Topps Living Set

[astroshane]

Here is my list of 50 players to debut between 1980 and 1989 that I would personally like to see in the living set. I broke it into four tiers: the greats, the almost greats, the exceptional, and well.... personal bias. Again, this is subjective and only includes players yet to get a card. It ignores the whole steroid debate.

Tier 1

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Wade Boggs [Hall of Fame]
4. John Smoltz [Hall of Fame]
5. Barry Larkin [Hall of Fame]
6. Curt Shilling
7. Sammy Sosa

Tier 2

8. Juan Gonzalez MVP X 2
9. Dwight Gooden CY and ROY
10. Brett Saberhagen CY X 2
11. Albert Belle
12. Andres Gallarraga
13. Paul O'neil
14. David Wells
15. Eric Davis
16. Fernando Valenzuela CY and ROY
17. David Cone CY
18. Orel Hershiser CY

Tier 3

19. Kevin Brown
20. Ken Caminiti MVP
21. Tony Fernandez
22. Frank Viola CY
23. Willie McGee MVP
24. Vince Coleman ROY
25. Joe Carter
26. John Franco
27. Lenny Dykstra
28. Jamie Moyer
29. Mark Grace
30. Steve Finley
31. Robin Ventura
32. Greg Vaughn
33. Kevin Appier

Tier 4

34. George Bell MVP
35. Bobby Bonilla
36. Chuck Finley
37. Ruben Sierra
38. John Olerud
39. Ron Gant
40. Otis Nixon
41. Brett Butler
42. Steve Sax
43. Tom Henke
44. Gary Gaetti
45. Kevin Mitchell
46. Matt Williams
47. Jay Buhner
48. Omar Vizguel
49. David Justice
50. Terry Pendleton MVP

[astrotrevor]

51. Kelly Gruber

[jaredkelley]

Of those Tier 1 names, I can tell you that one of them will make an appearance in a few weeks and I can confirm that another two will likely be released either this year or 2024.

Orel Hershiser is #30 on my personal suggestion list I maintain with Topps.
David Justice is #34. I loved collecting both of those guys as a kid.

If Topps can wait until 2026 for Bobby Bonilla, Bobby Bonilla Day (July 1st) will be a Wednesday. Perfect timing for his card. I've mentioned this to Topps so I hope they'll be able to work out a licensing agreement before then.

So many other good names in your list, many I would have guessed were already in the set. Thanks for sharing!

[astroshane]

Originally Posted by jaredkelley

Of those Tier 1 names, I can tell you that one of them will make an appearance in a few weeks and I can confirm that another two will likely be released either this year or 2024.

Orel Hershiser is #30 on my personal suggestion list I maintain with Topps.
David Justice is #34. I loved collecting both of those guys as a kid.

If Topps can wait until 2026 for Bobby Bonilla, Bobby Bonilla Day (July 1st) will be a Wednesday. Perfect timing for his card. I've mentioned this to Topps so I hope they'll be able to work out a licensing agreement before then.

So many other good names in your list, many I would have guessed were already in the set. Thanks for sharing!

Jared, it's always a pleasure having you so vested and engaged with this set. I've got an intereting "living set trivia" comming up next.

[astroshane]

Time for some living set trivia. Nobody cheat by asking google. There are two questions and by operation the second helps out in answering the first:

In the last 53 years [1970 to 2023] only 10 Hall of Fame players have not yet been featured in the living set. Who are the 10 ? [ Joe Torre is excluded as he went in as a manager].

In the last 43 years [1980 to 2023] only 3 Hall of Famers remain absent from the set. Who are they ?

We need the remaining 10 Hall of Famers to debut in the last 53 years !

[Chihuahuas]

Originally Posted by astroshane

Time for some living set trivia. Nobody cheat by asking google. There are two questions and by operation the second helps out in answering the first:

In the last 53 years [1970 to 2023] only 10 Hall of Fame players have not yet been featured in the living set. Who are the 10 ? [ Joe Torre is excluded as he went in as a manager].

In the last 43 years [1980 to 2023] only 3 Hall of Famers remain absent from the set. Who are they ?

We need the remaining 10 Hall of Famers to debut in the last 53 years !

Intriguing questions. . Need to ponder without cheating but interested to hear others guesses.

[txrngr34]

Originally Posted by astroshane

Time for some living set trivia. Nobody cheat by asking google. There are two questions and by operation the second helps out in answering the first:

In the last 53 years [1970 to 2023] only 10 Hall of Fame players have not yet been featured in the living set. Who are the 10 ? [ Joe Torre is excluded as he went in as a manager].

In the last 43 years [1980 to 2023] only 3 Hall of Famers remain absent from the set. Who are they ?

We need the remaining 10 Hall of Famers to debut in the last 53 years !

So you mean their enshrinement year then?

[astroshane]

Originally Posted by txrngr34

So you mean their enshrinement year then?

No players who are in the Hall of Fame who made their MLB debut between the years 1970 and 2023. For example, you were a rookie in 1970 or later.

[Joliet Jake]

Originally Posted by astroshane

Time for some living set trivia. Nobody cheat by asking google. There are two questions and by operation the second helps out in answering the first:

In the last 53 years [1970 to 2023] only 10 Hall of Fame players have not yet been featured in the living set. Who are the 10 ? [ Joe Torre is excluded as he went in as a manager].

In the last 43 years [1980 to 2023] only 3 Hall of Famers remain absent from the set. Who are they ?

We need the remaining 10 Hall of Famers to debut in the last 53 years !

I have the answer, but I already have a spreadsheet with every Hall of Fame member, and their Living Set card if applicable.

I'll wait to read other's guesses.

[dherm360]

I am beginning to wonder how many full sets are still out there. I was reading where a collector had a card autographed and was taking consignments. He stated he had 50 cards to he could sell with autograph. Great set to get auto'd along with larger pieces.

Take out team collectors and HOF collectors its now got to be in the 100s somewhere?

[dherm360]

Originally Posted by astroshane

Time for some living set trivia. Nobody cheat by asking google. There are two questions and by operation the second helps out in answering the first:

In the last 53 years [1970 to 2023] only 10 Hall of Fame players have not yet been featured in the living set. Who are the 10 ? [ Joe Torre is excluded as he went in as a manager].

In the last 43 years [1980 to 2023] only 3 Hall of Famers remain absent from the set. Who are they ?

We need the remaining 10 Hall of Famers to debut in the last 53 years !

Molitor

[astroshane]

Originally Posted by dherm360

I am beginning to wonder how many full sets are still out there. I was reading where a collector had a card autographed and was taking consignments. He stated he had 50 cards to he could sell with autograph. Great set to get auto'd along with larger pieces.

Take out team collectors and HOF collectors its now got to be in the 100s somewhere?

It has to be low. Long term I have a feeling this set is going to be very desirable. It’s consistent and comprehensive. Add in the fact that it’s very limited compared to others it has the makings for a perfect storm .

[astroshane]

Originally Posted by dherm360

Molitor

That’s one !

[TUAlum96]

I’m so happy right now! I’ve been looking forward to a Zack Greinke Living Set card since the moment he re-signed with the Royals. And I’m even going to the game to see him pitch (probably for the last time) today. Great work, Jared!

[Joliet Jake]

Topps MLB® Living Set® Card #659 - Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke is the Kansas City Royals 17th franchise and team member, and 37th duplicate and 42nd repeat player featured.


Topps MLB® Living Set® Card #660 - Tanner Bibee
Tanner Bibee is the Cleveland Guardians 22nd franchise and 8th team member, and 206th rookie featured.

[Joliet Jake]

Originally Posted by TUAlum96

Attachment 543969

I’m so happy right now! I’ve been looking forward to a Zack Greinke Living Set card since the moment he re-signed with the Royals. And I’m even going to the game to see him pitch (probably for the last time) today. Great work, Jared!

Now that we got Pujols (STL) and Greinke (KCR), is there anyone else that's been released with a team they're not most associated with?

[tdubs1010]

I hate seeing Longoria as a Giant in the set. Wish he would go back to Tampa for a season.

[Joliet Jake]

Originally Posted by tdubs1010

I hate seeing Longoria as a Giant in the set. Wish he would go back to Tampa for a season.

He might be a possibility after he retires. I know that's what they did with Pujols and the Cardinals.

[TUAlum96]

Originally Posted by Joliet Jake

He might be a possibility after he retires. I know that's what they did with Pujols and the Cardinals.

Yes, but Pujols had actually played for the Cardinals the season leading into that off-season. I don’t think we’d have gotten the card otherwise.

[TUAlum96]

Originally Posted by Joliet Jake

Topps MLB® Living Set® Card #659 - Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke is the Kansas City Royals 17th franchise and team member, and 37th duplicate and 42nd repeat player featured.

One note about the Greinke card that maybe Jared could bring to the attention of Topps: the back of the card says Zack won AL Rookie of the Year in 2004. Much as I would have liked that, he did not -- Bobby Crosby was the 2004 AL RoY.

[astrotrevor]

Love the Greinke background. He will never have an Astro card but this background reminded me of his short time with them. His game 7 WS performance was great. Should have stayed in the game.

[jaredkelley]

Originally Posted by TUAlum96

Attachment 543969

I’m so happy right now! I’ve been looking forward to a Zack Greinke Living Set card since the moment he re-signed with the Royals. And I’m even going to the game to see him pitch (probably for the last time) today. Great work, Jared!

Thank you! Topps originally planned on releasing his card next week. It was a fun surprise to see him drop this week. I'm very grateful that Topps tossed me the Greinke assignment.

Originally Posted by TUAlum96

One note about the Greinke card that maybe Jared could bring to the attention of Topps: the back of the card says Zack won AL Rookie of the Year in 2004. Much as I would have liked that, he did not -- Bobby Crosby was the 2004 AL RoY.

I appreciate you catching that error. I've let the Living Set team know about it.

Originally Posted by astrotrevor

Love the Greinke background. He will never have an Astro card but this background reminded me of his short time with them. His game 7 WS performance was great. Should have stayed in the game.

Although I often alter the backgrounds from the original reference images, I kept the background in this Greinke the way it appeared from Topps. The whole time I was painting it, I was thinking about the homerun scene at the end of The Natural. I really love how Zack's portrait turned out!

[gmarutiak]

The artwork on the Greinke card is incredible. Everything about it is powerful. The look in his eyes, the wrinkles on his face. This card is truly a piece of art.

[astrotrevor]

Originally Posted by gmarutiak

The artwork on the Greinke card is incredible. Everything about it is powerful. The look in his eyes, the wrinkles on his face. This card is truly a piece of art.

I agree with everything here. I can’t wait to see this in person. Background / portrait painting may be Jared’s finest yet…and it’s on the same card / print. I’m going to have to cycle through my top 5 list again but this one my be my new favourite.

[jaredkelley]

I'm behind on posting the winning order numbers for my 1/1 Gold Signature prints. Here are the last 3 winning orders: