Set to hit the shelves on June 12, the eagerly anticipated 2024 Topps Series 2 Baseball Cards are ready to elevate the realm of card collecting. This new series injects an additional 350 base cards into the existing 350 from Series 1, expanding the roster to encompass more players, rookies, and key absentees from the prior set like Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Staying true to tradition, Series 2 retains the familiar blend of parallels, short prints, and super short prints from Series 1, while also introducing fresh inserts that build upon the success of their predecessors.
Among the novel features in this series is a short-printed set commemorating Ronald Acuna’s remarkable 40/70 season from the previous year, as well as special All-Star cards harkening back to the 1989 Topps Set, in honor of the 35th anniversary of Topps’ final release in the ’80s.
The face of Series 2 is adorned by none other than Juan Soto, and collectors can choose from two types of Hobby boxes: the traditional option containing 20 packs of 12 cards each, or the Jumbo boxes with ten packs of 40 cards each. Both box variations promise a guaranteed autograph or relic card, alongside silver bonus packs featuring chrome cards, numbered autographs, and parallels to add an extra layer of excitement.
The 350-card base set within Series 2 boasts a diverse array of content, spanning veterans, rookies, Future Stars, League Leaders, and Team Cards, each enhanced with various parallel types:
– Gold Foil Parallel – Exclusive to Jumbo packs.
– Rainbow Foil Parallel – Inserted in 1:10 packs.
– Gold Parallel – Numbered to 2024.
– Blue Holofoil Board Parallel – Numbered to 999.
– Additional parallels such as Purple Holofoil, Green Crackle Foil, and rare variations like Vintage Stock, Independence Day, and Black Parallels exclusive to Hobby/Jumbo packs.
New and returning inserts play a pivotal role in Series 2’s appeal. The lineup features six fresh insert themes, including the coveted 40/70 insert highlighting Acuna’s MVP caliber season, which is a short print solely found in Hobby boxes. Other newcomers like City to City, Around the Horn, and Covering the Field arrive with multiple parallels ranging from Blue to Platinum, extending to Autograph Parallels for selected subjects. The beloved 1989 Topps Baseball design makes a comeback, now featuring new All-Star inserts celebrating the game’s top players and paying homage to the ’89 release.
Noteworthy insert sets making a return from Series 1 encompass Heavy Lumber, Social Media Follow Back redemption cards, Homefield Advantage, and hand-drawn Sketch cards exclusively available in Hobby products. A highly coveted new insert, Platinum Performers, enters the scene representing a super short print.
Continuing to be a highlight, relic cards and autographs are a definite draw for collectors, with offerings such as Baseball Stars Autographs and the fresh 1989 Topps Baseball Autograph Cards, featuring dual and triple autographs as well as exclusive one-of-one Platinum Parallels. The relic section boasts Game-used swatches from City Connect jerseys and Major League Material cards, with parallels extending to Platinum variants.
In essence, the 2024 Topps Series 2 breathes new life into baseball card collecting, blending cherished elements from Series 1 with exciting new inserts, autographs, and relic cards that cater to both seasoned connoisseurs and budding enthusiasts alike.
