Texas right-hander Yu Darvish is already a superstar in Japan.
Now he's getting the superstar treatment in the United States via the Topps baseball card company.
Topps and Darvish agreed to a two-year exclusive contract Monday, making Topps the only place people can get Darvish autographed baseball cards in packs.
"He's special," said Topps spokesman Mark Sapir. "He's a rookie that comes with already extraordinary success in Japan. He's already proven himself in Japan. He's someone collectors are excited to watch. We're excited to give baseball fans a chance to get his card an autograph."
Collectors won't have to wait long for that chance either. Topps Tribute debuts next week with a chance to get a Darvish card, although it will be a tough pull. There will be only 25 cards available of Darvish in that set, and they will be available via redemption.
The first card featuring Darvish in a Texas uniform that fans can pull out of a pack will come in May in the Bowman Baseball set.
Topps also will include Darvish autographed cards in Topps Museum Collection, Gypsy Queen, Topps Archives, Topps Series 2, Tier One, Allen and Ginter, Bowman Platinum and Topps Chrome.
