I find it very interesting the way Baseball cards differ from other sports, especially collecting tendencies in comparison to Basketball and Football. Topps Update is the third set to use the 2015 Base Design, which I dont think would ever be tolerated anywhere else. However, because Topps Flagship still reigns supreme in Baseball, its not only tolerated, its celebrated.
Here are some of the bigger hits up so far:
2015 Topps Update Ken Griffey Jr Highlight of the Year Auto /25
2015 Topps Update Carlos Correa Black RC /64
2015 Topps Update Rod Carew Rarities Auto /25
2015 Topps Update Noah Syndergaard Auto RC
Personally, I dont identify with set collectors, and honestly, most of the anal retentive characteristics of the individuals are completely foreign to me as a whole. I get that releasing another Topps set plays to the completeness necessity that many collectors experience, and though there is new content outside the base set, its not the main focus.
The extra content is really what I identify with, extra autographs, All Star game cards, and other programs do interest me, especially if they look as cool as some of the designs have in years past. The All Star game cards are especially interesting, as they havent been available in any of the other products. The Baseball ASG is the only one that still is interesting to watch, and cards commemorating participation still resonate as a result.
Additionally, we get the first true flagship rookie for guys like Correa and other members of the enormously productive rookie class. The parallels will sell very well, especially the rarer ones and variations.
My favorite part of the set is the crossover program with Topps Bunt, in the form of rare inserts. I posted a write up here:
Being that these cards are rare and valuable, I will definitely be following along as they surface. These will turn out especially nice for digital cards, and I cannot wait to see what happens. As you can see, they sell for quite a bit, which is crazy for unsigned non-relic cards:
2015 Topps Update Buster Posey Universe Bunt Redemption Code Card /25
As a whole, Update may not be something I am super excited about, but I know there are a lot of people out there who love the rookie aspect of the set. Of course, the standard photo variations and other inserts will always be popular, but maybe this just isnt my set.
Personally, I don’t identify with prospectors and mojo hunters, and honestly, most of the rabid consumption of the corporate marketing hype machine is completely foreign to me. HOWEVER, they can spend their money on whatever they want and collect any way they please, and I won’t insult them for it….
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, I will agree that since Update completes the annual flagship product, there is a sort of obligation to finish what you’ve started. To your point of base/inserts vs. box or case hits, I don’t pay much attention to the autographs etc. because I have very low expectations on actually seeing any. I may buy a couple hobby boxes, or may decide to build the set via retail and trading only. Therefore, the chances of hitting a major value autograph are slim to none. Maybe I get lucky and get one of the variations, but it’s most likely going to be a player from a team I have no interest in. The All-Star game cards are OK, but it would be nice if they didn’t look just like base cards. Put an All-Star banner or a logo that’s a different size than the regular team logo across the photo to make them stand out a little more. I would say the same thing (to a larger degree) is true about the league leader cards. But I digress…
As for the rookies, it’s nice to actually be able to pull a card of one of the “hot rookies” without having it be super short printed. Though I suspect that it happens in some cases anyway, since the last few singles I usually need to finish a base set are the big names.
I don’t pay much attention to the Bunt or game code cards any more. Bunt cards may be nice original designs (or whatever they are), but I like to be able to hold and store my cards next to each other, not look at them on a screen. If you like them, go for it. Makes the code cards tradeable for stuff I need.
They make enough packs for everyone. There’s no need to degrade your fellow collectors. They may have pulled that case hit rookie that you want….
I just said it was foreign to me? I didnt say it was wrong?