Topps Tribute including 100 extra Aaron buyback autographs

Posted Feb 16, 2012 by Bob D'Angelo

Updated Feb 16, 2012 at 06:06 PM

Topps Tribute was definitely a product on the rise last year, but it looks like it might even move to a higher level this year.

Topps announced Thursday that there will be an additional 100 Hank Aaron buyback autographed cards. All 100 cards will count as extra hits in the high-end product that will be released on March 7. A hobby box will contain three autographs and three relics, Topps officials said.

Aaron signing these extra cards is certain to spark more interest in the product. If you ever had the pleasure of watching Aaron hit a baseball (and I did during spring training when the Braves trained in West Palm Beach during the 1970), you’d never forget the sound of a home run hit off the bat of the Hammer.

I saw Aaron hit one in the first inning that started out just a few feet over the pitcher’s head, then kept rising and rising until it cleared the center-field fence — and in a hurry, too. And that hissing sound it made was incredible. I was 12, and I never forgot that sound.

So to have something signed by Aaron would be an absolute must in my book.

In addition to the news about Aaron, Topps also announced that every autograph and relic card will be encased with an authentication sticker attached. The Sandy Koufax photo running with this post serves as an example.

Topps also said that many of the 1/1 autographs will include inscriptions written by the players themselves, to go along with the autograph. In a way, you might say the player is personalizing the card just for you (although obviously, you’re not there to tell him what you really want him to write — but it’s the next best thing).

In addition to Aaron and Koufax, some of the other signers for Topps Tribute include Ernie Banks, Carl Yastrzemski, Albert Pujols, Cal Ripken Jr., Frank Thomas and Ken Griffey Jr.

Not a bad lineup.