2022 was an exciting year for baseball cards collectors with the release of Topps’ flagship 2022 Heritage brand. Heritage harkens back to the vintage design of cards from the 1950s and 1960s, and the 2022 edition did not disappoint collectors looking for a taste of nostalgia from the golden era of the sport.
With its distinctive wood-panelled borders and player signatures, Heritage has become a highly anticipated annual release. The 2022 set featured updated vintage-style designs for over 350 current major leaguers. Some of the set’s most valuable rookie cards included Bobby Witt Jr, Spencer Strider, and Adley Rutschman. Veterans like Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, and Ronald Acuña Jr also received cards showcasing their skills in retro style.
In addition to the base card set, Topps offered several parallels and short print variations to add to the excitement of the Heritage hunt. The /75 pink parallel featured players like Tim Anderson and Byron Buxton posed in unusual batting stances. A /99 green parallel highlighted defensive plays from the likes of Gold Glove winners Mookie Betts and Marcus Semien.
Perhaps the most coveted inserts were the 12 “Hits of the Game” short prints spotlighting iconic MLB moments. Cards depicted Babe Ruth’s called shot, Hank Aaron’s record-breaking 715th home run, and Kirby Puckett’s walk-off homer to clinch the 1991 World Series for the Twins. Only 10 copies of each “Hit of the Game” card were produced, making them highly sought after by collectors.
In addition to standard packs and boxes, Heritage was offered in several specialized retail products. Blaster boxes provided an accessible way for casual collectors to enjoy the vintage design while hunting for stars and short prints. Target exclusive Mega Boxes contained 12 packs and guaranteed one autograph or memorabilia card in each.
For higher-end collectors, hobby boxes offered the best odds at rare pulls. Each box contained 18 packs with chances at the coveted “Hits of the Game” short prints and autographed parallels. The /10 blue and /5 red parallel autographs of elite players like Shohei Ohtani and rookie standouts Bobby Witt Jr. and Adley Rutschman commanded premium prices.
Part of what made 2022 Heritage such an anticipated release was Topps’ penchant for experimenting with innovative pack configurations and inserts in past years. In 2021, collectors chased retro-styled relic and autograph cards of Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., and more in Heritage “High Numbers” packs exclusive to hobby boxes. 2020 Heritage introduced numerous parallel variations including a wildly popular /75 red foil parallel and Museum Collection reprints of cards from the early 1950s.
While the 2022 Heritage base set stuck to a more traditional model, Topps found other ways to excite collectors. Special “Master Sets” containing complete base and parallel sets were offered in limited quantities. Heritage also partnered with iconic MLB stadiums to produce exclusive Memorabilia cards containing authentic dirt, patches, or other relics from legendary ballparks. Red Sox Nation thrilled at pulling patches from Fenway Park while Dodgers fans appreciated cards featuring dirt from Dodger Stadium.
The popularity of Heritage has made unopened products highly valuable as long-term investments. While initial release prices averaged around $90 per hobby box, sealed 2022 Heritage boxes already command upwards of $200-300 on the secondary market. High-grade rookie cards like Bobby Witt Jr and Adley Rutschman rookies can sell for over $100 raw, with potential to appreciate further as their careers progress. Heritage short prints carry valuations in the thousands for gems specimens, a testament to their rarity and nostalgic designs coveted by collectors both casual and seasoned.
The long-term sustainability of Heritage’s popularity will be determined by Topps’ ability to balance nostalgia with new innovations each year. Respecting the vintage aesthetics while introducing exciting modern twists like authentic stadium relics has certainly captivated the 2022 collecting community. With baseball’s rich history as inspiration and an engaged fanbase, Heritage seems poised to remain a highly anticipated annual release. Whether chasing rookie stars or elusive vintage reprints, the vintage spark of Heritage continues to ignite collectors’ passions.
