2021 Topps Series 1 Baseball Variations Guide

February 17, 2021

2021 Topps Series 1 Baseball variations come in three levels. This is in line with last year’s flagship SP and SSP cards. This time around, though, Topps has included the rarest of the three among the pack odds. They’ve given them a name, too — Ultra Short Prints (which is less confusing that SSSP).

As for what to look for, there are multiple things going on.

On some cards, it’s a basic photo switch. These cover lots of rookies and stars.

2021 Topps Series 1 Baseball Variations Mike Trout

We Are Family: 2021 Topps Series 1 Baseball Variations Themes

For fans of the legends-themed variations, they’re back as well. These replace current players with superstars from the past. The vast majority of these are in the most common level of Short Prints.

They’re joined on the checklist by some top veteran stars and rookies.

The 25 Super Short Prints follow suit with rookies and stars. For the most part, the player selection in the SSP cards is limited to the most collectible players.

One standout theme is also the toughest. The five 2021 Topps Series 1 Baseball Ultra Short Print Variations all focus on a single thing — family. Players are pictured with their dads (or in Mike Yastrzemski’s case, his grandfather), all of whom were major leaguers themselves.

2021 Topps Series 1 Baseball Variations: Codes to Know

Looking for the fastest way to know whether you have a 2021 Topps Series 1 Baseball variation? Flip the card over to the back (and maybe grab some glasses if your eyes aren’t as good as they used to be).

That block of text at the bottom with all the copyright info and legal stuff? There’s something helpful. The CMP code at the end changes based on the card type. Think of it like a tag. Use the last digits of the string to tell different types of cards apart.

When it comes to telling base, SP, SSP and Ultra card types, these are what you need:

Base – 213
Short Print (SP) – 230
Super Short Print (SSP) – 231
Ultra Short Print (Ultra) – 232

Other inserts have different codes, but they’re not important here.

2021 Topps Series 1 Baseball Variations Odds

So just how tough are the variations in 2021 Topps Series 1 Baseball? That depends. Basic Short Prints are tough but not exceptionally. SSP cards are going to be tough to come by, but not impossible. Ultra Short Prints are like the mountain gorillas of Series 1 — exceptionally scarce.

Odds vary depend on the pack type. Here’s a look at the odds across hobby and retail:

Short Print Variations Odds

Hobby – 1:79
Hobby Jumbo – 1:24
Retail Gravity Feed – 1:69
Blaster Packs – 1:79
Hanger Boxes – 1:17
Fat Packs – 1:33

Super Short Print Variations Odds

Hobby – 1:2,348
Hobby Jumbo – 1:715
Retail Gravity Feed – 1:2,049
Blaster Packs – 1:2,347
Hanger Boxes – 1:492
Fat Packs – 1:966

Ultra Short Print Variations Odds

Hobby – 1:88,187
Hobby Jumbo – 1:27,242
Retail Gravity Feed – 1:74,986
Blaster Packs – 1:88,945
Hanger Boxes – 1:18,510
Fat Packs – 1:35,457

Specific print runs have not been announced.

2021 Topps Series 1 Baseball Variations Checklist

If you’re looking for a specific card, click on the links to see what’s currently available on eBay.

Short Print (SP)

Super Short Print (SSP)

1 Fernando Tatis Jr.
12 Joey Bart
13 Mookie Betts
27 Mike Trout
43 Jo Adell
84 Pete Alonso
92 Tarik Skubal
99 Aaron Judge
100 Christian Yelich
112 Nate Pearson
143 Ryan Mountcastle
187 Cristian Pache
197 Nick Madrigal
223 Luis Robert
239 Ian Anderson
250 Bryce Harper
263 Ronald Acuna Jr.
277 Alec Bohm
285 Dylan Carlson
297 Alex Bregman
298 Luis Garcia
319 Triston McKenzie
321 Casey Mize
322 Javier Baez
330 Juan Soto

Ultra Short Print (Ultra)

224 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
227 Mike Yastrzemski
246 Cavan Biggio
247 Ken Griffey Jr.
266 Roberto Alomar

2021 Topps Series 1 Baseball Variations Gallery

Here’s a side-by-side look at variations and their base card counterparts. Easy peasy.

1 Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres

3 Matt Chapman, Oakland Athletics

**SP Variation – wearing t-shirt, standing by bucket**

4 Ernie Banks, Chicago Cubs

10 Daulton Varsho, Arizona Diamondbacks

12 Joey Bart, San Francisco Giants

2021 Topps Series 1 Baseball Variations Joey Bart — **SP Variation – orange jersey, wearing mask**

13 Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers

24 Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies

25 Sixto Sanchez, Miami Marlins

26 Bobby Dalbec, Boston Red Sox

27 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

**SP Variation – swinging, back of jersey visible**

Cal Ripken Jr., Baltimore Orioles

41 Deivi Garcia, New York Yankees

42 Kyle Lewis, Seattle Mariners

43 Jo Adell, Los Angeles Angels

50 Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers

53 Andres Gimenez, New York Mets

65 Isaac Paredes, Detroit Tigers

67 Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

81 Babe Ruth, New York Yankees

84 Pete Alonso, New York Mets

92 Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers

**SP Variation – leg up, number on jersey back visible**

**Base – number on jersey front visible**

95 Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees

99 Aaron Judge, New York Yankees

100 Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers

112 Justin Verlander, Houston Astros

113 Nate Pearson, Toronto Blue Jays

**SP Variation – back of jersey visible**

120 Hank Aaron, Atlanta Braves

130 Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh Pirates

143 Ryan Mountcastle, Baltimore Orioles

150 Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels

151 Evan White, Seattle Mariners

153 Tyler Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds

154 Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox

169 Brady Singer, Kansas City Royals

186 Lou Gehrig, New York Yankees

187 Cristian Pache, Atlanta Braves

192 Manny Machado, San Diego Padres

197 Nick Madrigal, Chicago White Sox

**SP Variation – white pinstripe jersey**

200 Jacob deGrom, New York Mets

205 Luis Patino, San Diego Padres

207 Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals

223 Luis Robert, Chicago White Sox

224 Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays

**Ultra – as child, with Vladimir Guerrero Sr.**

226 Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox

227 Willie Mays, San Francisco Giants

227 Mike Yastrzemski, San Francisco Giants

229 Stan Musial, St. Louis Cardinals

231 Dane Dunning, Chicago White Sox

239 Ian Anderson, Atlanta Braves

240 Nolan Ryan, Houston Astros

241 Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs

242 Derek Jeter, New York Yankees

244 Spencer Howard, Philadelphia Phillies

246 Cavan Biggio, Toronto Blue Jays

247 Ken Griffey Jr., Seattle Mariners

2021 Topps Series 1 Baseball Variations Ultra Rare Ken Griffey Jr. — **Ultra – with Ken Griffey Sr.**

250 Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies

256 Keibert Ruiz, Los Angeles Dodgers

263 Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves

265 Mike Clevinger, San Diego Padres

266 Roberto Alomar, San Diego Padres

266 Tony Gwynn, San Diego Padres

269 Jesus Sanchez, Miami Marlins

**SP Variation – black t-shirt, sitting**

275 Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds

277 Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies

**SP Variation – catching, no Rookie Cup**

285 Dylan Carlson, St. Louis Cardinals

291 Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

297 Alex Bregman, Houston Astros

298 Luis Garcia, Washington Nationals

301 Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants

302 Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers

309 Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians

310 Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays

319 Triston McKenzie, Cleveland Indians

**SP Variation – batting cage in background**

321 Casey Mize, Detroit Tigers

322 Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs

325 Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals

327 George Brett, Kansas City Royals

330 Juan Soto, Washington Nationals

Tags2021 Topps Series 1 Baseball

Ryan Cracknell

A collector for much of his life, Ryan focuses primarily on building sets, Montreal Expos and interesting cards. He's also got one of the most comprehensive collections of John Jaha cards in existence (not that there are a lot of them). Got a question, story idea or want to get in touch? You can reach him by email and through Twitter @tradercracks.

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32 comments

Jonathan Jones 9 February, 2021 at 09:09

Looks like votto has one too
- Ryan Cracknell 9 February, 2021 at 23:22
  
  Thanks! Got him added.
Arthur Kinney 10 February, 2021 at 15:37

Are the cards with no base version shown only available as variations or is there just not an image available for the base card?
- Ryan Cracknell 11 February, 2021 at 18:51
  
  @Arthur – All have base. It takes a lot of time to pull everything together and post it. We give the variation images priority usually because they’re what’s different. But the empty spots are filled in.
Alex Livingstone 10 February, 2021 at 19:15

Hiya! Thanks for the guide! I have a question for you. A friend pulled a Mookie Betts 2 Double (kind of looks like a playing card) from a 2021 Topps Series 1 Jumbo and we are trying to figure out its value. On the front it says No1 of 1 and has a Blue backing. Would you have an idea of the card I am referring too? Thanks
- Ryan Cracknell 11 February, 2021 at 18:53
  
  @Alex – Sounds like a 70 Years of Topps insert. These use different Topps designs through the years. They’re on the main checklist page found here: https://www.beckett.com/news/2021-topps-series-1-baseball-cards/
John V Giacchino 11 February, 2021 at 11:45

I got.a card i can’t find a list for: Luminaries auto on the card of Hank Aaron 5/5. Bottom of card has: through the years. TTY 15. Are these hard to find and what’s the vaule of this card?.
- Ryan Cracknell 11 February, 2021 at 18:55
  
  @John – That sounds like a Topps Through the Years insert. It’s a card of a card and not a real autograph (or numbered to 5). It’s explained here: https://www.beckett.com/news/sorry-these-cards-arent-actual-autographs-or-1-1s-or-patch-cards/
Joker 11 February, 2021 at 21:35

i have a Brady singer sp i don’t see it on the list if you want a picture of it hmu
BD 11 February, 2021 at 23:49

Any idea of what variation ending in 233 would be worth? I found it in the Topps 2021 series one hanger box pack? I can’t find info on the variation code 233 anywhere. It’s a numbered 264/300 Will Smith 57 card. Thanks so much for your help with this.
- Ryan Cracknell 15 February, 2021 at 01:15
  
  @BD – Sounds like an Advanced Stats parallel.
Ron 15 February, 2021 at 09:54

Pulled an Acuña SSP (231 code) …his SSP is not showing on the checklist or as one of the pics
Kevin 15 February, 2021 at 14:37

I hit a Bellinger auto 5/5 On one of the Bellinger inserts. Any idea what that is?
- Ryan Cracknell 16 February, 2021 at 18:45
  
  @Kevin – They’re listed on the checklist here: https://www.beckett.com/news/2021-topps-series-1-baseball-cards/
Randy 16 February, 2021 at 10:07

Got a 233 Steven Matz 160/300
Says major league advanced stat record.
- Ryan Cracknell 16 February, 2021 at 18:48
  
  @Randy – It’s an Advanced Stats parallel.
Nate M 18 February, 2021 at 15:34

Does anyone know how many of each have been manufactured SP, SSP, and USP?
Marcello 20 February, 2021 at 13:04

Are all variations flipped backwards in the packs or or some placed facing forward.?
- Ryan Cracknell 22 February, 2021 at 15:27
  
  @Marcello – Not sure. In the past it has been that way in some pack types.
Mr Antonio R Sorgente 28 February, 2021 at 19:01

is the bryce harper numbered to 300 code 233 an sp? thanka
Michael 6 March, 2021 at 14:22

Trying to find some information on a Cal Ripken Jr. Patch Card Auto #01/10. Any ideas if this is a hit? I haven’t seen much info on the autographed patch cards.
Mike Kennedy 6 April, 2021 at 02:20

@Ryan Crack ell.. Hey bro IDK Sports cards like I did when I was 12 that’s for sure but I pulled a Through the Years Fernando Tatis Jr which I see plenty of but this one is marked n gold on the top left w/ “248/299” & the last 3 on the code read, “252” which doesn’t seem to be mentioned anywhere. It doesn’t look to super cool, but do u know what the 252 is?
- Ryan Cracknell 6 April, 2021 at 08:57
  
  @Mike – It sounds like a Through the Years parallel. The set is on the inserts section of the checklist posted here: https://www.beckett.com/news/2021-topps-series-1-baseball-cards/
Corey 13 June, 2021 at 02:17

Hi there, the proud owner of Tatis shaped sketch card! Can you provide any insight on the card (it’s rarity, value things along those line).

Thanks!
Michael Fredenburg 28 June, 2021 at 10:04

There is an SSP for Card 186 Lou Gehrig. I know because I pulled one. I have not seen one like it anywhere?
Landen r stevens 19 July, 2021 at 17:55

Hi when u get a varia
Liam 20 July, 2021 at 08:45

Hi is my Michael Jordan rookie psa 10 worth anything
Liam 20 July, 2021 at 08:47

What is your favorite team
Jimbo 29 August, 2021 at 20:02

What about the other Jo Adell photo variation for #43?

he’s catching the ball… is that SP or SSP??
- Ryan Cracknell 1 September, 2021 at 18:55
  
  @Jimbo – The ones that are in Series 1 packs are shown here. He also has a variation that’s in every retail factory set shown here: https://www.beckett.com/news/2021-topps-baseball-factory-set-rookie-variations-guide/
  
  Because it’s in every retail factory set, I wouldn’t consider it that rare.
Sz 2 February, 2022 at 09:59

Where do we find info on insert variations?
- Ryan Cracknell 3 February, 2022 at 11:58
  
  @Sz – Details on parallels can be found on the set’s main checklist: https://www.beckett.com/news/2021-topps-series-1-baseball-cards/

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