The 2023 Topps baseball card set is highly anticipated by collectors as it will feature cards of Japanese phenom and reigning American League MVP Shohei Ohtani in his regular season and postseason heroics from the 2022 MLB season. As one of the most unique and talented players in modern baseball history, Ohtani is capturing the attention and admiration of fans worldwide with his two-way playing ability as both a dominant pitcher and feared power hitter. His record-setting accomplishments and on-field brilliance in 2022 have cemented his status as a living legend in the sport.
Topps has a rich history of commemorating the game’s greatest stars and milestone moments through iconic trading card designs. There is no doubt the 2023 Topps series will pay tribute to Ohtani’s special 2022 campaign that saw him lead the league with 34 home runs and strike out over 100 batters on the mound. Collectors can expect a wide array of premium parallels, autographs, and memorabilia cards highlighting Ohtani’s dual MVP performance from this past season. Some of the most coveted inserts will showcase specific games where Ohtani dominated on the mound and at the plate on the same day, a truly unique feat in the modern era.
As the cover athlete and featured star, Ohtani will undoubtedly receive some of the most extravagant card treatments in the set. Topps often goes all out for cover athletes by including rare 1/1 printing plates, autographed patch cards with game-used memorabilia, and serial numbered parallels on luxurious card stock. It’s a near certainty Ohtani will have autograph and memorabilia cards serially numbered to extremely low quantities, such as /5, /10 or even unique 1/1 versions. These ultra-rare Ohtani cards are poised to shatter records and become some of the most valuable modern baseball cards ever produced by Topps.
Aside from coveted autograph and memorabilia cards, collectors can expect Topps to create several distinct base and parallel designs specifically highlighting Ohtani’s achievements in 2022. Potential inserts could include a “Dual Threat” card recognizing his excellence as both a pitcher and hitter, a “September Star” card for his late season heroics leading the Angels to the playoffs, and an “AL MVP” card enshrining his award accomplishments. Topps may even create special parallels on unique materials like leather, wood, or metallic paper to premiumize Ohtani’s top cards in the set. Numbered parallels like Gold /50, Red /25 and others are sure to add scarcity and demand for Ohtani’s cards.
Of course, Topps will want to commemorate some of the most iconic individual games and moments from Ohtani’s 2022 season. Potential spotlight cards could call out his performance in the All-Star Game Home Run Derby or his dominant pitching outings where he also contributed offensively. Games where he blasted multiple home runs or racked up 10+ strikeouts on the mound are prime candidates for highlighted “Momentous Performances” inserts. Collectors can expect lavish treatments for these spotlight cards utilizing rare serial numbering, autographs, patches, and premium materials befitting Ohtani’s place among the game’s greats.
While Ohtani will undoubtedly be one of the marquee stars of Series 1, collectors should remain on the lookout in subsequent Series 2 and Series Updates releases for additional Ohtani cards covering the postseason and any late season accomplishments. Topps often “saves the best for last” by including highly sought after autographs, memorabilia cards, and 1/1 rarities of cover athletes in the final series of the year. If the Angels make a deep playoff run and Ohtani continues his two-way dominance, there is potential for truly epic Ohtani cards in Series 2 highlighting October heroics.
The 2023 Topps set promises to be a collector’s dream come true for Shohei Ohtani fans. As one of the faces of baseball, Ohtani will receive a card treatment from Topps befitting his status as a singular superstar. Between coveted autographs, exquisite memorabilia pieces, detailed statistical and moment highlights, and scarce parallel versions, Ohtani’s 2023 Topps cards are poised to break records and become some of the hobby’s most iconic modern issues. Savvy collectors would be wise to secure as many Ohtani cards from the set as their budgets allow, as these pieces of history capturing one of the game’s all-time great seasons are sure to gain tremendous value with time.
