2024 Topps Update Series: Aaron Judge’s Paw Patrol Cards and Hidden Gems

• Posted: October 16, 2024, 12:02 pm
• in Sports Card News
• by bionic

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The 2024 Topps Update Series Baseball set is making waves with some unexpected surprises, including a crossover that no one saw coming—Aaron Judge’s appearance in the Paw Patrol universe. Although Topps has scaled back on the number of unannounced short prints (SSPs) compared to previous years, this set still offers collectors a few exciting Easter eggs, headlined by Judge’s animated adventure in Rubble & Crew.

Aaron Judge Joins Paw Patrol in 2024 Topps Update Series​

One of the biggest surprises of the 2024 Topps Update Series is Aaron Judge’s crossover into the Paw Patrol world. In a special episode of Rubble & Crew that aired in August, Judge gets stuck in Builder Cove, a magical town where dogs talk and construction projects come to life. Unable to make it to a home run derby, Judge works with his canine pals to build a stadium from scratch.

Topps decided to capture this playful moment with two special Aaron Judge Paw Patrol trading cards in the update set, numbered PP-1 and PP-2. These cards feature an animated version of the Yankees’ star slugger and have quickly become must-have items for collectors. With Judge’s iconic status in baseball and this unique crossover, the Paw Patrol cards are already driving a lot of buzz in the hobby.

Jazz Chisholm SSP Variation: Yankees Debut​

Another hidden gem in the 2024 Topps Update Series is a short-print (SSP) variation featuring Jazz Chisholm Jr., who was traded to the New York Yankees from the Miami Marlins just before the trade deadline. Chisholm didn’t make it into the main base set due to the timing of the trade, but collectors can find him on a variation card, #US1, marking his first flagship Yankees card.

Interestingly, this variation doesn’t include a CMP code on the back—a detail often used by collectors to verify short prints—making the card a little trickier to spot. The odds of pulling this card, like the Aaron Judge Paw Patrol variations, are not specified, adding to the thrill of the chase.

Golden Image Variations and a Numbering Error​

The 2024 Update Series also introduces Golden Image Variations, offering alternate photos for all 350 base cards. These variations provide collectors with fresh looks at their favorite players, adding a layer of excitement to each pack.

However, a small mistake has been noted with the set’s Black parallels. Typically, Black parallels are numbered to 73, following the pattern set by 2024 Series 1 and Series 2. In this release, though, the Black parallels are misnumbered up to 74. While this discrepancy doesn’t impact the overall collectibility, it’s a curious detail for those tracking continuity in Topps' sets.

What’s Next?​

With Aaron Judge’s animated Paw Patrol cards and Jazz Chisholm’s first Yankees SSP, the 2024 Topps Update Series has proven that there are still surprises to be found in Topps' flagship baseball sets. As collectors continue to explore this release, there may be more unannounced variations and Easter eggs waiting to be discovered.

For now, these unexpected inclusions are fueling excitement and reinforcing the idea that even in a world of shrinking SSPs, Topps can still deliver the fun and thrill of the unknown in their sets. Whether you’re chasing Judge’s animated alter ego or Chisholm’s Yankees debut, the 2024 Topps Update Series offers plenty of reasons to keep ripping packs.