What is your rarest SSP?
 

Being going down a Stadium Club Image Variation rabbit hole and was curious what other folks have locked away?

What's your rarest SSP? Why did you pick that card?

I own one of the 17 Black and Whites produced that year. The joyful expression in black and white really pops. Also, although it's a 9, the silver flip doesn't kill the eye appeal. It actually enhances it.

[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53627812111_74d30b3bcd_b.jpg[/img]

I have a 2013 Toys R Us Purple Opening Day Bryce Harper. It's the only graded copy across all grading companies currently.

What is your rarest SSP?
 

I don’t have any from baseball, but I think my fav to get would be the Pete Alonso polar bear card (2020 topps flagship I think?). Not even a mets or Alonso fan, just thought that was funny and kinda random baseball card. I like quirky cards like that which are memorable.

I love this thread idea.

These are two of my favorite paper SSP.
The Freeman is just a perfect baseball card in every way.

Rumored print run on the Ultra SP is around 25, I think.
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240402/68defa08b4d29361f33799991e005047.jpg[/IMG]


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Brandin Cooks /99

Not the most valuable - but probably this guy. These SSP were hard to pick out as the sparkle on his necklace is the only difference. PSA full pop is only 3. I own the lone PSA 10 and the PSA 8.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/GqqJgMB.jpg?3[/img]

2021 Stadium Club Acuna bat flip SSP

One of these two, I guess.

[IMG]https://gallery.us175.com/pics/resized/600x375/recent-pickups/scan0956.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://gallery.us175.com/pics/resized/600x375/recent-pickups/scan0332.jpg[/IMG]

Not sure if this "no first name" version counts as a SSP but pack odds put the pr at 15 or less (this auto was not serially numbered). PSA shows 3 submitted, BGS 6 submitted. Been an Acuna fan since spring 2017.

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240402/9a529b5951fba309bca5c6b955f0edf6.jpg[/IMG]

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I have a 2023 Heritage Bryan Bello flip stock RC (only 5 copies produced).

[ATTACH]551429[/ATTACH]

I have a no-name heritage minors flip stock. I wouldn't normally have kept it, but it's the only one I've ever seen in person and my most SP card for sure.

I’ve been into “photo variations” for a long time. I picked this card up many years ago, stored it in collection and forgot about it. A few years ago, another Ichiro collector informed me the print run might be around 5 or less than 10. A few months ago, I decided to get my copy graded with PSA. There’s only a total of three graded and my PSA 9 is the highest:

[b]2012 Topps Chrome Ichiro Suzuki (Photo Variation SSP)[/b]

[url=https://ibb.co/1RJ7wxQ][img]https://i.ibb.co/j3Zb1Ff/2012-Topps-Chrome-Ichiro-Suzuki-PSA-9-Photo-Variation-SSP.jpg[/img][/url]

2016 Opening Day Mike Moustakas
2016 S2 Flagship Lorenzo Cain SSP

Got nearly all Stadium Club photo variations and black and whites for the mid 2010s Royals.

The 2016 Opening Day Salvy Perez is one of my most wanted cards. Only hit the eBay once in many years and someone else BINed it before I got a shot.

I don’t know if there are just one or several ‘S’s’ in front of the ‘P’, but since I have mostly Wax, this would have to be it …..

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240402/732d5ad0e99892caaf2d3135ce3fe304.jpg[/IMG]


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[SOLD]

2016 Topps Update US167 Corey Seager SSP

I've been trying to buy another for the last 4 years and zero have come up. I did miss one back in 2020 a week after I started looking.

Zero on the PSA pop report and 1 on the BGS pop report

Stock image but its in my collection somewhere.
[img]https://i.imgur.com/XGhOvGYl.jpg[/img]

PR of this is supposedly 5-10. Two of them are owned by people here

[URL=https://sportscardalbum.com/card/gxjgm52d/n-a][IMG]https://sportscardalbum.com/c/gxjgm52d.jpeg[/IMG][/URL]

Just looking at things that are super-short without necessarily a known print run, not 1/1s or whatever. I only recently found out my 2012 Topps Bowing Ichiro is fairly rare and pricey. I don't recall when I bought it, but I think it was at a show from someone's dollar box. I just thought it was a cool image and obviously neither of us knew it was short.
[IMG]https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/SLkAAOSwSrNmByZs/s-l1600.jpg[/IMG]

I've got loads of rarities in my Sizemore collection where I've only seen a copy once or twice. One of my favorite "What is that?" cards are 2008 Topps Back to School. They were a special package that I suspect was only issued to Targets in the Midwest, maybe only in the Minneapolis area. They came in a special package with a couple Topps packs and 2 of 8 player cards with unique photos. I saw the Sizemore when it first came out but didn't buy it immediately, figuring they'd be available. But that one got bought and it took about 4 years to find another copy. Then they suddenly started showing up more regularly for a little while but I don't think I have seen more than a half-dozen copies altogether since 2008. Looking at COMC, they haven't even had all 8 cards ever listed, lacking the Griffey. I still covet Ichiro with the Moose.
[IMG]https://herohobbies.files.wordpress.com/2024/04/targetbtspack.jpg[/IMG]

So back when I got back into collecting, I became great friends with Reggie. At some point, he had posted a 2018 Topps Montgomery Soto Rookie Auto. That card haunted me. (BTW, don't ask Reggie if any of his cards are for sale, bc I can tell you the answer...they're not lol) So, I ended up setting up an alert on eBay if one ever popped. Sure enough one did, but it took almost 2 years.

I swore, I'd do my best to win it. It's one of my fav SSP Soto rookies out there. [B]I know of 3 that exist today. Mine, Reggie's and one other. That's it.[/B] I still watch for them but have yet to see another pop.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/a3ZpDe2l.jpg[/img]

Has the Kelenic 2021 Topps S2 SSSSSSSP ever been seen?

I am not sure of the print run, heard its 5-10 but 2015 Heritage Noah syndergaard blue back. Bonus is its a peusdo 1 of 1 since its the only PSA 10

Probably this one. (not my exact card, just an image online)

[IMG]https://cconnect.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/2016-Topps-Heritage-High-Number-Baseball-Variations-Throwback-Tim-Anderson-1-215x300.jpg[/IMG]

I don't collect Trouty, but I would love to have his Opening Day Blue Sky with Clouds whatever-P. Gorgeous baseball card.

Nolan Ryan auto /5 from 2022 HHN. 1 in 120,000 packs.

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240402/ac231fe57d38f514d96d130c9d7f556f.jpg[/IMG]

I think about 30 of these were made.

[img]https://i.ibb.co/x1M3TLw/Screenshot-20240402-185724-Instagram.jpg[/img]

I PC Bo and love the modern take on one of my favorite cards of all time, the Score "Bo Breaker"

[img]https://i.imgur.com/ISZomRw.jpg[/img]

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240402/9c67d0af9c5ec2913d061dd40673b02b.jpg[/IMG]


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Why are serial numbered cards being posted in an SSP thread

I've got a bunch of the Stadium Club variations, those are a favorite of mine. The GQ SSPs are more rare, I think there are 100 of the Acuna. No clue on the Freeman, the only other one I've seen was on the Cardboard Connection variations gallery. My rarest is probably the Bichette wave refractor, I think there are twelve of those.[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240402/67d0fc9c06cfc4536d09e5f494a56432.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240402/9339b09d91c301bd033f79fb1a277b1a.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240402/945039bced056c72b33afeecf6f09c11.jpg[/IMG]

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[QUOTE=Mister2Bits;19384943]Not the most valuable - but probably this guy. These SSP were hard to pick out as the sparkle on his necklace is the only difference. PSA full pop is only 3. I own the lone PSA 10 and the PSA 8.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/GqqJgMB.jpg?3[/img][/QUOTE]


Been looking for the Altuve sparkle for a long time

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240402/d3bb8e0f4514ec730ebd91db88cb7f11.jpg[/IMG]


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[QUOTE=REGGIE206;19385022]I’ve been into “photo variations” for a long time. I picked this card up many years ago, stored it in collection and forgot about it. A few years ago, another Ichiro collector informed me the print run might be around 5 or less than 10. A few months ago, I decided to get my copy graded with PSA. There’s only a total of three graded and my PSA 9 is the highest:

[b]2012 Topps Chrome Ichiro Suzuki (Photo Variation SSP)[/b]

[url=https://ibb.co/1RJ7wxQ][img]https://i.ibb.co/j3Zb1Ff/2012-Topps-Chrome-Ichiro-Suzuki-PSA-9-Photo-Variation-SSP.jpg[/img][/url][/QUOTE]

I pulled that card in a case in 2012. The odds were 1 in 900 or so packs for an image variation. I traded it on here for a Ryan Howard superfractor several years ago.

Awesome thread, here's mine.

[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/tjgShvv.jpeg[/IMG]

10 x SSP = ??

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240403/57724f2368f0190da35bec8b24177dac.jpg[/IMG]


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[ATTACH]551438[/ATTACH]

Somehow there are only 2 graded copies of this, his first season in Philly.


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[QUOTE=seanbros55;19385551]10 x SSP = ??

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240403/57724f2368f0190da35bec8b24177dac.jpg[/IMG]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

Yes! :flex:

Not baseball, but I have a Christian Pulisic Cyber Monday ssp auto that has a estimated print run of 5. Mine is a pop 1 PSA 9 with non higher.

All six of the 2016 Topps Update SSPs that I have. I've seen print run estimates as low as 10 copies. A raw Mookie Betts 2016 Topps Update SSP just sold on eBay for $1,250... and I feel like that was a steal. I wish I'd seen it first.

[QUOTE=Archangel1775;19385079]2016 Topps Update US167 Corey Seager SSP

I've been trying to buy another for the last 4 years and zero have come up. I did miss one back in 2020 a week after I started looking.

Zero on the PSA pop report and 1 on the BGS pop report

Stock image but its in my collection somewhere.
[img]https://i.imgur.com/XGhOvGYl.jpg[/img][/QUOTE]

If you saw the Seager you're talking about on eBay, I bought it. Nearly swallowed my tongue trying to click 'Buy it Now' fast enough.

[QUOTE=majestik101;19384865]I own one of the 17 Black and Whites produced that year. The joyful expression in black and white really pops. Also, although it's a 9, the silver flip doesn't kill the eye appeal. It actually enhances it.

[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53627812111_74d30b3bcd_b.jpg[/img][/QUOTE]


As underrated a parallel set as there is.

Print run has gone up since, but it’s my impression that the /17 years are overlooked because they came out before Stadium Club started getting some love.


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Don’t see Trout smiling on cards much any more.

I have 2 cards mentioned in this thread, probably because they are not exceptionally rare.

Am working on these SSPs; the completist urge is the only reason I bought this. Don’t have a scan of my copy yet. Kinda rare I think:

[IMG][URL="https://www.comc.com/Cards/Baseball/2013/Topps_Update_Series_-_Base/US2052/SP_Photo_Variation_-_Prince_George_of_Cambridge/6946785"][IMG]https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/2013/Topps-Update-Series---Base/US2052/SP-Photo-Variation---Prince-George-of-Cambridge.jpg?id=cf434f5e-d92d-488b-b2bd-cf599286049f&size=original[/IMG][/URL] 2013 Topps Update Series - [Base] #US205.2 - SP Photo Variation - Prince George of Cambridge [I]Courtesy of [URL="https://www.comc.com"]COMC.com[/URL][/I][/IMG]

2020 Topps Mini SSP.

[IMG]https://pbase.com/towerymt/image/174367697.jpg[/IMG]

Bambino22 now owns the best SSSP I’ve ever owned, but I’ll let him share it.

I have several flagship SSP’s, but these are my favorites—the early Topps Chrome photo variations (I regret selling my ‘13 Posey and ‘14 Harper!) and a couple of pretty cool Seagers.

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240403/04f488b1abae41e41caa5c113ef3cf65.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240403/1f19c3e3d1c2dd0d26185a945a7590ba.jpg[/IMG]


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Love those Seagers. I'm not a Dodger fan, but he's one of my favorite players. I have a few SP's of his too. The SP gold is POP 1

[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53628832013_71bc636aa9_c.jpg[/img]

[QUOTE=Bambino22;19385287]I think about 30 of these were made.

[img]https://i.ibb.co/x1M3TLw/Screenshot-20240402-185724-Instagram.jpg[/img][/QUOTE]


Such a silly card. (Isn’t the PR more like 50?)


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polar bear better make an appearance.

[QUOTE=eye4talent;19385744]Such a silly card. (Isn’t the PR more like 50?)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro[/QUOTE]

The guy who sold it to me told me 10!

I'm not sure. I thought I was told 30 at a card show but I'm probably wrong.

The Gwynn SSP from 2013 Topps Update is one of my favorites. I heard the print run was about 25 on these. Griffey Jr. cameo is cool.

[IMG]https://www.blowoutforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=551441&d=1712115635[/IMG]

[QUOTE=jjrpilot;19385172]So back when I got back into collecting, I became great friends with Reggie. At some point, he had posted a 2018 Topps Montgomery Soto Rookie Auto. That card haunted me. (BTW, don't ask Reggie if any of his cards are for sale, bc I can tell you the answer...they're not lol) So, I ended up setting up an alert on eBay if one ever popped. Sure enough one did, but it took almost 2 years.

I swore, I'd do my best to win it. It's one of my fav SSP Soto rookies out there. [B]I know of 3 that exist today. Mine, Reggie's and one other. That's it.[/B] I still watch for them but have yet to see another pop.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/a3ZpDe2l.jpg[/img][/QUOTE]

And that card still looks amazing today! :)

[QUOTE=Chaotic30;19385515]I pulled that card in a case in 2012. The odds were 1 in 900 or so packs for an image variation. I traded it on here for a Ryan Howard superfractor several years ago.[/QUOTE]

Oh wow!!!! You actually hit one in a pack!? That is amazing!

[QUOTE=REGGIE206;19385022]I’ve been into “photo variations” for a long time. I picked this card up many years ago, stored it in collection and forgot about it. A few years ago, another Ichiro collector informed me the print run might be around 5 or less than 10. A few months ago, I decided to get my copy graded with PSA. There’s only a total of three graded and my PSA 9 is the highest:

[b]2012 Topps Chrome Ichiro Suzuki (Photo Variation SSP)[/b]

[url=https://ibb.co/1RJ7wxQ][img]https://i.ibb.co/j3Zb1Ff/2012-Topps-Chrome-Ichiro-Suzuki-PSA-9-Photo-Variation-SSP.jpg[/img][/url][/QUOTE]

Awesome card Reggie, sort of looks like he's smiling? Or is that just me?

[QUOTE=DioBrando;19385203]I am not sure of the print run, heard its 5-10 but 2015 Heritage Noah syndergaard blue back. Bonus is its a peusdo 1 of 1 since its the only PSA 10[/QUOTE]

Congrats on the 10. I own the 9!

Here are the other three from that set too :flex:

[img]https://i.imgur.com/9AJbpwR.jpeg[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/aYs8DmQ.jpeg[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/TUeZqp1.jpeg[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/eEN85gI.jpeg[/img]

Blue Back: Pop 2 - My 9 and your 10
Reverse Stock: Pop 1
Black and White: Pop 1
Gum Damage: Pop 4

I'd post the rest of the rainbow but those arent SSPs. :flex:

[QUOTE=Mister2Bits;19386127]Congrats on the 10. I own the 9!

Here are the other three from that set too :flex:

[img]https://i.imgur.com/9AJbpwR.jpeg[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/aYs8DmQ.jpeg[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/TUeZqp1.jpeg[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/eEN85gI.jpeg[/img]

Blue Back: Pop 2 - My 9 and your 10
Reverse Stock: Pop 1
Black and White: Pop 1
Gum Damage: Pop 4

I'd post the rest of the rainbow but those arent SSPs. :flex:[/QUOTE]

Nice! I also have a gum damage 10. I have most of the others( color swap, action, chrome, chrome refractor, black refractor) but those aren't graded

[QUOTE=SleepyWill;19385875]Awesome card Reggie, sort of looks like he's smiling? Or is that just me?[/QUOTE]

It does.. haha!

[QUOTE=From Chicago;19385649]All six of the 2016 Topps Update SSPs that I have. I've seen print run estimates as low as 10 copies. A raw Mookie Betts 2016 Topps Update SSP just sold on eBay for $1,250... and I feel like that was a steal. I wish I'd seen it first.[/QUOTE]


I have to see a pic of these together!!


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[QUOTE=Chaotic30;19385515]I pulled that card in a case in 2012. The odds were 1 in 900 or so packs for an image variation. I traded it on here for a Ryan Howard superfractor several years ago.[/QUOTE]

That was me who you traded the Ichiro to! Still one of my favorite cards in my collection.

[ATTACH]551449[/ATTACH]

For all the cards I have bought I really don’t have that many ssp’s. I have this years Mookie Betts stadium club photo variation, the 2018 Babe Ruth card # 700 Ohtani is the other 700 in the set and The 2017 Corey Seager topps 2017 stretching variation.

I pulled Poley Walnuts back in 2008. Sold it for 3K at the time.

[QUOTE=BostonNut;19386349]I pulled Poley Walnuts back in 2008. Sold it for 3K at the time.[/QUOTE]

I had never heard of this card!

[QUOTE=From Chicago;19385649]All six of the 2016 Topps Update SSPs that I have. I've seen print run estimates as low as 10 copies. A raw Mookie Betts 2016 Topps Update SSP just sold on eBay for $1,250... and I feel like that was a steal. I wish I'd seen it first.[/QUOTE]

I have this update SSP from the same set:

[IMG]http://beckett-www.s3.amazonaws.com/news/news-content/uploads/2016/10/2016-Topps-Update-All-Star-Variations-281-Anthony-Rizzo.jpg[/IMG]

With 25 SSPs in the set, and odds at about 1:21 jumbo cases to find 1, that put the odds at finding any specific SSP at 1 in about 525 jumbo cases.

What's considered to be the first modern Topps SP?

[QUOTE=eye4talent;19385744]Such a silly card. (Isn’t the PR more like 50?)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro[/QUOTE]

I gotta ask: In a thread featuring cards with a guy made out of Legos, a royal baby, a dog and a card that is just basically a border with the picture cut out, what is it about this specific card that makes it silly? I don't own it and I'm not defending it, I'm just wondering.

To each their own :)

Silly question, when setting up an eBay notification is there a way to get one once an item is listed? Or, is it only the once a day email chain.

The entire set of 2023 Hidden gems all 55 cards many of them are pop 1 on the psa pop report too ! Never again will I try something to difficult lol

[QUOTE=gmarutiak;19386429]I gotta ask: In a thread featuring cards with a guy made out of Legos, a royal baby, a dog and a card that is just basically a border with the picture cut out, what is it about this specific card that makes it silly? I don't own it and I'm not defending it, I'm just wondering.[/QUOTE]


Ha! I had a feeling someone would be perplexed by that comment.

I sold that card to Bambino22, and we’re buds. So, I was just needling him. It’s also my pass-aggressive way of saying I half-regret selling it.

Personally, I think it’s one of the cooler cards Topps has ever made.


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Mine was the 2022 Topps Chrome Wander Franco SSP. It came out of a Walmart Blaster. I held it all thru the good times, and then his scandal hit. I posted it on eBay just as the news broke, and ended up getting only $75 for it. If I'd been smart, I would have sold it as soon as I pulled it (fall 2022) for who knows what.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/sBAjyAq.jpeg[/img]

This Hoskins card is hard to come by, its the SSP version

As silly SSPs go, I also have this one from 2018 Update:

[IMG]https://img.beckett.com/news/news-content/uploads/2018/10/2018-Topps-Update-Series-Baseball-Variations-US107-Rally-Goose-SSP-490.jpg[/IMG]

And since we are talking about squirrels -- these are my wife's cards

[img]https://i.imgur.com/21qIZlO.jpeg[/img]

[QUOTE=eye4talent;19386451]Ha! I had a feeling someone would be perplexed by that comment.

I sold that card to Bambino22, and we’re buds. So, I was just needling him. It’s also my pass-aggressive way of saying I half-regret selling it.

Personally, I think it’s one of the cooler cards Topps has ever made.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the explanation!

[QUOTE=SleepyWill;19386437]To each their own :)

Silly question, when setting up an eBay notification is there a way to get one once an item is listed? Or, is it only the once a day email chain.[/QUOTE]


I’ve been wondering this for a long time. The daily email really isn’t helpful for snagging deals.


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Not too valuable, but hard SSP to find. Have one for my Yankees Topps team set run.

Guy who caught Jeter's 3000th hit.
[url]https://www.beckett.com/news/derek-jeters-3000th-hit-fan-gets-his-own-topps-card/[/url]

[img]https://img.beckett.com/news/news-content/uploads/2012/03/lopez2.jpg[/img]

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240403/2ec4c3d17a0735c23858f0f160618e9e.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240403/aaeae77becec37631874be307ee17a7b.jpg[/IMG]

I have this Pete Alonso 1/1 Significant Statistics auto relic. If you look closely on the front there is what I swear is a small hair UNDERNEATH the auto sticker… haha. Ups the rarity factor… Pack pulled by me so it came that way.


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What is your rarest SSP?
 

[QUOTE=SleepyWill;19386408]What's considered to be the first modern Topps SP?[/QUOTE]


I think you’d have to define what an SP is first (and also modern).

Is the usual definition of SP an unnumbered card from the base set that is printed in lower numbers compared to other cards in that set? (Doesn’t have to be base, but I usually think of base with image variation SPs etc). Using that definition even something like a random McGwire home run # from that #220 base card of 1998 Topps would be an SP (no numbered, and [i]is[/i] surely printed in less numbers than a regular 1998 topps base.

For more modern, the 2007 Topps Jeter w/Mantle/Bush stands out as an early image variation that I’m assuming was short printed. I’m not sure about earlier sets, as I don’t mainly collect baseball.