2021 Topps NPB

 

I was at a Walmart in El Paso when I saw a pack along with 5 cards in it. I bought it and would like to buy more, but I would end up broke if I did. Topps joined BBM and Epoch on producing cards of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league. There are 14 cards in a pack of the 216 card set. Let's rip

97 - Nien-Ting Wu - 2021 card design with the back of the card in Japanese and nice touch of a logo on the back. For translation on the stats it goes by game, AB, runs, hits, double, triple, homerun, RBI, stolen bases, BB, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and batting average. As for the player NTW still playing for Seibu Lions and on this year's Taiwan WBC team.

143 - Takuya Kai - still playing for Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. Part of this year's tournament winning Japan WBC team.

179 - Shunpeita Yamashita - they even put the rookie logo on NPB card. He's still playing for Orix Buffalos and currently got a 1.64 ERA as of this moment

136 - Tatsuya Imai - still playing for Seibu Lions

1 - Masahiro Tanaka - got a NPB legend and former MLBer in this pack. After 7 year stint with the Yankees he returned back home playing for his original team Rakuten Golden Eagles.

192 - Kosei Yoshida - still playing for Nippon-Ham Fighters.

130 - Ryosuke Nishikawa - still playing for Chibi Lotte Marines

86-TY - Tetsuto Yamada - insert of 1986 design card. The back is lacking as it shows the team logo. One of top players in the NPB. Still playing for Yakult Swallows

32 - Nori Aoki - second card of a player with MLB experience. After six season in the MLB he return back to Japan in 2018 playing for his original team Yakult Swallows. Part of 2006 and 2009 Japan WBC team who won the tournament both years.

103 - Yoshihiro Maru - a star player of NPB. Still playing for Yomiuri Giants.

24 - Tyler Austin - third MLBer in this pack as well former Yankee. One of few north American players in this set. After 4 seasons in the MLB bouncing between the main club and the minors he decide to play in Japan for Yokohama Baystars where he remains. Compared to baseball pay in the minors and Japan I don't blame him playing in Japan to make a living.

19 - Yuya Yanagi - had a career year in 2021. Still playing for Chunichi Dragons.

12 - Shota Dohbayashi - still playing for Hiroshima Carp

22 - Daichi Ishii - still playing for Hanshin Tigers.

Hope you enjoy a pack of Topps NPB. Got three former MLBers including Tanaka in this. Hopefully I find more of these packs at random Walmarts that isn't a pack of Topps Gypsy.