In the ever-evolving world of sports card collecting, a fresh addition is set to make waves in the hobby community: the 2025 Topps Baseball Series 2, which introduces its dazzling new insert set, All Kings. Fresh off the success of its Series 1 “All Aces” inserts, which honored some of the league’s top pitchers with all the grandeur and splendor they deserve, Topps is back, but this time the spotlight shines brightly on the sluggers of the batting world.
The aptly named All Kings lineup promises collectors a veritable who’s who of today’s most exhilarating hitters alongside timeless icons of the sport. This is not simply a follow-up to the “All Aces”—it’s a regal soiree attended by the batsmen who’ve made the grandstands roar. At the forefront of this brigade are none other than modern titans Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, gifted ball-crushers who, much like their predecessors, have already etched their names into the annals of baseball history.
A total of 25 illustrious players make up the All Kings checklist, with names that any fan would nod approvingly at. Joining the modern-day Goliaths Judge and Ohtani are fellow contemporary heavy hitters such as Juan Soto, Elly De La Cruz, Bryce Harper, and Bobby Witt Jr. These players continue to dominate headlines and elevate the game in 2025, each solidifying their legacy with every swing. Their rookie cards and memorabilia are much sought after, and this new addition will undoubtedly be a hot item on collectors’ radars.
This lineup, however, isn’t solely focused on stars with established track records—Topps knows the value of a rising star. Enter James Wood, the only rookie to grace the All Kings series. Wood, who dons the Nationals uniform with as much promise as swagger, has been making waves with a league sixth-place ranking in home runs and an impressive rack of RBIs. His presence in All Kings brings a sparkle of fresh potential, perhaps paving the way for highly coveted serial-numbered or autograph versions down the road.
But let’s not get too caught up in the realm of contemporary awe, for the All Kings set pays homage to some of the fiercest hitters ever known. Collectors will no doubt revel in the inclusion of legends like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson, Derek Jeter, and Ken Griffey Jr. Their posthumous participation not only broadens the timespan represented in this collection but also deepens the allure for those who cherish the game’s storied past just as much as its vibrant present.
The million-dollar question remains: will All Kings command the same, if not more, clout as the All Aces? Looking at the existing market data, it’s clear this insert series has similar meteoric potential. All Aces saw Shohei Ohtani’s rare auto /10 fetching upwards of $6,500, while a base insert hit $1,775, and even pitching prospect Paul Skenes’ gem mint condition card reached $1,800. All of these figures suggest strong precedents and, given the hobby’s natural inclination towards position players, the All Kings have a steep trajectory to ascend.
The beauty of these cards extends beyond the stats their subjects can produce on the diamond. It’s about capturing moments—iconic ones such as Ohtani’s monster home runs that defy physics or Griffey Jr.’s masterful swings that have been immortalized in highlight reels across generations. Collectors today aren’t just buying memorabilia; they’re investing in echoes of celebration and memory.
With their noteworthy experience in fusing top-tier card design with themes that resonate widely among fans, Topps has undoubtedly outdone themselves yet again. If the response to the All Aces insert is any indication, All Kings is poised to surpass expectations by not only maintaining the standard set but potentially establishing a new benchmark. It’s louder, it’s bolder, and ready to be more valuable—not just financially, but sentimentally, for those who chase the game’s thrill in packets of glossy cardboard perfection.
For those who are passionate about the heavy swats that send baseballs arcing into the stands, and cherish the legends who’ve done so for decades, the All Kings insert is an unmissable sovereign feast. This isn’t merely about collecting cards; it’s about owning pieces of a majesty that thrives beyond seasons, encapsulated forever in the magic wielded by those who play the Great American Pastime.