Topps announces the player redeemable for the 2008 Topps Baseball Series 2 RED HOT ROOKIE Redemption # 4 is Koske Fukudome, Outfield, Chicago Cubs. 

Throughout the remainder of the 2008 Major League Baseball season, Topps will announce the subjects for the 20-card RED HOT ROOKIE program.  Each Topps Series 2 Hobby Box includes (1) RED HOT ROOKIE Redemption, which can be redeemed online at www.topps.com/redemption. 

The cards will be printed on Topps Chrome Refractor technology and shipped to collectors first week of November.

Stay tuned for RED HOT ROOKIE # 5!

Topps announces the player redeemable for the 2008 Topps Baseball Series 2 RED HOT ROOKIE Redemption # 3 is John Bowker, First Base, San Francisco Giants. 

Throughout the remainder of the 2008 Major League Baseball season, Topps will announce the subjects for the 20-card RED HOT ROOKIE program.  Each Topps Series 2 Hobby Box includes (1) RED HOT ROOKIE Redemption, which can be redeemed online at www.topps.com/redemption. 

The cards will be printed on Topps Chrome Refractor technology and shipped to collectors first week of November.

Stay tuned for RED HOT ROOKIE # 4!

Topps announces the player redeemable for the 2008 Topps Baseball Series 2 RED HOT ROOKIE Redemption # 2 is Justin Masterson, Pitcher, Boston Red Sox. 

Throughout the remainder of the 2008 Major League Baseball season, Topps will announce the subjects for the 20-card RED HOT ROOKIE program.  Each Topps Series 2 Hobby Box includes (1) RED HOT ROOKIE Redemption, which can be redeemed online at www.topps.com/redemption. 

The cards will be printed on Topps Chrome Refractor technology and shipped to collectors first week of November.

Stay tuned for RED HOT ROOKIE # 3!

Topps encourages this year’s MLB All-Star FanFest attendees to stop by the Topps Booth for free sample cards, Pack Wars, prizes and a whole lot of fun. (New York, NY / July 11th – 15th)

Topps is also offering several commemorative cards and sets:

Wrapper Redemption Program

Fans and collectors opening three packs of 2008 Topps/Bowman branded baseball cards at the Topps booth will receive an exclusive FanFest Topps card.  There will be 8 different cards.  All will be available throughout the entirety of show.  The subjects are as follows:

1 of 8 TBD, New York Yankees

2 of 8 Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers

3 of 8 Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees

4 of 8 David Wright, New York Mets

5 of 8 Lou Gehrig, New York Yankees

6 of 8 Joba Chamberlain, New York Yankees

7 of 8 Mickey Mantle, New York Yankees (image attached)

8 of 8 Johan Santana, New York Mets

2008 Topps Baseball Complete Set (Special All-Star Packaging)

Fans and collectors can stop by the Topps Booth and purchase a unique 2008 Topps Baseball Complete Set featured in a commemorative 2008 All-Star box.  As a bonus, the set includes five exclusive Yankee Legends cards (cards 1-5).

Yankee Legends (cards 6-10)

With each purchase of the 2008 Topps Complete Set (All-Star Ed.), Topps will give collectors an additional 5-card set, produced just for the 2008 All-Star FanFest. 

6 Alex Rodriguez

7 Joba Chamberlain

8 Chien Ming Wang

9 Mariano Rivera

10 Jorge Posada

In an effort to improve the ease in which consumers can exchange redemption cards, Topps announced today that 2008 Topps Baseball Series 2 will mark the launch of Topps Online Redemption Program.

"Our number one priority is to completely eliminate redemptions from our products,” Marketing Director Mark Sapir said. “Although we have made progress in this direction, sometimes redemptions are unavoidable.  We believe this new online redemption system will allow for a quicker, easier and improved redemption process for our collectors."

Beginning with Topps Baseball Series 2, all redemption cards will contain a unique alpha-numeric code on the back that can be entered at www.topps.com/redemptions.  After entering the code, the site will allow customers to track the status of their redemptions and send an automatic update when redemptions are shipped.

"We believe this is a step in the right direction and we will continue to focus on improving our customer experience across all facets of our business," Topps General Manager Warren Friss said.

Topps announces the player redeemable for the 2008 Topps Baseball Series 2 RED HOT ROOKIE Redemption # 1 is Jay Bruce, Outfielder, Cincinnati Reds.  Bruce’s card will be autographed on-card! 

Throughout the remainder of the 2008 Major League Baseball season, Topps will announce the subjects for the 20-card RED HOT ROOKIE program.  Each Topps Series 2 Hobby Box includes (1) RED HOT ROOKIE Redemption, which can be redeemed online at www.topps.com/redemption. 

The cards will be printed on Topps Chrome Refractor technology and shipped to collectors first week of November.

Stay tuned for RED HOT ROOKIE # 2!

TOPPS 2.0 -TRADING CARDS COME TO LIFE WITH TOPPS TOWN, A NEW ONLINE VIRTUAL WORLD FOR KIDS

New York, June 2, 2008 – The Topps Company, the leading creator and marketer of sports and related cards, entertainment products, and distinctive candy and gum today unveiled Topps Town (www.toppstown.com), a new online virtual sports community that will forever change and enhance the way sports cards are collected and traded.  Topps Town went live yesterday, June 1 at 9AM EDT.

Topps Town will bring together the popularity of trading cards with the exploding world of web-based social networking to create the first online sports community for kids. Integrating the iconic teams and superstars from the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball through special licensing agreements with the leagues, Topps Town will be the hottest destination on the Internet for young fans.

To unlock Topps Town, collectors will need special Topps Town code cards found in one of every two packs of 2008 Topps Series #2 baseball cards.  They will then visit www.toppstown.com where they will have the opportunity to take the action beyond the pack as they collect; trade and play online with friends. Topps Town will let children create their own avatars, play a wide selection of sports games and accumulate Topps points which can be spent in the Topps Town Pro-Shop to acquire cool items to personalize their own clubhouse.

 “Topps Town was created to meet the demands of today’s youth,” said Michael Eisner. “As the media landscape continues to evolve, Topps is committed to delivering quality online content that will innovate and reinvigorate the trading card industry and help establish this iconic company as a leader in the digital space.”

“Topps Town is a fun and totally unique interactive experience designed specifically for today’s savvy generation of young boys and girls,” said Scott Silverstein, CEO and president of Topps. “This destination website will give kids a common place to share their enthusiasm and excitement for Topps cards, in a new 21st century way.”

To unlock your very own Topps Town, cards are available in 2008 Topps Baseball Series # 2, now on sale. 

About The Topps Company, Inc.

Founded in 1938, Topps is a leading creator and marketer of sports and related cards, entertainment products, and distinctive confectionery. Topps entertainment products include Major League Baseball, NFL, NBA and other trading cards, sticker album collections, and collectible games. The Company's confectionery brands include "Bazooka" bubble gum, "Ring Pop," "Push Pop," "Baby Bottle Pop" and "Juicy Drop Pop" lollipops. For additional information, visit www.topps.com.

Topps announces the player redeemable for the 2008 Topps Finest Baseball Rookie Card Redemption # 2 is Jay Bruce, Outfielder, Cincinnati Reds.  Bruce’s card will be autographed! 

Throughout the 2008 Major League Baseball season, Topps will announce the subjects for the 10-card Rookie Redemption set.  Each Master Box of Topps Finest includes one Rookie Redemption.  The cards will be printed and shipped to collectors after 8/30/08.

Stay tuned for Rookie Redemption # 3!

1. Johnny Cueto, Pitcher, Cincinnati Reds
2. Jay Bruce, Outfielder, Cincinnati Reds / Autographed
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?

Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball returns in 2008 even bigger and better.  From DNA cards to Cut Signatures, Rip Cards and Ancient Icons, this back-to-back Beckett Product of the Year is set to deliver the quirkiness, fun and collectability that collectors have come to love since its inception.

Her are some of the highlights for 2008.

* DNA cards..an expanded list featuring pieces of hair from Abe Lincoln (image attached), JFK, Jackie O and Beethoven.  There is even a dinosaur bone DNA card!

* Autographs…the best list yet…tennis star Serena Williams, new hot dog eating champ Joey Chestnut and baseball stars David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.  And an expanded list of cut signatures.

*Baseball Icons…features legendary baseball players from Topps recently announced CMG deal such as Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson and Ty Cobb.  Also includes Relic versions.

*Relics…Big Foot Monster Truck’s tire, Mark Spitz’s speedo, A-Rod, Pujols and much more.

*Ancient Icons & World Leaders…Once again A&G features subjects from outside the baseball stadium and from around the world.

*The Ginter Code…crack the code first and YOU! will appear in the 2009 Allen & Ginter base set.

*And unannounced SURPRISES…

Also look for Rip Cards, Originals, Cloth cards, Dick Perez Mini Paintings, N43 Box Loaders and Cabinet cards.

2008 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball hits hobby shelves mid-July.

Topps is offering up the collector’s ultimate prize…The first one to “Crack the Ginter Code” will appear in the 2009 Allen & Ginter Baseball base set. (image attached)

In every 24 packs of 2008 Allen & Ginter Baseball, appears in insert titled “World’s Greatest Victories”.  There are 20 different cards in all. 

Once all 20 cards are collected, they can be formatted as a group to reveal a secret message.  The message has a call for action and the first to do it correctly will appear in next year’s set as the “Champion Code Breaker”.

2008 Allen & Ginter Baseball ships Mid-July with each hobby box guaranteeing 2 hits (autograph, relics, printing plates and originals) and each case guaranteeing a Rip Card.

More info coming soon on 08 Allen & Ginter, Beckett’s back-to-back Product of the Year…

This year’s installment of Triple Threads Baseball (releasing late July) will feature an array of all-new AUTOGRAPH and RELIC cards.  Collectors loved 2006 and 2007, but 2008 will be the best yet.  Some highlights…

*All-New Presidential Cut Above Autographs including 3 relic pieces

*All-New XXIV Relic card.  Features a minimum of 24 different relic die-cuts on a book card.  The most ever!

*17 All-New legendary subjects from Topps exclusive deal with CMG featured throughout the product.  Includes Ty Cobb, Lou Gehrig, Honus Wagner, Jackie Robinson and more.

*Daisuke Matsuzaka Autographs

*All-New Letter Plus and Jumbo Plus Relics… book cards featuring nice big pieces of jersey patch.

*Rookies and Rising Stars Autographed Duals

*Autographed Relic Double Combos…book cards with 6 autographs and 6 relic pieces

Every 2 Pack Box has:

1 Autographed Triple Relic #’d to 99 or less

1 Triple Relic #’d to 36 or less

4 Parallels #’d to 525 or less

6 Base cards #’d to 1350

Every 18-box Case Guarantees:

A 1 of 1 Autographed Relic

1 Autographed Triple Relic #’d to 36 or less

Whether it’s a DNA relic card featuring a George Washington hair, a card featuring 24 relic pieces (08 Triple Threads) or a card with an embedded dinosaur bone (08 Allen & Ginter), Topps is continuing to push the envelope in the creativity department.

Topps is now giving collectors a sneak peek of a truly unique card that will appear in 2008 Topps Triple Threads Baseball (releasing late July).

The 1 of 1 President Woodrow Wilson Sunglasses Relic card is the first its kind. The book card features a Wilson cut signature, a piece from the sunglasses case stating the dated they were given to him and the actual pair of sunglasses.  And one of the more unique aspects of the card is that it can actually be held up and looked through allowing the collector to see what President Wilson saw.

Look for this card and many other unique memorabilia cards in 2008 Topps Triple Threads Baseball…now featuring CMG legends Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb and more!  More info on this product coming soon…

Topps is pleased to announce that it has made three major enhancements to 2008 Topps Baseball Series 2…

RED HOT ROOKIE REDEMPTION

Every Series 2 hobby box will guarantee 1 all-new RED HOT ROOKIE REDEMPTION card.  There will be 20 different redemptions (#’s 1-20) and just like Finest Baseball, each redemption card is good for a special rookie card that will be announced during the season.  Each rookie card will be produced in a unique Red/Gold Refractor technology to make these cards some of the most sought after in 2008.  In addition, these will be the first redemption cards from Topps to be redeemable via the internet.

HOBBY BOXES NOW GUARANTEE A HIT

For the first time ever, starting with Series 2, Topps Baseball will guarantee one autograph or relic in every 36-pack hobby box.

HTA BOXES GET ANOTHER HIT

Also starting with Series 2, HTA boxes (aka JUMBOS) will get additional content.  These boxes will now guarantee 1 AUTOGRAPH and 2 RELICS.

2008 Topps Baseball hits hobby shelves the last week of May.

Topps Signs Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, Ty Cobb & More

New York, April 14, 2008 – The Topps Company and CMG Worldwide (CMG), have signed an agreement giving Topps exclusive rights to produce the trading cards of 16 of major league baseball’s greatest legends.  The deal lasts through 2010 and includes exclusivity on trading cards - including game-used memorabilia cards and all other insert cards.

The 16 former baseball legends include; Jackie Robinson, Walter Johnson, Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Thurman Munson, Roy Campanella, Rogers Hornsby, Lou Gehrig, Cy Young, Mel Ott, Johnny Mize, Jimmie Foxx, Honus Wagner, Pee Wee Reese, George Sisler and Christy Mathewson.

“Topps is synonymous with great athletes and we are thrilled to form a partnership with CMG giving us exclusive rights to baseball’s greatest legends,” said Warren Friss Topps’ GM of Sports & Entertainment. “We look forward to incorporating these players into our upcoming products and giving our loyal fan-base cards that cannot be found any where else.” 

The exclusive cards will be unveiled in packs of the upcoming Topps Triple Threads product (Back-to-Back Winner of Premium Product of the Year by Beckett).  The product will feature an array of triple game-used memorabilia cards of former baseball greats including combinations such as Honus Wagner, Lou Gehrig and Ty Cobb.(image attached)

“Topps history in the game of baseball is unparalleled,” said Mark Roesler, Chairman and CEO of CMG.  “This relationship is a perfect fit.”

In addition, Topps holds the exclusive trading card rights to the Mickey Mantle Estate and autographed and game-used memorabilia card rights to young stars such as Ryan Howard and David Wright.

About The Topps Company, Inc.

Founded in 1938, Topps is a leading creator and marketer of sports and related cards, entertainment products, and distinctive confectionery. Topps entertainment products include Major League Baseball, NFL, NBA and other trading cards, sticker album collections, and collectible games. The Company's confectionery brands include "Bazooka" bubble gum, "Ring Pop," "Push Pop," "Baby Bottle Pop" and "Juicy Drop Pop" lollipops. For additional information, visit www.topps.com.

About CMG Worldwide, Inc.

Based in Indianapolis, Indiana with offices in Hollywood, California and Rio de Janeiro, CMG Worldwide secured its position during the 1970s as the premier company for representing the families and estates of deceased celebrities.  Today, CMG Worldwide represents over 200 diverse personalities and corporate clients in the sports, entertainment and music fields.  For additional information, please visit www.CMGWorldwide.com.

Carlsbad, CA – (April 11, 2008) – Always trying to build a better mousetrap to one-up the competition, the Upper Deck Company seems to have done it once again with its latest baseball trading card release: 2008 MLB UD Spectrum. Not only does the extensive set include memorabilia and autograph cards of Major League Baseball's biggest names, but it features "Spectrum of Stars" celebrity autograph cards of legendary rockers, as well as famous actors from over the years! What's more, this year's MLB UD Spectrum is the first product ever to feature the much-anticipated Yankee Stadium Legacy memorabilia cards.

"We're very excited about this month's MLB Spectrum release," said Jason Masherah, Upper Deck's Baseball brand manager. "The celebrity signature cards, which pack out averaging of one per box, add a fun element to this year's launch and will definitely be a big hit with current collectors. Our hope is they might even attract new collectors to the hobby."

The Upper Deck Company is recognizing the closing of fabled Yankee Stadium at the end of the 2008 MLB season by including "Yankee Stadium Legacy" (YSL) insert cards in ten different baseball card launches throughout the year. MLB UD Spectrum represents the second brand to include the YSL inserts and the first to include YSL memorabilia cards. Game-used jersey and bat cards of Bronx Bombers including Roger Maris, Reggie Jackson and Derek Jeter add plenty of sizzle to an already impressive collection.

It's Awesome Baby...Newest Hall of Famer Signs With Donruss

Arlington, TX - Official at Donruss announced today that the newest member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, Dick Vitale, has signed his very first autograph agreement with the company. Donruss recently completed the signing with the enthusiastic Vitale, known for his catch phrases and high-energy commentary for ESPN.

"It's amazing that in the competitive basketball market you can still find someone this popular that hasn't had a certified autograph card," said Marketing Director Scott Prusha. "This is another FIRST for the industry and another way we are creatively providing content that nobody else has to make the Americana and Elite Extra Edition Series the most popular in the industry."

Dick Vitale will make his debut in Donruss Americana II, set to release this summer. He is also set to make an appearance in the popular collegiate themed product, Donruss Elite Extra Edition. Vitale signed stickers as well as several of his catch-phrase notations on cuts including: "Its Awesome Baby" , "Dickie V" , "Mr. College Basketball" and "Dipsy Doo Dunkeroo".

Vitale's career started in the coaching ranks, first for the University of Detroit and then for the NBA's Detroit Pistons. After being released from his duties with the Pistons, he decided to take a job at a little known television station ESPN, at least until another coaching job became available. We all know where ESPN went and the 2008-09 seasons will be Vitale's 30th with the juggernaut.

Donruss continues to roll-out the announcements for these ground breaking programs. From firsts like Martina Navratilova and Mixed Martial Arts cards, to President George Bush. The Americana series includes names such as Hollywood legends Humphrey Bogart, James Dean, Marlon Brando and Marilyn Monroe, as well as pop-culture icons William Shatner, Burt Reynolds, John Travolta and Ashley Judd.

Donruss Americana series II will release in July and Celebrity Cuts will reach hobby shops in mid-April. For more information visit www.donruss.com.

Carlsbad, CA – (April 8, 2008) – With the puck ready to drop this week to start NHL postseason play, Upper Deck’s latest hockey offering – 2007-08 NHL Mini Jersey – arrives just in time for collectors to find cool mini jerseys (home, away and autographed versions) of their favorite stars. As the New York Rangers lace ‘em up to square off against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday and the Boston Bruins renew their age-old rivalry with the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, hockey card collectors will be checking out Upper Deck’s newly tailored NHL Mini Jersey release.

Loaded with collectible punch, the 100-card regular set is complemented by dynamic inserts including NHL Mini Replica Home Jerseys, NHL Mini Replica Away Jerseys (1:9), and NHL Mini Replica Autographed Jerseys (1:360). The always sought-after Mini Jersey rookie cards will be inserted at a rate of 1:4 packs. One of the biggest attractions to this year’s set is the fact that Upper Deck was able to feature the newly adorned jerseys that all 30 NHL teams debuted this season!

“This year’s NHL Mini Jersey release is very special because we were able to secure the new team designs and logos that each NHL club sported this season,” said Josh Zusman, Upper Deck’s Hockey brand manager. “We’re very proud of the set’s timely content and we’re convinced collectors will love finding the rare autographed mini jerseys that have packed out as well.”

The signed Mini Jerseys will include signatures from standouts like Sidney Crosby, Martin Brodeur, Alexander Ovechkin, Saku Koivu, Jarome Iginla, Vincent Lecavalier and many more!

Upper Deck’s 2007-08 NHL Mini Jersey collection carries a suggested retail price of $6.99 per pack with three cards plus one mini jersey with card backer inside each pack, with 18 packs per box. The product is on store shelves right now.

Carlsbad, CA (April 4, 2008) – Where can collectors find autographs of Major League Baseball’s greatest players alongside autographs of every U.S. President in history? Where do baseball legends like Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson and Lou Gehrig meet up with historical figures like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson? With Upper Deck’s 2008 UD Premier Baseball release, lucky collectors can find autograph cut cards of MLB’s heroes along with “Signs of History” exchange cards for autograph cut cards of every U.S. President!

Owning history has never been closer to a collector’s fingertips as it is with the “Signs of History” exchange cards which are slated to fall one in every ten cases on average. Collectors can register these to receive a random cut autograph card from one of the former U.S. Presidents. Some rare dual- and quad-autograph cards are also included in the program. The “Signs of History” exchange cards can be found in all 2008 Upper Deck Baseball releases, but 2008 UD Premier Baseball has the best opportunity for collectors to pull these one-of-a-kind keepsakes.

In every pack of 2008 UD Premier Baseball, collectors can expect to find at least two autographs, two memorabilia cards, a “Premier Stitchings” card and an additional autograph or memorabilia card. One of the autographs pulled from each pack will be of a rookie player, including quite possibly Ian Kennedy who is preparing to make his 2008 pitching debut at home for the Yankees today.

At $300 per pack, Upper Deck pulled out all the stops to deliver exciting chase elements that would appeal to top-tier collectors. The “Premier Game-Used Bat Barrels” have names like Albert Pujols, Roy Campanella, Cal Ripken Jr., Carl Yastrzemski, Derek Jeter, Don Mattingly and Rogers Hornsby to name just some. The “Premier Card” features game-used swatches and autographs of three great players together and each card is limited to just three copies. Additionally, the “Premier Logo Patch” cards are all “1-of-1” cards that sport the MLB Logo embedded from a game-used jersey of that particular player.

“Our 2008 UD Premier Baseball product is designed with the serious collector in mind,” said Jason Masherah, Upper Deck Baseball brand manager. “We included a significant number of Hall-of-Famers into the product this year to make sure collectors receive some of the best players to ever step on the diamond. The designers did a great job as well to make sure that game-used pieces delivered some very unique die-cuts to make them even more compelling. Top players, short-printed cards and high-end chase cards make 2008 UD Premier Baseball a fun product to bust.”

Collectors can find 2008 UD Premier Baseball in stores now. The reaction to opening 2008 UD Premier Baseball packs from collectors has been very exciting. Note the following quote:

“My fiancé and I wanted to thank Upper Deck for one of the best pulls of our life,” said Bill Waters of Illinois. “Today we pulled an autographed cut and patch card of Babe Ruth 1/1 #CUT-BR. We were in shock to realize the piece of baseball history we held in our hands. Nobody in the card shop could believe it either. We were offered thousands for it instantly by some collectors in the store.

“Thanks for putting such rare cards within your products and as always, we are looking so forward to future Upper Deck products in all sports.”

Collectors/Prospectors Chasing Aumont's EEE Cards

Philippe Aumont has yet to throw his first professional pitch, but savvy collectors already have been buzzing about the 6-foot-7 Seattle Mariners' top pitching prospect.

Sales of Aumont's 2007 Elite Extra Edition autographs have steadily climbed over the last month, including two recent auctions that closed with sales topping $400 and $100 respectively.

On April 2, an Aumont EEE autographed Gold Status parallel #'d 4/5 brought a winning bid of $401.01, after attracting 22 bids. One day later, an autographed Aumont Red Status parallel #'d 42/50 closed with a Best Offer sale of $110.

Aumont, the Mariners' first-round draft pick last June and the 11th overall pick in the 2007 MLB First Year Player Draft, signed late in the season last year and thus did not play. He was assigned to the Class A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers of the Midwest League out of spring training this year, and the Rattlers were scheduled to open their season April 3 on the road.

Aumont is ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect in the Mariners' organization by Baseball America. His 2007 EEE card is the only '07 card of the righthander issued by one of the three major manufacturers.

Topps is pleased to announce that 2008 Topps Baseball Series 2 will feature a unique and all-new relic program… “CAMPAIGN LETTER PATCHES”.

Not only are Clinton, McCain and Obama the three presidential hopefuls still standing, but they are all baseball fans.  Topps is matching up each of three with their favorite team and creating special high-end letter patch cards, which will be seeded into packs of Series 2 (releasing mid-May).

Collectors and Cub fans can search for the C-L-I-N-T-O and N patches for Hillary, White Sox fans for the O-B-A-M-A and Diamondbacks fans for M-c-C-A-I-N.  Each letter of the candidate’s last name will be available in team color/jersey-style and sequentially numbered to 50.