The 2016 Topps Baseball Card Set continues Topps’ long-standing tradition of bringing collectors high-quality cardboard and memorable baseball moments from the previous season. The 2016 checklist included various inserts and parallels to appeal to collector interests at different levels. Let’s take an in-depth look at the main set and some of the insert variations collectors searched for.
The 2016 Topps base set included cards #1-329 and featured all living major and minor league players from the 2015 season, as well as retired stars, managers, and executives. Topps again opted for a bordered design with vivid team color accents, player photos on a solid color background, and text kept to a minimum allowing the visuals to shine. Like in recent years, Topps included short write-ups on each player card highlighting stats and accomplishments from the prior season.
Topps also produced multiple parallel and insert sets within the 2016 release. The most sought-after red parallel variants included one red foil card in every 24 pack box. This 1:24 ratio made the reds exciting chase cards for collectors. Additional parallels included Gold (#/2016), Black (#/150), Star Wars (#/75), and Printing Plates (#1/1).
Several inserts examined specific aspects of the game. Topps Archives Flashback cards paid tribute to classic designs from the 1980s and 1990s. Heritage Minors recalled the look of vintage minor league sets. Stadium Club threw back to the ultra-premium cards of the 90s with sharp on-card photos on a textured stock.
Topps also celebrated milestones with special insert sets. Their Legends of the Game insert recognized players who reached career marks in 2015. This included Todd Helton’s 2500th hit and Chipper Jones’ Hall of Fame induction. An All-Star Game subset highlighted players who stood out during the midsummer classic.
Rookies and prospects received extended treatment with Topps Series 1 and Series 2 Rookies inserts. This provided an early look at the next wave of young stars. Topps Prospects cards teased anticipated future impact performers who had yet to debut in the majors such as Corey Seager and Julio Urias.
For autograph cards, Topps offered three core autographed sets – Diamond Collection, Gypsy Queen, and Bowman Sterling. Diamond Collection pulled ex-players out of retirement for on-card signatures reminiscent of their playing days. Gypsy Queen incorporated wood grain borders and a retro look paying homage to vintage tobacco cards. Meanwhile, Bowman Sterling flashed brushed metal accents fitting the brand’s tradition of highlighting prospects.
Topps also rolled out special subsets recognizing individual clubs. Bronx Bombers called out the Yankees’ storied history. Boston Strong remembered the Red Sox 2013 World Series win following the Boston Marathon bombings. Additionally, Turn Back the Clock took a fun approach reviving 1980s designs for all 30 MLB teams.
Although baseball cards now compete with a host of digital entertainment, Topps proved once again that collecting cardboard still holds appeal. The 2016 mix of classic designs, star players, rookies, parallels and inserts touched on aspects fans find engaging both visually and statistically. Whether completing the base set or seeking specific short prints, the 2016 Topps checklist gave collectors many exciting avenues to build or enhance their collections and memories from another season. The combination of traditional and innovative elements showed Topps’ dedication to serving the baseball card community while periodically injecting fresh nostalgia.
