As the first 2019 Topps Baseball cards surface, so too follow the short prints. Once again, the 2019 Topps Series 1 Baseball variations add alternate photos to select base cards. And there are lots of them.
But it’s not just active players that are in on the variations. Several legends are part of the tough Super Short Print checklist as well.
As per usual, variations take on the same design as the base set. Because they look so similar, you might not even notice that you’ve pulled something special and, potentially, much more rare. So here’s where some help comes in. We’ve made it easy for you to not only spot the 2019 Topps Series 1 Baseball variations, but how you can identify one with a simple glance.
2019 Topps Series 1 Baseball Variations: The Short Prints
The Short Print Variations, or SP, are all veterans and rookies. As a whole, these are more common than the legends. But even then, there are 75 total. So making a full run or set is challenging. But finding a card or two of your favorite player or team should be pretty easy and not overly expensive.
Here are the 2019 Topps Series 1 SP odds for most pack types:
Short Print Variations Odds
- Hobby – 1:15
- Hobby Jumbo – 1:17
- Blaster – 1:39
- Hanger – 1:20
Basic Short Print Variations are listed as 1:17 hobby jumbo packs. But widespread issues have been reported with them not showing up. And we’re not talking one or two missing here and there. Several breakers have opened cases of jumbo boxes and not received any. Only hobby jumbo box appear to have been impacted.
2019 Topps Series 1 SSP Variations
Retired stars aren’t new to Topps variations. In fact, they have been used most years since Topps starting doing extensive intentional variations. However, the approach this year is a little different. They provide a theme for the scarce Super Short Print cards. Players cover generations of Hall of Famers and future Cooperstown inductees.
And while they have baseball in common, not all of the images are baseball images. Some show players more candidly. For instance, an older Babe Ruth is golfing. Ted Williams is shown as a pilot from his days serving in the Marines.
In addition to those, there is Nolan Ryan who is going full cowboy.
2019 Topps Series 1 SSP Variations are extremely tough to pull.
Super Short Prints Odds
- Hobby – 1:444
- Hobby Jumbo – 1:495
- Blaster – 1:1,160
- Hanger – 1:574
It does not appear the issue of SP cards not showing up in hobby jumbo packs is a problem with the SSP legends.
Sharp Dressed Cards
The 2019 Topps Baseball variations don’t have a theme that threads all the photos together. But there’s definitely something about what a lot of players are wearing. Some are in throwbacks, which, while interesting, isn’t a novel concept. They’re among the most coveted variations in Topps Heritage every year.
Other outfits stand out much more.
Seven players are shown in their dapper duds from the 2018 All-Star Game Red Carpet event last summer. Mike Trout, Francisco Lindor and Aaron Judge are among them. It’s part of a growing number of special event surrounding the Midsummer Classic and ties in nicely to the annual parade. It’s also an excuse for fans to see another side of players outside of their usual uniforms.
A couple of other SP clothing choices have even deeper stories. For example, there’s Javier Baez. His SP variation stands out for the suit jacket he’s shown wearing. But it’s not just something he picked up at the store. It’s actually a jacket that once belonged to Roberto Clemente. Baez borrowed it from the Roberto Clemente Museum and wore it last season at the Home Run Derby. Now the jacket makes its way onto a baseball card.
The 2019 Topps Series 1 Variations also act as a reminder of one of 2018’s most touching stories. Last August, Khris Davis worked with the Make-a-Wish-Foundation to honor Anthony Slocumb, a young boy who had been battling cancer, which went into remission. After that, Davis flipped the script and asked Anthony to sign his jersey. Following that, the slugger then went out and hit a home run that same night while wearing the signed jersey.
Besides these, Corey Kluber’s variation shows him in his Player’s Weekend gear. Meanwhile, Justus Sheffield is wearing his USA jersey from the Futures Game.
How to Use Card Backs to Confirm 2019 Topps Series 1 Variations
Looking for an easy way to confirm if you have a variation short print before you even look at the front of the card? Once again, the fine print on the back has a bit of a cheat code. As part of the production process, Topps assigns a CMP code to different card types. However, it’s not meant for collector use. But over the past few years, it has become a telltale sign for variations in a lot of sets.
2019 Topps Series 1 is one of them.
To find this code, look to the string of numbers at the end of the fine print. If you have a base card, they all end in 910. However, if you have a card with a code that ends in 967 or 968, it’s a variation.
Codes of note for variation hunting:
- Base – 910
- Short Print Variations (SP) – 967
- Super Short Print Variations (SSP) – 968
2019 Topps Series 1 Baseball Variation Short Prints Checklist
Here’s a quick list of all the 2019 Topps Series 1 Baseball Short Print Variations. A SSP checklist follows as well as a massive gallery of what the cards look like.
If you’re looking for a specific card, click on the link to see what’s available on eBay.
1 Ronald Acuna Jr.
7 Gleyber Torres
10 Clayton Kershaw
16 Charlie Blackmon
32 Carlos Correa
34 Josh Donaldson
37 Marcus Stroman
41 Corey Seager
46 Jose Abreu
49 Michael Kopech
50 Mookie Betts
52 J.T. Realmuto
53 Brandon Crawford
57 Justin Verlander
60 Kyle Tucker
62 Elvis Andrus
77 J.D. Martinez
84 Matt Carpenter
100 Mike Trout
107 Scooter Gennett
109 Michael Conforto
110 Trevor Bauer
112 Joey Gallo
119 Willson Contreras
125 Paul DeJong
128 Yoenis Cespedes
130 Blake Snell
133 Ryan Zimmerman
137 Carlos Rodon
139 Mitch Haniger
149 Khris Davis
150 Aaron Judge
157 Buster Posey
161 Eric Hosmer
163 Aaron Nola
166 Matt Chapman
176 Trea Turner
178 Jose Altuve
180 Justin Turner
183 Freddie Freeman
200 Jacob deGrom
209 Nicholas Castellanos
210 Kris Bryant
213 Juan Soto
215 Didi Gregorious
221 Luis Severino
222 Zack Greinke
223 Jose Ramirez
225 Yadier Molina
228 Rafael Devers
230 Miguel Cabrera
238 Whit Merrifield
250 Shohei Ohtani
253 Starling Marte
258 Eddie Rosario
262 Adam Jones
269 Francisco Lindor
276 Nolan Arenado
279 Rhys Hoskins
284 Joey Votto
287 Jesus Aguilar
292 Dee Gordon
297 Paul Goldschmidt
300 Christian Yelich
302 Jose Berrios
306 Justus Sheffield
310 Javier Baez
311 Jake Bauers
313 Robinson Cano
323 George Springer
330 Lorenzo Cain
336 Corey Kluber
344 Max Scherzer
349 Kyle Schwarber
2019 Topps Series 1 Baseball Legends SSP Variations Checklist
In addition to the regular SP variations, here’s a list of the 2019 Topps Series 1 Legend Super Short Print Variations.
If you’re looking for a specific card, click on the link to see what’s available on eBay.
10 Sandy Koufax
21 Ozzie Smith
32 Cal Ripken Jr.
46 Frank Thomas
50 Ted Williams
57 Nolan Ryan
100 Hank Aaron
150 Don Mattingly
172 Mike Piazza
176 Ty Cobb
178 Jackie Robinson
215 Derek Jeter
230 Lou Gehrig
238 Rickey Henderson
250 Babe Ruth
253 Roberto Clemente
260 Reggie Jackson
262 Wade Boggs
276 Brooks Robinson
280 Bob Gibson
289 Mark McGwire
292 Ichiro
330 Bo Jackson
344 Pedro Martinez
350 Carl Yastrzemski
2019 Topps Series 1 Baseball Variations Gallery
1 Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves
7 Gleyber Torres, New York Yankees
10 Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
10 Sandy Koufax, Los Angeles Dodgers
16 Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies
21 Ozzie Smith, San Diego Padres
32 Carlos Correa, Houston Astros
32 Cal Ripken Jr., Baltimore Orioles
34 Josh Donaldson, Cleveland Indians
37 Marcus Stroman, Toronto Blue Jays
41 Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers
46 Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox
46 Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox
49 Michael Kopech, Chicago White Sox
50 Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox
50 Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox
52. J.T. Realmuto, Miami Marlins
53 Brandon Crawford, San Francisco Giants
57 Nolan Ryan, Houston Astros
57 Justin Verlander, Houston Astros
60 Kyle Tucker, Houston Astros
62 Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers
77 J.D. Martinez, Boston Red Sox
84 Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals
100 Hank Aaron, Milwaukee Brewers
100 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
107 Scooter Gennett, Cincinnati Reds
109 Michael Conforto, New York Mets
110 Trevor Bauer, Cleveland Indians
112 Joey Gallo, Texas Rangers
119 Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs
125 Paul DeJong, St. Louis Cardinals
128 Yoenis Cespedes, New York Yankees
130 Blake Snell, Tampa Bay Rays
133 Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals
137 Carlos Rodon, Chicago White Sox
139 Mitch Haniger, Seattle Mariners
149 Khris Davis, Oakland Athletics
150 Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
150 Don Mattingly, New York Yankees
157 Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
161 Eric Hosmer, San Diego Padres
163 Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies
166 Matt Chapman, Oakland Athletics
168 Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals
172 Mike Piazza, New York Mets
176 Ty Cobb, Detroit Tigers
176 Trea Turner, Washington Nationals
178 Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
178 Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers
180 Justin Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers
183 Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
200 Jacob deGrom, New York Mets
209 Nicholas Castellanos, Detroit Tigers
210 Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs
213 Juan Soto, Washington Nationals
215 Didi Gregorius, New York Yankees
215 Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
221 Luis Severino, New York Yankees
222 Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks
223 Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Indians
225 Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
228 Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox
230 Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
230 Lou Gehrig, New York Yankees
238 Rickey Henderson, Oakland Athletics
238 Whit Merrifield, Kansas City Royals
250 Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels
250 Babe Ruth, New York Yankees
253 Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh Pirates
253 Starling Marte, Pittsburgh Pirates
258 Eddie Rosario, Minnesota Twins
260 Reggie Jackson, New York Yankees
262 Wade Boggs, Boston Red Sox
262 Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
Mitch Moreland is #262 in the base set.
269 Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians
276 Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies
276 Brooks Robinson, Baltimore Orioles
279 Rhys Hoskins, Philadelphia Phillies
280 Bob Gibson, St. Louis Cardinals
284 Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
287 Jesus Aguilar, Milwaukee Brewers
289 Mark McGwire, Oakland Athletics
292 Dee Gordon, Seattle Mariners
292 Ichiro, Seattle Mariners
297 Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
300 Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers
302 Jose Berrios, Minnesota Twins
306 Justus Sheffield, New York Yankees
310 Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs
311 Jake Bauers, Tampa Bay Rays
313 Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners
323 George Springer, Houston Astros
330 Lorenzo Cain, Milwaukee Brewers
330 Bo Jackson, Kansas City Royals
336 Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians
344 Pedro Martinez, Boston Red Sox
344 Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals
349 Kyle Schwarber, Chicago Cubs
350 Carl Yastrzemski, Boston Red Sox
Hi Ryan,
Do you know where these first baseball cards of 2019 came from?
Walmart or Target?
@david – I’ve seen images of live Ronald Acuna Highlights so that points to Walmart packs.
Still great to have a product on the market that yields more than 12 cards per box !
Sadly though looks like the good ol`36 packer may become extinct.
Justus Sheffield went to the Mariners in November 19th and Topps still has him as a Yankee? Anyone know how far ahead are cards generally planned and printed?
@Eric – It can vary from product to product, but from what I’ve been told in the past, something like a set like this, the main checklist is pretty much set several months out. Historically, if they’ve done last-second additions, the cards are short prints or variations like Acuna and Torres in Series 2 last year.
so your guaranteed a short print per hobby box but not for a jumbo box…..ok then???
Just wondering if anyone knows if the Josh Hader card is an error card? My nephew bought the cards today and for his 2018 Stats his WHIP stats show 0.00 but his 2018 WHIP Stats are .811. Does anyone else have the same stats on their card?
Yeah I noticed that on other cards, not specifically Hader though.
Ryan,
You have the Hobby odd wrong in the article. They are not 1 in 5 they are 1 in 15 according to the wrappers and that is the rate they seem to be from what I have opened.
Is Topps *ever* going to care enough to fix the errors on the back of the SSP Jackie Robinson variations cards? Every time they print these the stats on the back say that he led the league in Slugging Percentage in 1947 and 1949 (which he did not) and they don’t indicate that he did lead the league in Stolen Bases in those years. Such carelessness when it comes to not only a baseball hero but a true American hero! Come on, Topps, get it right!
Anyone else notice the stinginess of this product? In prior years one could find an entire set in every jumbo plus dozens of doubles. This year, not. I came up 82 short in just one box, and it too did not have a short print, and only two gold parallels AND was missing one of the guaranteed relics. Fewer cards for more money…thanks for nothing, Topps.
Jose Altuve has a SP 178. Just pulled it.
Has anyone noticed certain cards specifically #196 Adam Engel on back all black and white (and grey) Is that done bc team colors or is it a variation? Thanks
I noticed what looks to be a statistical error for Ross Stripling’s career ERA on the back of card #267. I can not figure out how they came up with his career ERA of 5.99, when in his 3 years of MLB service he has had ERA’s of 3.96, 3.75 and 3.02. Even in the minor leagues, his highest ERA was 3.88. He has pitched a total of 296.1 innings and given up a total of 116 earned runs, which comes out to about 3.53. I also noticed a lot of mistakes on career WHIP for a number of pitchers but don’t have any of the cards in front of me to cite. Has anyone else noticed these types of errors?