Charles Johnson - Florida Marlins catcher

yankeesman

I was wanting to lean on the board's vast knowledge of all things sports cards when it comes to former Marlin catcher Charles Johnson. He was issued on a Topps traded card in his Team USA uniform and then not another Topps card until 1999. He had several great seasons, including an all star season, with the Marlins between that Topps traded card and his 1999 Topps card but no Topps cards were issued of him during that time. Any insight why he didn't have cards issued? Was there a contract dispute or exclusivity contract, similar to what Matt Wieters had? I tried to google it but all I found was that he didn't have any Topps cards issued during those years but not why. Thanks for your help on the mystery!

Nathan

Ironmanfan

was Barry Bonds not on Topps cards either at that time?



IMF

yankeesman

I don't remember Barry being off of Topps cards at any point. I know at that same time period Barry had cards but may have been other times he didn't. Not sure about that part.

vandweller

Very similar thing happened to Jason Varitek. He was in 1992 Topps Traded with his Team USA uniform, was a major league regular starting in 1998, and didn't appear in the Topps flagship set until 2007!

SOM

A-Rod didn't appear on a Topps card until 1998.

msassin

Likely a contract issue with Topps (Varitek's contract issue came from his Olympic card). Also - Bonds missed 1 year from Topps cardboard.