The 2023 baseball season will see the release of highly anticipated capstone cards from the top players in the game. Capstone cards mark a player’s career achievements and are some of the most sought after collectibles for fans. Here is an in-depth look at some of the top contenders for major capstone cards in 2023.
Miguel Cabrera – One of the surest bets for a massive capstone card next year is Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers. Cabrera entered the 2022 season just 38 hits shy of 3,000 for his career, a milestone he achieved on April 23rd. This made him just the 33rd player in MLB history to reach this mark. Cabrera is also a two-time AL MVP and 11-time All-Star. In 2023, Topps, Panini, and other card manufacturers will want to commemorate his legendary career that is now complete with a “3,000 Hit Club” designation on his capstone cards. Look for 1/1 auto relic cards to fetch bids in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Albert Pujols – Like Cabrera, Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals wrapped up his chase for 3,000 hits in 2022. He finished his career with exactly 3,000 hits, making him just the fourth player ever with 3,000 hits and 600 home runs. Pujols is also a two-time World Series champion and three-time NL MVP. His capstone cards in 2023 from his final season will focus on his place among the game’s all-time great sluggers. Printing will be extremely limited to match his Hall of Fame caliber career.
Clayton Kershaw – The Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander has not officially announced his retirement yet but 2023 is expected to be his final season. Kershaw is an eight-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner. He also helped lead the Dodgers to their first World Series title in over 30 years in 2020. Next year, collectors can expect high-end capstone cards from brands like Topps, Bowman, and Panini chronicling Kershaw’s first-ballot Hall of Fame career as one of the best pitchers of his generation.
Justin Verlander – Like Kershaw, Verlander has not said 2023 will be his last season but he will turn 41 during the year so it seems likely. Verlander won his third Cy Young Award in 2022 after returning from Tommy John surgery to lead the AL in wins and WHIP for the Astros. The right-hander is also a former AL MVP and helped Houston to a World Series title in 2017. His capstone cards will pay tribute to a 19-year career spent mostly with the Tigers and Astros that figures to land him in Cooperstown.
Zack Greinke – At 44, Greinke has stated 2023 will be his final MLB season. The righty won a Cy Young in 2009 with Kansas City and another in 2015 with the Dodgers. He’s made six All-Star teams and posted a career ERA+ of 122, showing his remarkable consistency. Greinke also won a World Series ring with Houston in 2021. Next year, card companies will want to honor the journeyman’s unique and highly successful career that spanned two decades in the big leagues.
Yadier Molina – The Cardinals’ catcher has not officially announced his retirement but 2023 will be his 19th and likely final season in St. Louis. Molina is a nine-time Gold Glove winner behind the plate and has racked up over 1,900 career hits. He’s also a 10-time All-Star and key part of St. Louis’ 2006 and 2011 championship teams. Molina is sure to receive special capstone treatment from brands like Topps, Bowman, and Panini as one of the greatest defensive catchers in MLB history rides off into the sunset.
Ryan Zimmerman – After playing his entire 17-year career with the Nationals, 2023 will mark the end for Zimmerman. He was the first ever draft pick in Nationals/Expos franchise history and helped lead Washington to its first World Series title in 2019. Zimmerman is also a two-time All-Star and won a Gold Glove. His capstone cards will pay homage to his loyalty to the Nationals and the important role he played in the organization and D.C. community for nearly two decades.
Other players like Joey Votto, Carlos Correa, and Nelson Cruz could also receive special capstone treatment depending on if they decide to hang it up after 2023. But without question, the careers of Cabrera, Pujols, Kershaw, Verlander, Greinke, Molina, and Zimmerman over the past two decades have cemented their place among the all-time MLB greats and made them locks for truly historic capstone cards to be treasured by collectors for generations. The 2023 season promises to deliver a fitting farewell and some of the most iconic baseball cards ever made.
