The 2023 Topps Big League Baseball card set will be one of the most anticipated releases of the year. Topps has produced flagship baseball cards for over 70 years and remains the industry leader. Their 2023 offering is set to include many exciting features that will appeal to collectors both new and old.
As with previous years, the 2023 set will span a total of 529 cards that cover all 30 Major League Baseball teams and eligible players. Ranging from rookie cards to star players, the assortment aims to include representations of notable performers from the past season. Paramount to the set’s appeal will be the inclusion of rookie cards for top MLB prospects who made their debuts in 2022 such as Bobby Witt Jr., Spencer Torkelson, and Steven Kwan. These fresh faces of the league are sure to drive interest from collectors pursuing the next generation of stars.
An area that Topps consistently improves upon is photograph and card quality. For 2023, they are continuing their use of high resolution images and sturdy stock to produce cards that can withstand the test of time. Close-up action shots and crisp uniforms have become a hallmark of Topps releases. Their stricter quality control protocols means collectors can feel confident that miscuts and print flaws will be fewer than in years past. Careful curation of the photographic selection also helps ensure only the most aesthetically pleasing images are used on the cardboard.
One highly anticipated specialized subset that was just announced is the “Topps Golden Anniversary” cards commemorating players who were on MLB rosters 50 years ago in the 1972 and 1973 seasons. This nostalgic tie-in to Topps’ five decades of making baseball cards is sure to be a fan favorite among vintage collectors. Prominent players of that era such as Hank Aaron, Johnny Bench, and Tom Seaver will be featured with intriguing photographic selections and golden anniversary branding/design elements distinct from the standard base cards.
Bonus materials have been another way for Topps to add value and excitement to recent sets. For 2023, expect several special parallels and short print chase cards to provide that layer of indefinite complexity that drives obsessive hunting. Materials rumored to be included are the always popular Foilboard, Printing Plates, and Star Rookies short prints. Gallery of Greats inserts are also expected to return showcasing MLB legends of yesteryear. Expect these inserts/hits to numbering in the single digits for highest scarcity.
Continuing the heritage of Topps, the 2023 release will keep the iconic white border design that has become the gold standard in the industry. Subtle but impactful tweaks are made each year to elements such as colors, logos, and word marks to give each new set its own identity while paying homage to the classic style. An updated rendition of iconic mascot Mr. Met is teased to grace the base card backs as well. The cohesive set design that feels both nostalgic and modern has been key to the brand’s success.
As with recent years, Topps should have no shortage of major league partnership involvement for 2023. The company has exclusive agreements in place with MLB, MLBPA, and all 30 teams that allow them to secure premium quality images and licensing. This level of access often means Topps parallels and inserts may feature authentic material from actual jerseys or equipment. Examples being swatches of fabric, pieces of bats, or other unique game-used memorabilia that separate them from competition brands.
It’s expected that Topps 2023 retail release will hit hobby shop shelves in late winter/early spring 2023. Before then, hobby box and case breakers should start seeing pre-release inventory in December/January. The true official release date announcement usually comes much closer at only a month or two out. This level of secrecy helps Topps combat repackaging and keeps release buzz high. The premium product such as Luxury Suite and Tier One can even remain lottery-allocated through much of the release cycle to greatest control special “1/1” hits.
After two years of supply chain and production issues affecting many sports card companies, Topps has reportedly taken steps to ensure ample 2023 Big League Baseball availability. Multiple print runs are planned with inventory to reach both flagship and big box retail channels. Direct-to-consumer premium Topps release options like ‘S1’ and ‘S2’ subscription boxes should help guarantee enthusiastic collectors get their hands on fresh product. This bodes well to keep excitement high from dedicated fans and stimulate the overall baseball card market.
With exclusive new content, high quality execution, exciting guaranteed hits, and bright prospects on MLB rosters, the Topps 2023 release has all the makings of a true collector favorite. After over 70 years in the industry, Topps continues innovating while honoring the tradition that makes baseball cards such an integral part of the sport’s history. Whether being purchased as a fun new set to collect or as an investment for the future, this flagship release looks primed to be one of the most successful in years. Serious and casual collectors alike will not want to miss adding it to their collections.
