How does Shohei Ohtani have a RC card?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by bn2cardz

There is an odd 2016 Card that was sent to Yankees Season Ticket holders. From what I can tell, though, is it was produced in 2016 and sent to the ticket holders through the 2017 season. Aaron Judge did play in 2016, though, so it isn't breaking the "RC" logo rule. I do believe it does still push the line though having it produced in 2016, and producing most of his RC in 2017.

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).

To my mind a guy cannot have official rookie cards in two different years, that makes no sense at all.

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

To my mind a guy cannot have official rookie cards in two different years, that makes no sense at all.

Agreed. Again from my research, though, I really think the card was made in 2016 but wasn't distributed until 2017. I could certainly be wrong, as this is only based on my questioning the sellers I was buying from. I think the card has a copyright of 2016, but maybe should be considered a 2017 card. I don't know if there is an "official" (loose term, I know) ruling on this card though.

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.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I can only speculate that everyone assumes it's a foregone conclusion he makes the team? Dunno though, agree it isn't consistent.

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I can only speculate that everyone assumes it's a foregone conclusion he makes the team? Dunno though, agree it isn't consistent.

I believe you are right. They made an assumption, but Ohtani's poor spring training may prove that assumption wrong. Then it could leave them having RC cards for a player that never had any right having the cards made.

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/a...art-in-minors/

[bn2cardz]

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


2017 Paul DeJong (this isn't his only 2017 RC, but used to illustrate the point)



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.

[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.