2016 Topps Strata Baseball Cards – Product Review and Hit Gallery Added
 | $115.00 |  |
Product Details
One of the standouts from 2015 is back for another run with 2016 Topps Strata Baseball. The hit-only product again promises one relic and one autograph in each box while autographed relics fall in every other box.
As the main signed insert, Strata Autographs showcases over 30 names and includes Orange (#/125), Blue (#/99), Green (#/75), Black (#/50), Gold (#/25), and Red (1/1) parallels. Displaying the Strata look that first made the insert a hobby favorite, Strata Signatures covers 30+ players and adds Gold (#/25), and Red (1/1) parallels. Strata Signature Patches (#/25) takes that a step further with a game-used relic and also features limited parallels, including Gold (#/5) and Rivet (1/1).
A very popular option for collectors, Clearly Authentic Relics are again offered in 2016 Topps Strata Baseball with the same features that caught the hobby's eye in the first place. Each memorabilia card features an MLB Authenticated logo hologram that can be used to trace to the specific background for each relic piece.
Featuring over 20 subjects, there are also several numbered Clearly Authentic Relic parallels, including Blue (#/99), Green (#/75), Black (#/50), and Gold (#/25). Adding to that, Baseball (#/3) offers a piece of game-used ball and the most limited options consist of one-of-one Red parallels: MLB Batter Logo Patch, Laundry Tag, Button, Button Hole and Majestic Logo Patch.
Clearly Authentic Autographed Relics add a signature and feature the exact same parallels as the relic-only version except for the game-used baseball version.
Lastly, Dual Autographs (#/5) and Cut Signatures (1/1) close out the hit-focused 2016 Topps Strata Baseball set.
Release Date: 8/10/2016
Product Configuration: 1 pack per box, 2 cards per pack, 12 boxes per case
2016 Topps Strata Baseball Box Break
- 1 Relic/Autographed Relic Card
- 1 Autograph Card
- 2 Total Cards
| 2016 Topps STRATA MLB Baseball HOBBY Factory Sealed Box | $115.00 | |
| 2016 Topps Strata Sealed Hobby Box | $349.99 | |
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Set Checklist
2016 Topps Strata Baseball Set Checklist
Strata Autographs Set Checklist
SA-AM Andrew Miller - New York Yankees
SA-AN Aaron Nola - Philadelphia Phillies
SA-AR Anthony Rizzo - Chicago Cubs
SA-BJ Brian Johnson - Boston Red Sox
SA-BW Billy Wagner - Houston Astros
SA-CC Carlos Correa - Houston Astros
SA-CE Carl Edwards Jr. - Chicago Cubs
SA-CJ Chipper Jones - Atlanta Braves
SA-FL Francisco Lindor - Cleveland Indians
SA-FM Frankie Montas - Los Angeles Dodgers
SA-HA Hank Aaron - Atlanta Braves
SA-HOL Hector Olivera - Atlanta Braves
SA-HOW Henry Owens - Boston Red Sox
SA-JC Jose Canseco - Oakland Athletics
SA-JD Johnny Damon - Boston Red Sox
SA-JG Juan Gonzalez - Texas Rangers
SA-JP Jose Peraza - Cincinnati Reds
SA-LG Luis Gonzalez - Arizona Diamondbacks
SA-LS Luis Severino - New York Yankees
SA-MA Miguel Almonte - Kansas City Royals
SA-MD Matt Duffy - San Francisco Giants
SA-MK Max Kepler - Minnesota Twins
SA-MR Matt Reynolds - New York Mets
SA-MT Mike Trout - Los Angeles Angels
SA-NA Nolan Arenado - Colorado Rockies
SA-OV Omar Vizquel - Cleveland Indians
SA-RC Rod Carew - Minnesota Twins
SA-RF Rollie Fingers - Oakland Athletics
SA-RR Rob Refsnyder - New York Yankees
SA-TM Tom Murphy - Colorado Rockies
SA-TR Tyson Ross - San Diego Padres
SA-TT Trea Turner - Washington Nationals
SA-ZL Zach Lee - Los Angeles Dodgers
Clearly Authentic Relics Set Checklist
CAR-AP Albert Pujols - Los Angeles Angels
CAR-AR Addison Russell - Chicago Cubs
CAR-CG Curtis Granderson - New York Mets
CAR-DO David Ortiz - Boston Red Sox
CAR-GS Giancarlo Stanton - Miami Marlins
CAR-JAR Jake Arrieta - Chicago Cubs
CAR-JB Jose Bautista - Toronto Blue Jays
CAR-JDG Jacob deGrom - New York Mets
CAR-JE Jacoby Ellsbury - New York Yankees
CAR-JF Jose Fernandez - Miami Marlins
CAR-JS Jorge Soler - Chicago Cubs
CAR-JV Joey Votto - Cincinnati Reds
CAR-LS Luis Severino - New York Yankees
CAR-MB Madison Bumgarner - San Francisco Giants
CAR-MC Miguel Cabrera - Detroit Tigers
CAR-MD Matt Duffy - San Francisco Giants
CAR-MH Matt Harvey - New York Mets
CAR-MM Manny Machado - Baltimore Orioles
CAR-MTA Masahiro Tanaka - New York Yankees
CAR-MTR Mike Trout - Los Angeles Angels
CAR-NS Noah Syndergaard - New York Mets
CAR-YC Yoenis Cespedes - New York Mets
CAR-YM Yadier Molina - St. Louis Cardinals
Clearly Authentic Autographed Relics Set Checklist
CAAR-CK Clayton Kershaw - Los Angeles Dodgers
CAAR-CSA Chris Sale - Chicago White Sox
CAAR-DK Dallas Keuchel - Houston Astros
CAAR-DP Dustin Pedroia - Boston Red Sox
CAAR-DW David Wright - New York Mets
CAAR-GB Greg Bird - New York Yankees
CAAR-HOW Henry Owens - Boston Red Sox
CAAR-HR Hanley Ramirez - Boston Red Sox
CAAR-JD Jacob deGrom - New York Mets
CAAR-JG Jon Gray - Colorado Rockies
CAAR-KB Kris Bryant - Chicago Cubs
CAAR-KS Kyle Schwarber - Chicago Cubs
CAAR-LS Luis Severino - New York Yankees
CAAR-MM Manny Machado - Baltimore Orioles
CAAR-MT Mike Trout - Los Angeles Angels
CAAR-RCA Rusney Castillo - Boston Red Sox
CAAR-RCN Robinson Cano - Seattle Mariners
CAAR-RR Rob Refsnyder - New York Yankees
CAAR-SG Sonny Gray - Oakland Athletics
CAAR-SMZ Steven Matz - New York Mets
CAAR-SP Stephen Piscotty - St. Louis Cardinals
CAAR-TR Tyson Ross - San Diego Padres
Cut Signatures Set Checklist
SCS-BLM Bob Lemon - Cleveland Indians
SCS-BLN Buck Leonard
SCS-BR Babe Ruth - New York Yankees
SCS-DD Don Drysdale - Los Angeles Dodgers
SCS-DS Duke Snider - Brooklyn Dodgers
SCS-GK George Kell - Detroit Tigers
SCS-HW Hoyt Wilhelm - Chicago White Sox
SCS-RF Rick Ferrell - St. Louis Browns
SCS-RK Ralph Kiner - Pittsburgh Pirates
SCS-SM Stan Musial - St. Louis Cardinals
SCS-TC Ty Cobb - Detroit Tigers
SCS-WSP Warren Spahn - Milwaukee Braves
SCS-WST Willie Stargell - Pittsburgh Pirates
Dual Autographs Set Checklist
Roberto Alomar - Cleveland Indians
DA-BC Carlos Correa - Houston Astros
Kris Bryant - Chicago Cubs
DA-BR Rob Refsnyder - New York Yankees
Greg Bird - New York Yankees
DA-CS Miguel Sano - Minnesota Twins
Rod Carew - Minnesota Twins
DA-DS Noah Syndergaard - New York Mets
Jacob deGrom - New York Mets
DA-FG Sonny Gray - Oakland Athletics
DA-GI Ichiro - Seattle Mariners
Ken Griffey Jr. - Seattle Mariners
DA-HC Robinson Cano - Seattle Mariners
Clayton Kershaw - Los Angeles Dodgers
DA-PG Alex Gordon - Kansas City Royals
DA-RC Michael Conforto - New York Mets
Matt Reynolds - New York Mets
DA-SE Carl Edwards Jr. - Chicago Cubs
DA-SP Kenta Maeda - Los Angeles Dodgers
DA-TA Hank Aaron - Atlanta Braves
Mike Trout - Los Angeles Angels
DA-YG Carl Yastrzemski - Boston Red Sox
Nomar Garciaparra - Boston Red Sox
Strata Signatures Set Checklist
SS-CC Carlos Correa - Houston Astros
SS-CJ Chipper Jones - Atlanta Braves
SS-CK Clayton Kershaw - Los Angeles Dodgers
SS-CR Cal Ripken Jr. - Baltimore Orioles
SS-GB Greg Bird - New York Yankees
SS-HO Henry Owens - Boston Red Sox
SS-KG Ken Griffey Jr. - Seattle Mariners
SS-KM Kenta Maeda - Los Angeles Dodgers
SS-KS Kyle Schwarber - Chicago Cubs
SS-MP Mike Piazza - New York Mets
SS-MR Matt Reynolds - New York Mets
SS-MS Miguel Sano - Minnesota Twins
SS-NR Nolan Ryan - Texas Rangers
SS-OV Omar Vizquel - Cleveland Indians
SS-RCL Roger Clemens - Boston Red Sox
SS-RR Rob Refsnyder - New York Yankees
SS-SM Steven Matz - New York Mets
Strata Signature Patches Set Checklist
SSP-AJ Adam Jones - Baltimore Orioles
SSP-AR Anthony Rizzo - Chicago Cubs
SSP-BP Buster Posey - San Francisco Giants
SSP-CJ Chipper Jones - Atlanta Braves
SSP-CKE Clayton Kershaw - Los Angeles Dodgers
SSP-CR Cal Ripken Jr. - Baltimore Orioles
SSP-CSE Corey Seager - Los Angeles Dodgers
SSP-DO David Ortiz - Boston Red Sox
SSP-DP Dustin Pedroia - Boston Red Sox
SSP-FH Felix Hernandez - Seattle Mariners
SSP-GM Greg Maddux - Atlanta Braves
SSP-I Ichiro - Seattle Mariners
SSP-JD Johnny Damon - New York Yankees
SSP-JDE Jacob deGrom - New York Mets
SSP-MC Michael Conforto - New York Mets
SSP-MMA Manny Machado - Baltimore Orioles
SSP-MMG Mark McGwire - St. Louis Cardinals
SSP-MP Mike Piazza - New York Mets
SSP-PF Prince Fielder - Texas Rangers
SSP-RB Ryan Braun - Milwaukee Brewers
SSP-RH Rickey Henderson - Oakland Athletics
SSP-RJ Reggie Jackson - California Angels
Product Review
2016 Topps Strata Baseball Product Review
Reviewed by Trey Treutel
Good: Design is once again appealing, MLB authentication on main relics, hard-signed autographs.
Bad: Limited team representation in checklist, unnumbered hits, very little design changes from 2015.
The Bottom Line: Honestly, you can say nearly the exact same things about 2016 Topps Strata Baseball as you could for the 2015 edition. The same basic positives are in place, as well as the negatives. While you will end up with two quality cards, including one autograph and one authenticated relic, in every box, the price still remains on the high side for just a pair of cards.
Card Design: 4.0/5.0
Strata looks great and the design is popular. This is the main reason it was rolled off into its own brand in the first place. I get the mindset of not fixing something that is not broken, but the horizontal designs in 2016 are very similar to 2015. The risk to this is making collectors feel like they are not missing anything but skipping the set.
The only big change from the two years is the Strata Autographs insert. I personally liked that it was done on a vertical design in 2015 as it stood out from the rest of the release. The horizontal design just does not work as well for me and the specific signing area has the feel of a cut signature, which slightly detracts from the on-card appeal, in my opinion.
I still find it amusing that the acetate for the main Strata Autographs set allows for viewing the signature from both sides. It's these little things that help the cards seem even more exciting in-hand.
Checklist: 2.75/5.0
The checklist is an area for improvement 2016 Topps Strata Baseball. Not only did the overall subjects decrease for many of the inserts compared to 2015, there is also not adequate coverage for each MLB team. Also, just under half of the Strata Autographs are rookie signers, showing that the truncated checklist did not really emerge with a greater percentage of quality. Plus, not all the players appear to have base versions, further weakening the likely pulls.
Another returning issue for me would be that the hits that aren’t numbered. If you have just two cards per box, it only seems reasonable that these would be serial numbered. Parallels alone put the main autographs near 400 total copies.
The only real addition to the release is the Cut Signatures. Given their rarity, that is not really going to matter for most collectors since they won't see one in their box, but the added chance for some all-time legends is still a plus.
Value: 2.75/5.0
At around $75-85 per box, 2016 Topps Strata Baseball is more of a gamble than it might seem. No matter how good they look, and even with on-card autographs, two hits for around $40 per card is steep, especially since a box can yield one unnumbered autograph and one unnumbered relic. When you combine that with a rookie-heavy checklist and more middle-of-the-road retired players, some boxes will come up very short compared to the cost. The potential for something big, like the cuts or the Strata Signature Patches, helps, but you are chasing rarity that is only likely to surface by the case.
The Fun Factor: 3.75/5.0
I have always been impressed by Strata and the authentication is even more of a selling point as it gives a direct connection to a piece of jersey which can be nearly meaningless in most other relic cards given the normal ambiguity. For instance, I know the Castillo autographed relic I pulled includes a swatch from his jersey worn at the Boston Red Sox game on 5/25/2015 against the Twins. It doesn’t actually appear that he played in this game, which is a little disappointing, but it’s still cool to know the origin. The problem is that Topps did not improve on the 2015 release and that hurts experience. It’s fine to stick with a winning design, but you have to take that a step further and give collectors a reason to collect the new version.
2016 Topps Strata Baseball Box Hit Gallery
The box used for this review was provided by Topps.
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Rick L
Nothing but Yankees, Cubs, and Mets. Don’t get my wrong the cards look great but unless you’re a fan of the 3 teams I listed definitely stick with singles.