When Do 2021 Baseball Cards Come Out?

Find out when the 2021 baseball cards will be coming out so you can start collecting them.

Introduction

The answer to when do 2021 baseball cards come out largely depends on the type of baseball cards that you are talking about. Topps, for example, has already announced that their flagship baseball card product will be released on February 10, 2021. If you are talking about Bowman products, those are generally released in late April or early May. Donruss and Panini also release their products in the late April/early May time frame as well.

The History of Baseball Cards

Baseball cards began to emerge in the late 1850s as a tobacco-industry product. P.F. Collier, a major publisher of books and magazines at the time, first distributed baseball cards in 1887 as premiums in its publications. The cards were intended to boost readership and subscriptions, similar to how magazines offer free gifts to subscribers today.

The first sports cards were round, made of paper and measured about 1½ inches in diameter. They featured imagery on one side with player biographies or statistics on the reverse side. In 1909, the American Tobacco Company (ATC) issued the first set of baseball cards that are recognized today as being part of the modern era of baseball cards. The set included 50 different players from all around the country, including future Hall-of-Famers Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner.

By 1910, most tobacco companies had stopped including baseball cards in their products due to public outcry over children smoking cigarettes to collect them. In response, candy companies started packaging baseball cards with their confections as a way to cash in on the popularity of the hobby. These candy cards were much smaller—around 1⅛ inches by 2⅛ inches—and used images printed directly on the card stock instead of photographs. The most iconic candy card is undoubtedly the 1913 Babe Ruth rookie card, which was included in packs of Underwood Meats’ Babe Ruth Candy Bars. Just two known copies of this card exist today, one of which sold for $5.2 million at auction in 2016!

With America’s entry into World War I in 1917, production of many consumer items—including baseball cards—halted as manufacturing switched to wartime necessities like ammunition and clothing. It wouldn’t be until 1933 that a new type of baseball card would appear on store shelves. This time, they were produced by gum companies as insert cards inside packs of gum

The Rise and Fall of Baseball Cards

Collecting baseball cards is a popular hobby among kids and adults alike. Many people remember fondly the days of trading cards with friends, trying to complete their set, or hoping to find that rare card in a pack. However, the popularity of baseball cards has fluctuated over the years, with some enthusiasts predicting the demise of the hobby.

The baseball card industry first took off in the late 1800s, with tobacco companies including cards in their packages as a way to promote their products. In the early 1900s, candy companies followed suit, and soon cards could be found in all sorts of different products. By the 1950s, baseball cards were so popular that they were being produced as standalone products. In 1980, Topps Chewing Gum Company produced nearly 700 million cards!

However, the baseball card industry began to decline in the early 1990s. This was due to a number of factors, including rising production costs, competition from other hobbies (such as video games), and a general decrease in interest from kids and adults alike. As a result, many manufacturers went out of business and those that survived had to cut back on production.

The good news is that baseball cards are still being produced today and there is still a thriving community of collectors. If you’re interested in getting started, you can expect to find new sets of cards being released throughout 2021. So keep an eye out and start collecting today!

The Resurgence of Baseball Cards

Not too long ago, baseball cards were considered a kid’s game. But with the rise of social media and the massive popularity of sports betting, baseball cards are making a comeback—and big money is at stake.

According to a report by Bloomberg, the value of baseball cards has increased tenfold over the past five years, with some cards selling for as much as $5 million. The most valuable card in existence is a Honus Wagner T206, which was sold for $3.12 million in 2016.

So when do 2021 baseball cards come out? Topps, the largest manufacturer of baseball cards, typically releases its first series in late February or early March. But due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Topps has not yet announced a release date for its 2021 series.

Other manufacturers, such as Panini and Upper Deck, typically release their baseball card products in the weeks leading up to Opening Day. But again, due to the pandemic, it’s unclear when those products will be released in 2021.

There are several factors that will determine the value of a baseball card in 2021. The most important factor is supply and demand. If there are more collectors than there are cards available, prices will increase. Another factor is player performance—a rookie card of a player who has a breakout season will be more valuable than a rookie card of a player who struggles. And finally, cards that are rare or have historical significance will be more valuable than common cards.

How to Get Your Hands on Some 2021 Baseball Cards

The wait is finally over—2021 baseball cards are here! Here are a couple ways you can get your hands on some:

1. Check your local card shops. Many of them have started carrying 2021 baseball cards.
2. Look for online retailers that sell 2021 baseball cards.
3. If you’re lucky, you might find some 2021 baseball cards at your local grocery store or gas station.
4. Keep an eye out for promotions and giveaways from card companies—you might be able to snag some free cards this way!

Conclusion

To summarize, the release date for 2021 baseball cards is sometime in early February. However, the specific date will depend on the manufacturer and the retailer. Be sure to check with your favorite retailers to find out when they will be getting their shipments of 2021 baseball cards.