The 2022 baseball season saw a return to normalcy after two years impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. With fans back in the stands and a full 162-game schedule, it was a year to remember for many players and teams. Topps, the iconic baseball card manufacturer, celebrated the excitement of the season with another highly anticipated flagship release. Let’s take a look at some of the best cards from Topps 2022 and what made them stand out.
Shohei Ohtani – The Face of Baseball
There is no doubt that Shohei Ohtani has become the face of baseball over the past couple seasons. The two-way star from the Los Angeles Angels continues to captivate fans with his unprecedented ability to excel as both a pitcher and hitter at the major league level. It’s only fitting that Topps featured Ohtani prominently across multiple inserts in 2022. His base card captured him in his batting stance and quickly became one of the most sought after rookie cards of the year. Topps also paid tribute to Ohtani’s unique talents with inserts highlighting his pitching and hitting abilities separately. Collectors scrambled to track down these one-of-a-kind Ohtani cards that will surely gain value as his career progresses.
Rookie Sensations – Witt, Adley, and More
The 2022 rookie class didn’t disappoint, headlined by Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. and Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman. Witt’s electric debut season made him an instant star and the favorite for AL Rookie of the Year. Topps captured Witt in full swing on his base card and also included him in several parallel and insert sets. Likewise, Rutschman shone in his first MLB action and was prominently featured after being taken first overall in 2019. Other top rookie cards included Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez and Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena, who helped lead his team to a World Series title. This exciting crop of rookies gave collectors plenty of promising young talents to chase.
Record Breakers – Judge, deGrom, and History Makers
Aaron Judge’s chase for the American League single season home run record dominated headlines in the second half of the season. Topps paid tribute to Judge’s dominance with inserts highlighting some of his many long balls. They also featured him on several parallels of his base card that exploded in value as he closed in on and surpassed Roger Maris’ AL mark. Similarly, Jacob deGrom returned from injury to continue cementing his case as the best pitcher of his generation when healthy. Topps commemorated some of deGrom’s most dominant outings on special cards. They also honored other historic milestones and achievements from 2022, such as Albert Pujols reaching 700 career home runs. These unique cards captured some of the most memorable moments from another intriguing MLB campaign.
Veteran Stars and Hall of Fame Contenders
While the rookies and young stars received plenty of buzz, Topps also continued to showcase the game’s top veteran talents. Cards of Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, and Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. remained highly coveted. Players in their late careers who have a shot at the Hall of Fame received special recognition. Topps inserted cards honoring Milwaukee Brewers pitchers Josh Hader and Brandon Woodruff, San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., and Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as potential Cooperstown candidates down the road. These established names maintained their popularity with collectors.
Parallels, Autographs, and More
Topps loaded their 2022 release with several parallel and insert sets beyond the standouts mentioned. Ranging from the ever-popular Chrome and Rainbow Foil variants to more specialized sets like Star Wars, Marvel, and Topps NOW cards, there was no shortage of parallel collecting opportunities. Autographed and memorabilia cards of the game’s top talents also sold out quickly. Overall, Topps continued delivering the traditional hits collectors love while also experimenting with fun new concepts. Between the base cards, parallels, inserts, and autographs/memorabilia included, their 2022 offering provided a full baseball card experience commemorating another year in the sport.
In summary, Topps 2022 maintained the brand’s status as the premier baseball card release of the year. Rookies like Witt and Rutschman, superstars like Ohtani and Judge, record setters, and more were all prominently featured across the set’s base cards and countless inserts. Parallel and autographed variants as well as specialized sets also gave collectors plenty of exciting chase cards. With rosters that included rising young talents, established veterans, and players chasing milestones and Cooperstown, Topps 2022 had something for fans and collectors of every interest. This highly complete set will surely bring back memories and remain a treasured release for years to come.
