Cheap Wax Wednesday Box Breaks: 2015 Topps Heritage ’51 Baseball
2015 Topps Heritage ‘51 Baseball was released to pay homage to the original 1951 Topps Blue Back and Red Back releases, the company’s first official baseball release. When it comes to design, the only difference is the size, with the base cards now being the typical 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch size. This product was only available as a boxed set. Each box includes the full 104-card base set. However, each boxed set also includes 21 mini parallel cards and an autograph.
As far as the parallels go, the minis do measure up to the cards from the original 1951 releases. Each boxed set should have the following mini parallels: ten Red Backs, five Blue Backs, three Green Backs, two Black Backs and one Gold Back. There are some great names on the autograph checklist, including Bryce Harper, Clayton Kershaw, Francisco Lindor, Buster Posey and Mike Trout.
2015 Topps Heritage ‘51 Baseball Box Break
Cards per set: 104 base cards, 21 mini parallels, one autograph
Price paid: $75
Shop for 2015 Topps Heritage ’51 Baseball boxes on eBay.
The Pitchers:
Craig Kimbrel, Jon Lester, Aroldis Chapman, Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Madison Bumgarner, Corey Kluber, Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Cole Hamels, Felix Hernandez, David Price, Chris Sale, Matt Harvey & Jacob deGrom
Hard to believe that only six of these guys are still active.
The Infielders:
Evan Longoria, Buster Posey, David Wright, Paul Goldschmidt, Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, Jose Altuve, Adrian Beltre, Joey Votto, Manny Machado, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Adrian Gonzalez, Freddie Freeman & Anthony Rizzo
Some of these guys could definitely flash some leather, with this crew combining for 34 Gold Glove awards — so far.
The Outfielders:
George Springer, Hunter Pence, Matt Kemp, Mookie Betts, Christian Yelich, Starling Marte, Ryan Braun, Yoenis Cespedes, Yasiel Puig, Mike Trout, Andrew McCutchen, Giancarlo Stanton, Jose Bautista, Jacoby Ellsbury & Bryce Harper
Good mix of speedsters and sluggers in this outfield.
The Rookies:
Byron Buxton, Jorge Soler, Noah Syndergaard, Rusney Castillo, Carlos Correa, Joey Gallo, Francisco Lindor, Joc Pederson, Carlos Rodon, Eduardo Rodriguez, Kris Bryant & Blake Swihart
Carlos Correa (AL) and Kris Bryant (NL) were the Rookie of the Year winners following the 2015 season.
Red Back Minis:
Yoenis Cespedes, Devon Travis RC, David Ortiz, Miguel Cabrera, Matt Harvey, Jon Lester, Carlos Correa RC, Michael Pineda, James Shields & Starling Marte
Fun fact: James Shields was once traded for Fernando Tatis Jr. Do you think the White Sox regret that one?
Blue Back Minis:
Matt Kemp, Hunter Pence, Buster Posey, Noah Syndergaard RC & Jeff Samardzija
Samardzija was a wide receiver at Notre Dame before his MLB career. During his last two seasons, he racked up 2,266 yards and caught 27 touchdown passes.
Green Back Minis:
Carlos Correa RC, Matt Kemp & Jacoby Ellsbury
Correa posted an .857 OPS during his AL ROY season in 2015.
Black Back Minis:
Kris Bryant RC & Kyle Seager
Bryant hit 26 home runs and knocked in 99 runs to win the NL ROY award.
Gold Back Mini:
Jordan Zimmermann
Zimmermann threw a no-hitter on September 28, 2014.
Autograph:
Archie Bradley (129/250)
Bradley pitched in 333 big league games, posting a 4.03 career ERA.
Certainly not one of the autographs I was hoping for. There are some good names on the list, but luck was not on my side.
Shop for 2015 Topps Heritage ’51 Baseball cards on:
Want more installments of Shane Salmonson’s Cheap Wax Wednesday? Check out his other breaks in the archives.
