MIKE LEAKE IS FINEST BASEBALL ROOKIE REDEMPTION # 4

Topps announces the player redeemable for the 2010 Topps Finest Baseball Rookie Redemption # 4 is Cincinnati Reds Pitcher Mike Leake.

Throughout the 2010 Major League Baseball season, Topps will announce the subjects for the 10-card Rookie Redemption set. Each Master Box of Topps Finest includes one Rookie Redemption. In addition, collectors can also find redemptions for Blue Refractors (#’d to 199) and Gold Refractors (#’d to 50) versions.



Stay tuned for Rookie Redemption # 5!

Strasburg strikes out 14 in MLB Debut!

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

06/08/10 9:20 PM ET

WASHINGTON -- Making his Major League debut after 11 sensational Minor League starts, Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg pitched seven innings of two-run ball against the Pirates on Monday, striking out 14 and exiting in line for the victory. Delwyn Young's two-run home run with two outs in the fourth was the only damage against Strasburg.

Strasburg allowed just four hits and with his 14 strikeouts surpassed the Nationals' season high. The righty threw 94 pitches, 65 for strikes, and didn't walk a batter. The righty retired his final 10 batters, striking out his last seven.

"It was just a great night for Stephen -- a great night for the Nationals," manager Jim Riggleman said during an eighth-inning television interview on MLB Network's broadcast. "When you see guys like this come along, it's really special. He's humble -- just really a guy that the Nationals are really proud of. Hopefully, we can keep him healthy and keep it going."

Strasburg entered the fourth having allowed one hit against six strikeouts. But the first two batters of the fourth, Neil Walker and Lastings Milledge, singled. Garrett Jones then grounded into a double play before Young hit a 1-0 changeup into the right-field seats for a two-run homer and a 2-1 Pirates lead.

Strasburg retired Pittsburgh in order in the top of the first inning. Andrew McCutchen lined out to shortstop Ian Desmond, Walker grounded out to first baseman Adam Dunn and Milledge struck out to end the inning.

Strasburg was given a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the inning when Ryan Zimmerman hit a solo home run off Jeff Karstens.

In the second inning, Strasburg struck out the side. He fanned Jones and Young before giving up a single to Andy LaRoche. Strasburg then struck out Ronny Cedeno to end the inning.

An inning later, Strasburg struck out Jason Jaramillo and Karstens before McCutchen grounded out to Zimmerman at third to end the inning.

In his first two at-bats, Strasburg grounded out to Cedeno at shortstop, leading off the bottom of the third and for the second out of the fifth.

In the top of the fifth, Cedeno struck out, Jaramillo grounded out to Dunn and Karstens struck out looking at a 99-mph fastball.

Strasburg struck out the side for the second time in the sixth inning, but for the first time in order. McCutchen went down on four pitches, Walker on three and Milledge on four. Every player in the Pirates' starting lineup struck out at least once.....MLB.com

Look for 2010 Topps Allen and Ginter baseball Cards to have Strasburgs 1st true rookie card! Pre order yours now at DCS Sports Cards!

Strasburg debuts tonight!

The long awaited Debut of Stephen Strasburg is tonight @ 7pm, the game will be on mlb.com nationally. Strasburg will be on center stage showcasing his 100mph fastball and everyone is anticipating him living up to the hype! Strasburgs prospect cards in 2010 Bowman BB are the hottest thing on the secondary market with some cards selling in the $1000's! 2010 Bowman has been one of the most sought after releases in the last 10yrs. With all the hype from his prospect card, now 2010 Topps Allen and Ginter will feature Strasburg's 1st rookie card! Topps Allen and Ginter comes out June 30th and is available to prebuy on our site. Buy now before the price goes up like Bowman did!

Topps Celebrates Strasburg’s Debut With Immediate Release of His Rookie Card

Phenom’s MLB Rookie Card Available Exclusively Online via www.ToppsMillion.com during his First MLB Game

To celebrate MLB Rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg’s major league debut, The Topps Company, Inc., the exclusive producer of Major League Baseball trading cards, has announced that Strasburg’s first ever MLB rookie card will be made available exclusively online via www.toppsmillion.com immediately following his first pitch in the big leagues.

In an effort to capture this special moment in a timely fashion and give sports fans around the world an opportunity to collect this treasured card, during Strasburg’s very first MLB game on June 8, collectors visiting www.toppsmillion.com with a code card found in Topps Series 1 or Topps Series 2 baseball will have a chance to unlock this special card. Strasburg’s Topps rookie card will contain the photo of his very first pitch in the Major Leagues and will be issued in very limited quantities.

“Topps has a long history of creating memorable and valuable cards featuring the games great rookie stars, from Mickey Mantle to Nolan Ryan to Cal Ripken, Jr. to Albert Pujols. We expect Stephen Strasburg’s rookie card to follow in similar fashion”, said Warren Friss, Topps GM of Sports & Entertainment. “Our enormously successful online Million Card Giveaway provides us a unique platform to capture and deliver Stephen’s first MLB rookie card in an unprecedented and incredibly timely fashion. Before Stephen even hits the showers, the very first Strasburg rookie card will likely be owned by at least one lucky collector.”

Last year Topps announced an exclusive multi-year deal with Strasburg granting Topps exclusive rights for autographed cards, game-used memorabilia cards and the use of Strasburg’s image on packaging and advertising. Topps will also offer a limited edition line of autographed memorabilia items.

In addition, Strasburg rookie cards will appear in the remainder of Topps 2010 baseball products starting with the release of Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball.