Is eTopps Still A Thing Or Am I Out Cards?

I know that Topps stopped selling new eTopps cards in 2012. The website is still active, but it's a mess. The website won't recognize my login and the forgot username and/or password link does not work. I e-mailed Topps about it on February 19th. I received a reply later that day that Topps was looking into the situation. I have not received any other communication from Topps.

While trying to get my collection streamlined and organized these past few months, I had a moment of clarity. I had eTopps cards that I hadn't shipped. This little epiphany started this frustrating path down the Topps rabbit hole.

So, is there anything I can do at this point? I feel like I've already invested too much time in this endeavor and the Topps Company has not invested any. At least that's the way it appears. Perhaps there is a dedicated team working around the clock on my login problem and I have exposed a previously undetected issue that threatens to bring down the very infrastructure of the Topps Company and all that will be left in its wake is Panini America and I will be burned in effigy for the destruction of the trading card industry, cancelling the National this year and beyond, and bringing the world to the brink of devastation. Perhaps not.

Closer to the truth is that Topps probably does give two bleeps about eTopps and most likely hasn't since before 2012. Truthfully, I haven't cared about eTopps in a long time either. The cards are still in limbo because I balked at the shipping rates years ago. I thought it might be time to get my cards out of limbo, but it's proving difficult to do so.

If anyone has any serious suggestions as how to get some actual help from Topps on this issue, I'm all ears. I don't see this ending well. I have a feeling that my account was deleted and I am out the cards I have stockpiled. I hope I'm wrong and a nice solution presents itself.


***UPDATE 4-1-19***
Apparently, I chose the absolute worst time to remember I had cards on eTopps. "System issues" was the explanation I was given. I am back into my account, but I seem to remember more cards in my account than I actually have. My memory could be faulty or cards could have disappeared. Nonetheless, I am back in and can formulate a plan from here.

First White Sox Cards Of 2019

I was not able to get to 2019 product until this weekend. When 2019 Topps Series One came out, Michigan was in the middle of a polar vortex. We had temperatures near -50 degree Fahrenheit.  I was not about to go out and shovel just to get cards. I know. Where are my priorities?

Various weather related issues and watching my 15 month old grandson, kinda made me home bound for awhile. I finally broke out yesterday and got my hands on a blaster box.

While some of you figured out yesterday that one of my packs contained a Michael Kopech card, this was the first card in the very first pack I opened of 2019 product.

#49 - Michael Kopech 

#264 - Avisail Garcia

 

#196 - Adam Engel

#111 - Reynaldo Lopez

#308 - Yolmer Sanchez

Not bad for a blaster. Over half of the base set without SPs and SSPs.

Verified 2019 Topps Short Print Variations

46 - Jose Abreu (SP)

46 - Frank Thomas (SSP)

49 - Michael Kopech (SP)

137 - Carlos Rodon (SP)

That's what has been found so far. There may be other variations that pop up in the next few days.

A List Of Topps Larceny Of Bloggers

Has Topps stolen an idea that you either originally had or have put hard work into that clearly came well before they released a version of it?

Let's document this and see just how much Topps "borrows" from the bloggers. I acknowledge that Topps probably has a little lag time between inception of product and release of same product. Topps can also be stingy with what's exactly in their releases and sometimes will wait until the last minute to release details. The intention here is to try to establish when each instance was first released or mentioned by either side.

There are homages and there are outright cases of stealing. Homages are completely harmless. It's what most of us bloggers are doing with card creations. A company can also do an homage, but they should give credit where credit is due. We'll collect all the examples here and let the public decide.

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Birth Year cards

1st blogger mention: January 20, 2009 gcrl
1st blogger appearance: March 9, 2009 White Sox Cards
1st Topps mention: June 23, 2016 Topps blog
1st Topps appearance: Fall 2016 (as Topps Birth Year cards)

Blogger version: Cards featuring White Sox players on the design from the year they were born.

Topps version: Topps is issuing a set of cards called "Birth Year" cards featuring rookie players on the design from the year they were born.
 

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Celebrity Jersey cards

1st blogger appearance: May 7, 2010 Johngy
1st Topps appearance: Spring 2015 (as Topps First Pitch)

Blogger version: Celebrities wearing jerseys featuring all sports.

Topps Version: Topps used celebrities and notables in jerseys throwing out the first pitch at a baseball game. Topps did do insert sets of Presidential first pitches as early as 2002 in Topps American Pie.

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Do you have more examples? Leave them in the comments and I'll include them if the case is convincing enough.

The First White Sox Card Of 2016

CHRIS SALE!!!

Really, Topps?

So Topps wants us to vote for our favorite cards that they selected. Um, OK. I'm in a voting mood.

I see 15 Mickey Mantle cards out of a possible 100 choices??? Sure, the 1952 Topps card of Mantle is iconic, but we have been bombarded with that image for the last few decades. I think it may be time to retire the use of that image for at least a few years. The more cards that are in tribute to the 1952 Topps Mantle, the more the iconic image becomes diluted and void of meaning.

It once was the epitome of all that was good with Topps and what a collector should strive to collect. Now, anyone can own a watered down version of that card directly from Topps. If you don't like that, it's also available in different backgrounds, like snow! If anyone that has been collecting for a few years can honestly say that they have never held some type of Mantle card in their hand, raise their hand. Just as I thought... no one.

We get that Mickey was a "legend" of the game. Just because you have the licensing to do so, doesn't mean that we want Mickey Mantle included in EVERY SINGLE RELEASE with MULTIPLE CARDS. There are a couple of collectors that do, but the majority of us are sick and tired of the Mantle-lust from Topps. I have chosen to not vote for ANY Mickey Mantle card in this voting opportunity. I voted for Roger Maris on the Indians and Bob Gibson, among others. Yes, I voted for Fisk as well.

When looking for iconic Chicago White Sox cards to vote for, did I run into Minnie Minoso (who is Mr. White Sox), or Frank Thomas, or Luis Aparicio? Nope. How about Mark Buehrle or Ron Kittle? Nope. Wilbur Wood or Nellie Fox? No, on all accounts. I ran into Sammy Sosa and... that's it.

The Sammy Sosa rookie card of Sammy Sosa in a White Sox uniform. The same Sammy Sosa that made his debut with the Texas Rangers and was considered a common when he was with the White Sox. The same Sammy Sosa that came to national attention with the other Chicago baseball team. The same Sosa who battled McGwire for Babe Ruth's record as part of the Chicago Cubs. The same Sosa who left Chicago in disgrace. I did not vote for Sosa either.

Maybe if Topps wasn't so concerned with assuring that at least a dozen Mickey Mantle cards make the cut, they would have had room for iconic cards featuring other players and other teams. I can think of one White Sox card that would have been better suited to represent the team from 1990. Topps already used it extensively in their "Cards Your Mother Threw Out" insert set.

Could This Be Topps Next Variation?

It's very rough around the edges and not colorized, but that is Babe Ruth in a Brooklyn Dodgers uniform taking batting practice. I just wanted to do a quick mock-up of the card just to see what it would look like. I did not take a lot of time or care into this card. I already know that it isn't up to my usual custom card standards.

Just slumming with this one.

First Abe, Now This

First Bush Jr. Then Mantle. Then Abe Lincoln. Now this?

Is that...Yes.

It is!

Little Dolphie!

If you think Topps has crossed some sort of line, they haven't. This one was made by yours truly as a point to show just how ridiculous these type of intentional errors have become, if it wasn't already apparent.

Is Hitler a Yankees fan? Probably no more than Abraham Lincoln was a Cubs fan. If Topps wants to play cutesy in the photo editing programs, why not just do a whole set of these? No short prints. No hidden alternate checklists. Just make a whole set of celebrities popping up in dugouts, century old players playing the field and improbable people in the stands.

I'll even throw out the name. Topps Alternate Reality. Catchy, huh?

I'm very proud that I was able to make Adolph lean against the railing of Yankee Stadium. He even looks like he's cheering for a spectacular play.

One Question

Did Topps have to pay for this kind of exposure in Kevin Smith's new film, "Cop Out"?

Seann William Scott looks like he wants a pack of Upper Deck thrown in there for good measure.

Propaganda!

A funny image caught my eye, when I was browsing the blog roll. It looked like Evan Longoria, but he was featured in a propaganda style piece of artwork. Surprisingly, that post was from the Beckett blog.

There will be thirty posters in all. I'll assume that would be one for each team. They will also be offered as an insert set for the upcoming Topps Updates & Highlights release. This might be an insert set that I wouldn't mind collecting. I'll have to see it in person to ultimately judge that initial assumption.

The Last One Standing Is Topps

Pop! They stole our baseball cards!







What are you blathering on about, Dean?





They stole our baseball cards right out of the hands of our future selves!





Boys, I don’t have time to deal with this right now. I have to finish this work today for some high ranking officials. I’ve been working on it for six years. Today is the final day and I need my concentration. Brock!



Yeah, Doc?







Would you be kind enough to do your job and look after the boys?





C’mon Hank. Dean. I’ll show you how to kill a man using only these two fingers.






No, Brock! They’re stealing our baseball cards!





Who’s stealing your baseball cards?







Upper Deck is!







Yeah, Upper Deck is!





Why would a company that makes cards go to all the trouble of stealing yours?







They’re not getting the license to show logos after this year.







They’re stealing our cards! I want to rip their faces off and show it to them!





Right. No one is stealing your cards, Hank. They just can’t show logos. They’re still making cards. They just have to get creative.






No one’s getting creative with me! I’ve got a reputation to protect!





Wait. I think I understand, Brock. I can see my favorite players, but they won’t have any clothes on.






No. That’s not it at all.







I SEE A FUTURE WHERE PLAYERS ARE ALL ON THE SAME EVIL TEAM!!!




Why don’t you just go over there, for now. You’re not helping.





Doc’s right. Skedaddle.







What does he mean by that, Brock.







Nothing.







:::CRASH:::

PREPARE FOR THE WRATH OF THE MONARCH!!! Release the butterflies!!

:::awkward pause:::

Alright. Who forgot to feed the frickin’ butterflies? That’s the last time I pick up henchmen along the border road. Really. There was supposed to be a deadly swarm surrounding everyone and chaos was supposed to ensue. Real hardcore stuff.

Who’s going to pay for that wall?! Insurance won’t cover that! You knocked over my files! Who’s going to clean that up?




You told me you were going to the bathroom. Now I find you arching? I told you no arching on our date nights!





I’m sorry dear.






Help Dr. Venture clean this mess up. I don’t know what got into him tonight. He was feeling frisky and full of life… I don’t know.





It’s OK.





Hey, pop? What’s this piece of paper mean?







I recognize those all of those names! There are… 104 different names.





104 names? What does that mean?







That… that… that’s nothing for you to see. It’s a top secret project I’ve been working on.




But those are…





Brock! You know what to do.





C’mon kids. Time for ice cream sundaes.







Oh boy, ice cream! Go team Venture!












Uh… yeah. Go team Venture. You boys go ahead. I’ll meet you there.

:::Turns to the Monarch:::

Hey. Can you do me a favor?



:::End credits:::






OK Doc, what do we do now?







It isn’t the first time. Sigh. Get their clothes.