In 2001, Topps celebrated 50 years of producing sports cards with the release of their “50 Years of Baseball” card set. The set commemorated Topps’ first pack of baseball cards released in 1952 and included some of the most iconic players from each decade of baseball’s modern era.
Topps had been producing non-sport related cards since 1938 but it was not until 1951 that they decided to venture into the baseball card market. In the fall of 1951, Topps secured the rights to photograph and produce cards featuring the players of the upcoming 1952 season. The first series of Topps baseball cards in 1952 featured cards of all 16 major league teams from that season.
To celebrate 50 years of making baseball cards, Topps’ 2001 “50 Years of Baseball” set showcased some of the biggest stars and most memorable cards from each decade since Topps’ arrival in the hobby. The set included 172 total cards broken into decades from the 1950s through the 1990s. Each decade contained 26 player cards highlighting the biggest stars from that era along with four “special” cards noting memorable milestones from each decade.
The 1950s portion of the set focused on the early years of Topps dominance. Players included in the 1950s subset were icons like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron. Notable cards included were Mantle’s famous 1952 Topps rookie card, the first color photograph card of Mays from 1958 Topps, and Aaron’s only card in a Milwaukee Braves uniform from 1957 Topps. Special cards in the 1950s portion covered the debut of Topps baseball cards in 1952, color photography being introduced in 1958 Topps, and Mantle’s record setting season in 1956 when he smacked 52 home runs.
Moving into the 1960s, the set featured superstars Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, and Willie McCovey. Notable rookie cards included were Koufax’s 1959 debut, Joe Torre’s first card from 1960, and Johnny Bench’s iconic rookie from 1968 Topps. Special 1960s highlights included Koufax’s perfect game in 1965, McCovey’s dramatic home run in game 7 of the 1962 World Series, and Denny McLain becoming the last 30 game winner in 1968.
The 1970s portion contained cards of regal hitters like Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, and Dave Parker. Rookie cards of note were Jackson’s 1967 Bowman issue, George Brett’s 1974 debut, and Mike Schmidt’s 1975 card. Special 1970s highlights focused on Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record in 1974, Jackson’s three home run performance in game 6 of the 1977 World Series, and Nolan Ryan’s record breaking 5,000th career strikeout in 1980.
Entering the 1980s, players in the set included pitching aces Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, and Steve Carlton. Rookie cards highlighted were Cal Ripken Jr’s 1981 debut, Ozzie Smith’s 1979 issue, and Dwight Gooden’s spectacular 1984 first card. Additional special 1980s moments included Ryan’s record seventh no-hitter in 1981, Ripken’s record breaking consecutive games played streak, and Gooden’s Rookie of the Year and Cy Young winning season of 1985 where he struck out 276 batters.
Top players in the 1990s subset contained cards for Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., and Greg Maddux. Standout rookie cards were Griffey’s famous 1989 Upper Deck issue, Chipper Jones’ 1993 Bowman card, and Derek Jeter’s 1996 Topps debut. Notable 1990s highlights focused on Bonds hitting his 500th career home run in 1996, Griffey and rookie card partner Mark McGwire smashing home run records in 1998, and Cal Ripken breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played streak in 1995.
In addition to the decade subsets, the 2001 “50 Years of Baseball” set also included 50 traded player cards spanning the entire history of Topps baseball cards. These traded cards featured stars who switched teams throughout their careers like Babe Ruth with the Yankees and Braves, Nolan Ryan with multiple franchises, and Curt Schilling with the Phillies, Diamondbacks and Red Sox.
Overall the 2001 Topps “50 Years of Baseball” set paid tribute to the great players, incredible accomplishments, and cultural impact of Topps’ first five decades producing sports cards. For collectors and fans, it served as a memorable chronicle highlighting the most iconic cards and legendary moments from each era since the birth of modern baseball cards in 1952. While no longer the dominant force they once were in the card industry, Topps’ 2001 commemorative issue celebrating 50 Golden Years remains an historically significant release that any serious baseball card collector should seek to obtain.
