyle Schwarber
225 Kyle Schwarber SSP
226 Nick Williams
226 Nick Williams SSP
233 Stephen Strasburg
238 Jose Bautista
240 Robinson Cano
240 Robinson Cano SSP
245 Willie Calhoun
248 Jake Lamb
250 Buster Posey
250 Buster Posey SSP
254 Adrian Beltre
257 J.D. Martinez
259 Rhys Hoskins
259 Rhys Hoskins SSP
264 Carlos Rodon
265 Javier Baez
265 Javier Baez SSP
267 Yoan Moncada
275 George Springer
276 Ozzie Albies
276 Ozzie Albies SSP
280 Jose Abreu
288 Miguel Sano
290 Salvador Perez
297 Kevin Kiermaier
300 Mike Trout
300 Mike Trout SSP
303 Luis Severino
306 Nicky Delmonico
325 Khris Davis
326 Joey Gallo
330 Ian Kinsler
340 Gary Sanchez
350 Clayton Kershaw
350 Clayton Kershaw SSP
2018 Topps Series 1 Variations Gallery
1 Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
6 Dominic Smith, New York Mets
7 Clint Frazier, New York Yankees
10 Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians
11 Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies
18 Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox
20 Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox
25 Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles
30 Carlos Correa, Houston Astros
33 Dexter Fowler, St. Louis Cardinals
42 Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers
44 Trea Turner, Washington Nationals
50 Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs
58 Ryan Zimmerman, Washinton Nationals
63 Amed Rosario, New York Mets
68 Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati Reds
81 Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals
82 Justin Smoak, Toronto Blue Jays
86 Eric Hosmer, Kansas City Royals
88 Michael Conforto, New York Mets
89 Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers
90 Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
100 Giancarlos Stanton, Miami Marlins
102 Wil Myers, San Diego Padres
105 Daniel Murphy, Washington Nationals
110 Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies
118 Ian Happ, Chicago Cubs
125 Yoenis Cespedes, New York Mets
127 Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
130 Brian Dozier, Minnesota Twins
132 Marcell Ozuna, Miami Marlins
140 Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox
142 Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
150 Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies
157 Ichiro, Miami Marlins
160 Masahiro Tanaka, New York Yankees
166 Victor Robles, Washington Nationals
172 Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs
173 Mike Moustakas, Kansas City Royals
180 Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
182 Alex Bregman, Houston Astros
190 Justin Upton, Los Angeles Angels
191 Chris Archer, Tampa Bay Rays
196 Orlando Arcia, Milwaukee Brewers
200 Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
220 Nelson Cruz, Seattle Mariners
223 Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
225 Kyle Schwarber, Chicago Cubs
226 Nick Williams, Philadelphia Phillies
233 Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals
238 Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
240 Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners
245 Willie Calhoun, Texas Rangers
248 Jake Lamb, Arizona Diamondbacks
250 Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
254 Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers
257 J.D. Martinez, Arizona Diamondbacks
259 Rhys Hoskins, Philadelphia Phillies
264 Carlos Rodon, Chicago White Sox
265 Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs
267 Yoan Moncada, Chicago White Sox
275 George Springer, Houston Astros
276 Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves
280 Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox
288 Miguel Sano, Minnesota Twins
290 Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals
297 Kevin Kiermaier, Tampa Bay Ray
300 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
303 Luis Severino, New York Yankees
306 Nicky Delmonico, Chicago White Sox
325 Khris Davis, Oakland Athletics
326 Joey Gallo, Texas Rangers
330 Ian Kinsler, Detroit Tigers
340 Gary Sanchez, New York Yankees
350 Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
Comments? Questions? Contact Ryan Cracknell on Twitter @tradercracks or by email.
I’m getting really tired of all these variations. It makes building a set a chore I’ll stick with Topps Opening Day instead. Oh wait, those have variations now, too? Is there any simple set to build anymore?
@John — Skip the parts you don’t like, build the things you do like?
I wish Topps would do an all vertical set and make the variations horizontal – thus no confusion
I’d like to second what John Bateman posted. I think it is a great idea — it keeps the set somewhat uniform and limits the number of SP, SSP, SSSP, S^4P, etc. I enjoy seeing the variations; however, I feel as those some of these ultra rare variations should just be a secondary variation (SP) because it’s the flagship set. In other products, especially those high end ones, go ahead an make all the S^xP’s. Just my 2¢.
How are you supposed to know what it is you’re supposed to collect, when you don’t know what’s in the product before you buy it? And isn’t having to flip a card over and read a code in order to figure out what card you have a bit of an insult to our intelligence?
Just pulled a miguel cabrera sp ending in 43. Card number 90
@Stephen — Thanks! Added it to the list.
I personally like the SPs and SSPs, they make fantastic trade bait and also good adds to my PC guys.
Looks like the common theme, so far anyway with the variations, is that the players are pictured in workout jackets or sweatshirts, rather than regular uniforms. Fun to pull, but don’t think i’ll go chasing them. Happy collecting all!
I love the VARIATIONS, the more extra quirks in each set the better.
I have to agree that the SP situation is out of hand. As a setbuilder do you just worry about the cards minus the SP’s? What then if you do manage to pull a few? The most luck I’ve had with SP’s so far was with last year’s update set and three of the cards I pulled actually belonged to the BASE set. Imagine you managed to build a complete base set, SP’s and all, then another handful of SP’s come out? I would have been furious.
I gotta second what John (first comment) said. Topps is killing me with the SPs and SSPs. There are plenty of other products out there for people that like to chase impossible cards, but none for people that just want a comprehensive catalog of current players. It makes getting excited about the most exciting day of the year (Topps flagship release day) very difficult.
Ssp cards are out of hand. I build a master Yankee team set every year and this year judge and Frazier alone will probably cost me at least $300. I can’t afford this anymore, still looking for 2010 pie in face swisher and cervelli. I can’t win.
I’m trying to figure out why having SP’s or the even more rare SSP’s effects any set builder. That is why we have the term “base” set. You aren’t required to include the former in your set. I’m a set builder too, but I love the thrill of pulling one of these Easter eggs. And, as far as the laborious act of turning over the card to read a code, what happened to actually enjoying examining a card in the first place? I actually think Topps does a solid job in accommodating every type of collector, even within their flagship product.
I cannot get excited about a photo of any player in the first place, let alone a different photo, and variations are just Topps way of getting us to spend more money chasing them. I miss inserts that have pizzazz!
Variations are fine, provided that they are “clear”.
The pie in the face stuff was fun and obvious.
The oh look, here’s a variant that you likely won’t notice and maybe you put it with your commons is not.
As a live group break host, it can be tedious, and takes more time as u can’t miss a $300 ‘pointing Aaron judge’ or whatever it may be. It’s one thing if it’s your box, but when u r breaking multiple cases a night with thousands of cards, it’s near impossible to know every single variation, sp, ssp and whatever else. As a collector, i love it. As a host, on air, and the thought of missing one, or having to have my employees spend time wit a magnifying glass to find them, adding time and cost to. The operation, not a fan. I won’t be breaking much of it because of this.
I think the common cards end with 87 not 85!
Sorry. It is loaded with gimmicks and garbage. Worst issue ever, in my book. I bought one jumbo (only because I had $100 in store credit) and got two foils, one /76, 5 RCs (no Judge, no Hoskins), two “relics,” one of them the usual worthless, pointless fake (false advertising?), and a junk autograph. The silver pack cards were no better. Judging by the plunging prices (already!) apparently a lot of folks agree with me.
@Chris — Topps advertises up front that relics are both game-used and manufactured. So some may not like it, but it’s not false advertising. It has been this way with flagship for years.
Is the Arcia sp an uncorrected error? Should not have a rookie card logo.
@Scott — All are likely the same.
I think Topps should do a tribute to MLB players who had past the previous year regardless of how much or how long they played
Getting SP or SSP in Target and Walmart packs are almost impossible to get for those that don’t have access to card shops in their area. Ever see those guys that “feel” every pack?
I think Topps is trying to be like Panini. Tops use to only have a few SP and SSP and they had value to all of them. Panini puts out variations and they overload you with them so there is no value to them Now Topps is over loading them I don’t see the value from them they once had.
Just pulled a Benintendi SSP from a 14.99 Topps 2017 blaster and a Longoria SP from a 2018 blaster from Wal-Mart, so they do exist. I do agree that it’s a bit crazy with all these variations, especially when you are building sets. I also bought a 2018 Jumbo box and got garbage, waste of money ?
Pulled 3 Rizzo SSP, 3 Judge SP,3 bergmen SP
I just pulled a Cody Bellinger SSP out of a Target blaster box. Very happy.
I saw a 2018 Topps Series 1 Ohtani card on eBay, I am not sure if this is a custom made card or an insert in the product. Can you please advise. The seller claims to have more than 10 of these but there are no others like it on eBay…and no number listed in the description. Thanks.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2018-Topps-rare-SHOHEI-OHTANI-RC-VARIATION/162924820590?hash=item25ef13786e:g:5BgAAOSwQglamCiL
@Mike in KC – It’s from the blister pack team sets that just came out. It’s in the flagship design but numbered A-17. Details are here: https://www.beckett.com/news/2018-topps-baseball-team-sets-checklists/
Just pulled an SSP of Clint Frazier (card number 7) from a Walmart $19.99 blaster box. I’m super happy! I feel like I should never buy another pack again because I’ll never find a more rare card or one that is priced so high! … Don’t listen to the naysayers, Topps. Keep going with this concept. It makes you have to examine a card to see if it’s an SP or SSP or a vintage Topps logo before moving on. As a collector I love it!
I just pulled a Brett Gardiner #204 that has a subtle blue hue to it when held beside other #204s I have. Has anyone else seen or noticed this. Would this be considered an error card, or is this just a common inconsistency in printing that I haven’t noticed before.
Went to a LCS to pick up some storage boxes. Felt bad because he was only charging me $1. Crappy transaction for a shop owner. SO I asked if he had any GQ hobby. He said no, the only hobby he had was Topps. I reluctantly bought it to support the guy, because I wasn’t gonna do that set. Pulled a Judge SSP. w00t!! Good Karma comes back around!
Pulled a SSP Nolan Arenado from a retail pack.
Just finished completing a set for Topps Series 1. Still working on Series 2. Love the comment by Chris on Jan 31 @ 9:23. Opening a pack and getting an “easter egg” is what adds to the fun and enjoyment. There is a lot of whining and crying on these posts about keeping up with the variations, SP’s and SSP’s from other set builders. If you dont like identifying the variations, SP’s and SSP’s, then I guess you will need to buy other “vanilla” products that are poorly designed.
I have been building Topps sets since the early 80’s and tried completing the 78 and 79 sets. The 2018 series 1 and 2 are by far my favorite cards. The SP’s, variations, the many inserts, the photography, the coloring, and the abundance of rookie cards make this product the best baseball product on the market. Really looking forward to 2019.
I can’t understand why so many people are upset with variations. If you are a set builder, then build the base set. If you like collecting higher end sets, chase the variations. It gives a little something for every collector, and I love them. They always seem to be themed, so that makes it cool. I just pulled the Aaron Judge pinstriped jersey variation from a thick pack at Rite-Aid. I was shocked and a bit pumped about it. I see a few people on this thread talking about that card, and I am willing to trade or sell it. If anyone is interested, get in touch with me!