Thursday, October 21, 2010

TOPPS ANNOUNCES INITIAL BRYCE HARPER PLANS

On the heels of announcing that it signed an exclusive agreement with Bryce Harper, Topps reveals its initial plans for the # 1 Draft Pick.

2011 Bowman

Harper will make his first appearance as a Washington National in 2011 Bowman. In addition, Harper will sign autographs for this release.



2010 Bowman Chrome

Harper will be added to the recently-announced Autographed 2010 Bowman Chrome USA BUYBACK program. Cards will be sequentially numbered with foil stamping to 100 and will also include James Taillon, Yasmani Grandal, Drew Pomeranz, Michael Choice, Christian Colon, Manny Machado and Bryce Brentz. These on-card autographs will be available via redemption.



2010 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects

Harper’s 2009 AFLAC Autographed cards will be inserted into packs of 2010 Bowman DP&P. Each of Harper’s on-card autographs from the 2009 AFLAC All-American Game will be sequentially numbered with foil stamping. (image attached)

TOPPS SIGNS # 1 DRAFT PICK BRYCE HARPER TO EXCLUSIVE DEAL

New York, NY (Oct. 20, 2010) –The Topps Company, Inc., the exclusive producer of Major League Baseball trading cards, is proud to announce that it has signed Major League Baseball’s # 1 Draft Pick Bryce Harper to an exclusive agreement.



The multi-year deal grants Topps exclusive rights for autographed cards, game-used memorabilia cards and Harper’s image use on packaging and advertising.



“Growing up a huge baseball fan, it will be surreal to see myself on a Topps card with a Nationals jersey on,” said Harper. “I’m excited to team up with Topps and take one of the first steps to realizing my Major League dreams.”



Harper, who earned his GED after his sophomore year of high school, was the first overall pick in the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft. In his lone season at the College of Southern Nevada, the outfielder hit .443 with 31 home runs and 98 RBIs in 66 games. Harper’s record-setting campaign earned him the Golden Spikes Award as the best amateur baseball player in the country.



“Bryce is a once-in-a-generation kind of player,” said Warren Friss, GM, Topps Sports & Entertainment. “When someone like him comes along, you try to make him a big part of your team and we’re thrilled to have him join the Topps roster.”



Last year, Topps became the first exclusive baseball card company of Major League Baseball in nearly 30 years. The deal also marks the second straight year Topps has signed an exclusive agreement with Major League Baseball’s first overall draft pick. The company looks to expand its ongoing efforts to invigorate the category, continue launching ground-breaking products, improve the retail and collecting experience and make cards more relevant to children.

Week #6: Topps NFL Rookie of the Week

New Orleans running back Chris Ivory turned some heads filling in as a starter in Week 6, dashing to 175 yards from scrimmage paced by 10.5 yards-per-carry during a rout of Tampa Bay.
An undrafted fee agent out of Division II Tiffin University, the powerful 22-year-old had the Buccaneers on their heels all afternoon and was impressive enough to ensure more time in the Saints' backfield going forward.

Week #5: Topps NFL Rookie of the Week

Cardinals QB Max Hall's first career start was a triumphant one in Week 5, as he injected some much-needed life into a struggling team and rallied them to an upset over the Superbowl Champion New Orleans Saints.

The undrafted BYU product showed toughness and poise as he completed a solid 63 percent of his passes, entrenching his spot as the starting signal-caller in Arizona.