The second series of 206 showed up for pre-order with just a few hours notice. While it may not have been obvious when it was going to come, it seemed pretty likely after the first release was called low series.
This series has an additional 150 base cards, with much the same configuration as the first release. One major change is there is no Opening Day version of the base cards, but it is replaced by All Star Background cards. Otherwise, this release largely extends the lower series, including the possibility of autographs of 205 cards.
Once again, each both contains four packs with ten cards per pack. There is no guaranteed autograph in each box.
With the release of 2023 206, we see more changes brought about by Fanatics. Some of which are positive, but some may not be. After years of the same basic format, 206 goes through some changes this year. After a very brief pre-order window, this release went on sale with a July 6 release date. Rather than the hobby box containing a single ten card pack as in years past, this year, a hobby box contains four ten card packs, with a small discount for buying sets of five boxes at once.
Another major departure from years past, is there are fixed odds for autographs, indicating a fixed release size. Gone are the days of print on demand for this set. There isn’t as much lead time from orders to delivery, but that may end up meaning the cards are more difficult for everyone to obtain direct from Topps. I really don’t like the way releases barely have any lead time today. I suspect long term, that’s going to cause problems for collectors who are trying to budget their hobby, if they have no idea what may be coming when.
Wave 5 of Topps 206 arrives in mid December, and completes the 500 card base set for the year. This wave features Hindu and Honus Wagner backs, along with many of the others included throughout the series. Once again, there are some short prints as well as autographs possible as part of the release. This wave has a print run of 9433 packs.
Each box contains at least ten cards, including eight base, and a couple of parallels. Some of the special cards are included as extra cards in the box. Each wave this year features one hundred base cards, so you need quite a few of these to complete a set.
Wave 4 for Topps 206 hits during the baseball postseason. This wave represents the lowest print run this year, with a total of 8162 boxes produced. One more wave is coming to finish up this run. At 100 cards per wave, these are twice the size of previous years.
The general format remains the same, but this series includes a handful of night game variations, as well as other image variations. It also sees the Cycle card back make an appearance. Each box contains one pack. This pack is now advertised as eight base cards and at least two parallels.
Wave 3 of 2022 Topps 206 hits with the League Championship Series wrapping up and the World Series about to start. This wave does away with the All Star Background parallels, and replaces Carolina Brights with Drum. There is also a small short print subset this time, featuring players from the Cubs and Reds in throw back uniforms for the Field of Dreams event. The print run for this wave is just barely down from wave two, with 8530 packs released.
The rest of the release is fairly basic. There are once again a few possible autographs, but these seem exceedingly rare. The wave features 100 base cards. Each box contains one pack featuring ten cards, including two parallels. Sometimes special cards show up as extra cards in the packs.
