Topps Gets Exclusive Rights for Minor League Baseball

Another license awarded, another exclusive. This time Topps has got the exclusive right for Minor League Baseball. Because I'm pretty busy right now and don't have a lot of time (some may call it lazy), here's Topps' press release in all of its glory:

Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP) and the Topps Company, the leading creator and marketer of sports cards, today announced an exclusive multi-year licensing deal to make Topps the Official Baseball Card of Minor League Baseball.
 
The agreement makes Topps the only trading card manufacturer licensed by MLBP to produce nationally-distributed trading cards of top draft picks and prospects within Minor League Baseball, and will give Topps the rights to names & logos of the 160 affiliated Minor League clubs and current Minor League players in uniform on baseball cards and stickers beginning on January 1, 2010.  In addition, Topps will now have the exclusive use of the Pro Debut logo.  Its first product will be its 2010 Topps Pro Debut Series 1 to be unveiled in early March 2010.
 
“Topps is excited to become the official baseball card of Minor League Baseball as many of the young players today will be stars in the Major Leagues tomorrow,” said Warren Friss, Topps. “Now we’re the only trading card licensed by both Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball and we look forward to a lasting relationship with both Leagues.”

“Topps continues to differentiate itself as the leader within the industry creating superior products for our fans,” said Howard Smith, Senior Vice President, Licensing, Major League Baseball.  “Many fans begin to follow their favorite players as they become standout stars in the Minor Leagues, and a major avenue to build this connection is through collecting their Minor League cards.”
Minor League Baseball and Topps annually recognize the top prospects in baseball with the Topps Player of Month Awards and year-end classification all-star teams.   “We are pleased to extend our long-standing relationship with The Topps Company into licensed trading cards,” said Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner. “This provides us with a unique opportunity to continue recognizing the best and brightest minor league talent while providing our fans and collectors high-quality trading card products.”

Earlier this year, Topps became the first exclusive baseball card company of Major League Baseball in nearly 30 years.  The company looks to expand its ongoing efforts to invigorate the category, continue launching ground-breaking products, improve the retail and collecting experience and make cards more relevant to children.

Some initial thoughts:

• Another exclusive. Why am I not surprised?
• Wait a sec, the combination of Major and Minor licenses could be interesting.
• Pro-debut logo? Puh-lease. Just give me the dang rookie card so my easily confused mind is less confused.
• Re-brand Bowman as a minor league set.
  

Only about a year behind, maybe two.

I've finally put the Trader Crack's Facebook page up. Feel free to be a fan. Or not. I envision working with product previews there to enhance discussions and combine with images better. We'll see how it goes. The platform is so massive that it's hard to ignore (unless you're ignoring it on purpose).

2009 Topps Heritage High Number Baseball Variations Confirmed

Today Topps confirmed a total of six variations were included in the recently released 2009 Topps Heritage High Number Baseball. Although insertion rates were not released, the statement did reveal that they were "extremely rare." What the statement did not reveal was that they're also "extremely unnecessary."

But for those completists out there, here be the variants:

15. Dustin Pedroia, Yankees logo

83. Derek Jeter, Red Sox logo

250. Albret Pujols, All-Rookie Design

545. Neftali Feliz, Black and White Image

563. Pedro Martinez, Black and White Head Shot

569. Alex Rios, Black and White Head Shot

Occasionally, I like variants. In some retro sets, one can use the excuse of an homage that winks at an old error or variation. Even the stupid squirrel in 2007 Topps Baseball was kind of funny (at least to the Yankees fans who know of the squirrel). But seriously, who wants a Derek Jeter card with a Red Sox logo? Jeter fans don't like the Red Sox and Red Sox fans see Jeter as a sworn enemy. It's the same idea with Pedroia. The black and white images - whatever. And why do we need a random rookie trophy of a rookie from 2001?

Upper Deck Gives Back to the Troops

Making the announcement on Veterans Day of all days, Upper Deck is doing their part to send goodies to US troops stationed around the world. Participating in conjunction with "Operation Gratitude," Upper Deck has launched the "Million Pack March for the Troops," where they hope to see one million packs of cards donated in the next year.

Although the company is starting things off by tossing in 100,000 packs, they'll also be looking for donations from collectors and industry types. Part of the plan includes donation drives at major hobby events like the National as well as establishing drop off points at hobby shops. The program will include Upper Deck products in all sports as well as non-sport.

If you have sealed packs of Upper Deck cards you'd like to donate to the cause, they can be sent to the following address:

Operation Gratitude/California Army National Guard
Attn. Upper Deck’s Million Pack Drive to Support the Troops
17330 Victory Boulevard
Van Nuys, CA 91406

This isn't the first time a card manufacturer has sent cards to troops. In 1991 Topps caused a huge stir when they not only sent 1991 Topps Baseball cards to US troops fighting in Operation Desert Shield, they were customized with a special foil logo. As cards began to trickle back, they became an instant hit and still command a decent price today. This PSA 10 Frank Thomas finished for $560 a couple days ago.

iCardz Remembers Canada's War Contributions With Gorgeous Promo Cards

Today is a day where we remember those who fought for our countries and continue to make sacrifices for freedom and the good of humanity even today. Last year iCardz released their first set, Lest We Forget: D-Day, which celebrated the Canadian contributions on the beaches of Normandy. They're also putting the finishing touches on America at War: WWII, which I previewed in September. The manufacturer is also busy getting a follow-up Canadian set ready for the new year: Canada at War: WWI and WWII. To launch the set, iCardz produced a series of promo cards that were distributed in packs attached to a recent issue of Legion Magazine, a Canadian publication that celebrates the country's military and its veterans.

The promo set has a total of 20 cards plus two headers, one for each of the wars. iCardz was kind enough to pass along two of the promo packs to share. They each contained eight cards, seven from the numbered set and one header. Doing some quick math, it'd take three copies of the magazine and a little luck to complete the set. The cards are also skip numbered, so figuring out what you need could be a little difficult. Thankfully, some fine folks over at Non-Sport Update's Card Talk did their homework. The complete set of Canada at War: WWI and WWII promos has the following cards:

LM26
LM27
LM29
LM36
LM40
LM46
LM48
LM55
LM60
LM61
LM63
LM67
LM68
LM70
LM71
LM72
LM96
LM114
LM118
LM125
WWI Header
WWII Header

Design-wise, these cards are gorgeous. The photographs are intense and help tell the story of the wars. The images are sharp and appear to be digitally colored. The name plates and choice of fonts are both very classy. Red plates and backs are for WWI and WWII is accented with blue. Card backs are text driven and contain lots of information.

iCardz project manager Alastair Grant did let me know that these promos do not totally reflect the quality of the final cards. He mentioned the promos were printed in-house, which explains some of the chipping on the edges. The final release of the set will see improved cardstock printed on recycled paper.

Here is a look at some more of the Legion Magazine promos:

 

iCardz has an excellent site for their products that not only has info on the sets but links and content that compliments the cards.

First Details: 2010 Upper Deck Baseball

The mystery of what Upper Deck's going to do without an MLB license is starting to become a little clearer. About a month ago they released preliminary details about how Exquisite inserts would be inserted in all their 2010 baseball releases. Now the breakdown of their flagship set is out, but still no pictures.

The base set will chime in at 600 cards. This is a nice size as long as there's not a lot of subsets. I'm also loving the fact packs come with 20 cards. Sixteen packs make up a box and 12 boxes per case. Each box is set to have one atograph and two game-used cards.

As far as inserts go, there's a little retro appeal with the apparent return of the Baseball Heroes line, this time showcasing Joe DiMaggio. Not surprisingly, there'll be DiMaggio cut signatures as well. 2010 marks the 20th anniversary of the Baseball Heroes line, which brought the first cerrtified autographs to baseball cards. Upper Deck is celebrating the anniversary with one 20th Anniversary art card in every box. There will also be autographed versions.

Even though we laugh a little now at 2008 Upper Deck Documentary, there's a bit of a second swing at it, sort of, in the Season Biography inserts that will fall two per pack. Each day of the season will be given a card. Hopefully the pictures will match the content. Base set gold parallels numbered /99 return once again and once again few will pursue them.

As far as new ideas go, Portraits have me most intrigued. Inserted 1:4 packs, they should be somewhat plentiful. There's also a black and white parallel for the set limited to 99. Here's hoping they're something like the V.J. Lovero portraits from 1996. Other inserts include All World, Pure Heat and throwback-themed 10th Anniversary cards of the 2000 rookie class that never had Upper Deck cards at the turn of the milennium. Expect Johan Santana and others.

The autograph program is highlighted by buyback autographs from the biggest stars 20 years ago. I'm very excited about this and hope it turns out to be like the Topps Fan Favorites sets that mixed big stars with popular characters of the game. Additional autographs will fall under the Signature Sensations banner.

In the continuity department, Gary Sheffield will join Upper Deck's A Piece of History 500 HR Club collection of game-used bat cards. Other game-used cards include basic UD Game Jersey cards and patch parallels limited to 25 copies.

2010 Upper Deck Baseball is scheduled for release the first part of February.

Upper Deck Offers Appeasement for Upper Deck Icons Redemptions

Upper Deck has announced via Facebook that they're tossing collectors a bone for the wait on their 2009 2008 Upper Deck Icons Football redemptions. It seems that they've got some Letterman cards ready to ship out and have added a little something extra: one of six exclusive Brett Favre cards. Yup, six of them. And from the two they've shown, they look pretty swanky.

I'm glad they're doing this. Redemptions still suck but what better way to make them a little less sucky than with some swanky free cards.

If, for some reason you're not connected with Upper Deck on Facebook, they've been offering lots of good info.

(Edit to note that these are 2008 redemptions. What the heck, Upper Deck? Favre can play for the Jets, retire, make a Sears commercial, unretire, sign with the Vikings and  lead the team to an amazing start before you can get some unautographed Letterman cards produced. That's a production issue for the ages.)