Series 2 continues the flagship release for Topps. This release features cards 351-700 in the base set, while also continuing many of the insert sets from the first series. The Golden Mirror SSP continues with an SSP for every card in the release. There are also a few alternate rookie SSPs at the end of the set, including one paying special tribute to the famous Billy Ripken card from 1989 Fleer.

These releases are getting smaller while maintaining a fairly high price. It used to be you could count on getting a complete base set out of a jumbo box, but that is no longer the case. The box advertises 10 packs with 40 cards per pack. Each box also includes 1 autograph and 2 relic cards.

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Now we see the arrival of the Flagship’s series two release. We’re starting to see how Fanatics is going to handle the hobby, and it doesn’t necessarily seem good. Gone are the days of six months lead times for ordering. Now, there is only a few weeks notice between the time LCSes are solicited and the product is released. Stores are seeing limited product, while prices continue to go up at the same time that volume keeps rising, as well. This doesn’t seem like a good combination for the long term.

This release picks up where series one left off, with cards numbered 331 – 660. It also continues the full SSP set for each card, along with the 1988 tribute sets. A box contains 10 packs with 46 cards per pack. Each box also advertises 1 Autograph and 2 Relic Cards.

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As the calendar turned to 2023, there were lots of questions about this release. Stores really weren’t sure what to expect for series 1, even to the point of not being sure they would be able to order it. In years past, Releases were often ordered six months ahead of release time. Now, coming up on the expected time for series 1, and that clarity wasn’t there. Perhaps this is the new Fanatics way, as the next expected release doesn’t seem to be offered yet, but series 1 seemed to work.

There is a rather big shake-up with this release compared to previous years. While there is the normal 330 card base set, along with a lot of parallel options, it takes a new approach to short prints. Gone are the days of three or four levels of short prints, featuring primarily stars and rookies. Instead, this year, we see a super short print version of every base card. It will be interesting to see how that plays out over time.

A box features 10 packs with 46 cards per pack. Each box also includes 1 Autograph and 2 Relic cards, along with two silver packs of 1988 Chrome cards, and an oversized box topper.

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The Topps Flagship release for 2022 series 1 comes at an interesting time in the hobby. A lot of uncertainty is circling around the recent announcement that Fanatics will be purchasing Topps. They seem to have big plans, but exactly what those are remain to be seen at this point. Either way, this release was planned well before the announcement, so we haven’t started to see the effects just yet.

Along with the Fanatics purchase, Major League Baseball is also faced with a labor lockout, postponing spring training, and possibly the start of the regular season. So, while series 1 normally ushers in the beginning of a new baseball season, it comes under a dark cloud this year.

The release itself is a standard format. The base set contains 330 cards, and provides a normal assortment of parallels. By looking at the odds to receive some of the numbered parallels, it becomes clear that the print run is way up from previous years. Demand seems to be through the roof, but is it from collectors? Or speculators? Only time will really tell.

A jumbo box contains ten packs with 46 cards per pack, including one autograph and two relic cards. Also included in each box are two silver packs containing 1987 Topps Chrome mojo refractors, as well as one oversided 1987 Future Stars card.

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