All eyes were on Hyeseong Kim as he stepped up to the plate in the third inning of a recent match against the Oakland A’s. The 21-year-old Los Angeles Dodgers rookie, with a bat that seems dipped in magic pixie dust, connected and sent the baseball rocketing 385 feet into the stands. It wasn’t just any home run—it was Kim’s first in the Major Leagues, inspiring both teammates and fans to leap from their seats in jubilant applause. For a team used to star power, this was a moment of emergent brilliance that felt like the dawn of something truly special.
Hot on the heels of that thrilling game, which saw the Dodgers secure a decisive 9–3 victory, Topps Now has seized the opportunity to commemorate Kim’s milestone with a card drop that collectors can only describe as essential. Known for its savvy ability to immortalize baseball’s most memorable, real-time moments, Topps Now’s latest release promises more than simply a photographic keepsake. This time around, the tantalizing lure includes a surprise too sweet for any card collector to resist: Kim’s first-ever autograph card.
With meticulous attention to detail, Topps has peppered its release with a veritable feast for collectors. The crème de la crème of the collection is an exclusive 1-of-1 on-card autograph, inscribed with “First Home Run,” available only as a rare redemption in a random order. Imagine being the lucky soul to seize this unique piece of Dodgers memorabilia—a gem poised to be cherished for decades. Calling it a trophy of Dodgers’ history or a cornerstone collector piece feels like an understatement.
Those without the fortune of snagging the unique 1-of-1 needn’t despair, as the drop includes 15 other autographed cards, featuring lower print runs that ensure their scarcity: 10 cards are numbered to /10, and five adorned with a /5 marker. While missing out on an autograph might sting a little, the release is a full plate of collector interest beyond fallen stars.
Lurking within the charming madness are several parallel versions of the base card, tempting hobbyists with lucrative possibilities for their collections. Chase cards bear striking variations, including Gold Foil /50, Orange Foil /25, Black Foil /10, and Red Foil /5 styles shimmering beneath fluorescent lights, and a single precious 1/1 FoilFractor, akin to the cherry perched atop a gourmet sundae.
Adding flavor to this enticing drop are three distinct card presentations: the standard base card, a short-printed image variation, and a Korean-language super short print. This nod to Kim’s roots makes it an affectionate draw for collectors passionate about the global nature of baseball and Kim’s Korean heritage.
For those dreaming of baseball cards in their sleep, Topps has made securing Kim’s card drop both accessible and tantalizingly swift. The cards, available in differing quantities, form an à la carte smorgasbord:
– A single card for a modest $11.99
– Five cards for $49.99
– Ten cards for $89.99
– Or twenty cards for $169.99 if you’re feeling extravagant
However, the chase is brief. Orders are snapped up online and pressed to order within a brisk 24-hour window on the Topps website, making each card an instant relic of a moment that will never be replicated.
For Dodgers enthusiasts, keen rookie card collectors, or simply the intrigued aficionado, this is more than just another card release. It’s a tangible slice of baseball’s evolving drama, a chance to capture the burgeoning rise of Hyeseong Kim—a narrative that’s as fresh and exhilarating as the fly ball he lofted into the distant reaches of the outfield. Whether you’re on the hunt for the elusive autograph, angling for a foil find, or simply cherishing a memorable major league first, this moment from Topps is destined to endure as much more than a fleeting headline. It may just become a cherished page in your collection’s history, a testament to Kim’s auspicious beginnings.
