The New York Mets franchise debuted in 1962 as an expansion team in the National League. Like all new MLB clubs, the Mets issued baseball cards starting in their inaugural season to help raise the profile of the new brand and players. Since then, Mets cards have been produced annually by the major card companies like Topps, Fleer, and Upper Deck to commemorate the team’s seasons and capture memorable moments in franchise history.
The earliest Mets cards provided a chance for collectors to own a piece of the new National League franchise. Although the on-field product struggled with 120 losses in 1962, cards of young stars like Donn Clendenon, Rod Kanehl, and Hobie Landrude helped build early excitement. 1963 saw the arrival of phenomenal pitcher Tom Seaver, whose superb rookie campaign made him one of the league’s top card subjects. Seaver would become synonymous with Mets baseball through the rest of the 1960s and appear on countless cards cementing his status as a franchise icon.
The 1969 “Miracle Mets” shocked the baseball world by winning the World Series in just their 8th year. Collectors eagerly snapped up highlight cards from that championship season featuring players like Jerry Koosman, Cleon Jones, Ed Kranepool and World Series MVP Donn Clendenon. These ’69 issues have since become some of the most coveted and valuable Mets cards for fans and investors. Later that decade, other stars shone including ace Jerry Koosman, speedy outfielder Bud Harrelson and slugging first baseman John Milner. Their 1970s cards remain popular with collectors.
As the Mets entered their second decade, the team saw continued success making the 1973 World Series. New stars emerged like slugging outfielder Dave Kingman, whose mammoth home runs made him a fan favorite. Kingman’s early 1970s cards are memorable chase pieces for collectors. The 1980s brought more success including the 1986 World Championship team. Key players like slugger Darryl Strawberry, ace Dwight Gooden and third baseman Howard Johnson had blockbuster card runs during this era cementing them as Mets legends. Strawberry, Gooden and Johnson cards from the mid-1980s are highly valuable today.
In the late 1980s and 1990s, stars like pitcher David Cone, outfielder Lenny Dykstra and slugger Eddie Murray shined in orange and blue. Their Mets cards remain popular with collectors seeking pieces from those talented rosters. Beyond individual stars, highlight cards like 1988 Topps Traded “Once Upon a Time in New York” capture special moments in franchise history. In the 2000s, talents like pitcher Pedro Martinez, outfielder Carlos Beltran and third baseman David Wright took the field at Shea Stadium. Their accolade cards showing outstanding accomplishments provide valuable chase cards for collectors of recent Mets history.
From the beginnings of the franchise in the 1960s through championship eras, off-years and stadium changes, Mets cards have chronicled the storied history of the club. For over 50 years now, collectors both young and old have enjoyed owning and trading cards featuring their favorite Mets players from each era. Whether seeking first-year issues for rookie stars or highlight cards from championship teams, Mets cards offer fans a tangible connection to the storied past and present of this proud National League franchise. In the card collecting world, Mets issues remain some of the most popular and valuable reflecting the rich history of this iconic New York ballclub.
