I bought the complete set on Ebay ($50.00 plus shipping), so much cheaper this way. I found one card missing in the set #64 Malloy and I reached out to the seller and he is working on it for me. I have scanned the entire 200 card set (minus the Malloy). I will show the first half tonight and the other half tomorrow night.
Let me say this before you peek at the cards.... I am disappointed in Topps/Fanatics with the product this year (last year).
The Pros: there are several great photos used but not as many as usual. Lots of good shots though.
The Cons: Design is weak, card stock is somewhat flimsy for what is supposed to be higher type set, and even with many good shots and a few great shots the overall shots seem redundant. This set will not rank better than flagship as the last of the 2025's roll out (still a few more coming).
Okay now that is out of the way it is time to highlight the first 99 cards. (64 missing).
There ya go the first half of the set.
I agree with your pros and cons thus far. That Holliday card with the glove on his head is relatable...I always wore my glove on my head at baseball practices, and I remember one time wearing it on my way to the pitcher's mound in a high school baseball game. Ahhh, good times.
ReplyDeleteThat Chase Dollander card (#42) has a fantastic photo.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great shadow
DeleteYour third scan (one that starts with Ripken) is a good example of how mundane Stadium Club has gotten in comparison with SC sets from just a few years ago (I was just looking at 2016 and it's far better).
ReplyDeleteI got a blaster and was disappointed. The Sepia parallels were difficult to distinguish, inserts looked mundane, and the set didn’t pop like it had in the past. I probably won’t be picking up any more. Glad you were able to knock it out by getting the set. Is it technically called 2026 Stadium Club? I’ve seen people refer to it as both, but can’t get myself to call it a ‘26 set, as the ‘24 stats are on the back.
ReplyDeletethe boxes say 2025
DeleteThe player is exactly in the center in almost every vertical card. I guess it's always that way but it really stands out here. Not much variety.
ReplyDeleteNice combination of current and past players. Looking forward to page 2. Enjoy the time all!
ReplyDeleteI have put together a set of Stadium Club every year since 2014. Several disappointments from this set.
ReplyDelete1) Only 200 cards.
2) Releasing the 2025 set in mid February 2026!
3) The design wasn’t bad, but certainly not exciting. Average at best.
4) Card stock seemed different. I’m not sure it’s thinner, but there’s something about it.
5) As mentioned, several great shots, but too many that look the same.
6) I haven’t run the numbers, but curious if the percentage of retired players is the same with 100 less cards. That’s always been a big draw for me - great shots of retired players from years ago.
7) Insert sets very uninspiring.
8) Lime Green parallels? Really?
9) Only 4 Royals… easier to get 2 or 3 parallel sets, but only 4?
10) No Satchel Paige or Warren Spahn cards.
I completed a set the same way - for how I collect, I figure it was easier than buying a couple of blasters and/or a mega boxes only to end up with a bunch of cards, but probably not all of them.
ReplyDeleteI completed a set the same way and for how I collect, better than buying some blasters and/or a mega box - only to end up with a bunch of cards, but not all of them.
ReplyDelete