Baseball Card 63017 – Hank Aaron 1957 Topps
Widely considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time, Hank Aaron debuted with the Milwaukee Braves in 1954 and went on to have one of the most decorated careers in MLB history. His rookie baseball card from 1957 Topps, card number 63017, captures him in his early years and remains one of the most iconic and sought after cards from the 1950s. Let’s take a closer look at this piece of baseball history.
Aaron’s rookie season was one to remember, batting .280 with 13 home runs and 69 RBI in his debut campaign. While these numbers may not jump off the page, they were impressive for a 20 year old rookie playing in the hitter-unfriendly Milwaukee County Stadium. Baseball card collectors recognized his early talent, and Aaron’s ‘57 Topps rookie has become one of the most prized vintage cards over the past 60+ years.
In the photo on the front of card 63017, Aaron is shown batting from the left side with a classic open stance. He wears the classic dark Braves road jersey with script “Milwaukee” written in old English font across the chest. Topps photographers expertly captured Aaron’s smooth, powerful swing which would go on to shatter numerous home run records. The backdrop surrounding Aaron is light gray, allowing the dark colors of his uniform and muscular physique to stand out.
Flipping the card over, stats from Aaron’s ‘56 season are shown including his batting average, home runs, RBI totals as well as how he fared against right-handed and left-handed pitching. Also included is a brief bio highlighting his achievements as a 20 year old rookie outfielder for the Braves in ‘56. The famous “Aaron Swing” caption runs across the bottom, recognizing even at a young age the uniqueness and effectiveness of his batting style.
In the decades since, Aaron’s ‘57 Topps rookie card has understandably skyrocketed in price to the point that high graded examples can sell for well into the six figures at auction. This is due not only to Aaron’s brilliance on the field, but also because relatively few of his rookie cards survived the years in pristine condition compared to what was mass produced. The combination of his legendary playing career and rarity of choice specimens make card 63017 the crown jewel of any serious baseball card collection from the 1950s.
Aaron would go on to have one of the most decorated MLB careers of all-time. He slammed a then-record 755 home runs over 23 seasons, a record that stood for over 30 years until broken by Barry Bonds in 2007. Aaron also still holds the all-time RBI record with 2,297, the all-time total bases record with 6,856, and was a career .305 hitter. He was a 25-time All-Star, 3-time Gold Glove winner, 2-time batting champion, and NL MVP in 1957 while playing the bulk of his career for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves. Aaron was simply one of the most complete players to ever step on a baseball diamond and his dominance is reflected in the rarity and value of his 1957 Topps rookie card over 60 years later.
For collectors, finding high quality specimens of card 63017 in pristine condition is extremely difficult. Even well-centered examples in Excellent-Very Good condition with minimal creasing, edge-wear or scratches across the surface can sell for over $10,000. But Graded Mint examples approaching gem mint that earned PSA or BGS grades of 8 or higher have sold at public auction for well over $100,000 due to their incredible state of preservation and significance as Aaron’s rookie issue. Perhaps no other1950s era baseball card better captures the early promise and foretelling of greatness that would become associated with Aaron throughout his legendary career.
This is why Hank Aaron’s 1957 Topps rookie card, card number 63017 to collectors, stands alone as one of the most prized possessions in any serious vintage baseball card collection. It tells the story of a young star on the rise who would eventually etch his name alongside Babe Ruth and take home the title of “Home Run King”. Few other vintage cards capture so pristinely the greatness that was destined to come, cemented among the all-time pantheon of baseball immortals. Card 63017 is truly a piece of baseball history frozen in time, deserving of the rarest and highest honors any card from the 1950s can achieve.
