Lindor tags Báez, Puerto Rican legends in new TOPPS set

Cubs superstar Javier Báez hit his 25th home run of the season in San Francisco on Wednesday afternoon. He became only the third middle infielder from Puerto Rico to record multiple seasons with at least 25 home runs, joining Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor and José Valentín.

That statistic is another moment that ties Lindor and Báez. The Puerto Rican shortstops were selected eighth and ninth overall by Cleveland and Chicago, respectively, in the 2011 draft. They faced off in the 2016 World Series. Most importantly, the former Los Rubios teammates are friends.

When Lindor got together with TOPPS to create a limited edition, custom box set to launch around Cleveland hosting the All-Star Game, Báez was one of the players selected for a card. Lindor honored Puerto Rican legends, generational icons and players from the 2011 draft in the 50-card set.

Here is Lindor’s card from the set:

This is the Báez card:

You can buy the limited edition set here. La Vida Baseball Live spoke with Mike Linkens, Art Director at TOPPS about working on the set with Lindor.

Featured Image: La Vida Baseball

Inset Images: Courtesy TOPPS