In the universally beloved yet acutely competitive world of baseball card collecting, Topps has decided to elevate our pastimes once again with a category-defining insert for its 2025 Baseball Series 2. Known for creating buzz worthy of a seventh-inning stretch, Topps now introduces All Kings, an insert collection that puts a jewel-encrusted crown on the heads of the sport’s most illustrious hitters. With a spectacular lineup that includes both current titans and historic icons, All Kings promises to enchant collectors spanning all ages.
After the rousing success of the All Aces insert, which glorified the Herculean talents manning the pitcher’s mound, Topps has shifted the spotlight to the batter’s box. This new spiritual successor, All Kings, attempts to capture the raw charisma and diamond-cut precision of legendary sluggers, both old and new. Leading the charge of today’s Sultan of Swats are none other than Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, two players whose mere presence turns any ballpark into a thunderdome.
The checklist of All Kings reads like the fantasy draft of candy-loving child strategizing his baseball dream team through bubblegum-laden cards. The roster includes 25 heavy hitters, each with the potential to ignite a feeding frenzy among collectors. Joining Judge and Ohtani are Juan Soto, the magnetic Elly De La Cruz, the steadfast Bryce Harper, and rising star Bobby Witt Jr., all of whom have chipped away expectations with the subtlety of a belt-high fastball.
Adding a layer of fresh intrigue, Topps sprinkles All Kings with a hint of new-school magic by featuring only one rookie: James Wood. Playing his inaugural season with the Washington Nationals, this up-and-coming luminary has already received standing ovations with his impressive stats, ranking eighth in home runs and boasting 25 RBIs. His rookie presence is the ace in the hole for those devoted to the unrelenting chase of first-year glory, especially if Topps decides to drop serial-numbered or autograph-enhanced variants which could make a magnate out of any collector.
The allure of All Kings doesn’t rest on current stars alone; it ventures back in time, unshackling the gilded memories of yesteryear’s legends. True to its royal moniker, this collection bestows fitting homage upon the likes of Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson, Derek Jeter, and Ken Griffey Jr. By uniting era-defining legends with contemporary talents under one royal banner, Topps offers a heartwarming tinge of nostalgia while enticing new fans to discover the rich fabric of baseball’s lore.
Naturally, speculation looms large in the kingdom, wondering whether All Kings can garner a royal reception akin to that of All Aces. The market doesn’t lie, and it has spoken highly of Topps’ previous pitcher-focused gambit. Consider Ohtani’s All Aces autographed at /10, fetching over $6,500 like the scarce heirloom it is, or his PSA 10 base insert, selling for a cool $1,775. Even baseball hopeful Paul Skenes witnessed his All Aces PSA 10 pocketing $1,800, persuading the skeptics out there that the pitching realm holds value.
Yet, it’s a well-shared secret among hobbyists that hitters hold hearts—and wallets—more firmly. With aficionados often showing a preference for the positional panache over pitching poise, the likelihood that All Kings could take home the Series 2 glory seems promising. Be it for the rookie appeal, the legendary tales, or stockpiling more Judge and Ohtani memorabilia, this collection holds the promise of igniting passions and arguments at every hobby convention from coast to coast.
Topps continues to capture the imagination of collectors season by season with exquisite insert designs and thematic nods. Building upon the formidable foundation laid by All Aces, All Kings seems destined to reign supreme, complete with a flourish of style, grandeur, and collector frenzy. For those who revel in the theater of baseball, savor the spirit of the greats, and admire the crack of bat against ball, this royal collection calls to you. Gather your scorecards, don your white gloves, and step into the collector’s arena—this is a chance not to be missed.
