The 2017 Topps Baseball card set was the 70th annual release from Topps. The flagship main set featured a total of 306 base cards that highlighted the most prominent MLB players from the 2016 season. Some key highlights and features of the 2017 Topps Baseball set included:
Design & Photography – The design theme for the 2017 set featured photography that had a more minimalistic approach than prior years. Rather than busy backgrounds, most cards had a simple color gradient behind the player photos. The photo quality remained crisp and clear. On the front of each card was the team logo along with the player’s name, uniform number and position.
Top Rated Rookies – Some of the top rated rookie cards from the 2017 debut included Yankees OF Clint Frazier (card #193), Dodgers C Will Smith (card #212), and Braves OF Ronald Acuna Jr. (card #235). While Acuna would go on to have a legendary career, his rookie card held a relatively modest value in its initial release year compared to future expectations.
Parallels & Inserts – Beyond the base cards, Topps included several parallel and insert sets that added numerous chase cards for collectors. The most coveted included the 5-card Gold parallel (/50), Rainbow Foil parallel (/25), and Red Refractor parallel (/5). Popular multi-player inserts focused on special accomplishments like Postseason Performers and All-Star cards.
Baseball Greats – As with past years, Topps paid tribute to legends of the game with vintage “Turn Back The Clock” photo reprints of stars from previous eras. The 2017 set featured cards of Hall of Famers including Gary Carter (card #163), Tony Gwynn (card #229), and Harmon Killebrew (card #292).
Memorable Moments – Unique snapshot cards highlighted iconic MLB moments from the 2016 season. Examples included Cubs 3B Kris Bryant’s home run in the 10th inning of Game 7 of the World Series (card #81) and Cubs LF Ben Zobrist being lifted by teammates after Chicago won its first title in over a century (card #98).
Yu Darvish Red Refractor 1/1 – In what became one of the more famous one-of-one cards ever produced, Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish’s Red Refractor parallel had a printing plate misprint on the front. Instead of his name and stats on the back, it simply said “1/1”. After a heated eBay auction, it became the highest price paid for a modern baseball card at over $100,000.
Card Design Evolution – While maintaining its traditional look, Topps made some minor refinements to the card stock, composition and layout compared to recent years. The borders were slightly thinner and the player photos a tad larger for improved overall appearance. Feedback on the 2017 design was very positive from the collecting community.
Value & Availability – With significant interest in the hobby continuing to grow, the 2017 Topps Baseball set saw robust initial demand and values held relatively steady one year after release. Common base cards could be acquired for under $1 each online or at card shops. Rarer inserts, parallels and star rookies had assigned Grey Sheet valuations in the $5-50 range on average.
The 2017 Topps Baseball release was another strong annual set that successfully blended classic elements with contemporary photography and design sensibilities. While not breaking major new ground, it maintained Topps’ position as the leading brand in the baseball card marketplace through quality construction, memorable content and wide accessibility for collectors both casual and dedicated. The inclusion of such coveted short printed parallel cards as the Darvish 1/1 ensured the 2017 offering remained a vibrant and engaging release that collectors were keen to add to their collections for years to come.
