When it comes to collecting Mets baseball cards, there are certainly no shortage of amazing options to choose from given the franchise’s illustrious history that dates back to the early 1960s. In this in-depth article, we will explore some of the very best and most valuable Mets cards that any avid collector would love to have in their collection.
Let’s start with arguably the most iconic Mets card of all time – the 1969 Topps Tom Seaver rookie card. Seaver’s rookie is widely considered one of the true holy grails of the hobby given his Hall of Fame career and what he did for the Mets franchise. The condition of the card is paramount, as high-grade 1969 Topps cards of any player are exceedingly rare to come across in pristine condition due to the flimsiness of the cardboard stock used during that era. A PSA 10 Gem Mint Seaver rookie would command well into the six figure price range today. Even lower graded examples still fetch thousands due to the card’s legendary status.
Another all-time great Mets card is the 1973 Topps Johnny Bench, which features Mets ace Tom Seaver on the back. The photo of Seaver is one of the most striking baseball card images ever captured with his leg kick. High graded examples of this dual HOFer card can reach up to $10,000. The 1973 set overall is a fantastic one for Mets collectors, as it was the year of the “Ya Gotta Believe!” NL East championship. Other top Mets from that set include Jerry Koosman, Jon Matlack, and Bud Harrelson.
For those seeking cards of franchise legends from the 1980s championship teams, the 1986 Fleer Update set is a must. It was the first and only card made of the “best pitcher in the National League” Dwight Gooden during his record-setting 1985 Cy Young season. PSA 10 examples have cracked six figures. Also coveted are Darryl Strawberry’s rookie from 1983 Topps Traded and the iconic Keith Hernandez “stache” card from 1984 Topps. Both were instrumental cogs during the Mets’ second World Series title run.
Moving into the late 80s/early 90s, the 1988 Topps Darryl Strawberry is a highly acclaimed Mets card. It features one of the game’s purest swings in action during his offensive prime before personal issues took over. Graded versions regularly sell for $500-1000. From 1990, the Frank Viola “Blue Moon” card is a fan favorite for its unique photo and the left-hander’s lone All-Star season with New York. High grade examples can reach $150-300 range.
The late 90s Renaissance teams are represented by cards like the 1999 Upper Deck SP Authentic Mike Piazza autograph or rookie from 1992 Upper Deck. Piazza’s impact on reviving Mets baseball upon his arrival can’t be understated. The 1998 Topps Traded Edgardo Alfonzo is a standout as well for “Fonzie’s” pivotal role during that time. Both players were instrumental in the late 90s resurgence.
Flash forward to the late 2000s revival and some noteworthy Mets cards include David Wright’s rookie from 2003 Topps or the iconic 2006 Topps Jose Reyes “shoe shine” action shot marking his breakout All-Star campaign. For pitching, the 2008 Topps Johnny Podres Parallel Rainbow Foil Johan Santana marks one of the game’s best lefties at his absolute peak before injuries derailed his career. Both franchise cornerstones.
More recently, collectors seek cards like the 2015 Topps Update Jacob deGrom, capturing his dominant early years cementing himself as the staff ace. The 2016 Topps National League Rookie of the Year card of Steven Matz is another desirable modern Mets rookie. Both pitchers were integral to the resurgent 2015-2016 NL pennant winning teams.
With a history as rich as the Mets spanning several championship eras, there are countless amazing cards to discover across the decades that any collector would be thrilled to own. While the above covers many of the most acclaimed, the best Mets cards will always be subjective based on personal player preferences and memories of those unique players and teams throughout the years.
