The 2021 season was one of the most memorable in Atlanta Braves franchise history, culminating with the team’s first World Series title since 1995. Naturally, collectors were excited to see what baseball cards from the 2021 season would look like celebrating the championship run. Here is an in-depth look at some of the notable 2021 Braves baseball cards released after their World Series victory.
Topps was the official MLB licensee in 2021 and produced base sets, inserts, parallels and more featuring the Braves players. One of the most sought after rookies was catcher William Contreras’ Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card. As the younger brother of Cubs catcher Willson Contreras, William made his MLB debut in 2021 and showed promise, hitting .243 in 53 games. His refractor rookie became a hot commodity for collectors given his family lineage and role with the Braves future.
Veteran first baseman Freddie Freeman had another stellar season in 2021, hitting .300 with 31 home runs and 83 RBIs. He was named NLCS MVP as the Braves defeated the Dodgers to reach the World Series. Topps captured Freeman’s postseason heroics with inserts like its ‘NLCS MVP’ parallel card, limited to only 50 copies. Freeman would go on to win World Series MVP honors as well. Topps produced parallels of its base Freeman card with ‘World Series Champions’ foil stamping, making for extremely popular additions to any Braves PC.
Max Fried emerged as the Braves ace in 2021, going 14-7 with a 3.04 ERA in 30 starts. The left-hander was brilliant in the postseason, defeating the Astros in Game 6 to clinch the title. Topps Chrome had a ‘World Series Hero’ parallel of Fried’s base card that became highly sought after. Fried also received Topps ‘Defining Moments’ and ‘Postseason Performers’ inserts highlighting his October dominance. With Fried under team control through 2024, his 2021 rookie cards established him as a cornerstone of the franchise for years to come.
Eddie Rosario was acquired from Cleveland at the trade deadline and provided a huge spark. The outfielder batted .276 with 7 home runs and 25 RBIs in 33 regular season games for Atlanta. But it was in the postseason where Rosario shined brightest, winning NLCS MVP and hitting 3 home runs in the World Series, including a go-ahead shot in Game 6. Topps produced ‘October Star’ and ‘Clinching Moment’ inserts for Rosario that will always remind collectors of his pivotal playoff heroics for the 2021 champs.
Rookie sensation Ian Anderson made several key postseason starts as a 21-year-old, going 2-0 with a 1.26 ERA in 4 appearances. Topps Chrome had an ‘October Standout’ parallel of Anderson’s base card highlighting his early career playoff success. Topps also issued an ‘Ian Anderson’ autographed card, with proceeds benefiting Anderson’s high school. As a future ace, Anderson’s 2021 rookie cards established him as a player collectors will be watching for years.
Reliever Tyler Matzek had a breakout season after being acquired from Colorado, going 4-3 with a 2.57 ERA in 70 appearances. The lefty was nearly unhittable in the postseason, allowing just 1 run in 13.1 innings over 9 outings. Topps captured Matzek’s dominance with ‘Postseason Ace’ and ‘October Hero’ inserts. With Matzek under team control through 2024, his affordable 2021 rookies could appreciate significantly if he maintains his success.
The 2021 Topps Braves baseball card releases celebrated Atlanta’s first championship in over 25 years. Rookies like Contreras, Anderson and Fried established themselves, while veterans Freeman, Rosario, Matzek and Fried produced memorable playoff moments immortalized in cardboard. With a young core in place, the Braves look primed for continued success – making their 2021 cards from the title run among the most significant in franchise history.
