2015 Topps Opening Day Mascot Autographs Gallery

2015 Topps Opening Day Baseball includes one of the more-unique card sets in the hobby today — a simple five-card set that packs plenty of punch and plenty of fun.

How? Mascot autographs.

Yep, certified autographs of the famous furballs that can liven things up at the ballpark from time to time. They get their due here with a set of regular cards — and can sometimes be found in other sets such as Topps Stickers — but they go big-time in this one with ink.

In some form or fashion, mascots have appeared on baseball cards since the beginning — a few Old Judge cards from the 1880s have images where the mascot, in those cases a small boy dressed in uniform, can be found alongside players. In later years, particularly in minor league sets, the mascots get their due more and more. Today, it’s not uncommon to find mascots in some brands.

For Opening Day, mascot autos have been an inclusion for the last three years. The 2013 set included autographs from Mr. Met, Phillie Phanatic, Mariner Moose, St. Louis’ Fredbird and Rangers Captain. Last year, The Bird from Baltimore, the Pirate Parrot, Paws from Detroit, Raymond of Tampa Bay fame and Wally the Green Monster got the nod.

This year, five mascots signed on with Topps — Theodore Roosevelt, the Phanatic once again, Billy The Marlin (a past Topps Allen & Ginter subject), another appearance by the Captain and the TC Bear of Minnesota get the nod.