Topps Celebrates Strasburg’s Debut With Immediate Release of His Rookie Card

View Comments 07 June 2010

Phenom’s MLB Rookie Card Available Exclusively Online via www.ToppsMillion.com during his First MLB Game

To celebrate MLB Rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg’s major league debut, The Topps Company, Inc., the exclusive producer of Major League Baseball trading cards, has announced that Strasburg’s first ever MLB rookie card will be made available exclusively online via www.toppsmillion.com immediately following his first pitch in the big leagues.

In an effort to capture this special moment in a timely fashion and give sports fans around the world an opportunity to collect this treasured card, during Strasburg’s very first MLB game on June 8, collectors visiting www.toppsmillion.com with a code card found in Topps Series 1 or Topps Series 2 baseball will have a chance to unlock this special card. Strasburg’s Topps rookie card will contain the photo of his very first pitch in the Major Leagues and will be issued in very limited quantities.

“Topps has a long history of creating memorable and valuable cards featuring the games great rookie stars, from Mickey Mantle to Nolan Ryan to Cal Ripken, Jr. to Albert Pujols. We expect Stephen Strasburg’s rookie card to follow in similar fashion”, said Warren Friss, Topps GM of Sports & Entertainment. “Our enormously successful online Million Card Giveaway provides us a unique platform to capture and deliver Stephen’s first MLB rookie card in an unprecedented and incredibly timely fashion. Before Stephen even hits the showers, the very first Strasburg rookie card will likely be owned by at least one lucky collector.”

Last year Topps announced an exclusive multi-year deal with Strasburg granting Topps exclusive rights for autographed cards, game-used memorabilia cards and the use of Strasburg’s image on packaging and advertising. Topps will also offer a limited edition line of autographed memorabilia items.

In addition, Strasburg rookie cards will appear in the remainder of Topps 2010 baseball products starting with the release of Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball.

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Ken

Yes, Just another "ripoff to the buyer" promotion it seems. I am a small time collector but I would have to say that I spend in the neighborhood of $1000 per year on Topps products alone. Or should I say that I did in the past. I will not buy any more Topps product unless it is from an individual who already has what I want or need. No more from the outlets. I feel that the hobby is collapsing because of this type of dealings. Mostly I feel insulted that Topps would do this and think that I was stupid enough not to catch it. Maybe they think that all of their customers are gullable eight year olds. Hell, thats an even bigger insult ! Take the kids money ... he will never know !
JJ Tillman

Who bought the Strasburg 2010 Bowman Superfractor? I am hearing that Strasburg had his CPA purchase the card, so he could remain anonymous? Anyone hear anything similar? That card selling for $16,403 is great for the industry. After last nights performance, it is worth $25,000. I hope Strasburg does own it!
Brian Bengtson

One of the cards I unlocked was Jim Breazeale 1973. R u fing kidding me? Who the hell is that guy? Not to mention the best card I got was 1976 Tony Oliva past his prime. Boy am I glad I took part in this promotion!
Brian Bengtson

Now reading all of the other people that got screwed, it makes me even more pissed. I, like all of you, did the same by entering my codes right after the first pitch. Now, it will be impossible to get this card at a reasonable price. If you feel ripped off, think about how I feel living in Wisconsin. Half the cool shit never even makes it to us. We're busy getting shit off of ebay.
Gary

I agree with alot of you. I have not heard or seen and any big name cards yet!! All a bunch of commons. This Strasburg deal not.. another joke promotion they didn't have cards after the first pitch!! What a bunch of horse s__t!! Topps is getting to be as bad or worse then Upper Deck..
wayloheyo

listen it is not about us right now its about leting the new guys have a chance to make a name for them selves. u should be in it not for ur selves and what u collect but what u collect for your kids our even your grand kids.........................
Dan Jackson

Ok, if that's the case, I want to make sure that Topps doesn't pull unfair and shady promotions on my children and grandchildren.
Cory L

This sucks...Has anyone gotten any good cards out of the codes or is it like someone said they are going to hold them til the end and not give people enough time to redeem them.
waylo

you know it does suck that your in it for the old timers but this is a new era and time lets get on with it and give the new guy's a chance and make it memreable for our grand kids and not let it be about us right now........
Joe Joe

This venture sucks! I miss the days of no inserts and all that garbage---true rookie cards!
hk

Topps no longer Tops on my list
Jason Burch

Sweet I just unlocked a Strasburg rookie on my first attempt! Does anybody know how limited this card is going to be or even if it will be available after the game is completed?
Mike

Now there are 11 total Strasburg rookies redeemed - must be more common that originally thought?? 14K - 7 IP - 2 ERs - 0 BBs - 3 Hits? Wow!!!
Mike

now 16!!!! redeemed
Mike

I meant 4 hits
Dale McGarry

They're in the MFing system now after 90+ pitches!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike

I see through a trade search that someone has redeemed the first Strasburg 2010 rookie. So I redeemed my two codes and struck out like all the Pirates batters...
NOT HAPPY

I went out today and bought two code cards so I could enter them for tonight's promotion. I waited until after the first pitch (after the first half inning, in fact), and now I find out that the Strasburg's weren't available as of the first pitch AS ADVERTISED???!!! This is absolutely disgraceful Topps... the collectors here have shown their support, but this is a huge let down on your part.
Ryan Emery

I AM IN THE VERY SAME BOAT.... DAMN ARE WE SUCKERS!!!!!!
Daniel Dowhan

Aha, I see now on the official Topps Twitter page that they haven't been added to the system yet. I'm sure they tried, and I'm sure they feel like they put an appropriate effort into letting people know about the delay, but I have to disagree. I'm not mad about the 4 codes I "wasted" by entering them this evening, I'm just shaking my head in shame / disappointment / pity for how this is going to make them look to all the people who were counting on this event to go smoothly, or to be notified [here, or on the front page] if there were delays.
Bruce Campbella

I hope everyone realizes that this will be an incredibly short-printed card and almost impossible to pull/redeem. Topps has strung people along with this Topps Million Card Giveaway promotion and it has worked wonders for selling product. It hasn't done wonders for the collectors. Most of the vintage "cards from their vault" are in terrible shape, including a lot of hand-writing, creases, etc. It's been a scam since day one, why should the Strasburg idea be any different?
Johnny

Why don't Topps just randomly put the card in your collection if you redeemed a code card today, along with the card assigned. Not sure what is going on but I think alot of us are feeling very ripped off from Topps at this time. Anyone else agree?
C Vizzone

Agreed
shane

now that was a great idea!!! I put my codes in after the first pitch. :(
C Vizzone

This was horseshit. I went out and bought more like an idiot today in anticipation of his first start. Another gimic by topps. Aren't they getting enough of our money with this Million Dollar Giveaway. What a joke.
Daniel Dowhan

The most available "common" cards in this contest have about 80 copies unlocked already. So, let's say they added 100 Strasburg cards - there would be a 100/1000000 chance (1 in 10,000) of getting one now. Based on the trade post, there haven't been any unlocked yet, but I'm still going on the assumption that there are there to be had as of the first pitch. Is there somewhere, in print, where it suggests otherwise?
tcdyess

entered 60 starting in the 2nd inning, 0 for 60, now i find out it is not unlocked yet "right after first pitch?" Holy Fing Scam Batman!!!!
Bruce Campbella

Sorry to hear that you got burned by the false promises made/implied. Considering the redemptions sell for $2-3 each...that's a tough pill to swallow. hopefully you at least redeemed something of interest. - B
C Vizzone

This was horseshit. I went out and bought more like an idiot today in anticipation of his first start. Another gimic by topps. Aren't they getting enough of our money with this Million Dollar Giveaway. What a joke.
Dale McGarry

I don't know if we're eligible for Strasburg or not, the website says a whole bunch of nothing and nobody to answer questions here. All of you, like me, who've already enteredcodes post the # of codes you apparently got ripped off for. For me it was---

10
markad

when can we begin redeeming cards to be eligible for the strasburg rookie cards????
Ryan Emery

I guess I got taken by topps... I entered my codes when the site came back up... no Strasburg for me! But money in topps pocket, as I bought to get code cards today... no more, done for the year!
mark

Is it time to start entering codes?? When can I enter my codes and be eligible to get the strassburg????????????????????????// This is confusing???
xx

Recommended reading to shed light on the card business: Mint Condition--really put a new spin on things for me.
xx

my guess would be to check the card listings by going to the trade card tab and searching 2010 cards for strasburg
Dale McGarry

Just did search, no Strasburg's!!!!
TheCardMan

Come on MikeMader, we need your help here with questions!!
Kreepy13

Thats BS... I am Very unhappy now cause you all said that AFTER the 1st Pitch they cards would be available. Thanks for the BS. You are lucky you are the only MLB liscensed product. Cause this shit pisses me off and why I left the hobby before. Thanks for screwing with us and lying to EVERYONE!!!

QUOTE FROM TOPPS so you all don't have to look up:

"Major League Baseball trading cards, has announced that Strasburg’s first ever MLB rookie card will be made available exclusively online via www.toppsmillion.com immediately following his first pitch in the big leagues."
Dan

Can you provide more details on the availability of the Strasburg card? Will it be available only during tonight's game or does it just start with tonight's game? Will this card be unique to the MCG Program or will it be essentially the same card seeded in an upcoming release? Any idea how many will be produced / given away during the promotion? Thanks in advance!
Dan Jackson

This whole promotion has been shady from the beginning. If each code is not directly linked to a card there was no sense in entering any at the beginning of the year. You know the Mantle won't be given away until later in the year to keep people buying codes. Huge gimic, blown my trust. Now the Strasburg thing comes up. This is what I get for being a loyal customer and buying all my cards at release date in large amounts and entering the codes right away. Extremely disappointed.
donald

hello.i wasted a lot of money biding on the codes.i didnt get to manny money cards.the only one good card i won.was 1961 frank robison.the rest were mostly comins.some comins were from the 50s but not in the best shape.one time i put in a good bid,because it said we could get at lest one rookie card from this bid.i didnt get any good rockie.plus when i first entered the contest.i didnt know much about it.so like when it said your biding on a mantle card.your were biding on hes code card.not that when you unlock them there will be a mantle.of corse.the more code cards up for action.the higher you must bid.even if theres 50 codes to bid on.i wont bid much over 100 for those.sure ive gotten some cards worth 1 or 2 or 3 dollors.once you pay for the bid plus pay topps to get them shiped to you.you lost a lot of money.if you go to sell these cards.you wont even get back what you paid for them.
TheCardMan

You would thing the ToppsMillion site would have said you can start entering once it came back up from maintenance..........Way to keep us hanging!!
Mike

Has the announcement been made yet that Strasburg's are officially added to the collection so we can start entering codes? 2 and 2/3rds innings of shut down pitching so far...
Dale McGarry

Idk just entered all mine too. I don't wtf is going on!!
Erik

So is it available now or did I just waste all my unlock codes once the site came back up?
C Vizzone

This was horseshit. I went out and bought more like an idiot today in anticipation of his first start. Another gimic by topps. Aren't they getting enough of our money with this Million Dollar Giveaway. What a joke.
Dale McGarry

Anyone know if it's ok to enter codes in Million Card Giveaway for Strasburg yet?
TheCardMan

I don't know, but the Dale posting before yours I thought said "It is time to enter codes....." So I entered all mine already. Hopfully I didn't jump the gun and just did not fall into the odds...I hope so....I will be pissed if we weren't supposed to enter yet......
Dale

IS it time to enter codes for Strasburg yet?
mark

How many cards will be going out? Someone has to know some type of number, is it i in 10000 codes or 1 in 100??

Anyone know??
jimmy

so i have 100 of these, if i redeem one and it shows strasburg, can i keep redeeming and try for another or is it 1 strasburg period per user. pls let me know thanks.
mikemader

It's not 1 Strasburg per user. The cards will simply be added to the database and randomly unlocked the same way the other cards would be.
Dr Scholls

So are we supposed to enter our codes after the first pitch? If not, when?
mikemader

We will make an announcement when the cards are entered into the system and unlockable.
George Buxton

mail the card to hobby shops and let us give them out.
It would drive customers to our stores and reward us
for trying to compete with the Targets and Wal-Marts!!!
TheCardMan

Is this only during the game or any time on June 8th? (Even before the game starts?)
mikemader

It won't be until after the game starts as we to photograph his first pitch. We'll make an announcement when the cards are available.
BDE

So how does this work? Previously redeemed codes are out of consideration or could they be re-entered? Is this basically a lottery deal where you enter the unredeemed number and it may hit?
mikemader

Previously redeemed codes cannot be re-entered. The process is the same as always, just that the Strasburg cards will be entered into the mix tomorrow.
Attack of the Baseball Cards

How about making it card #661 and making a #661B with a different photo and adding that into the 2010 Topps HOBBY Sets!!!
mikemader

It's a fine idea, but it would be a little tough seeing as Series 2 is already in stores.
Attack of the Baseball Cards

It wouldn't be in Series Two or in any packs, it could be a card added to hobby sets only. Topps did this with a Derek Jeter Autographed card added only to random hobby sets in 1997. Now the set lists in Beckett for $80 but the hobby set lists for $175!!! They also added a Barry Bonds in (I believe) 2004 & only gave it to hobby stores to give out.
Lou Ruggiano

Basically what Topps is telling us is that this whole million card giveaway is not predetermined as they state it is.........now a card that would be redeemed for Ed Ott is now a Strasburg....what a joke
Case Cracker.

Buy all the Allen and Ginter you can now. Those are going to sky rocket.