Topps Chrome continues to be one of the most popular products of the year, and the 2019 version does not disappoint.

The mid-year release comes out late enough in the season to include most of the key rookies, and the on-card autographs are one of the biggest selling points.  The 204 card base set uses the 2019 flagship design and is loaded with rookies and star veterans.  There are a dizzying 18 parallels for each base card which makes rainbow fans rejoice.  Photo Variations provide another twist for 25 players and can be verified by the code on the back of the card ending with #409.

Four different insert sets add to the collecting options.  Continuing the theme from the flagship line, the 1984 design is also used on a Topps Chrome insert set of 25 cards.  The Freshman Flash set is all focused on rookies, and the Future Stars set primarily focuses on second year players.  Finally, the Greatness Returns is a 15 card set which pairs a baseball legend with a current superstar.  Each of these insert sets have four or five different colored parallels to chase.

Hobby boxes promise two autographs, and jumbo boxes contain five autos.  The auto checklist is absolutely huge!  The rookie auto list has 76 players, and there are eight additional rookie dual autos.  The 1984 insert set also has 20 autos of their own, which a mix of rookies and stars. The 1999 Topps Chrome auto set pays tribute to the 1999 design and has both current and retired players mixed in.  Finally, the Freshman Flash and Future Stars auto sets deliver signed cards of the young stars we discussed above. New this year are Topps Chrome Debut Gear relic cards.  These are tough to pull with cards falling only one per hobby case.  There is also a super tough “Auto Relic” version of these cards.

Box Break

When it comes to Topps Chrome, I typically don’t buy too much sealed wax.  Typically, I’ll try to buy the remnants of a break and then complete my set by picking up the rest on SportLots or I’ll just go ahead and pick up a complete set on Ebay.  However, I will usually buy at least a retail blaster for the fun of it, and that is what I did this year as well.  I definitely beat the odds on this one!

The Urias green auto is a fantastic pull and more than covers the cost of the break.  Add on the Vlad Jr. RC, and all the other star  base and inserts, and I don’t think I could have asked for a better box.  Some of these will end up in my PC, and the rest will go up on Sportlots.

Do you like Topps Chrome or Panini’s version, Donruss Optic?  Or, do you prefer your cardboard to be made out of actual....well......cardboard?  Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!