In the world of baseball cards, Topps is akin to royalty, a company that knows how to stir excitement and keep avid collectors on their toes. With their latest coup de grâce, Topps is celebrating the kings of the diamond with the introduction of the “All Kings” insert for their 2025 Series 2 release. Fresh off the success of the “All Aces” insert focused on elite pitchers, Topps is shifting the spotlight to the game’s most fearsome hitters, aptly crowning them as “All Kings.”
This isn’t just your run-of-the-mill follow-up to the beloved All Aces; it’s a masterclass in blending baseball’s historical greatness with its current thunderous talents. Commanding the helm of this luminous lineup are Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, two batters who have transformed the art of hitting into a pulsating spectacle for fans around the globe. With homerun swings that could rival Paul Bunyan’s mythical chops, Judge and Ohtani are deserving of their regal status in this card collection.
The All Kings checklist boasts 25 names, teeming with distinguishable potency and batting prowess. Besides Judge and Ohtani, the insert is a haven for collectors who have their eyes on prodigious players like Juan Soto, who dazzles with his plate discipline, and Elly De La Cruz, whose sizzling baserunning is as exciting as any fireworks display. Bryce Harper and Bobby Witt Jr. also make appearances, further asserting their presence as staples in the hobbyist’s eye. Each name promises not just stellar season performances but headlines that make these sluggers household names.
A tantalizing inclusion to this regal roster is rookie James Wood, who’s making quite the splash with the Nationals. This fresh face is not just an afterthought; he’s an emerging powerhouse in the league, already ranking 8th in home runs with 11 and amassing 25 RBIs. Adding a rookie like Wood offers collectors thrilling possibilities, especially if Topps decides to add limited editions of serial-numbered or autograph cards as the season progresses. For those who chase the rookies with the intent of bragging rights and financial gain, Wood is a name to watch.
However, King Topps doesn’t cease to dazzle with just current stars. The collection ambitiously amalgamates modern sluggers with some of the sport’s most beloved historical figures. How about a little Mickey Mantle swank, the effortless grace of Willie Mays, the unwavering fortitude of Jackie Robinson, the Yankees allure of Derek Jeter, and Ken Griffey Jr.’s sublime swing? The legends lend an aura of timelessness, ensuring the All Kings is more than just cards in a deck—it’s a treasure trove drawing connections between baseball’s storied past and dynamic present.
If you’re one to weigh the value of such releases against Topps’ previous successes, let’s just say the All Aces set a compelling precedent. The market went wild for these pitcher-focused cards with hefty forays into high valuations — Shohei Ohtani’s All Aces auto /10 card netted over $6,500, a base insert PSA 10 fetched $1,775, and even prospect Paul Skenes’ PSA 10 card exceeded expectations with an $1,800 sale. Considering the collective preference for hitters in the hobby world, All Kings is poised to eclipse Series 1’s landmark achievements and could well become the pièce de résistance in Series 2.
Topps has a knack for delivering irresistible, detailed card designs swathed in themes that resonate with their dedicated audiences. With All Aces carving its niche, All Kings is envisioned to prance boldly down the same path, albeit with even more pomp and grandeur. The set not only heightens the thrill for big bats but ensures every card collected and cherished encapsulates monumental moments unique to the sport and its fervent followers. As such, All Kings emerges not merely as an insert but as a regal declaration for aficionados awaiting the allure and pageantry that accompany Topps’ iconic offerings. Whether you’re here for the rookies, the legends or adding heavyweights like Judge and Ohtani to your collection, one thing’s for sure: All Kings is a collection even the most jaded collector won’t dare skip. So ready your collection slots, for Topps’ latest royal decree is a spectacle not to be missed.
