2024 Topps Series 1 Details

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

I'm not going to argue with you on the effect gambling and group breaking have had on the prices of hobby boxes in recent years. If you haven't noticed, the prices of singles have steadily declined while box prices have stayed elevated or risen. The rise in box prices has coincided with the rise in popularity of group breaking and gambling in the hobby.



Albies/Riley/Olson fastball percentage (four-seam; two-seam; cutter)

With Acuna at 1B and nobody else on base: 61% (394/640)

All other situations: 57% (4,472/ 7,876)

Difference: 26 pitches (4%)


Edit -- forgot to include league stats:

Runner on 1B with 2B and 3B unoccupied: 57% fastballs (76,828/135,034)

All other situations: 55% (320,779/582,911)

Difference: 2%

So they got FB at a higher rate, got it. I was right. Like always, you added a bunch of your own opinions into things other people said.

Prices are not the hobby of collecting cards. Topps/Fanatics are in the business of making money, the breaker business represents a good chunk of sales. Of course they are going to add that as a focus. The focus of the hobby is not gambling. The focus of the hobby is not breakers. A retailer jacking prices because people are chasing dollars and increasing demand is not the hobby.

Just say you don't like the design.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by whitmm

So they got FB at a higher rate, got it. I was right.

It is almost a negligible amount -- certainly not statistically significant. You just want to be "factually" right.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by whitmm

The focus of the hobby is not gambling. The focus of the hobby is not breakers.

The focus is gambling and breaking. It's why there are bounties, like the $150k Anthony Volpe Debut Patch. It's why the Debut Patch exists in the first place. It's why group breakers get first access to new products on Fanatics' breaking platform. It's why YouTube is filled with videos of group breaks. It's why many hobby stores are also group breakers.

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

It is almost a negligible amount -- certainly not statistically significant. You just want to be "factually" right.

You said I was wrong. Except I wasn't. This isn't hard.

Just say you don't like this year's design.

[MoreToppsPlease]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

The focus is gambling and breaking. It's why there are bounties, like the $150k Anthony Volpe Debut Patch. It's why the Debut Patch exists in the first place. It's why group breakers get first access to new products on Fanatics' breaking platform. It's why YouTube is filled with videos of group breaks. It's why many hobby stores are also group breakers.

All these people work for “the hobby” which to them is a union of convenience where people collude to increase pricing to the point where they try to live off it now or in the future…the higher prices you’re paying is supporting their livelihoods and their non-hobby discretionary purchases.

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

The focus is gambling and breaking. It's why there are bounties, like the $150k Anthony Volpe Debut Patch. It's why the Debut Patch exists in the first place. It's why group breakers get first access to new products on Fanatics' breaking platform. It's why YouTube is filled with videos of group breaks. It's why many hobby stores are also group breakers.

That's the marketing focus of the company. Fanatics is a retailer. Their focus is to move product. Of course they are going to capitalize on people who want to gamble. And yes, they are going to cater to companies(breakers) who buy a lot of product. This isn't some concept that is special to sports cards.

Bounties are to drive sales, it's a marketing gimmick. Topps/Fanatics isn't offering the bounty for the Volpe.

[jkampis]

Originally Posted by no10pin

I'm not following how something that looks like a neon sign is solely used to promote gambling. I see a lot of businesses that use neon in their windows that offer no gambling.

It’s a pretty ridiculous argument.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by no10pin

I'm not following how something that looks like a neon sign is solely used to promote gambling. I see a lot of businesses that use neon in their windows that offer no gambling.

Neon signs are intended to grab people's attention. The neon colors in this year's design make the cards more visually stimulating, feeding into the breaking experience.

Topps flagship has traditionally had simple and muted visuals.

Like I said, it's only a theory. But it is undeniable that neon lights are a casino motif, designed to feed the gambling experience.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Neon signs are intended to grab people's attention. The neon colors in this year's design make the cards more visually stimulating, feeding into the breaking experience.



Topps flagship has traditionally had simple and muted visuals.



Like I said, it's only a theory. But it is undeniable that neon lights are a casino motif, designed to feed the gambling experience.

Talk about just flat out lying to make a point. Flagship Topps has never had a consistent theme of muted designs. In fact, over the decades they've regularly used bold designs to catch the attention of collectors. Visually stimulating does not equal gambling. Just because casinos also use visual stimulation doesn't mean anything that does is about gambling. This has got to be the most ridiculous argument you've made on this site.

[magisme]

Bars have neon lights. It is undeniable that Topps is promoting alcoholism with this release.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

Talk about just flat out lying to make a point. Flagship Topps has never had a consistent theme of muted designs. In fact, over the decades they've regularly used bold designs to catch the attention of collectors. Visually stimulating does not equal gambling. Just because casinos also use visual stimulation doesn't mean anything that does is about gambling. This has got to be the most ridiculous argument you've made on this site.

Give recent examples of bold colors and large lettering in flagship like this year's design. In the 70s, true. 1986 somewhat, sure. 2015 had a wacky design, but not with neon colors and a black background. Topps flagship designs are generally simple and muted. It helps facilitate parallels -- having too busy of a base design takes away from parallel designs.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Give recent examples of bold colors and large lettering in flagship like this year's design. In the 70s, true. 1986 somewhat, sure. 2015 had a wacky design, but not with neon colors and a black background. Topps flagship designs are generally simple and muted. It helps facilitate parallels -- having too busy of a base design takes away from parallel designs.

We haven’t seen much, but the Indy parallel is the best it’s been in 4 years. Nothing was taken away from it due to the base design.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

We haven’t seen much, but the Indy parallel is the best it’s been in 4 years. Nothing was taken away from it due to the base design.

Did you notice the Phillies team colors happened to match the Indy parallel? Other neon colors might not look so good -- it could be distracting.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Give recent examples of bold colors and large lettering in flagship like this year's design. In the 70s, true. 1986 somewhat, sure. 2015 had a wacky design, but not with neon colors and a black background. Topps flagship designs are generally simple and muted. It helps facilitate parallels -- having too busy of a base design takes away from parallel designs.

So except for the many examples of bold letters and bold colors there aren't any?

[bub838]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Give recent examples of bold colors and large lettering in flagship like this year's design. In the 70s, true. 1986 somewhat, sure. 2015 had a wacky design, but not with neon colors and a black background. Topps flagship designs are generally simple and muted. It helps facilitate parallels -- having too busy of a base design takes away from parallel designs.

Why are you moving the goalposts to only recent years.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by bub838

Why are you moving the goalposts to only recent years.

I never said every year. I said flagship has traditionally been relatively conservative in design. There are a few outliers, of course. Nothing like 2024's design since maybe before the 90s.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Did you notice the Phillies team colors happened to match the Indy parallel? Other neon colors might not look so good -- it could be distracting.

We’ll see. I’ll still take it over the red stars of ‘21, ‘22, and ‘23.

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

I never said every year. I said flagship has traditionally been relatively conservative in design. There are a few outliers, of course. Nothing like 2024's design since maybe before the 90s.

Traditionally means since the beginning. That was your original standard. Then you asked for recent examples. That's you moving goal posts. You talking about how the neon could take away from the parallels is moving the goal posts. The parallels you're referencing didn't show up until 2001.

Again, just say you don't like the design.

[oldgoldy97]

Fanatics is most definitely not trying to get people to gamble.

[no10pin]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Neon signs are intended to grab people's attention. The neon colors in this year's design make the cards more visually stimulating, feeding into the breaking experience.

Topps flagship has traditionally had simple and muted visuals.

Like I said, it's only a theory. But it is undeniable that neon lights are a casino motif, designed to feed the gambling experience.

LOL, I love your explanations of extremely simple things that aren't required.

'Neon signs are intended to grab people's attention.'

Obviously, this can only be for one reason - gambling. It's not like bars, restaurants, hair salons, check cashing places and strip clubs use them.

Now that I think about it, Fanatics is promoting stripping. They are trying to get women into the hobby and trick them into taking their clothes off. Those bastards!

[njsportscardguy]

Don't houses of ill repute, generally utilize neon signage, too....??!? They must be enticing you to gamble, also....!??!

WAIT...!!?! There's a pun in there, somewhere....???

[vwnut13]

Originally Posted by rfgilles

The design of flagship is meant to promote gambling?????

I think there may be subliminal messages embedded in the cards

Actually, the neon design is to promote vaping to children.

When's the last time you passed a vape shop that wasn't lit up with neon lights?

[fulltritty]

Topps seems to be getting smarter with their players choices. I think this is the first year I can ever remember that every player in the Yankees checklist is actually still on the Yankees.

Usually they have 2 -3 guys who were traded away of free agents that left in the off season.

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by no10pin

LOL, I love your explanations of extremely simple things that aren't required.

'Neon signs are intended to grab people's attention.'

Obviously, this can only be for one reason - gambling. It's not like bars, restaurants, hair salons, check cashing places and strip clubs use them.

Now that I think about it, Fanatics is promoting stripping. They are trying to get women into the hobby and trick them into taking their clothes off. Those bastards!

Wasn't there a Flawless Basketball break with Layton & Blez that already did this?

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

Wasn't there a Flawless Basketball break with Layton & Blez that already did this?

Nah. That was just the Blez turds taking their shirts off.