How does Shohei Ohtani have a RC card?

[darkhorse9]

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.

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by darkhorse9

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.

Prospects are allowed to be a part of an insert set (this is how Bowman gets away with including so many prospects) but they still can't be designated as a RC.
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.

[packs]

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.

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by packs

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.

There are several cases of this prior to 2006. In 2006, though, MLB only gave license to Topps to make RC cards of players that had made the 25 man roster. This was to cut down on the prospect filled sets (Bowman now gets around this by calling the prospects an "insert" set, though most collectors buy it just for these cards). This is what caused the 2006 Alex Gordon Topps card to become a SP with variations made to remove Alex from the set.

[packs]

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.

[Peter_Spaeth]

How cool would it be to make a card with this logo -- Japanese for rookie card.

ルーキーカード

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by packs

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.

The rules weren't just made for the flagship set, it is across the board. Topps is not supposed to make cards for players until they are on the 25-man roster.

I have already previously posted this, but Ohtani is in Topps Opening day #200 and Gypsy Queen #89.

[Rich Klein]

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

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by packs

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.

In those days -- Topps could make a card of anyone, anytime. They really did try to keep those cards to either current major leaguers or whom their scouts said were likely to be in the majors. Bot you could and did have cards of people who never made the majors. I like the use Archie Skeen from the 64 set as an example of the no major league experience.

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.

[SullyV]

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.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by SullyV

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.

He was pretty bad if you read the account of the game. A lot of spin going on there.

[packs]

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.