Each year Topps goes outside of the baseball realm with the
Allen & Ginter product line. Yes, it’s still a baseball card set, but the
product explores avenues off the diamond as well. Ranging from standard base
cards to mini tobacco type offerings, there’s a little something for everyone
here. Allen & Ginter has long had a unique following and give the
consistent non-baseball inclusions that shouldn’t change any time soon.
From a collecting standpoint baseball cards are generally
about the big-name stars. In Ginter it’s always interesting to see what random
offering pops up as a chase card. A year ago, there was a cryptocurrency
depiction that saw base cards jump well over the expected value point, and the
market explosion didn’t take place until months after the product release.
Movie stars, presidents, and plenty of other big names will be found in this
product as well.
What’s great for Twins fans is that Minnesota is well
represented this season. Let’s look at everything there is to go after.
Base
The Twins lands eight subjects on the base checklist.
Continuing to emerge as a popular figure in the hobby this year Torii Hunter
has a card here. Willians Astudillo lands another rookie card, and teammates
Jose Berrios, Eddie Rosario, and Byron Buxton join him. The trio of retired
stars include Rod Carew, Tony Oliva, and Harmon Killebrew. You can also find parallel
versions of some base subjects among the mini, cloth, metal, and newly
introduced stained glass checklists.
Inserts
Traditional inserts aren’t the highlight of Ginter as much
as the obscure non-baseball offerings are. That said Carew is noted as both a “Baseball
Star” and “Ginter Great.” Killebrew lumps in to the Ginter Greats checklist as
well. Those three are the only traditional insert cards Minnesota places in the
product.
Hits
Minis are the name of the game in Ginter. Whether it be
relics, framed cards, or autographs the tobacco craze is high and mighty in
this product. Eddie Rosario is the Twins lone signing among the framed mini checklist.
Lending their signature to 20 total book cards, Berrios and Hunter are present.
Berrios is the only relic subject, while the elusive Rip Cards feature the
likeness of Carew and Killebrew (with a more limited dual offering as well).
