The 1978 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic issues from the 1970s. While it lacked some of the star power of previous years due to player holdouts, the ’78 Topps set still featured many talented ballplayers and some of the most visually striking card designs of the decade. For collectors, certain cards from this 792-card collection have become especially valuable and desirable over the years. Here are some of the standout ’78 Topps cards considered by many to be among the best from the set.
One of the most coveted rookie cards from any 1970s set is the Nolan Ryan card (#305). The future Hall of Famer is shown pitching for the California Angels, foreshadowing his dominance on the mound for years to come. With his blazing fastball, Ryan would go on to rack up over 5,000 career strikeouts and break numerous pitching records. The card captured him at the beginning of his career, making it one of the more historically significant. Graded mint condition examples often fetch thousands of dollars due to Ryan’s legacy.
Another hugely valuable rookie card is Eddie Murray’s debut (#500). The future 500 home run hitter is depicted as a Baltimore Oriole, the team he would enjoy so much success with. Murray went on to become one of the greatest hitting first basemen ever while playing over 2,500 games in the majors. Like Ryan, his ’78 Topps rookie card offers a glimpse at the start of a Hall of Fame career. High grade copies can sell for well over $1,000.
The George Brett card (#181) is a standout for capturing one of the game’s all-time great hitters in the prime of his career with the Kansas City Royals. Brett’s smooth, left-handed swing led him to a lifetime .305 batting average and helped him win three batting titles in the 1970s. The vibrant photo on his ’78 card, which shows Brett unleashing his sweet stroke, is among the most iconic in the set. It’s widely considered one of the top Brett cards in existence.
Another star third baseman with an eye-catching ’78 card is Mike Schmidt (#500). As with Brett, Topps captured Schmidt unleashing his powerful swing which would produce 548 career home runs, the most ever for a third baseman. Schmidt’s 12-year run with the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1970s-80s cemented his Hall of Fame status. High grade examples of his ’78 card can sell for over $500.
Two other huge stars with outstanding ’78 cards are Reggie Jackson (#500) and Pete Rose (#500). Jackson’s card depicts “Mr. October” in his first season with the New York Yankees after starring for Oakland. He would help lead the Yankees to three straight World Series titles. Rose’s card shows him closing in on the hits record as a member of the Cincinnati Reds. Both future Hall of Famers are captured at the peak of their careers, making their ’78 cards instant classics.
Aside from future Hall of Famers, there are also highly coveted cards of other superstars from the late 1970s. One is the Rod Carew card (#500), which pictures the Minnesota Twins legend in the midst of his record seven batting titles. Carew’s elegant swing and hitting prowess made him one of the best pure hitters of all time. Also highly sought after is the #500 card of Reggie Jackson’s teammate, Thurman Munson of the Yankees. As the captain and heart of multiple championship teams, Munson’s tragic death in a 1979 plane crash only added to his legend.
While star power is a big factor in what makes certain ’78 Topps cards especially desirable, condition and rarity also play a role. One of the rarest from the set is the #1 Lou Brock card featuring the St. Louis Cardinals speedster. Only around 50 PSA/BGS graded mint copies are known to exist out of the millions printed. Another scarce card is that of Reds reliever and future 300-game winner Don Gullett (#500). Strong condition and well-centered examples can sell for over $1,000.
While lacking some big names found in previous years’ sets, the 1978 Topps baseball issue still featured future Hall of Famers and superstars at the peak of their careers. Cards like Nolan Ryan, Eddie Murray, George Brett, and Reggie Jackson offer views of legends before they cemented their legacies. Combined with the vibrant photography and design elements of late 1970s Topps, these stand out ’78 cards will always be prized by serious collectors.
