The 2024 Topps Update Series has brought unexpected surprises to the world of baseball card collecting. One of the standout features of this year’s set is the crossover event that fans never saw coming—Aaron Judge stepping into the Paw Patrol universe. In a unique episode of Rubble & Crew, Judge finds himself in a magical town called Builder Cove, working alongside talking dogs to construct a stadium from scratch. Topps commemorated this playful moment with two special Aaron Judge Paw Patrol trading cards, PP-1 and PP-2, capturing the animated version of the Yankees’ powerhouse and quickly becoming sought-after items for collectors.
But the surprises don’t stop there in the 2024 Topps Update Series. Another hidden gem awaits in the form of a short-print (SSP) variation featuring Jazz Chisholm Jr., recently traded to the New York Yankees from the Miami Marlins. Despite missing the main base set due to the timing of the trade, Chisholm makes his Yankees debut on a variation card, #US1. Interestingly, this variation lacks a CMP code on the back, adding a layer of challenge for collectors trying to track down this elusive card.
Adding to the excitement of the update series are the Golden Image Variations, providing alternate photos for all 350 base cards. Collectors get a fresh perspective on their favorite players with these new images, enhancing the thrill of opening each pack. However, a small numbering error has been spotted in the Black parallels, which should typically be numbered to 73 like the previous series. In this release, the Black parallels are misnumbered up to 74, creating a curious detail for those paying close attention to continuity in Topps’ sets.
As collectors delve deeper into the 2024 Topps Update Series, the discovery of more unannounced variations and Easter eggs seems likely. These unexpected inclusions, from Judge’s animated Paw Patrol cards to Chisholm’s Yankees debut SSP, are stirring up excitement within the collecting community. Despite the trend of reduced SSPs in recent releases, Topps continues to deliver the element of surprise and fun in their flagship baseball sets. Whether you’re chasing after Judge’s animated alter ego or hunting for Chisholm’s debut card, the 2024 Topps Update Series promises plenty of reasons to keep tearing into packs and uncovering hidden treasures.
