2024 Topps Definitive Quad Autographs: A Monument to Japanese MLB Greats

For sports collectors, every card tells a story. Some are chapters in a larger narrative, others are standalone masterpieces. But every so often, a card transcends, becoming an artifact that celebrates the purity and greatness of some the best to ever play the game.

The 2024 Topps Definitive Collection has clearly delivered on that front with its first-of-a-kind quad autograph card featuring Shohei Ohtani, Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui, and Masataka Yoshida. This isn’t just a card, it’s a tribute to the transformative impact these Japanese legends have had on the game of Major League Baseball.

𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞: Japanese legends Shohei Ohtani, Ichiro, Hideki Matsui, and Masataka Yoshida are all appearing together on a quad autograph card for the first time ever. pic.twitter.com/IzmPhiTe5H
— Topps (@Topps) December 7, 2024

Let’s start with Shohei Ohtani. There are clearly no adjectives left to describe him. The two-way sensation has shattered norms, redefined what a player on both sides of the ball can do, and has put up numbers that will do nothing but make your head spin. In 2023 alone, Ohtani led the league in home runs while continuing to dominate as a pitcher. He’s a walking baseball anomaly, and his spot on this card is not just earned, it’s essential.

Nov 1, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) to speak to fans, in english, during the World Series Championship Celebration at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Next, there’s Ichiro Suzuki, whose artistry with the bat was nothing short of poetry. The all-time MLB hit king for a single season (262 in 2004) and the epitome of consistency, Ichiro dazzled with his precision, speed, and humility. His impact wasn’t just in stats but in the way he inspired a generation of players from Japan and beyond to dream of success on the biggest stage.

Aug 27, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariner former player Ken Griffey Jr. (left) presents a Mariner Hall of Fame jacket to Ichiro Suzuki (right) during the induction ceremonies for Suzuki in to the Mariner Hall of Fame before a game between the Seattle Mariners and the Cleveland Guardians at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Hideki Matsui, nicknamed “Godzilla,” brought a different kind of firepower. His clutch performance in the 2009 World Series earned him MVP honors, cementing his place in Yankees lore. Matsui’s smooth swing and big-game demeanor made him a fan favorite, and his inclusion on this card adds the gravitas of a true champion.

Aug 27, 2018; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees former player Hideki Matsui receives a gift from Yankees general manager Brian Cashman during a pregame ceremony commemorating his induction to the Japanese Hall of Fame before a game between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-Imagn Images | Andy Marlin-Imagn Images

Then there’s the rising star, Masataka Yoshida. While he’s the youngest of the group, his breakout 2023 season with the Boston Red Sox showed he belongs among the best. With a blend of contact hitting, power, and composure, Yoshida is carrying forward the torch of Japanese excellence in the MLB. His presence on this card not only honors his achievements but solidifies his role in this storied lineage.

Sep 15, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (7) hits a single in the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The 2024 Topps Definitive quad autograph card is certainly up there in terms of it being the ultimate chase for collectors, especially if the 1/1 is on your list of crown jewels. This card represents more than just four autographs, it’s a crossroads of eras, talents, and legacies. It connects the past, the present, and the future of Japanese MLB greatness in a way no single player ever could.

For avid collectors, pulling this card isn’t just finding treasure, it’s discovering history. Whether you cherish the perfection of Ichiro’s swing, Ohtani’s unprecedented feats, Matsui’s October heroics, or Yoshida’s bright future, this card brings them all together in a single, awe-inspiring piece. A quad like this? It’s a monument.