How does Shohei Ohtani have a RC card?
In Topps Heritage and Topps Opening Day there are Shohei Ohtani Rookie cards with the RC logo. Why is this allowed? He hasn't made the 25 man roster, the only stipulation that I know of. He was, and still is, a non-roster invitation to spring training.
So is there a rule I am missing that allowed Topps to start making 'RC' designated cards for him? Admittedly I only started pondering the question after it started looking like there was a possibility that he may not make the team and may start the season in the minors. |
Well that was an assumption he'd be in the majors. It will be interesting if he gets "stuck" in the minors and never comes to the majors. That would actually end up as a violation of the Topps/MLB-MLBPA agreement as players, are supposed to have played in the majors before having an RC.
When the rule was 1st created even Daisuke M. had to actually be on the opening day before an RC could be released of his. This might force everyone to go back and enforce that rule. For if this stands, then if I'm Topps or Panini I begin to open that door even wider in terms of early RC's. Rich |
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He has cards from Japan dating back I believe to 2013. Why anyone would pay these prices for what is essentially a 6th year card of him is beyond me.
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But didn't he have a 2016 card with an RC logo, and if so, how can he have official RCs in two different years.
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This -- a 2016 Judge with an RC official designation.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-Topps-...p2047675.l2557 |
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That one still just seems borderline. Whereas the Ohtani cards seem like a blatant disregard to the rules based on a gamble (even if it did appear more like a sure thing a month ago). |
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/32278912498...84.m1561.l2649 |
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This still feels like a side subject, though, because they at least waited until Judge had played a ML game. They didn't do that for Ohtani. They didn't even wait for him to make the team. Whereas Judge was playing for an ML team in 2016, but Topps waited until 2017 (with exception to the noted card above) before releasing "RC" cards and instead released only prospect/call-up cards in 2016. |
I can only speculate that everyone assumes it's a foregone conclusion he makes the team? Dunno though, agree it isn't consistent.
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https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/a...art-in-minors/ |
Peter I don't know why I didn't think of this before, but there is another player I saw recently with a "RC" designated card in 2017 product and 2018:
2018 Paul DeJong https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Cj4AA...PN/s-l1600.jpg 2017 Paul DeJong (this isn't his only 2017 RC, but used to illustrate the point) https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/zIwAA...GV/s-l1600.jpg I do believe the 2018 silver pack may be an error, as his other 2018 cards don't have the RC logo, but still relevant to what you were pointing out earlier. |
Is there any relevance to the fact that none of the RC cards in question are base set cards?
Perhaps that's the loophole. Since they are special release or subset cards and not part of the official set Topps can "get away" with it. |
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The Topps Opening Day Ohtani card, however, is number 200 in the base set. Even the, heritage, though has the RC logo even though it isn't in the base set. Also there is now going to be Gypsy Queen that will have Ohtani as card 89 in the base set. As far as the Judge and DeJong, I believe those are mistakes. Whereas the Ohtani situation seems to be a blatant rule breaking that could be an issue if Ohtani doesn't make the roster for Opening Day. I have asked the question on Twitter to Topps, MLB, and MLBPA. No one has responded and doubt they will. |
When did the 1964 Topps set come out? Piniella's first rookie was in the set but he didn't make his debut until September of that year.
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That Gordon card was part of the Topps series though, this Ohtani is part of Heritage. He's not featured in 2018 Topps Series I.
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How cool would it be to make a card with this logo -- Japanese for rookie card.
ルーキーカード |
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I have already previously posted this, but Ohtani is in Topps Opening day #200 and Gypsy Queen #89. |
I have seen a few players with the RC designation in 2 straight years. I think I know what that occurs
The rule when implemented says card companies (now just Topps) could use the RC designation for current year issues when the player debuts before September 1 (when the rosters are expanded). You are. of course, allowed to use the RC designation in the following year. Judge made his debut late in 2016 but before the 9.1 cut-off and as such the card referenced is fine to have the RC Logo. From the Ebay description: "To my knowledge the only existing judge 2016 card with the RC logo. This card was only released to Yankees season ticket license holders and not many have surfaced." If this was not pack issued, I'm fine with the 2017 cards having the RC logo. Sometimes, not enough people are paying attention -- so I get why that occurs as well. The market will sort out the wrong RC's just as they did in 1987 with Mark McGwire and the 1985 Olympic card (Now accepted as his true RC) And yes, that is the reason for the cut-out Alex Gordon cards. Dead on to remember that. If Ohtani does not make the majors, then this is truly on MLB Properties and MLBPA for approving something by assuming facts not in evidence. I think what occurred in 2007 with Daisuke was safer, have the cards prepped and the minute the season begins and he's on the opening day roster, go for the release of the RC's Rich |
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Hi, Pete! Larry |
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Sometime around 1980 give or take, Topps began to only accept players on the 40-man roster to make cards of. The 1985 Olympic cards were an exception; however, Topps did not use any players who still had college eligibility left which is why there is no Barry Larkin for example in that set. |
Last outing
It looks as if Ohtani had a fair outing and Scocia was pleased with what he saw. The expectation right now is that he will start the 3rd game of the season.
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The thing is it's hard to tell what you're getting during spring training. Tanaka's ERA is over 7, but I expect him to be just fine.
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Here's the short, but accurate reason why he has a Rookie Card:
$ |
A quick point, if Ohtani plays in the majors (or possibly even be on the 25-man roster) before 9.1 he will have a legit 2018 Rookie Card this year.
While money is important, I believe if this rule gets flouted then Panini should start using official logos on their cards since no rule is sacred to MLBPA and MLB properties. Once these rules are no longer followed, then let Panini have even competition. (I understand the contracts, but this is making a point) Rich |
Right now I would be pretty worried if I paid the bucks for the rookies. Some of his signed autos are going for crazy money. I don't have a crystal ball, but something tells me he lives up to his contract while shorting all the collectors. Don't forget, Ohtani is playing for the league minimum. If he's only a replacement level player I'd still be pretty happy if I were the Angels. But I wouldn't be happy if I bought one of these cards.
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Well he did play on opening day so at least that part of this discussion is now mute. The bigger issue will be if the player does not come up in the year
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It looks like he has a 2017 card in an Angels uniform.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2017-TOPPS-...cAAOSwAy5aowA~ |
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