So, who, if anyone, will emerge from the 2019 version — Panini America’s Stars & Stripes baseball?
It’s hard to say, but the 100-card base set contains cards from the 15U, 18U and collegiate national teams.
A blaster box contains seven packs, with five cards to a pack. Panini is promising at least two autographs per blaster, so it’s not a bad deal.
The cards are printed on thin stock, and silver foil frame three sides of the players’ photos. The bottom of the card has red foil, with a Stars & Stripes logo. The players’ names are stamped in gold foil in the bottom right-hand part of the card.
The card back features the player’s name in large block white letters near the top, with his position in smaller, black italic type directly underneath. The center of the card back is dominated by a large shield depicting the player’s national team.
Vital statistics are located directly beneath the shield in small, red type. A five-line biography finishes off the design.
The blaster I opened featured one parallel — a ruby card of Luke Leto, numbered to 249.
The second card is a USA BB Silhouettes Signatures Jersey of 17U infielder Nate Clow, numbered to 199. This autograph is also on a sticker, but at least it is more than a set of initials.
Perhaps if their careers blossom, they will learn how to solve their full names.
The Stars & Stripes set is basically a look into the future, almost like an investment. One shiny moment, if you will. It will be interesting to see what players will take it to the next level.