First Buzz: 2025 Topps Allen & Ginter baseball cards

[majestik101]

Originally Posted by TimBuckTwo

Two hits. More boxes. Higher price.

F U Topps.

Same exact thing happened to Goodwin Champions. Upper Deck made the decision to screw over the collectors by making less packs per box, removing a hit (well, if you can call a lenticular 3-D card of a kitty cat a hit), and jacked up the price.

Haven't touched a box of Goodwin Champions since 2020 (which is a shame, it was one of my favorite products to open every year)

Looks like Topps-Natics is thumbing their nose the same way UD did.

But hey, we all know this stuff will be EQL'd and backdoored to oblivion so what does it matter to them?

[Americards]

Originally Posted by Jboff73

Two hits per box is definitely a big, blinking warning sign. This was the card set that brought me back into collecting, but it's slowly pushing me out now.

It really comes down to what is a "hit" and whether there will be fewer autographs per case overall. Rip cards, for me, don't really substitute for an autograph since they rarely return much than a random EXT card.

I would assume that if every box was guaranteed an auto, they would have stated that, since that would have been a welcome change.

What worries me is this line from Blowout's site:
"Among early teasers for hits are autos, framed Relics, rip cards or vintage buybacks, "making every rip a journey through the weird, wild and wonderful."

A vintage buyback could be anything, including common cards from the past 20 years, which they did during the 10th anniversary with foil-stamped cards from the first 9 years.

Since I've had my share of "three napkin" Ginter boxes, I could live with one fewer napkin. But if this means that most boxes (75%) will now be "two napkin" boxes, then I think we can say that the 20th anniversary of Ginter is hardly worth celebrating.

Limited Relics!!!

[dunquixote1]

I’m a big Ginter collector. I’ll reserve my opinions until I see the checklist. TBH, I don’t really care about them reducing the hits as long as the auto list is strong and you still get 4-7 autos per case.

[Uter79]

I've collected a set of every year of Ginter (2006 is the only year I bought a set and didn't hand collate one) by buying boxes. I still love the set and the fun of it. If the prices are going to be what is predicted ($160 a box or thereabouts) I think I'll just buy a set and some insert sets and maybe a few autos or "hits" that I want.
It's not really about being able to afford boxes for me anymore. It's about being willing to pay for them. Yes there are tons of releases that are so outrageously priced that I'd never even be able to be in the same room with a box without my wallet cowering in fear but it's always been that way a bit.
It just kind of sucks that things are getting more out of reach for average collectors. Especially ones that remember the days of sub $80 boxes (or even cheaper black friday deals).
Topps/Fanatics don't care if we're not happy, someone's going to buy it. The 6 boxes a year I usually get aren't going to sink them financially.
And yes, many of us Ginter collectors are getting old. Googling names of people on the cards is a yearly thing now.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by Uter79

I've collected a set of every year of Ginter (2006 is the only year I bought a set and didn't hand collate one) by buying boxes. I still love the set and the fun of it. If the prices are going to be what is predicted ($160 a box or thereabouts) I think I'll just buy a set and some insert sets and maybe a few autos or "hits" that I want.
It's not really about being able to afford boxes for me anymore. It's about being willing to pay for them. Yes there are tons of releases that are so outrageously priced that I'd never even be able to be in the same room with a box without my wallet cowering in fear but it's always been that way a bit.
It just kind of sucks that things are getting more out of reach for average collectors. Especially ones that remember the days of sub $80 boxes (or even cheaper black friday deals).
Topps/Fanatics don't care if we're not happy, someone's going to buy it. The 6 boxes a year I usually get aren't going to sink them financially.
And yes, many of us Ginter collectors are getting old. Googling names of people on the cards is a yearly thing now.

I think having patience after release will allow prices to come down for us. The companies have figured out that the breakers will pay the highest initial prices, then as demand declines, prices get cheaper.

Look at where 2025 topps chrome is today - a hobby box can be had for $195. I believe these started at close to $300!

I’ve become accustomed to simply waiting for about 3-6 months after product release to start nibbling. It’s saved a lot of money and if prices don’t soften, oh well, there are 39 other products to choose from and the singles will always be there!

[Big35Hurt]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

When will people learn to say no?

I used to buy this product every year up to the point of hitting a rip card. Been doing that since 2006. I stopped during the pandemic.

It can be done.

Isn't it you that has told us the hobby is full of degenerates or was that someone else?

[cyberpvnk]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

I think having patience after release will allow prices to come down for us. The companies have figured out that the breakers will pay the highest initial prices, then as demand declines, prices get cheaper.

Look at where 2025 topps chrome is today - a hobby box can be had for $195. I believe these started at close to $300!

I’ve become accustomed to simply waiting for about 3-6 months after product release to start nibbling. It’s saved a lot of money and if prices don’t soften, oh well, there are 39 other products to choose from and the singles will always be there!

This strategy wouldn't have worked the last few years.

Initial hobby boxes were like $129 I think and by the 6mo mark I couldn't find them for less than $199 and many were $229 for normal and X being $329.

Last year...I think the first two boxes I bought about a month after release were still MSRP and then I couldn't get anything even close last year. Even my local shop, who does big volume jacked up their prices. I think they have one box of 2024 on the shelf right now and it's $259 iirc.

[boxbuster7]

how long has ginter included chrome cards in the normal release? that seems new to me.

Also, I swear this product used to come out in July

[Spinz]

Originally Posted by duwal

I used to get some because the non-sport names were a lot more well known and also great for TTM autographs. Now most you need to Google to find out why Ginter made a card of them

Whats funny is that, despite being the age range of the people who should know the creators and influencers, I still have to look up 50% of the checklist on google

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by Big35Hurt

Isn't it you that has told us the hobby is full of degenerates or was that someone else?

We are all degenerates, lol!

[kraigmf]

It seems that many people forget that A&G used to be a 2 hit product for about a decade. The current description makes it seem that they are only inserting framed relics and are eliminating full sized relics. IF this is the case, then they are going back to their original format, which I greatly prefer. Also, when Topps mentions throwbacks, I am hoping they mean Allen and Ginter originals. If not, they could have the same approach as 2015 with previous A&G cards stamped as anniversary cards. As always, it will be interesting to see!

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by cyberpvnk

This strategy wouldn't have worked the last few years.

Initial hobby boxes were like $129 I think and by the 6mo mark I couldn't find them for less than $199 and many were $229 for normal and X being $329.

Last year...I think the first two boxes I bought about a month after release were still MSRP and then I couldn't get anything even close last year. Even my local shop, who does big volume jacked up their prices. I think they have one box of 2024 on the shelf right now and it's $259 iirc.

Starting this year, it could work.

Last year was a superior hobby rookie class and a different economic environment.

Plus the newbies are another year wiser, lol.

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by kraigmf

It seems that many people forget that A&G used to be a 2 hit product for about a decade. The current description makes it seem that they are only inserting framed relics and are eliminating full sized relics. IF this is the case, then they are going back to their original format, which I greatly prefer. Also, when Topps mentions throwbacks, I am hoping they mean Allen and Ginter originals. If not, they could have the same approach as 2015 with previous A&G cards stamped as anniversary cards. As always, it will be interesting to see!

going back to 2010 it was 3 so I think you're wrong on that. The first 2 years were 2 and I believe 2008 switched to 3.

[theplasticman]

Originally Posted by kraigmf

It seems that many people forget that A&G used to be a 2 hit product for about a decade. The current description makes it seem that they are only inserting framed relics and are eliminating full sized relics. IF this is the case, then they are going back to their original format, which I greatly prefer. Also, when Topps mentions throwbacks, I am hoping they mean Allen and Ginter originals. If not, they could have the same approach as 2015 with previous A&G cards stamped as anniversary cards. As always, it will be interesting to see!

I'll be watching to see what they do. I kinda hope for the stamped buybacks, so I have something to chase for my player.

[kingofsnake]

Send. More. Influencers.

[BlowoutBuzz]

Originally Posted by Jboff73

"Among early teasers for hits are autos, framed Relics, rip cards or vintage buybacks, "making every rip a journey through the weird, wild and wonderful."

A vintage buyback could be anything, including common cards from the past 20 years, which they did during the 10th anniversary with foil-stamped cards from the first 9 years.

Since 2006 there have been framed tobacco card buybacks ... so it's potentially just that. Their early teasers are quick blanket statements with no details so no need to jump to conclusions until full reveals.

[BlowoutBuzz]

Added a few images ... nothing major yet. Will still be massive updates at a later time.

[ewokpelts]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

I think having patience after release will allow prices to come down for us. The companies have figured out that the breakers will pay the highest initial prices, then as demand declines, prices get cheaper.

Look at where 2025 topps chrome is today - a hobby box can be had for $195. I believe these started at close to $300!

I’ve become accustomed to simply waiting for about 3-6 months after product release to start nibbling. It’s saved a lot of money and if prices don’t soften, oh well, there are 39 other products to choose from and the singles will always be there!

25 chrome may only have one player eligible for the buyback. That impacts the demand.

[Daddo333]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

how long has ginter included chrome cards in the normal release? that seems new to me.

Also, I swear this product used to come out in July

This will be the first year they include Chrome in the general release, indeed! And, yes, used to be July and I hope we get back to that timeframe at some point.

[dodgerfanjohn]

Originally Posted by Daddo333

This will be the first year they include Chrome in the general release, indeed! And, yes, used to be July and I hope we get back to that timeframe at some point.

Chrome were in the product last year and Ginter X had black chrome cards last year.

Both releases had full size and mini chrome cards.

[jbone2016]

2025 Allen & Ginter Baseball - Pre-Order ⚾️
Mon. 11/3 - 12 PM EST
Hobby Box: $129.99
8 cards per pack, 24 packs per box
Still no checklist as of 10 am EST

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by jbone2016

2025 Allen & Ginter Baseball - Pre-Order ⚾️
Mon. 11/3 - 12 PM EST
Hobby Box: $129.99
8 cards per pack, 24 packs per box
Still no checklist as of 10 am EST

Preorder price today is the same as retail last year. That means the regular release this year will be higher than last year's price.

[Jboff73]

Originally Posted by jbone2016

Still no checklist as of 10 am EST

Does anyone think there will be either a checklist or odds before noon?

>5% chance

[bub838]

Originally Posted by Jboff73

Does anyone think there will be either a checklist or odds before noon?

>5% chance

Slim chance on checklist, zero chance on odds.

[scotchtape0]

Originally Posted by jbone2016

2025 Allen & Ginter Baseball - Pre-Order ⚾️
Mon. 11/3 - 12 PM EST
Hobby Box: $129.99
8 cards per pack, 24 packs per box
Still no checklist as of 10 am EST

They are raising prices $5.00/box then. Not great, but expected based on what they have done on other releases this year.

Cutting hits per box from 3 to 2 is more disappointing unless they are only cutting full-sized relics from those numbers, which is doubtful.