Topps announced on Thursday that it has partnered with Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani on an exclusive global trading card deal.
The agreement between Ohtani and Topps, which was acquired by Fanatics Collectibles in 2022, includes cards featuring autographs and game-used memorabilia, as well as moments and achievements from Ohtani’s career. It will involve products based in both the United States and Ohtani’s native Japan, which is a growing market for Topps and the hobby as a whole.
“I’m happy to be exclusively partnering with Topps to give fans unique cards and collectibles for seasons to come,” Ohtani said in a press release.
“This is a momentous day in our brand’s history,” Fanatics Collectibles president of trading cards David Leiner said. “We aren’t just partners with Shohei — we’re big fans, both of everything he’s done on the field and how he represents the game off of it. With this new, exclusive deal, Topps will continue to be innovative in our offerings with him, giving collectors product that’s never before been seen in the hobby, all while bringing them closer to this once-in-a-lifetime player.”
One of the biggest names in the sport, Ohtani has won two MVP Awards and earned four All-Star selections over seven seasons in MLB while showing the unique ability to be an elite offensive player and ace pitcher at the same time. After six seasons with the Angels, Ohtani joined the Dodgers on a historic 10-year, $700 million deal last offseason.
Ohtani is writing his own new chapter in MLB’s history books in 2024 with another MVP-like campaign. Unable to pitch this season after undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery last year, the two-time American League MVP focused more of his energy on the basepaths in his first season in Dodger blue, becoming just the sixth AL/NL player ever to steal 40 bases and hit 40 home runs in a single season, joining the 40/40 club in 21 fewer games than anyone else, including last year’s NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr.!
Trace ‘N Chase is a proud Authorized Retailer for Topps & Fanatics products, carries a wide lineup of trading cards and will happily offer Shohei Ohtani licensed products when they become available!
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