10 Strangest 2013 MLB Stadium Giveaways
From fishing lures to cowbells, some strange stadium giveaways being handed out at MLB ballparks in 2013. Here are the year’s 10 most bizarre promotions.
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From fishing lures to cowbells, some strange stadium giveaways being handed out at MLB ballparks in 2013. Here are the year’s 10 most bizarre promotions.
1940 Gum Inc. Superman is notable for being the first-ever set of trading cards based on the Man of Steel. Featuring vivid artwork, the cards remain extremely popular (and valuable) today.
Focusing on the early TV series starring George Reeves, 1966 Topps Superman trading cards offers several variations that can make for a lofty challenge for dedicated collectors.
Focusing on the short-lived TV show, 1975 Topps Planet of the Apes trading cards remain extremely affordable and relatively easy to find. Not as prestigious as the 1967 film set, the release is nonetheless an important part of the franchise’s history.
1978 Topps Superman the Movie trading cards deliver a comprehensive look at the classic superhero blockbuster starring Christopher Reeve. Spread across two series, the checklist also includes stickers and foil stickers.
While the 2005 Inkworks Sopranos Season 1 trading card set was a disappointment upon its initial release, the set is actually strong once you get beyond the lack of key autographs. Get full details on the set as well as a look at what might have been autograph-wise if the line continued.
2012-13 Fleer Retro Basketball marks the return of old school. Incorporating memorable designs from the 1990s, every box promises four rare inserts and six autographs.
2012-13 Panini Brilliance Basketball delivers a large checklist, lots of inserts and a pair of inserts in every hobby box. The set also sees the return of Starburst and Artists Proofs parallels.
2012-13 Panini Crusade Basketball marks the return of a 90’s insert king. Inspired by the popular chase set from more than a decade ago, this hit-per-pack product has 3 autographs in every box.
2012-13 Panini Past & Present Basketball marks the brand’s sophomore season. Mixing old-school designs with modern, textured inserts, there is plenty of variety. Boxes come with three autographs.
2012-13 Panini Preferred Basketball is a high-end set that delivers just four cards per box. But those four cards: 3 autographs numbered to 99 or less and a book card.
Combining several brands and designs, 2012-13 Panini Rookie Anthology Hockey also includes a Prizm bonus pack in every hobby box. Collectors can expect a lot of content from players who debuted late in the 2011-12 season.
Silhouette memorabilia cards are some of the most popular in the hobby today. Get a detailed look the 2012-13 Panini Rookie Anthology Hockey Silhouette cards including images, checklists, team info and more.
2012-13 SP Authentic Hockey continues to focus on rookies and autographs. Every hobby box has three signatures including one autographed Future Watch rookie card. It also includes several Upper Deck update and SPx components.
2013 Bowman Baseball marks the 65th anniversary of the brand. Traditionally one of the top sets for prospectors, hobby boxes deliver one autograph and lots of the game’s future stars.
Get a complete look at the 2013 Bowman Chrome Blue Wave Refractor Autographs with this comprehensive guide. Includes a full checklist, images, buying guide, team info, real-time hot list and more.
See all of the 2013 Bowman Football Rookie Chrome Refractor Autographs in one handy place. This comprehensive guide includes full set details, checklist, images of every card, team info, convenient shopping guide and more.
2013 Cryptozoic Fringe Seasons 3 and 4 captures two more seasons of the popular science fiction series. Highlights include more autographs and costume cards.
2013 Cryptozoic Superman: The Legend celebrates one of the most iconic characters in the history of comics. The set features all-new artwork. Every box promises a sketch card.
2013 Famous Fabrics Ink Horrors of War II marks the return of one of the most infamous card sets of all-time. Every box includes a rare base card, a 1/1 cut signature card and either a hand-painted card, war relic or original 1938 Horrors of War card.
With the 2013 NHL Draft shaping up to be the best in years, 2013 In the Game Draft Prospects Hockey spotlights the top players available. Every box comes with three on-card autographs and a pair of game-used memorabilia cards.
2013 Leaf Trinity Football is all about high-end cards. Every six-card box has at least four autographs. The remaining pair of cards are either jumbo patch cards or more signatures. All autographs in the set are either on special Glass cards or are inscriptions.
With a new cartoon comes a new series of stickers. 2013 Panini Avengers Assemble Stickers look at the Disney XD show with a collection that includes foil and glitter stickers.
2013 Panini Father’s Day returns with a decidedly 90s retro feel. The hobby shop promo set includes designs and from several past sets including 1991 Studio Baseball, Team Pinnacle and Museum Collection.
2013 Panini Monsters University Stickers showcase the stories and creatures of the blockbuster animated prequel. The collection is highlighted by foil and glow-in-the-dark stickers.
As the globe gears up for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the 2013 Panini Road to 2014 FIFA World Cup sticker collection captures the best of the international soccer scene. Get full set details, the complete checklist and more.
Focusing on the past the the present of the national program, 2013 Panini USA Baseball Champions has five hits in every hobby box including a trio of autographs.
2013 Press Pass Gameday Gallery Football is an all-autograph release that comes with an artistic flair. Every hobby box delivers four numbered autographs from key 2013 draft picks.
Check out the entire set of 2013 Press Pass Parks and Recreation Autographs with this comprehensive guide. Signers for the set include Amy Poehler, Rob Lowe, Paul Rudd, Aubrey Plaza and Nick Offerman.
2013 Press Pass Redline Racing cards are highlighted by an autograph and race-used memorabilia card in every pack. Every two-pack box includes at least one card that has two or more memorabilia pieces.
Check out all of the 2013 Prestige Football variations with this handy guide. Includes side-by-side comparisons and know exactly what to look for as your busting packs.
Focusing on the show’s final season, every 2013 Rittenhouse Spartacus Expansion trading card set includes autographs from stars Liam McIntyre and Cynthia Addai-Robinson.
The 2013 Rittenhouse Star Trek Movies Collectors Set trading cards give a glimpse at what’s to come from the full Star Trek Into Darkness release. Each factory set has autographed relics from Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto.
2013 Rittenhouse Warehouse 13 Season 4 Episodes 1 Thru 10 covers the first half of the super-sized season. Every pack includes an autograph and a pair of relic cards.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, 2013 Score Football is once again targeted at set builders collecting on a budget. Jumbo hobby boxes deliver 50 rookie cards and three hits, including at least two autographs.
2013 SPx Football mixes new and old. Delivering three autographs and one memorabilia card per box, the release also hologram inserts that are a throwback to the brand’s roots.
2013 Topps Archives Baseball sees the return of the retro-themed set. With designs from several sets from the past, hobby boxes promise a pair of Fan Favorites autographs.
The 2013 Topps Archives Baseball Fan Favorites Autographs checklist has a decidedly 1980s and 1990s feel. Get a full checklist, images, set details, team info and more.
If you’re busting packs of 2013 Topps Archives Baseball and something doesn’t look quite right, it may be meant that way. Get a detailed look at the 2013 Topps Archives Baseball New Errors insert variations and the cards that inspired them.
While the Fan Favorites autographs are getting a lot of the product’s attention, the 2013 Topps Archives Baseball Retail Chase inserts are proving to be extremely rare. They’re drawing solid prices early on, as well.
2013 Topps Archives Football brings many popular designs and players from the past and gives them a modern spin. Every box delivers a pair of autographs. These include Fan Favorites Autographs.
Here’s what you should be looking for when you’re busting 2013 Topps Archives Football packs. Get full variation info, image comparisons, a checklist and more.
2013 Topps Baseball Proven Mettle is one of the most distinct inserts in the flagship set. Check out the entire set from 2013 Topps Series 1 and Series 2 and get full details for the coin cards.
2013 Topps Big League Minis vinyl figures marks the debut of a line of 3″ collectible toys. The initial set features 28 top MLB players plus rare variations. Get the full lineup, details, variant info and more.
In its sophomore season, 2013 Topps Museum Collection delivers a high-end autograph or memorabilia card in every pack. The checklist boasts a broad mix of current stars and baseball legends.
Yasiel Puig and Byron Buxton are among the 15 players to have 2013 Topps Pro Debut variation short prints. Get a full checklist and find out what to look for.
2013 Topps Qubi Football is the gridiron debut of the company’s collectible stamper line. The low-end collectible comes in three different styles: Signature, Portrait and Team Logo.
Continuing with the theme of “The Chase,” 2013 Topps Series 2 Baseball expands upon the most widely collected set in the hobby. Hobby boxes promise either an autograph or relic. Jumbo boxes have one autograph and two relics.
Take a detailed look at all of the 2013 Topps Series 2 Baseball Commemorative Patch and Manufactured Patch cards found exclusively in blaster boxes. Get a full checklist, set info, images and more.
Variation short prints are back with 2013 Topps Series 2 Baseball. See the set, complete with image comparisons, and know exactly what you need to be looking for.
2013 Topps UFC Knockout Autographs are some of the most attractive in the sport. Delivering on-card signatures and a limited print run, they pack quite the punch. See a full gallery to go along with the checklist and complete print run info.
2012 Topps UFC Knockout goes to battle with either an autograph or relic card in every pack. Cases promise at least one book card. Several popular inserts return, including Fist-ographs and Triple Threads.
The 2013-14 O-Pee-Chee wrapper redemption is back with exclusive cards. Run through Canadian hobby shops, the program offers special parallels and an all-new insert set.
Whether it’s comics, movies or TV, Superman trading cards cover them all. Get a detailed look at Superman trading cards over the years. Includes set info, buying guide and more.
Alfred Morris was one of the NFL’s biggest surprises in 2012. Get complete details on all of the running back’s rookie cards, including a checklist, images, buying guide and more.
2013 Topps Archives Baseball Heavy Metal Autographs welcome collectors to the jungle of rock music with signers like Axl Rose, Tommy Lee and Kip Winger. Get a detailed look at the set including a full checklist, images and more.
2013 Panini Golden Age Baseball got a lot more interesting with the addition of fully licensed Bad News Bears cards and autographs. Tatum O’Neal and Jackie Earle Haley are among the stars with autographs in the set.
LeBron James is the at pinnacle of his basketball career and should still enjoy several more years at the top. The LeBron X EXT denim sneakers are the newest edition to the popular sneaker line and the initial response has been huge. View our complete image gallery and shopping guide.
Get complete details on all of Doug Martin’s rookies cards. Includes detailed card info, buying guide, images and more.

What can you do when the post office loses you uninsured sports cards? According to attorney Paul Lesko, not much. Using a recent court case, he explains why.
With the popularity of retro-influenced sets, Paul Lesko looks at the murky waters of what is and isn’t up for grabs when a trading card company goes out of business or is swallowed up by another company.

Apparently the Rally Squirrel isn’t roadkill just yet. The St. Louis Cardinals look to be on the verge of settling a longstanding trademark battle over the unofficial mascot.
Topps has successfully squashed a USA Football trademark for Huddle, clearing the way for the card maker to use the trademark for their fantasy football app. Paul Lesko has the legal details.
Attorney Paul Lesko breaks down the challenges facing Topps in their trademark application for the letter V.
The Upper Deck versus Upper Deck International lawsuit continues to play out in court. Paul Lesko has details on how Upper Deck is trying to get the late Richard McWilliam dropped from the lawsuit on the basis of a technicality.
Following his stunning high-wire walk across a gorge near the Grand Canyon, Nik Wallenda is about to receive one of the ultimate pop culture affirmations: his own baseball card.
Panini’s portfolio of autograph deals grew much bigger with the signing of 16 prospects ahead of the 2013 NBA Draft. Players include Nerlens Noel and Anthony Bennett.
Nathan MacKinnon is considered one of hockey’s top prospects. Here are some of the top Nathan MacKinnon hockey cards to get ahead of his first official NHL cards.
2012-13 Fleer Retro includes the first basketball cards of baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn. Besides seeing what he looked like in his college days, you can get a full list of all the cards he appears on in the set.
As one of the most famous fictional characters of all time, Superman and his alter-ego, Clark Kent, have built up quite a fanbase. Collectors have an impressive variety of options that cost as little as a few dollars, and as much as several million dollars.
Get a detailed look at 10 of the top Gerrit Cole cards available at the time of his major league debut.
Over the next couple of weeks, Topps is offering vintage cards, autographs and exclusive parallels through a series of hobby shop promotions that coincides with the release of 2013 Topps Archives Baseball and 2013 Topps Series 2 Baseball.
Storage boxes are a very useful product from Ultra Pro. Coming in several different sizes, these plastic two-piece boxes are one of the easiest ways to keep cards safe while on the go.
Plenty of baseball’s top 2013 draft picks already have a presence in the hobby. We break down the first round of the draft and highlight some of the baseball cards already available.
WIl Myers has been named the fifth 2013 Bowman Baseball Lucky Redemption.
Fresh off his MLB debut, Yasiel Puig cards are hot. But there aren’t a lot of them out there, especially with Puig in his Dodgers uniform. But that will change in the weeks and months ahead.
Prices of Yasiel Puig baseball cards have soared during his amazing first week with the Los Angeles Dodgers. See just how much as we break down sales of several key cards in the weeks leading up to his call-up and after one week in the majors.