The 2016 Chicago Cubs baseball cards were a highly anticipated and historic set after the Cubs won their first World Series title in over a century. Topps released the flagship set in early 2017 featuring players, managers, and executives from the championship winning Cubs roster.
Some of the most sought after rookie cards from the 2016 Cubs set included Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, and Kyle Schwarber. All three players made significant contributions to the Cubs’ title run in just their second MLB seasons. Baez’ powerful style of play and flashy defense at multiple positions made him a fan favorite. Bryant won the National League Rookie of the Year award and became just the fourth player in MLB history to hit at least 30 home runs and drive in at least 100 runs in their rookie season. Schwarber returned from a serious knee injury late in the season and provided clutch home runs in the playoffs, cementing his place in Cubs lore.
Veteran stars on the Cubs like Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, and Dexter Fowler also had popular rookie cards from their earlier careers with other franchises that surged in demand due to their success with Chicago in 2016. Lester emerged as the ace of the pitching staff and a clubhouse leader, going 18-5 during the regular season. Arrieta took home the NL Cy Young award following a dominant 22-6, 1.77 ERA campaign. Fowler set the table at the top of the order and provided outstanding defense in center field on his way to a World Series ring.
Other notable players who had their performances immortalized in the 2016 Cubs cards include shortstop Addison Russell, catcher Miguel Montero, utility man Ben Zobrist, and closer Aroldis Chapman. Russell won a Gold Glove as a rookie and provided stellar defense while hitting 21 home runs. Montero was a veteran backup and respected voice in the clubhouse. Zobrist was a midseason acquisition that helped solidify the lineup, starting at multiple positions in October. Chapman joined the Cubs late in August and was nearly unhittable down the stretch and in the postseason, recording the final out of the World Series.
Of course, the most iconic Cubs card from the 2016 set has to be that of manager Joe Maddon. In just his second season leading the North Siders, Maddon orchestrated a 103-win campaign and brought unprecedented October success to Wrigleyville with his upbeat style and innovative in-game strategies. He became the first manager to guide teams to the World Series in both the American and National Leagues. Maddon’s card showcasing him celebrating on the field with the Commissioner’s Trophy will surely stand the test of time as one of the most memorable in Cubs history.
Other notable rookie cards include breakout pitchers John Lackey, Carl Edwards Jr., and Pedro Strop from earlier in their careers. Lackey anchored the rotation all year while Edwards and Strop were dominant late-inning options out of the bullpen for Maddon. Longtime Cubs All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo also had one of his best statistical seasons, socking 32 home runs. Corey Kluber, who came over from Cleveland in a 2015 trade and pitched well for Chicago, enjoyed new career-highs the following year with the Indians and won the AL Cy Young.
The 2020 Topps Heritage set paid tribute to the history-making 2016 Cubs with a special “We Did It!” insert card featuring photos from the champagne celebration in the visiting clubhouse at Progressive Field. This brought back fond memories for Cubs fans worldwide of one of the greatest World Series championships in sports history. Even half a decade later, the aura and significance of the 2016 Cubs cards live on, forever encapsulating the players and moments from that unforgettable season that ended the franchise’s 107-year title drought.
While superstar shortstop Addison Russell and reliever Aroldis Chapman have both since moved on from Chicago’s roster in disgrace due to off-field issues, the 2016 Cubs cards ensure their respective contributions to the championship team will never be forgotten from a historical baseball perspective. Many former Cubs have gone on to new teams like Dexter Fowler, Ben Zobrist, John Lackey and Adam Warren. But their legacy with the Cubs organization will always be defined and commemorated by their coveted 2016 baseball cards. Decades from now, collectors will no doubt still look back fondly at the complete 2016 Topps Cubs set as a true symbol of the golden era that ended the drought in Chicago.
