The 1968 baseball season was a historic one. It was the first year of divisional play in Major League Baseball following the expansion of both leagues to 12 teams each. With the introduction of the AL and NL East and West Divisions, pennant races became more competitive than ever. It was also a year that saw legends of the game like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Roberto Clemente in their prime. Not surprisingly, the 1968 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues of the vintage era. With 792 total cards featuring the biggest stars and top rookie players, the 1968 set had no shortage of memorable and valuable cards for collectors. Here’s a look at some of the standout cards from that year considered among the best of the 1968 baseball card offerings:
Hank Aaron (#1) – Arguably the most coveted card from the 1968 set is the Hank Aaron card. As Aaron was chasing Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record at the time, his card carried significant historical importance. Aaron would go on to break the record in 1974. In gem mint condition, the #1 Aaron card can fetch thousands of dollars today. Even well-worn copies in played condition sell for hundreds.
Willie Mays (#20) – “The Say Hey Kid” was in his 17th season with the San Francisco Giants in 1968. The Mays card shows him in the familiar Giants uniform that made him such a fan favorite on the West Coast. Like Aaron, Mays was a first ballot Hall of Famer still producing at an elite level. High grade Mays cards also demand top dollar for collectors.
Roberto Clemente (#28) – Tragically, 1968 was Clemente’s next to last season before his untimely death in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Clemente was already a 12-time Gold Glove winner and 1960 World Series MVP playing his entire 18-year career for the Pittsburgh Pirates. His inspiring career and humanitarian work only added to the card’s significance over time.
Tom Seaver (#250) – As a rookie who won 16 games and struck out 246 batters for the Miracle Mets in 1967, Seaver’s #250 rookie card was one of the most sought-after in the 1968 set. Seaver went on to have a Hall of Fame career and his cards from this era are consistently some of the highest valued. In top grades, a Seaver rookie can sell for five figures or more.
Johnny Bench (#507) – While Bench didn’t make his MLB debut until 1967, 1968 was his first full season in the bigs and a sign of what was to come – 27 home runs and 95 RBIs as a 22-year-old catcher. Bench collected his first of 10 Gold Gloves and two NL MVP awards in 1970. His rookie card established him as a rising star at the time. High grade copies in and near-mint condition have sold for over $10,000 in recent years.
Rod Carew (#573) – Carew’s sweet left-handed swing made him a career .328 hitter over his 19 seasons, mostly with the Minnesota Twins where he won 7 batting titles. In 1968, he hit .292 as a 21-year-old and the potential for greatness was evident. Carew cards from the late ’60s have increased steadily in value thanks to his Hall of Fame career and popularity.
Don Drysdale (#660) – One of the most intimidating pitchers of his era, Drysdale’s late-career card in the 1968 set shows him as a member of the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. He won 209 games over his career and remains one of the most accomplished power pitchers in history. Drysdale cards are a staple in vintage collections.
Reggie Jackson (#679) – Though still early in his career with the Athletics in 1968, Jackson’s prodigious power was evident – he hit 27 home runs as a 23-year-old. His card foreshadowed the stardom and “October Hero” reputation he would later earn. High grade Jackson rookie cards now sell for thousands.
Nolan Ryan (#732) – Ryan’s early career was spent with the New York Mets and his 1968 card captured “The Ryan Express” at age 21 before he became the all-time strikeout king. Ryan cards from the late ’60s are highly valuable, especially when graded and centered well. Even well-worn copies hold value due to Ryan’s iconic status.
In addition to these headliners, the 1968 Topps set included other future Hall of Famers like Carl Yastrzemski, Brooks Robinson, and Juan Marichal still making their mark in the late 1960s. Rookies like Reggie Smith, Matty Alou and Bobby Cox also had their first baseball cards issued. Factors like a player’s performance that season, their eventual career achievements, and the card’s overall scarcity and condition all contribute to a 1968 card’s collectibility and value over 50 years later. For vintage baseball enthusiasts, the 1968 Topps set remains a highly coveted piece of cardboard history from one of the game’s most memorable eras.
