
2015 Topps Series 1 Baseball Variation Short Prints – Here’s What to Look For!
Overview
Ballpark hijinks and sparkles -- those are once again the themes of the 2015 Topps Series 1 Baseball variation short prints. Some use different photos while others have a small twinkle added to the regular card.
2015 Topps Baseball Photo Variations offer pictures that are something out of the ordinary. Many are celebrations, like post-game Gatorade showers. For Paul Konerko, it shows him saying goodbye to some fans with his son snapping pictures.
Sparkles are back for a third year. They debuted in 2011, Topps' 60th anniversary. They returned in 2014 Topps and continue on. As in the past, these can be tricky to see as many are cast against white backdrops or near something they can easily blend into.
If the sparkles are too small or you're unsure as to whether you have an alternate photo, the fine print on the back, once again, offers a hint for the 2015 Topps Series 1 Baseball variations. These are the codes to look for:
- Base Cards end in 861
- Photo Variations end in 901
- Sparkle Variations end in 903
Although unannounced, these variations have become an expected part of the set in recent years. But even with the expectation, there is some mystery as to how many total variations there are. We're busy compiling the data and expect to have full details in the days ahead. In the meantime, here's what we know so far. Below is a checklist of confirmed variations as well as the category they fall under. The tabs above have visual guides showing exactly what to look for.
See Also: 2015 Topps Baseball Retail Factory Set Rookie Variations
These cover intentional variations and not production hiccups that might unintentionally create different versions of cards. The most common is cards that lack foil on the front. These are production errors that, generally, aren't highly sought after except by dedicated player collectors.
Last year, there were variations with sabermetric stats on the back. We haven't heard of any yet, but it's possible they may return as well so you may want to look at your card backs as well.
2015 Topps Series 1 Baseball Variations Checklist
The following is a master checklist of all the 2015 Topps Series 1 Baseball variations. Please use the tab above to get specifics and visuals for specific types.
Because Topps has not confirmed all the variations, this is a work in progress.
5 Josh Donaldson - Photo
5 Josh Donaldson - Sparkle
6 Jayson Werth - Sparkle
15 Joey Votto - Sparkle
20 Madison Bumgarner - Photo
20 Madison Bumgarner - Sparkle
25 Jose Bautista - Photo
25 Jose Bautista - Sparkle
34 Charlie Blackmon - Sparkle
39 Salvador Perez - Photo
42 Todd Frazier - Sparkle
43 Starlin Castro - Sparkle
46 Wilson Ramos - Photo
47 Anthony Rizzo - Sparkle
50 Yu Darvish - Photo
50 Yu Darvish - Sparkle
60 Michael Wacha - Sparkle
62 Nolan Arenado - Sparkle
67 Hunter Pence - Sparkle
73 Freddie Freeman - Sparkle
75 Dustin Pedroia - Sparkle
80 Adam Wainwright - Sparkle
83 David Wright - Sparkle
92 Ian Kinsler - Photo
92 Ian Kinsler - Sparkle
100 Clayton Kershaw - Photo
100 Clayton Kershaw - Sparkle
109 Doug Fister - Sparkle
120 Yoenis Cespedes - Sparkle
125 Troy Tulowitzki - Sparkle
134 Brett Lawrie - Photo
136 Manny Machado - Photo
136 Manny Machado - Sparkle
144 Rusney Castillo - Sparkle
149 Daniel Murphy - Sparkle
150 Giancarlo Stanton - Photo
150 Giancarlo Stanton - Sparkle
163 Chase Utley - Sparkle
169 Adam Jones - Photo
169 Adam Jones - Sparkle
175 Adrian Beltre - Sparkle
177 Paul Konerko - Photo
181 Jason Heyward - Photo
181 Jason Heyward - Sparkle
192 Joc Pederson - Sparkle
200 Miguel Cabrera - Photo
200 Miguel Cabrera - Sparkle
203 Paul Goldschmidt - Sparkle
205 Josh Harrison - Sparkle
207 Bryce Harper - Photo
207 Bryce Harper - Sparkle
216 Greg Holland - Photo
219 Kennys Vargas - Photo
221 Jason Kipnis - Photo
225 Jacoby Ellsbury - Sparkle
242 Edwin Encarnacion - Sparkle
250 Evan Longoria - Photo
250 Evan Longoria - Sparkle
251 Anthony Rendon - Sparkle
262 Ryan Braun - Sparkle
272 Matt Kemp - Sparkle
275 Buster Posey - Sparkle
281 Elvis Andrus - Photo
300 Mike Trout - Sparkle
302 Martin Prado - Photo
315 Javier Baez - Sparkle
318 George Springer - Photo
320 Shin-Soo Choo - Sparkle
321 Josh Hamilton - Sparkle
325 Felix Hernandez - Sparkle
336 Matt Carpenter - Sparkle
348 Carlos Santana - Sparkle
350 Yasiel Puig - Sparkle
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Photo Variations
2015 Topps Series 1 Baseball Photo Variations Visual Guide
1 Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
Base: two hands up
Variation: tipping cap
5 Josh Donaldson, Oakland Atheltics
Base: batting
Variation: Gatorade bath
20 Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants
Base: pitching
Variation: batting
25 Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
Base: running
Variation: looking over shoulder
39 Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals
Base: batting
Variation: catcher's gear
46 Wilson Ramos, Washington Nationals
Base: fielding
Variation: Gatorade bath
50 Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers
Base: pitching
Variation: batting
92 Ian Kinsler, Detroit Tigers
Base: running
Variation: with bat
100 Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
Base: pitching
Variation: blowing bubble
134 Brett Lawrie, Toronto Blue Jays
Base: fielding
Variation: juggling baseballs
136 Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles
Base: fielding
Variation: with Mike Trout
150 Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
Base: batting
Variation: jumping with teammates
163 Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
Base: fielding
Variation: walking from dugout
169 Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
Base: batting
Variation: blowing bubble
177 Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox
Base: tipping cap
Variation: in stands with fans
181 Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves
Base: batting
Variation: waving
200 Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
Base: batting
Variation: hat backwards
207 Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
Base: batting
Variation: yelling
216 Greg Holland, Kansas City Royals
Base: pitching
Variation: Gatorade bath
219 Kennys Vargas, Minnesota Twins
Base: running
Variation: in dugout
221 Jason Kipnis, Cleveland Indians
Base: sliding into base
Variation: sliding on tarp
250 Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
Base: fielding
Variation: no hat
281 Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers
Base: batting
Variation: with Derek Jeter
302 Martin Prado, New York Yankees
Base: batting
Variation: Gatorade bath
318 George Springer, Houston Astros
Base: Future Stars
Variation: Gatorade bath
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Sparkle
2015 Topps Series 1 Baseball Sparkle Variations Visual Guide
More variations will be added as they're confirmed.
Still having troubles seeing the sparkles? We've created a Sparkle Spotter cheat sheet to make it even easier.
5 Josh Donaldson, Oakland Athletics
Sparkle Spot: bat tip
6 Jayson Werth, Washington Nationals
Sparkle Spot: chest
15 Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
Sparkle Spot: bat knob
20 Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants
Sparkle Spot: glove
25 Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
Sparkle Spot: heel
34 Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies
Sparkle Spot: left wrist
42 Todd Frazier, Cincinnati Reds
Sparkle Spot: right elbow
43 Starlin Castro, Chicago Cubs
Sparkle Spot: ball
47 Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs
Sparkle Spot: back of helmet
50 Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers
Sparkle Spot: glove
60 Michael Wacha, St. Louis Cardinals
Sparkle Spot: necklace
62 Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies
Sparkle Spot: thumb
67 Hunter Pence, San Francisco Giants
Sparkle Spot: top of hand
73 Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
Sparkle Spot: belt
75 Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox
Sparkle Spot: bottom of hand
80 Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals
Sparkle Spot: glove, at wrist
83 David Wright, New York Mets
Sparkle Spot: end of bat
92 Ian Kinsler, Detroit Tigers
Sparkle Spot: belt
100 Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
Sparkle Spot: glove-side forearm
109 Doug Fister, Washington Nationals
Sparkle Spot: top of hat
120 Yoenis Cespedes, Boston Red Sox
Sparkle Spot: top of right wrist
125 Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies
Sparkle Spot: shoulder under chin
136 Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles
Sparkle Spot: corner of base
144 Rusney Castillo, Boston Red Sox
Sparkle Spot: left wrist
149 Daniel Murphy, New York Mets
Sparkle Spot: back of helmet
150 Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
Sparkle Spot: elbow
163 Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
Sparkle Spot: ball
169 Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
Sparkle Spot: middle of bat
175 Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers
Sparkle Spot: under letters on back of jersey
181 Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves
Sparkle Spot: jaw guard
192 Joc Pederson, Los Angeles Dodgers
Sparkle Spot: bottom wrist
200 Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
Sparkle Spot: edge of wrist guard
203 Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
Sparkle Spot: top of knuckle (top hand)
205 Josh Harrison, Pittsburgh Pirates
Sparkle Spot: knuckle
207 Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
Sparkle Spot: helmet brim
225 Jacoby Ellsbury, New York Yankees
Sparkle Spot: elbow sleeve
242 Edwin Encarnacion, Toronto Blue Jays
Sparkle Spot: helmet
250 Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
Sparkle Spot: ball
251 Anthony Rendon, Washington Nationals
Sparkle Spot: hat brim
262 Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
Sparkle Spot: elbow
272 Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers
Sparkle Spot: fingertip
275 Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
Sparkle Spot: shoulder (glove-side)
300 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
Sparkle Spot: top of helmet
315 Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs
Sparkle Spot: top of helmet
320 Shin-Soo Choo, Texas Rangers
Sparkle Spot: shoulder
321 Josh Hamilton, Los Angeles Angels
Sparkle Spot: wrist with bat
325 Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Sparkle Spot: glove
336 Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals
Sparkle Spot: glove-side elbow
348 Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians
Sparkle Spot: batting glove
350 Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers
Sparkle Spot: wrist at waist
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Ron M.
You have the Brett Lawrie variation listed as card #135. I believe it is #134