2008 Topps Stadium Club Baseball
2008 Topps Stadium Club Baseball has filled the market with a much needed high-end quality baseball product. Same big splash as when 2008 Stadium Club Football made its return previously. I hope the Stadium Club products stick around a long time.
Set Features;
Each sealed box contains 12 packs of 5 cards each in a 150 card set including 50 Rookies (#`d to 1499 or less). >>> Each PACK contains ONE Rookie card and ONE Autograph card. >>> Each BOX contains TWELVE Autograph cards and ONE Yankee Memorabilia card. Parallel sets: Veteran 1st Day Issue (#`d to 999), Photographer`s Proof (#`d to 99; Gold > #`d to 50, and Platinum > each is a 1-of-1), and Framed Printing Plates (each is a 1-of-1). Inserts: Autograph cards 1:1 (Rookie, parallels: Photographer`s Proof > #`d to 99, Gold PP > #`d to 50, Platinum PP > each is a 1-of-1, and Framed Printing Plates > each is a 1-of-1; Triumvirate Triple Relics 1:96, also Black Leather parallel > each is a 1-of-1; Beam team Stained Glass, parallels: Black & White> #`d to 99, Gold PP > #`d to 50, Platinum PP > each is a 1-of-1, and Framed Printing Plates > each is a 1-of-1), Yankee Relic cards 1:12 (Stadium Slices > #`d to 299, Ceremonial Cuts > #`d to 299, parallels: Photographer`s Proof > #`d to 99, Gold PP > #`d to 50, and Platinum PP > each is a 1-of-1), and Sketch cards 1:96 (original artwork featuring players, unforgettable moments, and stadium. Each is a 1-of-1 and is autographed by the artist).
EVERY BOX CONTAINS:- (12) AUTOGRAPHs AND (1) RELICS!
- AT LEAST (6) ROOKIE AUTOGRAPHS!
Here's what we pulled in our box of 2008 Topps Stadium Club Baseball.
Base, Parallel and Insert Cards;
The 2008 Topps Stadium Club Baseball comes through with great actions shots of your favorite players. Plain and simple front design, with just name, team, position and Stadium Club logo. I'm not complaining, I really like it! The back of the card has four separate colored sections. First comes nice short bio, followed by up-to the last four years record. Then comes an interesting tidbit of that player whether it's college or minors (rookies), career (retired) or something that happened last season that made that player stand out. Last section is all of the Topps information normally found at the bottom of the card.
We pulled (7) veteran parallel 1st day issue cards, all of these are numbered to /599. The Mickey Mantle insert isn't numbered, but the Babe Ruth is numbered out of /999.
Rookie and Parallel Cards;
The rookie cards are of the exact same design as the base and have the rookie designation on the upper right corner of the card. Here's a breakdown of the rookies we pulled from our break.
- (9) rookies numbered out of /999
- (6) rookies not numbered
- (4) rookies 1st Day Production /599
- (2) rookies Photographer`s Proof /99
- (1) rookies Photographer`s Proof GOLD /50
Game-Used and Sketch Cards;
We pulled (2) nice premium cards in our box.
The case hit sketch card was a great pull from this box as well. I know it's of Carlos Lee of the Houston Astros, but there is no way of telling who the artist is. I would think the artists name should be on the card somewhere, but it isn't. This card is a ONE-OF-ONE.
The Yankee stadium pull is a Ceremonial Cuts, Jackie Robinson, Photographers Proof authentic red bunting from Yankee stadium. The card is numbered out of /99.
All of the veteran or retired player autographs are of the Beam Team variety. Four are the stained glass version and the Darryl Strawberry is the Beam Team black and white version /99. The stained glass are really neat if you hold them up to some light source. The colors really show better then and make the cards look incredible.
The rookie autographs are the same design as the base, but have a nice signing rectangle near the bottom for the autograph. All of the rookie card autographs are oncard autos and that's always a nice plus when it happens. The Chone Figgins is the only autograph that is light at the "C" for Chone, otherwise all of the others are high-quality complete autographs. Here's a breakdown of the autographed cards from the break.
- (4) Beam Team stained glass veterans
- (1) Beam Team black and white /99
- (5) regular rookie autographs
- (1) rookie redemption
- (1) rookie Photographer`s Proof GOLD /50
Final Thoughts on 2008 Topps Stadium Club Baseball;
I am really impressed with this product. I read the release when it came out and thought this could be a great new product for Topps. It did not dissapoint in my estimation. I think the one redemption card out of 12 promised autographed cards is a great improvement over some previously releases. Topps is making great strides to get players to sign and cut down on the redemption process. The guaranteed (12) autographs and (1) game-used per box really help in the value of this box. This box was a big hit with me and deserves a solid A+ for Topps. Every aspect was covered in our qualifying scale to rate this box that high. Value, Innovation, Fun and rebuy value are all off the charts. These boxes can usually be had for between $169 and $215 on most sites that I have checked. The price is a little high right now and hopefully it will come down a bit soon.
Here's how I would rate this product;
- Value = 4.5
- Innovation = 5
- Fun and Experience = 5
- Rebuy Value = 4.5
I rate this product an "A+" for Topps! There is definitely value to be had in these boxes.
NPN Information;
NPN 2008 Topps Stadium Club Baseball
P.O. Box 765
Pittston, PA 18640
Postmarked by January 28, 2009
I would like to thank Clay from Topps and Trader Retreat for giving me the chance to review this new product.
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All of the cards from this break (GU + Autos...etc) are put on the side for TR Official Fantasy Baseball Leagues, Contests or MOTM (member of the month) prizes on TR.
