Topps offering promotions at ASG FanFest

Mike Trout will be featured on a To pps promotional card.

Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game is fast approaching, and one of the bigger lures for fans is the All-Star FanFest, which will held July 10-14 at Cincinnati’s Duke Energy Convention Center. It’s a fan-friendly gathering with some cool things to do, and Topps will be in the thick of things with some promotions for collectors.

 Topps is sponsoring a Make Your Own Card booth. Fans can get their picture taken and then have their likeness printed on site for a fun souvenir — in the flagship design of 2015 Topps. I had this done years ago during a similar promotion at Central Florida’s old (and sorely missed) Boardwalk and Baseball in 1987. It wasn’t a Topps card, but I was able to wear a uniform jersey and cap of my favorite team. Plus, I stacked the stats on the back of the card. I was Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford all rolled into one.

 And more recently, Matt Sebek’s Rookies App gives you the same chance. But having a card printed and created right in front of you by the Topps representative is fun stuff.

Topps’ wrapper redemption program will reward fans who buy the company’s 2015 product. All fans have to do is bring an unopened pack of 2015 Topps cards to the company’s booth and open it there. In return, Topps will hand out an exclusive card from a pool of six players: Mike Trout of the Angels, Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers, Jose Abreu of the White Sox, or Reds players Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto and Todd Frazier. Cards are available while supplies last.

Mascot promo cards will be available each day of FanFest (while supplies last, of course). Fans can receive a different Reds mascot card (since Cincinnati has several of them) at Topps’ booth.

Patch cards will be available, and the Topps is paying tribute to the Reds’ past and present. Fans who buy a complete set of 2015 Topps baseball will receive their choice of a patch card featuring Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, Joe Morgan, Barry Larkin, Frank Robinson or Joey Votto. While supplies last, of course.

Saturday of FanFest (July 11) will be Rediscover Day. Fans who bring a Topps baseball card from before 2000 will receive a new Topps card that features an embedded relic. This is limited to one per person and while supplies last. So, no need to lug a trunk full of 1987 Topps to Cincinnati, for example. You will only need one card.

Finally, to celebrate Sunday’s Futures Game on July 12, Topps will pass out sample packs of Bowman cards.

If you’re heading to Cincinnati, these activities might be more exciting than the All-Star Game itself.

 

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