5 Things to Watch for in 2024 Topps Series 1 Baseball
With the first packs of 2024 Topps Series 1 Baseball broken and cards starting to show up in various places, collectors are getting their first live looks at the first installment of the season’s flagship release.
As always, the set lays the groundwork for the new baseball card season ahead. While there’s plenty to dive into with the checklist, here are a few things worth noting:
Golden Mirror Image Variations Return
If you’re a fan of variations, 2024 Topps Series 1 Baseball has a lot of them. For the second year in a row, every base card gets an SSP version that has a different image.
Outside of the photo, fronts look the same. But you’re not going to need to squint at codes on the back to spot them. Image Variation backs live up to the “golden” in their name.
First Flagship Cards of Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto in New Uniforms
Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto are two of the biggest names to change teams during the offseason. Both got Topps Now cards commemorating their respective signings and trades. While not on the official checklist released by Topps, it looks as though both will make their respective Dodgers and Yankees flagship debuts in 2024 Topps Series 1. Both are shown in a preview video posted by Topps on social media.
It’s not yet known whether these fall under the Golden Mirror Image Variations or something different. Besides not being mentioned on the checklist, they’re not among the odds either if something separate.
Team Color Border and True Photo Parallels
2024 Topps Series 1 Baseball has a few new parallels. Among the most notable, though, are Team Color Border and True Photo. Both take very different approaches.
Team Color Border cards are just that. Instead of the usual smoke, the outer frame acts as a color match to the franchise. Even more noticeable are the team logos running in the background.
These aren’t a full parallel set. Three hundred of the base set’s 350 cards do get the treatment, though.
True Photo parallels go for a minimalist take. Fronts have the player photo and Topps logo, that’s it. No border, no name, team logo, position or those distinct neon highlights. If you’re confused and think their some sort of production error, they’re not.
RIP Advanced Stats Parallels
While there are some new parallels, not all from 2023 made the cut. Advanced Stats versions are among the casualties. Debuting in 2019, these offered a different assortment of analytical statistics on the back and were serial numbered. Their incognito appearance did lead to some collector confusion.
There’s Lots of 2024 Topps Series 1 Baseball to Go Around
If you’re worried about packs and boxes of 2024 Topps Series 1 Baseball running dry, don’t.
While parts of the product have rare elements, the foundation of any flagship Topps Baseball set is the base set. It’s one where print runs really shouldn’t matter. Of course, there are different types of collectors out there and some are going to calculate rough estimates of base card production runs. Others will take deep dives into pop counts. That’s fine. But it’s not required to know that standard cards are anything but rare.
Between all the different types of boxes at hobby and retail, Series 1 has 18 different configurations. So even if your local card shop runs out temporarily, they’ll probably get more. Same with the nearby Walmart, Target, gas station and dollar store. Don’t worry about FOMO. You’re good.
