Friday, September 16, 2011

SANDY KOUFAX CONCLUDES POPULAR PRIME 9 HOBBY SHOP PROGRAM

The final PRIME 9 subject to be announced is Redemption card # 9…Sandy Koufax.

For the past 9 weeks, Topps and Major League Baseball has designated a “Prime 9 Player of the Week” to celebrate the “prime” players at every position in MLB history. Collectors holding the corresponding Prime 9 Redemption card for that week brought their cards into participating HTA stores and redeemed them for an exclusive limited edition Topps Chrome Refractor.

The cards can be found in Series 2 Hobby packs (1:18) and Jumbo packs (1:5). Each card is denoted by a Week number (1, 2, 3, etc.).

Stay tuned for another exciting hobby store promotion in conjunction with 2012 Topps Baseball Series 1!

The “PRIME 9”

Week 1 (July 19th) Johnny Bench, Catcher (redemption card #1)

Week 2 (July 26th) Albert Pujols, First Base (redemption card #2)

Week 3 (Aug. 5th) Jackie Robinson, Second Base (redemption card #3)

Week 4 (Aug. 12th) Derek Jeter, Shortstop (redemption card #4)

Week 5 (Aug. 19th) Mike Schmidt, Third Base (redemption # 5)

Week 6 (Aug. 26th) Hank Aaron, Left Field (redemption # 6)

Week 7 (Sept. 2nd) Mickey Mantle, Center Field (redemption # 7)

Week 8 (Sept. 9th) Ichiro, Left Field (redemption # 8)

Week 9 (Sept. 16th) Sandy Koufax, Pitcher (redemption # 9)

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Breaking News: Panini America Inks Multi-Year Trading Card Deal with MLBPA

IRVING, Texas/NEW YORK CITY – Panini America, the world’s largest sports and entertainment collectibles company, and Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) announced today a multi-year trading card agreement. The deal secures Panini’s presence in America’s Pastime and adds to its U.S. sports license roster, making Panini the only trading card company in the world with licenses in all four major sports.

Panini America will make its MLBPA-partnership debut with the December release of 2011 Elite Extra Edition, followed by 2011 Contenders Baseball, which will include the first Panini Autographs of All-Star outfielder Josh Hamilton. The reigning American League Most Valuable Player also will appear on packaging for future Panini products.


“We’re very pleased to be working with Panini America,” said Evan Kaplan, Director, Licensing & Business Development for the Major League Baseball Players Association. ”They have consistently developed innovative products that appeal to collectors of all ages both here in America and around the world. Panini’s MLBPA-licensed products will present Major League baseball players in a unique and exciting way.”

“The relationship with the MLBPA represents the culmination of a goal that we committed to when Panini entered the U.S. market just over two years ago, that of having a licensed presence in all four of the major sports in the U.S., and to utilize Panini’s creative approach to enhance the overall experience for collectors,” said Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America. “We are excited to join as a partner of the MLBPA and look forward to working with the MLBPA to continue to raise the visibility of their players and engage new collectors.”

The company will formally announce the agreement this afternoon at a press conference featuring Warsop, Kaplan and Hamilton. Stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance for complete coverage of the event.

Panini America is the only company in the world that manufactures fully licensed trading cards and stickers for the NBA, NFL, NFL PLAYERS, NHL, NHLPA, MLBPA and FIFA World Cup. The company also owns exclusive entertainment licenses with Disney, Justin Bieber and Michael Jackson, and more than 600 global licenses with other sports and entertainment properties.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

TOPPS AND THE “SAY HEY KID” BACK TOGETHER AGAIN



Topps announces it has signed a multi-year autograph deal with the legendary “Say Hey Kid”, Willie Mays.
The first offering of Mays’ Autograph will appear in the highly-anticipated 2012 Topps Baseball Series 1, which hits shelves early February. After that, collectors can expect to find the slugger’s autographed cards in products such as Topps Tribute (image attached), Gypsy Queen and much more. In addition, Topps will be issuing a variety of relic cards featuring the Hall of Famer.
The Topps and Mays relationship dates back to the beginning when Willie appeared in the company’s famed 1952 Topps Baseball set. Willie then went on to star on Topps cardboard for another 21 consecutive seasons.

TOPPS ANNOUNCES CARD # 8 OF PRIME 9 HOBBY STORE PROMOTION

The PRIME 9 subject redeemable for week 8 (Redemption card # 8) is Ichiro.
On a weekly basis, there will be a designated “Prime 9 Player of the Week”. Collectors holding the corresponding Prime 9 Redemption card for that week can bring the card to their participating local HTA store and redeem it for an exclusive limited edition Topps Chrome Refractor.
Redemption cards can be found in Series 2 Hobby packs (1:18) and Jumbo packs (1:5). Each card is denoted by a Week number (1, 2, 3, etc.).

The “PRIME 9” thus far…
Week 1 (July 19th) Johnny Bench, Catcher (redemption card #1)
Week 2 (July 26th) Albert Pujols, First Base (redemption card #2)
Week 3 (Aug. 5th) Jackie Robinson, Second Base (redemption card #3)
Week 4 (Aug. 12th) Derek Jeter, Shortstop (redemption card #4)
Week 5 (Aug. 19th) Mike Schmidt, Third Base (redemption # 5)
Week 6 (Aug. 26th) Hank Aaron, Left Field (redemption # 6)
Week 7 (Sept. 2nd) Mickey Mantle, Center Field (redemption # 7)
Week 8 (Sept. 9th) Ichiro, Left Field (redemption # 8)