2022 marked the 70th anniversary of Topps baseball cards, celebrating seven decades of producing America’s favorite baseball collectible. Since the original 1952 Topps release, Topps has created iconic cards that have captured the history of Major League Baseball and brought joy to generations of fans.
To honor their rich history, Topps released the 2022 Topps 70th Anniversary baseball card set. The insert set within the larger 2022 Topps base set paid tribute to some of the most memorable and valuable cards from Topps’ extensive catalog. Each card in the anniversary set featured a current player photographed in front of a reproduction of a classic Topps card from years past.
Some of the cards selected for the 70th anniversary tribute included the iconic 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card, the 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie card, the 1975 Topps Fred Lynn rookie card, and the 1954 Topps Willie Mays card, considered one of the most aesthetically pleasing designs in baseball card history. By pairing current stars with these pieces of cardboard history, Topps was able to connect baseball’s past with its present in a visually engaging way.
Fans and collectors were thrilled to see stars like Shohei Ohtani, Fernando Tatis Jr., Ronald Acuña Jr. and others pay homage to the legends that came before them. The anniversary set was a fun and creative way for Topps to look back on their unparalleled run producing baseball cards while still celebrating today’s top players. As the longest-running issuer of baseball cards, Topps’ history is deeply intertwined with how the sport has developed and grown in popularity over the past seven decades.
When Topps began producing baseball cards in 1952, the post-World War II era was bringing newfound prosperity and enthusiasm for America’s pastime. Led by icons like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron, baseball’s golden age was in full swing. Topps seized the opportunity to capitalize on the card collecting craze, outbidding competitors for the exclusive rights to players’ likenesses. Their innovative design approach and affordability helped make collecting Topps cards an affordable hobby for millions of young fans.
In the decades since, Topps continued to innovate, whether through the introduction of color photos, oddball parallels, autograph and memorabilia cards, or innovative insert sets celebrating milestones. They also expanded beyond baseball to produce cards for other sports like football, basketball, hockey, soccer, and entertainment. Through recessions, strikes, and other challenges, Topps cards remained a constant presence at the local drugstore, connecting generations to their favorite athletes.
The 1970s saw the rise of the superstar athlete as salaries exploded. Players like Nolan Ryan, Reggie Jackson, and George Brett achieved unprecedented fame and fortune. Their rookie cards from this era have become enormously valuable, with the most coveted examples selling for millions of dollars. The late 80s and 90s also produced many iconic rookie cards, like Griffey, Piazza, and A-Rod cards that still entice collectors today.
As the internet age dawned, Topps was quick to embrace new technologies, launching an online platform and app. This allowed for easier collecting, trading, and special digital releases. In recent years, Topps has thrived with innovative products while maintaining the classic design sensibilities that made their paper issues so beloved. The release of highly limited 1/1 parallel cards and autographs of today’s biggest names has kept collector interest high.
Topps’ 70th anniversary celebration was a chance to not only honor their unparalleled contribution to the hobby, but also showcase how the company has continuously adapted to remain vital. As long as baseball is played, Topps cards will likely be a part of the experience for new generations, collecting memories with every pack they open. Here’s to the next 70 years of Topps baseball cards chronicling America’s favorite pastime.
