The 2024 Topps Update Series of Baseball cards has brought forth a wave of excitement with its unexpected surprises and hidden gems. Among these surprises is the unanticipated crossover featuring Aaron Judge in the Paw Patrol universe. Topps has taken a unique approach this year, with fewer unannounced short prints compared to previous releases but still packing a punch with some thrilling Easter eggs, headlined by Judge’s animated venture in Rubble & Crew.
In a playful twist, Aaron Judge finds himself in the whimsical world of Paw Patrol in a special episode of Rubble & Crew that aired in August. Stranded in Builder Cove, a town where dogs converse and construction projects spring to life, Judge teams up with his furry pals to construct a stadium from scratch. To commemorate this delightful collaboration, Topps has included two special Aaron Judge Paw Patrol trading cards in the update set, numbered PP-1 and PP-2. Featuring an animated rendition of the Yankees’ powerhouse, these cards have swiftly become coveted items for collectors, generating buzz in the hobbyist community.
Another gem awaiting collectors in the 2024 Topps Update Series is a short-print (SSP) variation showcasing Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s debut with the New York Yankees. Traded from the Miami Marlins just before the deadline, Chisholm’s entry into the set was delayed, resulting in his appearance in a variation card, #US1. An intriguing detail of this variation card is the absence of a CMP code on the back, a common feature used by collectors to identify short prints, adding an element of challenge to spotting this card. The undisclosed odds of coming across this card, akin to the Aaron Judge Paw Patrol variants, contribute to the thrill of the hunt.
Introducing Golden Image Variations, the 2024 Update Series offers a fresh take on the 350 base cards, providing enthusiasts with alternate images of their beloved players, elevating the excitement of each pack. However, a minor oversight has been observed in the Black parallels within the set. While Black parallels typically bear a numbering of 73, in alignment with 2024 Series 1 and Series 2, this release has featured Black parallels erroneously numbered up to 74. Although this discrepancy does not diminish the overall appeal of the set, it serves as a curious observation for collectors keeping track of continuity in Topps’ collections.
As collectors delve further into the 2024 Topps Update Series, the journey promises more undisclosed variations and hidden surprises waiting to be unearthed. The addition of Aaron Judge’s animated Paw Patrol cards and Jazz Chisholm’s Yankees debut demonstrates that amidst dwindling SSPs, Topps can still deliver an element of fun and mystery in their flagship baseball sets. Whether collectors are on the trail of Judge’s animated alter ego or seeking out Chisholm’s Yankees introduction, the 2024 Topps Update Series guarantees a thrilling experience, encouraging enthusiasts to continue unraveling the surprises concealed within each pack.