The 1983 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the company’s history. It marked several milestones and featured some of the game’s biggest stars at the time in memorable cards that have stood the test of time.
The 1983 set was the 22nd series of annual baseball cards produced by Topps and contained 792 total cards. It was the first year Topps went to the smaller size format that is still used today, with cards measuring approximately 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. The downsizing was done to comply with new MLB licensing agreements and also brought Topps in line with rival Fleer, who had been using that card size since 1981.
While a slightly smaller physical size, the 1983 cards did not compromise on artwork or photography quality. Topps continued its tradition of featuring colorful illustrated action shots on most cards, while also including some fun pose shots of players. The smaller card allowed for more border space around the images compared to the previously larger Topps size.
Some of the biggest star players of the early 1980s are featured in iconic cards from the 1983 Topps set. One of the most coveted by collectors is the Roger Clemens rookie card, featuring a clean picture of the flamethrowing righty in a Boston Red Sox uniform from his debut 1982 season. Clemens would go on to establish himself as one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history and his rookie card is one of the most valuable from the 1980s.
Another superstar rookie in the set is Wade Boggs on his Boston card. Boggs broke in with the Red Sox in 1982 and quickly established himself as a model of consistency and hitting prowess. His rookie card shows him batting right-handed with his classic high leg kick. Boggs would go on to be one of the greatest hitters of his generation and is enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The 1983 Topps set also featured some of the game’s biggest sluggers of the era, including Mike Schmidt on the Philadelphia Phillies. Schmidt was coming off his third NL MVP award in 1982 and is pictured hitting a home run on his card. Schmidt’s bat and glove helped lead the Phillies to their first World Series title in 1980. The ’83 Topps card captures Schmidt in his prime as one of baseball’s preeminent power hitters.
Future Hall of Famer Andre Dawson also has a memorable card from the 1983 Topps set in his Montreal Expos uniform. Dawson showcases his athleticism diving for a ball in the outfield grass on his card. He was establishing himself as a five-tool threat who could dominate games in all facets for the Expos. Dawson’s skills would later help lead the Chicago Cubs to the playoffs during his 1987 NL MVP season.
A unique aspect of the 1983 Topps set was the inclusion of USFL football stars in sticker form within the baseball package. This came about due to a licensing agreement between Topps and the upstart USFL football league. The USFL stickers featured stars like Jim Kelly and Reggie White playing for teams like the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars and Memphis Showboats. Their inclusion was innovative but collectors were primarily after the baseball cards.
Beyond rookie cards and star players, the 1983 Topps set also featured Franchise Five tribute cards honoring the best players in team history for five recent championship clubs – the 1975-1976 Cincinnati Reds, 1977-1978 New York Yankees, 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates, 1980 Philadelphia Phillies, and 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers. These special cards paid homage to careers of legends like Pete Rose, Mickey Mantle, Willie Stargell, Mike Schmidt, and Steve Garvey.
The 1983 Topps baseball card set is hugely popular with collectors even today for its nice mixture of future Hall of Famers, iconic rookie cards, memorable imagery, and place in card history as the first issue of Topps’ smaller modern size. Many of those cards remain affordable compared to stars from the 1950s-1970s, but prices have risen steadily in recent years as the vintage ’80s player pool gains more nostalgia. The 1983 set captures a great era of the game and is considered one of the crown jewels of the vintage baseball card collecting world.
