2025 Topps Welcome to the Club: 3X MVP – Another Ohtani Topps Money Grab?

By Mike D
on January 27th, 2025
in Releases

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Shohei Ohtani is probably the most popular player on the planet. Following up on the release of 2024 Topps Shohei Ohtani 50/50 and leveraging Fanatics exclusive autograph deal with Ohtani, Topps is going back to the Ohtani well for another go around.

Celebrating Ohtani’s third MVP award, we get the next Ohtani-focused set of the off-season in the form of 2025 Topps Welcome to the Club: 3X MVP.

But what do we know about 2025 Topps Welcome to the Club: 3X MVP so far? What can collectors expect to find in a box? And are these worth a break?

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2025 Topps Welcome to the Club: 3X MVP release date & release format

The release date of 2025 Topps Welcome to the Club: 3X MVP was at 2 PM ET on January 27, 2025 on Topps.com.

There were scant details available, but we do know that boxes have some guaranteed parallels and a chance at some interesting autographs.

From Topps.com: “Look for (1) Parallel numbered to /150 or lower and (1) 3X MVP Dual Subject Insert card per box, PLUS look for incredible Autograph and Cut-Signature cards of every 3X MVP Club member, and Dual-Autographs with the club’s newest member, Shohei Ohtani, alongside Mickey Mantle, Barry Bonds, Joe DiMaggio and more.”

Pricing for boxes of 2025 Topps Welcome to the Club: 3X MVP was $159.99 for a box and $1,599 for a case before they sold out quickly on Topps.com. Prices on the secondary market will be interesting to follow.

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𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓: The brand new "2025 Topps Welcome to the Club: 3X MVP" set features dual autographs of Shohei Ohtani with EVERY other 3x+ MVP.

Shohei will receive his 3rd MVP award at the BBWAA Dinner on Saturday night, and the set will release on Monday Jan. 27. pic.twitter.com/OUfk2Ls4kC
— Topps (@Topps) January 25, 2025

The 3X MVP Club

Winning three or more MVP awards represents excellence in Major League Baseball, reserved for the best of the best. Only 12 players have won three or more MVP awards, and the list represents the best of the best in the game of baseball.

The lineup includes:

Barry Bonds (7 X MVP)
Mike Trout
Albert Pujols
Alex Rodriguez
Mike Schmidt
Mickey Mantle
Yogi Berra
Roy Campanella
Stan Musial
Joe DiMaggio
Jimmie Foxx
Shohei Ohtani

Ohtani joining that club is a notable feat, as the list above contains impressive names. Only Alex Rodriguez is not in the Hall of Fame among those eligible, and that is because of his PED usage, not his on-field play.

Of note is that the modern MVP award came into existence in 1931. That means many greats of the early days of the hobby, from Ty Cobb to Babe Ruth to Lou Gehrig may have joined the club had they had the opportunity. As it stands, Ruth did win one MVP award and Gehrig won the award twice.

Also of note is that current stars Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper both have two MVP awards, meaning they have a chance to enter the exclusive club as well.

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Are 2025 Topps Welcome to the Club: 3X MVP a good investment?

Ohtani is a very popular player, so these boxes will sell out as collectors chase the parallels, autographs, and especially any combo autographs with Ohtani and other members of the 3X MVP Club.

After these cards sold out on Topps.com and we’ll see a flurry of posts on social media of the hits. But is there long-term value here?

Honestly, I tend to think not. The history of these single-player sets, which range from the 1959 Topps Ted Williams to the 2001 UD Tribute to 51 featuring Ichiro (with many other examples over the years) tend to trail other cards of the player in the era of release in terms of value.

Sure, some of the rarer parallels and some of the autographs (especially combo autographs) will always be in demand, but the base cards and more populous parallels are unlikely to be in high demand even a few years into the future, especially if Ohtani has any more injury issues or slows down in terms of on-field play or hobby popularity.

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Final thoughts (for now) on 2025 Topps Welcome to the Club: 3X MVP

So, 2025 Topps Welcome to the Club: 3X MVP celebrates a notable achievement from Shohei Ohtani. However, their long-term value will be questionable for all but the biggest hits.

Depending on the price of a box, these may range from a fun distraction to a downright lousy buy. One thing is for sure though, and it’s that Ohtani remains red hot going into 2025.

What’s your take on 2025 Topps Welcome to the Club: 3X MVP? Think these are going to be good cards to own? Excited for a break? Or think this is a Topps money grab to cash in on Ohtanii’s popularity? Tell us what’s on your mind at CardLines on X.

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Mike D

Mike D. has collected cards for over 35 years, since he bought his first pack of Topps at the corner store in 1987. His fandom, collecting interests, and contributions to Cardlines center around baseball in general and the Baseball Hall of Fame specifically.

Mike's collecting focus is centered on graded cards, mostly rookie cards, of Hall of Famers and future Hall of Famers. Lately, he's been enjoying dabbling in graded minor league cards. A collector/investor with a "buy and hold" approach, Mike takes the long-term view with his collection.