Topps Heritage is one of the most popular and highly anticipated baseball card releases each year from card manufacturer Topps. The 2022 Topps Heritage set was no exception, delivering another retro-styled collection that pays homage to baseball cards of the past. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best cards collectors could find in packs and boxes of the 2022 Topps Heritage release.
The flagship parallel of any Topps Heritage set is the base card, and the 2022 version did not disappoint. Topps went back to the 1968 design for the base cards, featuring a clean white border around each player photo. The simplicity of the design allows the photos to really pop. Topps did an excellent job selecting high quality action shots for each player. The base cards are also printed on thick, glossy stock to further emulate the feel of older cardboard. While not worth a huge amount individually, the base cards are always a fun chase and help build sets.
Rookies and prospects are a big draw for collectors in modern baseball sets. The 2022 Topps Heritage release had its fair share of exciting rookie cards, headlined by Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco. As one of the game’s brightest young stars, the Franco rookie is a prime card to hold long term. His photo and design mimic the 1968 Topps style. Other top rookie cards included Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez and Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal. With their teams on the rise, these rookies could develop into future stars.
Autograph and memorabilia cards add value and excitement to modern sets. Topps Heritage usually includes a small number of these premium “hit” cards per case. Some top authenticated auto and relic pulls possible in 2022 included Wander Franco dual relic auto, Julio Rodriguez auto, and Tarik Skubal auto. For diehard player collectors, landing a coveted rookie auto of a budding star like Franco or Rodriguez could be worth thousands in the years ahead.
Parallels are another way Topps adds to the appeal and chase of their flagship sets. Topps Heritage contained several parallel variations in 2022 with different designs, colors, and print runs. The most common and accessible included the Gold Foil parallel, limited to one per pack. These featured a gold border and were still printed on the classic 1968 stock. More rare and valuable were the Green Foil parallel, Red Foil parallel, and 1/1 Superfractor parallel, which featured photo variations and serial numbering. Collectors enjoyed the thrill of the hunt for these tougher pulls.
Topps Heritage is known for including popular retired players from years past in each release. The 2022 set was no exception, with inserts and parallels honoring baseball legends. A big hit was a Mike Trout card featuring a photo and design replicating his Topps rookie from 2011. Other popular retired greats included in 2022 were Derek Jeter, Cal Ripken Jr., and Nolan Ryan. For older collectors nostalgic for the stars of their youth, these vintage-style throwback cards were a major attraction.
While the base set and inserts drew plenty of attention, the true heavy-hitters in any Topps Heritage release are the prolific short prints that are extremely tough to pull. In 2022, some of the most sought-after short prints included a green parallel of Shohei Ohtani numbered to only 15 copies, a red parallel of Ronald Acuña Jr. limited to only 5 copies, and incredibly rare 1/1 parallels of superstars like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Juan Soto. Landing any of these ultra-short printed parallel cards could net a collector thousands of dollars on the secondary market.
When it comes to resell value, the best 2022 Topps Heritage cards tend to be the top rookie cards, star player parallels, and big name autographed/memorabilia inserts. Savvy collectors know that value is also found in building complete base sets, especially for favorite teams. While packs were readily available at major retailers in 2022, the entire set is already starting to climb on the secondary market as the release gains nostalgia. Long-term, Topps Heritage is one of the safest modern sets to hold, as it has proven to steadily appreciate every year.
The 2022 Topps Heritage release once again delivered everything fans have come to love and expect about the long-running retro-styled baseball card set. Classic designs and photos, exciting rookies and stars, tough short prints, and parallels combined to create a true collector’s chase. Whether being ripped as packs were released or assembled as a completed set later, 2022 Topps Heritage proved why it remains one of the most beloved modern issues in the hobby year after year. With its combination of nostalgia, quality, and investment potential, Topps Heritage is a no-brainer for any baseball card investor to follow.
